Todd Abrams went from being nicknamed "Lumpy" to an IFBB pro men's physique competitor and co-founder and CEO of ICON Meals, a company that delivers healthy meals to thousands across the US. But ICON Meals is just the latest chapter in Todd's entrepreneurial journey. He's founded and successfully exited multiple companies, including Outdoor Solutions and Layer Technologies. From funeral home management software to cloud computing, Todd has consistently demonstrated his knack for identifying opportunities and building thriving businesses across various markets. In this episode, Todd reveals a consistent pattern of identifying needs, seizing opportunities, and adapting to change. He illustrates the power of solving problems you encounter firsthand, the importance of being agile in the face of challenges, and the potential of combining passion with smart business strategies. Todd's experiences, from tech to food, underscore a fundamental truth in entrepreneurship: success often lies in making people's lives easier or better. Here are some of the key topics from the episode: - Build Solutions from Your Own Needs - Pivot or Perish - Food as a Tool for Change - First Mover Advantage - Convenience is King

Lauren Griswold’s resume spans from baseball diamonds to the halls of higher education. Currently, she serves as the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer for Boise State University. She joined them in 2019 as Associate Vice President for Creative Strategy and quickly rose through the ranks, taking on increasing responsibility for the university's communications and marketing efforts. But it's her diverse background – with stints at Arizona State University, Mt. Hood Community College, Edelman Public Relations, Microsoft, and even Major League Baseball – that make her career journey so interesting, In this episode, Lauren shares wisdom from her path. The central theme that emerges is the power of embracing the unexpected, taking risks, and staying true to your own definition of success. Lauren's story shows us how to build a fulfilling career on your own terms, even if it means coloring outside the lines. If you're looking for inspiration and actionable advice on your own path to a successful marketing career, this episode is for you.

On this week's episode of How The F*** Did You Get That Job, I sat down with Nate Jorgensen, a guy whose career journey has been filled with all sorts of ups and downs and twists and turns. From his early days as a sports information director at Defiance College to his current role as Senior Director of Academic Marketing and Communications at Miami University, Nate's path is a prime example of embracing the unexpected and turning challenges into opportunities. In this conversation, Nate and I took an honest look at what it takes to build a fulfilling career in a field where the only constant is change. As he shared his journey, it became clear that his success isn't only a result of his impressive skills or his willingness to work hard - it's a testament to his ability to stay true to himself, to lean into his unique experiences, and to find the lesson in every turn.

How the f**k did Lindsey Metselaar go from social media specialist (before social was cool) to founding her own podcast with over 1.2K ratings on Apple Podcasts and an Instagram following of 41.7K? Today we’re talking with Lindsey about her journey from being at the forefront of social media marketing and advertising to founding her own podcast and company. Lindsey graduated from Boston University in 2012. After that she began writing and creating content on staff for companies like Mass Appeal, Fever Labs, and GoButler. From there she founded her own social media management company. Today she is still running that same company, Lindsey's Lunchbox, along with a food blog @dontexpectsalads, and the wildly successful podcast, We Met At Acme. So how did Lindsey gain thousands of followers and get them to participate in her many successful polls? And why won’t Brené Brown get back to her about being on her show?

How the f**k did Matt Tornquist go from studying engineering at Purdue to creating content for the LSU football team? Today we’re talking with Matt about how his love for the craft of making videos and the many reps he put in led him to his dream job in Baton Rouge. Matt is a graduate of Purdue University where he was a recruiting design intern for the Boilermakers. In his time at college, he also co-founded a company specializing in mobile social media graphic creation called Uplink Sports. After graduating Matt worked as a freelance creator and full-time Video Producer with Purdue Athletics. Today, he works on the national champion LSU Athletics Creative and Digital Media staff. So how did Matt get into the creative media space with an Industrial Management degree? And how did he end up grabbing drinks with Bo Pelini of Nebraska football (a.k.a. Jake’s dream dinner date)?

How the f**k did Santino Stancato go from interning with the Brooklyn Cyclones to building up brands like Temple University and Georgia Tech? Today we’re talking with Santino about his journey through the world of sports and branding and how he turned down some high-paying jobs just to do what he loves. Santino graduated from Bloomsberg University of Pennsylvania in 2016. Since then he’s been building up strong brands in sports. He’s done that for the Brooklyn Cyclones, Marshall University, and Temple University. Today he is a brand manager at Georgia Tech University Athletics in Atlanta. So how did Santino survive in Brooklyn off of $8/hour and meal vouchers for stadium food? And how did he end up making sick graphics and getting behind the camera for Georgia Tech?

How the f**k did Dr. Chithra Durgam bring the world of dentistry to Tik Tok? Today we’re talking with Dr. Chithra Durgam about her journey into dentistry and how she’s been modernizing the business with her focus on technology and people. Chithra is a cosmetic dentist with over 17 years of private practice experience. She has been featured in 201 Magazine, Good Day New York, Fox 5 News, and in Gary Vaynerchuck’s book Crushing It. Today, she works as the founder of Aesthetic Dental, Roar Mouthguards, and is also a keynote speaker. She is also focusing a lot on her work with voice technology working with influencers to get them involved in the world of voice. So how did Chithra mix the worlds of Disney and dentistry? And how has she utilized modern technology to reach a bigger audience on platforms such as Tik Tok and Instagram?

How the f**k did Akshay Ram accomplish more than most people in his field and he still hasn’t finished college yet? Today we’re talking with Akshay about his success in the world of sports and recruiting. Akshay started his career in graphic design doing freelance work with the National Hockey League’s Columbus Blue Jackets. From there he helped Holy Cross University’s football program as a recruiting design intern. He only just finished his sophomore year at Syracuse University, but he’s already filled graphic design roles for some big name brands in sports, most recently the Los Angeles Clippers. Today, Akshay continues to work as a Social Moments Associate Designer with Bleacher Report and Football Creative Media Associate with Syracuse. So how did Akshay end up working for some of the biggest names in sports while still in school to get his degree in engineering? And how many customers did he get when he offered to make free logos after only using Photoshop for one day?

How the f**k did Corey Bellemore turn his passion for running and his interest in chugging beer into a world record? Today, we’re talking with Corey about how his athleticism and ability to chug a beer led him to find a worldwide audience through the beer mile. Corey has spent his life in the sport of running. He specialized in the 1500 meter race for the University of Windsor. In his time there he also set the world record for the beer mile. Corey recently graduated from Windsor and is now running with Team Canada and professionally with sponsors like adidas and Flying Monkeys Brewery. So how does one chug and run without spewing their guts? And was Jaffin able to chug his Heineken during this episode?

How the f**k did Jarrett McGovern go from selling toothpicks out of his garage to selling cold brew to stores all over the Northeast? Today we’re talking with Jarrett about his own entrepreneurial journey that led him into the cold brew industry. A few years after graduating from Cornell with a marketing degree, Jarrett was the Co-Founder of the company ToothStix. He went on to work for The Water Initiative as their Creative Director. He ended up stopping both of those gigs to co-found the first nitro cold brew company in Brooklyn in 2014. Since then, RISE Brewing Company built a full-scale brewery in Stamford and is selling its coffee all-around the Northeast. So how did Jarrett turn his garage into a fully functioning toothpick production factory? And where will Jarrett be in 30 years? Possibly Greece?

How the f**k did Michael Leece go from helping out with AAU basketball to working at one of the best sports marketing companies in the nation? Today we’re chatting with Michael about his journey from Syracuse to Radegen. Michael graduated from Syracuse University in 2013. During his time in school, he had internships with Union College Sports Information, NFL Alumni, and ESPN. Upon graduating, Michael was the Director of the National Football League Division of JR Sports Enterprises. After growing that company for three years, Michael transitioned to become the Director of Client Marketing and Business Development at one of the nation’s largest sports marketing companies, Radegen. So how did Michael and David Ortiz start their now long term partnership? And what is Michael saying about the future of Esports?

How the f**k did Ty Rogers go from playing baseball at Indiana University Bloomington and majoring in Criminal Justice to shooting music videos for Da Baby? Today we’re chatting with Ty about his crazy path from college athlete to Emmy Award Winner who now shoots with huge names including Bronnie James, Cam Newton, and Chase Young. Ty played college baseball for Indiana University. He tried his hat at coaching for a few years all the while honing his graphic design skills. Eventually, he ended up back at his alma mater as the creative coordinator for Indiana Men’s Basketball. He went on to fill similar roles for iconic programs like Duke Men’s Basketball and Michigan Football where he picked up an Emmy for Best Sports Feature. Just over a year ago Ty made the decision to pursue freelance content creation running his own company. So how did Ty make the jump from assistant baseball coach to creative coordinator? And how the heck did this guy become this good at content creation in a matter of months?

How the f**k did Ethan Zohn win season 3 of Survivor, start a non-profit with his winnings, and survive his own battles with cancer? Today we’re chatting with Ethan about his journey from the soccer world into the reality world and then into the non-profit world. Ethan was a professional soccer player rising through the USL and overseas leagues when in 2001, he filmed an audition tape (after some drinks) to be on the CBS hit show “Survivor.” He ended up not only participating in the show, but winning the whole thing along with one million dollars. Since then he’s done things like run both the New York Marathon and Boston Marathon and dribble a soccer ball from Boston to DC to raise awareness for non-profits. He’s held titles like inspirational speaker, World Cup Soccer analyst, and appeared on ABC, ESPN Discovery Channel, and Outside TV. He’s beaten cancer not once, but twice, and still today, Ethan is a co-founder of the non-profit, Grassroots Soccer. So how did Ethan take his winnings and his passion for soccer to start his super successful non-profit? And what are some of his tips on how to thrive in quarantine?

This week we're presenting a conversation with Louis Monoyudis, CMO at Bokksu, a company that's basically a penpal who sends you Japanese snacks instead of letters. Louis has been around the block - Harvard folklore degree, fashion stints at Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, and more startups than you can count. During this chat, Louis shared a whole lot: Including how his unorthodox background in folklore and mythology actually laid the foundation for his marketing prowess, the challenges of being a CMO in the startup world, and why building a diverse and inclusive team is crucial for success. Louis' insights are a crash course in out-of-the-box thinking and nurturing a culture where everyone can thrive.

How the f**k did Preston McClellan end up with one of the most sought after Instagram handles for Prestons across the globe? Today we’re talking with Preston about his journey through the digital/social media marketing space starting with college athletics and eventually bringing to the PGA TOUR. Preston graduated from the University of Memphis in 2012 with a degree in Journalism, and after graduation, he worked in marketing and public relations for the United States Junior Golf Tour. He went on to fill similar roles for the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational and the Armed Forces Bowl before accepting a Graduate assistantship at the University of Ohio. There, Preston worked in digital media and athlete relations. In 2015, Preston accepted a job with the PGA Tour in Digital Communications, and today, he is the Director of Player Content for the PGA Tour. So how does Preston bring his digital marketing and social media marketing expertise to the forefront of his job at the PGA TOUR? And will Preston ever sell his Instagram handle to some lucky Preston in the world?

How the f**k did Kari Pearce go from one of Ann Arbor's best gymnasts to the Fittest American Woman in 2016, 2018 AND 2019? Today we’re talking with Kari Pearce. Kari graduated from the University of Michigan where she won four Big 10 Championships on the varsity gymnastics team. Since graduating, Kari has competed at the CrossFit Games five times, and three-times she’s been named Fittest American Female. She is currently the 5th fittest woman on earth. Aside from her career as an athlete, Kari is also a trainer at CrossFit SPOT in New York City and runs one of the most effective workout programs in fitness called PowerAbs. So how did Kari make the jump from gymnastics to CrossFit? And how did she become one of the best in the world while training in New York City?

How the f**k did Kevin Belbey take his love for basketball and broadcasting and jump into a career that he didn’t even know existed before he left college? Today we are chatting with Kevin Belbey. Kevin has his J.D. from Syracuse University where he also attended undergrad and spent almost four years as a student manager for the school’s basketball team. Kevin has had internships with NBC for the 2012 London Olympics, CBS, ABC News, and the FCC. Since leaving ‘Cuse, Kevin has worked his way up the ranks at one of top sports broadcasting talent representation companies in the nation, The Montag Group. He currently holds the title of Vice President of Sports Broadcasting. On top of that,  Kevin is also the General Manager of perennial contender in the nationally televised TBT Basketball Tournament, Boeheim’s Army. So how did Kevin end up working for The Montag Group? And why was he constantly bleeding during basketball practices when he wasn’t even suiting up to play?

How the f**k did Dev Sethi go from Notre Dame sports fan to holding the prestigious title of Head of Sports at Instagram? Today we are chatting with Dev about his career journey that eventually landed him a job at Instagram. Dev graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2006 and shortly after, he accepted a job as a strategist at a little company called Google. He then transitioned to a Senior Strategist role in New Partnerships at YouTube in 2011. He moved on from the Alphabet group to work as Head of Partnerships at Whistle Sports. After two years there, Dev spent almost two years as Chief of Staff for the legendary Complex Network. Today, he has the unreal title of Head of Sports at Instagram. So how did Dev work his way through these well-known companies? And is it ever okay to sleep with socks on? Sorry Jaffin, it just isn’t.

How the f**k did Jed Collins go from the NFL to writing his own book about financial literacy? Today we’re talking with Jed about his journey from football to finance and all the lessons he learned along the way. Jed left Washington State University with an accounting degree in 2007. Unlike most of his business school classmates, Jed took that degree to go play seven years in the NFL. After he spent some time as a CFP, he realized that he wanted to do more to help the majority, not just the top 1 percent. Today, Jed is the Director of Financial Education program Rookie to Veteran, Brighton Jones and the author of the book, Your Money Vehicle. So what did Jed learn from his multiple position changes throughout his football career? And what was Mark Sanchez like in high school?

Why the f*ck did we stop posting podcasts? Producer Jenna got busier at the golf course because people can’t do anything else with their time but golf right now. David made the transition from VaynerSports to Grit Player Services, a major leap of faith that will now turn our apartment into our company headquarters. It took a lot of time, a lot of hard work and a lot of midnight texts saying, “You up?” But in the end, we joined forces and brought on four new clients and are ready to hit the ground running again with this podcast by bringing on more guests with awesome job titles and even more awesome stories. We appreciate anyone who cares enough to listen and read this.

How the f**k did Rodney Cofield Jr. go from getting a free camera from a grant to providing freelance work for the likes of Turner Sports, Bud Light, Nike and adidas? Today we are chatting with Rodney Cofield Jr. Rodney graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Mass Communication. Upon graduating, he tried his hand in a few different careers before he was able to pick up a camera through a grant he wrote himself. He started making a name for himself shooting local high school football games, and eventually, he picked up a second degree in Video and Photographic Arts from Georgia Southern. Today, he runs his own content production company based out of Atlanta called iSmooth Media. So how did Rodney provide a service in a space and a city that really needed it? And did we finally answer the question: Is a hot dog a sandwich?

How the f**k did Malik Zaire go from a devastating injury to traveling across the country creating football content for all the top networks? Today, we are talking with the “Lucky Lefty” Malik Zaire. Malik originally gained national recognition starting at quarterback for the University of Notre Dame. Since then, he’s continued performing at a high level as an on-personality for the acclaimed sports network, Overtime where he formed relationships with big-time athletes like Spencer Rattler and Trevor Laurence. Today, you can catch him offering up analysis and stories on CBS Sports and Sirius XM. So how did Malik make the transition from player to analyst? Why does he think the PSP was so slept on? And what’s Malik’s secret to the perfect cup of tea?

How the f**k did Darius Fleming go from playing football in the NFL to creating special moments for fans all over the world through the company, Cameo? Today we are talking with Darius Fleming about football, transitions and how to best educate yourself about systemic racism and injustice right now. Darius grew up in Chicago, Illinois and graduated from Notre Dame University where he also played linebacker for the school’s legendary football program. He went on to play professionally for the San Francisco 49ers and picked up a Super Bowl win with the New England Patriots. After leaving the world of playing football, Darius worked in media relations and sales back in Chicago. Today, he is in strategic partnerships with one of the hottest companies in the media space, Cameo. So how did Darius go from football player to successful salesman so quickly? And how do we educate ourselves about social injustice without being an opportunistic cloud chaser?

How the f**k did Nik Conklin go from playing college soccer in Brooklyn to taking his skills to leading video production at Clemson University and :betr? Today we talk to Nik about his journey through design and content creation that took him up and down the East Coast moving in and out of the sports world. Nik played Division I soccer at Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus where he earned a Bachelor degree in media arts and English while also going on to receive his Masters in video production there. In his time at LIU he also interned at the Barclay Center. He moved on to spend almost six years at Clemson University, rising to the rank of Senior Director of Creative Solutions before leaving in January 2020 to take on the position of Head of Content at the digital media production company :betr, based in Boston. So why did Nik decide to attend LIU? And how did he fair road tripping with his 2-week-old son to Tampa to watch the national championship game in 2017?

Elias Martinez, AVP for University Marketing at Texas State University, recently sat down with me on How The F** Did You Get That Job*. Elias gave us the real story of his wild ride from the middle of nowhere in New Mexico to the big time in higher ed marketing.

Elias' insights couldn't have come at a better time for higher ed marketers. The game is getting tougher, and students are getting pickier about where they want to spend their college years (and money). In a world where everyone's craving authenticity and relatability, Elias' approach to storytelling and brand-building is a masterclass in how universities can stand out from the crowd and actually connect with young people.

He makes it crystal clear that marketing isn't just about selling a product – it's about promoting opportunities and making a real difference. Elias is challenging higher ed marketers to take a long, hard look at what they're doing and how they can do it better. He's pushing them to think outside the box and get creative with their strategies – not just to boost enrollment numbers, but to create brands that actually mean something to students and society as a whole.

So if you're in higher ed marketing and you're not paying attention to what Elias has to say, you're missing out on some serious wisdom. This is your sign to start keeping it real, telling better stories, and making a real impact with your work. Because at the end of the day, that's what it's all about – not just selling a degree, but changing lives and making the world a little bit better, one student at a time.

How the f**k did Samuel Silverman go from flipping pizzas in Columbus, Ohio to becoming creative director for The Ohio State football team? Today we talk to Samuel about his graphic design career path starting in Ohio. Samuel spent his first years out of school as a graphic designer for a couple companies in Columbus before he rose through the design ranks at his alma mater, going from graphic designer to assistant director of creative media and branding for The Ohio State University Football program. In 2018, he became the creative director for the team before finishing up that athletic calendar in May of 2019. He then left OSU to be the founder and creative director of his own branding and design shop, SammySilv, Inc. So how did Samuel make it into OSU’s rigorous and exclusive industrial design program? And how many pairs of sneakers does this man actually own?

How the f**k did Eve Wulf start out as an intern for Sports Illustrated and end up working for ESPN, helping produce films and miniseries including “The Last Dance” just a year later? Today, we’re chatting with Eve Wulf about her background in sports (she comes from a huge sports family with her dad being ESPN Senior Writer Steve Wulf and her twin sister playing hockey at Middlebury college). We also talk about her time at Bucknell University, where Eve was a research Intern at the Elias Sports Bureau and an editorial intern for Sports Illustrated. She also spent some time writing on campus and learned the importance of storytelling both in film and through writing. So how did Eve successfully make the jump from college into her first job at ESPN? And how do the Wulf twins compare when it comes to hockey?

How the f**k did Daron K. Roberts go from Harvard Law to volunteering and helping the special teams coach for the Kansas City Chiefs and moving up through the ranks from there? Today, we talk to Daron about his journey through law school and the NFL. Near his graduation from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was student body president, Daron was a U.S. Senate Aid to the Governmental Affairs Committee. From there he went on to attend the Harvard Kennedy School and graduate from Harvard Law School in 2007 after four years of being put on the waitlist. Daron then made the transition to the football coaching world where he coached for teams like the Chiefs, the Lions, the Browns, and West Virginia University. Since then Daron has written a best selling book and is now a Lecturer in Humanities at the University of Texas at Austin where he is also the founding director for the Center for Sports leadership and Innovation, and an advisory board member to the South By Southwest conference. So how did Daron persevere through countless Harvard and coaching applications? And did we add a new Lightning round theme song by accident?

How the f**k did Blake Lawrence go from making negative $54 on his first business venture to owning and operating his own successful company, Opendorse? On today’s episode we talk about how Blake went from playing football at Nebraska to founding two successful companies: Hurrdat and Opendorse. Blake co founded the company, HurrDat with his buddy Adi, while they were still in school at the University of Nebraska in 2010. In 2013, he was chosen as one of the Midwest’s most successful, high-performing entrepreneurs to complete a Pipeline Entrepreneurial Fellowship. Today, his other company Opendorse has facilitated deals with leagues like the NFL, NBA, NHL, UFC, La Liga, and athletes like Connor McGregor, Rob Gronkowski, and Gareth Bale just to name a few. So how did Blake manage two growing companies at the same time? And how did a $10 Tweet win him the attention of the NFL?

How the f**k did Brittany Wagner go from not knowing what she wanted to do in her junior year of college, to working as the counselor at East Mississippi Community College in the hit Netflix show, “Last Chance U” and having her work highlighted in GQ? We are talking to our very special guest today about her journey into academic counseling which landed her the job in Scooba, Mississippi, helping the athletes at EMCC achieve academic success, so they could go on to play football at Division 1 schools. Today, Brittany continues to motivate top talent as a speaker and consultant through her company, 10,000 Pencils, LLC. So did Brittany always know that this was the career she was destined for? And why do we keep putting an extra “s” in Starkville, Mississippi?

How the f**k did RJ Kaminski get a job at The Premier Lacrosse League in addition to helping create content for Shootout for Soldiers, a 24-hour lacrosse game that benefits American veterans? Today, we’re chatting with RJ about his impressive and wide-ranging resumé that had him working as a sports reporter and broadcaster, creating an entire content calendar and social media position for Meet the Press, and then eventually to the PLL. In high school, RJ’s buddy started Shootout for Soldiers and he asked RJ to run social media and broadcast it—all 24 hours of the game. Still to this day, RJ helps run the social media for the organization and the annual game. Though familiar with broadcasting the sport, RJ never actually played lacrosse before working for The Lacrosse Network and taking over their social media that included him going to shoot footage in front of the Flatiron building in freezing weather. His hard work paid off taking him from the East Coast to the West Coast to take on the role as Manager of Content at PLL. So how did RJ reconfigure his cover letter to get the job at Meet the Press? And what are his thoughts on sleeping with socks on?

How the f**k did Jordan Schultz get a job at ESPN as an insider/analyst in addition to being a correspondent on The Boardroom AND co-hosting a podcast with CJ McCollum? Today we're talking with him about his long hours spent copy editing and blogging for free. We also talk about the influence voracious reading had on his life, as well as his family's mentality to help everyone and treat everyone with respect because you never know who will be there to help you later on in life. That's definitely paid off with Jordan producing and writing content for organizations like the LA Times, NBC, Yahoo, Fox, and the Huffington Post. So how did he make and keep those valuable connections? And who would be the first one to get a tweet out between Jordan, Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter? Hint: it’s the guy who sleeps in one hour bursts.

How the f**k did Max Browne go from outranking the likes of Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield and Mitch Trubisky in high school football rankings to heading up and managing the social team for Lewis Howes? On today’s episode, we talk with Max his college football years playing for USC and Pitt, and how he spent some time off the field practicing his play-by-play announcing skills calling out two-minute drills at practices. After college, he moved to the East Coast working as a channel manager for Team GaryVee. He continued to build up his on-camera talent through his own YouTube channel. That channel and an early-morning pickup basketball game helped him land a few appearances that jump-started his career. So how did Max get connected to Lewis Howes? And what was Max’s first-ever Instagram post?

How the f**k did Kate Mannion end up writing for Barstool Sports, co-hosting the podcast series “Zero Blog Thirty” and co-hosting the Chaps and Kate Show on Sirius XM? Today, we’re talking about calzones, cheese cups, and totally normal binders full of women with Kate. She served in the US Marine Corps, deploying twice to Afghanistan, before coming back to the U.S. and participating in a volunteer program dedicated to integrating veterans into selective fields. She went from helping angry shopkeepers whose business were affected by subway construction to sitting in a room full of writers for “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart '' and putting together expense reports for Comedy Central. After she moved back to Philadelphia and while she was working concessions at the Wells Fargo Center, she started taking her Twitter content seriously and it took off. That’s where her soon to be partner in crime,  Uncle Chaps, found her photo of the vagina-shaped calzone. After an appearance on his podcast, she was invited to write freelance, which eventually led to a full-time gig. So how did Kate make the transition from military to comedy? And what advice did she give us when it comes to talking to girls?

How the f**k did Bill Weir end up as CNN’s Chief Climate Correspondent after spending years as "that funny midwest sports guy"? Today’s guest started by sending hundreds of cassette tapes across the nation to get his foot in the door as a sports reporter. He wound up covering the Chicago Bulls during Michael Jordan’s reign (even making an appearance on the new ESPN docuseries, “The Last Dance”). Then he moved on to covering the Lakers dynasty with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. Bill tried his hand in Hollywood before getting offered the position at “Good Morning America” in New York City. From there, his journalistic career brought him to space shuttle launches, Tibet, Hurricane Katrina, and Afghanistan. His own travel show, “The Wonder List” stoked his passion for the issue of climate change. So, he entered into the role of Chief Climate Correspondent at CNN shortly after finishing. So how did Bill get access to hundreds of VCR Tapes? How did it feel to cover two Phil Jackson dynasties? And why should you be careful interviewing the  “Dancing with the Stars” cast?

In the world of business, it's easy to assume that being the market leader is the ultimate goal. After all, who wouldn't want to dominate their industry and enjoy the spoils of success? But there's a compelling case to be made for the advantages of being a challenger brand - a company that may not be the top dog, but is hungry, agile, and ready to shake things up.

As Marissa Solis, SVP of Global Brand and Consumer Marketing for the NFL, puts it, "If you can combine both the swagger and the hunger, I think you get a perfect marketer." In other words, while market leaders may have the confidence that comes with their position, challenger brands have the drive and adaptability that can propel them to new heights.

In this episode, we'll explore the benefits of embracing the challenger mindset, from avoiding the pitfalls of complacency to connecting with underserved markets. We'll also examine real-world examples of companies that have leveraged their underdog status to achieve remarkable success. So buckle up and get ready to root for the underdogs.

How the f**k did Shea Dawson draft up her own job description in order to transition out of the NBA and into Overtime? On today’s episode, we’re talking with Shea about how a clear life mission guided her through the teaching and sports worlds. Shea knew that her mission was to help athletes, especially those within the black community, leverage their platforms in sports for social and financial capital elsewhere. After working as a coach and a teacher for a few years, she started working with the Philadelphia 76ers. Eventually, she felt a push to do more, so she drew up a sort of manifesto outlining her dream job and sent it off to Overtime. They started the process of hiring her shortly after. So how did Shea really solidify her own mission? And what Shea Dawson quote will we put right under the Pete Carrol rejection note in the HTFDYGTJ? history books?

How the f**k did Nicholas Stone go from playing professionally in the Australian Football League to founding his own chain of coffee shops? Today, we chat with Nicholas about earning a degree in business as a professional athlete, his investment banking career that included a pitch to the C-Suite of Apple, and starting his own coffee company. Nicholas grew up in Melbourne, Australia. He got recruited to play in the AFL right out of high school. He went on to play at the sport's highest level for SIX years. After working with the largest bank in Australia for a few years after his athletic career ended, his fascination and passion for traveling led him to New York City. For three years, Nicholas was methodically opening up his own coffee shops and building the brand Bluestone Lane. All the while, he was still working as Director of Corporate Finance and Head of Americas (what a title) for ANZ. So how did Bluestone blow up to over 50 locations? And why was Cameron Diaz freezing outside one of his shops in the snow?

How the f**k did AJ Vaynerchuk know he was going to start a business with his brother as early as high school? Today AJ talks with us about how he co-founded VaynerMedia and blazed a trail in the social-first digital agency business. AJ went on sabbatical after years of hard work at Vayner (a real sabbatical, but we'll let him tell you what that means). When he got back from Martha’s Vineyard, where he spent his days reading, hanging out with his wife, and capturing Pokémon on dog walks, AJ founded VaynerSports. So why did AJ want to enter into the sports agency space? Did he really take the first-ever Uber ride in New York City? And whose torch would be put out first in "Survivor: VaynerSports"?

How the f**k did Tom Weingarten go from hosting impromptu Union Square dunk competitions to managing a social media platform with over a billion impressions per month? Today we talk with Tom, a.k.a. Overtime Tom, about his journey through the sports world as he built up Overtime to what it is today. The trick to their success? iPhones. They’ve been dominating the social media game in the world of sports by beating out organizations like Bleacher Report and ESPN when it comes to releasing content authentically and efficiently. The athlete relationships that technology helped foster has also led to massive success on Tik Tok, where they’ve raked in over 8 million followers, thanks to Tom (he guards the password to the account with his life). So how did Tom become fluent in social media? And who is Overtime Steve?

How the f**k did Kenny Bell go from connecting with fans at The Bar The Bar in Lincoln to connecting with brands like Bud Light looking to get involved with his Twitch streams? Today, we talk with Fairview High School's finest, Kenny Bell. After setting re-writing the record book as a wide receiver at the powerhouse University of Nebraska Lincoln football program, Kenny went on to play in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos. After a very gnarly quadricep injury, Kenny started getting more into gaming and streaming, while also learning the ropes in outside sales at NCR. So how did Kenny work through the tough question of: What are you without football? And how did he and his teammates get Bo Pellini to scream  "Lambhorgini Mercy. Your chick she so thirsty."?

How the f**k did West Wilson go from college football player to video producer at Bleacher Report? Today, we talked with West about his video producing skills which took him from going viral in Montana, to the top of a bus taking a shot out of a bowling ball in Buffalo, and to placing reckless and random parlays down in Vegas. West went to college in Bozeman, Montana where he played football at Montana State University. He then moved to NYC where he started his own food show called Napkins while working jobs at Major League Baseball and MediaPlanet. So how did West capitalize on the opportunities given to him to get to Bleacher Report? And who was Joe Spit?

How the f**k did Whitney Holtzman go from one of the biggest Bucs fans at age six to starting her own business acting as the CEO of Social Victories; CMO for NFL, MLB and NHL Athletes? In our very special two-part episode, we talked with Whitney about how she ended up back in New York after going home to Tampa for a total of six months (youngest snow bird ever). Back in the city, she went back to work for VaynerMedia and then eventually left to start her own social media marketing and consulting business called Social Victories where she’s worked with athletes like Phil Mickelson, Brandon Marshall, Brandon Copeland, Hakeem Valles and Cameron Lynch. So what makes Whitney Holtzman, Whitney Holtzman? And what is the HTFDYGTJ Book Club?

How the f**k did Whitney Holtzman go from one of the biggest Bucs fans at age six to starting her own business acting as the CEO of Social Victories; CMO for NFL, MLB and NHL Athletes? In our very special two-part episode, we talked with Whitney about her time at the University of Florida and asked her if Tim Tebow really is that perfect in real life (he is). We chatted about how she earned the 51st spot out of 50 intern spots at ESPN because she is that good and how that internship led to her to New York City after many months of waiting after college. She talked about how she somehow found a job as one of the first in-house social media associates for Major League Baseball on Craig’s List and how an airport pizza brought her to VaynerMedia and Gary Vee. So how did she achieve such major success so early in her career? And how did she get a pizza delivered inside LaGuardia Airport?

How the f**k did Walter Powell go from the NFL to the tech startup world? In this episode, we talk to Walt about his company Politiscope which he started with his childhood friend Jackson White. Walt was a former NFL Wide Receiver playing for teams like the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, and the Jacksonville Jaguars. When he wanted to enter into the business world, he took the entrepreneurial route with help from political junkie/friend Jackson. Together they created Politiscope, an app that is “reviving American democracy by bringing politics into clear view and putting the power of raw information in the palm of your hand.” So how did Walt manage to do it all — football and tech startup? Maybe with some help from a very large balloon?

How the f**k did Hakeem Valles make it into the NFL? By selling the purple packs of Skittles to his classmates in middle school. In this episode, we talk to Hakeem about his work on and off the field not only earned him a spot in the NFL, but also the founder of Perspective Global Media, a real estate investor, and keynote speaker. From fixing I-Phones to playing multiple positions on the football field, what continues to push him? What will be his next big business plan?

On the latest episode of "How The Fuck Did You Get That Job", we sat down with Heidi Anderson, a trailblazer who's gone from a small Danish town to the upper echelons of Silicon Valley. As the current CMO and CRO at Nextdoor, Heidi's journey includes impressive roles at Google and LinkedIn, where she played a vital part in driving these tech giants to new heights.

Heidi grew up in a tight-knit Danish community of just 100 people. But her curiosity and love for reading sparked dreams of exploring the world. Her path took her from the University of Southern Denmark to a life-changing gap year traveling the U.S., igniting a passion for the fast-paced, innovative spirit of Silicon Valley.

In this episode, Heidi discussed the ups and downs of navigating the tech world as an immigrant and a woman in leadership. She offered valuable advice for aspiring leaders, emphasizing the importance of building strong relationships, staying resilient, and constantly growing. Heidi's story is one of embracing opportunity, pushing beyond comfort zones, and harnessing the power of community to drive positive change.

You can also watch this conversation on Youtube.

How the f**k did Grant Thomas go from reporting on high school sports to designing for professional athletes and teams? In this episode, we talk to Grant about how he ended up as a graphic designer for the only LA football team that we actually care about, the LA Rams. His work earned him a spot designing for Penn State football, the Charlotte Hornets, VaynerSports, the NBA and the Washington Redskins. But Grant’s sports journey started with him standing uncomfortably in the corner of locker rooms questioning what’s a good time to ask the head coach how they felt about the loss. So how did these skills of being a reporter transfer over to his skills as a designer?

How the f**k did Mitchell Gross go from graduating with an economics degree to working on brand partnerships for a sports company? In this episode, we talk to Mitchell about how he was able to navigate the horrors of being a recent college grad and transition into his position in the sports world. They talk about his many internships, his years growing up in Ardsley, New York, and the importance of the “See More” button on LinkedIn. So how does one tackle the big, bad world of sports with an economics degree?

How the f*** did Jessica Stallworth end up working for powerhouses in the sports world like the NFL, LA Lakers, Dallas Cowboys and then eventually the MLB? In this episode, we talk to Jessica about how she started her job at the MLB just one week before the Corona virus made everyone work from home. A professor in Whole Foods told her to go to the beach and write down exactly what she wants to do career-wise (so LA) and as Jessica was doing that, she received a few no’s for jobs and one yes for a job that checked off every box on her list. So what was on Jessica’s list and how did it help her get this job?