In 2023, elite cyclist Jeff Seckendorf came on the show to share his quest to break the national velodrome hour record in the 70-74 age group. His goal was set, his training dialed, his eye was on the prize. But as so often happens in sports, and in life, deep into training he came to a staggering realization that lead to a massive pivot that you have to hear to believe.

If you’re interested in learning more about Jeff’s original goal, listen to his first visit to the show in an episode that was re-released on August 10, 2025.

Jeff completed his ride in support of Parkinson’s Association of San Diego. If you would like to learn more or make a donation in his honor, visit Parkinson's Association of San Diego.

You can find Jeff online at jeffreyseckendorf.com and Coach Me Strong

ABOUT

Sports Will Save Us All is the wildly popular human interest Sports Podcast based in Arizona and hosted by Sasha Graham. Welcome to the Sports Fam.

To be a guest: Contact us on Podmatch or via email at SportsWillSaveUsAll@gmail.com

Instagram: @sportswillsaveusall Website: www.SportsWillSaveUsAll.com

Today's episode originally dropped in December of 2023 and we are releasing it again now for a very exciting reason. When Jeff Seckendorf and Sasha orignally spoke, he was training for an attempt at breaking the national velodrome hour record in the 70-74 age group. At the time, Jeff promised to come back after his attempt to share how it went, and he did! We will release our follow-up episode with Jeff tomorrow, but wanted to give you the chance to revisit the original episode before Jeff's triumphant return to the show tomorrow. Enjoy!

Jeff Seckendorf doesn’t seem to have met a lot of sports where he didn’t excel. His experiences range from land (ice climbing) to sea (scuba diving) to air (aerobatic flying) and have culminated in his current passion, the velodrome, where he rides his fixed gear, brake-less bike really, really fast. Jeff currently holds the hour record at the San Diego Velodrome and is now training for an attempt at breaking the national hour record in the 70-74 age group in 2025. In this episode he explains the appeal of this brutal race, how he stays motivated day in and day out, and how to find the fun in the every day.

If you’re interested in learning more about Jeff you can find him online at jeffreyseckendorf.com and his Institute of Purpose is at InstituteOfPurpose.org.

Join our Sports Fam online!

Instagram: @sportswillsaveusall

Website: www.SportsWillSaveUsAll.com

Want to be a guest on Sports Will Save Us All? Send Sasha Graham a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/16966997407772582e273f473 or via email, SportsWillSaveUsAll@gmail.com.

In this week’s episode of Sports Will Save Us All, host Sasha Graham sits down with legendary strength coach Clance Laylor — the man behind elite athletes like hockey phenom P.K. Subban and national weightlifting champ Maya Laylor. But this isn’t just about PRs and podiums. It’s about resilience, routine, and raising the bar — in sport and in life.

Coach Clance opens up about his journey from Olympic hopeful to world-class coach after a career-ending injury changed everything. He shares hard-earned wisdom from over 30 years in the trenches: why young athletes are falling behind in basic preparation, how to navigate the noise of online training advice, and the non-negotiable habits that build greatness.

Whether you're an athlete, parent, coach, or just someone trying to understand what real mentorship looks like, this conversation is a masterclass in discipline, purpose, and human potential.

Sports Fam, you can find Coach Clance at lpsathletic.com and on Instagram

@lpsathletic and his book, DOMINATE: They Can't Ignore You - Remapping The Athletes’ Body to Develop Elite Level Strength, Speed, Power, and Durability wherever you buy books.

Join our Sports Fam online!

Instagram: @sportswillsaveusall

Website: www.SportsWillSaveUsAll.com

Want to be a guest on Sports Will Save Us All? Send Sasha Graham a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/16966997407772582e273f473 or via email, SportsWillSaveUsAll@gmail.com.

A decade after Thomas Brown, author of 2012: A Bicycle Odyssey, lost his older brother, Marc, to suicide, he set out on a 7,000-mile bicycle odyssey across the United States—a six-month journey of healing, reflection, and purpose. In this deeply personal episode, host Sasha Graham talks with Thomas about what drove him to take on such an ambitious quest, how the ride reshaped his understanding of grief, and how sports—especially endurance sports—can help us process trauma and connect more deeply with ourselves and others.

Sports Fam, you can find 2012: A Bicycle Odyssey wherever you buy books, and if you visit Thomas’s website, RisePhoenix.org you will find all sorts of cool things like photos of the tour, along with a link to purchase. You can also see gorgeous current photos that Thomas has taken on his on instagram account @Tao_Of_Rant.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 for free and confidential support, 24/7.

Join our Sports Fam online!

Instagram: @sportswillsaveusall

Website: www.SportsWillSaveUsAll.com

Want to be a guest on Sports Will Save Us All? Send Sasha Graham a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/16966997407772582e273f473 or via email, SportsWillSaveUsAll@gmail.com.

In this episode of "Sports Will Save Us All," host Sasha Graham dives into the fascinating history of women's athleticism with guest Haley Shapley, author of "Strong Like Her." From the circus stars of the early 1900s to modern-day trailblazers, discover how women have defied societal norms and reshaped the world of sports. Explore the stories of athletes who have not only excelled in their fields but also advocated for women's rights and empowerment. Join us as we celebrate the strength, resilience, and evolution of women in sports.

Sports Fam you can find Haley on Instagram @HaleyShapley and if you visit her website, HaleyShapely.com. Strong Like Here is available wherever you buy books.

Join our Sports Fam online!

Instagram: @sportswillsaveusall

Website: www.SportsWillSaveUsAll.com

Want to be a guest on Sports Will Save Us All? Send Sasha Graham a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/16966997407772582e273f473 or via email, SportsWillSaveUsAll@gmail.com.

In this episode of Sports Will Save Us All, Sasha Graham sits down with Ryan Downey—athlete, coach, and executive director of East Atlanta Kids Club—for a dynamic conversation about the power of sports to shape lives and build communities.

Ryan shares his journey through soccer, rugby, and Aussie rules football, and how those experiences fueled his commitment to youth development and nonprofit leadership. From the challenges of working in underserved communities to the importance of resilience, Ryan explains why sports are more than just games—they’re tools for transformation.

If you care about kids, community, or the future of sports, this episode is for you.

Sports fam, you can Ryan on Instagram @RDowney404 and @EastAtlantaKids, If you are in the Atlanta area and are interested in learning more about the kids club please visit EastAtlantaKids.org.

Join our Sports Fam online!

Instagram: @sportswillsaveusall

Website: www.SportsWillSaveUsAll.com

Want to be a guest on Sports Will Save Us All? Send Sasha Graham a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/16966997407772582e273f473 or via email, SportsWillSaveUsAll@gmail.com.

Sasha's guest today is Henry Abbott, a fellow child of the Oregon countryside who grew up to become an NBA fanatic, an award-winning journalist, the leader of ESPN’s 60-person NBA digital and print team—and now, the author of a groundbreaking new book, Ballistic: The New Science of Injury-Free Athletic Performance.

In this lively and insightful conversation, Henry and Sasha explore the powerful intersection of sports, movement, and injury prevention. They talk about the biomechanics behind athletic performance, the joy of movement rooted in our childhood experiences, and the surprising ways storytelling shapes our understanding of sports. Henry shares key insights from Ballistic, including the role of personalized training, how the wrong footwear can derail performance, and why embracing play is essential—not just for athletes, but for anyone who moves.

Sports fam, you can find lots more info about Henry online at www.HenryAbbott.com, and his book, “Ballistic: The New Science of Injury-Free Athletic Performance” is available right now wherever you buy your books.

Join our Sports Fam online!

Instagram: @sportswillsaveusall

Website: www.SportsWillSaveUsAll.com

Want to be a guest on Sports Will Save Us All? Send Sasha Graham a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/16966997407772582e273f473 or via email, SportsWillSaveUsAll@gmail.com.

In today's 10-Minute Take, Sasha opens up about how sports can been a powerful source of strength, inspiration, connection, and motivation—especially during life’s toughest moments.