The Power of Collaboration and Community with Danielle Berman

Everybody has a story to share. And there's something to be learned from every experience we encounter in life. Our journey defines who we are, and our decisions establish who we become. However, we are all prone to failure and committing mistakes as we walk through the path we seek to follow – especially first-generation achievers. They are the people from various fields who have little guidance, resources, and opportunities when they struggle to achieve their goals and dreams.

Sharing our story is one of the greatest gifts we can give to the world. And that every story is valuable enough to be heard and impact many lives. Sometimes there are resources and opportunities around us that we fail to see and leverage because we have no one to look up to for guidance. For instance, in sports, athletes get empowered. They tend to become more likely to succeed through knowing others' stories, struggles, disappointments, and the things they wish they knew while striving for their goals. Understanding how people from our chosen fields face struggles and conquer obstacles makes us more alive, courageous, and enthusiastic.

Danielle Berman is an athlete, entrepreneur, and consultant who works daily to build relationships and share stories. She loves the opportunity to connect people, bring people together and solve problems. Danielle serves as an event management consultant, where she helps people share their expertise, value, and perspectives to reach people both at online events and in-person experiences. Danielle has nearly a decade of experience supporting athletes in their lives outside of sports. She specializes in creating impactful partnerships between athletes and nonprofits, event management, and cause marketing campaigns. She founded Tackle What's Next to change the narrative for athletes around life after sports. It is the leading resource for athlete career transition. Through storytelling, the power of conversation, and sharing perspectives, she aims to open doors, build connections and motivate athletes to leverage their athletic experience into opportunities for what's next.

In this special episode with Danielle Berman, we'll learn about the journey of a woman who seeks to raise awareness, share resources, and build a community around what's next in life after sports. She aims to share the challenges and many opportunities available to every athlete in their next chapter.

"And I think it's helpful to talk to athletes in your sport and other sports to understand and know that you're not the only one struggling. Experiences can be good or bad, but that camaraderie of being a college or professional athlete, there's a lot of value confined in just sharing stories." – Danielle Berman

Topics Covered:

(00:00:00) Introduction + Episode Snippet

(00:00:19) Introducing our special guest, Danielle Berman

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(00:02:27) A passionate athlete: What led Danielle to the work that she's doing

(00:04:34) Working towards a goal: Being around the action

(00:06:47) Building community of former and current athletes: How did it start?

(00:08:15) Leveraging resources for athletes after sports

(00:09:27) Connection and Community vs. Job and Opportunities

(00:11:12) The impact of the pandemic: How did virtual events begin?

(00:13:38) Athletes are genuinely their brand.

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(00:14:55) The value of sharing your story and learning from other's

(00:15:35) Aiming to help the next generation struggle less.

(00:17:42) The importance of athletes relating to each other

(00:18:26) What were Danielle's most significant accomplishments working with athletes?

(00:20:33) The virtual summit: How do people get involved?

(00:21:16) Final TimeOut with Danielle Berman: How would you advise a person paralyzed by fear to step up and put dreams into action?

(00:22:21) You're a unique individual

(00:24:45) Be ready to take the leap

(00:23:33) Get started! It is the perfect action

(00:24:28) Connect with Danielle Berman.

Key Takeaways: 

"I knew I wanted to be in sports, but I wasn't going to make it to a high-level playing sport." – Danielle Berman

My excitement about sports is always like the team, bonding and being able to be a part of something. I think working in sports gives you that same sense of team and working towards a goal." – Danielle Berman

"It's fun to see behind the scenes a little bit and see what people are doing off the court. To know their goals, passions and help them get there." – Danielle Berman

"I think the big thing we found is that people were excited to share their stories, whether they played football, soccer, basketball, or ran track. Whatever it was, these men and women were eager to share and help the next generation of athletes." – Danielle Berman

"Athletes are truly their brand. Once an athlete discovers their power in social media or builds their platform. So, if you're willing to use your platform to promote yourself, especially in a positive manner, your words and story are truly needed." – Dr. Derrick Burgess

"Athletes want to share their story not just to promote themselves but also to help that next generation struggle less." – Danielle Berman

"Being able to relate with each other is one of the most important things about building community for athletes. Being able to be surrounded by like-minded people is very powerful, especially when you can take down that shield and take off the armor and just be yourself and not have to be bravado or whatever it is to feel like you have to be that perfect individual." – Dr. Derrick Burgess

"Our biggest accomplishment so far has just been bringing people together. I think I've been so blown away by the support we've gotten, that the relationships we've been able to build and collaboration we've been able to achieve with other organizations in the same space and people doing similar work." – Danielle Berman

"You never know who's watching you and who's taking an example from you. I think to say that it already exists. Do it better, reach out, connect, collaborate, find the gap that this one thing that exists doesn't fill." – Danielle Berman

"If you have a great idea and you want to do something and make a difference, get started and reach out to those people that are already doing it." – Danielle Berman

"You're never going to be ready. You're never going to feel perfectly prepared; you have to start. And it will guide you a little about where to go from there. So, leap if you feel like you're ready on your own." – Danielle Berman

"Today is better than waiting to be perfect tomorrow or down the road because you will never be perfect in your first attempt at anything. Striving for perfection is good, but we want to have action." – Danielle Berman

"Your journey is the more important part to define who you are than trying to strive to be perfect and package everything before you present it." – Danielle Berman

Connect with Danielle Berman:

Website: https://www.tacklewhatsnext.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tacklewhatsnext

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tacklewhatsnext; https://twitter.com/danielleberman

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tackle-what-s-next/;

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielleberman1/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacklewhatsnext/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tacklewhatsnext/

Connect with Dr. Derrick Burgess:

Website: https://www.drderrickthesportsdr.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drderrickthesportsdr/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TimeOut.SportsDr

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrick-burgess-72047b246/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHGDu1zT4K_X6PnYELu8weg

Email: thesportsdoctr@gmail.com

This episode of TimeOut with the SportsDr. is produced by Podcast VAs Philippines - the team that helps podcasters effectively launch and manage their podcasts, so we don't have to. Record, share, and repeat! Podcast VAs PH gives me back my time so that I can focus on the core functions of my business. Need expert help with your podcast? Go to www.podcastvasph.com.