In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, Manny sits down with Charles L. Ruiz (AKA Charlie Ruiz), a leadership performance coach, keynote speaker, and former professional baseball player, to uncover the transformative power of presence in leadership and life. With a career spanning professional sports, the startup world, and leadership…

In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with Notre Dame Football starting guard Rocco Spindler. Rocco Spindler is the son of Marc Spindler, a former NFL defensive lineman for the Detroit Lions. He shares with us his upbringing, how wrestling made him a great football player, the reality of being a five star recruit …

In this episode of "At the Podium" with Manuel Amezcua, Wallo267 shares his incredible transformation from serving 20 years in prison to becoming a successful entrepreneur and social media influencer within just 7 years outside of the system. Wallo talks about the importance of having a clear end game, setting goals, and making lists to keep on tra…

In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with Josh Ross, linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens and former Michigan Wolverine. Josh takes us through his journey from Southfield High School to standout performances at Michigan to his ongoing career in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens. Josh shares the importance of famil…

In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with National Champion, NCAA ‘24 cover athlete, and aspiring philanthropist Donovan Edwards. Donovan Edwards is entering his final year at Michigan, and is looking to help the Wolverines defend their national championship for the 2024-2025 season. With his head coach Jim Harba…

Brenden Rice is a professional football player for the LA Chargers, former Colorado Buffalo and USC Trojan, and the son of the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, Jerry Rice. In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, Manny and Brenden go deep on Brenden’s upbringing in Chandler, Arizona, the pressure involved in being the son of an N…

In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with Alexander (A.J.) Johnson. A.J. is one of Tennessee's greatest linebackers of all time, is a member of Gainesville’s Hall of Fame, and is a professional football player in the NFL. Manny and A.J. discuss how A.J. set clear expectations for himself from a young age. As you’…

On this week’s episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, Manny is sitting down with Bill Burke, former Michigan State Spartans quarterback. Currently, Bill works with The Podium Group and is the author of Victory Outside the Arena: How Athletes Can Go From Isolated to Inspired Once the Applause Begins to Fade. Before this new phase of his life …

Today on At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with a long time friend of Manny’s, Amir Syed. Amir is the child of Iranian immigrants who fled in the midst of war. The Syed family ultimately settled in Chicago where Amir’s father Hassan undertook many small business opportunities to keep food on the table and support his family. Thr…

Today on "At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua," we’re sitting down with Jason Wilson. Mr. Jason Wilson is the founder and CEO of The Yunion (pronounced "union"), a non-profit youth development organization in Detroit, Michigan. Since 2003, The Yunion has effectively reached more than 15,000 youth and young adults through innovative prevention program…

On this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with the head football coach and athletic director of Detroit Country Day School, Dan MacLean. Coach MacLean has taken Detroit Country Day to 7 state championships and has won two. During his almost 4 decades holding this position, he has had the honor of coaching some of the …

Today on At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with former NFL players Israel Idonije and Jake Butt. Both Israel and Jake have played the game of football at the highest level, and are now taking the skills and lessons they learned in the NFL to their lives outside of the game. Israel Idonije’s journey started in Canada at the Unive…

Today on At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with NCAA and Michigan State Legend, Greg Kelser. Greg Kelser has lived a life unlike many. He moved over 10 times as a child due to the fact that his parents were in the military, and along the way he acquired a unique approach to life that is still serving him today. He has overcome o…

Today on At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we have the pleasure of sitting down with John Huggins, a safety from Jackson State University who will be waiting to hear his name get called in the 2024 NFL Draft. John’s story begins in the Bronx, but he had many stops along the way. He played high school football in Florida before committing to Florid…

Join us for an inspiring journey on At the Podium as we delve into the remarkable story of Jana Webb, the CEO and Founder of JOGA World. Born and raised in a small town in Alberta, Canada, Jana's passion for sports and yoga led her to revolutionize athlete performance with her innovative approach. Despite facing adversity, including two near-fatal …

Join us on At The Podium for an invigorating episode featuring DJ Myint as she brings her electrifying beats to Detroit's top sports organizations, igniting the stadium with her contagious energy. Explore the vibrant world of Nicole Myint as she shares her journey from local venues to global stages, igniting joy and creating pathways for positive c…

This week on At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we are delighted to introduce one of the youngest and most promising performers ever featured on the show – Avery Gach. Hailing from Wylie E. Groves in Beverly Hills, MI, Avery has quickly made a name for himself as a standout blue-chip offensive tackle recruit. Throughout our conversation, Avery gene…

Join us this week on At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua for an intimate exploration into the remarkable career and mindset of Lauren Walsh. As the EVP of Branding and Marketing at Solid Foundation Management, Lauren has made it her mission to guide athletes and entertainers toward their podium moments, both on and off the field. From her beginnings …

Join us At The Podium for an exclusive episode featuring the extraordinary Dwane Casey. Beyond the basketball courts and championship podiums, Casey's life story is a tapestry of early triumphs, family bonds, and a coaching legacy that spans decades. Key Points for Listeners: - Early Triumphs and Top Recruit: Explore Dwane Casey's early life, from …

Embark on an inspiring journey with Nathan Carter, the resilient Michigan State Running Back #5, as he shares his story of overcoming adversity. Born on May 22, 2002, in Rochester, New York, Carter's early life laid the foundation for a remarkable journey in football. A standout at Bishop Kearney High School, he not only excelled on the field but a…

Welcome to another empowering episode of "At The Podium," where we bring you exclusive conversations with extraordinary individuals who have defied the odds. In this episode, Manny takes the stage with Craig Reynolds, the resilient running back currently leaving an indelible mark with the Detroit Lions. Join us on a riveting exploration of Craig's …

Anthony Tomey is a former MLB baseball player turned serial entrepreneur. Anthony is the owner of Detroit-based brands Born in Detroit and 8 Mile Vodka as well as the CEO of The Tomey Group, who owns and operates over 50 Jimmy John's franchises across Metro Detroit. In this episode, Anthony shares: - The mindsets and secrets behind his continued pe…

Chris Bertish is a South Africa-born ocean pioneer who is most famously known for his 93-day solo paddle-board trip across the Atlantic Ocean. Chris has been conquering oceans and testing his limits his entire life which has led to setting numerous world records. In this episode, Chris joins Manny At the Podium to talk about: - How Chris grew an in…

Today we celebrate the power of teamwork and the remarkable journey of rebuilding a team from the bottom to becoming champions. Join us as we explore the story of two exceptional student-athletes from Michigan State University who have set the new standard in Spartan soccer. In this captivating episode, we delve into the historic run of these remar…

Today, Manny is joined At The Podium by 2x Super Bowl Champ, Michigan State Legend, and lover of all things fashion & food, Carl Banks. In this episode, Manny and Carl talk about: How Carl had the ultimate 'If you're going to do it, do it right' type of father and the story of the jockstrap check Magic Johnson's incredible impact on Carl's story an…

New York Jets TE Tyler Conklin joins Manny to talk about his journey growing up in a small town in Michigan, earning a college opportunity to play at Central Michigan University, and overcoming adversity to earn a starting spot in the NFL. In this episode, you'll hear: - Why Tyler decided to forfeit a full-ride scholarship to walk-on at CMU - How T…

Darqueze Dennard is an NFL player, former Michigan State University standout cornerback, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. In this bonus episode before the next season, Darqueze and Manny talk about: - How Darqueze always heard the narrative that he "wouldn't amount to anything" and how he has overcome it - How Darqueze started as a 0-star recruit …

Sean Gleason is the CEO and Commissioner of Professional Bull Riders (PBR) which is one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation. Sean has been with PBR for 24 years and has played a pivotal role in helping PBR reach millions of fans including the recent launch of the Amazon Prime Video docuseries, The Ride. In this episode: The pivotal move tha…

Jim Kielbaso is a speed and strength coach to some of the top athletes in the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA as well as Olympic athletes and thousands of youth, high school, and college athletes. He is the president of the International Youth Conditioning Association and the owner of Impact Sports Performance in Michigan. In this episode: Why people are addict…

Maurice "Moe" Ways is a former college football player at The University of Michigan and The University of California, Berkeley. A native of Michigan and alumni of Detroit Country Day School, Ways currently serves as a Senior Business Analyst at ESPN and lives in New York City. In this episode: - The parenting moments that changed the trajectory of…

JD Duplain is a current college football player at Michigan State University. JD is entering his fifth and final season as an offensive lineman at MSU and has started 30 straight games for the Spartans. In this episode, Manny and JD discuss: - The impact of the E + R = O equation JD learned from a high school football coach - Why you should trust i…

Nick Samac is the starting center for the Michigan State Spartans college football program. Hailing out of Mentor, OH, Samac is entering his fifth and final year at MSU and has played in 38 career games at Michigan State. Listen in to hear: - The impact of Nick's childhood growing up in a football family with his father as his first coach - Nick's …

Greg Jones is an entrepreneur, Super Bowl Champion, and former All-American linebacker at Michigan State University. He was recently inducted into the Michigan State Hall of Fame in 2022. In this conversation, you'll hear: - The story of how Greg went behind his mother's back to start playing football - The people and mindsets that helped Greg defy…

Jake Butt is a former All-American tight end at the University of Michigan, retired NFL player, and current College Football Analyst with the B1G Network. In this conversation, Manny and Jake talk about: How Jake thought he would NEVER attend the University of Michigan and his story of getting there. The moments in Jake’s sports career that redefin…

Todd Anderson is a performance coach who trains some of the top athletes and executives in the world. After a successful collegiate career at Michigan State University, Todd spent time playing in the NFL before launching his career as a peak performance coach and starting his company, Dream Recovery. In this conversation, Todd shares: How he built …

Amir Siddiq plans to find his name cemented on an NFL roster in the coming weeks. After a successful college football career at Central Michigan University and Charlotte, the Detroit-born standout defensive end has entered his name into the 2023 NFL draft. In this episode, Manny and Amir talk about: - The mindsets and actions that led to Amir's ris…

Anthony Pittman is a Detroit-born athlete who battled his way into the NFL and currently plays linebacker for the Detroit Lions. In this episode, Manny and Anthony talk about: - How Anthony's father and mother separating at a young age impacted his childhood and outlook on life - Anthony's surprising rise to the NFL and the impact of his college ex…

Mel Tucker is the Head Football Coach at Michigan State University. Tucker's resume includes coaching under legendary college coaches like Nick Saban and Jim Tressel as well as coaching in the NFL. Tucker's early success at Michigan State earned him B1G Coach of the Year honors in 2021. What you'll hear in this conversation: - Tucker's thoughts on …

Jon Gordon is a 14-time bestselling author and world-renowned keynote speaker. His leadership principles, stories, and insights have inspired fortune 500 companies, professional and college sports teams, school districts, hospitals, and non-profits around the world. Today, Jon and Manny discuss: The keys to positive leadership and why positivity is…

Folks, Season 3 starts with a bang as the host of At The Podium, Manuel Amezcua, is interviewed by guest host, Lauren LoGrasso. Hear Manny dig deep into his childhood, career, family, wins + losses, and more as he shares: What his parents, immigrants from Mexico, and childhood taught him about success The importance of confronting adversity and glo…

Message from Manny: "At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua listeners - First I want to express my gratitude to each of U. Thank U for investing your most valuable asset, your time and attention, with us this year as you've tuned into these conversations. As my dear friend, mentor, and advocate, Ben Newman, often says, "Be where your feet are." This hol…

How do you want to be remembered? Serial entrepreneur and All-Pro NFL Player, Herman Moore, is writing his own story and defining his brand in his own terms. Football will only serve as a footnote for Herman whose impact off the field has stretched even greater than his incredible accomplishments with the Detroit Lions. In this episode, we take a d…

Kalif Raymond is an NFL Wide Receiver for the Detroit Lions. Standing at 5' 7", Kalif defied all odds to make it to the professional level as one of the smallest players in the NFL after a standout college athletic career at Holy Cross. In this episode, Kalif shares what it looked like to put in the work after hours to make his dream of playing in …

Suzy Merchant is the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Michigan State University. She has accumulated 300+ wins as Head Coach at Michigan State and 500+ wins in her career as a head coach. In my conversation with Suzy, we get an inside look at her accomplishments, big decisions, and her powerful core values, covering her time at Michigan State Unive…

Darien Harris is the Director of Player Relations and Program Advancement for the Michigan State Football Program. Darien played linebacker at Michigan State University and was part of the winningest Senior class in MSU history before he went to the NFL. In our conversation, Darien shares the lessons he learned from his father including the ONE thi…

Mateen Cleaves is a retired NBA basketball player and a National Champion with the 2000 Michigan State men's basketball team under head coach Tom Izzo. He currently serves as a leadership coach at United Wholesale Mortgage. In my chat with Mateen, we chart his rise as a highly successful player at Michigan State University and the story of the 2000…

Ben Newman is a highly regarded Performance Coach, International Speaker and Best-Selling Author. Ben serves as a Mental Conditioning Coach for the 18-time National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide football team and has worked with players from the last 4 Super Bowl Champion teams. Real Leaders Magazine selected him as one of their 2019, 2020, 2022 TO…

A career in professional sport so often includes uncertainty and unforeseen obstacles. For Andy Wagstaff, his dream of making it as a pro soccer player did not pan out quite as he hoped, but due to an unerring determination and healthy foresight, he has been able to ride the waves to an amazing career in coaching and academy leadership. Andy is now…

LaMarr Woodley is a Retired NFL athlete, Super Bowl Champion, and former All-American linebacker at the University of Michigan. LaMarr is a great example of someone who gave his all for his love and talent for football, but created space for an amazing second act with the birth of his film production company, Area 56 Entertainment. In this conversa…

Taiwan Jones is a retired NFL Athlete and owner of Transformation Lab, a gym based out of Sterling Heights, MI. Taiwan tells me about his experience getting bullied as a kid and how it made him into the man he is today. In our conversation, we hear about his early experiences in the NFL as a top-performing athlete, the ups and downs that profession…