Sept. 22, 2025

This Is What No One Tells You After the Game Ends

This Is What No One Tells You After the Game Ends
Season 1

In this episode, Bryan sits down with U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer Marcelo Balboa for a powerful conversation about life after the game. Marcelo opens up about the emotional crash after retiring from professional soccer, navigating identity loss, divorce, and personal transformation. From captaining the U.S. Men's National Team through three World Cups to rediscovering purpose through broadcasting, coaching, and fatherhood, Marcelo shares vulnerable lessons on leadership, growth, and what truly matters. This episode is a must-listen for athletes, entrepreneurs, and anyone facing major life transitions.

Chapters

00:00 – Let Them Do Their Job: Marcelo on trust & creativity
00:48 – Bryan introduces Marcelo and their SDSU connection
01:35 – Marcelo’s legacy: U.S. Men’s National Team, World Cups, and the mullet
03:15 – The dark side of retirement: Drinking, depression, and identity loss
05:00 – Marcelo admits: “I wasn’t a good husband or father”
06:30 – The turning point: Two soccer moms changed everything
07:30 – “You grow more from failure than success”
08:40 – Who showed up during the hard times — and who didn’t
09:50 – Advice to his younger self: Own your mistakes
10:45 – Breaking into broadcasting (and bombing at first)
12:00 – Getting his shot with Mark Cuban and Glenn Davis
13:15 – How JP Dellacamera mentored him through early TV days
14:25 – Why being bilingual became a superpower
15:30 – Transitioning from athlete to analyst to coach
16:45 – The evolution of leadership beyond the field
17:55 – What corporate leaders can learn from locker rooms
19:00 – Micromanagement kills creativity
20:15 – Marcelo on the biggest youth soccer challenge in the U.S.
21:20 – The broken “pay-for-play” system
22:30 – Advice for parents: Support without pressure
23:50 – Marcelo’s pet peeve: negative coaching
24:45 – Why sports prepare kids for life
25:40 – Marcelo’s life now: coaching, family, and peace
27:00 – “Enjoy every day you have”
28:00 – Reflections on legacy and giving back

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