Located in: Miami, FL

2x NFL Pro Bowler | 2x NCAA Basketball Tournament Participant | Clinical Psychology Doctoral Candidate | Mental Performance Specialist, San Antonio Spurs | Founder, Optimal Performance

Pursuing a Higher Calling

Dr. Julius Thomas is a rare combination of elite athlete, academic, and mental performance specialist. A 7-year NFL veteran and 2x Pro Bowler, Julius competed on the sport’s biggest stages — including the Super Bowl — and was honored as a Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee. Before making the switch to football, he led his college basketball team to not one, but two NCAA March Madness appearances — a testament to his versatility and leadership across disciplines.

Today, Julius brings the same commitment to excellence to the field of human performance and mental wellness. He has completed his doctorate in Clinical Psychology and currently serves as the NBA’s first full-time Mental Performance Specialist with the San Antonio Spurs. He is also the President of the Society for Sports Neuroscience, a Behavioral Health Advisor to the NFL Players Association, and an Advisory Board Member for both the Harvard Football Players Health Study and Men’s Fitness magazine. In 2025, he was a featured speaker at the TED World Summit.

In pursuit of what he calls Optimal Performance — the integration of peak achievement and personal well-being — Julius founded the mental performance company by the same name. He blends athletic insight and scientific expertise to help organizations operate at their highest level, without sacrificing the mental or emotional foundation that sustains long-term success.

Through his partnership with Six Stops, companies can bring Dr. Thomas to the stage to inspire teams, elevate culture, and deliver science-backed strategies for resilient, purpose-driven performance.

Located In: Newport Beach, CA

Super Bowl Champion | 10-Year NFL Veteran | Culture Consultant & Pressure Performance Coach | Master’s in Health and Human Performance

PERFORMING UNDER PRESSURE

Stephen Hauschka isn’t just a former NFL kicker — he’s one of the most clutch performers in the game’s history. Over a decade-long NFL career, including a Super Bowl championship with the Seattle Seahawks, Hauschka became known not just for his precision, but for his ability to stay calm, focused, and fearless in the highest-pressure moments. His consistency and poise earned him the nickname “Hausch Money” and a reputation as one of the league’s most mentally resilient specialists — a mindset that now drives his work off the field.

Stephen’s journey to the NFL was anything but conventional. He started kicking footballs at age 19 and walked onto the team at Middlebury College, a Division-3 program. Just four years later, he was in the NFL — setting franchise records, leading the league in field goal accuracy, and delivering when it mattered most.

Today, Stephen is a Culture Consultant and Pressure Performance Coach who teaches leaders and teams how to execute under pressure. Whether it’s a kicker staring down a game-winning field goal or a sales team preparing for a career-defining pitch, Hauschka delivers science-backed tools for staying focused, resilient, and mentally sharp.

Through his partnership with Six Stops, Stephen brings his expertise in high-pressure performance and organizational culture to stages across the country — helping teams sharpen focus, strengthen resilience, and deliver results when it matters most.

Located In: Las Vegas, NV

10-Year NBA Veteran | Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame Inductee | Author, “CJ’s Big Dream” | Founder, Quiet Storm Foundation | Angel Investor & Youth Advocate

From the NBA to Impact: Leading with Purpose in Business & Life

C.J. Watson’s story is one of perseverance, humility, and unwavering belief. Undrafted out of college, he defied the odds to carve out an improbable 10-year career in the NBA — a feat few achieve, and even fewer fully appreciate in the moment.

C.J.’s journey began overseas, far from the spotlight he believed he had earned. Early in his pro career, he struggled to embrace where he was, thinking he “deserved” to be somewhere else. But that mindset shifted. Over time — and through each challenge — C.J. leaned into his strengths, embraced every role, and turned every stop into a step forward. A decade later, he found himself finishing his playing career back overseas — not as the same young man with a chip on his shoulder, but as a seasoned leader with perspective, gratitude, and wisdom.

Now, C.J. brings that lived experience to the stage as a purpose-driven voice for teams, students, and companies looking to unlock their potential. His message is simple, but powerful: Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back — it’s about showing up, staying grounded, and making the most of every opportunity.

Through his partnership with Six Stops, C.J. speaks on overcoming setbacks, staying true to your values, and finding meaning in the journey — not just the destination. His story reminds audiences that greatness doesn’t always follow a straight path — but with humility, grit, and purpose, it’s always within reach.

Located In: Newport Beach, CA

Professional Volleyball Player | NCAA National Champion | 2x All-American | 2x Pac-12 POY | Academic All-American | Stanford Graduate | On Track for 2028 Olympics – USA Volleyball

A Rising Force in Women’s Sports

Kendall Kipp isn’t just a standout athlete — she’s a transcendent figure shaping the future of women’s sports. A Stanford graduate and professional volleyball player, Kendall’s career already includes an NCAA Division I National Championship, 2x All-American First Team honors, 2x Pac-12 Player of the Year titles, and Academic All-American recognition — all achieved with trademark humility and heart.

Viewed by many as the next face of USA Volleyball, Kendall is firmly on track for the 2028 Olympic Games, where she’s poised to lead not only on the court but as a voice for women’s sports. She continues to inspire a new generation — not only of athletes, but of anyone striving to rise above challenges and reach their potential — with her heart, tenacity, and joyful spirit.

Through her partnership with Six Stops, this SoCal dreamer brings her story to teams and organizations seeking inspiration, resilience, and perspective. She speaks powerfully about chasing ambitious goals, overcoming obstacles, navigating change, and handling adversity — all with the mindset and grace it takes to grow and perform at the highest level.

Located in: Bend, OR

NFL Veteran | Entrepreneur | Community Builder

Building a life of lasting impact

Cornelius Edison is a 4-year NFL veteran, entrepreneur, and founder of Lift Fitness Studio in Bend, Oregon. Undrafted out of Portland State University, Cornelius built a reputation for perseverance and leadership, earning the Rimington Award as the nation’s top center and serving as team captain during his collegiate career. His relentless drive carried him into the NFL, where he defied the odds to forge a professional football career.

Guided by his mission “to faithfully impact the world through service,” Cornelius has become a catalyst for change in health, wellness, and community development. Today, he’s building a thriving ecosystem where movement, mindset, and mentorship intersect to transform lives physically, mentally, and spiritually.

As the host of The Art of Hustle podcast, Cornelius creates space for authentic conversations on faith, resilience, leadership, and living with intention—drawing insights from his own journey and the powerful stories of others.

Through health and wellness retreats, keynote speeches, and career transition panels, Cornelius challenges audiences to embrace purpose, overcome obstacles, and build a life of lasting impact. Whether on stage or in the studio, he continues to hustle with intention—inviting others to do the same.

Located in: Seattle, WA

Super Bowl Champion | NFL Pro Bowler | 10-Year NFL Veteran | CEO, CA Family Properties | Founder, Cliff Avril Family Foundation | Media Personality

The Relentless Pursuit of Impact

Cliff Avril is a Super Bowl champion, Pro Bowler, and one of the most respected defensive ends in Seattle Seahawks history — named to the franchise’s Top 50 players in honor of their 50th season. Over a 10-year NFL career marked by grit, consistency, and leadership, Cliff helped anchor the legendary Seahawks defense that dominated Super Bowl XLVIII and ushered in a new era of excellence in Seattle.

Off the field, Cliff has become just as known for his purpose-driven work in the community and his powerful second chapter after football. He was named the 2020 Seahawks Legend of the Year and was a Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee for his deep-rooted impact in the Seattle area and beyond. As founder of the Cliff Avril Family Foundation, he leads initiatives focused on education, wellness, and youth empowerment, while also advocating for social change and legacy-building work.

Today, Cliff is a dynamic entrepreneur, speaker, and media personality, seamlessly bridging the worlds of sports, business, and community leadership. Through real estate ventures with CA Family Properties, philanthropic partnerships, and his Champions of Change platform, Cliff continues to inspire transformation on and off the field.

Through his partnership with Six Stops, organizations can bring Cliff to the stage to share sharp, high-impact insights drawn from a decade in the NFL and years of success as a business leader, real estate investor, and philanthropist. Cliff speaks to what it takes to lead winning teams, build scalable culture, and drive purpose-driven impact beyond the scoreboard. His sessions are designed for corporate leaders looking to sharpen execution, elevate accountability, and inspire their people to lead with vision and resilience.

Located in: Memphis, TN

Best-Selling Author | Founder, The Athlete’s Nexus | Co-Founder, Athletes Abroad Summit

Growing the pro in all of us

Dr. Tywanna Smith has spent nearly two decades at the forefront of sports, business, and athlete development. An award-winning international sports manager and best-selling author, she has guided the financial and brand management of more than 60 NBA, NFL, WNBA, and overseas athletes. As President of The Athlete’s Nexus, she equips athletes and entrepreneurs with the tools to thrive in business, navigate career transitions, and elevate their professional identities.

A former international basketball player herself, Dr. Smith knows firsthand the challenges of transition and identity beyond the game. She co-founded the Athletes Abroad Summit, the premier global business summit for American athletes competing overseas, and executive-produced the award-winning 2022 documentary Ballin’ Abroad.

Through Six Stops, organizations can partner with Dr. Smith to inspire audiences with dynamic, actionable insights on identity & transition, women empowerment, and financial literacy. She is a powerful voice for growth, resilience, and transformation, changing the game one athlete, executive, and student at a time.

Located in: Cincinnati, OH

NFL Quarterback | Rose Bowl MVP | Penn State All-Time Leading Passer | Founder, Clifford Capital | Partner, New Era Fund | Entrepreneur & Speaker

The Dual Pursuit of Excellence: On the Field & In Business

Sean Clifford is one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in Penn State history — the program’s all-time leading passer and the MVP of the 2023 Rose Bowl. Known for his poise, leadership, and ability to thrive under pressure, Sean capped his college career by etching his name into Nittany Lion history books before entering the NFL, where he recently signed with his hometown team, the Cincinnati Bengals.

But Sean’s story extends far beyond football. As an entrepreneur and investor, he has demonstrated the same drive and vision off the field that made him an elite quarterback. While at Penn State, Sean founded and sold Limitless NIL, one of the first athlete-led agencies dedicated to helping college athletes maximize their opportunities under the NCAA’s new name, image, and likeness legislation. Today, he is the Founder of Clifford Capital and a Partner in the New Era Fund, an athlete-driven venture capital group bridging sports, business, and innovation.

Sean is passionate about empowering the next generation of athletes, entrepreneurs, and leaders. He regularly hosts workshops, invests in innovative companies, and builds platforms that inspire growth, resilience, and community impact. His unique journey — from leading his team on Saturdays in front of 100,000 fans in Happy Valley to building companies from the ground up — gives him rare dual credibility in both the athletic and business worlds.

Through his partnership with Six Stops, organizations can bring Sean to the stage to share lessons in leadership, resilience, and innovation. Whether addressing corporate teams, student-athletes, or industry leaders, Sean brings an authentic, high-energy perspective on what it takes to perform under pressure, adapt to change, and build something meaningful on and off the field.

Located in: Denver, CO

NBA Athlete | Denver Nuggets | Stanford MS&E Graduate | Investor & Advisor

The Dual Pursuit of Excellence: On the Field & In Business

Redefining the Modern Athlete: Competing, Creating, and Connecting Beyond the Game

Spencer Jones embodies the evolution of the modern athlete, one who excels not only in sport, but also in innovation, leadership, and impact. A Stanford graduate, Spencer became the school’s all-time leader in both games played and three-pointers made, earning a reputation for consistency, resilience, and clutch performance. Now a member of the Denver Nuggets, he continues to apply that same precision and poise on basketball’s biggest stage.

Off the court, Spencer is driven by a deep curiosity for how technology and business intersect with human performance. His work spans health tech, sports innovation, and venture investing, areas where he brings a rare combination of analytical thinking, creativity, and athlete perspective. As an investor and advisor, he partners with founders and organizations building the next generation of tools that empower athletes, teams, and communities.

Spencer’s journey represents the dual pursuit of excellence, the pursuit to perform under pressure and to build beyond the game. Through his partnership with Six Stops, he shares actionable lessons on mindset, innovation, and leadership with audiences ranging from corporate teams to emerging athletes. His story challenges people to think bigger, adapt faster, and reimagine what it means to compete, in business, in sport, and in life.