Podcast launches on July 30th!
Nov. 10, 2026

43: From Rock Stages to Fishing Rods: The Power of Reinventing Yourself

43: From Rock Stages to Fishing Rods: The Power of Reinventing Yourself
43: From Rock Stages to Fishing Rods: The Power of Reinventing Yourself
What's Next!
43: From Rock Stages to Fishing Rods: The Power of Reinventing Yourself

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 wi...

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.

Chapters

00:00 – From Musician to Fishing Industry Innovator

01:35 – Christian's Journey: Boston College, Berklee & Professional Music

04:12 – Touring, Big Artists & Working at Eventide

06:15 – Why You Should Look Beyond Your Current Role

08:22 – The Myth of Going All-In: Why Having a Plan B Matters

10:48 – Experience Over Opinion: Learning from the Real World

13:33 – How the Pandemic Changed Everything

14:45 – Turning a Passion for Fishing into Big Fish Synergy

16:00 – Taking the Leap: Joining Douglas Outdoors

17:40 – Moving to Syracuse & Embracing Imposter Syndrome

19:27 – The Superpowers You Take Into Your Next Career

21:49 – Building Relationships Through Authenticity

24:08 – Balancing Product Innovation, Function & Design

25:08 – Douglas Outdoors: Tradition Meets Modern Performance

28:29 – Why Understanding a Company's North Star Matters

30:28 – What's Next for Douglas Outdoors?

32:37 – Exclusive Reveal: The USA-Made Vertex Rods

34:35 – Four New Product Lines & What's Coming in 2027

35:04 – Redefining Your Identity Beyond Your Profession

36:15 – Following Your Passion Without Doing Things Halfway

37:45 – Passion, Financial Freedom & Finding a Way to Make It Work

39:26 – Where to Find Christian & Douglas Outdoors


Connect with Christian Collabelli:

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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.com
Connect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22
Connect 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.