What's Next! with Bryan Finnerty

What happens when the career you've spent your entire life building suddenly takes an unexpected turn?In this episode of What's Next!, Bryan sits down with Christian Colabelli, professional musician, product innovator, and rod designer at Douglas Outdoors, for a fascinating conversation about following your passions, navigating unexpected career transitions, and finding opportunities where you least expect them.Christian shares his journey from performing nearly 200 shows a year, touring with major artists, and working in product development for legendary guitar effects company Eventide to making an unexpected move into the fishing industry. When the pandemic brought his music career to a halt, Christian turned his lifelong passion for bass fishing into Big Fish Synergy, eventually leading him to Douglas Outdoors and an entirely new chapter of his professional life.But this isn't just a story about changing industries. It's about recognizing the skills you already have and learning how to transfer them into something new. From hustling between music gigs and commercial real estate work to sleeping in a van while building relationships in the fishing industry, Christian explains why resourcefulness, humility, curiosity, and a willingness to get your boots on the ground can make all the difference.Bryan and Christian also dive into the importance of balancing passion with financial security, why having a Plan B doesn't mean giving up on your dreams, and how listening to the people using your products can drive meaningful innovation. Christian shares an exclusive look at what's coming to Douglas Outdoors, including its upcoming USA-made Vertex rod line and other product developments planned for 2027.If you're an athlete, musician, entrepreneur, or high performer wondering what comes next, this conversation is a reminder that you don't have to abandon what you love to build something new. Sometimes, the best opportunities come from combining the things you're already passionate about with the skills you've developed along the way.Chapters00:00 – From Musician to Fishing Industry Innovator01:35 – Christian's Journey: Boston College, Berklee & Professional Music04:12 – Touring, Big Artists & Working at Eventide06:15 – Why You Should Look Beyond Your Current Role08:22 – The Myth of Going All-In: Why Having a Plan B Matters10:48 – Experience Over Opinion: Learning from the Real World13:33 – How the Pandemic Changed Everything14:45 – Turning a Passion for Fishing into Big Fish Synergy16:00 – Taking the Leap: Joining Douglas Outdoors17:40 – Moving to Syracuse & Embracing Imposter Syndrome19:27 – The Superpowers You Take Into Your Next Career21:49 – Building Relationships Through Authenticity24:08 – Balancing Product Innovation, Function & Design25:08 – Douglas Outdoors: Tradition Meets Modern Performance28:29 – Why Understanding a Company's North Star Matters30:28 – What's Next for Douglas Outdoors?32:37 – Exclusive Reveal: The USA-Made Vertex Rods34:35 – Four New Product Lines & What's Coming in 202735:04 – Redefining Your Identity Beyond Your Profession36:15 – Following Your Passion Without Doing Things Halfway37:45 – Passion, Financial Freedom & Finding a Way to Make It Work39:26 – Where to Find Christian & Douglas OutdoorsConnect with Christian Collabelli:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christiancolabelli/ Website: https://www.christiancolabelli.com/Website: www.douglassoutdoors.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christian.colabelli Connect with Bryan:Check out the website www.whatsnextpodcast.comConnect with Bryan on Instagram @bryanfinnerty22Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn @bryanfinnerty PS- Do you love this podcast?  We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show.  This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.  Connect with Bryan:Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.comConnect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty PS- Do you love this podcast?  We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show.  This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.  

Thinking about starting a brand? This episode will give you the reality most people skip.What if the skills that made you successful as an athlete are exactly what make you valuable in business?In this episode of What’s Next!, Bryan sits down with former professional soccer player and Pioneer Sports leader Brian Enge to talk about his own transition out of the game and why, looking back, he believes he may have walked away too soon. Brian shares the fear he felt about falling behind his peers, the pressure to start a traditional career, and what he now tells athletes facing that same decision.The conversation also explores why Brian estimates that 90% of the people he has hired throughout his career have been athletes. From discipline and resilience to teamwork, accountability, and understanding the connection between hard work and results, he explains why athletes already possess many of the characteristics organizations are looking for, even when they don't have traditional industry experience.Bryan and Brian also take on the larger conversation happening around youth sports, including pay-to-play, access, scholarships, and the role organizations like Pioneer Sports can play in developing not only better athletes, but better people and future leaders.If you're wondering what's next after your playing career, this conversation is a reminder that you aren't starting from zero. You're bringing years of experience with you that can translate far beyond the field.Chapters00:00 – From Harvard to Professional Soccer03:45 – Did Brian Leave the Game Too Soon?05:30 – The Fear of Falling Behind After Sports08:15 – Why Brian Hires Athletes10:45 – Inside Pioneer Sports15:30 – The Truth About Pay-to-Play Youth Sports21:00 – Making Sports More Accessible24:45 – What Youth Sports Really Teach Us27:30 – The Future of Pioneer Sports33:15 – Experience Over OpinionConnect with Brian EngeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianengeWebsite: https://pioneersports.com/Connect with Bryan:Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.comConnect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty PS- Do you love this podcast?  We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show.  This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.  

Thinking about starting a brand? This episode will give you the reality most people skip.In this episode of What’s Next!, Bryan sits down with Rachel Erickson, founder of Unmarked Street and apparel expert who has helped scale brands from startup to $50M+ . She breaks down what actually goes into building a successful brand—and why so many founders get it wrong from the very beginning.From the importance of fit and truly understanding your customer, to budgeting before you ever design a product, Rachel shares the behind-the-scenes truths that can make or break a business. They also dive into why launching too many products too soon can kill your brand, how to properly test your product in the real world, and what it takes to build systems that actually scale.If you’re an entrepreneur, former athlete, or high performer thinking about building something of your own, this conversation will challenge your assumptions—and help you avoid costly mistakes.Chapters00:00 – The biggest mistake founders make03:00 – Why fit matters more than anything06:00 – Defining your ideal customer09:00 – How long it actually takes to build a product13:00 – Working backwards from your launch timeline17:00 – The cost of bad timing20:00 – Why most brands launch too many products23:00 – Budget before you design26:00 – Building your first product the right way28:00 – The importance of real-world testing31:00 – Creating systems that scale34:00 – What separates brands that grow vs stall37:00 – Building a brand that lasts39:00 – Profitability vs revenueConnect with Rachel EricksonWebsite: https://www.unmarkedstreet.comConnect with Bryan:Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.comConnect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty PS- Do you love this podcast?  We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show.  This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.  

What happens when you hit your financial goals… and still feel like something is missing?In this episode, Bryan sits down with entrepreneur Landen Goodnight, who built a million-dollar insurance business from the ground up after starting with nothing—living in a low-income apartment, newly married, with a baby on the way and no money for diapers .Landen shares the real story behind his success, from grinding through the early years to leading a team of 40+ agents and creating a business that generates income without requiring his constant presence. But what makes this conversation powerful isn’t just the growth, it’s the shift. After achieving financial success, Landen found himself asking a deeper question: Now what?They dive into leadership, hiring the right people, building systems that scale, and the importance of aligning your business with your purpose. Landen also opens up about faith, identity, and why chasing money alone will eventually leave you stuck.If you’re a high performer, entrepreneur, or someone thinking about starting over, this episode will challenge how you define success, and what it actually takes to build a life you don’t want to escape from.Chapters00:00 – From Broke to Business Owner02:00 – Early Entrepreneurship & Challenges05:00 – Hiring, Leadership & Building a Team09:00 – Vision vs Execution: Finding the Right People13:00 – Faith, Identity & Showing Up Authentically16:00 – The Hidden Opportunity in “Boring” Industries19:00 – Advice for Starting Over22:00 – Building a Business That Runs Without You25:00 – When Money Isn’t Enough28:00 – Finding Purpose Beyond Success31:00 – The Reality of Entrepreneurship & Relationships33:00 – Final Thoughts & How to Connect28:30 – Keeping Detroit’s top talent from leaving the marketConnect with Landen GoodnightWebsite: http://www.landengoodnight.comLink for Kolbe Test www.kolbe.com Connect with Bryan:Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.comConnect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty PS- Do you love this podcast?  We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show.  This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.  

After years inside the traditional U.S. soccer system, Alex Lubyansky set out to build something radically different.In this episode, Bryan sits down with Alex, founder of Detroit Metro FC, to discuss his mission to create a new pathway for soccer players outside the pay-to-play system. From launching a club with no fees for players to creating the Merit Cup, a competition offering $10,000 with zero barriers to entry, Alex is challenging the way youth sports development works in America.They dive into the structural differences between U.S. and European soccer, why incentives in youth sports are often misaligned, and how merit-based systems can uncover hidden talent. Alex also shares lessons from his journey as an entrepreneur, attorney, and sporting director, explaining how competition, accountability, and authentic leadership can transform both sports organizations and businesses.Whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or leader looking to rethink traditional systems, this conversation highlights the power of creating a third door when the existing paths don’t make sense.Chapters00:00 – Introducing Alex Lubyansky and Detroit Metro FC01:45 – The vision behind a completely free soccer pathway03:30 – Where Detroit Metro FC fits in the U.S. soccer pyramid04:45 – The idea behind the $10,000 Merit Cup07:00 – Why the U.S. soccer system struggles globally08:45 – The financial reality of youth soccer and pay-to-play11:30 – Why most soccer investments don’t make financial sense13:30 – The European soccer model vs the U.S. system16:00 – Building a sustainable club and developing real talent18:30 – Creating a real fan experience at Detroit Metro games21:00 – The philosophy behind open tryouts and merit selection23:30 – Developing accountable athletes and leaders26:00 – Why honesty matters in player development28:30 – Keeping Detroit’s top talent from leaving the market30:30 – What Detroit businesses can do to support the mission32:00 – Entrepreneurship, risk, and building bold ideas34:00 – Final thoughts and where to find AlexConnect with Alex LubyanskyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexlubyansky/Website: http://acquisitionstars.comPro Soccer Team:  https://detroitmetrofc.com/Connect with BryanCheck out the website www.whatsnextpodcast.comConnect with Bryan on Instagram @bryanfinnerty22Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn @bryanfinnerty PS- Do you love this podcast?  We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show.  This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.  Connect with Bryan:Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.comConnect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty PS- Do you love this podcast?  We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show.  This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.  

If you’re a high-performing leader wondering why your team of A-players still isn’t winning, this episode is your wake-up call. Bryan sits down with Katrina Ghazarian, a former athlete turned HR powerhouse, to unpack why company culture often crumbles under pressure—and how to fix it before your best people walk out the door.From simplifying culture audits to setting goals that can actually pass a stress test, Katrina shares sharp insights on leadership habits, vision clarity, and real-time feedback. She also opens up about how becoming a mom sparked her leap into entrepreneurship—and how taking control of her schedule turned into an eight-year consulting partnership.Whether you're a corporate executive, founder, or transitioning athlete trying to lead at the next level, this conversation is packed with clarity, challenge, and practical ways to build trust, drive results, and stop playing small.Chapters00:00 – Cold opens & 75-degree weather gap01:30 – Meet Katrina: Founder, athlete, culture fixer03:00 – Culture isn’t a mystery—look at exec behavior07:30 – Why your goals fail the pressure test13:00 – The real reason Katrina became an entrepreneur17:00 – Freedom > money: the power of choosing your time21:00 – What separates ready clients from the rest23:00 – Visionaries vs. resistant teams: what’s really going on28:00 – Your ideas are valid—just ship them30:30 – Want trust? Go talk to your people34:00 – Building equity starts with teaching the business39:00 – The truth is feedback in real time43:30 – Final thoughts + where to find Katrina38:10 – Like, Subscribe & Share What’s Next!Connect with Katrina: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-ghazarian/Website: https://gamedayhr.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gamedayhr/Connect with Bryan:Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.comConnect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty PS- Do you love this podcast?  We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show.  This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.  

What if everything you've been told about finding your purpose after sports is wrong? In this powerful episode, Bryan sits down with Matt Granados—performance strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of Life Pulse, to talk about what it really takes to transition from high-level athlete to fulfilled human. They dive into truth-based transformation, why chasing passion is dangerous, and how to identify your purpose by looking at your past, not your future. This is a must-listen for any athlete or high performer who feels stuck, searching, or like they’ve hit a ceiling. From practical tools to personal stories, Matt delivers a masterclass on creating a life aligned with your calling—not just your old identity.Chapters00:00 – Why Passion Can Be Dangerous01:18 – Meet Matt Granados & Life Pulse02:40 – From High Performance to Optimal Performance03:55 – Why Most Athletes Stay Stuck06:25 – Identity, Calling & Assignment Explained08:05 – Purpose vs Passion: A Wake-Up Call10:00 – How to Discover Your Purpose11:42 – A Real-Life Client Example13:20 – Digging Deeper Than "I Just Love Soccer"15:10 – Athletes as Products in a Business Machine17:35 – What Bryan Learned from the MLB & NHL Orgs19:00 – Structure + Intention = Perpetual Development21:10 – The Triangle of Influence: Athlete, Exec, Entrepreneur23:00 – The Power of Alignment & Community24:20 – Realign Conference: Why It's Different26:35 – What You Get at the Event28:55 – Custom 90-Day Plan & Tool Access30:00 – Integration of Faith, Business, and Life33:20 – Obedience > Outcome35:30 – Final Encouragements for Athletes37:00 – One Thing Every Rookie Needs38:10 – Like, Subscribe & Share What’s Next!Connect with Matt: Website:: https://www.lifepulseinc.com/wnRealign Conference: https://www.lifepulseinc.com/realign-conferenceYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPNc15l_7JB8-aziMAnLPsA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifepulseinc/Connect with Bryan:Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.comConnect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty PS- Do you love this podcast?  We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show.  This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.  

After nearly a month on the road, from the mountains of Colorado to the beaches of The Bahamas and the soccer fields of Germany, Bryan returns with a new perspective on what freedom really means.In this solo reflection, he breaks down the four levels of freedom taught by Dan Sullivan: time, money, relationships, and purpose and shares how aligning them with your North Star can transform the way you live, lead, and build your business.If you’ve ever felt like you’re chasing success but still missing meaning, this episode will help you pause, realign, and rediscover what truly drives you.Chapters00:00 – Freedom Isn’t Something You Chase01:00 – What Four Weeks on the Road Taught Me02:15 – The Four Levels of Freedom (Time, Money, Relationships, Purpose)05:45 – Lessons from the Mountains, Beaches & Fields07:30 – Transactional vs Transformational Relationships09:15 – Living in Alignment with Your North Star10:30 – A Challenge for You: Take 10 Minutes of Stillness11:30 – Final Thoughts & Freedom RemindersConnect with Bryan:Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.comConnect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty PS- Do you love this podcast?  We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show.  This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.  

In this episode, Bryan sits down with U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer Marcelo Balboa for a powerful conversation about life after the game. Marcelo opens up about the emotional crash after retiring from professional soccer, navigating identity loss, divorce, and personal transformation. From captaining the U.S. Men's National Team through three World Cups to rediscovering purpose through broadcasting, coaching, and fatherhood, Marcelo shares vulnerable lessons on leadership, growth, and what truly matters. This episode is a must-listen for athletes, entrepreneurs, and anyone facing major life transitions.Chapters00:00 – Let Them Do Their Job: Marcelo on trust & creativity00:48 – Bryan introduces Marcelo and their SDSU connection01:35 – Marcelo’s legacy: U.S. Men’s National Team, World Cups, and the mullet03:15 – The dark side of retirement: Drinking, depression, and identity loss05:00 – Marcelo admits: “I wasn’t a good husband or father”06:30 – The turning point: Two soccer moms changed everything07:30 – “You grow more from failure than success”08:40 – Who showed up during the hard times — and who didn’t09:50 – Advice to his younger self: Own your mistakes10:45 – Breaking into broadcasting (and bombing at first)12:00 – Getting his shot with Mark Cuban and Glenn Davis13:15 – How JP Dellacamera mentored him through early TV days14:25 – Why being bilingual became a superpower15:30 – Transitioning from athlete to analyst to coach16:45 – The evolution of leadership beyond the field17:55 – What corporate leaders can learn from locker rooms19:00 – Micromanagement kills creativity20:15 – Marcelo on the biggest youth soccer challenge in the U.S.21:20 – The broken “pay-for-play” system22:30 – Advice for parents: Support without pressure23:50 – Marcelo’s pet peeve: negative coaching24:45 – Why sports prepare kids for life25:40 – Marcelo’s life now: coaching, family, and peace27:00 – “Enjoy every day you have”28:00 – Reflections on legacy and giving backConnect with Marcelo: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcelo-balboa-4933114/X: https://x.com/marcelobalboa17?lang=enInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcelobalboa17/Connect with Bryan:Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.comConnect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty PS- Do you love this podcast?  We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show.  This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.  

In this solo episode of What’s Next!, Bryan breaks down a powerful framework on how to build a business you don’t have to sell, but could if you wanted to. Fresh off his talk at the U.S. Indoor Sports Conference, Bryan shares real-world insights from his own experience owning and exiting multiple businesses. He walks through the five key drivers of value beyond EBITDA: growth strategy, risk reduction, team strength, market opportunity, and financial fundamentals, and how aligning those elements creates a business that runs without you and attracts buyers. Whether you're building to exit, pass it down, or turn it into a long-term cash machine, this episode gives you the roadmap to create a valuable, scalable, and sellable business on your terms.Key Moments00:00 – Build a Business You Don’t Have to Sell00:30 – Intro: Lessons from the U.S. Indoor Conference01:20 – Bryan’s Experience: Exits & Equity in Action02:30 – The EBITDA Formula (and Why It’s Just the Start)04:15 – Adjusted EBITDA: What to Add Back In06:00 – How Multiples Impact Valuation07:15 – What Drives Value Beyond EBITDA08:45 – Warren Buffett’s Take on Real Business Value09:40 – Growth Strategy: Past, Present, and Future Direction11:00 – Why Staying On After the Sale Can Pay Off Big12:10 – What a Good Strategy Looks Like (Not a Zigzag)13:30 – Risk Factors That Kill Business Value14:45 – Sacred Cows & Hidden Risks15:50 – Team Competency Formula: IQ + EQ – Ego17:05 – The 6 Things Buyers Look for in Your Team18:20 – Market Opportunity: Are You Solving a Real Problem?19:30 – Customer Acquisition Strategy = Real Power20:50 – Strong Financials: What Buyers Actually Want to See22:00 – The 4 Financial Fundamentals of a Sellable Business23:30 – Recap: 5 Drivers of Value Beyond EBITDA24:40 – The 3 Ways All Businesses Eventually Transition26:10 – Avoiding the Operating Table (and the Fire Sale)27:30 – Final Thoughts & How to Work with UsConnect with Bryan:Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.comConnect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty PS- Do you love this podcast?  We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show.  This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.