The Profluence Pod 🌐

Sophia Whitesell is the Founder and CEO of The Giving Game, an athlete-led philanthropic media and publishing platform. Transitioning from a decade-long career as a registered nurse and hospital executive into the sports industry, Sophia created The Giving Game to bridge the operational, awareness, and storytelling gaps that often prevent high-profile athletes from scaling their charitable foundations.The Giving Game operates as a media engine and publishing house dedicated to highlighting the human element of sports philanthropy. By enforcing a strict "no sports talk" rule during long-form interviews, the platform focuses entirely on the athlete’s personal origin story, community mission, and foundation goals. Each interview is paired with a multi-day digital campaign and an interactive children’s book publishing line designed to engage fans, demystify grassroots giving, and combat donor fatigue.In this episode Sophia explores the business of athlete-driven nonprofits, navigating the "gatekeepers" within an athlete’s inner circle, and the operational differences between grassroots foundations and large legacy charities. Sophia breaks down how the platform activates fan bases without asking for direct dollars, her approach to elevating women’s sports foundations, and her plans for expanding into physical, community-driven experiences. Podcast Chapters:01:35 - Sophia’s Origin Story: Transitioning from Nursing to Sports04:11 - The Operational Bottlenecks Facing Athlete Foundations06:12 - What Is The Giving Game? Media Platform & Children's Book Publishing 08:54 - Navigating Gatekeepers & Decoding the Athlete’s Inner Circle12:16 - The Interview Framework: Stripping Away "Sports Talk" for Human Stories 14:09 - Mental Health, Vulnerability, and Breaking Out of the "Athlete Box" 18:44 - Non-Monetary Philanthropy: Leveraging Influence over Capital 22:36 - Scaling The Giving Game Brand & Building Fan Base Trust27:02 - Supporting Grassroots Nonprofits, Emerging Athletes, and Women's Sports 29:31 - The Future of In-Real-Life (IRL) Community Experiences & Wrap Up

Justin Jarman is the Co-Founder and CEO of Cool Factor Cryo, a mobile and stationary athletic recovery company delivering elite recovery modalities to youth sports tournaments, endurance races, and collegiate programs. A career entrepreneur with experience spanning venture finance, CPG, and digital platforms, Justin partnered with former MLS professional soccer player Jack Stewart to bridge the gap between elite professional recovery infrastructure and grassroots athletics.Cool Factor Cryo operates an asset-light, hybrid network consisting of custom mobile recovery vehicles, franchised units, and stationary "recovery pods" deployed directly on site at high-traffic sports complexes. Each unit offers an integrated athletic recovery circuit featuring whole-body cryotherapy chambers (reaching -180°F), red-light therapy, pneumatic compression boots, percussive massage, and zero-gravity lounge environments. By partnering with major brands like Therabody and Adidas, Cool Factor utilizes an experiential marketing model that subsidizes or eliminates recovery costs for families while unlocking data-capture channels across the youth sports "sideline economy."In this episode Justin discusses the economics of mobile athletic recovery, scaling across mixed-use sports complexes, and porting elite national team recovery protocols to grassroots tournaments. Justin breaks down how Cool Factor optimizes tournament footprint monetization, navigates B2B brand sponsorships, and executes on its expansion roadmap across major US metropolitan markets.

Ron Shimek is the President of i9 Sports, the nation’s multi-sport community youth sports franchise. Bringing over 25 years of leadership experience across the franchising sector—including extensive executive roles in hospitality and home services—Ron took the helm at i9 Sports in January 2024 to drive the company’s nationwide expansion, operational support, and franchise development strategy.i9 Sports operates an asset-light, multi-sport franchise model designed as an alternative to hyper-competitive club sports. Serving youth ages 3 to 14 across over 300 locations, i9 Sports offers flag football, soccer, basketball, baseball, and volleyball through convenient, single-day weekend leagues. Supported by private equity partner Rourke Capital, the company relies on local Area Developers (ADs) who utilize municipal fields, public facilities, and volunteer coaching networks rather than heavy capital real estate investments.In this episode of the Profluence Podcast, host Andrew Petcash sits down with Ron to discuss the business mechanics of youth sports franchising, the shift toward multi-sport participation, and strategies for avoiding early athletic burnout. Ron shares insights into i9 Sports' "Gains for the Girls" initiative, flag football’s rapid expansion ahead of high school and Olympic adoption, and how data-driven franchise operations drive sustained member retention across the US.Podcast Chapters: 03:05 - The i9 Sports Business Model: Asset-Light Youth Sports Leagues05:29 - Industry Growth Trends: Flag Football, Girls' Sports & Soccer06:42 - Market Expansion Strategy & Site Selection Demographics08:18 - Target Age Demographics & Single-Day League Structure10:07 - Private Equity Partnering: Scaling with Rourke Capital11:26 - Revenue Streams: Registration Fees, Royalties, and Merchandise12:29 - Asset-Light vs. Facility Ownership: Leasing Fields and Facilities15:22 - Multi-Sport Expansion & Competitive League Opportunities18:13 - Personal Motivation: Youth Mental Health & Technology Off-Ramps22:06 - Key Performance Indicators: NPS, Conversion, and Member Retention24:15 - Multi-Sport Participation vs. Early Sport Specialization25:45 - Where to Find i9 Sports & Wrap Up

Nery Gomez is the President and Co-Founder of Black Sun Private Equity, an alternative investment firm targeting the intersection of sports, entertainment media, technology, and capital markets. Bringing a background spanning investment banking, venture capital, and corporate strategy, Nery began his career managing deal flow and capital allocation in the Boston tech and banking ecosystems before helping launch Black Sun alongside CEO Atonn Muhammad. Black Sun Private Equity operates an ecosystem-driven investment model centered around the "fan economy." Rather than executing isolated financial engineering or short-term arbitrage flips, Black Sun deploys capital into interconnected assets—ranging from major franchise bids like bringing the Seattle SuperSonics back to the NBA and acquiring top-tier European soccer clubs, to establishing new sports properties like the World American Football League (WAFL) and Knockout Fights. Nery examines the structural evolution of sports private equity, long-term asset stewardship, and stadium-anchored commercial real estate. Nery details how Black Sun leverages a five-point business framework (Value Offering, Marketing, Sales, Value Delivery, and Finance) to turn sports franchises into self-sustaining commercial flywheels, while incorporating human performance, athlete wealth management, and community impact into core portfolio operations.Podcast Chapters:02:39 The Birth of Black Sun Private Equity05:19 Understanding the Fan Economy08:13 The Importance of Community and Stewardship10:56 The Confluence of Sports, Entertainment, and Technology13:56 Building a Sustainable Sports Ecosystem16:12 The Five-Point Business Model for Success22:48 The Importance of Customer Relationships23:39 Professionalism in Sports Management25:44 Creating a Fan-Centric Experience28:10 Human Performance and Athlete Care31:41 Understanding Risks in Sports Investments38:52 Long-Term Vision for Black Sun

Haniff Brown is the Founder and CEO of FitMatch AI, an AI-driven computer vision and body intelligence platform. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Haniff graduated with a mathematics degree from Williams College before spending years in Wall Street private equity, focusing heavily on discount retail, supply chains, and consumer apparel. Drawing on his background in quantitative analysis and operations, Haniff founded FitMatch to solve the global challenge of sizing, body metrics, and physical analytics without invasive hardware.FitMatch AI is a technology platform that turns standard smartphone and tablet photos into precise, non-invasive 3D body intelligence data. Utilizing proprietary computer vision algorithms, the platform delivers optical measurements, including limb lengths, circumferences, muscle mass estimates, and bone density approximations, without ever storing photos. Initially deployed across retail to tackle apparel returns, FitMatch AI has expanded into youth sports and healthcare as a core engine for body composition and longitudinal physical tracking.Haniff explains how computer vision is transforming youth sports scouting, athletic development, and injury prevention. Haniff breaks down the difference between chronological age and biological maturation, explaining how AI-driven body analytics, like sub-inch adult height prediction and growth-spurt forecasting, are helping organizations like MLS Next combat relative age bias, optimize player positioning, and democratize elite sports science for parents and coaches worldwide.Podcast Chapters:01:20 - Haniff's Journey: From Wall Street Private Equity to Tech Entrepreneurship04:11 - Transitioning from Investor to Operator: Lessons from Private Equity07:52 - Strategy & Scaling: Expanding Across Retail, Healthcare, and Sports13:41 - Revolutionizing Youth Sports: Performance vs. Puberty (Relative Age Effect)17:34 - Predicting Growth Spurts and Sub-Inch Adult Height with AI23:08 - Data Privacy & Security: Protecting Youth Athlete Information25:05 - The Future of FitMatch AI: Replacing DEXA Scans & Global Expansion

Jorrit DeVries is the Director of the Netherlands Business Support Office in Los Angeles (NBSO LA), an official trade office operating under the Dutch Ministry of Foreign and Economic Affairs. A former startup CEO and corporate executive with over two decades of international business experience, Jorrit works directly on the ground in California to bridge the gap between Dutch technology enterprises, US markets, and local government stakeholders.The Netherlands Business Support Office (NBSO) is a global network of trade offices established by the Dutch government to foster bilateral trade and economic growth in key international hubs. Operating out of Venice, California, NBSO LA acts as a strategic bridge for over 150 Dutch companies entering Southern California, with a specialized focus on sports technology, media, life sciences, and urban development.Jorrit explores how the Netherlands is leveraging Los Angeles’s upcoming "Decade of Sports", highlighted by FIFA World Cup matches and the 2028 Olympic Games—as a launchpad for international business growth. They discuss the differences between US and European venture landscapes, the mechanics of soft-landing foreign startups in California, and why international trade representation is becoming a key driver in the modern sports economy.Podcast Chapter:02:43 The Role of the Netherlands in Global Trade05:19 Establishment and Growth of MBSO in LA07:59 Support for Dutch Companies in the US10:33 Criteria for Dutch Companies to Enter the US Market13:22 Sports Industry Opportunities in LA15:55 Cultural Differences in Business Practices18:36 Trends and Future Opportunities in the Sports Sector21:17 Conclusion and Resources for Dutch Companies

Jay Ciccarone is a veteran inventor and product innovator with decades of experience spanning golf club manufacturing, consumer goods, and wearable performance technology. Driven by a passion for functional movement and sports science, Jay holds multiple patents centered around soft-weighted resistance technology designed to enhance athletic training, build targeted muscle strength, and assist in physical rehabilitation.His company, Lace Up, is a pioneer in weighted sports gear and wearable technology, offering a complete head-to-toe lineup of flexible resistance equipment. What began as a soft-weighted wrap for lacrosse sticks and baseball bats has expanded into weighted compression arm and calf sleeves, weighted footwear accessories, and the Heavy Hat—a targeted neck-strengthening tool used to build cervical resilience and lower concussion risks across contact sports and auto racing.In this episode of the Profluence Podcast, host Andrew Petcash sits down with Jay to explore how Lace Up evolved from a niche sports accessory into a multi-use wearable platform trusted by professional sports leagues, medical rehabilitation patients, and NASA. They dive into the mechanics of low-load resistance, how to spot unexpected market fits like Irish dance studios, and the key principles of scaling an physical product line without over-extending inventory.Podcast Chapters:02:05 The Evolution of Weighted Sports Equipment06:31 The Importance of Neck Strength in Sports08:07 The Rise of Weighted Resistance Training10:43 Innovating for Different Markets15:01 Customer Service and Go-to-Market Strategies18:19 Balancing Innovation and Product Management20:31 The Science Behind Product Development24:40 Learning from Customer Feedback29:53 Future Goals and Market Trends31:00 Emerging Trends in Fitness and Wellness

Jovany Ruiz is Co-Founder of Friday Stairs, a rapidly growing free weekly fitness ritual and community movement built on democratizing health and wellness.Ruiz shares his story from growing up in a 127-person village in Puerto Rico to playing Division I college football and track at the University at Buffalo, pursuing the NFL, and enduring seven knee surgeries. He details how overcoming adversity led him to realize that sports were merely a vehicle for his true purpose: building fellowship, leading without ego, and creating uplifting communities.The conversation dives deep into how Friday Stairs grew from an informal Tampa gathering into a waitlisted movement scaling to 50+ major U.S. cities, how to maintain authentic culture while monetizing through brand partnerships, and why "the stairs" represent the personal adversity everyone faces.Podcast Chapters: 01:01 Roots in Puerto Rico and Early Life02:45 The Pursuit of Sports and Personal Growth06:06 The Realization of Purpose Beyond Sports09:50 Defining Community and Leadership12:33 The Mission of Friday Stairs15:10 Balancing Community and Business19:07 Scaling and Expanding Friday Stairs22:15 Leveraging Sports and Influencers24:43 Lessons Learned from the Community27:05 Staying Grounded as a Leader

Eyal Arad (Co-Founder & CEO) and Amos Varon (Chief Business Officer) of Ripple Analytics (formerly Videocites) ulock the Hidden 80% of Social Media Value in Sports. They explore the shifting landscape of sports media and social media intelligence, discussing how rights holders, sports properties, and global brands can track the full value of user-generated content (UGC) and earned media far beyond their owned channels.Arad and Varon share the origin story of Videocites starting as an anti-piracy video-tracking technology in 2014 and its strategic pivot into an AI-powered social media intelligence platform. Drawing on Arad’s two decades in product development and Varon’s background leading partnership revenue at Madison Square Garden, BSE Global, and NASCAR, they break down why 80% of digital engagement happens outside official channels. The discussion covers leveraging super fans over mega-influencers, avoiding misleading metrics like raw impressions, and utilizing predictive AI to drive real revenue.Podcast Chapters:02:52 - Amos Varon's Transition from MSG & NASCAR to Sports Tech04:02 - Eyal Arad on the Pivot: From Anti-Piracy to Harnessing Fan UGC05:48 - Evaluating Social Metrics: Beyond Followers and Standard Likes08:21 - The Tip of the Iceberg: Owned Channels vs. Earned UGC Reach09:59 - How Emerging Leagues & Younger Audiences Consume Clip-Driven Content12:18 - Turning "Pirates" into Brand Ambassadors & Fan Creators13:25 - Influencer Marketing Debate: Mega Influencers vs. Authentic Super Fans15:36 - Insights & Engagement Trends from FIFA World Cup & Major Events18:12 - Sports vs. Non-Sports Brands: How Content Strategies Compare22:40 - The Evolution of Athlete Personal Brands & UGC Monetization24:05 - The Future of Social Intelligence: Predictive AI & Fan Engagement27:45 - Rapid Fire: Undervalued Platforms & Overrated Metrics

Adam Sloustcher is the Co-Chair at Fisher Phillips, a leading labor and employment law firm. Sloustcher shares his journey from elite youth soccer at the U.S. Soccer Residency Program (IMG Academy) and playing Division I soccer at UNC Chapel Hill and Loyola Marymount University, to signing with the San Jose Earthquakes before transitioning into a legal career focused on labor and employment law.Sloustcher outlines how Fisher Phillips navigates employment and workplace law in the sports landscape, covering risk mitigation, cross-jurisdictional compliance, and proactive human resources management. He details how sports organizations, high-growth startups, and sports tech ventures manage labor regulations, implement workplace safety protocols, navigate state-level AI regulations, and lay compliant structural foundations. The discussion also covers scaling law office operations, corporate culture, and balancing executive output with family life.Podcast Chapters:01:26 - Adam's Origin Story: From AAU Basketball to Elite Youth Soccer03:11 - The Residency Program & D1 College Soccer at UNC & LMU04:39 - Life After Pro Soccer & Transitioning to Law06:51 - How an Athletic Background Shapes Legal Consulting09:48 - Navigating AI, Compliance, and Changing Regulations in Sports Tech13:39 - Who Fisher Phillips Serves: Early-Stage Startups to Pro Franchises18:43 - Scaling the Dallas Office & Client-Centric Growth Strategy20:32 - Redefining ROI: Return on Impact vs. Return on Investment25:35 - How to Connect with Adam Sloustcher & Fisher Phillips