Leaving the Pack

Some friendships are forged in the fire. For Veena and Dr. Tessa Koschel, that fire was Miami — two young mothers holding down households while their husbands disappeared into the brutal hours of emergency medicine residency. In this episode, Veena sits down with her dear friend, personal trainer, and one of the most original voices in women's fitness today for a conversation about reclamation — of body, of identity, of the family story itself.
Tessa is the creator of Fitness Therapy and the trademark owner of Perinatal Periodization™ — a methodology that's reshaping how women train through pregnancy, postpartum, and every season after. But before any of that, she was the mom in the trenches with Veena, navigating an existence almost no one talks about: the invisible labor of being married to a first responder while trying to hold onto yourself.
In this conversation, Veena and Tessa get honest about:
• The Miami years — how they held down their households, leaned on each other when no one else understood, and the unspoken weight carried by the spouses and families of first responders
• Breaking generational trauma in real time — what it means to give your children a softer story than the one you inherited, and the exhaustion of parenting your kids while still parenting the parts of yourself that never got parented
• The grief and grace of doing the inner work while the kids are watching — because they learn what wholeness looks like by seeing you choose it
• How pregnancy changes a woman's relationship with her body forever — and what it really means to come back to it on your own terms, not anyone else's
• Why most fitness programs fail mothers, and how Perinatal Periodization™ trains the body intelligently through pregnancy, postpartum, and every season that follows
• The quiet revolution of women taking ownership of their bodies after years of giving them away — and why reclaiming your body and rewriting your family's emotional inheritance are the same work, just on different layers
This is a conversation about sisterhood, survival, and what it looks like to come home to yourself — for your own sake, and for the children learning by watching you. If you're a mother trying to find your way back to your body, a first responder spouse who is in the trenches, or a parent doing the hard work of breaking cycles while raising the next generation, this episode is for you.
— 🎙 Leaving the Pack with Veena Abraham — conversations for the ones rewriting the rules.
Follow along: Instagram: @leavingthepack
Learn more about Dr. Tessa Koschel and Fitness Therapy / Perinatal Periodization™ on Instagram @fitnesstherapy_org
 

Before the Instagram brand, the luxury listings, and the Tampa Magazine Real Estate awards — there was a homeschooled teenager stocking shelves and learning what hustle really meant. Holton Irwin has been outworking the room since he was 14, and nothing about his path was handed to him. First-generation college graduate with a double major from USF, Ritz Carlton trained, and now leading the Irwin Collective through Tampa Bay's luxury market. In this episode, Holton gets honest about the early grind, what homeschooling instilled in him that still drives him today, and how he built a personal brand that stands on its own in one of the most competitive markets in the country.

What happens when the stadium lights go out and a new chapter begins? In this episode, we sit down with Gerald Davis Jr., a former MLB player who credits the game with not just giving him a career, but saving his life.
Gerald opens up about his upbringing and how baseball was his escape and provided a path to success when the odds were stacked against him. We dive deep into his evolution from a professional athlete to the Founder of Pure Hitters, a clothing brand and lifestyle movement dedicated to those who strive for excellence.
Tune in to hear how Gerald channeled his athletic mindset into entrepreneurship, why he is committed to mentoring the next generation, and what it truly means to be a "Pure Hitter" in business and in life.

In this inspiring episode, we dive into the extraordinary journey of Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje—a story that spans continents, careers, and limitless determination. Born and raised in Cameroon, Ruben followed the call of possibility across the ocean, becoming a standout scholar-athlete at Georgetown University before playing in the NBA with the Portland Trailblazers and Orlando Magic.
 
Yet his story didn’t peak there. With the same discipline that powered his game, Ruben reinvented himself—stepping confidently into a career in finance, then returning to the basketball world as a technical scout for the Philadelphia 76ers and later as assistant general manager for the Delaware Blue Coats.
 
Now, Ruben embraces a powerful full-circle moment as he returns to the continent that shaped him—taking on the role of Head of League Operations for the NBA’s Basketball Africa League (BAL). His mission: to help elevate the sport he loves while creating opportunity and impact across Africa.
 
Join us as Ruben reflects on resilience, reinvention, leadership, and the deep purpose that guides his work across sport, business, and global impact. This is a conversation about embracing change, honoring heritage, and shaping the future of basketball in Africa and beyond.

In this inspiring episode of Leaving the Pack, I had the honor to sit down with Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, for a heartfelt and energetic conversation about history, leadership, and legacy. Bob shares his incredible journey from a passionate volunteer to becoming the president of one of America’s most treasured cultural institutions.
Through his signature storytelling style, Bob explores the power of narrative in shaping history, revealing how the Negro Leagues embody resilience, innovation, and the unyielding pursuit of excellence. He discusses why the Negro Leagues are not just a vital chapter in baseball’s story, but a profound reflection of American history and identity.
The conversation also dives into the modern relevance of the Negro Leagues, from their inclusion in the hit video game MLB The Show to their celebration by the wildly popular Savannah Bananas, who carry the spirit of creativity and joy that defined Negro Leagues baseball.
Bob reflects on the museum’s mission to preserve and expand the reach of this history, and his personal hopes for the legacy he wants to leave behind—one that honors those who played for love of the game and paved the way for generations to come.
An episode full of passion, purpose, and timeless lessons — this is one you don’t want to miss.
 

In this episode, we are honored to sit down with former Georgetown standout and NBA player Mike Sweetney to explore the highs, lows, and lessons of his remarkable journey. From dominating the Big East as a Georgetown Hoya to being a top NBA draft pick, Sweetney shares the triumphs and pressures that come with elite basketball success. His story reflects resilience, transformation, and leadership and how he has always carved his own path—on and off the court.
But beyond the accolades and athletic achievements lies a more powerful journey—one marked by personal loss, mental health struggles, and ultimately, purpose. In this conversation, we’ll explore the profound impact of losing his father, the challenges of suffering in silence while in the public eye, and what it took to turn pain into advocacy.
Today, Sweetney has turned his story into a mission — using his platform to advocate for mental health, inspire others to seek help, and redefining strength and success. We’ll talk about the evolution of his career, the lessons he’s learned, and the legacy he’s building—not just in sports, but in life.
This isn’t just a story about basketball. It’s a story about humanity, hope, and healing.

In this inspiring episode of Leaving the Pack, I sit down with my very first Georgetown University roommate, Sarah Dandashy—a luxury travel and hospitality expert turned TV personality, TEDx speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning influencer. 
Sarah is the author of Hospitality From Within and the co-host of the Good Morning, Hospitality podcast. She was recently honored on the cover of Global Hospitality magazine and named the #2 Hospitality Influencer by the International Hospitality Institute. But before all of that, she was just a college student navigating life alongside me.
 
In this candid conversation, Sarah shares her remarkable journey—how she left the pack early to chase her dreams, carving a unique path through passion, persistence, and a strong sense of purpose. We explore the formative college years that set the stage for her success, and the pivotal moments that defined her evolution from concierge to globally recognized thought leader. Tune in for a conversation on growth, grit, and chasing your dreams.
 
Follow Sarah on Instagram @askaconcierge for a daily dose of travel, hospitality, and motivation.
 
 

In this episode, I interviewed two incredible guests who are near and dear to my heart: Juan and Loretta Cecilia.
 
Juan and Loretta each immigrated to the United States — from Spain and Cuba, respectively — and together, they’ve lived a remarkable story of resilience, reinvention, and purpose. From navigating the early days of life in a new country, to building impressive careers as nuclear engineers, and eventually taking a bold leap into entrepreneurship with their own children’s clothing company — their path is anything but ordinary.
 
In this conversation, we’ll explore what brought them to the U.S., the challenges and triumphs of starting over, and the valuable lessons they’ve learned along the way — ones they hope to pass on to future generations.

What drives someone to dedicate their life to watching over others—through crashing waves, shifting tides, and generations of change? Dr. Tom McCann Sr. is more than a lifeguard; he’s a storyteller, educator, and the living memory of South Jersey’s coastal heritage.
In this episode, we dive into The Guards—the final installment in his powerful trilogy chronicling the lifeguard culture that has defined the Jersey Shore for over a century. From Brigantine to Cape May Point, The Guards is the first-ever comprehensive history of all 15 South Jersey Beach Patrols—and it’s filled with untold stories of courage, community, and quiet heroism.
Join us as Dr. McCann shares forgotten rescues, local legends, and the deeper purpose behind a life spent on the watchtower.