Funding full-time fighters | Niall Brown & Dez Derry

Game Changers Podcast by Synextra

How do full-time fighters and athletes find funding to support their early careers?
Is being an athlete a sustainable career in 2024? How accessible is it to obtain sponsorships to earn a living wage? Niall Brown and Dez Derry talk about the world of professional fighting and entrepreneurship in our latest podcast.
Both share their experiences navigating the challenges of funding professional fighting careers and the pivotal role that Fight Division has in changing the landscape for pro-athletes.
Niall Brown, professional boxer, opens up about the hardships and reality of many athlete’s backgrounds and his own; balancing the need to provide for his family whilst also pursuing his dream of becoming a world champion fighter. Stumbling upon his love for combat sports through the infamous Master Sken’s in Stockport, Greater Manchester, Niall’s passion and commitment to Muay Thai and boxing excellence propelled him to the top. Now, with an undefeated boxing streak, Niall has laid the foundation for the creation of Fight Division.
Dez, a self-proclaimed serial entrepreneur, recounts his journey from working in the warehouse, becoming a top seller, to successful entrepreneur and investor. Through his connections at the Muay Thai gym, Dez has been instrumental in aiding the development of Fight Division, leveraging his business expertise to support game changing platform.
Niall and Dez talk about the intersection of combat sports and entrepreneurship, the challenges of balancing training with financial responsibilities, and the power of social media in athlete sponsorship. Their candid insights and personal anecdotes offer a captivating glimpse into their journeys of resilience and determination that lead them to the top.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
02:06 Dez Derry: Entrepreneur, investor, martial artist.
06:12 A game changer means being disruptive and different
07:11 The importance of fitness in a business
09:00 Niall Brown: Professional boxer and former UK No1 Muay Thai fighter
12:14 Dez's background: from warehouse to entrepreneur
31:36 Niall: becoming a professional fighter
44:16 What is Fight Division and what makes it special
56:23 Martial Arts, Business & Mindset
57:57 The importance of visualisation
1:02:15 Question from our previous guest
For listeners/viewers eager to learn more about Fight Division and the opportunities it offers for aspiring fighters, visit the Fight Division website: https://fightdivision.co.uk/
Synextra YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPNhzi_d1GyV1WKtvO4sbdA/
Synextra Website: https://www.synextra.co.uk/

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