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From Sports Executive to Business Coach: A Conversation with Fred Ewig
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In this Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast episode, host Sid Bensalah sits down with Fred Ewig, a former sports executive turned business coach. Fred brings over two decades of experience across professional hockey and youth sports. He now helps business leaders grow by focusing on strategy, not day-to-day tasks.
Fred shares hard-earned lessons from building a business, leading large teams, and overcoming early sales rejection. He also explores how private equity reshapes youth sports and why grit, more than hustle, is the key to long-term success. This episode offers tactical insights, honest stories, and practical leadership advice.
Key Takeaways:
· How to work on the business, not just in it
· The role of mindset in navigating challenges
· Sales tips from cold-call trenches
· Why athletes struggle in leadership roles
· Youth sports, private equity, and rising costs
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Fred Ewig
00:54 Fred's Transition from Sports to Coaching
03:03 Challenges in Building a Business
05:22 Sales Techniques and Overcoming Rejection
11:47 Leadership in Sports vs. Business
15:23 The Evolution of Youth Sports
20:05 The Importance of Grit in Business
20:56 Coaching Through Low Points
22:48 Why Business Owners Delay Seeking Help
24:17 Balancing Accountability in Coaching
29:09 Private Equity's Impact on Youth Sports
32:06 The Rising Costs and Pressures in Youth Sports
38:21 Lightning Round: Quickfire Questions
43:09 Final Thoughts and Advice
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Chapters
1. Introduction to Fred Ewing (00:00:00)
2. Fred's Transition from Sports t (00:00:50)
3. Challenges in Building a Business (00:02:58)
4. Sales Techniques and Overcoming Rejection (00:04:56)
5. Leadership in Sports vs. Business (00:11:05)
6. The Evolution of Youth Sports (00:14:41)
7. The Importance of Grit in Business (00:19:23)
8. Coaching Through Low Points (00:20:15)
9. Why Business Owners Delay Seeking Help (00:22:07)
10. Balancing Accountability in Coaching (00:23:35)
11. Private Equity's Impact on Youth Sports (00:28:27)
12. The Rising Costs and Pressures in Youth Sports (00:31:25)
13. Lightning Round: Quickfire Questions (00:37:39)
14. Final Thoughts and Advice (00:42:27)
56 episodes
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