Scott Sobkowiak is a former professional baseball player turned transformational leader, with a proven track record of driving multimillion-dollar growth through strategic sales, business development, and customer relationship management. He is the founder of Scale UP, a consultancy dedicated to helping early and mid-stage social impact organizations grow with purpose. Through his platform, SAS Speaks, Scott delivers keynote addresses, motivational sessions, and podcast appearances, sharing insights on leadership, resilience, and relational capital.

In this episode, Brad and Scott discuss:

• Scott’s transition from professional baseball to business leadership
• Facing identity loss after sports and battling addiction
• Why building a “tree of purpose” matters more than climbing one ladder
• How kindness, gratitude, and relational capital drive his work
• Practical ways business owners can pivot, overcome fear, and grow

Key Takeaways:

• Success built only on a narrow ladder can collapse. Creating multiple “branches” of purpose ensures stability, flexibility, and more opportunities when one path fails.
• Relational capital often outweighs immediate transactions. Building authentic connections creates long-term trust and unlocks doors that money alone cannot.
• Fear and pain may trigger change, but they don’t have to be the drivers. With intentional purpose and daily gratitude, challenges can be transformed into growth.
• Staying stuck is always a choice. Even small adjustments, like a pitcher altering mechanics, can lead to significant breakthroughs over time.
• Leading with kindness and gratitude creates ripple effects. It strengthens personal resilience while simultaneously fueling sustainable business growth and opportunity.

“To get to where you want to go, you've got to understand that the fear of falling backwards is what's going to propel you forward.” - Scott Sobkowiak

Connect with Scott Sobkowiak:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568210662326#

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottsobkowiak/

Email: sasspeaks34@gmail.com

Connect with Brad Foley:

Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/

Email: brad@hrvaluepartners.com

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.