Walk Like A Champion Podcast
This podcast features conversations with leaders and achievers who embody a championship mindset. Host Chad Simpson explores what it means to 'walk like a champion' in various aspects of life. Listeners can gain insights into leadership, success, and personal growth from real-world examples. Each episode aims to inspire listeners to take the next step in their own journey.
Episodes
Don't Make It About You | Rod Ray | Wofford Head Coach
FINAL EPISODE of SEASON 3!!
Episode 4: Rod Ray
Listen to this conversation with AIA Tennis Director, Chad Simpson. ROD RAY just finished year 26 as HEAD COACH @ Wofford College.
You will hear in this episode:
How Rod and his wife are overcoming the odds and pursuing a strong marriage,
His beliefs in being a Christian and highly competitive,
Why Hard Comes First
The one thing Rod wants his play
"When Your Schedule Feels Out of Control... Redeem Your Time" ----- Reflections From Former Coaches ----- GIAN LEMMI [Liberty]
Walk Like a Champion Podcast SEASON 3!!
Episode 3: Gian Lemmi
Listen to this conversation with AIA Tennis Director, Chad Simpson. Four years ago, Gian stepped away from his role as Associate Head Coach at Liberty University. Today, he balances a dual calling as the Executive Pastor for Bedrock Church Lynchburg and the Community and Project Manager for New York Times Bestseller Jon Acuff. And he ru
"Live to Serve" ----- Reflections From Former Coaches ----- TOM SIMPSON [Coker]
Walk Like a Champion Podcast SEASON 3!!
TOM'S GOFUNDME
Episode 2: Tom Simpson
Listen to this conversation with AIA Tennis Director, Chad Simpson. You will hear from Tom Simpson former HC at Coker University. Tom has been married for 43 years, spent 45 years as a tennis professional at Smith Stearns and other clubs throughout SC, a pastor and missionary for 25 years, and a college tennis coach for
"What's Filling Your Cup?" ----- Reflections From Former Coaches ----- TANNER STUMP [Florida] & MATT WALTERS [Clemson]
Walk Like a Champion Podcast SEASON 3!!
Episode 1: Tanner Stump & Matt Walters
Listen to this conversation with AIA Tennis Director, Chad Simpson. You will hear from Tanner Stump, the former Florida Gators Associate Head Coach, who coached Ben Shelton and the 2021 National Championship. And Matt Walters who finished his career as the Associate HC at Clemson, also having stops at UCF, Mississip
PRESEASON BONUS EPISODE .... Build Deeper Friendship in 2026 w/ Jason Kerst & Danielle Stickley
PREASEASON BONUS EPISODE!
Former D1 Iowa Hawkeye tennis athletes, Jason Kerst and Danielle Stickley join Chad for a conversation on building friendship and finding community as an athlete and recent grad. Jason shared his full story in Season 2 and is the current Women's Assistant Coach at Notre Dame. Danielle serves with Athletes in Action's Tennis outreach ministry to coaches and athletes. List
Seasons of Life | Trevor Foshey | Michigan Assistant Coach
SEASON 2 FINAL EPISODE!
Trevor Foshey is finishing his 2nd year at the University of Michigan. Prior to that, Trevor spent 4 years as the Associate Head Coach at Liberty. As a player, he helped Mississippi State reach #5 in the nation and was the 7th ranked doubles playing in the country. Trevor put his name in the history books by clinching the 2018 SEC Tournament title in a 3rd set tiebreaker.
Made for More | Kazuki Matsuno | Pepperdine Assistant Coach
SEASON 2 EPISODE 5!!
Kaz Matsuno is in his first semester serving as the assistant coach at Pepperdine. Prior to that, Kaz helped his alma mater reach new heights as an assistant coach, reaching an all-time high of #15 in the country. As a player at MSU, Kaz reached as high as #36 in the ITA rankings.
You will hear in this episode:
How during Covid, a zoom Athletes in Action meeting changed t
Joy in the Process | Austin Rapp | Clemson Assistant Coach
EPISODE 4!!
Austin Rapp has served as the assistant coach at Clemson since 2022. Prior to that, Austin was the Volunteer Assistant with Texas for 2 years. Austin competed for UCLA from 2015-2018, earning All-American status in 2018 after making the semifinals at the NCAA Tournament. He continued on the pro tour reaching 672 in Singles; 328 in doubles.
Austin is known around the country for his jo
Becoming Fearless | Jeri Stewart | Columbus State Assistant Coach
Jeri Stewart is the assistant coach at Columbus State. Prior to that, Jeri coached at Point University where she played an instrumental role in the team reaching a number 2 ranking in the NAIA. Before entering college coaching, Jeri ran a successful junior academy in Columbus, Georgia.
In this conversation, you will hear about:
Jeri shared with me the prayer she prayed as she left college tennis
Death to Self, Pride to the Side | Grey Hamilton | Baylor Assistant Coach
EPISODE 2
Grey Hamilton is in his 2nd year as the assistant tennis coach at Baylor. Prior to that, Grey spent 3 years as the Volunteer Assistant at SMU. Grey played 4 years at Ole Miss where he helped the Rebels to four-straight NCAA tournament appearances and a spot in the Sweet 16 in 2018.
In this episode:
- What happened to drastically change his life while playing on the Futures tour
- The
Genuine Joy and Deep Sadness | Jason Kerst | Notre Dame Assistant Coach
SEASON 2 HERE WE GO!
Jason Kerst has served as the Assistant Women’s Tennis Coach at Notre Dame since 2023. Prior to that Jason worked in fundraising and was the volunteer assistant at Virginia Tech and at South Carolina while he completed his MBA. Jason competed for the University of Iowa, graduating in 2021 and was the recipient of the ITA Regional Arthur Ashe Leadership Award.
In this conv
Healing. Vision. Power. | Lee Taylor Walker | TCU Head Coach
Lee Walker has served as the Head Women’s Tennis Coach at TCU since 2014 where his team reached a high of #14 in the country. Prior to this, he spent 7 years as the Head Coach at Memphis and 5 years as their assistant coach. Lee competed for Memphis where he was ranked as high as number 12 in the country in doubles and is in the Memphis Club Hall of Fame.
In this conversation, you are going to he
A New Heart | Mark Booras | Tulane Head Coach
Mark is the Head Men’s Coach at Tulane where in 2008, he was tasked with rebuilding a program that was discontinued for four years as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Since then, Mark has orchestrated the program’s improbable return to national prominence as a top-25 team in the country. Before that, Mark spent 10 years as an Assistant and then Associate HC at LSU. Mark was a top 20 player at West V
Building a Team | Nathan Thompson | Princeton Assistant Coach
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EPISODE 6
Nathan is in his 1st season as the Assistant Women’s Tennis Coach at Princeton. Nathan competed on the pro tour from 2005-2010 reaching a career high of number 356. Before that, he was an NCAA All-American at Clemson. Nathan also has had coaching stops at Clemson and D2 Southern Wesleyan along with working at the Junior Tennis Champions Center where he worked with players
Searching for Peace | Derek Schwandt | Liberty Head Coach
Derek is in his 7th year as the Head Coach at Liberty. He led the team to a number 39 national team ranking in 2021 and won the inaugural 2023 Universal Tennis NIT Title.
Before that, he spent five seasons as the Assistant Coach at Georgia Tech where he was instrumental in recruiting and developing Chris Eubanks who recently reached 31 in the world after making the quarterfinals last year at Wimb
From Cancer to Coach | Matt Hill | Arizona State Head Coach
In 2016, Matt took on the task to reinstate Arizona State’s Men’s Tennis team where he quickly brought them back to national prominence. Prior to that, Matt spent 4 seasons as the Head Coach at South Florida where his team reached as high as #13 in the nation. He’s also had coaching stops at Mississippi State and Alabama.
Matt is known around the country for being a strong leader, innovator, and
Integrating F.A.M.I.L.Y. | Shelley Jaudon | Kentucky Head Coach
Shelley is in her 1st season as the Head Coach at the University of Kentucky. Prior to that, Shelley had 9 years as a Division 1 Head Coach with the last 5 being at James Madison where she led her team to a national tournament berth in 2021. She has also coached at Middle Tennessee State, Michigan State, and Alabama where she was 3-time team captain.
In this episode with Chad, you will hear:
How
Influencing Through Your Passion & Platform | Jamie Hunt | Georgia Associate Head Coach
Jamie Hunt is in his 7th season as the Associate Head Men's Tennis Coach at the University of Georgia. Prior to that Jamie spent 7 years as the Associate Head Coach at Vanderbilt.
Jamie is the only player in history to win the Easter Bowl Doubles title in the 14s, 16s, and 18s and he rose to as high as #2 in the ITF Junior doubles rankings. He was an All-American at the University of Georgia and
One Day Has The Power To Change Every Other | Tom Rees | Clemson Associate Head Coach
EPISODE 1
Tom Rees is the Associate Head Tennis Coach at Clemson University. In this episode, he shares with Chad about his journey from England to the US, his calling into coaching, how one tragic day in February of 2021 changed his life forever, and much much more!
Listen to our 8 episode podcast series to hear elite level college tennis coaches share their story so you can be encouraged to t
Season 1 Trailer
PODCAST LAUNCHING!
Learn from champions who are walking like THE Champion! Podcast is launching next week, and we will release an episode every Sunday night for the next 8 weeks!
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Join our community:
IG - @aiatennis
Email - chad.simpson@athletesinaction.org
Track: "The Rebel Flagship"
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