In episode 11 of the Stride, Francesco shares his journey from a casual hiker in the Aosta Valley of Italy to a competitive trail runner. He discusses the evolution of trail running as a sport, the transition from hiking to racing, and the importance of structured training. Francesco elaborates on the physical and mental challenges of ultra-distance races, including nutrition and pacing strategies. He also touches on the global ranking systems in trail running and shares his personal goals for future competitions, emphasizing the importance of gradual progression in the sport. Takeaways Francesco was born in Aosta Valley, Italy, where he developed a passion for mountain sports. Trail running was not competitive during Francesco's childhood; it evolved into a sport later. Transitioning from hiking to competitive running involved a gradual process of training and racing. Structured training plans significantly improved Francesco's performance in competitions. Nutrition and hydration are crucial during long races; athletes must plan their intake carefully. Francesco's longest races include 110 km with 8,000 meters of elevation gain. Training for ultra-distances involves long runs of 50-70% of the race distance. The UTMB index provides a global ranking for trail runners, but not all races are included. Francesco prefers setting individual competition goals rather than focusing on rankings. Mental strength is as important as physical training in completing ultra-distance races.

In the episode 10 of the Stride, Eslam Sagui shares his journey from Libya to Malta and his discovery of Capoeira during the COVID-19 pandemic. He explains the origins of Capoeira as a martial art developed by African slaves in Brazil, its cultural significance, and how it has evolved into a competitive sport in recent years. Eslam discusses the technical aspects of Capoeira, its connection to music, and the importance of competition in promoting the sport in Europe. In this conversation, Eslam Sagui discusses the intricacies of Capoeira, a unique martial art that blends dance, acrobatics, and music. He explains the different styles of Capoeira, the cultural significance of the sport, and his personal journey as a competitor. Eslam shares insights into the challenges of finding sponsorship and support for athletes in lesser-known sports, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in sports marketing. He expresses his passion for Capoeira and his commitment to representing Malta on the international stage. Takeaways Eslam grew up in Libya and was always active in sports. He discovered Capoeira during a walk on the beach in Malta. Capoeira originated from African slaves in Brazil as a form of self-defense. The movements in Capoeira are inspired by animals and are often mistaken for dance. Capoeira was illegal in Brazil until the 1930s when it became recognized as a legitimate sport. Competitions in Capoeira have only been organized in the last 15 years. Capoeira combines martial arts with music and cultural storytelling. The sport is accessible and can be practiced in informal settings. Capoeira competitions are structured by age and skill level to ensure fairness. Eslam emphasizes the importance of competition for the growth of Capoeira in Europe. Capoeira is distinct from other martial arts like boxing and jiu-jitsu. There are three main styles of Capoeira: Angola, Bangala, and Hijunao. Capoeira is not just a sport; it's a cultural expression. Keywords Capoeira, martial arts, Eslam Sagui, sports history, competition, cultural significance, physical fitness, Brazilian culture, athletic training, sports management, Capoeira, martial arts, competition, sponsorship, athlete support, cultural heritage, training, performance, history, community

In this interview, Lauri Hämäläinen shares his journey in the world of disc golf, discussing his early experiences, competitive motivations, and the evolution of the sport. He emphasizes the importance of training, physical fitness, and the gear used in disc golf. Lauri also reflects on the community spirit of the sport, the challenges faced by players in Finland, and the growth of disc golf in Europe. He expresses aspirations for future competitions and the need for better support for European players to compete at a higher level. Takeaways Lauri started playing disc golf at a young age. He has been competing for nine years now. Motivation can fluctuate over a long career. Training has evolved to include gym workouts. Physical fitness plays a crucial role in performance. Disc golf gear includes various types of discs. Strategy is key in disc golf competitions. The community spirit is important in disc golf. The sport is growing rapidly in Europe. Lauri aims to compete in the US in the future. Titles The Evolution of Disc Golf Gear Future Aspirations in Disc Golf Sound Bites "I want to win something this season." "I actually gained like 20 kilograms in two years." "You can literally be a stick, but you can be precise."

In this conversation, Danyil Odynets, a young and ambitious triathlete, shares his journey from his childhood in Ukraine to becoming a competitive triathlete. He discusses the various aspects of triathlon, including the swimming, cycling, and running segments, and the strategies he employs to excel in each. Danyil also highlights the importance of nutrition, mental preparation, and the challenges he faces in training and competition. As he looks to the future, he shares his goals for upcoming races and his aspirations to compete at a higher level in the sport. Takeaways Danyil grew up in a supportive environment that encouraged sports. He started running at 13 and swimming at 16. Triathlon consists of swimming, cycling, and running, each requiring specific strategies. Nutrition is crucial for triathletes, especially during long races. Danyil aims for a sub-830 Ironman race in Taiwan. He emphasizes the importance of mental strategy during races. Transitioning between segments is a skill that can save time. Danyil's current record for Ironman is 8 hours 58 minutes. He has two main sponsors supporting his triathlon career. Danyil is determined to achieve his goals and dreams in triathlon.

In this conversation, Tyran Dixon reflects on his journey through football, from his challenging first season overseas to his formative years growing up in the United States. He shares insights into the high school football experience, the transition to college football, and the importance of mental fortitude and character development. Tyran emphasizes the role of coaches, the pressure of performance, and the significance of incremental improvement in achieving success. His story highlights the dedication and resilience required to navigate the competitive landscape of sports. In this conversation, Tyran Dixon shares his journey from playing at a Division II college to pursuing a professional football career. He discusses the importance of accountability, personal growth through coaching, and the challenges faced in the competitive world of sports. Tyran reflects on the mental health struggles that come with setbacks and emphasizes the need for resilience and purpose beyond football. His experiences highlight the emotional and psychological aspects of being an athlete, as well as the importance of supporting one another in the face of adversity. Takeaways Adapting to a new culture can be challenging but rewarding. High school football is deeply integrated into American culture. Coaches play a crucial role in shaping young athletes. The transition to college football is a significant step. Mental fortitude is essential for overcoming challenges. Character development is a key aspect of sports. Incremental improvement is vital for long-term success. The pressure to perform can be intense in college sports. Building a supportive team environment is crucial. Every athlete's journey is unique and requires dedication. Accountability is crucial in representing a team. Winning each day is a key mindset for success. Competing at a high level requires resilience and hard work. Coaching can provide valuable insights into personal performance. Setbacks in sports can lead to mental health challenges. The business of sports often overshadows individual talent. Finding purpose beyond sports is essential for long-term fulfillment. Support systems are vital during tough times in an athlete's career. Every athlete faces competition and must continuously prove themselves. Making a difference in others' lives can be a rewarding legacy. Looking to get sponsored, or become a sponsor for emerging athletes? Go to NxtStride.com

In this episode of The Stride, JP discusses the challenges faced by emerging athletes in securing sponsorship and recognition in the sports industry. He emphasizes the need for brands to rethink their approach to sponsorship, particularly in supporting athletes from niche sports. JP highlights the importance of authenticity in brand ambassadors and the significant influence of women athletes in driving consumer behavior. He introduces NxtStride as a solution to create a more inclusive and sustainable sports sponsorship landscape. Takeaways The current sports sponsorship model is exclusive and broken. Emerging athletes often struggle to gain recognition and support. Brands need to rethink their metrics for sponsorship effectiveness. Authenticity in athletes leads to greater brand influence. Women athletes are powerful influencers in the market. NxtStride aims to create a more inclusive sponsorship model. Sponsorship should focus on supporting local and regional champions. The traditional metrics of viewership do not apply to niche sports. Brands can achieve better ROI by supporting emerging athletes. Sustainable sponsorship can benefit both athletes and brands.

In this episode, the host JP discusses athlete valuation and introduces the Sustainable Athlete Valuation System developed by NxtStride. The traditional sports sponsorship model values athletes based on their previous sponsorship agreements, which perpetuates inequality and does not support sustainable athlete development. The Sustainable Athlete Valuation System takes into account factors such as athletic performance, media reach, and collaboration performance on the NxtStride platform to determine an athlete's value. The system aims to provide athletes with a sustainable living wage and support their growth and potential. The host addresses concerns and criticisms about the system, including its focus on short-term performance, social media influence, and the needs of lesser-known athletes. Keywords athlete valuation, sustainable athlete valuation system, sports sponsorship, athlete development, traditional sports sponsorship model, inequality, sustainable living wage, athletic performance, media reach, collaboration performance, growth potential, short-term performance, social media influence, lesser-known athletes Takeaways The traditional sports sponsorship model values athletes based on their previous sponsorship agreements, which perpetuates inequality and does not support sustainable athlete development. The Sustainable Athlete Valuation System developed by NxtStride takes into account factors such as athletic performance, media reach, and collaboration performance on the platform to determine an athlete's value. The system aims to provide athletes with a sustainable living wage and support their growth and potential at all levels of achievement. The system is not focused solely on short-term performance or turning athletes into social media influencers. It values authenticity, recognizes achievements at all levels, and considers future potential. The system is fair to new or lesser-known athletes and seeks to highlight their growth stories and give them a chance to thrive. The system acknowledges the limitations of not addressing the full financial realities of being an athlete, such as training costs and travel expenses, and is working on sport-specific valuation mechanisms. The system is designed to prioritize long-term sustainability and future potential rather than just short-term wins. The system is not biased towards athletes already familiar with the platform and encourages realistic scoring and feedback. The system is athlete-centric and does not fully address the needs of the team around the athlete or equipment costs. The Sustainable Athlete Valuation System is a work in progress and will continuously evolve based on athlete feedback and collaboration scores.

Sports sponsorship in emerging sports is becoming more exclusive and difficult to obtain. The limited reach and lack of validation and recognition are the main challenges. Traditional media outlets have reduced team sizes and rely on algorithms, making it difficult for emerging sports to gain coverage. Brands also rely on algorithms, which regurgitate popular stories instead of discovering new ones. Building trust is the key to solving this problem. NxtStride.com aims to build trust and effectively communicate it to stakeholders in emerging sports. Keywords sports sponsorship, emerging sports, limited reach, validation, recognition, traditional media, algorithms, trust, NxtStride.com Takeaways Sports sponsorship in emerging sports is becoming more exclusive and difficult to obtain. The limited reach of emerging sports is a challenge for sponsorship. Validation and recognition are crucial for attracting sponsors. Traditional media outlets have reduced team sizes and rely on algorithms, making it difficult for emerging sports to gain coverage. Brands also rely on algorithms, which regurgitate popular stories instead of discovering new ones. Building trust is the key to solving the sponsorship problem in emerging sports. NxtStride.com aims to build trust and effectively communicate it to stakeholders in emerging sports.

This episode explores the interplay between athletes, sports governing bodies, the general public, and sponsors in terms of reward and recognition. Athletes seek intrinsic rewards and recognition, which can be achieved through achieving milestones and receiving validation from peers, the public, and governing bodies. Financial support from sponsors is crucial for athletes to focus on their training and competition. Sports governing bodies provide validation and financial distribution, while the general public offers recognition and validation through fan support and engagement. Sponsors provide financial support and seek recognition and brand alignment in return. Keywords reward, recognition, athletes, sports governing bodies, general public, sponsors, financial support, validation, intrinsic rewards Takeaways Athletes seek intrinsic rewards and recognition, which can be achieved through achieving milestones and receiving validation from peers, the public, and governing bodies. Financial support from sponsors is crucial for athletes to focus on their training and competition. Sports governing bodies provide validation and financial distribution. The general public offers recognition and validation through fan support and engagement. Sponsors provide financial support and seek recognition and brand alignment in return.