Captain On and Off the Court: Travis Lay on Basketball, Finance & Mentorship | BSPOD | S3 | EP1

In this episode of the Business Speaks Podcast, Cooper Stacey and Kam Sanghai sit down with Travis Lay — former Bullis School alum, American University basketball captain, professional athlete, CPA, and mentor — to explore the transition from sports to business and the mindset required to succeed in both worlds.Travis reflects on helping lead American University to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2008 while balancing the demands of Division I athletics and graduating Magna Cum Laude from AU’s Kogod School of Business. He shares what leadership looked like as team captain, the lessons learned from competing at a high level, and how discipline developed through basketball later became essential in finance and accounting.The conversation also dives into Travis’s experience playing professional basketball overseas in England and Australia, the challenges of transitioning out of sports, and rebuilding identity after athletics. From earning his CPA to working in consulting and financial systems implementation, Travis explains how communication, leadership, and consistency matter just as much in business as they do on the court.Beyond career success, the episode explores mentorship, service, and giving back through programs like Year Up. Travis shares advice for young people trying to balance academics, athletics, and long-term goals, while offering insight into leadership, preparation, and building success that lasts beyond any single chapter of life.