Tony Azevedo is a five-time Olympian (2000-2016), Olympic silver medalist, and widely regarded as one of the greatest water polo players of all time. Since retiring in 2017, he has been on a mission to grow and evolve the sport through his entrepreneurial ventures, including 6-8 Sports—a platform featuring a stats & analytics app, digital game desk, college showcase series, and training academy—as well as Azevedo Water Polo, which offers clinics, apparel, and more. In this conversation, we dive into Tony’s unique background, his journey as Team USA’s captain, and the Olympic moments that shaped his career and experience. He shares how he maintained peak performance, the challenges preventing water polo’s growth—especially in the U.S.—and his vision for the future of the sport. We also explore 6-8 Sports, how he’s democratizing access to stats and analytics for athletes, and his elite academy designed for high school and middle school players aiming to reach the next level. Beyond the pool, Tony opens up about the entrepreneurial hurdles he's faced, his marketing strategies, and why he believes a professional water polo league in the U.S. is on the horizon.
Partners:
JNGL ATHLETICO: https://jnglathletico.com?sca_ref=5391573.ojJfvDfSXJ Use code NICHOLSANDDIMEZ for 25% off
POWERSLUDGE: https://powersludge.com/ Use code DIMEZ for $20 off your first order
HOSTAGE TAPE: https://www.hostagetape.com/CHRIS28059
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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
10:42 - Tony Azevedo’s background; how he speaks 5 languages; Kobe Bryant Olympic story
16:31 - Tony's top water polo highlight & olympic memory; 2008 Beijing silver medal
21:09 - How Tony maintained peak performance throughout his career
24:20 - Founding Azevedo Water Polo & 6-8 Sports: Impacting the future of water polo
27:42 - Challenges with water polo: Why the sport needs change
29:42 - The future of professional water polo in the U.S. & how data is unlocking opportunities
32:33 - 6-8 Sports: Democratizing access to opportunities for water polo players
34:55 - Mobile App; Digital game desk; data analytics & water polo statistics: Empowering players through technology
39:59 - Club vs. school water polo: What you need to know
42:45 - 6-8 College Series
45:32 - 6-8 Sports Academy: Taking water polo players to the next level
50:36 - Marketing strategy & AI in water polo: Innovations at 6-8 sports
57:55 - How to revolutionize and grow an entire sport
01:01:07 - Entrepreneurial life hack
01:03:39 - How Tony optimizes sleep
Follow Tony Azevedo:
Tony's IG: https://www.instagram.com/tonyazevedo8/
6-8 Sports IG: https://www.instagram.com/68sports/
Website: https://tonyazevedo.com/
Follow Chris Nichols:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicholsanddimez/
Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builtforlegacypodcast/
Website: https://builtforlegacy.buzzsprout.com
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/built-for-legacy/id1667715105
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MAr6sSCwiyU9G1JZgeZxq?si=a7da325d67a64a72
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@builtforlegacypodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/nicholsanddimezshow/100090067950005/
Contact: chris@nicholsanddimez.com
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