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No Free Lunch with Ndamukong Suh

No Free Lunch with Ndamukong Suh

The Athletic 105 Episodes Jun 30, 2026

No Free Lunch is a business and finance podcast hosted by NFL legend and entrepreneur Ndamukong Suh. Suh explores how successful people in sports build long-term wealth, interviewing athletes, experts, and business leaders. New episodes drop every Tuesday and Thursday.

Episodes

Whats The Biggest Price You've Paid For a Breakthrough?
Whats The Biggest Price You've Paid For a Breakthrough? Jun 30, 2026 18:15 On this episode of *No Free Lunch*, Ndamukong brings together some of the most powerful answers to one of his favorite questions: "What's the biggest price you've paid for a breakthrough?". Hear lessons from guests including Gary Vaynerchuk, Richard Sherman, Cam Jordan, and more!No Free Lunch releases new episodes every Tuesdays and Thursdays. Like, comment, and subscribe to the show!Follow us at:
Why Looking Rich Keeps NFL Players Broke
Why Looking Rich Keeps NFL Players Broke Jun 25, 2026 21:21 On this episode of No Free Lunch, Ndamukong breaks down the critical difference between looking rich and actually building wealth. While professional athletes often earn life-changing contracts, many struggle to turn that income into lasting financial security.Ndamukong shares why wealth is built through discipline, smart decision-making, and long-term investing—not expensive purchases and lifesty
Kurt Warner's Hall of Fame Career Was Built Long Before the Super Bowl
Kurt Warner's Hall of Fame Career Was Built Long Before the Super Bowl Jun 23, 2026 50:21 On this episode of No Free Lunch, Ndamukong sits down with NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner to explore one of the most remarkable stories in sports. From being an overlooked quarterback at the University of Northern Iowa to becoming a Super Bowl champion and Hall of Famer, Kurt shares the mindset that helped him stay prepared when opportunity finally arrived.He also discusses the importance of planni
How NFL Players Can Turn Access Into Opportunity
How NFL Players Can Turn Access Into Opportunity Jun 18, 2026 21:00 On this episode of No Free Lunch, Ndamukong shares why many professional athletes miss out on their biggest advantage, access. While playing at the highest level opens doors to influential people, valuable networks, and life-changing opportunities, most athletes never fully capitalize on them.Ndamukong explains how leveraging relationships, learning from successful people, and thinking beyond the
How Mo Wells Became the Go-To Trainer for Elite Athletes like Ja'Marr Chase and Ja Morant
How Mo Wells Became the Go-To Trainer for Elite Athletes like Ja'Marr Chase and Ja Morant Jun 16, 2026 45:55 On this episode of No Free Lunch, Ndamukong Suh sits down with renowned trainer and coach Mo Wells. Mo shares how transferring to LSU as a track athlete created opportunities that would ultimately connect him with some of the biggest names in sports, including Ja'Marr Chase, Bijan Robinson, and Ja Morant.Mo breaks down how he earned the trust of elite athletes and strategically built a business th
Why Smart Athletes Think Differently About Loyalty
Why Smart Athletes Think Differently About Loyalty Jun 11, 2026 24:23 On this episode of No Free Lunch, Ndamukong Suh shares how genuine relationships have been one of the most important drivers of his success, both on and off the field. From teammates and mentors to business partners, he explains how trust, consistency, and follow-through have opened doors throughout his career.Ndamukong also challenges the idea that proximity equals connection, revealing how being
How Christian Johnston Is Reinventing the Jewelry Business With GLD
How Christian Johnston Is Reinventing the Jewelry Business With GLD Jun 9, 2026 41:09 On this episode of No Free Lunch, Ndamukong sits down with Christian Johnston, founder of GLD, to unpack how he turned a small dorm-room hustle at Duquesne University into one of the most recognizable jewelry brands in the game.Christian shares the early days of bootstrapping the business, the discipline it took to grow without outside capital, and why building slowly allowed GLD to scale the righ
Why More Money Creates More Problems for Athletes
Why More Money Creates More Problems for Athletes Jun 4, 2026 29:21 On this episode of No Free Lunch, Ndamukong Suh breaks down why making more money in sports often creates even bigger challenges. While fans assume a massive contract solves every problem, the reality is that wealth brings new pressures, greater responsibility, and a whole new set of expectations.Ndamukong shares how bigger paychecks can lead to increased demands from family and friends, more fina
Adam Breneman Lost Football but Found a Bigger Opportunity
Adam Breneman Lost Football but Found a Bigger Opportunity Jun 2, 2026 49:55 On this episode of No Free Lunch Ndamukong is joined by Adam Breneman! Adam is a former All-American college football player and coach, who shares his journey from aspiring to play professional football to building a successful media career. Adam talks about his early life, growing up in a football-centric family, and his experiences playing at Penn State and UMass. He highlights the challenges he
Why NFL Players Crash Out in the Media
Why NFL Players Crash Out in the Media May 28, 2026 24:35 On this episode of No Free Lunch, Ndamukong Suh breaks down why some NFL players “crash out” in the public eye. From emotional interviews and on-field outbursts to constant media scrutiny and viral headlines, Ndamukong explains the unseen pressure that comes with life in the NFL.He shares how coaches, locker room dynamics, public narratives, and nonstop criticism can push players to their breaking
How Jaylon Smith Turned Adversity Into Opportunity
How Jaylon Smith Turned Adversity Into Opportunity May 26, 2026 25:13 On this episode of No Free Lunch, Ndamukong Suh sits down with Jaylon Smith to discuss the unlikely journey that took him from University of Notre Dame superstar to the Dallas Cowboys. After entering the draft as a projected first-round pick, Jaylon faced a devastating injury that not only threatened his football career, but his ability to walk again.Jaylon opens up about the mindset it took to ov
How Bad Relationships Cost Athletes Millions
How Bad Relationships Cost Athletes Millions May 21, 2026 22:07 On this episode of No Free Lunch, Ndamukong Suh breaks down how professional athletes can maximize a career that often only lasts a few years. From building meaningful relationships to leveraging access, influence, and networking opportunities while still playing, Ndamukong explains why so many athletes leave millions on the table long after the checks stop coming. He also shares the strategies th

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