Changing The Game

#34: Former Creighton women's basketball player McKenzie Swanson didn't set out to build a career in sales. After realizing physical therapy wasn't the right path, she earned her MBA from Penn State and took a chance on an SDR role that would completely change the trajectory of her career.

In this episode of Changing the Game, McKenzie shares how she went from Division I athlete to VP of Sales, why sales is one of the best career paths for former athletes, and the lessons she's learned leading teams at Hudl, Podium, and Element 451.

A conversation about embracing uncertainty, chasing growth, and why the opportunities that scare you the most are often the ones that change your life.

In this episode:
  • Why McKenzie chose sales after college
  • Breaking into tech with no sales experience
  • Why athletes have a competitive advantage in sales
  • Lessons from Hudl, Podium, and Element 451
  • What separates great salespeople from good ones
  • Why your first job doesn't have to be your forever career
  • Women in sales and stepping into leadership
  • Why you should run toward the scary opportunities
Follow McKenzie on LinkedIn: @McKenzie Swanson

What is Changing The Game?

Changing the Game is a podcast that highlights bold, inspiring women who are redefining leadership and carving their own paths across different industries, backgrounds, and life chapters.

Hosted by Jordan Duren, each episode dives deep into the stories of female leaders who have navigated transitions, taken risks, and challenged the status quo. From corporate trailblazers to creative entrepreneurs, these women share the real, unfiltered truths behind their journeys—what it took, what they learned, and what they’d tell the next woman ready to rise.

If you’re ready to break the mold, own your story, and lead with purpose, this show is for you.

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About Shift Group:

Shift Group bridges the gap between military veterans, former athletes, and the business world through coaching and career upskilling. Our mission is to help these individuals unlock their unique skills and experiences and match them with top-tier companies in need of resilient, coachable, and team-oriented professionals.

The Shift Connect platform accelerates learning and streamlines the hiring process by connecting employers with pre-vetted candidates who are ready to excel. Customers reduce hiring time, lower costs, increase growth rates, and improve retention. Shift Group is committed to helping businesses build high-performing teams and supporting veterans and athletes in their career development.

Discover how Shift Group can transform your hiring process and unlock the potential of exceptional talent. Visit us at shiftgroup.io to learn more.