She Left Sports to Build an AI Startup… in Construction?! | Karly H. on Disrupting a Male Industry

She was a top D1 athlete. Now she’s breaking barriers in the construction industry using AI—and doing it all in stealth.On this episode of LIVE with TY, host Tyler Johnson sits down with Karly Hoffman, the founder of a stealth-mode startup revolutionizing construction. From training on the field to building in silence, Karly shares how her athlete mindset gives her an edge in a space where few women, let alone former athletes, are leading the charge.They unpack imposter syndrome, rejection, and why being underestimated is sometimes the best advantage. This is a masterclass in confidence, grit, and quiet disruption.WATCH if you’ve ever felt behind, out of place, or like you’re building something no one else understands.Time Stamps0:00 – Intro: Meet Karly Hoffman 2:47 – Her D1 athlete background & early identity 5:12 – How sports shaped her founder mindset 9:08 – Entering construction as a young woman 12:34 – What stealth mode actually looks like 15:51 – Building a team while staying low-profile 19:26 – Why rejection built her confidence 23:45 – Handling investor conversations and saying no 26:03 – Doubt, loneliness, and founder fatigue 29:37 – Staying grounded when people don’t get it 32:14 – Why she avoids over-posting on social 36:08 – Being underestimated in tech & owning it 40:23 – Advice for student-athletes transitioning 45:02 – Where she finds her conviction 49:16 – Future vision: AI, construction, and impact 54:44 – One message to athletes who feel stuck 58:23 – Final thoughts & where to find Karly#LIVEwithTY #KarlyHoffman #AIStartup #WomenInTech #constructioninnovation #AthleteToFounder #StealthStartup #FemaleFounders #StudentAthletes #WomenInConstruction #QuietLeadership #FounderLife #builddifferent