HEAVY HITTER SPORTS

HEAVY HITTER SPORTS

Heavy Hitter Sports entertains, educates & inspires by spotlighting sports game-changers. Athletes & sports business leaders share their stories of resilience & provide valuable advice on how to tackle challenges on & off the field of play. Host Mark Hochgesang's commentary is shaped by his deep love & knowledge of sports & 30 years of management experience at Nike, adidas & Easton.

Recent Episodes

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Brian Baker: Designing Success...From Nike to Hasbro
Dec. 19, 2024

Brian Baker: Designing Success...From Nike to Hasbro

Brian Baker, SRVP of Board Games at Hasbro, shares why he left a thriving design & product development career at Nike to chase his childhood dream of working in the toy & game industry. He also reveals how the recent success…
Pat Tillman: The Ultimate Sacrifice
Nov. 11, 2024

Pat Tillman: The Ultimate Sacrifice

Pat Tillman set aside a lucrative pro football career for a valiant, yet heartbreaking military career. Host Mark Hochgesang pays tribute to this true American hero. Mark also shares his thoughts re the Iraq, Afghanistan & U…
Adriana Caliri: Unleash Your Superpowers
Oct. 30, 2024

Adriana Caliri: Unleash Your Superpowers

Adriana Caliri, former Nike Golf & Tennis GM & current leadership coach, shares insights on how to unleash your full potential. She reveals lessons learned by working with tennis greats Serena Williams, Roger Federer & Rafa …
Laura Jorgensen: Fueling Performance
Oct. 8, 2024

Laura Jorgensen: Fueling Performance

Retired pro cyclist Laura Jorgensen shares how she & her co-founder created Fuel Goods, a sports nutrition company focused on everyday athletes. Laura talks about career pivots, building high performance teams & fueling spor…
Taylor Cook: Elevate Your Mental Game
Sept. 18, 2024

Taylor Cook: Elevate Your Mental Game

Taylor Cook, mental performance coach & retired professional ice hockey goalie, provides insight into how athletes & others can enhance your mental mindset. She & host Mark Hochgesang exchange thoughts on the power of positi…
Scott Shirley: Harnessing Sports for Good
Sept. 3, 2024

Scott Shirley: Harnessing Sports for Good

Former Penn State football player Scott Shirley shares how his entrepreneurial efforts helped raise over $20M to battle rare diseases & support a variety of other charitable causes. Scott & host Mark Hochgesang discuss how a…
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About the Host

Mark Hochgesang Profile Photo

Mark Hochgesang

Host of Heavy Hitter Sports

Mark's goal is to educate, entertain and inspire by bringing compelling sports stories to life. He is a 30-year sporting goods industry veteran, having worked at Nike, adidas and Easton. Mark is now transferring his storytelling skills to the podcast airways. This venue and show focus is a great fit for Mark given his love of sports, industry experience and interest in psychology & personal growth.

Mark's love of sports is broad ranging...baseball, football, soccer, basketball, hockey, lacrosse and all things Olympics. Yes, you might detect a slight bias toward the San Francisco Giants and 49ers, the Portland Trailblazers and the Trojans since he was born in San Francisco, raised in Portland and educated at USC.

Mark also invests in sports related startups via Oregon Sports Angels. Mark, his wife Barbara and their son Chris have lived in Portland for the last 25 years.