When Kevin Martinez joined the Seattle Mariners 25 years ago, the team played in the Kingdome where attendance, and wins, were lacking. Things are much different today.

Just two years out of college, Kevin was given anopportunity to move to Seattle and work on team promotions. He joined a small marketing team putting in long days and nights to get creative.

Thanks to the All-Star lineup lead by Ken Griffey Junior,baseball in Seattle was forever changed. Kevin has since risen through the ranks and now is the President of Business Operations.

This week on Pay Your Dues, Kevin shares stories of some ofthose All-Star players, and how juggling every opportunity he could find in college lead to his big break and his move to the West Coast.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast Journey

02:27 The Role of a Sports Executive

05:21 Career Beginnings and Education

08:20 Navigating Opportunities in Broadcasting

11:21 Early Days with the Mariners

14:24 The Impact of Key Players

17:24 Transitioning to a New Stadium

20:20 The Evolution of Fan Experience

27:32 Transitioning to Safeco Field

28:34 The Birth of Buhner Buzzcut

31:54 Memorable Mariners Commercials

35:19 Lou Piniella: A Complex Personality

39:02 Ichiro's Arrival and Impact

44:54 Celebrating Ichiro's Legacy

51:14 Creating Unique Fan Experiences

The Arena Football League has been around for years and is most famous for launching the career of NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback Kurt Warner. There are hundreds of players hoping to find their way to the NFL, and John Fahey hopes to get them there.

John is part of the management team that oversees the Washington Wolfpack, a Pacific Northwest Arena Football team in it's first year. It is not glamorous as John explains, but he is working to build the brand and Paying His Dues along the way.

We also talk about how John created the Vacation Angel Network, which helps families in need find vacation homes to get some much needed rest and family time.

www.washingtonwolfpack.com

www.vacationangelnetwork.com

Former NFL quarterback Brock Huard shares his journey from high school athlete to professional football player and now a broadcaster. He discusses the importance of hard work, the challenges he faced, and how his faith and community played a crucial role in navigating his career. Brock emphasizes the need for balance in life, the pressures young athletes face today, and the impact of mentorship and coaching. He reflects on his transition to broadcasting and the significance of maintaining one's values in a competitive environment.

Chapters

00:00 Roots and Community Connections

03:25 The Impact of Coaches and Mentorship

06:17 Balancing Sports, School, and Life

09:18 Navigating College and Early Career Challenges

12:29 Faith and Community in Sports

15:08 The Evolution of Youth Sports and Pressure

18:23 Transitioning to the NFL and Performance Pressure

22:12 Navigating Challenges with Family and Faith

23:17 Lessons from Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy

25:30 The Transition from NFL to Broadcasting

27:15 Closing the NFL Chapter and Embracing Change

29:25 The Impact of Podcasting and Community Engagement

32:21 Living Faith in a Competitive Environment

34:26 Coaching and Mentorship in Life's Next Chapter

When we challenge ourselves with new adventures and new goals...we grow. That growth mindset has led Dean Karnazes on some epic adventures. As one of the best know ultramarathon runners in world, Dean has run all over the world and this week he shares his adventures with us on the Pay Your Dues Podcast.

Before you think it will be too hard to relate to someone that runs 200+ miles at a time, sit back and listen to his advice on taking on new challenges. Whether that's a 5K or a marathon, Dean has a practical approach about getting out there to take on new goals...and to grow along the way.

Website: www.ultramarathonman.com

IG: @ultramarathonman

The news business is somewhat like minor league baseball: you craft your skills in the smaller markets hoping one day to get called up to "The Show".

For Manuel Bojorquez, the journey to CBS Network News started off with a reporting job at just $10 per hour, but that is where he put in the work to make it to the Big Leagues of journalism.

This week on Pay Your Dues, Manny shares his own story of dedication and discovery.

Ethan Stowell started out washing dishes in a small restaurant after he finishing high school, and it was in those early day around the kitchen that his curiosity was sparked. The son of artistic parents, Stowell's canvas became the kitchen, and through trial and error, he's built an impressive restaurant empire in the Pacific Northwest.

But the restaurant business is a tough one, and Stowell learned some hard lessons along the way. His passion for food, friendship, and community is clearly what drives him, and he shares his story on Pay Your Dues.

Deena Kastor is one of the greatest runners in U.S. History. A three-time Olympian, Deena broke through in the marathon with a Bronze Medal in the 2004 Olympic Games in Greece.

Kastor went on to break the American Record in the marathon, in part by finding joy in her running journey and everyday life. It's a lesson that we can all learn from, and she writes about it in her New York Times best selling biography, Let Your Mind Run.

Whether you are a runner or not, there is much to be learned from our conversation with Deena Kastor.

Website: Deena Kastor

NY Times bestselling author, LET YOUR MIND RUN

ASICS athlete

INSTAGRAM: @deena8050

Marathon Talk Podcast

TEDx Talk Joy Training

Dan Gable is more than a sports story...he is a human story of tragedy and triumph. Considered one of the greatest wrestlers in world history, Gable dominated on the mat with three High School State Championships two NCAA Championships, and an Olympic Gold Medal. He also dominated as a college coach, leading the University of Iowa to 15 National Titles in his 21 years as Head Coach.

However, he is equally known for dealing with loss: He lost the final match of his collegiate career, breaking a 181 match winning streak. Gable's most painful loss came off the mat, when in High School, his older sister was murdered in a brutal attack.

Gable opens up about all of this on the Pay Your Dues podcast as he continues to share his story to help inspire others.

Resources:

Dan Gable Website: www.dangable.com

Books: A Wrester's Life and A Wrestler's Life 2