Episode 81: Michael Kozielek, Professional Soccer Player for Sporting Kristina (Finland)

Show Description:

Michael "Koz" Kozielek (@the_goat_kozielek) is a professional soccer player for Sporting Kristina in Finland. He is a graduate from Butler University, where he played for the men's team, and is a native of Chicago, Illinois.

In this interview, Koz dives into his professional journey, starting at the Chicago Fire Academy, to Butler University, Sweden, Australia, and eventually Finland. He talks about the competitive aspect of professional sports, taking care of your body through nutrition and training, and putting in the hard work for your own longevity, as well as team success.

Show Highlights:

3:15-13:45: Koz gets into his background, highlighting his professional soccer journey from high school, college, the post-college process, contract negotiations, and agents.
13:45-21:45: Koz describes his experience with the Chicago Fire Academy, the hard part of the grind that people from the outside don't see, and what it means to compete for a position in the professional soccer realm.
21:45-34:45: Koz talks about switching field positions throughout his career, his top career moments thus far, his goals for the future, and the professional players he looks up to the most.
34:45-44:15: We ask Koz about his training and nutrition regiment, his pregame routine, and how to increase your longevity no matter what craft you are working on.
44:15-53:15: We end the show talking about the differences between soccer in the US vs. Europe, as well as his final advice to young athletes chasing a dream.