Beyond the Game: Wealth Mastery for Athletes

E19: Beyond the Field: The Franchising Experiences of Edwin Jackson and Brandon Beachy

In this episode, Kris Benson and Alec Ogletree are joined by former MLB pitchers Edwin Jackson and Brandon Beachy where they dish out some major league advice. 
With over 20 seasons of playing ball between them, EJ and Beachy share their experiences transitioning to the business world of franchising after hanging up their cleats. They've got some great advice on evaluating opportunities as franchising pros.
Tune in as they break down their transitions from baseball champs to owning franchises and consulting brands. You won't want to miss these players turning their game-winning skills into franchising success. 
Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation:
[03:46] - The power of networking
[07:15] - Brandon’s career background
[10:19] - Limiting beliefs around investing in franchise
[20:08] - Mentorship, challenges in franchising, and the importance of asking for help
[24:26] - Franchising and evaluating financial viability
[29:46] - Evaluating franchise investments
[37:21] - Mitigating risks and applying due diligence
[41:34] - Franchising, brand selection, and relationship-building
 
Episode Highlights:
[03:46] The Power of Networking
Despite not knowing each other, Edwin connected with Raining Berries founder Bimal Bhojani at a wealth summit, where they discussed their acai bowl concept, Raining Berries. Intrigued, Edwin saw potential in franchising the brand through his fund LCP Concessions. His chance encounter led to an unexpected partnership, showing how industry events foster valuable connections.
[07:15] Brandon Beachy's Transition from Baseball to Business Ownership
After retiring from baseball, Brandon Beachy sought the entrepreneurial freedom and control over his schedule that playing sports lacked. However, with no business experience, he found franchising provided a proven system. A friend introduced Brandon to a home insulation franchise, allowing him to apply his strong work ethic. He now owns a thriving insulation franchise while also consulting others on franchise opportunities through his company What's Next Franchising. Brandon proves how franchising can smoothly help athletes transition into their next career chapter.
[10:19] Limiting Beliefs Around Investing in Franchise
One common limiting belief that prevents people from getting more involved in franchising is a lack of knowledge or understanding about what opportunities exist. Not being familiar with franchising as an option can act as a hurdle. Some may feel they aren't knowledgeable enough or don't have the right background, so they don't even consider it as a path. A fear of the unknown or not being an "expert" deters many from exploring franchising further. A lack of education about the industry and the support available is often the core reason this belief becomes a barrier.
[37:21] Doing Your Homework
Due diligence is key when evaluating any franchise opportunity in order to fully understand the risks involved. Edwin and Brandon stressed the importance of thorough research, including speaking with multiple existing franchise owners to learn about their experiences. While established franchise systems may have worked out many kinks, there are still adjustments to be made as brands evolve. Both emphasized the need for prospective franchisees to be prepared for potential bumps in the road and ensure the business model fits their goals, demographic focus and risk tolerance. Diligent upfront analysis is vital to making an informed investment decision.
Resources Mentioned:
https://www.rainingberries.com/franchising

E18: Going Beyond the Field: Learning from a Longtime NFL Agent

Are you ready for an all-access pass into the high-stakes world of NFL player representation? This latest episode of Beyond the Game gives you a seat at the table with veteran agent David Canter. 
A 29-year NFL agent veteran, David has built superstar careers and negotiated contracts worth hundreds of millions. Listen in as he shares recruiting strategies and how agencies are courting prospects straight out of high school. David also opens up about the ups and downs of counseling clients through their NFL journeys and the importance he places on financial education and planning for life after football.
From negotiating big contracts to counseling players on their finances, David has seen and done it all in his time in the league. Tune in to hear his best stories and most valuable advice!
Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation:
[06:30] David's unconventional path to becoming an agent
[15:00] Insider recruiting strategies for signing top prospects
[26:00] Challenges of financial literacy for young NFL players
[38:00] The importance of mentorship between veteran and rookie players
[49:00] David's advice for maximizing NFL career earnings
[1:01:00] Life after football and planning for long-term financial stability
 
Episode Highlights:
[15:00] The Evolving Landscape of Recruiting Top High School Prospects
With new rules allowing players to hire agents straight out of high school, David has seen a shift in how agencies scout and woo young talent. He explains that it has become almost like a full-time job to stay on top of the newest up-and-coming stars. David details some of the new tactics being used, like following top recruits on social media from a young age and then traveling to all of their games and events. Agencies are also increasingly relying on recruiters in key areas to build local connections and influence. It's become a highly competitive process to sign the best young players even before they step on a college campus.
[26:00] Challenges of Financial Literacy For Young NFL Players
David recounts having to teach a veteran player how to write a check, despite being in the league for several years. Many players come into the NFL without ever having managed large sums of money. Simple tasks like paying bills and understanding tax documentation can be foreign concepts. While knowledge has increased over time, David still finds that financial education is needed throughout a player's career. He stresses that agents must make sure clients understand basic financial matters in order to set them up for long-term success beyond football.
[49:00] David's Advice for Maximizing NFL Career Earnings
Avoid distractions and live below your means. Treat every season like it's your last chance to cash in on their football skills. Immerse yourself fully in your training to stand out to teams. Negotiate smart contracts that provide security upfront rather than gambling on future earning potential. Finally, take care of your mental and physical health so you can have as long of a career as possible in the league.
Resources Mentioned:
Football GSE Worldwide
Follow David on Instagram and X

E17: Joe Holland Shares His Journey from NFL Player to Dental Practice Owner

After his NFL dreams were dashed by injury, former Purdue football star Joe Holland chose to channel his competitive spirit into building a thriving dental practice. In this episode, Joe opens up about his pivot from medicine to dentistry in pursuit of practice ownership and learning to lead employees with no business experience. 
Now the owner of multiple offices, Joe shares his story of turning adversity into success through strategic marketing moves worthy of a game day playbook. Learn from how Joe's grit and determination helped him overcome obstacles to build his own "dental dynasty."
Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation:
[00:41] Joe’s road to football and dentistry
[15:22] Leveraging athletic career for professional success
[21:59] How athletic background can lead to business success
[25:27] Why dentists make attractive lenders 
[26:44] Buying a dental practice and transitioning ownership 
[31:15] Buying and selling dental practices and competition from private equity
[45:44] Leadership and management in a dental practice
[56:17] Dentistry, growth, and future plans
[58:21] Financial literacy and investment principles for former NFL players
 
Episode Highlights:
[21:59] How Athletic Background Can Lead to Business Success
Joe believes his athletic background helped set him up for business success. Playing college and pro football built his resilience, work ethic, and confidence. Being voted captain his senior year taught leadership skills. Sports fostered determination and competitiveness, giving him the mindset to take risks like purchasing a dental practice. His athletic experiences developed qualities that translated well to his post-football professional career.
[25:27] Why Dentists Make Attractive Lenders
Joe leveraged one aspect of being a dentist to his advantage when purchasing his first dental practice - he realized that dentists make very attractive lenders. As a low-risk profession with stable incomes, dentists have low default rates on loans. Joe was able to use this knowledge of how appealing dentists are to lenders in order to secure financing for his practice purchase, recognizing it as one of the benefits of entering this particular career field.
[26:44] Buying a Dental Practice and Transitioning Ownership
Joe took an unconventional approach to buying his first dental practice: sending notes to elderly patients resembling retired players. This connected him with a selling dentist. However, the shortened transition period caused patient confusion, as Joe realized he needed longer overlap to smoothly hand over the established but declining business. It was a valuable learning experience for effectively transitioning practice ownership.
[45:44] Leadership and Management in a Dental Practice
Joe realized he overestimated how his leadership skills from football would directly apply to managing a dental practice team. He learned it was important to get to know employees personally outside of work to understand their individual communication preferences and learning styles. Only then could Joe tailor his leadership approach and set clear expectations to effectively motivate each person. Developing personal relationships with staff helped Joe build cohesion and improved his ability to lead the team towards shared goals.

E16: Beyond Football: Cliff Avril's Journey from NFL Star to Real Estate Investor

Get your game plan from a true Beyond the Game master!
Today, Kris Benson and Alec Ogletree sit down with former NFL star Cliff Avril to discuss his journey from football to real estate investing. Over the course of his career, Cliff learned valuable lessons about financial literacy, accountability, and team building - skills he now applies to growing his real estate business. 
Tune in to hear Cliff share lessons from the gridiron and insights into his multifamily and luxury spec home ventures.
Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation:
[02:35] Excuses are monuments of nothingness.
[08:42] The importance of financial literacy
[16:22] Translating your lessons and skills from football to business
[19:17] Paying for convenience
[28:50] Networking, ego, and time management for athletes and entrepreneurs
[36:05] Cliff’s real estate journey
[39:48] Understanding value add real estate investing
[44:35] Cliff’s business structure and diving into the luxury market
[51:41] Cliff Avril Family Foundation
 
Episode Highlights:
[02:37] Beyond Excuses: Achieving Success By Taking Accountability
Cliff lives by the quote: “Excuses are monuments of nothingness.” Those who specialize in them rarely amount to anything. People who rely on excuses to justify their shortcomings or lack of achievement will struggle to accomplish meaningful goals or have lasting success. The quote serves as a reminder to avoid complacency and instead focus our energy on finding solutions rather than making excuses.
[08:42] The Importance of Financial Literacy
When Cliff received his first signing bonus, he was surprised to learn through a conversation with his agent that most of the money went to taxes, a concept he had never been taught. This wake-up call drove Cliff's passion for educating himself and others on financial principles. He now ensures his own children understand these lessons from a young age to avoid the same surprises. Cliff's journey highlights just how critical financial literacy is, especially for athletes receiving large salaries.
[39:48] Understanding Value Add Real Estate Investing
Value add real estate investing is a strategy that focuses on renovating or redeveloping properties in order to increase their value beyond typical market appreciation. Cliff employs this tactic in his real estate business. He looks for distressed properties that he can purchase at a discount, and then completely renovates or rehabs the building to modern, higher-end specifications. This "forces'' appreciation in the property immediately through the renovation work. It allows him to buy a property for one price, put additional money into improvements, and sell or hold it at a much higher value once the project is complete. This value add approach generates outsized returns for Cliff compared to simply buying and holding properties for long-term appreciation.
Resources Mentioned:
Cliff Avril Family Foundation
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Integrity By Dr. Henry Cloud

E15: From Pro Sports to Franchise Ownership with Brandon Beachy

From the pitcher's mound to the boardroom - don't miss Brandon Beachy's story of resilience and reinvention on this latest episode!
Kris Benson and Alec Ogletree sit down with former MLB pitcher Brandon Beachy to discuss his journey from professional baseball to franchise business owner. After nearly a decade at baseball's highest level, multiple injuries forced this former MLB pitcher to face the hard truth that his playing days were over. But Brandon was just getting warmed up. 
Tune in to hear how he took the grit and determination that led to success on the mound and channeled it into building a thriving franchise business from scratch. Brandon shares powerful lessons on overcoming adversity and reinventing your career even when the odds seem stacked against you. 
Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation:
[03:00] Transferable skills from baseball to business
[11:54] Brandon’s career background
[20:00] Lessons from Chipper Jones
[30:56] Brandon’s injury experience
[37:03] How he got into a franchising business
[46:50] Business growth and scaling
[47:20] Learning how wealthy people leverage debt
[54:20] Finding the right business
Episode Highlights:
[03:00] Transferable Skills from the Ballfield to the Boardroom
Brandon talks about how baseball taught him to be resilient in the face of failure, as even the best hitters fail more often than not. Dealing with injuries and setbacks also helped build his determination to keep working hard no matter the obstacles. Other skills like self-motivation, leadership abilities and teamwork mentality were all attributes that served him well in running a successful franchise business. According to Brandon, these "intangible" traits learned from sports ended up being extremely applicable in the entrepreneurial world.
[20:00] Lessons From Chipper Jones
Chipper Jones helped Brandon realize that as a pitcher, he didn't need to be perfect against every hitter, but there were one or two in each lineup that had the ability to truly anticipate his pitches based on how he was pitching others. Chipper taught Brandon that there were hitters who were studying him and could see what he was doing to other batters in order to get ahead. This insight changed Brandon's approach and mindset on the mound.
[54:20] Working Backwards: Brandon's Methodology for Finding the Right Business Fit
Brandon discusses the methodology he uses in his franchise consulting work. He emphasizes the importance of focusing first on a client's goals, motivations and desired lifestyle or end destination, rather than jumping straight into exploring specific business concepts. By working backwards from where they want to be, he can better find an opportunity that truly "fits" what the client is looking for in both the short and long-term. This intentional approach allows the business to complement their lifestyle vision, rather than forcing the client's priorities to conform to whatever opportunity comes first.
Resources Mentioned:
www.whatsnextfranchising.com 

E14: Step Up to the Plate: Navigating Finances from The Baseball Diamond to Boardroom with Jacob Turner

Dig this: A Sports Illustrated article reported that 78% of NFL players become broke within 3 years of exiting the league. In today’s episode, Kris Benson and Alec Ogletree sit down with former MLB pitcher Jacob Turner, who shares his playbook for financial mastery. 
Jacob's nine-year MLB career across the majors has given him a wealth of experience to draw from. Today, Jacob discusses financial lessons learned from his professional sports career and how athletes can build a foundation for long-term financial success.
Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation:
[01:34] The danger of costly habits
[07:24] The business side of professional sports
[10:11] The differences in contract guarantees between NFL and MLB
[17:01] The idea of delayed gratification in investing
[22:54] Lessons from Jacob’s early investment decisions
[24:26] Financial management for athletes
[31:28] Tools for financial visibility 
[38:53] How Moment Private Wealth helps professional athletes and entrepreneurs
Episode Highlights:
[01:34] Habits That Lead to Financial Trouble
Immediately upgrading lifestyles without restraint allows costs to compound over time. Additionally, pressures to keep up appearances by flaunting wealth encourage overspending beyond means. Perhaps most importantly, athletes often do not understand the unpredictable nature of sports careers and do not build a strong financial foundation that can sustain their lifestyle long after playing days are over. Without curbing spending and preparing for what's ahead, costly habits can lead athletes astray financially.
[17:01] The Idea of Delayed Gratification in Investing
Delayed gratification means forgoing instant pleasure for future benefit. In investing, it requires discipline to commit funds long-term through volatility as compound returns accrue. While easy to chase short-term gains, delaying gratification with consistent, long-term investing is crucial to building wealth over decades. Jacob stressed the value of having a mindset that embraces delayed gratification, being willing to make moves today that may not pay off for 5, 10 or more years into the future when the rewards can be substantial.
[24:26] Financial Management for Athletes
Taxes represent athletes' largest lifetime expense, so it's crucial to take advantage of tax planning strategies when first earning money in order to maximize how much can be kept. Specialized knowledge in this area can go a long way.
General financial advice is often not tailored enough for unique situations like professional athletes. Finding advisors specialized in the sports industry leads to much better outcomes. Their expertise addresses complexities generalists may overlook, and it allows athletes to make optimal financial decisions for their circumstances
Resources Mentioned:
Moment Private Wealth
Follow Jacob on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn
Rebellious CEO by Ralph Nader
Monarch Money
Quicken
QuickBooks

E13: What we have learned: Lessons from our First 10 Episodes

With over a decade of NFL experience, Alec is uniquely positioned to understand the mental, physical, and financial challenges faced by professional athletes.  Kris, with his experience in the world of private equity real estate has a bunch to offer!   In this special reflection episode of Beyond the Game, they re-examine pivotal moments from past episodes to extract the most impactful takeaways around managing money, avoiding bad investments, navigating career transitions,, and reinventing oneself throughout different stages of life.
Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation:
[02:25] Understanding your burn rate
[06:22] Rethinking wealth beyond dollars and cents
[07:42] The ego of the athlete
[11:29] The power of intention
[13:46] Finding the right mentors
[18:01] Starting early for long-term success
[21:53] Believe in yourself
[31:29] Personal growth and reinvention over the next decades
 
Episode Highlights:
[02:25] Understanding Your Burn Rate
Properly understanding expenses is pivotal for athletes to make informed financial decisions both during and after their careers. Calculate your true "burn rate" to determine what level of returns you need to achieve financial freedom. Alec relates this to his own experience of wanting to remain debt free as a player so he didn't take on unnecessary overhead. 
[06:22] A Tool for Freedom: Rethinking Wealth Beyond Dollars and Cents
While some athletes earn millions each year, Kris points out that at the end of the day, it's all just numbers - the principles of financial management are the same whether you're making 20 mil or 20 grand. The rue goal of getting your money right isn't the cash itself, but rather the freedom it can provide. If managed properly, wealth is really about gaining independence, opportunities and quality of life through smart planning today with an eye on long-term freedom.
[11:29] The Power of Intention
Athletes must be intentional about creating long-term wealth, whether that means hiring advisors, building a strong support team, or continuously educating themselves. Kris highlights how most guests, even those with financial backgrounds, were initially in the same position of having little knowledge after being drafted. But through proactively seeking guidance and information, they were able to achieve stability and fulfill their goals of financial freedom.
[21:53] Believe in Yourself
Especially in the cut-throat world of professional sports, an athlete has to maintain an extremely high level of belief in themselves at all times. Alec explains that without a rock-solid internal conviction of your own abilities, it's impossible for others to believe in you either. Coaches, teams, and fans will just expect you to fail if you don't unequivocally believe in your talent and work ethic. By always keeping confidence in your skills and work ethic at an all-time high, you give yourself the fighting chance to achieve your goals even when facing setbacks, criticism or doubts from the outside world.

E12: Beyond Football: An NFL Vet's Journey in Insurance and Financial Planning

This week, Kris Benson and Alec Ogletree chat with former Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Clint Boling to share his journey from the NFL to a career in insurance. Over an eight-year career spent entirely with the Bengals, Clint learned valuable lessons about financial planning, investing, and creating opportunities for his post-football life. Tune in as he discusses his process of networking while playing, advice he'd give his younger self, and how he currently applies his business knowledge working in the insurance industry.
Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation:
[01:21] Choosing majors and career paths in college
[10:56] Athletic training and work ethic
[15:12] NFL draft experience, financial planning, and taxes
[22:26] Lessons learned about taxes, spending, and living within his means 
[26:03] Financial freedom and finding your purpose
[31:37] Common financial struggles and habits among NFL players
[38:46] Retirement, career change, and insurance work
[45:35] The importance of building relationships on and off the field
 
Episode Highlights:
[22:26] Financial Lessons from an NFL Career
Clint shares some of the biggest financial lessons he learned during his time playing in the NFL. He talks about being surprised by how much was taken out of his paychecks for taxes when he first started playing. This taught him the reality of tax obligations. He also discusses seeing teammates make extravagant purchases like luxury cars that they would sell soon after, realizing they didn't truly have the means to maintain that lifestyle. Overall, Clint stresses the importance of living within your means, even making a high NFL salary so that your money lasts beyond your playing days. These experiences helped shape his philosophy around responsible spending and financial planning.
[26:03] The Power of Choice and Purpose
Clint achieved financial independence through smart planning and investing during his playing days. This freedom allowed him to pursue new opportunities because he wanted to, not out of necessity. He referenced the difference between "want to" versus "have to" work. He also stressed finding purpose each day, whether through career goals or examples set for family. Simply showing up to a job is not enough - true fulfillment comes from channeling efforts into meaningful accomplishments.
[31:37] Common Financial Struggles And Habits Among NFL Players
Some common financial pitfalls Clint observed among NFL players included making extravagant purchases like luxury cars that couldn't be sustained long-term. They continue an unsustainable lavish lifestyle after retiring when income has already  decreased substantially. They also fail to have a concrete financial plan for managing earnings, while taking on too much risk early in careers rather than more conservative investing. Failure to adjust spending habits or prioritize financial education when NFL salaries ceased can lead some to mismanage earnings.
[45:35] The Power of Building Relationships – On and Off the Field
Building strong relationships is crucial both during and after a career in professional sports. You're not playing football forever. At some point in time, you're going to need another job. So how do they view you as a person and not a football player? So when you’re at any event, talk to the person regardless of what they do. Engage those people and talk with those people. Build those relationships because at the end of the day, you don't know who's going to be able to help you down the road. 
Resources Mentioned:
Outliers by Malcom Gladwell
Redding Private Client