What does it look like to take deep-rooted discipline from your upbringing and turn it into leadership across sports and business?

In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, I sit down with James Fisher Jr., General Manager of the Memphis Hound Dogs, to talk about a journey shaped long before titles ever came into play.

From growing up in Texas, where grit, discipline, and self-belief are part of the culture, to running track and playing football, to continuing his athletic career at Texas State — his foundation was built early. But like many athletes, the real story began in the transition.

We talk about how he moved from athlete to entrepreneur, building a career in performance, business, and leadership — and how those experiences now come together as he helps build a new professional franchise in Memphis.

Highlights:

• How his Texas upbringing shaped his mindset and work ethic
• Lessons from competing in track and football
• The transition from athlete to building a career beyond sports
• Starting at the ground level and creating real momentum
• What leadership looks like off the field
• Building the Memphis Hound Dogs from the ground up

If you’re navigating your next chapter or building something from scratch, this conversation will challenge how you think about growth and leadership.

Learn more at memphishounddogs.football

On social (at) MemphisHoundDogs - On IG (at) JamesFisherJr

Send us a text.

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Memphis has chased major league status for decades — from the Memphis Red Sox to the ABA and the World Football League. In the early 1980s, that pursuit led to the Memphis Showboats, one of the most memorable chapters in the city’s sports history.

On this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast with Sandy Adams, historian and author Dr. Keith B. Wood returns to discuss his new book The Memphis Showboats: The USFL Team & the City’s Fight for Major League Status and the leadership, vision, and belief that rallied a city.

We discuss:

• Memphis’ push to become a major league city
• How the Showboats landed in Memphis
• Leadership of owner William Dunavant and GM Steve Ehrhart
• Pepper Rodgers and the team’s identity
• The impact of Reggie White and Walter Lewis
• How the Showboats united Memphis
• Why the USFL collapsed
• The team’s lasting legacy

For three seasons, the country took notice — but the story is bigger than football. It’s about leadership, opportunity, and belief in what a city could become.

Send us a text.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today. Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

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- In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast – On the Sideline, Sandy Adams sits down with Dr. Sally G. Parish, Vice Provost at the University of Memphis and Superintendent of University Schools.

Dr. Parish leads a rapidly growing K–12 school district connected to the university, but her passion for developing confident young leaders was shaped much earlier in life.

Growing up in Pulaski, Tennessee, a difficult experience with a high school coach led her to walk away from sports entirely as a freshman. That moment would later influence her mission to create environments where young people — especially girls — can build confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of identity.

Before returning to Memphis, Dr. Parish launched an award-winning leadership development program for collegiate student-athletes and conducted research on leadership identity development, identifying key traits such as growth mindset, grit, and competitive purpose.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How early experiences shape identity and confidence
• Why athletes often face an identity shift when their playing careers end
• What coaches and educators can do to develop leaders — not just performers
• Why young girls need spaces where they can build confidence and use their voice
• How the University school system has grown into a full K–12 district with more than 55 athletic teams

This episode is about more than sports.

It’s about helping young people discover who they are long before the world tells them what they should be.

Send us a text.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today. Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

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- Larry O’Bannon Jr. made a conscious decision early in his career to plan for life after basketball—so retirement wouldn’t catch him unprepared.

In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, Larry shares how thinking ahead while still playing at the University of Louisville helped him navigate a 15+ year professional career overseas—and transition smoothly into life after the game.

Coached by Rick Pitino, Larry learned resilience, mental toughness, and the importance of moving forward quickly—lessons that proved just as valuable after basketball as they were on the court. From earning an accounting degree as a built-in Plan B to playing professionally across Europe and South America, Larry was intentional about preparing for what came next.

We talk about identity beyond sport, redefining success, and building a life that aligns with your values—on and off the court.

In this conversation, we cover:

• Why Larry chose accounting in college as a long-term strategy
• Lessons from Coach Rick Pitino that carried into his post-playing career
• How international basketball shaped his perspective and adaptability
• Making the transition from athlete to investor, coach, and broadcaster
• Redefining success through family, purpose, and alignment

P.S. Larry also shares how hosting The Player’s Perspective Uncensored podcast allows him to stay connected to the game—mixing basketball conversations with a growing appreciation for bourbon, creating a unique lane of content that reflects where he is now.

Find Larry online:

Podcast @theplayersperspectivePodcast

Instagram @larryobannon

X @LarryOBannon

Send us a text.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today. Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

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What does it take to move 4,000 miles from home to a new city & school sight unseen and become a national champion? Gabriela Zych has the answer.

In this episode, Sandy Adams sits down with Gabriela Zych, University of Memphis rifle standout and the first national champion in Memphis rifle history.

Gabriela shares her journey from Anchorage, Alaska to Memphis, how she discovered shooting in high school, and how mindset, consistency, and perseverance helped her build a record-breaking career both on the range and in the classroom.

She opens up about her training, competing under pressure, balancing academics with athletics, and the mental discipline that drives her success.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• How Gabriela discovered rifle in high school and decided to stick with it
• Her move from Alaska to Memphis to pursue her sport
• The mental discipline behind precision shooting and high-pressure competitions
• Competing outdoors at the USA Shooting National Championships
• Maintaining a 4.0 GPA while excelling at the national level
• Journaling, mindset, and building resilience as tools for success
• Her goals for coaching and giving back to the sport

Gabriela’s story shows that growth comes from showing up, trusting yourself, and putting in the work—even when stepping into the unknown.

NIL Opportunities: HERE

Follow Gabriela on Social Media:

• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/zychgabriela
• Instagram: @zych.gabriela | X: @zychgabbi

For full show notes, visit:

https://5thqrtpodcast.com/2025/11/12/ep-80-gabriela-zych-rifle/

Send us a text.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today. Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

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Follow Host Sandy Adams on Instagram | Linkedin | X | YouTube | Website

Former soccer standout Jazzmin Mancilla opens up about resilience, reinvention, and life after sports.

After 15 years on the field, national titles, and two ACL tears, she’s now navigating motherhood, a big move to Tennessee, and launching her own soccer training business.

Highlights:

• 2× national club champion (Arsenal & Legends FC)
• Cal State Fullerton: multiple Big West titles
• Overcame 2 ACL tears & major injuries
• Coached club & college soccer, then worked in finance
• Played amateur soccer overseas (Europe & Australia)
• Relocated from California to Knoxville for a fresh start
• New mom to a 16-month-old son
• Launching her own soccer training business

Connect with Jazzmin:

• Instagram: @jazzfootball25
• LinkedIn: Jazzmin Mancilla
  
  

Jazzmin’s story shows how to reinvent yourself, balance new responsibilities, and create purpose beyond the game.

Send us a text.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today. Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

Support the show

Follow The 5th Quarter Podcast:
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What happens when your biggest passion leads you to unexpected places and the search for what’s next?

Dr. Kishi Smith-Rey’s journey started on the soccer fields of Southern California, where her love for the game carried her to Division I at Cal State Fullerton. Along the way, she faced injuries, setbacks, and the challenge of balancing athletics with academics as a first-generation college student.

After retiring from competitive soccer, she explored new paths — from professional wedding photography to earning her Ph.D. and joining Clemson University as an Assistant Professor.

Today, she’s the founder of SportPhD, an organization helping young athletes — especially girls — develop the mental, physical, and emotional skills to thrive both on the field and in life. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and purpose — proof that the end of one chapter can be the start of something even bigger.

Highlights:

• Growing up in California and discovering soccer
• Playing D1 soccer and overcoming injuries
• Transitioning out of competitive sports
• Building a career in photography
• Pursuing a Ph.D. and becoming a professor
• Launching SportPhD and The Athlete Mindset workshops
• Supporting athletes in life, leadership, and mindset

If you’ve ever faced a turning point and wondered what comes next, this conversation is for you. Kishi’s journey reminds us that setbacks don’t define us — they prepare us for the next chapter.

Find Kishi online:

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/rikishiteren/

Instagram: @sportphd @kishiteren

Website: sportphd.org

Send us a text.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today. Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

Support the show

Follow The 5th Quarter Podcast:
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🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite platform.
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- Former University of Memphis basketball player and overseas pro, Will Coleman, joins Sandy to share his inspiring journey from a late start in basketball to playing professionally in Europe—and now leading lower and middle school athletics at St. George’s Independent School in Memphis.

Will opens up about the mentors who shaped him, the challenges of balancing fatherhood with a pro career, the struggles he had along the way and how he’s redefining success beyond the court.

In this episode:

• Late start in basketball & key mentors
• College & pro hoops, including Europe
• Balancing fatherhood & career
• Life after basketball & career transition
• Parenting lessons as a single dad
• Photography as a coping tool
• Resilience, mentorship & role modeling

A powerful conversation about honesty, growth, and redefining success beyond after competition ends.

Follow Will on social media:

Instagram @willcoleman | X @willcoleman1988

Send us a text.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today. Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

Support the show

Follow The 5th Quarter Podcast:
Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite platform.
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Follow Host Sandy Adams on Instagram | Linkedin | X | YouTube | Website