Dreamers Beware is were high performing individuals open up about the real stories behind their success—injuries, failures, rejections, burnout, and self-doubt. These are the raw, unfiltered moments that don’t make the highlight reel but shape the journey. Each episode explores how adversity is not just a setback but a catalyst. If you’ve ever felt like giving up this podcast is your reminder: your hardest moments aren’t the end—they’re the start of your comeback. Real stories. Raw emotion. Resilience in every word. Dreamers Beware.
The first episode of The Dreamer’s Journal dives into a powerful question: Why are so many young athletes afraid of competition? In this short episode, we explore where that fear comes from and how coaches, parents, and athletes can help bring the joy back to competing.
15 Dec 2025
The True Meaning of Team: Standards, Trust, and Accountability
In this episode of the Dreamers Beware podcast, I sit down with Scott Young, a teacher and former swimming and diving coach at Albany Academy, to dive deep into the true meaning of TEAM.
During this episode we talk about what it’s really like stepping into a program as a new coach, how to honor what already exists while intentionally shifting culture, and the mistakes coaches often make when trying to create change to quickly. Scott shares powerful insight on building trust, establishing standards, and creating an environment where accountability is driven by care, not control.
6 Oct 2025
The Foundation of Success: Trust Between Coach and Athlete
In this episode of the Dreamers Beware podcast, I sit down with Manny Pollard, a 3x NCAA Division I All-American diver from the University of Minnesota. Today Manny is looked upon as one of the top diving coaches within the country. His coaching journey has taken him to programs across the country, including Illinois, Texas, and Minnesota. Manny has also become the first black diving coach for Team USA.
We explore Manny’s remarkable path in diving, from picking up the sport as a high school freshman to quickly becoming one of the nation’s best. He shares how the lessons he learned as an athlete continue to shape the way he coaches today. At the heart of our conversation is the power of the coach–athlete relationship. In a sport where success is often determined by someone else's opinion, Manny emphasizes how trust between coach and athlete can make all the difference.
22 Sept 2025
Celebrating Adversity: Lessons from Coach Gregg Parini
In this week’s episode of the Dreamers Beware podcast, I sit down with Gregg Parini, who is beginning his 39th season as the head coach of Denison University’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams.
We dive into Gregg’s journey — how he fell in love with the sport of swimming and the path that ultimately led him to Denison. He opens up about his coaching philosophy, the culture he has created, and why he believes that facing challenges and adversity should not only be expected but celebrated. Over nearly four decades, he has built one of the most respected and successful swimming and diving programs in NCAA Division 3.
25 Aug 2025
Resilience in the Crease: A Lacrosse Goalie’s Rise from D3 to the D1 National Stage - EP #5 Will Helm
In this week’s episode of the Dreamers Beware podcast, I sit down with Will Helm, a lacrosse goalie whose journey started at St. Lawrence University and led him all the way to starting in the 2023 Division I Lacrosse National Championship game for Duke University.
We dive into Will’s incredible path from Division III to the biggest stage in college lacrosse, exploring the challenges, lessons, and defining moments along the way.
Will also shares how the experiences and mindset he developed through this journey have shaped not only his athletic career but also the way he approaches everyday life beyond the field.
14 Jul 2025
The Battle for Sobriety: One Man’s Story of Pain, Healing, and Purpose - EP #4 Mitch Williams
In this week’s episode of the Dreamers Beware podcast, I sit down with Mitch Williams, a recovering alcoholic and addict who’s now 8 years sober.
We go beyond the surface of addiction as we explore what it really is, how it’s classified, and when does it end?
Mitch will share his raw and honest story of recovery. He reflects on the lessons he’s learned through sobriety and offers advice to anyone battling addiction, adversity, or any kind of personal struggle. This conversation is about more than addiction, it's about resilience, self-awareness, and reclaiming your life.
4 Jul 2025
The Path Forward: Finding Meaning After Loss - EP#3 Jerome Heidrich
Jerome Heidrich discusses his work with Deep End Fitness and the Underwater Torpedo League, and recounts his transformative pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago after his mother's death in this interview with the host.
27 Jun 2025
Earned, Not Given: How Adversity Built DIII Champions - DB #2 Kevin Gillooly & Nick Goudie
Kevin Gillooly and Nick Goudie discuss how overcoming adversity and learning from setbacks propelled them to become national champions in Division III swimming, in this interview episode.
19 Jun 2025
What is adversity and why is it important? - DB #1 Katie Sprague
Clinical psychologist Katie Sprague defines adversity and explores its importance in shaping personal growth, drawing from experiences with varsity athletes and swimming at Denison University in this interview.
Who has been a guest on Dreamers Beware
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Jerome Heidrich
Kevin Gillooly
Nick Goudie
Katie Sprague
Reach and audience
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 19 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
26
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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