TOP 100 MAGAZINE

Anthony Waller

​

In the heart of Los Angeles, co-founders Anthony Waller and Zach Maisus are building a game-changing platform designed to uplift and inspire the next generation of athletes. Founded in 2023, Athlete To Athlete is a mentorship platform that bridges the gap between youth and collegiate athletes, fostering connections that are as vital as the lessons they impart. Through 1-on-1 virtual mentorship sessions, this innovative platform pairs up-and-coming youth athletes with current Division I competitors, creating a unique bond between mentor and mentee—a blend of coach, older sibling, and role model.

​

For Anthony and Zach, the vision of Athlete To Athlete was driven by their own experience as athletes. "Zach and I were lifting partners and friends at UCLA," Anthony recalls. “We saw an opportunity to solve a problem that no one else was focused on: the mental side of sports that so many young athletes struggle with. A2A is not just about training, it is about creating a relationship where our mentors can inspire their mentees to become better athletes and better people."

​

The company is already creating ripples, working with over 5,000 athletes nationwide. Its success lies in the relatability of its mentors. The close age and experience gap between the college athletes and their mentees fosters a genuine understanding of the challenges young athletes face—building trust, empathy, and authentic relationships that go beyond athletic skill-building.

​

As CEO, Anthony’s role encompasses steering the company’s organizational growth, sales strategies, and investor relations. With the experience of a walk-on Division I football player at UCLA, he’s no stranger to hard work. But more than that, Anthony finds pride in the team’s collective drive and their ability to create a “living organism” out of their company—a growing, thriving ecosystem with a unified vision. “We had no professional experience coming into this,” Anthony admits. “We have been able to build an organization from the ground up, where our lack of work experience and lifetime of domain expertise has given us the creative freedom to create something truly unique and positive for our customers.”

​

Zach, the company’s COO, has acted as the company’s “jack-of-all-trades,” constantly adapting to whatever the company needs at any given moment. From customer success to software development, he’s been at the center of it all. After pausing his education at UCLA, Zach dove headfirst into Athlete To Athlete. “When I met Anthony, we shared a drive and intensity that helped us push through challenges,” he shares. “Now, I’m focused on leading our team and staying calm amidst the storm of startup life.”

​

The platform’s meteoric rise can be attributed to its founders’ relentless ambition and commitment to the athletes they serve. As Zach puts it, “When we started, we didn't know exactly what we were building. Anthony and I made an effort to talk with all of our customers, and within six months we learned the best way we could help young athletes was through a mentorship program.”

​

At its core, Athlete To Athlete isn’t just a mentorship platform; it’s a movement redefining what it means to support the growth of young athletes. Anthony and Zach are not only providing mentorship, but also passing down invaluable life lessons that extend beyond the playing field. As they continue to expand their network, the duo remains committed to building champions—on and off the field.

​

 

 

Zach Maisus
Co-Founder and COO
Athlete To Athlete
Website: https://athletetoathlete.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-maisus-a546841b5/