Pre-Zero Sports Talk

Pre-Zero Sports Talk

Welcome to Pre-Zero Sports Talk, where sports, leadership, community, and progress intersect. Hosted by Sid Bensalah, a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the sports industry, this podcast isn’t about preaching or claiming to have all the answers. Instead, it’s a platform for honest, thought-provoking conversations exploring how to create positive, actionable change in and through sports. Born from a passion for progress, Pre-Zero Sports Talk explores the pressing topics shaping our world today—leadership, innovation, community impact, performance and well-being, regenerative agriculture, governance, and more. Each episode goes beyond the surface, 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—conversations that challenge norms, break barriers, and spark action. Whether you're a sports enthusiast, industry leader, or someone seeking to make a difference, there’s a seat at the table for you. Subscribe now to join a movement that informs, entertains, and empowers. Together, let’s redefine the role of sports in building a cleaner, safer, and more connected world—one episode at a time.

Episodes

August 7, 2025 58 mins

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-based practice. ...

Mark as Played

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 soil quality d...

Mark as Played

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 compassion—em...

Mark as Played

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 for coaches, ...

Mark as Played

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 into an elite, r...

Mark as Played

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 boardroom and the lo...

Mark as Played

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 with technical ch...

Mark as Played

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 IGNITE for mental...

Mark as Played

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-tested academ...

Mark as Played

In this episode, host Sid Bensalah sits down with Dr. Chelsea Pierotti—sports psychology consultant, former professional ballet dancer, and host of the Passion for Dance podcast—to explore what it takes to perform under pressure in dance.

From overcoming perfectionism and burnout to building confidence and redefining success, Chelsea shares real-life stories and practical strategies that help dancers train their minds like athletes....

Mark as Played

In this powerful Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast episode, host Sid Bensalah sits down with author, historian, and strength advocate Haley Shapley to unpack the forgotten stories and modern realities of women in fitness. Drawing from her acclaimed book Stronger Like Her, Haley takes us on a compelling journey through history, culture, and the pursuit of physical power, beyond aesthetics.

From the surprising role of the bicycle in women’...

Mark as Played

- CONTENT WARNING -
"This episode contains open and honest conversations about mental illness, substance use, and suicide. Some of these stories may be difficult to hear. Please take care of yourself and skip this one if needed."

In Episode 60, host Sid Bensalah sits down with Tyler Kania, former rugby player, author of The Maniac with No Knees, and a raw, unfiltered mental health advocate. What follows is one of our m...

Mark as Played

In this Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast episode, host Sid Bensalah sits down with Roman Fischer, a high-performance coach dedicated to transforming lives through fitness, nutrition, and mindset. Roman shares his personal story—from early struggles with self-confidence and mental health to building a meaningful career coaching others.

The conversation explores how fitness became a lifestyle for Roman, what sparked his transformation, an...

Mark as Played

In this episode of the Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast, host Sid Bensalah sits down with Erich Archer, Emmy-winning TV producer, AI innovator, and creative force behind 1623 Studios, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of sports storytelling and media.

Erich shares his remarkable journey — from discovering his love for media as a teen to producing sports and reality TV and pioneering AI-driven content creatio...

Mark as Played

In this powerful episode of Pre-Zero Sports Talk, host Sid Bensalah sits down with Brian Hite, a Hollywood stuntman turned performance psychologist, to explore the mindset behind high-stakes environments. With over 30 years of experience in dangerous stunts and high-pressure moments, Brian has translated lessons from the stunt world into tools for building resilience, mental toughness, and focus in sports, military, and corporate s...

Mark as Played

In episode 56, host Sid Bensalah interviews Bobby Donohue, founder of Planet Bonehead, an innovative educational platform that uses animation and storytelling to teach kids about climate change and sustainability.

Bobby shares his journey from branding executive to climate education advocate, revealing how he leveraged creative content—and even AI—to scale Planet Bonehead into classrooms across the globe. They explore why climate ed...

Mark as Played

In Episode 55, host Sid Bensalah sits down with Thomas Schueneman, an environmental journalist, climate advocate, and Global Warming Is Real founder. Through an honest, reflective, and hopeful conversation, Thomas unpacks the role of storytelling in climate advocacy, shares personal moments that shaped his journey, and offers perspective on today’s most pressing sustainability debates.

From growing up camping with his father, to att...

Mark as Played

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 ex...

Mark as Played

 In this episode of the Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast, host Sid Bensalah sits down with Scott Morris, founder of PropulsionAI and former Chief People Officer, to explore how AI is redefining leadership, hiring, and productivity. From his 25+ years in HR to building a cutting-edge platform, Scott shares hard-won insights and real stories about the future of work.

Whether you're a business leader, coach, or entrepreneur, this epis...

Mark as Played

In this powerful episode of Pre-Zero Sports Talk, host Sid Bensalah welcomes adventurer, coach, and lifelong seeker of simplicity Florian Hornig, who joins the show while anchored off the coast of Morocco during a 40-knot storm aboard his sailboat.

From walking solo through the Sahara Desert to running ultramarathons and building a lodge in Zanzibar, Florian reveals the raw truths behind breaking free from traditional life to create...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

    Fudd Around And Find Out

    UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd brings her championship swag to iHeart Women’s Sports with Fudd Around and Find Out, a weekly podcast that takes fans along for the ride as Azzi spends her final year of college trying to reclaim the National Championship and prepare to be a first round WNBA draft pick. Ever wonder what it’s like to be a world-class athlete in the public spotlight while still managing schoolwork, friendships and family time? It’s time to Fudd Around and Find Out!

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.