Pre-Zero Sports Talk
Welcome to Pre-Zero Sports Talk, where sports, leadership, faith, community, and clean progress intersect. Hosted by Sid Bensalah, with over 30 years of global sports industry experience, this podcast isn’t about quick fixes or empty talk. It’s a platform for authentic, purpose-driven conversations that go beyond the game to explore how sports can drive positive, actionable change. Born from a passion for impact, Pre-Zero Sports Talk dives into today’s most pressing themes: performance and well-being, leadership, innovation, coaching, community impact, sustainability, regenerative agriculture, governance, geopolitics, and more. Each episode cuts through the noise and greenwashing, engaging with trailblazers, changemakers, and thought leaders to uncover solutions and inspire new perspectives. This is a space for real conversations with real people about real issues — stories that challenge norms, break barriers, and spark transformation. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, business leader, or someone who believes in the power of sport to make a difference, there’s a seat at the table for you. Subscribe now to join a movement that informs, inspires, and empowers. Together, let’s redefine the role of sports in shaping a cleaner, safer, and more connected world — one episode at a time.
Episodes
In this episode, Sid Bensalah sits down with Sandy Cohan, an elite mindset architect, former professional hockey coach, global keynote speaker, and best-selling author of the UNSHAKABLE: 99 Rules series.
Together, they unpack what it really takes to perform under pressure—on the field, in the locker room, at home, and in life. Sandy shares how true confidence is built over time, not through hype or hustle, but by doing...
In this episode, host Sid Bensalah welcomes Lesle Lane, founder and lead photographer at Studio 13 in Indianapolis and a former U.S. national-level figure skater. Lesle’s story blends high performance, artistic leadership, and entrepreneurial grit.
From her early mornings on the ice to reimagining a third-generation photography business, Lesle unpacks the mindset, mentorship, and moments that shaped her purpose. She re...
In episode #80, Sid Bensalah discusses with Marat Omarov, founder of The ARK, a regenerative village in the lush landscapes of Costa Rica, to explore one of the most radical life changes ever featured on the show.
Born and raised in Kazakhstan during the collapse of the Soviet Union, Marat shares how his early life in a strict, hierarchical system of military school, government service, and major political projects lik...
In episode#79, host Sid Bensalah talks with Tareq Nazlawy, CEO of the sports-tech startup Trace and former Senior Director of Digital Strategy at Adidas. Tareq explains how he's closing the gap between elite sports brands and the 99% of fans who never enter a stadium by turning live sports moments into personal, digital experiences fans can truly own.
From launching Adidas' CONFIRMED app to leading the Into t...
In this episode, host Sid Bensalah is joined by Carlee Wolfe, a coach, inclusion strategist, and Paralympic pipeline leader with nearly 20 years of experience in volleyball and athlete development.
From working with USA Sitting Volleyball to volunteering with the Bennett Blazers at Kennedy Krieger Institute, Carlee has championed access to adaptive sports at every level. She also led impactful initiatives in leadership...
Navigating college admissions has never been more complicated, especially for student-athletes. In this episode of Pre-Zero Sports Talk, host Sid Bensalah meets with Shellee Howard, a global college strategist, TEDx speaker, and founder of College Ready, to explore the truth behind scholarships, NIL, and the mental stress faced by young athletes today.
Shellee shares he...
Lynn Colepaugh, a former bass guitar player, strategist, storyteller, and human AI collaborator, joins Sid Bensalah to discuss her fascinating career shift from touring with a Jimi Hendrix cover band to running a strategy agency. Lynn shares insights on transitioning from the music industry to marketing, managing burnout, the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, and the pivotal role of AI in her current...
What does it mean to nurture and guide kids through the challenges of a changing climate? In this episode of the Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast, host Sid Bensalah speaks with Bridget Shirvell, award-winning journalist and author of Parenting in a Climate Crisis. Drawing on her reporting, conversations with climate scientists, educators, and psychologists, as well as her own experiences as a parent, Bridget shares how fa...
In Episode 74, host Sid Bensalah talks with Bishop Kevin Foreman, founder of Harvest Church and a strong voice in faith-based leadership, civic innovation, and whole-person coaching. Broadcasting from Sweden to the world, this conversation explores how grit, faith, and performance shape lives and communities.
Bishop Kevin shares his journey from modest beginnings, explaining how business setbacks led to a breakthrough ...
In this episode, host Sid Bensalah speaks with Jim Caruso, Chief Innovation Officer at One Elevate, about the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the sports industry. Jim brings a fresh perspective from his journey through enterprise tech and advertising, into helping global sports leagues solve real-world challenges with real-time data.
Together, they unpack ho...
In Episode #72, Sid Bensalah talks with Kevin Pallaoro, CEO of Teton Waters Ranch, to challenge everything you think you know about beef, methane, and sustainability.
From his upbringing on a Colorado cattle ranch to leading one of America’s most purpose-driven grass-fed beef companies, Kevin shares a grounded and unfiltered look at regenerative ranching, the truth abou...
In this episode#71 host Sid Bensalah chats with Greg Lothian, an accomplished athlete, therapist, biomechanics innovator, and founder of Acculete. Greg discusses his journey from varsity sports to private practice, revealing pivotal moments that led him to redefine rehabilitation methods. The conversation explores the challenges of traditional rehab, the importance of long-term commitment, and the need for evidence-ba...
In Episode 70 of Pre-Zero Sports Talk, host Sid Bensalah welcomes Louis De Jaeger—author and global regenerative agriculture advocate—to explore how soil health impacts human performance, nutrition, and sustainability. Louis shares powerful insights from his book, SOS Save Our Soils, emphasizing the urgent need to regenerate 550 million hectares worldwide to ensure food security and combat climate change.
Discover how ...
In this deeply inspiring episode, host Sid Bensalah talks with Kate Grant, CEO of the Fistula Foundation and author of the memoir No Woman Left Behind. Kate shares her remarkable journey from Capitol Hill and Madison Avenue to leading a globally respected nonprofit dedicated to restoring dignity to women suffering from obstetric fistula across Africa and Asia.
Through stories from the field, Kate demonstrates how smart...
In this episode of Pre-Zero Sports Talk, host Sid Bensalah sits down with veteran coach and educator Darren Ault, author of Out of Bounds. They explore the growing crisis of parental interference in youth sports, how power dynamics inside school systems fail coaches and players, and what authentic leadership, accountability, and community support should look like in today’s sports culture. This episode is a must-watch...
In this must-listen episode of the Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast, host Sid Bensalah sits down with George Dom, aviation executive, author, and former Blue Angels Flight Leader and Topgun instructor. Together, they explore what it takes to build high-trust, high-performance teams in some of the most demanding environments on earth.
George shares how trust, character, and competence can transform a group of individuals in...
In this powerful episode of the Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast, Sid interviews Frank Kelly III — former athlete, CEO of Kelly Benefits, coach, author, and faith-driven leader — to explore the deep links between sports, faith, business, and legacy.
Frank shares about growing up in a mission-focused family, how his time in Japan changed his perspective on success, and why spiritual grounding is essential in both the boardr...
In this episode of Pre-Zero Sports Talk, host Sid Bensalah sits down with Bryant & Rebecca Haines, the visionary co-founders of PixSeat—a revolutionary platform turning stadium crowds into synchronized, interactive experiences using fans' smartphones.
From the spark of inspiration at an Alabama football game to live testing in arenas, Bryant and Rebecca walk us through their entrepreneurial journey, filled wit...
In this episode, host Sid Bensalah interviews Brant Stachel—psychotherapist, massage therapist, and high-performance coach—on the overlooked mental side of athletic success. From Olympic hopefuls to weekend runners, Brant shares how mental resilience, emotional safety, and process-driven growth unlock true potential.
You’ll hear Brant’s journey from struggling athlete to performance coach, practical frameworks like IGN...
In this powerful episode of the Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast, host Sid Bensalah sits down with Phil Pelucha, a former professional footballer turned sports business strategist and founder of the Pelucha Sports Academy.
From being homeless at 14 to building a global 8-figure consultancy, Phil’s journey is a testament to resilience, purpose, and bold leadership. He shares how sports saved his life, why he created a means...
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