Athlete Money
Athlete Money is a podcast aimed at helping athletes learn to live from what they love. Host Matt C Smith talks with sponsorship managers at global brands and with athletes who are building products and businesses while still competing. Each episode shares practical knowledge and real stories from people who have succeeded in balancing sport, money, and purpose.
Episodes
How To Start An Athlete-Led Event with Håvard Moseby.
Discover how Håvard Musabi used his event to boost his brand, create community, and generate income, all while staying true to his athletic roots. Learn practical insights on organizing athlete-driven initiatives, leveraging sponsorships, and growing organically—valuable for athletes seeking diverse income streams and brand building.In this episode:The origin of the Musabi Invitational and its evo
How any athlete can make money by helping their audience, with Emil Gukild.
In this episode, Emil Gukild shares innovative ways athletes can monetize their expertise by building communities around races and training programs, emphasizing the power of social media and storytelling in modern sports careers.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Athlete Monetization01:59 Building a Community Around Events05:54 The Role of Social Media in Athlete Branding11:09 Crafting Your Unique Sto
AthleteMoney podcast intro
This podcast exists to support athletes in learning to live from what they love. Every episode, Matt with chat with the likes of sponsorship managers of global brands athletes that are building products and businesses whilst competing and performing. The goal is simply to share knowledge and show how those that have succeeded have done it.
How to use Social Media as an Athlete, with Nicola Rizzo.
This episode explores the power of social media for athletes, how to build a personal brand, and practical strategies to start and grow your online presence. Nicola Rizzo shares her decade of experience working with athletes like George Russell and offers actionable tips for beginners. In this insightful conversation, Matt C Smith and Nicola Rizzo explore how athletes can leverage personal brandin
The rise, then near death fall off a glacier, of Lebanon's first Cross Country Skier. Then 7 year rise back to Olympic status.
SummaryIn this engaging conversation, the Matt and Samer discuss the journey of a Lebanese cross-country skier who overcame significant challenges to qualify for the Olympics. They explore themes of resilience, the beauty of Lebanon's Cedars of God, the experience of competing at the Olympics, and the importance of support systems in an athlete's life. The conversation also delves into the
Bjørn Dæhlie on Sports, Business, and the Power of Coincidence.
In this engaging conversation, I interview Bjørn Dæhlie, a legendary cross-country skier, discussing his journey from professional athlete to businessman. We explore Bjørn's passion for skiing, his experiences in the sport, and the coincidences that shaped his career. The conversation delves into training insights, the evolution of Norwegian skiing, and the importance of mental preparation for
How 6x Paralympic medalist Kjartan Haugen came back from retirement, to medal at the Beijing 2022 Olympics.
In this episode, I sit down with Kjartan Haugen a Norwegian Para athlete who lost his leg to cancer at 18yrs old. He went onto gain 6 Olympic medals, and in this conversation we touch on how he returned fro 10yrs, then came back and won another medal in Beijing and what that time off taught him about bing an athlete now. TakeawaysReturning to sport after a long break can reignite passion and joy.E
How to go viral as an athlete with Aussie Olympian & Social Media Guru; Seve De Campo
SummaryIn this engaging conversation, Seve De Campo shares his journey as a cross-country skier, from his early days in Melbourne to his experiences as an Olympian. The discussion covers the importance of mental preparation, the significance of personal branding for athletes, and the role of social media in building a community. Seve also reflects on the lessons learned from his Olympic journey an
A crash course in curling with 3 x Olympian Markus Høiberg. And why it just might be the coolest sport to watch at the Olympics.
SummaryIn this episode, Matt C Smith interviews Markus Hoiberg, a three-time Olympian in curling, exploring the intricacies of the sport, its evolution, and the unique experiences of competing at the Olympics. They discuss the importance of teamwork, mental preparation, and the physical demands of curling, as well as the impact of recent scandals on the sport's equipment standards. Markus shares i
How to build a YouTube following as an athlete: the Zak Ketterson playbook on Storytelling, and Self-Branding.
Zak Ketterson shares his journey as a cross-country skier, discussing his upbringing in Minnesota, the impact of the NCAA system on his career, and the importance of building a personal brand as an athlete. He emphasizes the role of social media and content creation in connecting with fans and sponsors, and reflects on his aspirations for the upcoming Olympics. Zak also highlights the significance
From War Zone to World Championships. How Paralympian Scott Meenagh is still fighting for his country, on the ski tracks.
Scott Meenagh is a former solder turned Paralympian. In this episode we get a master class in resilience from his journey into parasports, to his fight to keep his sport funded and represented. TakeawaysThe journey to success is often filled with adversity.Finding purpose in sport can lead to personal growth.The transition to a new sport can be challenging but rewarding.Military training can influ
How athletes can post & perform, building personal brands and their sport in the process, with Biathlete Boris Stanish
In this engaging conversation, Matt and Boris Stanish explore Boris's journey as an aspiring biathlete aiming for the Olympics through his Project 509 initiative. They discuss the importance of social media in documenting the athlete's journey, the challenges of balancing training with content creation, and the impact of community engagement. Boris shares insights on his experiences, the s
The Muffin Man of Paris Olympics 2024: How going Viral on TikTok helped Henrik Christiansen build a personal brand, and so can you!
In this episode, Henrik Christiansen, a Norwegian swimmer and Olympic athlete, shares his journey from a young soccer player to becoming a world-class swimmer and the infamous 'Muffin Man.' He discusses the importance of authenticity in building a personal brand, the pressures of social media fame, and how he navigated his viral moment during the Olympics. Christiansen emphasizes the need
Saudi Arabias first Olympic Cross Country Skier; Rakan Alireza.
In this episode, Rakan Alireza shares his journey from Jeddah to the TED stage, discussing the challenges of public speaking, transitioning from rowing to cross-country skiing, and the rigorous training required for Olympic qualification. He reflects on the importance of community support, overcoming fears, and the mental aspects of competing. Rakan emphasizes the significance of enjoying the jour
5 lessons from the last 5 episodes.
In this recap, I pick my 5 favourite lessons from the last 5 episodes.
Father of 3, Self-teachers his way to the Olympics.
Alan Daniel Corona shares his inspiring journey as a self-taught cross-country skier representing Mexico at the Olympics. He discusses the importance of community, self-belief, and the challenges of balancing family life with rigorous training. The conversation delves into the significance of the Olympics, the unique dynamics of the Mexican skiing community, and the personal growth that comes from
How patience & persistence took Michal Novak to the World Cup Podium & the Olympics.
In this episode Michal & I discuss the journey to the Olympics, sharing personal experiences, cultural clashes, and the importance of mental preparation in sports. They explore the significance of character in athletes, the Czech cross-country skiing team's history, and the excitement surrounding the upcoming Cortina 2026 Olympics. We also touch on training strategies, audience questions, and
The Journey of Holmenkollen Training Lab: Building a Legacy with Ragnar Andresen
This episode explores the journey of Holmenkollen Training Lab, the cultural factors contributing to Norway's success in winter sports, and the importance of team dynamics in coaching. The discussion also touches on the role of digital content in athlete training, the long-term vision for the training lab, and personal reflections on experiences at the Olympics. The podcast emphasizes the signific
The IceBok; South Africa’s 1st female Skeleton athlete. Nicole Burger.
Summary: In this episode Nicole Burger, a skeleton athlete representing South Africa, shares her journey into the sport, the challenges she faces, and her aspirations for the upcoming Olympics in Milan-Cortina. The discussion covers the mechanics of skeleton, the psychological resilience required, the community of athletes, and the balance between her military career and sports. Nicole emphasizes
Winning while smiling! The Federico Pellegrino way.
In this episode of Countdown to Cortina, Matt has a heartfelt conversation with Italian cross-country skiing champion Federico Pellegrino. They discuss the upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, the importance of athlete representation, and the balance between sport and personal life. Pellegrino shares insights on training, the evolution of cross-country skiing, and the significance of maintaini
5 lessons from the first 5 episodes.
In this bonus episode I wanted to recap the first 5 episodes with picking my favourite take away from each episode. 1. Andrew Musgrave: Athletes needing their personalities to show through - which goes back to a topic I really want to talk more about which is how athletes can become more multi-facetted. Meaning being seen as more than just the sport. You are more than your results! Muzzy discusse
The only Olympic sport without women. How Annika Malacinski is changing that!
In this conversation, Annika Malacinski shares her journey as a Nordic combined athlete, discussing the unique duality of ski jumping and cross-country skiing. She reflects on her experiences, the challenges of competing in a sport that lacks gender equality in the Olympics, and her aspirations to inspire the next generation of female athletes. Annika emphasizes the importance of mental training,
Why choose between summer and winter Paralympics....When you can go to both! Dani Aravich
In this episode, Dani shares her unique journey as a Paralympian from from discovering that there is actually a category for her disability, to then competing in not 1 but 2 Paralympics. She offers valuable advice for first-time Olympians, highlights the complexities of classification in para sports, and emphasises the need for inclusivity and understanding in the athletic community. Dani's in
4 Gold Medals, 3 World Records. 2 Olympics. 1 Mindset. The story of a Norwegian legend, Johann Olav Koss.
Today's guest is one of Norway's greatest Olympians, and coming from the land of winter olympians that's saying something. Johan Olav Koss, is a 4 time Olympic Gold medal winning Speed Skater, 3 of which came during his home Olympics in Lillehammer 1994, where he not only won, he broke the world records while doing so! Spoiler alert, Johann shares how making peace with losing, helped h
Paralympic Champion Carina Edlinger on changing nations, winning Gold and overcoming disability .
In our second episode of Countdown to Cortina, matt sits down with Carina Edlinger, Paralympic gold medalist from Beijing 2022. Carina shares how she overcame loosing her sight, and became the most decorated Austrian Cross Country Skier of all time.
4 x Olympian and Great Britain's all-time best cross country skier, Andrew Musgrave shares his journey in cross-country skiing.
Muzzy shares his journey from Scotland to becoming a beloved figure in Norway's cross-country skiing scene. He reflects on his Olympic experiences, the evolution of the sport, and the importance of inclusivity and engagement in cross-country skiing. The discussion also touches on the role of social media in building an athlete's brand and the excitement surrounding the upcoming Milan Cortina Olymp
Podcast Introduction
This is countdown to cortina, a weekly podcast leading up to the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. Created & hosted by me, Matt C Smith. This time-limited series will feature conversations with past and present Olympic & Paralympic legends, cult heroes, and hopefuls.We are going to go on a journey to discover more about the different disciplines, about the athletes, and stories that mak
