No Former Athlete

What happens when the thing that’s defined you your entire life… suddenly ends?

Jazzmyne Jay was born and raised to be an athlete.

Volleyball was everything — her schedule, her identity, her way of belonging.

But two games before playoffs, she tore her ACL, MCL, and meniscus.

In one moment, everything she’d built came crashing down.

In this episode, Jazzmyne sits down with Erin to unpack what it really means to lose your sport — and fin...

Kara Campbell has never known life without sports. From t-ball to college volleyball, and now as a head athletic trainer, she’s always been surrounded by athletes—and still proudly identifies as one. In this conversation, Kara reflects on what it means to carry the athlete identity long after your own playing days end. We talk about the bittersweet transition from being on the court to supporting from the sidelines, the struggle to...

From D3 football to 100-mile ultra marathons — meet Toan Nguyen.

In this episode of No Former Athlete, Toan shares how he went from playing football and basketball in college to becoming a long-distance runner chasing ultra endurance goals. He opens up about his athlete identity, how a concussion changed his outlook on health, and why he believes movement is medicine.

Subscribe for more athlete stories redefining what it mean...

What happens when a high school hallway conversation launches a Division I basketball career? In this powerful episode, Nina shares her incredible journey from picking up a basketball for the first time as a freshman to competing against legends like Cheryl Miller and starting on one of the top teams in the nation.

With honesty, humor, and humility, Nina reflects on the evolution of women’s sports, the joy of playing with and agains...

Why I’m Done Working Hard (And You Should Be Too)

We grew up believing that hard work was the ultimate badge of honor — especially as athletes. Hustle harder. Push through. No excuses. But what happens when you hit your 30s and realize… maybe that kind of grind isn’t it anymore?

In this episode, we unpack the moment Erin said, “I’m not a hard worker anymore. I’m a soft worker.” And something about that phrase broke us open.

This conv...

Are you still an athlete if you're not competing anymore?
In this episode of No Former Athlete, I sit down with one of my best friends and former college basketball teammates, Allie Ross, for a raw and honest conversation about what happens after sports end.

We talk about the identity crisis that hits when the season’s over, how external validation shaped our entire self-worth, why we both shoved our "athlete selves"...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Jax—athlete, entrepreneur, and founder of California’s first sports bar dedicated to women’s sports, Watch Me. Jax opens up about reclaiming her athlete identity, navigating identity shifts post-sport, and the fire that fueled her journey from JV standout to community trailblazer. We talk about what it means to start before you’re ready, building safe spaces, and how sports continue to sha...

She Walked Away from the Game — and Found Herself Again

In this episode of No Former Athlete, Jerrica Brooks keeps it real about what it’s like to grow up loving a sport that doesn’t always love you back.

We get into the highs of high school hoops, the pain of toxic coaching, and how stepping away from basketball for six years ended up being one of the most important moves of her life.

This episode includes:

– What happens when your id...

Life After Pro Sports with AthletEX Founder: Taylor CohenWhat happens when the final whistle blows — and you’re not ready to stop playing? In this episode, we sit down with a former pro soccer player and founder of AthletEX, a community-driven platform helping athletes rediscover identity, purpose, and connection after competitive sports.She opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of retirement (twice!), playing overseas during ...

What does it mean to be an athlete—after the game ends?

In this episode of No Former Athlete, we sit down with the one and only April “Scherm” Schermann: Division 1 softball player, award-winning educator, and legendary coach with over 21 years at the helm.

Scherm shares her story of growing up as the only girl in a neighborhood full of boys, her competitive drive to play college ball, and the emotional transition that comes ...

What makes a great coach? In this episode, I sit down with my former high school soccer coach, Coach Walker—a man who didn’t just teach the game, but taught life through it.

From growing up playing barefoot on the streets of Jamaica to coaching high school and club soccer in the U.S., Coach Walker shares the lessons he’s learned about leadership, resilience, culture, and community. We talk about the transition from athlete to coach,...

What happens when the sport that shaped your entire identity suddenly ends? In this episode of No Former Athlete, I sit down with Logan, a former college volleyball player, lifelong athlete, and coach, who’s still pushing herself at 47 — even with a walking boot on her foot.

We talk about the transition from being a competitive athlete to figuring out how to stay consistent without a team or a coach, the power of accountability part...

Imagine grinding your whole life to play at the D1 level—only to have it all taken away by injuries. That’s exactly what happened to Natalie Freeman, a former college soccer player whose career was full of unexpected twists, surgeries, and one brutal conversation that changed everything.But here’s the thing: When sports end, your identity doesn’t just disappear. So what happens next?In this episode of No Former Athlete, we get real...

In this episode of No Former Athlete, we explore the journey athletes face when their competitive careers come to an end. What happens when you’re no longer defined by your sport? As a retired National Champion, NFA host, Erin McGinnis, turns into the guest for this episode and opens up about the emotional and mental challenges of transitioning from the structured world of athletics to everyday life.

We dive into topics like grievi...

🎙️ *From Pro Athlete to Coach: Navigating Life After Sports | No Former Athlete* 🎙️

In this episode, we sit down with Todd Mitchell, a former Division I baseball player who was drafted by the New York Yankees, to explore the highs and lows of athletic life and the emotional transition after retiring from sports. Todd shares his journey, from being a top-tier athlete to coaching the next generation of players, and how the lesso...

🎙️ In this episode, I’m joined by my former college basketball teammate, Ellie Pearson, for a deep dive into life after sports. 🏀 We explore the emotional and mental challenges that come with leaving behind an athletic identity, including the grief, the struggle to find new routines, and the ways that competitive drive never really fades. Ellie opens up about her journey, from the highs of winning a national championship to the ...

In this episode of No Former Athlete, we sit down with Kurt Swearingen, a retired multi-sport athlete who has seamlessly transitioned into a successful career as an educator. Kurt shares his journey from the football field and baseball diamond to the classroom, discussing how his identity as an athlete continues to influence his life today in retirement. We dive into topics like the enduring competitive spirit, the challenges of ag...

In today’s electrifying episode, we’re joined by Jack Burgeson, a retired swimmer whose journey is nothing short of inspiring. Jack didn’t start swimming until high school, yet he propelled himself to become a collegiate swimmer at DePauw University and is now a dedicated triathlon enthusiast in between his work as a physician. Tune in as Jack shares the adrenaline-pumping highs and gut-wrenching lows of his athletic career, the cr...

Today on the No Former Athlete Podcast, we’re joined by 2019 World Cup gold medal-winning athletic trainer, Katie Donnelly. Katie reveals how she transitioned from an active kid trying out every sport imaginable (after School Sports Specialist anyone?) to becoming a vital part of the support staff for professional athletes on the world stage. She shares her conflicted experience immediately following a World Cup victory, and opens ...