From College Gamer to Founder: The VarsityGripz Story featuring Maurice Manswell, on Gamechangers

Maurice Manswell pitched Alabama football before he had a finished product. When they invited him to supply their players, he had two months to turn his idea into reality.Then, the night before the event, the shipment was two hours away.On this episode of Gamechangers LIVE®, host Sergio Tigera sits down with Maurice Manswell, founder and CEO of VarsityGripz, to unpack the entrepreneurial journey behind a business connecting sports fandom with gaming.Introduced in this conversation at just 23 years old, Maurice shares how he spotted an overlooked opportunity: fans had the jerseys, hats, and memorabilia—but their gaming controllers didn’t represent their teams.What followed was a whirlwind of college partnerships, orders shipped between classes, and lessons in building a company beyond its founder. Maurice also shares that VarsityGripz generated more than $250,000 in revenue in one December—and discusses his ambitions for what comes next.IN THIS EPISODE:• Turning a personal passion into a business opportunity• Pitching your vision before everything is ready• The last-minute delivery scramble before the Alabama launch• Using your first success to open new doors• Knowing when to pause a startup and rebuild• Creating systems so your business doesn’t depend entirely on you• Using AI to identify gaps and anticipate business risks• Expanding from college sports into global soccer and new gaming accessoriesWhether you’re launching your first business or working to scale an existing one, this conversation offers a candid look at the decisions, setbacks, and resourcefulness behind entrepreneurial growth.

In this episode of Gamechangers LIVE, Sergio Tigera sits down with Matthew Love, President & CEO of Nicklaus Children's Health System, to discuss what it takes to lead one of the nation's premier pediatric healthcare organizations.Matthew shares his journey from engineering student at Ohio State to healthcare executive, the lessons that shaped his leadership philosophy, and why caring for children is unlike any other profession.They also discuss the groundbreaking partnership between Nicklaus Children's Health System and Florida International University, leadership under pressure, organizational culture, burnout prevention, succession planning, and the future of pediatric healthcare in South Florida.Topics discussed include:• From engineer to healthcare CEO• Leadership lessons from failure• Overcoming imposter syndrome• Building high-performing organizational culture• Preventing burnout in healthcare• Why patience is a leadership superpower• The future of pediatric healthcare• The Nicklaus Children's + FIU partnership• Recruiting world-class physicians• Creating lasting impact through leadershipIf you're a business leader, healthcare executive, entrepreneur, educator, or simply passionate about leadership, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom.Guest:Matthew LovePresident & CEONicklaus Children's Health System

In this episode of the Gamechangers Podcast, we sit down with Willy Bermello, Principal and Founder of Bermello, Ajamil & Partners, one of the most influential planning and architecture firms shaping Miami and cities around the world.From master-planning major urban developments to helping define the future of downtown Miami, Willy shares the philosophy, strategy, and real-world challenges behind building cities that people actually want to live, work, and visit.If you care about urban development, leadership, infrastructure, or the future of cities, this conversation is a must-watch.🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The key principles behind successful city planningHow Miami evolved into a global destinationThe biggest challenges facing urban development todayWhat most cities get wrong about growthLeadership lessons from decades of shaping communities🎙️ About Gamechangers PodcastThe Gamechangers Podcast features leaders who are changing the game in their industries and making a lasting impact on thousands of people.This episode of the Gamechangers Podcast is proudly recorded at the FIU CARTA Podcast Studio—located within Florida International University’s College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts.FIU CARTA is at the forefront of shaping the next generation of creators, designers, communicators, and innovators—making it the perfect home for conversations that inspire impact and drive change.We’re grateful to partner with an institution that is not only educating future leaders, but actively contributing to the cultural and creative fabric of our community. Learn more at Carta.fiu.edu.

What happens when poverty, cancer, and entrepreneurship collide?Cristina Miller shares the mindset that helped her survive, take risks, and build a multi-division tech company.In this powerful episode of Gamechangers, Sergio Tigera sits down with Cristina Miller, CEO of Intermedia Touch, cancer survivor, and technology entrepreneur, to explore the moments that shaped her life and leadership.This episode was filmed in the Gamechangers home studio at Florida International University’s College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts (CARTA) — a hub for creative storytelling, innovation, and real-world impact in the heart of Miami. Learn more at https://carta.fiu.edu

In this episode of the Gamechangers Podcast, live from the College of Communications, Architecture+Arts at FIU (Carta.fiu.edu), Sergio Tigera sits down with Ana Maria Rodriguez, Chair of the Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation and Florida State Senator, for a powerful conversation on service, resilience, communication, and legacy.Born and raised in Miami-Dade County, Senator Rodriguez shares her unexpected journey from community service and healthcare advocacy to local government, the Florida House, and now the Florida Senate. She opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, blocking out the noise, and leading with purpose—even when the spotlight isn’t guaranteed.In this episode, we explore:Why service—not titles—is the foundation of authentic leadershipHow mentorship can completely change your life’s trajectoryThe importance of communication in public service and leadershipMental fortitude, resilience, and blocking out naysayersEnvironmental leadership in the Florida Keys, Everglades & Biscayne BayWorkforce housing, coral reef restoration & nature-based solutionsRaising future leaders through example, not positionHer personal leadership motto: “It’s nice to be important, but more important to be nice”

Can a smartphone app actually teach empathy and improve professional networking? In this episode, we dive into the results of a 30-day "Gamechangers" reflection program completed by an FIU Business MBA cohort. We analyze the data and raw feedback from students who spent a month tracking their "mini wins," practicing gratitude, and intentionally building connections.Join us as we explore how a daily habit of mindfulness shifted students from being purely "task-motivated" to seeing the positive in their daily grind. We discuss the challenges of maintaining consistency while juggling work and family, and reveal why 100% of participants said they would recommend this reflection-based program to their peers.

Inside the Fight to End Human Trafficking | Tyler Schwab of Libertas InternationalIn this powerful episode of Gamechangers Podcast, host Sergio Tigera sits down with Tyler Schwab, founder and CEO of Libertas International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying victims of human trafficking, working with local law enforcement across Latin America, and helping survivors rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.From the streets of the Dominican Republic to courtrooms in the United States, Tyler shares the shocking realities of modern-day slavery—and the incredible stories of resilience and hope that keep him and his team fighting every day

In this episode of Gamechangers LIVE, host Sergio Tigera sits down with legendary bassist Rudy Sarzo — the Cuban-born musician who rose from humble beginnings in Havana to sharing the stage with Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, and Dio.Rudy opens up about:• Growing up in Cuba and the cultural rhythms that shaped his sound.• His journey to the U.S. and the moment music turned his life “from black & white to living color.”• Life on tour with Ozzy Osbourne and the unforgettable Crazy Train era.• How faith and spirituality kept him grounded through fame, tragedy, and success.• Reflections on Quiet Riot, Randy Rhoads, and the lasting influence of rock icons.This is a must-watch for music fans, aspiring artists, and anyone inspired by resilience, faith, and the pursuit of greatness.

In this inspiring episode of Gamechangers LIVE, we sit down with Florida International University President Jeanette Nuñez—the first Latina and first female to lead FIU.A double Panther alumna and former Lieutenant Governor of Florida, President Nuñez shares her personal journey from humble beginnings to public service, and now, to leading one of the top-ranked public research universities in the U.S.We dive into:Her bold vision to make FIU a Top 30 public universityThe future of student success in the age of AI and automationBuilding meaningful alumni engagementThe game-changing partnership with Baptist HealthHer personal reflections on leadership, resilience, and familyWhether you're an FIU alum, student, or someone passionate about the future of education and leadership, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.9hIIE75IwVVPrcWnuUW1

What happens when a pastor secretly battles depression, suicidal thoughts, and silent pain — but emerges stronger than ever? In this deeply honest episode of Gamechangers LIVE, Pastor Matt Boyle of Sozo Church shares how his darkest season of depression became the very thing that refined him and shaped his life’s purpose.Hear Matt’s powerful testimony of fighting silent battles, crying himself to sleep, and wondering why he felt so alone — even while serving others. Learn how one honest conversation and a single word of hope completely shifted his life, delivering him from depression for good.In this inspiring conversation, you’ll discover:Why men (and women) struggle in silence — and how confession brings freedom.How social pressures and unrealistic expectations fuel anxiety and depression.Why your greatest wounds can become your greatest calling.How Sozo Church is creating a safe space for real conversations and real healing.Why your story isn’t over yet.If you’ve ever felt stuck in the darkness, this episode is for you. There is hope — and you are not alone.Watch, comment, and share this with someone who needs a reminder: Deliverance is possible. Your story can still change lives.