In this episode of The Outliers Podcast, we catch a raw conversation with NFL Rookie, Benjamin Morrison. In our first conversation with Ben (Episode #6), Ben was going into his 3rd year at Notre Dame. Fast forward to now, Ben is currently in his rookie year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who drafted him 53rd overall in the 2025 NFL draft.

The discussion depicts Ben’s journey, including his three-year football career at Notre Dame, the team captain role, and the significant challenges he faced due to injuries. Ben reflects on his decision to declare for the NFL draft despite setbacks, including not being picked in the first round, undergoing multiple surgeries and only being a junior. The episode also gives us a glimpse into his mindset of a very young, yet determined mind speaking candidly about the unknowns, the desire to be great and the relationships that shapes his life. There’s something for everyone here, enjoy!

00:00 Introduction to The Outliers Podcast

00:50 Welcoming Back Benjamin Morrison

01:28 Reflecting on Notre Dame Career

02:05 NFL Draft Journey

02:41 Unexpected Music Choices

03:31 Childhood Expectations vs. Reality

04:19 Hypothetical Football Rule Changes

04:55 One Minute Drill Recap

08:28 Injury and Recovery

16:12 Draft Uncertainty and Pro Day

19:22 NFL Combine Experience

24:23 Pro Day and Team Visits

27:18 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Preparation

27:33 The Intense Pre-Draft Process

29:05 Draft Day Emotions and Reflections

31:49 The Call from Tampa Bay

34:41 Personal Life and Relationships

43:39 Vision Boards and Future Goals

47:57 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Back in for her second on the pod! In this heartfelt episode of The Outliers Podcast, we hop back in the timeline of professional basketball player Sydney Wiese as she transitions from an active sports career to becoming an assistant coach at Oregon State. The discussion goes deep into Sydney's experiences, including her challenging time playing in Turkey, her struggles and realizations at WNBA training camp, and her profound reflections on her identity and future. Sydney shares a comedic tale of dealing with stray cats in Istanbul and offers deep insights into personal growth, relationships, and the invaluable lessons of her athletic career. An episode filled with humor, remarkable storytelling, and wise counsel for both athletes and coaches.

00:00 Introduction

00:45 Welcome to The Outliers Podcast

02:21 Sidney is a Turkish Cat Lady

08:23 Life in Istanbul

11:35 Gabby's Dinner Party Questions

24:41 Reflecting on Personal Experiences

27:36 Sidney's Recent Journey

36:40 Finding Comfort in Turkey

38:47 Transition to Training Camp

40:41 Challenges and Realizations

42:37 Post-Camp Reflections

47:29 A New Path: Coaching

50:35 Embracing the Coaching Role

01:01:59 Advice and Reflections

01:18:19 Conclusion and Gratitude

Missouri's finest, Dylan Cole is a 7-year NFL veteran who has played linebacker for the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, and the Chicago Bears throughout his career. In this wide ranging conversation, we speak about an early childhood and navigating through anger issues, where Dylan found music which helped him harness that energy and how football provided him with strong father figures throughout his career. We discuss Dylan's thoughts on love, the example he wants to lead by when showing his kids how important it is to feel loved and to love others. We speak about battling through injuries during his career, one of which was a double knee surgery and what it took to bounce back. The overall resilience of this undrafted kid from Missouri State and how the chips have been stacked against him from the beginning is truly an inspiration. There are a lot of really great nuggets of information in this episode, please enjoy and share with a friend.