From NFL Lineman to Tech Founder
Adam Redmond on Building Tully and Believing in Athletes
In a recent episode of the Just a Cup podcast, Tully’s co-founder and CEO, Adam Redmond, sat down with host Brian Fetzer to share the story behind his journey from the NFL to entrepreneurship—and how the lessons from both arenas are shaping the future of athlete development.
Harvard, the NFL, and a New Vision
Adam’s story begins at Harvard University, where he balanced the rigors of Ivy League academics with the demands of Division I football. There, he met his future Tully co-founder, Mike Mancinelli. The two recognized a shared belief: that athletes, particularly at the high school level, deserve better tools to understand and improve their performance.
After several seasons in the NFL, Adam began charting a new path—this time, not on the field but in the startup world. That path led to the creation of Tully, a performance tracking app designed to make elite-level feedback and benchmarking accessible to every athlete, regardless of level or resources.
What Makes Tully Different
Tully was built with coaches and athletes in mind. The app provides real-time visual feedback on training data—making it easier for athletes to see their progress and for coaches to identify trends and tailor workouts. By eliminating clunky spreadsheets and reducing administrative overhead, Tully lets coaches spend more time coaching and less time crunching numbers.
Adam explained that young athletes thrive on instant feedback. Just like receiving grades in school, seeing measurable results in training can drive motivation and create accountability. Tully is designed to deliver that experience, even in busy, resource-constrained environments like high schools.
Sports as the Ultimate Startup Training Ground
Reflecting on his transition into entrepreneurship, Adam spoke about how sports naturally prepare athletes for business. The daily routines of time management, preparation, resilience, and teamwork—so essential in athletics—translate seamlessly into startup life.
He shared that one of the biggest challenges in launching Tully wasn’t technical—it was time. Prioritizing the right tasks and staying focused, especially in a startup's early days, required the same mental discipline he developed on the field.
Confidence Through Preparation
One of the most resonant pieces of advice Adam offered during the episode was about confidence. He noted that a lack of self-belief holds back too many athletes and professionals alike. His message? Confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s built through preparation and repetition.
Whether in the weight room or the boardroom, knowing you’ve put in the work allows you to show up fully and perform at your best. It’s a mindset Adam credits for his success both on and off the field.
A Broader Movement
Adam also touched on the growing trend of athletes stepping into tech and entrepreneurship after their playing careers. This shift reflects a broader societal recognition that athletes are more than competitors—they’re leaders, thinkers, and innovators.
Tully is one part of that movement. It’s not just about building better tools for training—it’s about empowering the next generation of athletes to take ownership of their performance and unlock their full potential. Listen to the full podcast episode here.