Just A Cup

In this insightful episode of Just a Cup, host Bryan Fetzer sits down with Greg Hipp, Senior Director of Operations and Workforce Management at Chicago Event Management (CEM), to explore the intricate and massive logistics behind some of the United States’ most prominent road races. Greg, with a background in college coaching and a deep passion for running, shares his experience managing the operational complexities of events like the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Shamrock Shuffle, Chicago 13.1, Avid Chicago 5K, and the BTN Big Ten 10K. The conversation delves into the immense workforce behind these events, the year-round planning and strategic challenges of organizing a massive city-wide marathon, and the balancing act of maintaining high-quality experiences while managing growth and scale.

In this compelling interview on Just a Cup with host Bryan Fetzer, Nick Peck shares his extraordinary journey from a traumatic childhood in California to becoming an award-winning author and financial journalist. Nick’s story is a vivid testament to perseverance, transformation, and the power of sports as an escape and healing tool. He recounts playing high school football and navigating setbacks, including losing scholarship opportunities and reinventing himself as a long snapper—a highly specialized football role he taught himself through YouTube tutorials. After his athletic career, Nick pursued journalism with a focus on finance, deliberately steering away from sports reporting to challenge himself and avoid conflicting interests with athlete friends. Nick discusses his tattoos, each imbued with deep personal meaning, reflecting his life experiences. His debut book, Only Way Out, loosely based on his life, centers on Jaylen Pierre, a young athlete grappling with poverty, trauma, and responsibilities while seeking an escape through football. The novel emphasizes themes of mental health, community, and resilience, encouraging readers to find hope and identity beyond hardship.

In this insightful episode of Just a Cup on Bleav, host Bryan Fetzer interviews Kathy Hart Wood, a former touring golf professional turned mental performance coach. Kathy shares her deep journey from struggling as a top-level golf teacher to discovering the power of mastering one’s mind for athletic and life performance. She emphasizes that golf is a mental game that exposes how well individuals manage their thoughts and emotions under pressure, offering lessons that extend far beyond the sport itself. Kathy explains how perfectionism and pressure often limit performance, particularly in golf, where the pursuit of perfection is unrealistic and can foster fear of failure. Instead, she advocates for self-awareness and managing the internal dialogue that shapes emotional responses.

In preparation for the Rumbler By The River boxing matches in Johnstown, PA on June 21, 2025. We produced this engaging episode of Just a Cup on Bleav, host Bryan Fetzer interviews "Trigger" Tre'Sean Wiggins, currently ranked the #12 welterweight boxer globally and a rising star in the sport. The discussion revolves around Tres'Sean’s journey to becoming a professional boxer, his mindset as a fighter, and the revitalization of the boxing scene in Johnstown, Pennsylvania through Kastle Boxing. Tre'Sean shares detailed insights about the physical and mental demands of boxing, particularly in the lighter weight classes, where speed, endurance, and an overwhelming punch volume define the competition.

In this episode of “Just a Cup,” Bryan Fetzer speaks with Division One volleyball player and advocate Sydney Moore about her journey from Cornell to Syracuse, the evolving world of collegiate athletics, and the power of NIL in shaping student-athlete branding and business savvy. Through her podcast “Let’s Talk About It,” Sydney champions mental health, financial literacy, and women’s sports, encouraging athletes to embrace their voices and build meaningful platforms beyond the game.

In this episode of Just the Cup, Bryan Fetzer talks with Kristen Siermachesky, a former Division I hockey player who made an incredible leap to become a Canadian Olympic rower, sharing her journey of resilience, adaptability, and the power of strong support systems. Kristen’s story highlights the importance of embracing unexpected opportunities, trusting the process, and staying committed to personal growth both on and off the field.

In the episode of “Just a Cup” featuring coach Bryan Fetzer and mental performance coach Trevor Tellin, the conversation delved into the mental aspects of sports, especially golf. They explored topics such as mental performance, the challenges faced by athletes, the unique nature of golf, and key principles of mindfulness and resilience. Trevor shared his personal experiences, insights acquired from coaching, and practical advice relevant to athletes at various levels.