In this episode, we explore the remarkable journey of Brian Crookham, General Manager of Rapids 2 and Senior Director of Soccer Development at Colorado Rapids. Brian shares his path from a high school coach in Oklahoma to a key figure in the Rapids organization, driven by his passion for the beautiful game. He discusses the evolution of the Rapids' youth development system, emphasizing education, communication, and creating pathways for young players to reach the First Team. Brian also reflects on the transformation of MLS, the importance of continuous learning, and the challenges of building a top-tier academy. Tune in to gain valuable insights from one of soccer's most dedicated leaders and learn what it takes to nurture the next generation of soccer stars.

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Chapters:
00:10 Intro
00:51 Childhood + Early Soccer Memories
02:38 Aviation + Coaching Lessons From Flying
07:03 Education
09:53 Learning Through Teaching
12:01 Brian’s 3 Mentors
17:15 Lessons from Your Younger Self
19:45 Coaching to Compliance
21:57 The 20-Year Transformation of MLS
24:52 Embracing A Diverse Career Path
27:25 From Local Youth Soccer To Pro-Organization
33:10 Relationship with Rapids
35:40 What Sets the Colorado Rapids Apart
37:40 Fulfillment in Life
38:58 Brian’s Most Valuable Asset
40:30 Learning From Past Experiences
42:25 Advice For Working in Soccer
44:27 Setting Goals For The Future
45:37 Legacy
46:45 Quick Fire Questions
48:55 Outro

In Episode 47, join us for an in-depth conversation with Brett M. Johnson, the visionary CEO of Benevolent Capital. Discover how Brett's passion for soccer has fueled his ambitious projects, from the creation of $100M+ soccer-specific stadiums as Chairman of Rhode Island FC to his pursuit of Premier League promotions with Ipswich Town FC. Hear about his transformative impact on Phoenix Rising FC, where he shares the captivating story behind the idea to bring a team to Phoenix and the inspiration behind its name. Dive into his strategic insights into the American and European soccer markets, and his thoughts on the 2026 World Cup. Brett also covers some of the other companies he's invested in, such as Oura, famous for the Oura Ring, and Athletic Brewing. We also discuss markets and products he is interested in for the future. This episode is a must-listen for anyone fascinated by the intersection of sports, business, and innovation.

If you enjoyed the episode, feel free to like, comment, share, or subscribe to stay tuned for future episodes!

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00:00 Intro
00:36 Childhood
03:38 Education + College Experience
07:07 Finding Your First Job Out Of College
10:03 Learing From Different Cultures
11:52 Getting Into The Soccer Industry
13:57 Europe vs North America
15:34 Benevolent Capital
18:47 Brett’s Twin Brother
21:06 Fortuitous Partners
23:45 Phoenix Rising Founding Story
26:12 Rhode Island Stadium Project
30:52 Work-Life Balance
33:45 Overcoming Setbacks
36:20 Brett’s Most Valuable Asset
37:35 Advice
39:18 Future Aspirations
40:35 Brett’s Investments + Other Ventures
41:57 Finding New Opportunities
43:25 Quick-Fire Questions
47:10 Outro

In episode 46 of The Insider's Lounge, we explore the journey of Alan McCann, Technical Director and Assistant Coach for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. From playing street football in Dublin to coaching professionally in the US, Alan shares his inspiring story. He reflects on his family's influence, his transition from Ireland to American collegiate soccer, and his successful coaching career, including roles at the collegiate and semi-professional levels. Alan delves into his coaching philosophy, he shares insights on the importance of treating all players equally, maintaining high standards, and fostering a club culture where everyone feels invested. Join us for an insightful conversation with Alan, revealing the essence of building a thriving soccer culture and the dedication it takes to reach the highest levels in coaching.

If you enjoyed the episode, feel free to like, comment, share, or subscribe to stay tuned for future episodes!

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00:00 Intro
00:30 Childhood
06:53 Family of Footballers
11:50 Switchbacks Academy Principles
19:45 Moving To The US For College Soccer
29:10 Transitioning Into Coaching
32:00 Learning From Younger Self
34:50 Time at Reading United
43:15 Transitioning Roles At Switchbacks FC
51:35 Balancing Technical Director + Assistant Coach Roles
56:35 Misconceptions in Football + Coaching
59:33 Learning From Irish Culture + Football
01:03:35 Areas of Improvement
01:07:13 Advice for Listeners
01:12:20 Setting Goals For The Future
01:15:13 Quick-Fire Questions
01:18:19 Outro

In Episode 45 of The Insider's Lounge, we dive into the remarkable journey of Guilherme Henry, Technical Director of One Knoxville Collective SC. From a young man arriving as a student-athlete in rural North Carolina, unable to speak English, to becoming nationally recognized in USL 2, Guilherme's story is one of passion and perseverance. He shares his diverse coaching experiences, holistic approach to player development, and the blend of Brazilian flair and American ambition that defines his career. Join us for an inspiring conversation about managing egos, building winning cultures, and creating pathways for young players with a coach dedicated to making a difference.

If you enjoyed the episode, feel free to like, comment, share, or subscribe to stay tuned for future episodes!

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00:00 Intro

00:52 First Footballing Memories

01:40 Gui’s Childhood

04:40 Unique Path To College Soccer

08:55 International Student Experience

15:00 Professional Playing Career

20:12 The American Dream

26:00 Coaching Career Summary

35:40 One Knox Collective Opportunity

41:20 Setting Goals For The Future

46:56 Man Management vs Technical Skills

51:30 Innovative Pathway At One Knox

56:18 Work-life Balance In Brazil

59:23 Learning From Setbacks

01:01:02 Advice

01:04:00 Quick-fire Questions

01:09:50 Outro

In episode 44, we sit down with Travis Thomas, founder of Live Yes, And, to explore the profound impact of adopting a "Yes, And" mentality. Travis shares his journey from Flint, Michigan, to becoming a highly sought-after performance coach by some of the most prominent organizations in the world. Discover how the principles of improvisation can revolutionize your approach to challenges, enhance team dynamics, and unlock your full potential. Travis delves into his experiences working with elite organizations like the IMG Academy, New York Yankees, and the US Men's National Team, explaining how the "Yes, And" mindset fosters creativity, resilience, and high performance. Whether you're an athlete, a business professional, or someone looking to make a positive change, this episode offers valuable insights and practical strategies for embracing uncertainty and driving success. Join us as Travis Thomas uncovers the secrets to building elite mindsets and cultures, and learn how you can start living with a "Yes, And" mentality today.

If you enjoyed the episode, feel free to like, comment, share, or subscribe to stay tuned for future episodes!

Travis' Website: http://liveyesand.com/
Travis On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveyesand/
Travis On Twitter: https://x.com/LiveYesAnd

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In Episode 43, explore Chris Robinson's remarkable journey from managing grassroots football to shaping Chelsea FC into the world's leading academy. With a background managing clubs like Atherstone United FC and Cheltenham Town FC, Chris's career took a pivotal turn when his work with an international sports charity led to his role at Chelsea, where he spent over 12 years as Head of Integration Recruitment and Integration Scouting. Now serving as local recruitment manager at Southampton FC and founder of The Scouting Game Ltd, Chris integrates his extensive experience in coaching, management, and scouting. Discover how his charity work influenced his scouting philosophy and how he continues to innovate in player assessment and development through his own company. This episode offers essential insights into football scouting and the journey to success in the industry.

If you enjoyed the episode, feel free to like, comment, share, or subscribe to stay tuned for future episodes!

The Scouting Game Website: https://thescoutinggame.co.uk/
The Scouting Game On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_scouting_game/
The Scouting Game On Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_scouting_game

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00:00 Intro
00:56 1st Footballing Memories
03:18 Playing Career
05:07 Educational Background
11:00 Management Career
25:03 Feeling Rewarded As A Manager & Scout
29:50 Charity Work That Led To Being Hired By Chelsea
36:17 Learnings From Charity World
38:50 12 Years At Chelsea - Loyalty & Highlights
44:51 Balancing The Scouting Game & Southampton FC
49:43 Lessons From Scouting & Recruitment
54:45 What Makes A Scout Successful?
57:00 Advice For Aspiring Scouts / Managers
01:01:20 Most Valuable Asset
01:02:40 Biggest Challenge Faced
01:05:20 Quick Fire Questions
01:12:54 Outro

In Episode 42, join us for an in-depth exploration of Japanese football with FIFA Licensed Agent and PFSA Certified Scout, Natalie Marx. Discover how Natalie’s self-taught Japanese skills and deep cultural immersion have shaped her unique insights into Japan’s football industry. From the technical prowess and discipline of Japanese players to the rich history and future ambitions of Japanese football, Natalie shares captivating stories and key lessons from her experiences. Learn about the challenges Japanese players face abroad, the significance of education in player development, and the inspiring journey of Machida Zelvia's coach, Go Kuroda. Don’t miss this ultimate guide to understanding and appreciating Japanese football!

If you enjoyed the episode, feel free to like, comment, share, or subscribe to stay tuned for future episodes!

Connect with Natalie on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nmarx/
Follow Natalie on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/nataliemarxx/

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In this episode, we dive into a groundbreaking conversation with Tim Chase, the visionary founder of Striver. Striver is an innovative social media platform designed to eliminate abuse and foster a positive environment for users, including footballers, celebrities, and influencers. Tim shares his journey, how he became business partners with two World Cup winners, the challenges faced with traditional social media, and the success story of Striver. We also explore work-life balance, modern education, and the importance of mental wellbeing and social responsibility. Don't miss this insightful discussion on the future of abuse-free social media.

If you enjoyed the episode, feel free to like, comment, share, or subscribe to stay tuned for future episodes!

Learn more about Striver here: https://striver.co.uk/

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