The Sport Fuels Life Podcast

Brian Garber, ATP Tour coach and current coach to Ethan Quinn (World No. 56), joins us for a powerful conversation on what it really takes to develop competitors — not just players.

From becoming a Division II head coach at just 23 to working across the WTA and now the ATP Tour, Brian shares a coaching philosophy built on simplicity, ownership, and trust.

In this episode, we dive into why less instruction often leads to better perf...

Jennifer Ketterly, Associate Director of Sports Performance at the Duke Sports Sciences Institute and performance nutrition consultant for the Charlotte Hornets, joins us for a practical, science-backed conversation on the three pillars of performance nutrition: fueling, hydration, and recovery.

With more than 25 years of experience across collegiate and professional sport, Jennifer explains why carbohydrates are the non-negotiable...

Dr. Jack Groppel joins us for a compelling conversation on performance, recovery, and what makes coaching a truly noble profession.

One of the world’s leading sports psychologists and human performance experts, Jack shares his journey from self-taught athlete to pioneering leader in performance science—and the moment when just 17 words from a mentor changed the trajectory of his life.

In this candid discussion, Jack explains why el...

The Miracle League: When the Game Includes Everyone, Miracles Happen

The Miracle League is more than baseball — it’s a movement rewriting what’s possible.

What started with one field in Georgia has grown into 345+ communities worldwide, giving every child, regardless of ability, the chance to play. Through a powerful buddy system, players with disabilities are paired with peers, breaking barriers and building lifelong friendships.

"I'll Find a Way or Make One": Dana Mathewson's Story of Grit and Greatness

Champion wheelchair tennis player Dana Mathewson shares her remarkable journey from diagnosis with transverse myelitis at age 10 to becoming America's most accomplished wheelchair tennis player. With candid humor, Dana discusses her initial reluctance toward adaptive sports and how her mother's persistence led her to the court. ...

Fear Is a Passenger, Not the Driver: Jenn Drummond’s World Record Climb

In 2018, Jen Drummond survived a car crash that should have ended her life. Instead, it sparked a world-record journey that would redefine what’s possible—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

In this episode, Jen shares how that near-death experience became her “line in the sand” moment, propelling her from business owner and mom of seven to the first woman t...

The Champion's Mindset: USTA's Dr. Larry Lauer on Mental Performance

The difference between good and great in tennis often comes down to mental skills. Dr. Larry Lauer, Director of Mental Performance for the USTA, has revolutionized how players approach the psychological side of the sport.

"How you do what you do is way more important than the outcome," Lauer emphasizes. "You can't really get the outcome without the process."

As th...

Unstoppable: Shelby Baron's Journey to Paralympic Tennis

From struggling to keep up in PE class to becoming a two-time Paralympian, Shelby Baron’s story is a powerful testament to resilience, discovery, and the transformative power of adaptive sports. Born with spina bifida in Hawaii, Shelby found new possibilities through wheelchair tennis—ultimately representing Team USA in Rio and Tokyo.

In this episode, Shelby shares how her in...

ATP Coach Craig Boynton on Building Champions

Great coaching isn’t just about drills and strategy—it’s about connection, trust, and mindset. ATP coach Craig Boynton, who has worked with world-class players like Jim Courier, John Isner, and Hubert Hurkacz, knows that success starts with putting the player first:

"It’s not about the coach—it’s about the athlete."

He helps players balance physical skills ("hardware") with mental stren...

Game-Changing Coaching: Bill Riddle Previews the National HS Tennis Coaches Conference

We’re thrilled to have Bill Riddle join us today on the podcast! Bill is not only one of the most well-respected coaches in the country but also played a key role in helping us put together the National High School Tennis Coaches Conference. His passion for growing the game and his wealth of experience have been instrumental in shaping this uniqu...

CJ Beatty’s journey is the ultimate playbook for resilience, grit, and redefining success. Born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC, CJ discovered his love for baseball at just five years old. Fueled by passion and relentless determination, he worked tirelessly to elevate his game. A pivotal turning point came when a coach recognized his potential, challenging him to dream bigger and push further. This mentorship not only transformed C...

Ted Rath: The Blueprint for Peak NFL Performance (Former Eagles VP of Performance)

Gain exclusive insight from Ted Rath, former Vice President of Player Performance for the Philadelphia Eagles, as he shares his extensive 16-year NFL journey. From securing two NFL Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year awards to playing an integral role in the Rams' healthiest season and back-to-back Super Bowl runs with both the Rams and Eagle...

Parker Byrd Doesn’t Let a Prosthetic Leg Stop Him from Playing College Baseball and More

In sports, injuries are an unfortunate reality. While we often brace for accidents on the field, the most unpredictable ones can happen far away from the game.

Parker Byrd's life took an unimaginable turn before his freshman season at East Carolina University when he was involved in a life-threatening boating accident. At just 18 years old, Par...

From Army Veteran to Pickleball Pro: Jonny “Pickleball” Andrews’ Inspiring Journey

Today’s episode is all about pickleball—the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.—as we sit down with Jonny Andrews, also known as Jonny Pickleball. From serving his country as a U.S. Army veteran to carving out a niche as a professional pickleball player, Jonny found a new sense of joy, purpose, and community in a sport that has quickly become a nationw...

ATP Tennis Coach Chris Eaton Shares How He Transforms Teams Into Champions

Some say that coaching is both an art and a science.  In today’s Sport Fuels Life podcast, we hear from Chris Eaton, a British professional tennis player who continued his tennis journey as a coach in the U.S. at both the NCAA and professional levels.  He shares how he has been able to successfully influence team dynamics, leading to high-level victories on ...

Jean Francois Menard: Mastering High Performance from the Circus to the Olympics

In this Sport Fuels Life podcast episode, we have a very special guest who shares the valuable lessons he learned from working with Cirque Du Soleil.  This extraordinarily demanding contemporary circus provided a master class on high performance.

Based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Jean Francois Menard is highly regarded in the field of performance psyc...

Boosting Confidence and Positive Self-Talk with Tami Matheny

If you’re looking for a little extra motivation or confidence, then you’ve come to the right place!  Confidence and overcoming adversity are today’s two main topics.

In this Sport Fuels Life podcast episode, we bring back returning guest, Tami Matheny.  She is a mental game coach, author, and Jon Gordon-certified trainer.  She has a background as an athlete playing basket...

Legendary Insights: Christopher Clarey on Federer, Nadal, and Elite Athletes

Christopher Clarey: Renowned Sports Journalist and Bestselling Author

Join us on today’s show as we sit down with Christopher Clarey, longtime New York Times sports journalist with over 30 years of experience covering global sports, including 15 Olympics, 6 World Cups, and more than 100 Grand Slam tennis tournaments.

As one of the world’s leading authoriti...

Allistair McCaw:  Allistair McCaw Explains how Mindset is Your Superpower

In this Sport Fuels Life podcast episode, we bring back a returning guest, Allistair McCaw!  He is a bestselling author and speaker who is an expert on leadership, team culture, and performance.

Born in Ireland and raised in South Africa, he is the youngest of four boys and has a background playing tennis.  When he first found a natural desire to be a champio...