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What does it really take to make it to Major League Baseball—and stay there?

This week on Sports Without Borders, Mark Mancini and Karla Vasquez are joined by former Major League pitcher Kip Gross, whose professional career took him from MLB to Japan and gave him a front-row seat to very different approaches to the game.

Kip shares stories from his career, including his unforgettable first days in the majors, why he read the baseball rule book every spring training, and how knowing the game helped him win games on the field.

The conversation also tackles some of baseball's biggest changes. Has analytics taken too much of the human element out of the sport? Are pitchers being taught to throw harder instead of learning how to pitch? And what can American baseball learn from Japan's emphasis on fundamentals, preparation and attention to detail?

Through it all, Kip returns to one simple lesson for athletes—and anyone pursuing a career: learn your craft, seek knowledge from people with experience, and put in the work others aren't willing to do.

Plus, in Karla's Korner, Karla reflects on why the game—and the lessons it teaches—are bigger than the major leagues.

Sports Without Borders — Presented by All Sports Productions.
Conversations that go beyond the scoreboard with hosts Karla Vazquez and Mark Mancini.

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What does it take to turn a childhood passion for racing into a career spanning motorsports, engineering, innovation and entrepreneurship?

This week on Sports Without Borders, Mark Mancini and Karla Vasquez are joined by Harold Martin Sr., engineer, entrepreneur and founder of Martin Technologies. Known as the “EFI Wizard,” Harold became the first African American driver to win an IHRA national event and the first driver to win a National Pro Modified event using electronic fuel injection.

Harold shares how his love of motorsports began alongside his father, eventually leading him to engineering, General Motors, professional racing and the creation of his own company. He discusses the relentless drive behind his success, why he believes in “persistence over resistance,” and the importance of mentoring the next generation.

The conversation also explores how motorsports drives automotive innovation, the value of experienced veterans in an age of AI and automation, and the wide range of careers available in racing beyond the driver's seat.

Plus, Mark and Karla discuss affordable access to major sporting events and whether motorsports can become a stronger pathway into engineering and other careers.

It's a conversation about competition, innovation and turning passion into opportunity.

Sports Without Borders — Presented by All Sports Productions.
Conversations that go beyond the scoreboard with hosts Karla Vazquez and Mark Mancini.

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How early should athletes start thinking about their future—not just as competitors, but as brands and professionals?

This week on Sports Without Borders, Mark Mancini and Karla Vasquez are joined by rising track and field standout Sofia Swindell, whose journey has taken her from starting track in fourth grade to Ivy League championships, NCAA regional competition and the international stage.

Sofia talks about overcoming nerves, developing confidence against elite competition, and why she believes that if she's on the starting line, she has an opportunity to win. She also discusses NIL, social media and content creation, competing internationally, and her goals of reaching the World Championships and LA28.

Plus, Mark and Karla debate whether college athletes are being asked to become professionals too soon, why track and field hasn't produced more year-round stars, and how personal branding, social media and even fashion are changing the modern athlete.

It's a conversation about competition, confidence and the next generation of athletes navigating a rapidly changing sports world.

Sports Without Borders — Presented by All Sports Productions.
Conversations that go beyond the scoreboard with hosts Karla Vazquez and Mark Mancini.

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What defines an elite athlete—the records they set, the championships they win, or who they become along the way?

This week on Sports Without Borders, Mark Mancini and Karla Vasquez are joined by collegiate track and field standout Summer Skyy Mosley, whose journey has taken her from Miami Northwestern to USC and CSUN, becoming a championship-level thrower and NCAA All-American along the way.

Summer shares how she initially resisted throwing before realizing that sports could provide a path to becoming the first person in her family to graduate from college. She discusses arriving at USC as a walk-on, battling imposter syndrome, setting a school record, overcoming serious back injuries, and learning that her identity and self-worth couldn't be measured by how far she throws.

She also opens up about the role faith, family, coaches, mentors and community have played in her journey—and offers a powerful message for first-generation college students and young women of color finding themselves in rooms where they may feel like they don't belong.

The conversation also explores the business of modern college sports: why track and field athletes need to build their own platforms, the importance of marketing and social media, NIL opportunities, the transfer portal, and why athletes should begin preparing for life beyond competition long before their final season.

In Karla's Korner, Karla reflects on Summer's story and what it means to be first-generation, grounded in your beliefs, and confident enough to keep moving forward even when doubt sets in.

It's an episode about track and field—but even more about identity, opportunity, resilience and believing that you belong.

Sports Without Borders — Presented by All Sports Productions.
Conversations that go beyond the scoreboard with hosts Karla Vazquez and Mark Mancini.

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What if getting fit didn't require an expensive gym membership, high-end equipment, or even a gym at all?

On this edition of Sports Without Borders, Mark Mancini and Karla Vasquez explore the changing world of fitness—from the growth of outdoor and body-weight training to the influence of social media, fitness communities, and the question of whether traditional gyms are becoming less essential.

Joining the conversation from Sierra Leone is Freeman, founder of Loyce Fitness, a fitness coach, entrepreneur, and advocate for accessible fitness. He shares his journey from opening a dance studio to help young people stay off the streets to building a broader fitness movement focused on using one of the most accessible training tools available: the human body.

Freeman also explains why his approach goes beyond physical conditioning. His philosophy connects body, mind, and spirit, emphasizing discipline, accountability, faith, community, and making fitness a sustainable lifestyle rather than a short-term goal.

Mark and Karla also debate whether every community should have free outdoor fitness spaces, how social media has changed workout culture, whether your environment can help or hurt your motivation, and why getting healthy doesn't have to be complicated.

Then, in Karla's Korner, Karla brings the episode's message home: Your body is your first gym. Health starts with a decision—not a membership.

It's a conversation about fitness, but also about something bigger: building healthier people and stronger communities, wherever you are in the world.

Sports Without Borders — Presented by All Sports Productions.
Conversations that go beyond the scoreboard with hosts Karla Vazquez and Mark Mancini.

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Some careers follow a straight line. Nancy Matter's never did.

This week on Sports Without Borders, Mark Mancini and Karla Vazquez welcome professional drag racer Nancy Matter, whose remarkable career has taken her from the NHRA drag strip to a successful music mastering business—and back to professional motorsports.

Nancy shares how she balanced family, built an award-winning career in the music industry, and returned to racing to pursue an even bigger dream: competing in a Top Fuel Funny Car at the highest level of drag racing.

The conversation explores why it's never too late to reinvent yourself, how transferable skills create new opportunities, and why passion—not age—should determine your next chapter.

Along the way, Mark and Karla discuss the changing landscape of sports careers, the growth of opportunities for women in motorsports, the value of niche sports, and why today's professionals should prepare for multiple careers throughout their lives.

Whether you're chasing your first dream or preparing for your next one, this episode is a reminder that your greatest opportunity may still be ahead.

Sports Without Borders — Presented by All Sports Productions.
Conversations that go beyond the scoreboard with hosts Karla Vazquez and Mark Mancini.

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Legendary sports columnist Jim Murray helped shape modern sports journalism through his award-winning storytelling, wit, and unwavering commitment to excellence. His influence continues today through the work of the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation.

This week on Sports Without Borders, hosts Mark Mancini and Karla Vazquez welcome Linda McCoy-Murray, founder and CEO of the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation, for an inspiring conversation about one of America's greatest sportswriters and the values that continue to define exceptional journalism.

Linda reflects on Jim Murray's remarkable career, his Pulitzer Prize-winning legacy, and his passion for mentoring future generations of sports journalists. The discussion explores how journalism has evolved in the age of social media and artificial intelligence, why credibility and authenticity remain essential, and what aspiring broadcasters and writers must do to build successful careers.

The episode also examines ESPN's direct-to-consumer streaming service, the continued impact of NIL on college athletics, and whether technology is changing the way fans experience sports.

If you believe the best sports stories are about people—not just scores—this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Sports Without Borders — Presented by All Sports Productions.
Conversations that go beyond the scoreboard with hosts Karla Vazquez and Mark Mancini.

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What does it take to build a career in sports when you're not the one competing on the field—or on the track?

This week on Sports Without Borders, hosts Mark Mancini and Karla Vazquez welcome Carmen Carter, Founder and President of the National Motorsports Association, for an extended conversation about how motorsports is creating opportunities far beyond racing. Carter discusses the importance of STEM education, skilled trades, workforce development, and the many behind-the-scenes careers that keep one of the world's most technologically advanced sports moving forward.

The hosts also explore the growing need to prepare young people for careers throughout the sports industry, the future of motorsports, and why engineering, technology, and technical education are becoming increasingly important. With Carmen joining the conversation for two full segments, listeners get an in-depth look at an industry that offers thousands of career paths many fans never consider.

In Karla's Korner, Karla delivers an inspiring message titled "Chasing the Dream One Step At A Time: Women in Sports," encouraging women to pursue careers throughout the sports industry—not only as athletes, but also as executives, engineers, broadcasters, marketers, and leaders helping shape the future of sports.

Whether you're passionate about racing, interested in STEM, or exploring a career in sports, this episode demonstrates that success isn't always measured by crossing the finish line—sometimes it's built behind the scenes.

Sports Without Borders — Presented by All Sports Productions.
Conversations that go beyond the scoreboard with hosts Karla Vazquez and Mark Mancini.

Listen & Subscribe:
Spotify | Apple Podcasts| iHeartRadio | Buzzsprout