Pre-Zero Sports Talk
Welcome to Pre-Zero Sports Talk, where sports, leadership, community, and progress intersect. Hosted by Sid Bensalah, a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the sports industry, this podcast isn’t about preaching or claiming to have all the answers. Instead, it’s a platform for honest, thought-provoking conversations exploring how to create positive, actionable change in and through sports.
Born from a passion for progress, Pre-Zero Sports Talk explores the pressing topics shaping our world today—leadership, innovation, community impact, performance and well-being, regenerative agriculture, governance, and more. Each episode goes beyond the surface, engaging with trailblazers, changemakers, and thought leaders to uncover solutions and inspire new perspectives.
This is a space for real conversations with real people about real issues—conversations that challenge norms, break barriers, and spark action. Whether you're a sports enthusiast, industry leader, or someone seeking to make a difference, there’s a seat at the table for you.
Subscribe now to join a movement that informs, entertains, and empowers. Together, let’s redefine the role of sports in building a cleaner, safer, and more connected world—one episode at a time.
Pre-Zero Sports Talk
From Sports Executive to Business Coach: A Conversation with Fred Ewig
In this Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast episode, host Sid Bensalah sits down with Fred Ewig, a former sports executive turned business coach. Fred brings over two decades of experience across professional hockey and youth sports. He now helps business leaders grow by focusing on strategy, not day-to-day tasks.
Fred shares hard-earned lessons from building a business, leading large teams, and overcoming early sales rejection. He also explores how private equity reshapes youth sports and why grit, more than hustle, is the key to long-term success. This episode offers tactical insights, honest stories, and practical leadership advice.
Key Takeaways:
· How to work on the business, not just in it
· The role of mindset in navigating challenges
· Sales tips from cold-call trenches
· Why athletes struggle in leadership roles
· Youth sports, private equity, and rising costs
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Fred Ewig
00:54 Fred's Transition from Sports to Coaching
03:03 Challenges in Building a Business
05:22 Sales Techniques and Overcoming Rejection
11:47 Leadership in Sports vs. Business
15:23 The Evolution of Youth Sports
20:05 The Importance of Grit in Business
20:56 Coaching Through Low Points
22:48 Why Business Owners Delay Seeking Help
24:17 Balancing Accountability in Coaching
29:09 Private Equity's Impact on Youth Sports
32:06 The Rising Costs and Pressures in Youth Sports
38:21 Lightning Round: Quickfire Questions
43:09 Final Thoughts and Advice
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