Grand Slam Journey

Picture this: a technology salesperson walks into a meeting armed with impressive specs—gigabytes, terabytes, processing power—only to face a small business owner who simply asks, "What will this do for my business?" This fundamental disconnect lies at the heart of why so many technology companies struggle to serve the massive small and medium business (SMB) market effectively.

In this conversation, "Magic&q...

This episode was produced by Google Notebook LLM using my latest blog post on my website: https://www.grandslamjourney.com/post/tennis-tuesdays

I'm curious what you think about it. I found this a fun experiment. https://notebooklm.google/

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Unlock the secrets of transforming athletic discipline into entrepreneurial success with our special guest, James Hilovsky, a former minor league baseball player who now helms the FranDream. In this episode, we tackle the myth that franchising is just about food and restaurants, revealing opportunities in diverse fields, from pest control to pickleball clubs. James takes us through his journey of swapping baseball gloves for busine...

Unlock the secrets to maximizing your potential with our special guest, Dre Baldwin, a former Professional Basketball player turned entrepreneur, coach, and speaker. How do skills like communication, energy, and salesmanship multiply your success? Dre takes us through his unique journey from the basketball court to the boardroom, highlighting why mastering the art of selling matters more than just doing. Learn his top strategies fo...

Ever wondered how the discipline of sports can catapult you into a life of entrepreneurial success? Join me as I sit down with former professional basketball player turned entrepreneur Dre Baldwin to reveal how the lessons from the court can translate into boardroom victories. Dre, known for his "Work On Your Game" philosophy, dives into his personal story of grit and determination, demonstrating how mental toughness and ...

Thank you all for tuning in. I share some reflections on the past almost 1.5 years of creating content and releasing episodes on a weekly basis, as well as announcements of what's next.

I would appreciate it if you could share some feedback with me as I think through how to iterate on this podcast.
Send me an email to share your feedback: klara@grandslamjourney.com
Or submit it on my website: https://www.gran...

Step into the dynamic world of visionary leadership and strategic innovation with Dr. Nicole Wieberneit,  the Managing Director of Sales Strategy and Business Architecture Cross Solutions at Microsoft, whose journey from competitive skiing to global leadership is nothing short of inspiring. Our latest episode reveals how Nicole integrates Key Performance Indicators into her leadership style and the significance of celebrating team ...

Discover the intertwined worlds of professional sports and corporate strategy as we sit down with business and tech titan George Mulhern, the former CEO of Cradlepoint. George shares his unique perspective on how the competitive drive and quick decision-making honed on the tennis courts served as the perfect training ground for his meteoric rise in the business world. From his early aspirations of professional tennis to leading Cra...

Embark on a journey with Dan Gluck, a former competitive tennis player who's aced his way into the investment world as the co-founder and managing partner at Ground Force Capital. Join us as we explore the unique parallels between the discipline of sports and the dynamism of finance and entrepreneurship. Dan's narrative is a testament to the transformative power of a sports mindset in the boardroom, underscoring the vital...

Embark on a journey with us as we unravel the mysteries of psychedelics with the inimitable Paul F. Austin, founder of Third Wave. From the shackles of guilt and shame to a world of liberation and insight, Paul shares his extraordinary path, guiding us through the wilderness where ancient wisdom meets scientific inquiry. Together, we traverse the landscape of personal transformation, where psychedelics illuminate the canvas of our ...

Unlock the secrets to unwavering commitment in your physical and professional pursuits as strength and conditioning sage James de Lacey joins us on a compelling odyssey through consistent performance. Let James, armed with a wealth of experience, unravel the myth that perfection trumps persistence. Together, we dismantle some of the fitness industry's most stubborn myths, providing clear-cut guidance for those on a quest to am...

Embark on an inspiring journey with Mona Pretorius de Lacey, the karate world champion turned Olympic weightlifting powerhouse. She shares the mental fortitude that propelled her to the pinnacle of three sports: Karate, Olympic weightlifting, and CrossFit. Her candid revelations about tackling the psychological hurdles of Olympic weightlifting and the versatility needed to switch disciplines serve as a masterclass in mental resilie...

As I weave through the cherished memories of my grandmother's 91-year long life, a poignant tapestry of love, strength, and wisdom unfurls. Her time as a telegraph operator, her exceptional marriage, and the life lessons she embedded in the fabric of our family's history are stories I hold close to my heart. In this intimate episode, I invite you into our family circle to celebrate her legacy, sharing how she transformed ...

Embarking on a leadership journey fraught with challenges and triumphs, I had the pleasure of engaging in an intimate conversation with Jeanette Irekvist, President of Ericsson Canada. From her modest beginnings in a small Swedish town to steering a tech giant, Jeanette's narrative is a beacon of inspiration, highlighting the necessity of delivering exceptional work and navigating professional disagreements with grace. Tune in...

When Mandy Marquardt wheels into the spotlight, her story unfolds with more twists and turns than a high-velocity velodrome. Mandy is a Professional Track Sprint Cyclist living and racing with type 1 diabetes for the USA Cycling National Team and Team Novo Nordisk, the world's first all-diabetes professional cycling team. 

In this episode, the 27-time US National Champion, 5-time American Record Holder, 2-time Pan American Game...

Ever pondered the intersection of technology and human creativity? Join me as I sit with Eve Psalti, a luminary from Microsoft Azure AI and ex-Google Cloud guru who passionately advocates for women's ascent in tech leadership. Our spirited exchange traverses the landscape of self-advocacy and confidence for women, distinguishing the finesse of networking for career upliftment from the simple joys of friendship-building. With E...

When words cross paths with destiny, they can ignite a journey beyond our wildest imaginations. Join me alongside the multi-industry maestro John Neville as we share tales of transformation and the profound influence tennis, business, and technology have had on our lives. From a serendipitous elevator pitch that catapulted my career into a new orbit at Ericsson to the woven intricacies of trust and positive reinforcement, our dialo...

Unlock the secrets of mental toughness as Lee Zohlman, Chief Commercial Officer for Juncos Hollinger Racing, joins me on a riveting exploration of endurance sports and high-stakes motorsports. In our chat, we unearth the fascinating parallels between the resilience of athletes and the strategic savvy needed in the fast-paced world of racing. Discover how the relentless pursuit of incremental gains and unwavering attention to detail...

As the racquet meets the ball, there's more at play than just a game of tennis; there's a world of strategy, resilience, and adaptability that mirrors the high-stakes realm of tech entrepreneurship. That's something Cole Crawford, the tech entrepreneur and former tennis pro, knows all too well. Join us on an exhilarating journey where we trace Cole's footsteps from the baseline of the court to the frontline of c...