Jantzen Raymond has done what a lot of people dream about — he’s built a career in sports.
But not as an athlete.
Jantzen started his sports career at Nike, worked his way into a full-time role, made a leap to the NCAA, and is now at NoCap Sports — a startup connecting athletes and brands.
What stands out is not just the impressive resume — it’s how he did it.
Quietly. Strategically. Without cutting corners. And while prioritizing personal fitness.
In this conversation, we talk about:
The real behind-the-scenes of working at Nike
What it’s like to switch from a big brand to a lean startup
His personal fitness evolution from college basketball to Crossfit to HYROX
Why he prioritizes people over platforms in business & fitness
How he’s stayed grounded while working at the top of the sports world
Whether you’re trying to build a meaningful career or navigate a high-performance life, this one delivers.
Timestamps:
(00:00) – Intro to Jantzen
(02:10) – Jantzen’s path from Nike internship to full-time
(07:12) – What working at Nike actually looked like
(12:46) – Jumping from Nike to the NCAA
(18:33) – Why NoCap Sports felt like the right next move
(25:02) – How Jantzen thinks about startup life vs corporate
(30:49) – Advice for people breaking into the sports business
(35:25) – The role of relationships and “people bets”
(41:03) – His personal evolution in fitness post-basketball
(47:00) – The disciplines that keep him grounded
(51:20) – What’s next for NoCap and Jantzen’s growth
On shared suffering
How Jantzen lost 45 pounds.
The importance of having a community to help you reach your goals.
