E43: Aspire to be Unapologetically Yourself (ft. Ben Maffa) - Real Men, Real Conversations

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In this week’s episode of Aspire, hosts Hugh Eastman and Gabriel Viscogliosi talk with multifaceted artist, composer, rapper, and producer, Benjamin Maffa. Known in the music industry as Maffa, he talks about his journey from nationally-ranked student athlete to creative storyteller in the studio and on stage. Ben shares how his early passion for tennis gave way to making music, blending classical roots, hip hop, and honest emotion into a style all his own.

Ben discusses the challenges and rewards of switching identities as an athlete and artist, the impact of musical role models, and his efforts to craft a positive, authentic idea of masculinity on and off the stage. They trade stories about the realities of a toxic team culture, what it means to speak up for your values, and why he believes the coolest thing you can do is make others feel seen and celebrated. Whether coaching tennis or channeling heartbreak into lyrics, Maffa shows how self-expression and integrity are foundations for both art and life.