When Rachel Bergeson was offered her dream job as Athletic Director at Concordia College, she said no. Not because she didn't want it. Because she didn't think she was ready.

A year later, she changed her mind. And the reason she changed her mind is the reason you're going to remember this episode forever.

In Episode 30 of the Athletes IN Sports Podcast, Rachel sits down with Andrew Deters to share the full story — including the moment her 9-year-old son Tyden left a note on the floor that changed everything.

The note said: "Dear Mom, you should take the AD job."

This episode is about:

• Why she turned down the AD job the first time (and what she was really afraid of)
• The conversation with her husband that made her say yes (he gave up three coaching seasons so she could take the job)
• The Division III philosophy that nobody talks about — and why it's producing the most well-rounded athletes in the country
• The four football players who left the sideline to sing the national anthem with the choir
• Bucky Burgau, her dad, who is still throwing batting practice at age 76
• The parenting philosophy that destroyed her backyard: "You're not raising grass, you're raising boys"

• Why everything can get figured out on a wiffle ball field

Rachel also shares the origin story of the InSports Foundation, which started in a Concordia dorm room in 2016 when Max Smith and his classmates turned a class project into a nonprofit that has now impacted over 60,000 kids.

If you're a mom who's ever turned down an opportunity because you didn't feel ready — or a parent who's trying to figure out what really matters in youth sports — this episode is for you.

About Rachel Bergeson: Rachel Bergeson is the Athletic Director at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. A Cobber lifer — she grew up on campus (her grandpa coached there, her mom worked in the registrar's office for 44 years, and her dad Bucky Burgau was the head baseball coach and equipment manager). She played at Concordia, then returned as an assistant women's basketball coach before moving into athletics administration. She took the AD job after initially turning it down, and now leads one of the most distinctive D3 athletic programs in the country. Rachel lives in Moorhead with her husband and their two sons, Tyden and Tate.

Links:

• InSports Foundation: insportsfoundation.org
• Concordia College Athletics: gocobbers.com
• Athletes IN Sports Podcast: athletesinsportspodcast.com
• Follow InSports Foundation on Instagram: @insportsfoundation
• Follow the podcast on Instagram: @athletesinsportspodcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the Athletes IN Sports Podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Share this episode with a mom who's ever doubted herself, a parent who's trying to figure out youth sports, or anyone who loves a good story about courage, family, and chasing your dreams.

What does it take to keep chasing a dream after coming up just short—not once, but twice?

In this episode of the Athletes IN Sports Podcast, Olympic Silver Medalist Korey Dropkin shares his incredible journey from missing the Olympic team in both 2018 and 2022 to standing on the podium at the 2026 Winter Olympics as part of the first U.S. mixed doubles curling team to win an Olympic medal.

Korey opens up about the heartbreak of falling just short, the mental battles that followed, the role sports psychology played in his development, and how learning to separate his identity from his sport ultimately helped him reach the highest level of competition. He also shares valuable lessons for athletes, parents, and coaches about resilience, perseverance, pressure, and finding purpose beyond the scoreboard.

Whether you're chasing a big goal, navigating setbacks, or helping a young athlete pursue their dreams, this conversation is packed with insights that extend far beyond the curling rink.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Korey overcame the disappointment of missing the Olympics twice
• Why the mental side of performance became his biggest breakthrough
• The importance of finding your identity outside of sports
• What Olympic pressure really feels like
• Advice for parents raising young athletes
• Why perseverance often matters more than talent

🎙️ Athletes IN Sports Podcast
Inspiring conversations with athletes, coaches, and leaders who share the lessons sports teach us about life.

This episode is brought to you by:

🏅 InSports Foundation
Providing scholarships, free camps, and opportunities to help more kids experience the life-changing impact of sports.
Learn more: https://insportsfoundation.org

💼 Innovative
Helping organizations create better workplaces through furniture, architectural products, and workplace solutions.
Learn more: https://innovativeos.com

Follow Athletes IN Sports:
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In this episode of the Athletes IN Sports Podcast, we sit down with former NFL quarterback Brooks Bollinger to talk about the reality of youth sports — from the perspective of a player, coach, and parent of five kids.

Brooks shares his journey from growing up in Grand Forks, to leading Wisconsin to a Rose Bowl, to playing in the NFL, and ultimately transitioning into life after football. But more importantly, he gets honest about what he’s learned along the way — especially when it comes to parenting kids through sports today.

We dive into:

• The biggest mistakes youth sports parents are making
• How to handle wins, losses, and tough car ride conversations
• Why sports shouldn’t define your child
• What playing quarterback taught him about leadership, failure, and life after the game
• The challenges athletes face when transitioning into the “real world”
• And how he now applies those lessons in business and at home

This episode was recorded live at the Minnesota Golf Show, where Brooks also shares how the mental game from football carries over to golf — and life.

👉 If this episode resonates with you, please share it with a parent, coach, or athlete who needs to hear it.

🤝 This Episode is Brought to You By The InSports Foundation

The InSports Foundation is dedicated to helping kids and families access sports opportunities regardless of financial barriers. Through free camps, scholarships, and team sponsorships, InSports is working to reduce the cost of youth sports and create more opportunities for kids to learn, grow, and compete.

To learn more or support the mission, visit:
www.insportsfoundation.org

In this episode of the Athletes in Sports Podcast, we sit down with MTV’s The Challenge star Nelson Thomas to talk about the hardest decision of his life—choosing to amputate his foot after a devastating car accident.

Nelson shares his journey from growing up without a father, to finding identity through sports, to building a name on reality TV… and ultimately facing a moment that forced him to redefine who he is.

We talk about:

• Losing his identity as an athlete
• The mental health battles that followed trauma
• Why you can’t bury pain and expect it to disappear
• How faith, community, and resilience helped him rebuild
• And what it truly means to Be the Best You

Now, as an amputee and aspiring Paralympian, Nelson is using his story to inspire others and prove that there are no limits to what you can overcome.

This is a raw, honest conversation about adversity, perspective, and choosing to move forward when life doesn’t go as planned.

This episode is powered by the InSports Foundation.InSports is on a mission to get more kids in the game by reducing the cost of sports through camps, scholarships, and team sponsorships—helping young athletes build confidence, character, and mental well-being through sports.
Learn more at insportsfoundation.org

We’re live at Viking Lakes for the Joy of the Pond Mite Jamboree with Minnesota Vikings rookie offensive lineman Donovan Jackson.

Donovan shares his journey from playing multiple sports as a kid in Texas to becoming a first-round NFL draft pick, along with the mindset, discipline, and work ethic that helped him get there. He talks about the importance of having fun in youth sports, building confidence, and why the small habits you build early can make all the difference.

From “erasing the whiteboard” after a bad play to embracing the competitive drive of “if I’m not doing it, someone else is,” this episode is packed with lessons for young athletes, parents, and coaches alike.

We also hear Donovan’s advice for kids, what he learned from his parents and coaches growing up, and what it really takes to succeed at the highest level.

—

This episode is brought to you by the InSports Foundation, helping kids get in the game through scholarships, camps, and team support.

Special thanks to Vibe Hockey, title sponsor of the Joy of the Pond event.

In sports — and in life — failure isn’t optional. It’s required.

In this episode of Athletes in Sports, Mike Welch, Tournament Director of the 3M Open and former Minnesota Timberwolves executive, shares how sports shape resilience, leadership, and confidence in kids and adults alike.

This conversation explores:

• Why athletes fail more than they succeed — and why that matters

• How youth sports prepare kids for business and real-world pressure

• Parenting competitive athletes without burning them out

• Coaching your own child and handling wins and losses the right way

• Why development matters more than rankings, teams, or titles

From youth sports to professional sports leadership, this episode is packed with lessons for parents, coaches, athletes, and professionals navigating high-performance environments.

This episode is powered by the InSports Foundation and the 3M Open.

Pro golfer Carson Herron joins the Athletes in Sports Podcast to share his journey from being a kid who didn’t even want to play golf—because he’d rather go to Chuck E. Cheese—to chasing his dream of competing at the PGA level.

Growing up as the son of PGA Tour veteran Tim “Lumpy” Herron, Carson opens up about the pressure of legacy, being labeled “Lumpy Jr.,” and how he learned to develop his own golf identity. He breaks down the mental side of the game, how working with a mental performance coach changed his approach under pressure, and why focusing on process over results is the key to long-term success.

Carson also shares what it felt like standing on the first tee at the John Deere Classic, playing the 3M Open in his home state on his birthday, winning the Minnesota State Open, and preparing for opportunities on the global stage.

This episode is a must-listen for athletes, parents, coaches, and golfers looking to understand mindset, resilience, and what it really takes to chase big dreams.

Learn more about our mission: InSportsFoundation.org

Two-time U.S. Open champion and longtime ESPN analyst Andy North joins Max Smith and Andrew Deters onsite at the Sanford International to talk all things golf—mindset, majors, and making the game better for kids.

From the pressure of standing over a must-make putt to why multi-sport youth development matters, Andy shares hard-earned lessons, candid takes on LIV vs. PGA, and what Tiger’s future on the senior circuit could realistically look like. He also opens up about Midwest grit, bouncing back from injuries, the joy of junior golf, and his Andy North & Friends philanthropy fighting cancer. Plus: a peek at his voice-activated “caddie” app concept.

We cap the episode with a free youth golf clinic in partnership with InSports Foundation and First Tee—because exposure to the game can change a kid’s life.

Highlights

• Mental game under pressure (staying present on 18)

• Tiger’s senior eligibility & the Senior U.S. Open

• LIV vs. PGA: why the split persists

• Advice for parents: avoid early specialization

• The value of junior golf & PGA Junior League

• Philanthropy, community, and growing the game

If this conversation helped you, share it with a parent, coach, or young athlete—and follow Athletes IN Sports for more.

This episode is brought to you by the ‪InSports Foundation helping kids get in the game through free camps, scholarships, and team sponsorships. Learn more or support the mission at www.InSportsFoundation.org.

Natalie Darwitz is a Minnesota hockey legend, three-time Olympian, and one of the most influential figures in women’s hockey. In this episode of the Athletes IN Sports Podcast, Natalie shares her journey from growing up with an older brother and sister, strapping on My Little Pony roller skates, and breaking into a sport where few girls played, to becoming captain of Team USA.

She opens up about:

• Learning resilience while playing with the boys

• The cutthroat process of making an Olympic team

• The importance of free play in youth sports

• Lessons from coaching her own kids

• Why hockey — and sports in general — are about more than competition

Whether you’re a parent, coach, or athlete, Natalie’s insights on perseverance, youth development, and the life lessons sports teach will leave you inspired.

This episode is brought to you by the InSports Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping kids get in the game by providing free camps, scholarships, and team sponsorships. To learn more or support the mission, visit InSportsFoundation.org.

Welcome to Athletes IN Sports—the podcast that goes beyond the game to uncover the stories that shape elite athletes.

In this episode, we sit down with Izzy Ashburn, former University of Wisconsin volleyball standout and national champion. Izzy shares how her parents’ steady support shaped her work ethic, resilience, and ability to thrive through the highs and lows of college athletics.

She opens up about:

• Why playing multiple sports as a kid gave her an edge in volleyball

• How intentional habits helped her balance academics, travel, and D1 competition

• The role of culture and team standards in building a championship program

• Why identity beyond sports is essential for long-term happiness and success

Packed with heartfelt stories and practical advice, this conversation is a must-listen for athletes, parents, and coaches who want to understand what it really takes to succeed—on and off the court.

🌟 Featured Guest: Izzy Ashburn
🤝 Sponsors: InSports Foundation x Athlusion
📍 Location: MN Select Volleyball
🎤 Hosts: Max Smith, Bridget Smith, Andrew Deters
💡 Co-Host: Chad Welk, Co-Founder/CEO Athlusion

🎧 Tune in now and discover what it means to pursue excellence with balance, intentionality, and passion.

💡 This episode is brought to you by the InSports Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to giving kids the chance to participate in sports regardless of financial barriers. Just like Izzy’s story, our mission is about helping the next generation find their passion, build confidence, and thrive both on and off the court.