Bartolo “Bart” Hernandez is a visionary sports executive renowned for his innovative approach to athlete management. With a career deeply rooted in the sports industry, Bart has made significant strides as the President of Global Sports Management, a firm celebrated for its commitment to holistic athlete development. Born and raised in Queens, New York, Bart’s journey from a passionate baseball player to a respected leader in sports management is a testament to his dedication to the field. Under his leadership, Global Sports Management has become a beacon for integrating technology with traditional management practices, enhancing athlete performance, well-being, and career transition support. Bart is also a fervent advocate for mental health awareness in sports, championing programs that address athletes’ mental and emotional needs. His philanthropic efforts, including support for the Wheelchair Foundation and Feed America, highlight his belief in giving back to the community, making him a respected figure both on and off the field.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day starts with a review of my schedule and priorities. I dedicate specific times for meetings, athlete interactions, and strategic planning. Productivity for me is about focus and delegation, ensuring the right tasks have my attention while trusting my team with their responsibilities.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I engage with my team, athletes, and other stakeholders to refine ideas, ensuring they’re practical and impactful. Execution then involves detailed planning and adapting to feedback.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Updates in athlete management excites me. From performance analytics to mental health apps, technology offers new ways to support athletes’ overall well-being and success.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Prioritizing tasks based on impact. I focus on what will have the most significant positive effect on our athletes and organization, ensuring my energy is spent where it matters most.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Embrace every learning opportunity, and don’t fear failure. Each setback is a chance to grow and refine your approach.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe that focusing on an athlete’s personal development as much as their sports performance can lead to greater long-term success, both on and off the field.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Reflect on your achievements and setbacks regularly. This self-reflection helps you understand your progress, learn from your mistakes, and adjust your goals.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I engage in a different activity like golf to clear my mind. Then, I prioritize my tasks again, focusing on one thing at a time.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Building strong relationships within the industry has been key, it’s opened doors and created opportunities for growth.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career, I underestimated the importance of athlete mental health. After seeing the negative impacts, I educated myself and changed my approach. The lesson was clear: holistic management is crucial.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A comprehensive platform that offers mental, financial, and career transition support for athletes. There’s a huge need for holistic athlete management services.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Project management software like Asana. It helps me keep track of various projects, deadlines, and responsibilities within my team, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
“The Inner Game of Tennis” by Timothy Gallwey. It’s not just about tennis but about the mental challenges in sports and life. It’s been incredibly insightful for understanding and improving athlete performance and mindset.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I really liked Succession on HBO. The acting and character development were just great.
Key learnings:
- Holistic Athlete Management
- Integration of Technology
- Value of Networking and Relationships