What It Takes To Build a Championship Culture with JJ Gottsch
The Athletics Of Business
What does it take to build a championship team, grow a nationally recognized brand, and create a lasting culture that performs under pressure? In this episode of The Athletics of Business, Ed Molitor welcomes back JJ Gottsch, CEO of the Austin Gamblers. They dive into the leadership, culture, and disciplined execution behind one of PBR Teams’ most successful organizations. JJ shares how the Gamblers’ success began with ownership that did more than set a bold vision. They backed it with trust, resources, and support, giving the team what it needed to build a year-round brand around a...
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Measuring the Transformational Impact of Coaching with Kyle Craighead & Joshua Childs
The Athletics Of Business
What if the most powerful thing a coach does never shows up in a box score? Every athletic department tracks wins and losses. Many track all-state selections, district championships, and tournament appearances. But the metrics that often matter most — the ones tied to connection, resilience, attendance, joy, accountability, academic growth, and long-term student development — have largely gone unmeasured. Until now. In this episode of The Athletics of Business Podcast, Ed Molitor is joined by Kyle Craighead and Joshua Childs to talk about the transformational impact coaches have on student...
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Soccer Meets America: Leadership, Culture, and the Stories That Shape Us with Phil Wall
The Athletics Of Business
What happens when a sport’s history is bigger, deeper, and more culturally revealing than the story most people have been told? Soccer has always been part of the American sports landscape. Union soldiers played it during the Civil War. Crowds of 46,000 showed up for soccer in New York in the 1920s. Pelé brought nearly 200 journalists with him when he played for the New York Cosmos. But the real story is not just about soccer. It is about how culture is built, how momentum grows, how narratives take shape, and how the stories we choose to tell can either limit what people see or expand what...
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Yes Your Way to Success: What Endurance Teaches Us About Leadership with Gavin Mlinar
The Athletics Of Business
Most people spend their lives trying to avoid failure. Gavin Mlinar has built his life around walking straight into it. From leaving home to pursue freestyle skiing as a teenager, to returning after multiple knee injuries to earn a starting role on the football field, to walking away from a successful executive career without a clear plan for what came next, Gavin has repeatedly chosen uncertainty over comfort. And more often than not, those decisions began with a simple phrase: "Yes, I'll figure it out." In this episode of The Athletics of Business Podcast, Ed Molitor is joined by Gavin...
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Captain: The Athlete's Guide to Being an Exceptional Team Leader with John O'Sullivan and Dr. Jerry Lynch
The Athletics Of Business
What if the best captain on your team is not the loudest, most talented, or most popular player? For John O’Sullivan and Dr. Jerry Lynch, true captaincy is not about status. It is about skill, choice, relationships, and the daily behaviors that help a team become more connected, accountable, and resilient. In this episode of The Athletics of Business, Ed Molitor is joined by John and Jerry to discuss their new book, Captain: The Athlete’s Guide to Being an Exceptional Leader. Together, they unpack why leadership in sports is often misunderstood, why teams should stop automatically...
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The Human Side of Leadership: Building a Culture of Purpose-Driven Performance with Jeff Schaffnit
The Athletics Of Business
What changes when the work you lead is deeply personal? For Jeff Schaffnit, his career in the pharmaceutical industry is directly connected to his son, Carter, who was born with severe hemophilia. That personal experience shaped not only the work Jeff chose to pursue, but the kind of leader he strives to be. In this episode of The Athletics of Business, Ed Molitor and Jeff dive into what it takes to build a culture where purpose and performance strengthen one another. Jeff shares why patient stories serve as a North Star for his team, how he evaluates talent through the lens of heart, mind,...
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From the Foxhole to the Final Four: Roadmap to Coaching Greatness with Coach Bob Starkey
The Athletics Of Business
What keeps a coach grounded after more than 40 years, over 900 wins, 27 NCAA Tournament appearances, five consecutive Women’s Final Fours, and a national championship? For Bob Starkey, the answer has never been about the record. It has always been about the relationships. In this episode of The Athletics of Business Podcast, Ed Molitor is joined by one of the most respected assistant coaches in women’s college basketball for a conversation about leadership, preparation, connection, and the standards that build great teams. Bob traces his coaching philosophy back to Alan Osborne, the...
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The Power of Mentorship and Trust in Building a Championship Culture with Scott Howard
The Athletics Of Business
What does it take to build a championship culture that lasts? For Scott Howard, it starts with mentorship, trust, relationships, and a commitment to putting the team above yourself. In this episode of The Athletics of Business, host Ed Molitor reconnects with longtime friend Scott Howard, currently completing his 11th season with the Denver Nuggets organization after nearly four decades in basketball, including 17 years coaching in the college game and over two decades in the NBA. At the heart of this conversation is what truly builds championship culture. Scott shares how growing up in Iowa...
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One Team, One Heartbeat: How Human Connection Drives Transformation Before the Scoreboard Shows It with Meghan Long
The Athletics Of Business
Why do the same teams keep winning without the most talent? Is it because they’ve learned to embrace the grind, celebrate small wins, and lead people as humans first—so they’d run through a wall for each other? In this episode of The Athletics of Business Podcast, host Ed Molitor is joined by , Area Vice President of US Surgical Sales at . As a former Division I Lacrosse captain at UNC-Chapel Hill, Meghan understands what it takes to build a winning culture. Today, she brings those same principles into her work, leading high-impact growth and turnaround efforts across the medical device,...
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Connecting Like A PRO: The Four Underlying Motivators Every Leader Needs to Master
The Athletics Of Business
What if every frustrating conversation, every missed connection, and every stalled coaching moment with your team could be traced back to just four hidden forces, forces you've never been taught to see? In this episode of The Athletics of Business Podcast, host Ed Molitor is joined by Paul Bramson, elite leadership trainer, global keynote speaker, and author of Connecting Like A PRO®, to explore the hidden drivers behind every conversation, conflict, and coaching moment. Paul reveals the four underlying motivators that shape how we respond under pressure: the Need to Be Liked, the Need to Be...
info_outlineIn this episode of The Athletics of Business, host Ed Molitor is joined by Jake Thompson, the Chief Encouragement Officer at Compete Every Day. Jake takes us on a journey through his entrepreneurial path, from starting his brand with t-shirts sold out of his car trunk to building a global movement worn by leaders in 62 countries. Jake discusses his books Compete Every Day, Lead Better Now, The Line, and his upcoming release, Beat Yesterday. He explores how competition and collaboration can be balanced to foster a high-performance culture in both sports and business.
Jake shares how we can use self-competition to drive personal growth, why comparison can be both helpful and harmful, and how organizations can implement a framework for sustained success. This episode is packed with valuable insights for leaders and teams looking to thrive under pressure and build cultures that support lasting performance.
Join us at The Coaching Effect Summit on May 5-6, 2026, at the Tenaska Center in Omaha, Nebraska, where Jake Thompson will be the featured keynote speaker! Hosted by CoEffex, this summit will highlight the transformative power of coaching, driven by data and fueled by people. Jake, a renowned expert in leadership and performance coaching, will share his insights on how data can amplify coaching effectiveness and elevate both individuals and organizations. Don’t miss the chance to learn from one of the best in the industry and take your coaching game to the next level!
Meet our Guest:
Jake Thompson is a keynote speaker and the Chief Encouragement Officer at Compete Every Day, a brand he started in 2011 by first selling t-shirts out of the trunk of his car and is now worn by leaders in over 62 countries.
Jake has spent more than a decade working with leaders and organizations worldwide on how to get better results for themselves and their teams. Through his entrepreneurial sales experience, client work, and research, Jake has built a proven C.O.M.P.E.T.E. framework that helps leaders improve their grit, productive habits, and leadership skills to create more positive influence within their organizations.
He has been featured in Forbes and Inc. Magazine, hosts a podcast with over two million downloads, and has directly impacted over 135,000 ambitious leaders. Jake holds an MBA, Mental Performance Master (MPM) Certification, and is one of only 17% of speakers globally to have earned his CSP® (Certified Speaking Professional) through the National Speakers Association.
Jake lives in Dallas/Fort Worth with his wife, Elena, and their five “kids,” aka rescue dogs, Sugar, Donut, Snacks, Pop-Tart, & Cookie.
What You’ll Learn in this Episode:
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How to balance competition with collaboration to build a strong team culture
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The importance of competing with yourself, not others
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The impact of Beat Yesterday on personal growth and leadership
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Why is self-awareness essential for leaders to build trust and create accountability
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How to implement clear standards and expectations within your team
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The dangers of unhealthy comparison and how to use it effectively
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How to navigate the inevitable pressures of leadership and organizational growth
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Jake’s insights on leadership development and coaching for long-term success
Resources and Links
Jake Thompson
- Website: Jake Thompson
- LinkedIn: Jake Thompson Speaks
- Instagram: Jake Thompson Speaks
- Facebook: Jake Thompson Speaks
- Twitter/X: Jake A Thompson
- Podcast: Compete Everyday
Ed Molitor
- Ed Molitor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themolitorgroup
- YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theathleticsofbusiness
- CoEffex Coaching Effect Summit: https://coeffex.com/2026-coaching-effect-summit
Timestamps:
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[00:00] – Why self-leadership and communication are key to great leadership
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[03:15] – Introduction to Jake Thompson and the Compete Every Day brand journey
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[06:20] – Jake reflects on his evolution as an entrepreneur and author
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[09:00] – The power of internal competition and why competing with yourself is crucial
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[12:45] – Jake talks about his books: Compete Every Day, Lead Better Now, The Line, and the upcoming Beat Yesterday
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[17:00] – The importance of building a competitive culture while fostering collaboration within teams
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[21:30] – The dangers of unhealthy comparison and how to use it to fuel growth
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[25:30] – The Compete Every Day framework: Turning competition into a sustainable habit
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[28:00] – How leaders can use accountability to drive results and improve team performance
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[32:15] – Jake shares strategies to keep your team motivated and focused on growth
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[35:30] – The role of self-awareness in leadership and building trust within teams
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[39:00] – Jake’s thoughts on handling external pressures and maintaining a growth mindset
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[42:30] – The importance of defining clear standards and expectations within your team culture
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[46:00] – Final thoughts on Beat Yesterday and how to approach continuous self-improvement