What happens when you take sports away from athletes? You find out who they really are. Hosted by Sophie, The Giving Game is a one-of-a-kind podcast where athletes step out of the game and into something bigger. No stats. No scores. No surface-level interviews. Each episode is tied to a real, 7-day fundraising challenge—supporting causes that matter to the guests and giving listeners a chance to be part of something meaningful. You’ll hear raw conversations, unexpected stories, and a side of athletes the world rarely sees. This isn’t about sports. It’s about impact. Do you want to play?
Jennifer George on Building Girls Basketball Worldwide, Athlete Identity & Life After Sports
53 min
She showed up to a $50,000 boarding school with no shoes — and that moment changed everything. In this episode of The Giving Game, host Sophie Whitesell sits down with Jennifer George, founder of Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation, for a wide-ranging, no-sports-talk conversation about basketball as a tool, not an identity. Jennifer shares the origin story behind her foundation, born from her time playing for Jamaica's national women's basketball team and coaching at Montverde Academy, where she watched firsthand how talent alone isn't enough — kids from humble beginnings need real support to make the most of life-changing opportunities. Jennifer opens up about growing up in Orlando with a strict, British-military father and a "yes mom" who balanced things out, choosing recreation and event management over criminology after a rocky freshman year, and building a decade-long career as a strength and conditioning coach before founding her nonprofit. She and Sophie dig into life without kids by choice, the "rich auntie" life, and why nobody questions men the way they question women who don't want children. The conversation turns candid around athlete identity: Jennifer's advice for young athletes on separating self-worth from performance, the danger of treating sports as "the end all be all," and why she pushes girls in her program to know who they are outside the game. She also talks about the power of the Professional Athletes Community (PAC), the real cost and stigma athlete-led nonprofits face when competing for donor dollars against big-name organizations, and a brand-new partnership with Bras for Girls to support middle schoolers navigating an awkward age. If Jennifer's story moved you, consider supporting Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation using the links below. What We Cover (00:46) What is Girls Basketball Worldwide, and why it started with a girl who had no shoes (02:43) Basketball as the tool, not the goal: Jennifer's path to college (03:32) Failing pre-law, finding recreation and event management at Florida (05:00) What separates a good event from a great one (06:51) Life without kids by choice — and the "rich auntie" mentality (09:10) Family background: a British military dad, a 96-year-old father, and growing up in Orlando (13:27) Bora Bora, bucket-list travel, and Jennifer's annual Jamaica trips with the foundation (16:43) Nerding out on sociology and strength & conditioning (24:54) Planning her exit from pro basketball before it happened (27:12) Advice for athletes on the transition out of sport (29:52) The danger of tying your worth to your performance (32:48) How social media, NIL, and year-round sports have changed youth athletics (38:31) Pro Athlete Community (PAC): building real relationships beyond networking events (45:33) Jennifer's 5-year vision for the foundation (47:37) Individual donors, golf scrambles, and what actually moves the needle (50:01) Why athlete-led nonprofits struggle for donor credibility — and why they deserve it (54:33) How to get involved with Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation (55:30) New partnership announcement: Bras for Girls Support Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation 👉 Website: girlsbasketballwf.org 👉 Social: Girls Basketball Worldwide (Instagram) Donations, sponsorships, and partnership inquiries can be made directly through the website.
MMA Fighter Justin Wren on Addiction, Recovery & Fighting for Congo's Forgotten Pygmy Tribe
57 min
What happens when an MMA fighter stops fighting against people and starts fighting for them? In this episode of The Giving Game, host Sophie Whitesell sits down with Justin Wren — former MMA fighter, keynote speaker, and founder of Fight for the Forgotten — for a conversation that goes far beyond the cage. True to the show's rules, there's no sports talk here. Instead, Justin opens up about hitting rock bottom with addiction, surviving two suicide attempts, and the sunrise that changed everything. Justin shares how he was adopted into the Pygmy tribes of the Congo Basin rainforest — the Mbuti, Efe, and Batwa peoples, among the oldest and most marginalized people groups on Earth — and how that second family inspired a nonprofit unlike any other. Fight for the Forgotten has helped secure over 3,000 acres of land rights, brought clean water to more than 100,000 people through 200+ sustainable water projects, and recently opened a critical access hospital with a thriving maternity ward. Every donation to Fight for the Forgotten during this campaign will be TRIPLED thanks to two matching gifts. Give at the link below and turn $10 into $30. What We Cover (00:00) The sunrise that saved Justin's life (02:02) The 3X matching gift — every donation tripled (02:54) What is Fight for the Forgotten? Justin's adoption into the Pygmy tribe (05:01) Why 230,000+ water wells in Africa are broken — and how to build ones that last (07:53) "Slow down and listen": the problem with fly-in, fly-out charity (12:02) Sophie's Ugandan colleague on "patronizing" Western aid (19:31) Voluntourism vs. expert volunteers — and the new Base Camp project (21:38) Rock bottom: addiction, treatment, and how the mission found Justin (22:59) Andy Bo's story: the $1 pills that could have saved a child's life (26:06) Why the Pygmy people had no land rights — and reclaiming 3,000+ acres (28:37) Modern-day slavery: 400,000–600,000 Mbuti enslaved in the Congo (31:28) Finding home in the rainforest (and surviving malaria six times) (37:58) Fight for Her: the women-led initiative behind the new maternity ward (39:27) Meeting Amy — love, relapse, and second chances (44:25) Be a lighthouse, not a lifeguard: supporting someone through addiction (47:27) How Justin learned to forgive himself: purpose through service (50:36) "I can't afford rehab" — Justin's honest answer (54:22) The yellow shoes, the second suicide attempt, and the most epic sunrise of his life About Justin Wren Justin Wren is a former professional MMA fighter turned humanitarian, keynote speaker, and founder of Fight for the Forgotten, a nonprofit dedicated to building better lives for the Pygmy peoples of the Congo Basin through holistic, locally led community development — land rights, clean water, farming, education, healthcare, and sustainable livelihoods. Two matching donors mean every dollar you give right now is worth three. A $10 gift becomes $30. A $100 gift becomes $300. 👉 Donate at fightfortheforgotten.org or fftf.org Connect with Justin Wren Website: fightfortheforgotten.org Instagram: @thebigpygmy
Soccer as a Tool for Social Change: Dr. Hajar Abulfazl's Inspiring Journey
1 hr 5 min
In this episode, Dr. Hajar Abulfazl shares her inspiring journey from Afghanistan to the US, highlighting how soccer empowers refugee and immigrant youth, especially girls, to build confidence, leadership, and community. Discover how sport can be a tool for healing, advocacy, and social change.
From Navy to NASCAR: Jesse Iwuji's Journey of Giving
38 min
In this episode, Jesse Iwuji shares his journey from Navy officer to race car driver and philanthropist. We explore his charitable work with veterans, kids facing illnesses, and organizations supporting long-term missions, emphasizing the importance of giving back and living with purpose.
From the Field to the Community: Laurence Maroney's Mental Health Mission
51 min
Discover the inspiring journey of NFL player and community advocate Laurence Maroney as he shares insights into mental health, the importance of giving back, and how he is transforming his community through his foundation. This episode emphasizes the critical need for mental health support, especially among athletes and youth, and offers practical ways to foster resilience and compassion. Donate for LM39 Foundation: https://www.lm39foundation.com/donate-today
Hope in the Hardest Moments: Dave Dravecky’s Incredible Journey
54 min
What happens when the career you’ve worked your entire life for is taken away in an instant? In this powerful episode of The Giving Game, former San Francisco Giants pitcher Dave Dravecky shares his journey through cancer, depression, loss, and the mental health struggles that followed. After being diagnosed with cancer in his pitching arm, Dave faced challenges that went far beyond baseball. He opens up about the emotional toll of uncertainty, the impact on his mental health, and the moments when hope felt impossible to find. Dave also shares how faith, family, and community helped him persevere through life’s darkest seasons and how he now helps others facing cancer and adversity through his nonprofit, Endurance. This conversation is a reminder that no matter what you’re facing, hope is never out of reach. In this episode: ⚾ Dave’s battle with cancer 🧠 Mental health during life’s toughest moments 🙏 The role faith played in his recovery ❤️ Finding purpose through pain 🤝 How Endurance is helping people facing cancer today If this story inspires you, please like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who may need a little hope today. MentalHealth #CancerSurvivor #DaveDravecky #TheGivingGame #Hope #Faith #Resilience #MentalHealthAwareness #CancerSupport #Podcast
The Hidden Struggles of Athletes and How to Overcome Them with Ben Zobrist
54 min
In this episode, Sophia Whitesell interviews Ben Zobrist about his journey through sports, mental health, and his charity Champion Forward. They explore the importance of emotional wellness, authenticity, and redefining success beyond achievements.
Baseball, Badges & Purpose with Matt Stone
59 min
Former baseball player, police officer, and Playin Thru host Matt Stone joins The Giving Game for a powerful conversation about mental health, vulnerability, and why so many men suffer in silence. Having spent years in both baseball and law enforcement, Matt has seen firsthand that some of the strongest people on the outside are often fighting battles nobody else can see. Together, we discuss the challenges of accessing mental health resources, the stigma surrounding asking for help, and why changing the conversation could save lives. This episode isn’t about sports—it’s about the people behind the uniforms and the importance of reminding others that they don’t have to face life’s toughest moments alone.
Griffin Pinkow - More Than What You See
1 hr 4 min
What happens when your entire future changes overnight? In this episode of The Giving Game, Griffin Pinkow opens up about vision loss, resilience, identity, and why blindness didn’t stop him from building a life centered around purpose and impact. Through The Foreseeable Future Foundation, Griffin is working to create support, awareness, and opportunity for individuals navigating blindness and visual impairment while challenging the way the world views disability altogether. This conversation is honest, emotional, inspiring, and surprisingly funny at times — not about limitation, but about perspective, adaptability, and refusing to let hardship define your future. No sports talk. No filters. Just real conversations that matter.
Changing The World Through A Swing: Isaac Sekulima
1 hr 0 min
Main topics: Isaac’s childhood and early entrepreneurship in Uganda The transformative power of gratitude and humility Building a social impact foundation for African children Overcoming hardship and faith in life’s purpose The role of love and forgiveness in personal growth Cultural differences in dating and marriage expectations The importance of community and mentorship in life and sport Isaac’s aspirations to inspire worldwide and connect with global golf events How generosity and intentionality can change destinies #InspireChange #GolfForGood #ResilienceJourney #PurposeDriven #LoveAndImpact #FaithInAction #EmpowerYouth #GratitudeGoals #CommunityStrength #TransformLives
Former MLB pitcher Tyson Ross joins The Giving Game to talk about why youth sports are becoming inaccessible for everyday families — and what he’s doing to change that. Tyson opens up about growing up in Oakland, the life-changing impact of community baseball, and how his nonprofit, Loyal to My Soil, is working to bring free camps, equipment, and coaching resources back to underserved communities. The conversation goes far beyond baseball. Tyson and Sophia talk parenting in the age of screens, raising grounded kids while living around professional sports, balancing competition with fun, and how modern youth sports culture puts pressure on families financially and emotionally. Tyson also shares hilarious stories from his childhood, college life at Berkeley, his first car, staying on the family phone plan, and the realities of parenting as a former professional athlete. Most importantly, he explains why community matters more than trophies — and how even a simple social media share can help grow the mission. Loyal to My Soil Loyal to My Soil provides: Free youth baseball camps Equipment donations Coaching clinics Community outreach programs Opportunities for underserved kids to access sports DONATE HERE GUEST SOCIAL Instagram: @tysonross_38
In this powerful and often hilarious episode of The Giving Game, host Sophia Whitesell sits down with Nate Boyer—a former Green Beret, Seattle Seahawks long snapper, filmmaker, and founder of Merging Vets and Players (MVP).What starts with a mix-up about his identity quickly turns into a deep conversation about life after elite environments—whether that’s the military or professional sports. Nate shares how both veterans and athletes struggle with identity and purpose once the “uniform” comes off.He explains how MVP creates a community where former athletes and veterans come together, train, and open up through peer-led “huddles,” helping each other navigate mental health, transition, and purpose.The conversation also explores:The realities of military life vs. civilian lifeThe importance of mental health for veteransNIL money and young athletesNate’s journey into filmmaking, including his movie MVP (now on Netflix)And a mission-driven fundraiser to support veterans and athletesThis episode blends humor, honesty, and impact—while ultimately challenging listeners to give back and support a meaningful cause.Donation link: http://Donorbox.org/wegotyourback
What happens when you take sports away from athletes? You find out who they really are. Hosted by Sophie, The Giving Game is a one-of-a-kind podcast where athletes step out of the game and into something bigger. No stats. No scores. No surface-level interviews. Each episode is tied to a real, 7-day fundraising challenge—supporting causes that matter to the guests and giving listeners a chance to be part of something meaningful. You’ll hear raw conversations, unexpected stories, and a side of athletes the world rarely sees. This isn’t about sports. It’s about impact. And the real question is… do you want to play?
