Episodes

  • Episode 24 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - Adam Small

    Episode 24 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - Adam Small
    Dec 23 2025
    On this episode of H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) we sit down with endurance athlete, ultrarunner, and trailblazer Adam Small. Adam shares the powerful story of how he found his passion for pushing limits, the challenges he faced along the way, and what it truly takes to persevere when life throws its toughest obstacles at you. From early starts to life-shaping moments, Adam breaks down the mindset, habits, and experiences that shaped his journey into the athlete and person he is today. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that proves where you are now is just one chapter in the story of who you’re becoming. Subscribe for more stories from changemakers and high achievers If you’re inspired by this episode please like and share
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    55 mins
  • Episode 23 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - Toby Bucsescu

    Episode 23 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - Toby Bucsescu
    Dec 16 2025
    In Episode 23 of the H.I.G.H. Podcast, host Trevis Waters sits down with Toby Bucsescu, co-founder and CEO of Blitz:Draft, to break down his journey as a startup founder in the fantasy sports and sports tech space. Toby shares how he went from idea to execution, the challenges of building a fantasy sports platform in a crowded market, and what it really takes to launch, scale, and lead a fast-growing tech company. This episode dives deep into entrepreneurship, product development, fundraising lessons, and the mindset required to win long term. If you are interested in startups, fantasy sports, sports betting adjacent tech, or founder stories, this episode delivers real insights with zero fluff. Topics covered in this episode: • How Toby Bucsescu got started in entrepreneurship • Building Blitz:Draft and differentiating in fantasy sports • Startup challenges and early mistakes founders should avoid • Leadership, decision making, and scaling a tech platform • Advice for aspiring founders and operators H.I.G.H. stands for How I Got Here, a podcast focused on honest conversations with builders, founders, and high performers about the paths that shaped their success. ⸻ Watch, like, and subscribe for weekly founder stories and real conversations about business, betting, sports, and personal growth. Follow the show: H.I.G.H. Podcast with Trevis Waters
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    47 mins
  • Episode 22 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - Alim Charaniya

    Episode 22 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - Alim Charaniya
    Dec 9 2025
    Episode 22 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - Alim Charaniya
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Episode 21 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - Scott Hoyt

    Episode 21 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - Scott Hoyt
    Dec 2 2025
    H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast — Episode 21 Guest: Scott Hoyt Welcome back to the H.I.G.H. Podcast — where we explore the journeys, struggles, and breakthroughs that shape who we become. In Episode 21, I sit down with longtime betting and analytics veteran Scott Hoyt. Scott shares his personal story: how he got started, what shaped his approach to sports betting and analytics, and the mindset that keeps him grinding even when the odds aren’t favorable. Whether you’re new to betting or an experienced bettor, this episode is packed with insights on discipline, risk management, and building mental resilience. Scott breaks down what it really takes to succeed long-term, both at the sportsbooks and in life. What you’ll get out of this episode: Scott’s origin story and what led him to pursue betting and analytics The thinking behind his betting philosophy and how he approaches risk Lessons on mindset, discipline, and long-term decision-making Why consistency — not luck — wins over time If you like this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe — and hit the so you don’t miss future guest episodes. Follow along for more deep conversations about betting, business, and building the version of yourself who wins.
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    48 mins
  • Episode 20 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - Paris Smith

    Episode 20 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - Paris Smith
    Nov 25 2025
    In this episode of H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here), I sit down with Paris Smith, one of the most influential leaders in the global sports betting industry. As the longtime CEO of Pinnacle, Paris helped shape the modern sports wagering landscape — from pricing innovation to risk management, sharp-friendly markets, and building one of the most respected brands in the world. We dive into: Her journey into sports betting leadership Building and scaling a global sportsbook brand What separates great operators from the rest The future of betting, data, and customer experience Lessons from decades at the top of the industry What she’s working on now and where she sees the industry evolving next This episode is packed with insight, wisdom, and perspective from someone who has truly been there and changed the game. If you’re into sports betting, entrepreneurship, leadership, or the behind-the-scenes world of iGaming… this is a must-watch. — H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) A weekly podcast featuring unfiltered conversations with the people who shaped the sports betting world — founders, operators, creators, and innovators — and the stories behind their rise. — Watch the full episode now: https://youtu.be/Sb2PTjkWGrU Like the video Drop a comment Subscribe for more episodes every week #SportsBetting #ParisSmith #Pinnacle #Sportsbook #iGaming #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #HowIGotHere #PlayerPropsAI #TrevisWaters
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    33 mins
  • Episode 19 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - Jamie Garcia

    Episode 19 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - Jamie Garcia
    Nov 18 2025
    This is an episode of the H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast hosted by Trevis Waters, featuring guest Jamie Garcia. The episode details Jamie Garcia's professional evolution, covering her journey from her childhood interests to her current role in the gaming industry. Key highlights from Jamie Garcia’s journey: Early Interests & College She initially wanted to be a marine biologist [01:47], an interest that changed after working in a pet store kennel. She pursued an interest in pharmacology [03:48] before deciding to switch her degree focus to electronic engineering [06:11] in 2006. Entry into the Gaming Industry Jamie fell into the gaming space in October 2010 while still in college, starting at WMS Gaming in a marketing logistics role that involved setting up trade shows [07:28]. She became a full-time employee of WMS in March 2012 [13:08]. Career Transitions Her initial role ended in July 2015 due to the Scientific Games acquisition of WMS [15:04]. She later returned to Scientific Games in November 2015 as a Program Manager [16:43]. In 2019, she shifted roles internally to a Quality Assurance/Software Engineer Testing role to learn the intricate, technical workings of slot machines [20:52]. She transitioned to GLI (Gaming Laboratories International) as an Account Executive in January 2022, moving her focus from land-based to online gaming certification and gaining a 100% customer-facing role [26:29]. Her current role at Continent 8 began in April 2024, where she works across the IT vertical, focusing on hosting and cybersecurity for the gaming industry [01:05]. Jamie also discusses the importance of her experience testing slot machines as one of the most critical "butterfly effects" that gave her a fundamental understanding of platforms in the industry [32:54]. The video is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg0n_wa1Zvg
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    35 mins
  • Episode 18 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - John Wright

    Episode 18 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - John Wright
    Nov 11 2025
    Episode 18 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - John Wright (Channel: PlayerProps ai - Learn How To Bet & Stop Losing) In this episode of the How I Got Here podcast, host Trevis Waters sits down with John Wright, the founder of Stats Drone, to trace his remarkable career journey through engineering, professional gambling, and the iGaming industry. John shares his story, which includes: Engineering Roots: His early passion for problem-solving, which led him to study Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in robotics and AI at the University of Toronto, where he helped build soccer-playing robots [02:17]. The Unexpected Pivot: The surprising shift straight out of university into the world of professional gambling and online casino bonus hunting in the early 2000s, where he was making up to $1,000 an hour through analytical strategy [21:34]. The iGaming Rollercoaster: His move to the operator side of the casino business as a VIP/Affiliate Manager and the subsequent pivot to becoming an iGaming affiliate himself in 2010, which he describes as a profitable but ultimately "mindless" and boring role [30:55], [33:41]. The "Butterfly Effect": The story of his 2015 houseboat trip, an intentional "unplugging" that led to the idea for Stats Drone, a software solution designed to solve the statistical and reporting problems faced by iGaming affiliates [46:25], [52:48]. Founding Stats Drone: The challenges of building his software company, including an initial unsuccessful launch, before finally finding product-market fit in 2021 and going all-in on his passion for problem-solving and engineering [49:13], [50:20]. John emphasizes the importance of following your passion over chasing money, and how finding the right challenge—in his case, building Stats Drone—reignited his drive to succeed.
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    57 mins
  • Episode 17 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - Sue Schneider

    Episode 17 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - Sue Schneider
    Nov 4 2025
    Welcome to Episode 17 of the H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast! I'm your host, Trevis Waters, and on this episode, we sit down with the wonderful Sue Schneider. Sue has a fascinating and diverse career journey that spans social work, publishing, and three decades in the iGaming and sports betting industries. In this episode, we discuss: Early Ambitions: Her initial passion for travel and wanting to be a flight attendant, followed by a brief interest in the medical field. A Life of Service: The 12 years she spent as the first Executive Director for Youth in Need in St. Charles, Missouri—a non-profit she helped build from the ground up to support runaway youth. The Pivot to Gaming: Her 10 years of freelance writing and editing that led to her first venture into the gaming world with a riverboat casino publication. Building a Global Empire: Founding River City Group in 1999 and creating an international portfolio of B2B iGaming events and publications (including Gigsy and EIG) before successfully selling the company to Clarion. Driving North American Growth: How she teamed up with SBC in 2018 to spearhead their expansion into the North American market following the Supreme Court's ruling on sports betting. Defying the Odds: Her newest venture as a co-founder of Defy the Odds, a launchpad dedicated to supporting innovation and providing a voice for startups and underrepresented groups in the industry. Sue’s career is a masterclass in adapting, building community, and maintaining a relentless focus on policy and systematic improvement. Tune in to hear how Sue Schneider got here! Connect with Sue Schneider & Defy the Odds: Defy the Odds Website: defytheodds.com You can also find Sue on LinkedIn! Podcast Details: Host: Trevis Waters Channel: PlayerProps ai - Learn How To Bet & Stop Losing New episodes every Tuesday morning at 6 a.m. Eastern Time.
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    50 mins