Stop Consuming. Start Creating.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, drained, or like life after sport has lost its spark, this one’s for you. Mark Cuban once said, “Humans were designed to create. This is why you get depressed when all you do is consume.” In this episode, Anne and Chris break down what that means for athletes, sober folks, and anyone trying to rebuild their identity beyond the scoreboard.

Instead of sitting on the sidelines watching everyone else play, what would it look like to create your own version of the game? From basketball practice to writing books, from sobriety to showing up in meetings—you’ll hear how discipline, repetition, and creativity actually feed each other.

• Why athletes struggle when they stop “creating” through sport—and how to reclaim that spark in sobriety. • The difference between watching from the stands and actually getting in the game of your own life. • How discipline and repetition unlock creativity (yes, even off the court). • Why passive consumption (scrolling, watching, lurking) leaves you unfulfilled—and what to do instead. • Practical ways to shift from “sideline mode” to actively creating your own path in life after sport.

If you’re tired of just consuming and ready to step back into the game—press play now.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why athletes struggle when they stop “creating” through sport—and how to reclaim that spark in sobriety. • The difference between watching from the stands and actually getting in the game of your own life. • How discipline and repetition unlock creativity (yes, even off the court). • Why passive consumption (scrolling, watching, lurking) leaves you unfulfilled—and what to do instead. • Practical ways to shift from “sideline mode” to actively creating your own path in life after sport.

If you’re tired of just consuming and ready to step back into the game—press play now.

Resources & Links:

• Connect with Anne: www.cleanplaycoaching.com
  

• Learn more about Chris’s work:

  https://www.thesansbar.com/

In this episode of the Clean Play Podcast, Chris and Anne dive deep into the concept of “staying in the gym”—the discipline of showing up consistently for your growth, whether you’re training for a championship, building a sober life, or leading yourself through personal transformation.

From football season anticipation to obscure but entertaining sports (tortilla slapping, anyone?), the conversation flows into the parallels between athletic preparation and life’s bigger challenges. Anne and Chris share personal stories about proximity, persistence, and why the basics matter more than the highlight reel.

They unpack:

• Why “staying in the gym” is about mindset as much as skill
  

• The difference between showing up and really showing up
  

• How possibility doesn’t guarantee success—but success can’t happen without it
  

• The trap of chasing external validation and how to root growth internally
  

• Lessons from Kobe Bryant, Ja Morant, and unexpected moments of opportunity
  

• How to avoid burnout in sobriety, sports, and personal development
  

Whether you’re a coach, an athlete, or someone navigating life’s transitions, this episode will challenge you to think differently about discipline, growth, and purpose.

Resources & Links:

• Clean Play Coaching – Download your Unleash Your Mamba free guide and sign up for your complimentary scouting report at www.cleanplaycoaching.com
  

• The Mocktail School – Learn the art of crafting alcohol-free cocktails with Chris Marshall and mixologist Lila Vulcas at The Sans Bar
  

Listen now and find out why staying close to the work—your “gym”—is the secret to lasting transformation.

Title: Slowing Down to Get Ahead

Description:
In this episode, Chris and I dive deep into a counterintuitive truth we’ve both lived in sports, sobriety, business, and life: sometimes the fastest way forward is to slow down. From the pace of an NBA Finals game to the lessons of a NASCAR track, we explore how intentional pacing builds clarity, confidence, and long-term success.

We share personal stories—like the time I learned to stop trying to play like someone else and lean into my own strengths, and the moment Chris’s rush to keep up with others cost him $10K during the pandemic. We also talk about identity, running your own race, and why blocking out the noise (both criticism and praise) is key to staying true to yourself.

Whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or simply trying to live a more intentional life, this conversation will challenge you to think about how you’re setting your pace—and remind you that slowing down isn’t the same as falling behind.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why pace is a critical skill in sports and in life

• How rushing from a place of fear can cost you—literally and emotionally

• The difference between slowing down because you’re unprepared vs. because you have a plan

• How to block out external pressure and stay true to your identity

• Why clarity only comes when you’re willing to pause

• The unexpected ways rest can actually accelerate your progress

Links & Resources:

• Chris’s book: Faster Than Light – [Available wherever books are sold]

• Follow me on Instagram: [@CleanPlayCoaching]

• Follow Chris on Instagram: [@SandsBar]

How you can support the podcast:

• Leave a rating & review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

• Follow, comment, and share on social media—it’s free and helps more people find us

• Share this episode with a friend who needs a reminder to slow down