logo
episode-header-image
Jun 16
58m 49s

87. 🏀 From Delulu to Deal Maker: Stacey...

The Mettleset
About this episode

Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance. 👟

In this inspiring episode, we chat with Stacey Leawood, who just a few years ago, made headlines as the world’s youngest NBA player agent. who made a remarkable leap from small-town Newfoundland to managing athletes in the world’s top basketball league. Stacey takes us on her incredible journey of perseverance, self-belief (or delusion), and innovation, sharing how she broke into the world of sports management with no prior connections and little formal guidance.

From a childhood dream of playing in the WNBA to an unexpected turn towards NBA agent work, Stacey opens up about the grit required to make it in a male-dominated industry and how she navigated obstacles, including studying a 600-page collective bargaining agreement to pass the NBA agent exam.

We dive into her first big break, securing an NBA contract for her client through sheer determination and resourcefulness. Stacey's story offers valuable insights for anyone looking to break into the sports industry, showing that with confidence, resourcefulness, and a willingness to learn, anything is possible.

Key topics include:

  • 🏀The role and responsibilities of an NBA agent
  • 🏀Stacey’s unconventional path into sports management
  • 🏀The importance of persistence and self-belief
  • 🏀Behind-the-scenes of signing NBA contracts
  • 🏀Lessons on building genuine relationships and career longevity

Stacey’s journey is a powerful reminder that success isn’t linear -  sometimes, the best way to break into an industry is to make your own path.

Listen in for an episode filled with inspiration, hustle, and real talk on breaking into sports 

Find Stacey online: 

  • 🏀 Stacey Leawood on LinkedIn and Instagram @StaceyLeawood 
  • 🏀 Leawood Sports & Entertainment: https://leawoodsportsentertainment.com/

🌍 Stay Connected with – and support – The Mettleset


Credits:

  • Host: Dawn Barnable
  • Guest: Stacey Leawood 
  • Produced by: The Mettleset

🚲 The Mettleset is a multimedia platform and online community dedicated to sharing stories of underrepresented athletes and underreported sports from the Middle East and beyond. With a mission to diversify the sporting ecosystem, it is the first and only sports platform in the Middle East to put women in sport first, while also featuring niche sporting communities such as action and endurance sports.

I hope you enjoy the episode! 

Dawn

Up next
Yesterday
96. 🏊‍♀️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♀️How to Train for a Triathlon as an Experienced Athlete, with Coach Melina Timson-Katchis - Part 2
Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance 👟We’re closing out our Summer Series with Melina Timson-Katchis, triathlete and coach, sharing expert advice for experienced athletes stepping into triathlon.In this episode, Melina dives into the key lessons for ... Show More
56m 24s
Aug 22
95. 🏊‍♀️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♀️How to Train for Your First Triathlon, with Coach Melina Timson-Katchis - Part 1
Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance 👟Ever thought about doing a triathlon but didn’t know where to start? In part one of this two-part series, Melina Timson-Katchis, long distance swimmer, triathlete and coach, shares her journey from signing up for ... Show More
55m 20s
Aug 18
94. 👟 How to Run Part 2: From 5K to Ultra with New Balance Run Club Coach Dr. Sara Talia (Summer Series)
Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance. 👟Welcome back to The Mettleset Podcast! In Part 2 of our running episode for the Summer Series, we're pushing past the 5K and exploring the incredible world of long-distance and ultra running with Dr. Sara Talia, ... Show More
45m 27s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2024
192. Inside the Mind of an Olympic Sprinter + Mindset Tips for All Athletes with Micha Powell
In this episode of the Female Athlete Nutrition, I speak with Canadian Olympic sprinter and new author Micha Powell. The daughter of two Olympians, Rosey Edeh and long jump World Record holder Mike Powell, athletics is part of Micha’s DNA. She talks about what it was like growing ... Show More
1h 5m
Jul 2024
How Do Olympians Mentally Prepare?
Curious People…the Summer Olympics are finally upon us!!! As we prepare for the most major event of the season, we also get curious about how Olympians prepare. Robert Andrews joins Jonathan to talk about working with countless elite athletes– including Simone Biles–to eliminate ... Show More
56m 41s
Jan 2024
691. Gabi Rooker, 2:24 Marathoner
"You take what you have and make the most of it." Gabi Rooker was an anti-running competitive gymnast growing up. After college, she began working full-time as an internal medicine physician's assistant. Now, she's headed to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon as the eighth-fas ... Show More
1h 9m
Aug 2024
#934: From Triathlon Pro Athlete to Coach and Mentor with Belinda Granger
In this episode of the InnerFight podcast, we sit down with the legendary Belinda Granger, a retired professional Australian triathlete with a career that spans over 50 Ironman events and numerous victories.  Belinda shares her journey from professional triathlon to her current r ... Show More
1h 5m
Jul 2024
Keely Hodgkinson: Building a Gold-Medal Mindset (E272)
Jake and Damian are joined by Great Britain Olympic medal favourite Keely Hodgkinson, to dive deep into her journey as a middle-distance runner and her mindset as an elite athlete. Keely Hodgkinson is a rising star in athletics, winning 800m silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at j ... Show More
55m 28s
Feb 2025
Alistair Brownlee: 'Pushing to Blackout' and What Made Me Retire from Triathlon (E329)
Alistair Brownlee is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the most respected triathletes in the world. Known for his relentless work ethic and exceptional performances, Alistair’s journey in sport is rooted in his upbringing in Yorkshire, where hard work and determination ... Show More
54m 56s
Mar 2025
Rubi Habash: Legacy, Love, and Life as a Mom
From dominating the Jordanian basketball scene to stepping into the spotlight as a TV presenter, Rubi Habash has never backed down from a challenge. But her story is more than just a highlight reel—it’s a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the power of perseverance.In this ... Show More
51m 30s
Sep 2020
Carla Molinaro - Breaking the women's record for Land's End to John O'Groats, running the length of Britain in just 12 days, 30 minutes and 14 seconds!
Carla in her own words:   I am an elite ultra runner, running coach and adventurer who seeks out events that are slightly harder than the average. I love pushing my body to the limits by running a long way, up mountains, around islands and recently running the length of Great Bri ... Show More
49m 4s
Sep 2024
BONUS: "Living with the Seasons" - with Amanda Leon
Today, Raha meets Amanda.  Amanda Leon is an American founder with a penchant for polo. When she’s not building brilliant brands for clients, you can usually find Amanda traveling the world to play polo. The first and only person to spend a year playing polo at every club in Amer ... Show More
12m 13s
Feb 2024
170. Keeping Girls + Women Strong & In Sports (+ Mountain Dew & More!) with Molly Hurford
This episode of the Female Athlete Nutrition podcast is with endurance sports journalist, ultrarunner, and podcaster Molly Hurford. Molly is also a coach and author, passionate about getting people—especially girls and women—psyched on adventure and being outside. We talk about h ... Show More
56m 57s