Same Game Different Turf

Melissa Proctor, CMO of the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, shares lessons on navigating transition without certainty. This episode explores authenticity, leading with strengths, and saying yes to opportunities that stretch you before the path is clear.

This episode of Same Game Different Turf is for anyone navigating: * Life after sports * Career change and reinvention * Identity beyond performance * Therapy, faith, and asking for help * Starting over after 40 * Purpose-driven work in healthcare D’Brickashaw Ferguson, life after the nfl, nfl career transition, former nfl player, nfl player turned nurse, oncology nurse, nursing career change, athlete identity, identity after sports, athlete reinvention, transition after sports, resilience, therapy, faith, divorce recovery, starting over at 40, leadership, high performance

Steve Koonin’s career spans multiple industries, from the spirits business to Coca-Cola and Turner, and ultimately to becoming CEO of the Atlanta Hawks at 57. We navigate transition when the path has to be created, how we build skills that travel, and how we stay relevant as the world keeps changing. We talk about separating identity from work, using guiding principles to make hard decisions, building reputation through relationships, and why adaptability and continuous learning matter more than any single role. If you’re in a season of transition, this episode offers a grounded way to think about change without losing momentum or perspective. If you’ve made it this far, thank you. Please subscribe and share with a friend. Watch or listen to the full episode of Same Game Different Turf on YouTube and all streaming platforms. Newsletter on Substack. #Transition #Leadership #Reinvention #CareerGrowth #PersonalGrowth #ChangeManagement #HighPerformance #SportsBusiness #BrandBuilding #Learning

Al Parker went from the #1 junior tennis player in the country to battling injuries on the pro tour, then pivoted into investment banking, and ultimately built a wealth advisory business at Morgan Stanley. But this conversation is not about tennis or finance. It’s about transition, identity, and what to do when the path you trained for starts to change. We talk about the mental side of pressure, the grief that comes with leaving an old life behind, and how to rebuild confidence when you’re starting over with no guarantees. Al shares the real story behind choosing college over going pro, the injury that reshaped his trajectory, what investment banking taught him about intensity and tradeoffs, and how he learned to prioritize alignment, family, and sustainable success. If you’ve made it this far, thank you. I appreciate you. My goal is to continue creating real value for you. Feel free to comment below and share people you’d like to see featured next. Watch or listen to full episode of Same Game Different Turf via YouTube and streaming platforms. Newsletter on Substack. #PersonalGrowth #Careers #Reinvention #Leadership #Change

Mayo Sowell’s journey is one of the most powerful examples of redemption, identity, and purpose you will ever hear. After an injury ended his football career, Mayo chased instant gratification, turned to fast money, and eventually faced major prison time. But what happened in that season reshaped his entire life.