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2ndwind Academy search “2ndwind Academy Podcast” to find the show. Creating clarity & confidence in career transition

19/08/2026

🎙️ Nekoda Smythe-Davis on the 2ndwind Academy Podcast

Retirement at 32 isn't what most people think, especially for an elite athlete. In this re-released episode, Ryan Gonsalves speaks with Commonwealth Gold Medalist and Olympian Nekoda Smythe-Davis about stepping off the mat, dealing with injury, and discovering life beyond sport.

🗣️ "Nothing is worth your health. Like no sport, no Olympics, nothing is worth your health... Let me just focus on getting my mental health and my physical health back to a point where I can actually live my life and be happy." - Nekoda Smythe-Davis

▶️ Catch up on this classic episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/172-nekoda-smythe-davis-leaving-sport-broke-me-but/id1618477039?i=1000735291139&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=Zoho+Social&utm_campaign=October&utm_content=NekodaSmyt
✨ Discover More & Get in Touch
Explore Our Archive: If you're new to the show, explore our past episodes featuring inspiring athletes redefining success beyond competition.

Got a Similar Story? We want to hear from athletes who have navigated the highs and lows of career transition. Get in touch with us!

Career Support: If you're looking for guidance in taking your next professional steps after sport, reach out to the show or visit 2ndwind Advisory at www.secondwindadvisory.com?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=Zoho+Social&utm_campaign=October&utm_content=NekodaSmyt.

12/08/2026

Looking for inspiration on how to turn unexpected life changes into brand-new opportunities?

Here's one of our favourite conversations on the 2ndwind Academy podcast with host Ryan Gonsalves! We revisit the story of Charlie Hartley, a former professional cricketer who took the lessons, setbacks, and resilience he built on the pitch and used them to found Moonrise Sports.

"Injured athletes are probably going to be some of the most resilient people that you can hire. If I were growing, I would actively seek out athletes... they have all the benefits of mindset and growth and aspiration and commitment."
- Charlie Hartley

🔊 Turn your sound!

We love revisiting these conversations to show that no matter where your career started, your core skills can take you anywhere.

Have you experienced a similar transition in your own professional life? Get in touch or leave a comment below, we’d love to hear your story!

If you need support, clarity, or direction in your current career journey, reach out to us directly or visit 2ndwind Advisory for personalised career guidance after sport. Catch up on this episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4kA6HbeGRd5iQJx6iVdezM?si=JtdrJnRmSj-ToscfYEDrb &utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=Zoho+Social&utm_campaign=October&utm_content=Lookingfor

05/08/2026

🏈 "Pick your head up, make eye contact, and build relationships before it's too late."

Here's a standout episode of the 2ndwind Academy podcast with host Ryan Gonsalves, featuring former Texas Tech football player and author Jabari Smith!

In this episode, Jabari reflects on his sports journey, the psychological shock of leaving football behind, and how he turned the challenges of his transition into a mission to empower the next generation of athletes.

💬 "When you're an athlete on campus, everyone knows your name. You never know who knows you or who could be your next business partner. Lift your head up, be aware, and think outside your bubble." - Jabari Smith
🎧 Looking for Motivation or Career Direction?Catch Up on Past Episodes!

Explore our show archives to hear candid stories from former athletes navigating life beyond competition.

Got a Similar Story? If you have walked a similar path from sports into a new professional field, reach out to us, we’d love to hear your story!

Need Career Transition Support? If you are an athlete facing career decisions or needing clarity for your next step, contact the show or visit 2ndwind Advisory to see how we help athletes build new careers.

📲 Stream the full episode here: Listen on Apple Podcasts

🌐 Learn more about 2ndwind Advisory: secondwindadvisory.com?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=Zoho+Social&utm_campaign=October&utm_content=Pickyourhe

22/07/2026

🏈 "You are more than your jersey number." - Emmanuel Smith

We’re re-releasing one of our most impactful episodes of the 2ndwind Academy podcast with host Ryan Gonsalves!

We’re joined by Super Bowl LIV winner Emmanuel Smith, who opens up about transitioning from the NFL into legal tech and sales, building mental resilience, and finding identity beyond sport.

🎧 New to 2ndwind Academy? Go back into our archive to hear real, candid stories from high-performing athletes who successfully reinvented themselves.Got?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=Zoho+Social&utm_campaign=October&utm_content=Youaremore a Story to Tell?

If you have walked a similar path from sports to business, get in touch with us!Need Support with Your Next Steps?

If you’re an athlete in transition needing career support, reach out to the show or visit 2ndwind Advisory for expert career guidance designed specifically for athletes.

📲 Stream the full episode: Listen Here on Buzzsprout or on Apple Podcasts. 🌐 Learn more about 2ndwind Advisory: www.secondwindadvisory.com?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=Zoho+Social&utm_campaign=October&utm_content=Youaremore

15/07/2026

"I arrived 19th in the Olympics. People want to meet an Olympian, but they particularly want to meet a gold medalist. There’s always this very weird deflation in the conversation..."

We are unlocking our archives to bring you a powerful, must-hear classic from the 2ndwind Academy Podcast with host Ryan Gonsalves! In this re-released episode, Team GB Olympian Freddie Woodward takes us behind the scenes of his transition, from diving five to six days a week since age eight, to performing in world-class aqua shows on cruise ships, to starting from scratch as an AI tech developer.

Freddie gives an incredibly honest account of facing "shiny object syndrome," overcoming the fear of starting over, and realizing that your sport is merely the beginning of your life's exciting journey.

Have you walked a similar path?Have you struggled to separate your professional achievements from who you are as a person? We want to build a community of shared stories. Message us or comment below to share your transition journey.

Needing guidance for your next professional chapter?Reinventing yourself can feel like a lonely road, but you don't have to freestyle it. 2ndwind Advisory provides elite career guidance designed to help athletes transition into thriving new roles. Reach out to the show today and take the first step.

🎧 Watch the throwback episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRh5UIrjWBk&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=Zoho+Social&utm_campaign=October&utm_content=Iarrived19

🌐 Explore career support: https://www.secondwindadvisory.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=Zoho+Social&utm_campaign=October&utm_content=Iarrived19

08/07/2026

“Seeking resources is a sign of strength and not a sign of weakness.” — 🎙️

✨ If you’ve only recently joined the community, you won't want to miss this incredible throw-back episode with host Ryan Gonsalves and national bobsleigh athlete .alexklein!

Alex’s journey is a masterclass in flexibility (FOR REAL!). When health issues forced her to step away from international basketball, she didn't stop, she pivoted to a completely different sport, learned how to maintain a bobsleigh track sled, and launched her own businesses, AK Coaching and Eh Team Apparel.

She shares open, honest insights on dealing with identity loss, facing fears on the ice, and rewriting your own future.
💬 What's your transition story? If you’ve had to make a drastic shift in your career or life, let’s talk about it. Drop a comment below or send a DM—we love connecting with people who share similar journeys.

💼 Struggling with your next career move?Transitioning out of elite competition can feel isolating, but you don’t have to do it alone. offers personal career guidance to help you reapply your unique skills into a brand-new career. Reach out to the show to find your next step!

🔗 Link in Bio to catch this classic episode and visit 2ndwind Advisory to book a chat!

24/06/2026

🎧 FROM THE ARCHIVES: A Better Way to Navigate Your Career with Dr. Chris Platts 🎧

"Hope is not a strategy."

New to the 2ndwind Academy podcast? We're bringing back one of our most eye-opening archive episodes to show you just how deep our library goes!

Host Ryan Gonsalves is joined by Dr Chris Platts, an independent researcher and career coach who is shifting the balance of power back to young athletes and their families.

Dr. Platts is the author of the largest independent study into professional football trajectories, having deeply analysed the lives, emotions, and realities of 303 academy players. In this episode, he strips away the "rags to riches" myths of elite sport and offers a practical blueprint on how to predict career scenarios, plan for life transitions, and dramatically reduce the negative stresses that hold athletes back on the field.

👉 Catch the re-release of this vital conversation here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/162-dr-chris-platts-a-better-way-to-navigate-your/id1618477039?i=1000723647758&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=Zoho+Social&utm_campaign=October&utm_content=FROMTHEARC✨

We want to hear your story!
Did you run into unexpected roadblocks while chasing the professional dream, or did you find yourself unprepared for the off-field politics of professional sport? If you have a similar story about navigating elite youth systems and transition, get in touch with us via DM!

🚀 Looking for career guidance after sport?
Elite sport requires immense focus, but transitioning away from it shouldn’t leave you feeling stranded. If you need professional support to figure out your transferable skills and secure a stable, thriving career after sport, 2ndwind Advisory is here to map it out with you.

🌐 Get in touch and book a career strategy call: https://www.secondwindadvisory.com/ ?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=Zoho+Social&utm_campaign=October&utm_content=FROMTHEARC

17/06/2026

🎧 FROM THE ARCHIVES: Letting Go of the Athlete Identity with Tara Arthur 🎧

"Who am I if I'm not an athlete?"

We are opening up the 2ndwind Academy vault to bring back a conversation that hits home for almost every competitor. If you are new to our community or haven't explored our older catalogue yet, this deep-dive episode is a must-listen!

Host Ryan Gonsalves is joined by Tara Arthur for an honest, vulnerable look at the emotional complexities of stepping away from elite sport. Tara opens up about the massive challenge of letting go of the "athlete identity" and rebuilding a completely new professional life from scratch.

Whether you are currently competing, recently retired, or looking to understand the transition process better, Tara’s insights offer an invaluable roadmap for finding your footing outside the arena.

👉 Catch the re-release of this incredible conversation here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/160-tara-arthur-on-letting-go-of-the-athlete-identity/id1618477039?i=1000721727393&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=Zoho+Social&utm_campaign=October&utm_content=FROMTHEARC

✨ We want to hear your story!
Have you gone through the difficult process of redefining who you are after your sporting career ended? Did you hit a wall trying to figure out your next step? Please get in touch with us by sending a direct message, we want to hear your story and feature similar experiences from our listeners.

🚀 Need professional career support?
You don't have to navigate the corporate world alone. If you need expert career guidance to translate your elite athletic skills into a thriving new professional chapter, reach out to the show or visit 2ndwind Advisory to book a consultation and secure your next career move.

🌐 Learn more and connect with us: https://www.secondwindadvisory.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=Zoho+Social&utm_campaign=October&utm_content=FROMTHEARC

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