The Golfing CEO

If you thought Derek was the delusional one (in a good way, of course), just wait until you meet today’s guest, Nik Neal. A certified physical therapist and founder and CEO of the golf fitness platform, Golf Strong Hit Bombs, Nik is a “late bloomer” in golf, so to speak, who has fallen in and out of love with the game multiple times over the past three decades.

But he may be saving his best for last. With big ambitions and a growing brand, Nik has his sights set on golf’s ultimate prize – a ticket to Augusta National to compete in the Masters. Yes, as a player.

• For more information about Nik, GSHB, and The Road to Augusta: If you’re interested in learning more about Nik’s golf fitness platform and/or checking-out how he chronicles his journey to Augusta, visit his website at https://golfstronghitbombs.com/ or subscribe to his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@GolfStrongHitBombsOfficial

• Enjoying the show? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if you’re feeling generous. For more episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and updates, visithttp://www.thegolfingceo.comhttp://thegolfingceo.com.

• Like what you heard? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform—and leave us a review if you're enjoying the show. More episodes are on the way. In the meantime, explore past conversations and share with anyone who believes that chasing greatness might just require a healthy dose of delusion.

At just 25 years old, Rachel Heck has accomplished more in golf than most players do in a lifetime. A three-time NCAA champion and WGCA All-American, she became Nike Golf’s first-ever NIL athlete while at Stanford. And then, after completing one of the most decorated collegiate careers in the history of women’s golf, she made an equally remarkable decision… not to turn pro at all.

Today, Rachel continues to compete as an amateur while building a professional career and serving as a public affairs officer in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Join Derek and Rachel for a conversation about golf, ambition, identity, and having the confidence to define success on your own terms… Plus how a little childhood bribery involving ice cream helped start it all.

• Enjoying the show? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if you’re feeling generous. For more episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and updates, visithttp://www.thegolfingceo.comhttp://thegolfingceo.com.

• Like what you heard? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform—and leave us a review if you're enjoying the show. More episodes are on the way. In the meantime, explore past conversations and share with anyone who believes that chasing greatness might just require a healthy dose of delusion.

Another chance encounter on a golf course leads Derek to today’s guest, Ryan Gano, founder and CEO of All Access Golf Travel and Events. Ryan’s company is one of the largest and most successful licensed golf travel operators in the world, making for a fun and spirited discussion between two huge golf nerds. Learn why the CEO of a golf travel company has only been playing the game for 12 years, why the best golf experiences across Great Britain and Ireland aren’t always where you might think, and why Oakmont will kick your butt yet somehow still leave you smiling walking off the 18th green.

• Want more information about All Access? If you’re interested in learning more about how All Access can help you with your next international golf trip, visit the company’s website at https://www.allaccessgte.com/.
• Enjoying the show? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if you’re feeling generous. For more episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and updates, visithttp://www.thegolfingceo.comhttp://thegolfingceo.com.
• Like what you heard? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform—and leave us a review if you're enjoying the show. More episodes are on the way. In the meantime, explore past conversations and share with anyone who believes that chasing greatness might just require a healthy dose of delusion.

What happens when two childhood friends sit down to talk about growing up together, where their careers have taken them, what they’ve learned about leadership, and the game they’ve loved along the way?

Tune in this week to find out, as Derek is joined by long-time friend and current LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler. Hear about the unique way that Derek and Craig met as teenagers, how Craig is reshaping the LPGA around a bold vision for growth, and why his mom’s minivan had over 150,000 miles on it before he even left for college.

Part leadership conversation, part trip down memory lane… and a whole lot of golf.

• Enjoying the show? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if you’re feeling generous. For more episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and updates, visithttp://www.thegolfingceo.comhttp://thegolfingceo.com.
• Like what you heard? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform—and leave us a review if you're enjoying the show. More episodes are on the way. In the meantime, explore past conversations and share with anyone who believes that chasing greatness might just require a healthy dose of delusion.

In the triad of the USGA’s biggest events every year, the Mid-Amateur is, in theory, the “easiest” to qualify for, thanks to its age restriction of 25 or older. But not so fast. Even mid-amateurs can play some damn good golf.

Join Derek and his dad, Joe, as they recap Derek’s final qualifier of the summer, both before and after the round from the car, as well as on-course audio captured during some of the key moments. It was an action-packed day that neither of them will soon forget.

• Enjoying the show? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if you’re feeling generous. For more episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and updates, visithttp://www.thegolfingceo.comhttp://thegolfingceo.com.
• Like what you heard? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform—and leave us a review if you're enjoying the show. More episodes are on the way. In the meantime, explore past conversations and share with anyone who believes that chasing greatness might just require a healthy dose of delusion.

When American Junior Golf Association Executive Director Stephen Hamblin stepped into the role 42 years ago, the AJGA had a broken-down van, a dozen annual events, five full-time employees, and an operating budget of just $200,000. Today, the AJGA has grown by 10x to 100x in nearly every measurable category… and all under Hamblin’s leadership. Join Derek and Stephen for a fun and memorable conversation about the past, present, and future of junior golf, and discover why the junior golf movement was well underway before Tiger Woods’ iconic 1997 victory at The Masters.

• Enjoying the show? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if you’re feeling generous. For more episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and updates, visithttp://www.thegolfingceo.comhttp://thegolfingceo.com.

• Like what you heard? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform—and leave us a review if you're enjoying the show. More episodes are on the way. In the meantime, explore past conversations and share with anyone who believes that chasing greatness might just require a healthy dose of delusion.

Episode 7 of The Golfing CEO finds Derek on the precipice of one of the biggest achievements in any amateur golfer’s season, maybe even over an entire amateur career in golf… qualifying for the United States Amateur Championship. Join Derek and his caddie, Ray Day, as they recap the action from Dallas National Golf Club, where Derek is only 18 holes away from Merion Golf Club, and everything that comes with playing in America’s oldest organized golf tournament.

• Enjoying the show? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if you’re feeling generous. For more episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and updates, visithttp://www.thegolfingceo.com.

• Like what you heard? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform—and leave us a review if you're enjoying the show. More episodes are on the way. In the meantime, explore past conversations and share with anyone who believes that chasing greatness might just require a healthy dose of delusion.

Episode 6 of The Golfing CEO features one of our most recognizable guests yet: acclaimed writer, director, producer, and actor Ed Burns, whose latest independent film, Finnegan's Foursome, brings the game of golf to the big screen. Join Derek and Ed as they discuss the inspiration behind the film, Ed's life and career on and off the course, and why golf has a way of bringing together family, friendships, and unforgettable stories.

• Enjoying the show? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if you’re feeling generous. For more episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and updates, visithttp://www.thegolfingceo.com.
• Like what you heard? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform—and leave us a review if you're enjoying the show. More episodes are on the way. In the meantime, explore past conversations and share with anyone who believes that chasing greatness might just require a healthy dose of delusion.

Episode 5 of The Golfing CEO turns the microphone on Derek's own competitive golf journey. Joined once again by his instructor, Cory Scoggin, Derek relives the highs, lows, and biggest moments from the first stage of qualifying for the U.S. Amateur. Together, they break down Derek's annual spring and summer tournament season as he pursues one of golf's toughest tests.

• Enjoying the show? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if you’re feeling generous. For more episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and updates, visithttp://www.thegolfingceo.com.
• Like what you heard? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform—and leave us a review if you're enjoying the show. More episodes are on the way. In the meantime, explore past conversations and share with anyone who believes that chasing greatness might just require a healthy dose of delusion.

Episode 4 of The Golfing CEO features Jay Karen, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association and one of the golf industry's leading advocates and thought leaders. Join Derek and Jay as they discuss the golf industry's annual trip to Capitol Hill for National Golf Day, the business realities facing public and private golf courses, and why participation, innovation, and new audiences are giving plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future of the game.

• Enjoying the show? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if you’re feeling generous. For more episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and updates, visithttp://www.thegolfingceo.com.

• Like what you heard? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform—and leave us a review if you're enjoying the show. More episodes are on the way. In the meantime, explore past conversations and share with anyone who believes that chasing greatness might just require a healthy dose of delusion.

Episode 3 of The Golfing CEO features a guest who almost perfectly embodies the title of this podcast: Scott McNealy, co-founder and former CEO of Sun Microsystems, and father of PGA TOUR standout Maverick McNealy, as well as three other boys who reached higher levels of golf than most of us can only dream about. Join Derek and Scott as they discuss leadership, competition, using golf as a strategic business tool, and why Scott chose to put four boys in the same bedroom, even though there was plenty of room not to.

• Enjoying the show? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if you’re feeling generous. For more episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and updates, visithttp://www.thegolfingceo.com.
• Like what you heard? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform—and leave us a review if you're enjoying the show. More episodes are on the way. In the meantime, explore past conversations and share with anyone who believes that chasing greatness might just require a healthy dose of delusion.

It’s Season 2, Episode 2 of The Golfing CEO, and Derek has the pleasure of sitting down with Hrag Hamalian, CEO of the TGR Foundation. Founded by Tiger Woods in 1996, the organization has impacted more than 300,000 students and educators through education and STEAM-based learning programs focused on underserved communities. Join Derek and Hrag as they talk about Hrag’s “delusional” foray into education, where TGR is going from here, and why he finally understands the obsession that so many golfers have with the game.

• Enjoying the show? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if you’re feeling generous. For more episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and updates, visithttp://www.thegolfingceo.com.

• Like what you heard? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform—and leave us a review if you're enjoying the show. More episodes are on the way. In the meantime, explore past conversations and share with anyone who believes that chasing greatness might just require a healthy dose of delusion.

• If you enjoyed our conversation with Hrag, visit the TGR Foundation website to learn more about the amazing work they’re doing every day and how you can get involved.

Welcome back to Season 2 of The Golfing CEO, where Derek Belch explores how far dreams, drive, and a dose of delusion can take us in the pursuit of the impossible. Joining him to kick off the second season of the pod is former Oracle President & COO Ray Lane, who invested in Derek’s company nearly ten years ago and has sat on Strivr’s board ever since. Join Derek and Ray as they talk about Ray’s decision to take the Oracle job (despite strong opposition from his personal network), why he chose to go into Venture Capital (again, despite conventional wisdom from those around him), and what makes for a successful startup.

• Enjoying the show? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if you’re feeling generous. For more episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and updates, visithttp://www.thegolfingceo.com.

• Like what you heard? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform—and leave us a review if you're enjoying the show. More episodes are on the way. In the meantime, explore past conversations and share with anyone who believes that chasing greatness might just require a healthy dose of delusion.

It's Season 2 of The Golfing CEO, and Derek is back and just as delusional as ever. This season will feature 18 bi-weekly episodes with more amazing guests, who are eager to share their stories, both told and untold, on and off the course.

In the final episode of Season 1, Derek and co-founder & COO Michael Manuccia wrap up the story of Strivr’s first two years in business — this time with help from two of the company’s earliest employees who lived it day-in and day-out… Mike Colucci and Peter Murray.

From spending endless days on NFL practice fields to creating virtual reality content for the U.S. National Soccer and Ski teams, Mike and Peter share what it was like to be “boots on the ground” during Strivr’s scrappy, early days. Together, the group reflects on the realities of building something from nothing, the chaos that comes with growth, and why Strivr’s early hiring practices were… let’s just say, unconventional.

It’s a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the moments, lessons, and people that shaped Strivr from the very beginning.

• For more information about Strivr, check out http://www.strivr.com.
• For more information about Strivr’s latest product launch, check out http://workwise.strivr.com.
• Enjoying The Golfing CEO? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if you’re feeling generous. For more episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and updates, visithttp://www.thegolfingceo.com.
• Like what you heard? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform—and leave us a review if you're enjoying the show. More episodes are on the way. In the meantime, explore past conversations and share with anyone who believes that chasing greatness might just require a healthy dose of delusion.

Have you ever wondered what drives someone to make a wholesale career change — not once, but multiple times across a lifetime? In this episode, Derek sits down with Joe Moglia, whose journey from longtime collegiate football coach to Wall Street executive to football coach again is one of the most unconventional and inspirational “rags to riches” stories you’ll hear.

Joe passionately shares why pivoting between industries is not as crazy as it seems when you truly understand who you are, the skills you bring, and the capabilities required to succeed in any role — even roles as big as the ones he’s mastered throughout his remarkable life and career.

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• To learn more about Joe Moglia’s life and career, click here.

• Enjoying The Golfing CEO? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if you’re feeling generous. For more episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and updates, visithttp://www.thegolfingceo.com.

• Like what you heard? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform—and leave us a review if you're enjoying the show. More episodes are on the way. In the meantime, explore past conversations and share with anyone who believes that chasing greatness might just require a healthy dose of delusion.

We’ve heard from some big-name NFL players this season — but what about everyone else who plays the game? What’s life really like for them, before, during, and after their time on the field?

In today’s episode, Derek sits down with one of his closest friends, Evan Moore, for a raw and reflective conversation. Evan opens up about battling injuries in college, battling to make an NFL roster, and how one life-changing conversation with a former coach changed everything as he transitioned to life after football.

• To listen to Evan’s podcast, “The SZN with Nick Foles & Evan Moore”, click here.

• Enjoying The Golfing CEO? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if you’re feeling generous. For more episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and updates, visithttp://www.thegolfingceo.com.

• Like what you heard? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform—and leave us a review if you're enjoying the show. More episodes are on the way. In the meantime, explore past conversations and share with anyone who believes that chasing greatness might just require a healthy dose of delusion.

We’re nearing the end of Season 1 of The Golfing CEO, and there’s still one big “delusion” we haven’t unpacked — Derek’s belief that he will one day achieve an exit. Well, that’s all about to change, as today’s episode dives into the founding story of Strivr, told by the people who lived it. Join Derek as he sits down with two of his closest friends and co-founders, Michael Manuccia and Trent Edwards.

It’s a journey packed with big ideas, big promises to some of the biggest names in college and professional football, and the kind of big swings that only a startup in its earliest days can take. From the scrappy beginnings to the pivotal moments that helped Strivr pioneer virtual reality in the sports world, this conversation shares a candid look at how it all started — and how those early decisions paved the way for everything that came next.

• For more information about Strivr, check out http://www.strivr.com.
• For more information about Strivr’s latest product launch, check out http://workwise.strivr.com.
• Enjoying the show? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if you’re feeling generous. For more episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and updates, visithttp://www.thegolfingceo.com.
• Like what you heard? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform—and leave us a review if you're enjoying the show. More episodes are on the way. In the meantime, explore past conversations and share with anyone who believes that chasing greatness might just require a healthy dose of delusion

It’s Derek’s final individual stroke-play qualifier of the year — and this time, he’s bringing backup. Derek enlists his cousin-in-law, Mike Kelly, to serve as caddie and on-course correspondent to capture every moment.

Join them for the “before,” “during,” and “after” of the round as Derek takes one last shot in 2025 at chipping away at his ongoing bet with Carson.

• Enjoying the show? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if you’re feeling generous. For more episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and updates, visithttp://www.thegolfingceo.com.

• Like what you heard? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform—and leave us a review if you're enjoying the show. More episodes are on the way. In the meantime, explore past conversations and share with anyone who believes that chasing greatness might just require a healthy dose of delusion.

It’s episode 13 of The Golfing CEO, and today’s guest is another “chance connection” who fortuitously found his way to the show after it launched. Join Derek and author, speaker, and executive coach, Casey Jacox, as they dive into all things sales, entrepreneurship, and – yes – parenting!

In addition to his “day job” helping people and organizations elevate performance, Casey also hosts The QB Dadcast, a podcast dedicated to the ups and downs of being a dad. And since Casey’s son is a college golfer, you know there’ll be plenty of golf talk, too.

• Enjoying the show? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if you’re feeling generous. For more episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and updates, visithttp://www.thegolfingceo.com.

• Like what you heard? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform—and leave us a review if you're enjoying the show. More episodes are on the way. In the meantime, explore past conversations and share with anyone who believes that chasing greatness might just require a healthy dose of delusion.

• For more about Casey Jacox and his myriad professional endeavors, visit his website at http://www.caseyjacox.com
• For a direct link to Casey’s book, Win the Relationship, Not the Deal, visit https://amzn.to/3ek4Rqn
• For a direct link to Casey’s podcast, The QB Dadcast, visit https://www.caseyjacox.com/podcast