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 explores how private equity reshapes youth sports and why grit, more than hustle, is the key to long-term success. This episode offers tactical insights, honest stories, and practical leadership advice.
Key Takeaways:
· How to work on the business, not just in it
· The role of mindset in navigating challenges
· Sales tips from cold-call trenches
· Why athletes struggle in leadership roles
· Youth sports, private equity, and rising costs
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Fred Ewig
00:54 Fred's Transition from Sports to Coaching
03:03 Challenges in Building a Business
05:22 Sales Techniques and Overcoming Rejection
11:47 Leadership in Sports vs. Business
15:23 The Evolution of Youth Sports
20:05 The Importance of Grit in Business
20:56 Coaching Through Low Points
22:48 Why Business Owners Delay Seeking Help
24:17 Balancing Accountability in Coaching
29:09 Private Equity's Impact on Youth Sports
32:06 The Rising Costs and Pressures in Youth Sports
38:21 Lightning Round: Quickfire Questions
43:09 Final Thoughts and Advice
☞ Stay Connected with Pre-Zero Sports Talk!
Join Sid Bensalah and the Pre-Zero Sports Talk community for honest conversations on sports, leadership, community, sustainability, and progress. Follow, watch, and engage — your voice matters.
📲 Follow & Engage with Us:
🔹 Spotify (Video Channel) → Watch Episodes on Spotify
🔹 YouTube (Video Channel) → Subscribe & Watch Full Interviews
🔹 Twitter/X → @PreZeroST
🔹 Instagram → @PreZeroSportsTalk
🔹 LinkedIn → Join the Conversation
🔹 TikTok → @PreZeroSportsTalk
🔹 Substack → Exclusive Content & Updates
Your Voice Matters!
🎤 Got feedback or a topic request?
We’d love to hear from you! 📩 Send your thoughts here
💡 Support the Podcast
Fuel our mission of honest storytelling and real impact. Contribute ...
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
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
Cold Case Files: Miami
Joyce Sapp, 76; Bryan Herrera, 16; and Laurance Webb, 32—three Miami residents whose lives were stolen in brutal, unsolved homicides. Cold Case Files: Miami follows award‑winning radio host and City of Miami Police reserve officer Enrique Santos as he partners with the department’s Cold Case Homicide Unit, determined family members, and the advocates who spend their lives fighting for justice for the victims who can no longer fight for themselves.