Latest / Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact / From Catcher to Counselor: Nick McCoy’s Journey from Pro Baseball to Financial Planning
Transcript
- Bret Schanzenbach (Host): Welcome to Carlsbad People, Purpose, and Impact—the podcast for those who live, work, visit, and play in Carlsbad. I’m Bret Schanzenbach, President and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. Today, I’m excited to be joined by Nick McCoy, financial advisor with Stifel Financial. Nick McCoy (Guest): Good morning, Bret. Thanks for having me. This is going to be fun. Bret: You’ve got a unique story—collegiate and pro athlete turned financial advisor. Let’s start with baseball. You grew up here in San Diego, right? Nick: Yes. Native San Diegan. I played Little League, went to USD, and eventually played under Coach Rich Hill. I redshirted one year, so I was there for five years. It was an incredible experience, and the program continues to thrive. Bret: And you eventually got drafted? Nick: Yes, by the Yankees in the 36th round. I wasn’t a top prospect, but I was fortunate. I played as a catcher, spent several years in their system, and even had time in Major League spring training. It was an amazing, challenging experience. Bret: That grind of the farm system is tough. Nick: Absolutely. It’s daily discipline—preparing your body, showing up, performing. It taught me consistency and resilience, traits that still shape how I approach life and work today. Bret: And after the Yankees, you pivoted into scouting? Nick: Yes. I earned my MBA at USC while scouting for the Angels. I traveled extensively—Japan, Korea, the Dominican Republic, and across the U.S. Scouting is both art and science: analytics meet intuition. It was demanding but rewarding. Bret: Then came a big career shift into financial advising. Nick: Right. My father has been in the business for decades, and during COVID I reassessed my path. With a young family, I wanted stability and impact. Joining Stifel allowed me to combine my background, relationships, and passion for service. Bret: You’ve even worked with clients from the sports world. Nick: Yes. Many young athletes earn money quickly but aren’t equipped to manage it. As a Certified Financial Planner, I focus on fiduciary responsibility—helping clients make wise, long-term decisions. It’s about cutting through the noise and providing clarity, whether for athletes, business owners, or families. Bret: That’s powerful. Tell us more about Stifel. Nick: Stifel is built on stability, safety, and culture. We never took bailout money in 2008, we’ve had the longest-tenured CEO on Wall Street, and we operate without the bureaucracy of big banks. Locally, we’ve had a presence in Carlsbad for 20 years, and we’re expanding with a strong team here. Bret: That’s fantastic. And you live in Encinitas with your wife and two young boys? Nick: Yes, it’s a great place to raise a family. My wife was a lacrosse player at UNC, and now our boys are in the early stages of baseball and sports. We love the Carlsbad–Encinitas lifestyle. Bret: Nick, thank you for joining us today and sharing your story. Nick: Thanks for having me, Bret. Bret: And thanks to our listeners for tuning in to Carlsbad People, Purpose, and Impact. Please follow us on your favorite podcast app and share with a friend..