Season 2 Finale Special Edition: Theo Robertson Interview

09/23/20 • 70 min

TJ kicks off the episodes by talking about some of Theo's accolades (:30). Theo talks about his transition to coaching after injuries ended his playing career (1:16) and how difficult that was to accept (3:18). TJ and Theo discuss Theo's election into the De La Salle High School Hall of Fame (6:34). Theo explains how he realized he wanted to become a coach while he was working for the Pac-12 Conference (9:17) and what his introduction was like to the administrative side of athletics when he went back to Cal (11:51). He talks about what his biggest takeaways were from his initial days coaching at Cal (13:26) and how he landed his first role with the Golden State Warriors (14:54). TJ asks what exactly Player Development entails in the NBA (17:54) and how you can develop a veteran (19:40). TJ then asks if playing with the team at practice makes up for not having an opportunity to play in the NBA (22:03). Theo explains what an NBA practice day is like for the players (23:56), for himself (27:25) and what scouting in the NBA is like (29:57). They discuss Theo joining Luke Walton's staff on the Lakers (32:22), what that experience was like (35:30) and why he left after just one year (37:25). He then talks about his experience going back to coach at Cal for a year (39:52) and his time coaching with Team USA basketball (41:40). TJ shares a story about Steve Kerr and Jeff Van Gundy and gets Theo's reaction to it (44:05). Theo talks about getting a second opportunity with the Warriors (46:19), the biggest difference in his current role from his old one (48:09) and what it is like working with rookies instead of veterans (50:40). TJ and Theo talk about the development of Eric Paschall (53:14) and how Theo's approach to the year changed with the Warriors having to play their rookies more than expected (56:25). TJ asks what Theo's role will look like next year (59:10), what kind of input he has on the roster (1:00:40) and what it is like being in the new Chase arena (1:02:05). They revisit Theo's college days and he talks about his interests outside of basketball at Cal (1:04:34). Theo explains what his role is on the Board of Directors for the Big C Society at Cal (1:06:13). Lastly, he discusses his future goals (1:07:57).

Previous Episode

Raven Saunders Interview

The show starts off with all of Raven's accolades showing just how dominant of an athlete she is (0:29). TJ and Raven discuss the 2016 Rio Olympics: what the transition was like from competing against collegiate athletes to the best in the world (1:42), what the feeling was like when she first stepped into the stadium to compete (2:33), her favorite memories from the Olympics (3:08) and how difficult it was to have to wait to compete until the second half of the Olympic Games (4:15). TJ asks Raven what it is like to have a day named after her (5:19). She then talks about why she went back to compete collegiately post Olympics instead of going pro (6:39), what she took back to college with her from her experience at the Olympics (7:43) and what it was like watching her USA teammate, Michelle Carter, win gold (8:55). TJ and Raven then discuss her battle with depression (11:01). She talks about reaching out to an old therapist as a last ditch effort (14:12), why people experiencing depression feel the need to hide their depression (15:55), how hard it was to admit she needed help (17:12), her daily battle with depression (18:55), her advice to others (20:44), and her work with the group Well Beings and the impact it has had on her (22:24). They discuss her 80-pound weight loss and the difference it has made in her training (25:24). TJ asks Raven how she got the nickname "Hulk" (28:34). They talk about her high school career including: her basketball dreams and how those switched to track and field dreams (29:35) and the impact her high school coach had on her (30:56). Raven discusses the impact the postponement of the Olympics due to COVID has had on her mentally (32:46), what the mood was like around the Olympic Training Center when COVID hit (33:49), the physical impact it has had on her training (34:58) and the impact it has had on college student-athletes (37:01). Raven talks about her expectations for the upcoming season (38:36), her coaching experience down in Southern California (39:59), and going back to school to finish her degree (40:56). TJ and Raven breakdown the event of shot put. Raven gives her takes on the most difficult part about the event (42:50) and the what would be the biggest surprise to fans about shot put (43:43). TJ also asks Raven about her strength levels after her weight loss (44:29), what her favorite event to watch is (46:10) how much she considers herself a showman while competing (47:24), and her interests outside of track and field (48:32). Lastly, TJ asks Raven what she wants her legacy to be (49:59).

Next Episode

Special Episode: Ato Boldon Interview Part 1

TJ lists some highlights of Ato's impressive resume (:53). Ato talks about his favorite moment in his running career (1:47) and what it was like running as the veteran on the Trinidad and Tobago team near the end of his career (4:07). He then tells the story of how a psychic played into his races in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (5:52). TJ asks Ato why he decided to make a life long career out of track and field (10:17). Next they discuss the misconception that any fast athlete in the NFL has world class speed and could make an Olympic team. Ato describes what he considers "world class speed" (12:39) and why there is this misconception about NFL athletes (15:36). TJ asks Ato how this attention, even though it may be misguided, affects track and field (17:33) and what kind of effect someone like Tyreek Hill running in the Olympic Trials would have on the sport of Track and Field (21:34). They refocus on Ato's life as he talks about how the street he grew up on was named after him (23:55). TJ asks about the difficulty of moving to a different country at the age of 14 (26:19). Ato discusses how his track career began (28:56), a story about causing himself to be left off of a relay team for the Penn Relays in high school (31:14) and why he went to a junior college before attending UCLA despite being highly recruited (33:33). Lastly, Ato talks about how he got the nickname of Golden Boldon at a young age (35:35).