From redefining sports media to revolutionizing recovery, meet six athletes turning their passions into thriving ventures that impact lives far beyond the field.

Emily Cole

Sporting Association: Duke University Track & Field
Business: The Players’ Plate
Industry: Book Publishing / Wellness

After a life-threatening health experience, Emily Cole created the sports nutrition guide she wished she’d had a decade earlier. Players’ Plate demystifies macros and supplements, in addition to unravelling deceptive “health” labels. At an Amazon rating of 4.8 stars, her book is a definitive guide for athletes at every level. Emily has also created a personal brand with over 700,000 followers that provides performance tips and she shares her experience as an aspiring professional runner. By collaborating with Adidas, Therabody, and Gatorade, she continues to advocate for a whole way of being an athlete while inspiring the next generation of girls to stay in sports.

Trey Stewart

Sporting Association: BYU Men’s Basketball
Business: Default Happiness
Industry: Fashion & Apparel

Trey Stewart kicked off Default Happiness with a clear goal of sharing hope and sparking smiles with custom shoes. Inspired by the book Solve for Happy, he believes that happiness is a choice and one we can return to as a baseline regardless of external circumstances. Over time, the project grew into a fashion label, with pro athletes wearing his hand-sewn designs. Trey leverages his platform as a Division I athlete to propel the brand’s message forward and build a community around creativity, purpose, and positivity.

Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim, Simone Manuel & Sue Bird

Sporting Association: Multi-Sport Olympians
Business: TOGETHXR
Industry: Media & Commerce

Founded by four of the most decorated athletes in sport (Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim, Simone Manuel, and Sue Bird), TOGETHXR is redefining how women’s sports are talked about. While women make up nearly half of all sports participants, they receive less than 16% of sports media coverage. TOGETHXR is closing that gap by focusing on original storytelling at the intersection of sport, culture, and activism. The media platform is home to a diverse and inclusive community of game-changers and thought leaders where representation is standard.

Lydia Lassila

Sporting Association: Australian Olympic Team
Business: BodyICE Recovery
Industry: Medical Technology / Wellness

Olympic gold medalist Lydia Lassila founded BodyICE Recovery in 2006 to offer effective, easy-to-use recovery tools for pain management, injury recovery, and post-surgery support. The company’s joint-specific ice and heat compression products serve athletes and patients alike. In addition to supporting physical recovery, Lydia’s business supports a team that could thrive professionally while living balanced, purpose-driven lives. Through BodyICE, Lydia combines physical performance and mental wellness, building a brand that supports both physical recovery and sustainable work culture.

Ben Darwin

Sporting Association: Former Prop, Wallaby Rugby
Business: GAIN LINE Analytics
Industry: Sports Analytics / Technology

GAIN LINE Analytics is a management consultancy founded by former Wallaby Ben Darwin, specializing in organizational cohesion and team performance. The company leverages data-driven research to assess and strengthen the connections within teams, on the field and in the boardroom. Their belief is that sustainable success comes not just from talent, but from how well a group functions as a unit. From pro sports to corporate teams, GAIN LINE helps teams perform better, stay together longer, and win more often.

Ali Cox

Sporting Association: US Olympic Team
Business: Noble West
Industry: Agriculture & Brand Strategy

Ali Cox, an Olympic rower turned entrepreneur, founded Noble West to bridge the gap between consumers and the people who grow their food. The agency specializes in brand development for agriculture and food companies, which means they tell the real stories of farmers and producers with integrity and impact. Growing up in small-town America taught her how important these communities are, helping clients earn trust in an industry where authenticity matters most.

Inspired by these athlete-founders? Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or an educational association ready to support your emerging leaders, Impact Business School is here to help.