Welcome to ACCESS GRANTED

In this latest episode of Access Granted, Renato Paiva, the CEO of Access Youth Academy, interviews former Major League Baseball player Nick Hundley. Nick discusses his journey, including his upbringing, early sports involvement, and professional baseball career spanning 12 seasons. He highlights the importance of competition, mental preparation, and the value of empathy in leadership. Nick shares his transition to working with the Texas Rangers, emphasizing the need for continuous learning and adaptation. He also reflects on the significance of sports in personal development, community building, and overcoming challenges, drawing parallels to his own experiences and the lessons he imparts to his children. The conversation revolves around the lessons learned from overcoming challenges in sports and life. Nick discusses the impact of having a tough coach and how it can shape future decisions and life choices. Renato shares a story about sending his daughter Marina to a tough tournament in Brazil, emphasizing the value of hardship and resilience. Nick Hundley reflects on his minor league experience, highlighting the hardships but also the reward of achieving his professional goals. The discussion concludes with Nick encouraging young athletes to persevere through adversity, as the effort is ultimately worth it.

Introduction of Nick Hundley

• Renato introduces Nick Hundley, a former major league baseball player, highlighting his 12-season career, his work with the Texas Rangers, and his role as a father of two girls.
• Nick Hundley expresses gratitude for being on the podcast and reminisces about his days playing squash with the host, Renato Paiva.
• Nick shares his background, mentioning his parents' long marriage, his father's career as a college football coach, and the values of competition and winning instilled in him from an early age.
• Nick describes his family's frequent moves across different states and his early involvement in various sports, including baseball, track, tennis, basketball, and wrestling.

Nick's Early Baseball Career

• Nick recounts his early days playing baseball, influenced by his older brother Jake, who was a wrestler and aerospace engineer.
• He shares how his mother supported his sports activities, taking him to the field and allowing him to condition with the team from a young age.
• Nick's father, a college football coach, taught him the importance of competition and winning, which helped him develop a strong work ethic and mindset.
• Renato Paiva recalls Nick's father's involvement in his baseball training and the intense focus Nick had as a catcher from a young age.

Nick's College Experience and Professional Baseball Journey

• Nick discusses his decision to attend the University of Arizona instead of joining the major leagues, influenced by his parents' emphasis on education.
• He shares his experience of being drafted in the fifth round by the Marlins and his father's negotiation tactics to secure a better deal.
• Nick explains the rule that prohibits players from being drafted out of high school and the benefits of attending college for three years before being eligible for the draft.
• He describes his time at the University of Arizona, meeting his wife Amy, and the supportive environment of the baseball team, which included several players who later played in the major leagues.

Nick's Professional Baseball Career with the Padres

• Nick talks about being drafted by the Padres in the second round in 2005 and his initial excitement about playing for a major league team.
• He recounts the challenges of playing for a team that had to cut payroll after being sold and the support he received from manager Bud Black.
• Nick shares his experience of playing in the minor leagues and the quick progression to the...