The Hustle and Pro sports podcast is one year old! We love our guests and our listeners. Thanks to everyone who listened, subscribed and shared as we’ve worked to get this show off the ground since last March 8, 2019.
In this episode (#52!), we’re taking a look back at the year with Lifestyle Frisco’s own Scott Ellis. We get a glimpse into the boss man’s own sports background and hear about his favorite Hustle & Pro moments from year one.
Enjoy, and here’s to more great years of Hustle & Pro!
Show Notes
- [01:13] Introduction
- [02:45] Quick Hits
- [05:30] Growing up playing sports
- [06:50] Indiana basketball
- [08:20] What Frisco sporting event would Scott choose to watch with Kelly
- [11:10] Soccer in Frisco
- [13:00] Favorite Hustle & Pro episodes
Beth King Episode #1
Hannah Mandell #3
Edwin Cerillo #7
Oliver Barron Episode #39
Reggie Cannon #26
Vicki Sohn #33
Nick Johnson #25
Hannah Mary Cook #24
Chad Brown #36 - [18:20] What’s next for Hustle & Pro in Year 2
Resources within this episode:
- Kelly Walker: Instagram @kelly_walkertexas | Twitter: @kelly_walker_TX
Connect with Lifestyle Frisco:
Transcript: (machine-generated)
This is Hustle and Pro with Kelly Walker. Join Kelly as she talks sports with players, coaches, organizers and entrepreneurs from Pee Wee League to Pro. Now here’s your host Kelly Walker.
Happy one year to Hustle and Pro to celebrate. I have a VIP guest. There literally would not be a Hustle and Pro podcast without Scott Ellis. Hi Scott. How are ya?
That’s good. I’m great. It’s good to be here.
Good.
I’m excited for you to be having me on your podcast.
Well thank you for coming and for this podcast itself. So you’re the co-founder of Lifestyle Frisco and you’re the it guy who helped me get this project, um, podcast project built in live. So first of all, thank you for saying yes when I kind of had this idea a little while ago.
Absolutely. Thank you for taking the initiative and just running with it the way you did.
So why did you say yes to a sports specific podcast here in town?
Good question. I think there were a couple of reasons. One, uh, I was interested in seeing us do more audio content in general. I think it’s a great format. It’s easy. It’s very portable. People can listen to it, the car or while they’re out for a walk or a run or what have you. Um, I also appreciated how prepared you seemed to be to get something up and running. You seem like you were very dedicated to the idea and you were already working on a logo and all that kind of thing. And a lot of people have an idea for a podcast and they start something, but on average, a lot of people don’t know this. The average podcast only makes it to episode seven and then then, Oh, we killed it. Oh yeah, you’re slaying it. But I mean, the problem that I think people confront is it seems very easy just to sit in front of a microphone and talk. And that’s not the hard part. There’s a whole lot of other work that goes on outside of that when you realize how much work it is. It’s, it’s a, it’s a hobby that demands some of your time and it needs to be done consistently if you’re going to build an audience. And then the third reason I was interested in it was a specifically because sports is so popular in Frisco and there’s so many, uh, sports-related activities and teams. There’s an endless amount of content and I thought it would be a great way to cover all those things. And I love the fact that you’re doing, as we say, from Peewee to Pro. I mean you’ve got the gauntlet covered and good stories. I think the first one you did was first or second was the, uh, women’s lacrosse first.
First one. I think that was Beth.
And it was a, it was a really fun episode to listen to for me because I know nothing about lacrosse to begin with. I didn’t certainly know anything about the difference between men’s and women’s lacrosse, um, or that we even had, you know, those teams that were here. Um, so I mean it was just a great start and it was a fun episode. I love what you’re doing with it.
Thank you. Yeah, we’ve covered a lot. Um, it’s kinda been fun to look back and I want to do that here in a minute, but one of the things that we started, uh, format wise was some quick hits to sort of, let me get into the minds of my guests off the top. So I have some quick hits for you. Hit me. Okay. Who’s your favorite athlete of all time? Or you can name a few. I know there’s a lot of pressure to pick up.
It’s hard because I’ve, even though I’m not known as being like a hardcore sports guy, I have definitely followed sports for a long time, you know, starting when I was a kid playing basketball and football. And I’ll tell you the first couple of people that pop into my head. Well, first of all, Jordan is the first one that popped into mind. Michael Jordan. Yeah, I mean that guy, just what he did for the game of basketball, um, was just amazing. I mean, he really was a true, um, steward of the game and a good ambassador for the game of basketball. And I’m dominantly a basketball person. I do like football as well. Um, as far as watching, yeah. Basketball and football. Yeah. What about playing yourself? Uh, playing basketball? I mean, if I was going to play actively, I haven’t been out playing basketball in quite a while, but if I was basketball would be my sport.
Um, but I’ve also always had a lot of admiration. I, you know, I grew up, started watching football. My mom was actually a big football fan, so in the 70s and I kinda, because I lived in a small town at that time, we didn’t, there was no football team nearby. I kind of glommed on to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Okay. And so I think of guys like Terry Bradshaw and Franco Harris and Mean Joe Green, you know, who UNT. Right. Um, and some of those guys kind of popped into my head, but then we moved to Indianapolis and in the early eighties we got the Colts. And I remember thinking, Oh, why did we get the Colts? They’re terrible. And they were for a long time. Um, and then the Peyton Manning era happened. And I mean, that guy was just, just unbelievable. You know, I think even though he’s got a couple of Superbowl rings that doesn’t even do him justice for what a great quarterback he was. And uh, so yeah. Anyways, those are my, he was a good, good savior then for the Colts, he really, he really was. And he was an all around good guy too. You know, I appreciate the ones that managed to stay out of trouble and then lead it by lead by example. So family seems to be that way.
So one of the quick hits was favorite team. I’m going to go with Steelers and Colts. Steve wasn’t Colts basketball though. I thought you had a basketball. I do. Well I’m so more of a college basketball guy. Yeah. Um, and in that case it’s Indiana university.
Okay. What about your favorite sports movie?
Sports movie?
This might’ve been a no brainer if you just said Indiana university.
Yeah, I got to go to Hoosiers for sure. But you know, Friday night lights was a really fun movie too.I really enjoyed that one as well.
So you mentioned as a child, as a kid playing football and basketball. How far did that go? Like how far into your life did you play sports? So I only played football one year and I was not very good at football, so I didn’t bother carrying that on very much further. I play basketball for a number of years, actually played baseball a lot when I was a kid as well organized on teams. Uh, but basketball was where I most enjoyed. But I hit the height I’m at right now in eighth grade and I thought I was excited. I thought I got still got a few years, I’m going to put on a few more inches. No, it stopped there. So, uh, as I got into high school in Indiana, Indiana, high school basketball, what high school football is in Texas. Um, and it’s insanely and competitive and there’s a lot of really, really good players and I just did not have the skills to, you know, even make our high school team. Yeah. Um, so, you know, it was very active and took part in a lot of the games and was always there, but I was not never on the team.
So,I sat in on a podcast episode that you had with Andy Milovich of the rough riders and I’m pretty sure you guys talked, I think it was all off mic, but you guys talked a lot of sports and I think it was all surrounded about Indiana basketball or softball and basketball and all those things. And I couldn’t keep up cause I’m not an Indiana basketball fan, so I didn’t even know what you guys were talking about. But um, lots of names and lots of memories and championships and all kinds of things. So who are some of those big names of Indiana basketball that you like? That I would know.
What’s sure Bobby Knight is the first one that pops into your head. Yes. Well yeah. And cause he was coach at my school tech and really helped to kind of turn that program around. Um, you know, the, the era for me of Indiana basketball was kind of in the mid to late eighties when I was most paying attention to it and attached to it when I was in high school. And, um, I remember the year after I graduated, or was it the year of graduation? Either way. There was a kid named Damon Bailey that was kind of a local hero and, and really, really good solid high school player. Was a good solid college player as well. But I just don’t think he has quite the chops for pro. Um, I went to high school with Eric Montross who’s a friend, so he ended up playing, ended up playing at North Carolina. Yeah. But Eric was somebody there. Um, uh, uh, yeah, Keith smart was the guy who hit the game winning shot against Syracuse last time they won a championship. So those are some of the, the names that first popped into my head when I think about Indiana basketball.
Are they still good?
Uh, I don’t know that any of them are still playing in the NBA. Eric I know is retired.
I mean like Hoosiers basketball. Um, you know, some tough years. They’ve certainly had a lot of promise. Um, but they’re struggling I think a little bit right now with being sort of the Indiana of legend. Yeah. Um, but you know, it’s Indiana basketball, they’ll come back.
We’re coming around. The good ones always do. Right. Okay. A bit of a hypothetical, but maybe not. If you could join me at a Frisco’s sporting event this year, what would it be? So all of these things we talk about on H and P H hustling pro, like fiveK races and Legends and FC Dallas and Rough Riders and high school football at the star and lacrosse and hockey and all these things that happen up here. What would you come watch with me?
Can I pick two? Yeah. Okay.
Is I would love to go to a legends game in the, the G league championship or tournament. You know, I’d love to see them really just own it one year and take it all the way. Um, the next one would probably be a lacrosse game because I’ve never actually gone and watched lacrosse. And I’d love to try new and it’s, it is new and it’s different.
Um, I got to go to, I think I did two or three of the Rattlers games at the Star this year and they’re definitely fun to watch because, um, well in the star, first of all, right, that being in that facility, but, um, you, those players, it’s so different in fo they have, they have padding on and things, but it’s different than a full football padding to where like you can still see them really move, you know, I mean they’re in shorts and socks and didn’t like and the Jersey and all that, but um, they move so quick and that it, it all happens so fast the way these like shots happen and how fast they’re shooting. So it’s really fun. So feel a little similar to hockey in that way. It’s kind of how I envisioned it. And the reason I, it reminds me of hockey is because they do line changes. So in play there’s a shot clock. Um, but in play, the offense and defense are fluidly changing as a line on and off the field during play. Um, so it’s, it’s quick again, that’s part of what feels like hockey cause a whole line of guys. And then there’s specific face off guys and they’ll come off the field and then there’s another line of cat guys going in and out. So I’m going to guys are on the field at one time. Oh, I don’t know any lacrosse answers.
Okay. No, just curious. I have no idea.
So, I mean, I could guess, but I would be wrong because I don’t know, I mean it’s similar to a soccer lineup, which is, you know, 11 guys on the field with the goalies and everything. So that’s my guess is that it’s maybe 10 guys playing, you know, there’s forwards, there’s defenders, there’s middies and there’s outside and inside guy. So it’s the same kind of thought process there. But I don’t know.
Okay.
I’ll have to fact check and go to a game then. Let’s make that happen.
Let’s do it. Alright. If we get a world cup here in Frisco as we’re lobbying to try to get something of the 2026 North American WorldCup if we get anything here, I’m curious, will you politely push me aside as your sports writer and go and get in on the action as local media or would you just pass and not, not get into it?
No, it’s going to be you.
Okay. Yay.
You know, far more about soccer than I do. I think it would be disingenuous for me to show up and try to even pretend to know, like, it’s funny because this is a big soccer community in Frisco.
Um, and for whatever reason, I know people love it and I, I certainly don’t have anything against the sport. It’s just never one I’ve gotten attached to. Um, I don’t, I don’t really know the players. I don’t know that much about the game. I’ve watched a little bit here or there, but, um, and, and I love having the FC Dallas here because there’s so much energy around everything that they do. Yeah. I just, me personally, I haven’t gotten that real attached to soccer, so I would absolutely send you pink. So I would be a fish out of water myself just because of the scope, like world soccer. I mean I’d be lost myself. I, I know enough, you know, to get by here locally and barely for international play, but world cup, I mean all of the different countries. I don’t know enough of the different history but I can learn and I can fake it enough to Oh yeah, you’d be ready.
Yeah. And you know, using Ryan, he would fill me in on a lot cause he can pretty much predict who’s going to come out of what group for you know, and how they’re all going to place and play out. I’m coming out of the group rounds and everything pretty well. So anyway, I hope Frisco does their part and, and impresses enough people to get something here. I’ve even heard rumors, even if it’s maybe just like media center or something, I’d take anything just because it would be, uh, a really a once in a lifetime chance for somebody like us to even be around an activity like that, watched worldwide that any involvement would definitely be welcome. And I mean, why not? We’re getting the PGA, we’ve got the Cowboys headquarters. There’s so many good things are happening here. Why not a world cup? Exactly. Okay.
I want to ask you your opinion, um, since we are, this is selfish, we’re celebrating this Hustle and Pro. We’ve been around a year. We made it to a year. Um, I didn’t know if you had any favorite episodes or guests. I have some favorites and I’m wondering if any of those ring any bell. Do you have any you want to say? Well, I’m going to go back to that first episode. Okay. The really, to me, that was such a great start to the podcast and I learned a lot from listening to it. So I, you know, it’s always hard to beat that first one right out of the gate when it’s that good. Yeah. But I liked the episode you did with Oliver too. It’s fun game changers. That episode literally changed my family’s life. Long story. I don’t have to go into it on this cause I could talk about it forever and it’s like a crazy thing. But that game changers episode when I was researching that is when I came across the game changers documentary about going plant based eating because a game changers is just literally that’s what it’s called. And it had nothing to do with the episode but it did have a sports like it just came up in my research because it’s athletes talking about what they eat. So there was a sports angle to it. But um, anyways it, it was a game changer. It’s a well titled documentary cause it, a lot of people when they watch it, it is a game changer. So it, it’s funny you say that, that was a game changer for me and my, and my family, the way that we all eat and live over the last several months. One of my favorites when I think about the year of, of talking to people, I’m just the most impressive young lady, Hannah Mandell, the Wakeland soccer player was one of my first interviews. She was episode number three, but I was like blown away that a probably 18 year old, um, was that well spoken and had these goals and accomplishments, so much things, so many things she had already done. And I keep up with her. She’s at Pomona college in California. We were a messaging during the Superbowl because I think she looks like Pat my homes and I said, y’all could be brother and sister. And so we were joking about that. But when I see her out in the community before she left for college, um, she would always come up and say hi and give me a hug and chat and just the sweetest young lady. And I just thought she was a really good inspirational young person to have on to kick off as far as the high school kids that we had on the show. Um, she set the bar high, one of my favorite interviews, um, it was number episode 26. It was Reggie Cannon. It was the first one that we moved from, kind of do it yourself, like studio into this awesome studio that we have here in Frisco. But Reggie is, uh, he’s an FC Dallas player, but he, um, got a lot of us men’s national team call ups over the year. And so watching him kind of, kind of, you know, explode onto the scene was awesome. But he was a really good interview and exciting. And then I interviewed his teammate Edwin Cerillo, which is kind of the opposite. He wasn’t even, he didn’t even step foot on the field yet when I interviewed him, but I asked for him because we’re from, we’re both from Waco and I wanted to hear his story and his story was pretty amazing and that he really sacrificed. He came, moved here on his own as a young teenager. Right. And like I got to talk to him a week after he signed his professional contract and who knew what the year had in store for him. Right. But then we send our photographer swabbed to the while he was at the first game that Edwin got his got to play on the field and captured a photo of Edwin and his dad hugging after the game that Edwin like cherishes loves it because his dad wanted to play pro soccer. And just that story was awesome. It gives me chills thinking about it. And Edwin and I keep up. Um, of course I see him at all FC Dallas games and stuff, but, but we’re friends on social and we messaged each other and things like that too. And we joke about Waco soccer stuff. I know like, well to me they’re my friends, but they probably don’t think that. Um, and I love all the Legends interviews I’ve gotten to do, um, with Booker and Byron and Chad Brown, the player and Al Whitley, the most recent one. So I think those are just kind of my most, I dunno, most memorable. I learned a lot from the Mike Leary episode who’s a producer for the Stars and the Rangers. I think it’s so fascinating thinking just for a minute what his life is like to figure out what camera angle and replay and all these things that are happening at a Texas Rangers baseball game or a Dallas stars hockey game of fast decision making. I would imagine to keep up with all of that. Yes, for sure. For sure. And I know you’re kind of the, like I said, the IT guy and you look at more of the data, but from, from sort of the social reach of some of the episodes from the first year, um, some of our most popular ones were um, Hannah-Mary Cook, which was a high school swimmer that was heading off to college. She was very popular online. And um, Nick over at the Lakes Tennis Academy when we talked about his young athletes who, um, one junior Wimbledon had just won junior rumble at Wimbledon. Um, and Bryce Wasserman, one of the lacrosse players, a pro lacrosse player. And then Vicki at the RoughRiders and when we talked about her and her husband touring all the baseball parks. So those were like some of our most kind of popular, well, Edwin, um, the FC Dallas players are very popular too because people can find some of those back episodes.
That’s a great, yeah.
Mental note. We’ll do information. Yeah. I mean, the only thing else I wasn’t curious like, you know, do you hear from as a leader of Lifestyle Frisco and, and you know, my boss and all, do you hear anything or, or want to see anything from H and P Hustle and Pro? It’s my H and P is what I call it and year two that we’re missing. Wow.
Um, no, I mean you’ve covered such a good variety of stories, um, across all of the levels and sports teams here. I think it’s just keep going. You know, I think you’re, you’re probably in a better position than I am to judge if something needs to change or improve or, you know, where could I take this? Where could I go next with this? Um, you know, I’d love to hear from our audience as well. What would they like to hear more of? So I would encourage anybody that’s listening to this to leave a comment, um, or hit Kelly up on Facebook or leave a lifestyle comment on the lifestyle for scope, Facebook page, Instagram, whatever you want. You know, what would you guys like to hear more about? Is it you want more interviews with athletes? Is it more of the behind the scenes stuff? Um, I, I certainly think as it gets closer, um, more coverage of, of golf and the PGA will be appropriate. Definitely that is an opportunity that I need to take advantage of.
Yeah. With the amount of sports stuff going on in Frisco, um, I almost, I don’t even know how you can keep up with all of it. You just kinda gotta rotate between the different sports and teams and different levels and keep going. But you know, my personal favorite, now, this isn’t necessarily how we make a business decision, but my personal favorite is really, um, I think the high school kids, because you’re catching somebody at a time when they’re showing a lot of talent and a lot of promise. Um, they’ve had some time to develop their skills. They’ve still got room to grow and who knows what the future holds. But you’re kind of getting them on that cusp.
And the who knows what the future holds peace. Someone said you should revisit them later and I already want to do that only a year in. Um, I know what some of them are doing and I know that some of them aren’t doing the sport that they set out to art to do already. And I think that’s almost more fascinating. Like it’s, I’m proud of the ones that are killing it, you know, doing their college thing. But it’s also fascinating to learn why some of the ones tried it and are done. There’s so many reasons why being a college athlete might not be right for that person. And so those are interesting stories that I think we could revisit already.
Certainly I know, you know, is as somebody who was at least I would use the term athlete very loosely growing up. Um, I wrestled as well and I loved wrestling.
Well, here we are wrapping it up and now you [inaudible]
I just kind of forgot about it to be honest to mention it, but, um, but when we went to high school, I was a decent wrestler actually. It was probably one of the few sports. I actually had a bit of a natural inclination and the right build for. Um, but when we got into high school, I very quickly found out that, you know, the, the seriousness and the intensity just went up 10 notches. And that just wasn’t really for me. It wasn’t what I wanted to do. Yeah. Um, you know, those guys live, eat and breathe that stuff all year round.
Yeah. There’s many cases when if it’s not what you want to do, 100% of your day don’t, don’t do it.
And so I didn’t. Yeah. So I kind of stuck with recreational sports and, and uh, stepped away. But I can only imagine that it’s another order of magnitude more intense when you go to college and then to the pros so you really gotta be made for it college because being a college athlete and being a college student are separate.
It having the college student experience are separate things. Yeah, just the fun things you get to do as just a student is what we all think of when we think of our college memories and theirs are totally different and in a good way too. But you know, some people get there and realize I didn’t mean to sacrifice all of that sort of, you know, switch back and forth. So maybe we’ll have some revisits for some of our young athletes that we’ve talked to. I love it.
Well thank you Scott. It was fun to have you in the studio.
Thanks for having me on. It’s good to talk about sports. I don’t get to do it all that often and I don’t want to date your podcast, but did you watch the Superbowl this year?
Yeah, every second.
It was a great game. I was rooting for Kansas city was fantastic. Yeah. I was rooting for Kansas city. Um, even though I didn’t, I’m not a particularly big Kansas City or 40 Niners fan, didn’t really have a, a dog in the game article on Lifestyle Frisco about why somebody, somebody in this room might have written that article named Kelly. Um, but I, you know, I had some friends that were reading for them so I just pick them. Um, but it was fun to watch an actual good game for once. It seems like so often the Super bowl, you know, one of the teams just has an off night and they kind of get blown out and that’s no fun. That wasn’t good. Like you really, until the last couple of minutes, you weren’t really sure how this was going to turn out.
I thought at halftime I was worried and then I thought, Pat, my home’s might not have, he might have bit off more than he can chew. Like some people were saying all week with the 40 Niners being able to, you know, still dominate. Um, but he did his thing. He came back later than he usually comes back in those playoff games. But he did it and it was fun to watch. Um, not having my own, you know, die hard. Like I, I wanted them to win, but at the same time, like I wasn’t going to be that upset of, cause it’s not my team. Um, but it was sure fun to watch someone who represents my college. I mean, we don’t have very many big names that come out of Texas Tech, so to have somebody like that that, um, you know, everybody loves do that well and bring it. But yeah, he’s great. He’s fun to watch and fun to just to kind of watch the whole story unfold about, you know, him being from East Texas and everything. So it was fun to watch. Good game.
I loved, I mean, halftime, everything, everything was a good,I can’t say I was enthused by the halftime show. J-Lo and Shakira just don’t do much for me. So I was, you know, kind of hot on that one,
but for everybody, but I mean, couldn’t take my eyes off of it so they can, that’s the point, right? They’re keeping your attention.
Are there any commercials still? Let’s talk about the commercials before we go. Were there any commercials that stood out to you that yes.
Yes. And let’s see. Um, gosh, you’re asking me questions Scott, and I’m not prepared. I’m used to being the host so when it comes natural, so I’ve listened to sports talk radio, talk about this for awhile now and now I’m like regurgitating their conversations because everybody’s talking about the Loretto one, the saddled man when it Google commercial, that was a good one, which was, and it was touching and it, I mean, it’s memorable. Um, there was, I loved the, my, I think my favorite thing of the whole production. I mean, I know you asked me about ads, but I loved the a hundred year intro that they did pregame that was so impressive and just fascinating how they went, the, just how they told that story and how they showed all of the players. On the field. That was really cool to see all those guys’ faces. Um, but I loved how the NFL did the little kid running into the stadium. It was like an ad. Right? But then it was they, they integrated it into real time.
Yeah.
That was cool just production wise. But that was one of my favorites because it had all those cameos in it. Everybody from Jerry, you know, all the players and all these different cool scenes. And so that one stands out to me the most just because it was like a little Odell Beckham jr kid as well. We thought at first, Oh, is this a flashbacks? It’s like Odell Beckham, you know, whatever. And then he comes on the field. So that was, that was cool. I mean, I’m trying to remember what else I love. What did you love?
You know, I got the one that stands out most in my mind was the, um, the [inaudible] commercial with all the cliches. I don’t know where she was like talking to somebody, like get your head out of the sand and said, I missed all number, all the cliches. If you go look up the recent Superbowl commercial, it was probably one of the more edgy ones, but the end of it was absolutely hysterical.
Yeah, I missed it. I try really hard to not like, it’s hard cause it’s like the one time you really can’t get up and you know, leave the room too much or you’re going to miss something. I might have missed that one.
Yeah, go look it up and sure. It’s on YouTube.
Yeah. Oh yeah. I’ll go back in and revisit. I need, I usually do that every year anyways because there’s so much going on in the room that I can’t hear what I want to hear anyway. And I go back and just my background in advertising, I always used to go back and kind of obsess about all of those and, and they always get ranked in everything every year.
Well, that’s another question for your listeners then, is they listen to this podcast. What was your favorite Superbowl commercial this year?
Yeah, that’s a good one. Good question.
All right.
Okay.
Thanks Scott. Thank you Kelly. Thanks for having me on. It was fun.