What happens when elite competition, creativity, faith, and adaptability collide? In this episode we sit down with Nelson Smith to unpack one of the most unique journeys in modern sports.

Nelson’s story stretches far beyond the field. He was a multi-sport athlete playing football and baseball in college, suffered a devastating injury that forced him to rethink his identity, navigated isolation and uncertainty during COVID, and unexpectedly found a new lane through content creation. That journey eventually led him into the fast-growing world of Banana Ball, where performance, entertainment, and fan connection all matter.

This conversation dives deep into what actually separates athletes who last. Nelson shares what it means to be elite where your feet are, how faith became his foundation during injury and uncertainty, and why adaptability and belief are non-negotiable intangibles. He also gives a behind-the-scenes look at Banana Ball, from the tryout process to locker room culture, and explains why putting fans first has changed how he sees competition.

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In this episode of the Intangible Podcast, We sit with Cotie McMahon, Ole Miss Women’s Basketball standout and former Ohio State Buckeye, for a powerful and honest conversation recorded live in Oxford, Mississippi. Cotie opens up about her transfer journey, why she initially didn’t want to come to Ole Miss, and how Head Coach Yolette McPhee-McCuin (Coach Yo) poured into her not just as an athlete, but as a human being.

Cotie shares what fans don’t always see — the mental toll of competition, the pressure of playing in the SEC, navigating social media criticism, and the importance of vulnerability and mental health for athletes. She talks leadership, team chemistry, being a direct communicator, and why women’s sports produce “dogs” because there’s no other option but to go all in.

This conversation is a must-watch for young athletes, parents, and coaches who want to understand the intangibles — confidence, resilience, self-trust, effort, and emotional awareness — that separate good players from great ones.

If you care about athlete development beyond the stat sheet, this episode is for you.

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In this episode of the Intangible Podcast, we sit with Rachel Folden, one of the most influential coaches in modern baseball and softball. Rachel is a four-time All-American catcher at Marshall University, a former professional fastpitch standout, the first female coach in Chicago Cubs history, founder of Folden Fastpitch, and now a coach in the New York Mets organization

Rachel opens up about her journey from struggling hitter to elite performer, how adversity shaped her mindset, and why learning to reframe failure is a skill every athlete must develop. She shares powerful lessons on leadership, confidence, empathy, and what it really takes to make the jump from Triple-A to the big leagues.

This conversation is packed with real-world coaching wisdom for young athletes chasing their dreams, parents supporting the journey, and coaches looking to develop the whole athlete — not just the stat line.

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On this episode of the Intangible Podcast, we sit with Ole Miss softball phenom Mackenzie Pickens — a rising SEC star with the mindset and motor every young athlete should study. Mackenzie breaks down the pressure, the grind, and the intangibles that fuel her confidence on the biggest stage. If you’re chasing greatness or raising an athlete who is, this conversation is pure gold.

Mackenzie opens up about her journey to Oxford, what it’s like growing up with a twin sister who also plays college softball, and the pressure that comes with being labeled “the one who can take us to the next level.” She breaks down the habits, confidence builders, and mental toughness she’s had to develop to compete in the nation’s toughest conference.

We also talk leadership, faith, dealing with social media noise, staying grounded, and what women athletes deserve more credit for. If you're raising an athlete, coaching one, or are one — this conversation is a blueprint on how dedication, drive, and humility create the intangibles that truly matter.

Learn more about discovering your athlete’s intangibles → intangible.io

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Today on the Intangible Podcast, we sit down with Compete Every Day founder, keynote speaker, and leadership coach Jake Thompson — a man who has trained over 85,000 leaders and built a global brand rooted in one message: your habits will take you where your hype never will.

Jake opens up about developing composure in the toughest moments, redefining what competition really means, and why the greatest opponent you’ll ever face is the one in the mirror. He even breaks down his COMPETE Framework, the same mindset model he teaches to athletes, Fortune 500 teams, and high performers around the world.

If you're a young athlete trying to navigate pressure, social media, NIL, the transfer portal, or figuring out who you are beyond the game — this episode is a MUST. Parents and coaches, this one gives you the exact language and tools to help your athletes build real intangibles that last long after sports.

Jake’s story is raw, relatable, and packed with game-changing insights. From sleeping in his truck while building a brand, to learning how to detach his identity from performance, to finding patience and grit the hard way — his perspective will change how you approach competition and growth forever.

Dive in, take notes, and discover what drives you at intangible.io.

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In this episode of the Intangible Podcast, we sit down with Ole Miss volleyball standout Gabi Placide — a fierce competitor with a quiet intensity and a heart for leadership. Gabi opens up about her journey from Colorado to the SEC, why the Grove sold her on Ole Miss, and how ambition carried her from a mid-major to one of the biggest stages in college volleyball.

Gabi talks about the intangibles that truly shape her game: hunger, consistency, competitiveness, confidence, staying grounded in a social-media world, and what young girls need to see from female athletes today. She breaks down the misunderstood edge of women’s sports, the pressure of perfectionism, and why leaning on your teammates builds the foundation for greatness.

If you're a young athlete, a parent, or a coach looking to understand what separates good from great, Gabi’s story is a powerful blueprint. Tap into your own intangibles at intangible.io.

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Clemson great and former NFL defensive end Austin Bryant joins Chris Spencer for a powerful, raw, and inspiring conversation about the intangibles that shaped his life on and off the field. From growing up in a small South Georgia town to winning two national championships at Clemson and navigating the highs and lows of the NFL, Austin opens up in a way young athletes and parents rarely get to hear.

He reflects on the village that raised him, the toughness he learned competing with older cousins, and the moment a position switch from quarterback to defensive end changed his entire future. Austin shares what made Clemson’s culture special, what it was like playing on one of the greatest defensive lines in college football history, and how he pushed through an entire season — including the Cotton Bowl — with a torn pec. His honesty about mental resilience, self-belief, faith, leadership, and the reality of NFL life is something every athlete can learn from.

Austin also talks about making the decision to step away from the game, how he’s redefining greatness in this new chapter, and why giving back to the next generation means more to him than ever. This is a conversation about character, humility, sacrifice, and the unseen habits that separate good from great.

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In this episode of The Intangible Podcast, former UCLA and Florida State tight end Jordan Wilson opens up about the qualities that shaped his journey — faith, resilience, leadership, and an obsession with greatness. From growing up in Nashville with a strong faith foundation, to ACL setbacks, to transferring across the country, to fighting his way back from an Achilles tear, Jordan’s story is a masterclass on what separates good athletes from great ones.

Young athletes, parents, and coaches — this episode is loaded with lessons you can apply today. Jordan breaks down how to handle adversity, how to stay grounded in identity, how to lead by example, and how to develop a growth mindset that lasts well beyond sports.

If you're chasing your potential, this one will hit home.

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