In tennis, everything can shift in a moment. A ball scrapes over the net, an unlikely sprint pays off, belief flickers—and suddenly, momentum swings. For Grand Slam champion and Former World No. 1 Stan Smith, chasing every ball wasn’t just a tactic—it was a mindset.
“You may not get there,” he tells young athletes, “but if you don’t start, you have no chance.”
Smith’s legacy stretches far beyond Wimbledon. From inspiring millions through the iconic Adidas sneaker that bears his name to mentoring young players at his academy and leading through faith and service, his journey is one of reinvention and purpose. Alongside longtime business partner Gary Niebur—a former tennis pro turned entrepreneur—they’ve spent three decades creating unforgettable corporate experiences that blend elite sports with transformational relationship-building.
In Winning Trust: How to Create Moments That Matter, Smith and Niebur reveal the S-E-R-V-E framework they’ve used to lead, connect, and earn trust at the highest levels of sport and business.
In this episode, you will learn:
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How to redefine victory through personal bests
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Why your best match might still end in a loss—and why that’s okay
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How to volley ideas with your team and arrive at better solutions together
Resources:
- Order your copy of Stan and Gary’s new book Winning Trust: How to Create Moments the Matter
- Create a memorable experience for your most valuable relationships with Stan Smith Events
- Connect with Gary Niebur on LinkedIN
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Greg Brenneman
“Don, you have mastered the skill of interviewing and asking great questions. That is a great skill all leaders need in order to understand their team members’ thought processes.”
John C. Maxwell
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Simon Sinek
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Beth Brooke
“The ability for athletes to get hired is carried on through you because you are putting out the message that lessons learned from sports are important in life. It is embedded in this podcast, what you’re doing is significant.”
Rick Hendrick
“We speak the same language. I am inspired by the stories you tell, the people you have met, and the things you’ve done. Those of us that are competitors like to follow others that have been down that journey, so it is always fun talking to you!”
Bill George
“Many of the leaders I have worked with were excellent athletes, and I think there is a direct correlation. You’re one of the few people that really has pursued this study, Don. Keep up the great work. What you are doing really makes a difference.”
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