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Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! In this episode, our co-host Kaela Hansen talks with Nikki Haines, a professional athlete, founder of GAINS Training, and co-owner of ABFC Sports. Nikki shares her journey from playing professional soccer in Europe and South America to representing the U.S. Beach Soccer National Team, the challenges of transitioning to beach soccer, and her excitement for the sport's future. She also discusses balancing entrepreneurship with athletics, tailoring training for diverse clients, and how sports can foster healthier communities. Tune in for valuable insights and inspiration from Nikki’s incredible journey!
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One Soccer Nation Website: https://www.onesoccernation.com
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: Meet Nikki Hes
00:35 – Weather Chat & Life in Miami
01:22 – Nikki’s Background & Journey Through Soccer
03:00 – From College to Pro: Sweden, Peru, Uruguay
04:18 – Hip Surgery, PA School & a Surprise Return
06:05 – The Turning Point: Saying No to Israel Offer
07:12 – Discovering Beach Soccer During COVID
08:50 – Falling in Love with a New Sport
10:20 – Beach Soccer Growth, Culture & Community
12:15 – The Push for a Women's Beach Soccer World Cup
14:40 – Hope for Olympic Inclusion & Global Expansion
17:00 – Why Beach Soccer Is Exciting to Watch
18:40 – Game Mechanics: Hockey-Like Rules Explained
20:30 – From Field to Sand: Adapting Skills to Beach
22:10 – Global Leagues, Playing & Traveling Balance
23:15 – Launching GAINS Training: Business Origins
25:00 – Scaling Up: From Solopreneur to Team
26:33 – Finding Balance: Business, Travel, Self-Care
28:00 – The Power of Energy, Leadership & Mentorship
29:00 – Co-Owning ABFC Sports: Business + Athlete Perspective
30:30 – Advice to Aspiring Athletes & Younger Self
32:10 – Final Thoughts & How to Connect with Nikki
32:45 – Closing Remarks