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

Episode Title: Slowing Down to Get Ahead: The Power of Rest, Reflection, and Resetting Your Game Plan

Episode Summary:
In this episode of the Clean Play Podcast, Chris and I dive into a counterintuitive truth: sometimes the fastest way to move forward is to slow down. We explore why rest isn’t just a luxury—it’s a competitive advantage in sobriety, business, and life. From sports analogies to personal stories, we unpack how taking a strategic pause can sharpen your focus, strengthen your self-trust, and align your actions with your purpose.

Whether you’re navigating early sobriety, growing a business, or chasing a personal goal, this conversation will help you rethink the pace you’re keeping—and give you permission to pause without guilt.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How slowing down can actually accelerate your progress.

• The link between recovery (in both sports and sobriety) and sustainable performance.

• Practical ways to integrate rest and reflection into your routine without losing momentum.

• Why “doing less” can sometimes be the most productive move you make.

• How to spot the warning signs that you’re pushing too hard—and what to do instead.

Why This Episode Matters:
In a culture that glorifies the grind, rest can feel like weakness. But just like elite athletes schedule recovery days to perform at their best, we too need moments to reset and regroup. This episode is your playbook for building those moments into your own game plan—so you can stay in the arena for the long haul.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Follow Clean Play Coaching on Instagram: @CleanPlayCoaching

• Learn more about coaching with me: Clean Play Coaching Website

• Previous episode: Playing the Long Game in Sobriety

Listen Now:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts |

Why In-Person Connection Still Matters: Lessons from Our NYC Meetup

Episode Summary:
Sometimes the moments that change us the most aren’t about the place—they’re about the people. In this episode, Chris and I unpack our recent trip to New York: the energy, the unexpected lessons, and the way in-person connection can deepen relationships in a way no Zoom meeting ever could.

We share stories about seeing the city through fresh eyes, embracing help when it’s offered, and the joy (and challenge) of stepping outside your comfort zone. From recovery takeaways to sports metaphors, this episode is all about why showing up—physically, fully, and vulnerably—matters.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why accepting help and love can be harder than it sounds—and why it’s worth practicing

• How in-person experiences strengthen community in ways virtual connection can’t

• The importance of doing things that scare you (and how that builds resilience)

• How staying around “new players” keeps your passion alive, both in sports and sobriety

• Why shared meals, small moments, and physical presence create lasting bonds

Links & Resources:

• Follow Clean Play Coaching on Instagram: @CleanPlayCoaching

• Learn more about coaching with me: Clean Play Coaching Website

• Listen to past episodes: Podcast Archive

How to Support the Show:
If this conversation resonates, share it with a friend who needs encouragement to step out of their comfort zone. And if you haven’t already, rate and review the podcast—it helps more people find our sports-meets-sobriety conversations

Why In-Person Connection Will Always Be Worth the Effort

Episode Summary:
Virtual connection is easy, but it can’t replace the magic of showing up in person. In this episode, Chris and I reflect on our recent trip to New York—our first live podcast recording together—and the lessons it taught us about community, courage, and letting people help you.

We share the moments that stuck with us most: hugging friends we’d only seen on screen, seeing Times Square through someone else’s eyes, and realizing that accepting help and love can be harder than it sounds. Whether you’re an athlete, in recovery, or building a business, this conversation will inspire you to make more space for face-to-face connection in your life.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why in-person connection deepens trust and strengthens bonds

• How to receive help without guilt or resistance

• The value of doing things that scare you

• Why surrounding yourself with “new players” keeps your passion alive

• How to be intentional about creating shared experiences

Links & Resources:

• Follow Clean Play Coaching on Instagram: @CleanPlayCoaching

• Learn more about coaching with me: Clean Play Coaching Website

• Listen to past episodes: Podcast Archive

Support the Show:
If you loved this conversation, share it with a friend who could use some encouragement to get out from behind the screen and connect in person. And don’t forget to leave a rating and review—it helps others find the podcast.

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of the Clean Play Podcast, Anne and Chris sit down with returning guest—and now official “star player”—Jamie Magnet. Jamie is a writer, creator, entrepreneur, and sober queer human who has just celebrated a huge milestone: four years free from alcohol and cocaine, and nearly two years cannabis-free.

Jamie opens up about her path to sobriety, the role of harm reduction in her recovery, and how creativity has been both a healing practice and a lifeline. From poetry and painting to Zumba classes and joyful freestyle dancing, Jamie shares how connecting with her inner child has helped her navigate grief, change, and the spectrum of big emotions without returning to substances.

You’ll hear us dive into:

• The power of harm reduction and why “all or nothing” isn’t the only way to recover
  

• How creativity—whether through art, movement, or unexpected outlets—can ground and sustain sobriety
  

• The connection between sports, emotion, and personal growth
  

• Why anger, when harnessed, can be a tool rather than a threat
  

• Finding joy in the moment instead of chasing a distant “finish line”
  

• What four years sober has really taught Jamie about showing up for herself
  

If you’ve ever wondered how to keep going when the road feels long, or how to find joy and expression in the sober journey, Jamie’s story will leave you inspired and encouraged.

Resources & Links:

• Follow Jamie’s writing and art on Substack
  

• Learn more about The Mocktail School’s NA mixology workshops at The Sans Bar
  

• Connect with Anne at Clean Play Coaching at www.cleanplaycoaching.com

In this inspiring Season 2 premiere of the Clean Play Podcast, Anne and Chris sit down with bestselling author, speaker, and alcohol-free empowerment coach Karolina Rzadkowolska

for a powerful conversation about courage, purpose, and what it really means to live an extraordinary life.

Karolina shares her journey from “weekend drinker” to seven years alcohol-free, revealing how Dry January sparked a transformation that went far beyond what was in her glass. She opens up about the deep connection between fulfillment, self-trust, and the courage to begin before you feel ready—whether you’re chasing a dream, building a business, or redefining your relationship with alcohol.

Drawing on her own path and coaching work, Karolina explains why going alcohol-free can be an initiation into your highest potential, how irrational confidence can be your secret weapon, and why mastery—just like in sports—comes from consistent, courageous action.

This episode is for athletes, entrepreneurs, and anyone ready to stop playing small, get out of their comfort zone, and step fully into the life they were meant to live.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why courage—not confidence—is the real first step toward your goals
  

• How alcohol-free living can unlock purpose, creativity, and self-leadership
  

• The power of irrational confidence and growth mindset in sports, sobriety, and entrepreneurship
  

• How to identify your true desires beyond the “shoulds” of life
  

• Why living alcohol-free should be the status symbol of the future
  

Resources & Links:

• Karolina’s book: Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain a Happier, More Confident You
  

• Follow Karolina on Instagram: @euphoric.af⁠

• Learn more about Anne’s coaching: www.cleanplaycoaching.com
  

• Mocktail School (Season Sponsor): mocktailschool.com