Lessons from a Life on the Edge

The Playbook With David Meltzer

In today’s episode, I sit down with Owen Hanson, a former USC athlete whose ambition took him from the football field to running a multimillion-dollar illegal gambling and drug trafficking operation. He shares how the pressure to keep up with high-profile friends led him down a dangerous path, the moment everything unraveled, and what it was like facing the consequences of his choices. From dealing with one of the world’s most infamous cartels to his eventual arrest and 10-year prison sentence, his story is a stark reminder of how quickly success can turn into downfall. Now rebuilding his life, he reflects on the lessons learned and the mindset shift that changed everything.