In this milestone episode of The Clean Play Podcast, Anne and Chris explore what it really means to love the game—of basketball, of healing, and of life.

From childhood memories of MJ and Kobe to the grind of college athletics, Anne shares how her relationship with basketball has evolved through seasons of burnout, injury, and rediscovery. Together, they draw the parallels between athletic passion and the sober journey—how staying in love with the process, not just the wins, is what keeps you in the game long-term.

Chris reflects on early recovery and how he first fell in love with sobriety—not for what it took away, but for what it gave back: laughter, connection, and genuine joy. The two unpack why growth requires community, why mindset isn’t built in isolation, and why learning to love your own evolution is the ultimate win.

Whether you’re rebuilding after sport, chasing consistency in recovery, or just trying to reconnect with what lights you up, this episode reminds you that joy is not the reward—it’s the fuel.

You’ll Learn:

• How to stay connected to your why when motivation fades
  

• The difference between loving the work and loving the result
  

• Why growth in sobriety mirrors the evolution of great athletes
  

• How community and curiosity keep passion alive
  

Why joy is a practice, not a finish line

Key Quote:

“If you want to run fast, run alone. If you want to run far, run with others.”

In this episode of The Clean Play Podcast, Anne and Chris dive into the parallels between physical rehab and emotional recovery — and how both demand one thing athletes often avoid: rest.

After years of pushing through pain and “playing hurt,” Anne shares what it’s been like to return to physical therapy for the first time in four summers and what it’s teaching her about slowing down. From a torn MCL to a broken foot, to the mental grind of rest, she unpacks how the athlete’s mindset of “no pain, no gain” can get in the way of real healing — in sport and in sobriety.

Chris draws on his years of counseling experience to connect the dots between rehab and recovery: why rushing the healing process backfires, how ego shows up when we can’t perform, and why our worth isn’t defined by what we produce. Together, they explore how rest isn’t weakness — it’s a skill.

You’ll Learn:

• Why slowing down is one of the hardest — and most important — parts of recovery
  

• How to separate identity from performance as an athlete or sober person
  

• The danger of “speed-running” healing and how to build real endurance instead
  

• Why deep work requires deep rest
  

• How to find purpose even when you’re sidelined
  

Whether you’re healing from an injury, in early sobriety, or learning to redefine what “grind” means, this conversation is a reminder that slowing down isn’t falling behind — it’s how you come back stronger.

In this episode of The Clean Play Podcast, Anne and Chris dive into one of the biggest conversations in sports right now — the WNBA, Caitlin Clark, and the complex emotions rising around competition, race, and respect.

From “welcome to the league” moments to the reality of physical play and media narratives, they unpack how women athletes are often stripped of their humanity when the story gets sensationalized. Anne shares her perspective as a former college basketball player and coach — and as a Black woman who’s spent years in male-dominated spaces — while Chris reflects on how feelings of being overlooked show up not only in sports, but also in sobriety and life.

The conversation widens into something bigger: what it means to be seen, how to navigate being “othered,” and why finding spaces that value authenticity — whether in the gym, in recovery, or at a place like Sans Bar — matters more than ever.

This isn’t just about basketball. It’s about belonging, nuance, and letting people — especially women — just play the game.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why the Caitlin Clark spotlight reveals deeper issues in sports culture
  

• How race, gender, and media shape narratives around women athletes
  

• What “welcome to the league” moments look like — in sport and sobriety
  

• How feelings of being overlooked connect athletes and sober individuals
  

• Why safe, inclusive spaces like Sans Bar are essential for belonging and healing

  
  

  Key Quotes:

  “If we’re going to validate women as athletes, we have to let them be athletes.”

  “Sobriety taught me to live in the gray — to hold nuance and truth at the same time.”

  “Being overlooked hurts. But finding spaces where you’re seen? That’s freedom.”

  
  
  

In this episode of The Clean Play Podcast, Anne and Chris get real about one of the most underrated skills in both sport and sobriety: consistency.

They explore how showing up—especially when you don’t feel like it—builds the foundation for lasting change. From 4:30 a.m. basketball runs to sober routines that become second nature, the conversation breaks down how to keep moving even when motivation fades.

Anne and Chris unpack the difference between discipline and consistency, why feelings aren’t facts, and how love—whether for the game, for yourself, or for your community—fuels longevity in any pursuit. They also explore how consistency shows up far beyond sport: in relationships, work, and self-trust.

Whether you’re rebuilding after sport, navigating early sobriety, or just trying to stay steady through life’s ups and downs—this episode reminds you that real progress isn’t flashy. It’s built one rep, one day, one promise at a time.

In this episode of The Clean Play Podcast, Anne and Chris dive into what it really means to heal—mentally, physically, and emotionally—after life in sport. Building on last week’s heavy conversation, they explore how athletes can seek support and build resources that truly serve their recovery and growth.

From lifting and running as medicine to finding community and compassion in therapy, Anne and Chris unpack the parallels between athletic training and mental health. They share real stories—from NBA star DeMar DeRozan’s “Dinners with DeMar” project to ESPN’s Alive: The Drew Robinson Story—that reveal how grace, vulnerability, and connection keep us in the game long after the scoreboard stops.

If you’ve ever felt lost, burnt out, or unsure how to move forward after sport—or if you’re navigating sobriety and looking for tools to support your next season—this conversation is for you.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why grace is the foundation of healing and mental resilience
  

• How movement—running, lifting, stretching—can be medicine for the mind
  

• The connection between therapy and “film study” for athletes
  

• How sports mirror life: teamwork, recovery, and honoring those who shaped us
  

Real stories of athletes turning pain into purposeResources Mentioned:

• Book: Try Softer by Andi Kolber
  

• Series: Dinners with DeMar (YouTube)
  

• Documentary: Alive: The Drew Robinson Story (ESPN E60)
  

• Film Reference: Remember the Titans
  

Community: Sans Bar Academy Awards — celebrating leaders in the alcohol-free space

In this deeply personal episode of The Clean Play Podcast, Chris and Anne discuss the recent, untimely passing of a professional golfer, reflecting on the profound impact it has had on them and the sports community. They candidly share their own experiences with mental health issues and crises, including their struggles with self-harm.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions about mental health and self-harm that may be triggering for some listeners.
Chris and Anne delve into how sports have been a critical tool in managing and navigating mental health challenges. They also provide valuable insights on how to support others who are facing mental health issues and offer hope to those who may be going through a rough time.

Remember: You are not alone. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please contact a mental health professional and call 988 for support.

You don’t win championships—or stay sober—by going it alone. The same way a team builds trust, accountability, and momentum on the court or field, you need the right people in your corner to navigate life after sport and build an alcohol-free lifestyle that actually lasts.

In this episode, Chris and I dive into why sobriety is a team sport. We break down the importance of finding your support squad, letting go of teammates who no longer align with your growth, and building connections that push you forward instead of pulling you back. Whether you’re a former athlete navigating an identity shift or simply sober curious, this conversation will help you see why connection is the ultimate competitive advantage.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why sobriety and life after sport both require a strong support team

• How to identify the “right teammates” who align with your goals

• The trap of trying to do recovery or identity work alone

• What sports can teach us about accountability in sobriety

• How to rebuild connection and belonging without alcohol

Press play to learn how to find your squad, fuel your growth, and thrive alcohol-free.

Athletes are taught to push through pain, keep grinding, and find identity in the game. But what happens when the game is over—and alcohol takes its place? If you’ve ever wondered who you are without sports or questioned how drinking fits into your story, this episode will hit home.

In this conversation, Chris shares his journey from growing up in a sports family to navigating life after sport, where alcohol became both a mask and a crutch. He opens up about finding belonging outside the locker room, why sobriety became his “third space,” and how the lessons of resilience and consistency from athletics still drive him today. This isn’t just about quitting alcohol—it’s about reclaiming identity and building a stronger sense of self.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How sports culture normalizes drinking and shapes identity

• Why athletes often feel lost once the game ends

• The role of community and connection in staying alcohol-free

• How to transfer discipline from sports into sober living

• Practical lessons for navigating identity shifts after sport

You can train for the game, grind through practice, and play through pain—but what happens when the opponent is alcohol? For so many athletes, drinking is woven into the culture: win or lose, you drink. In this episode, I share my story of breaking free from that cycle and discovering who I am in life after sport.

I open up about growing up in Wisconsin where alcohol was everywhere, chasing a basketball career into college and coaching, and how that lifestyle only pulled me deeper into drinking. What started as “normal” eventually turned into tequila at 7 a.m. just to get through work. But with therapy, reflection, and the mindset I built as an athlete, I found a way forward as an alcohol-free athlete. If you’ve ever wondered who you are beyond sport—or what life could look like without drinking—you’ll hear pieces of yourself in this story.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • Why alcohol is so normalized in sports culture and how it shows up in athletes’ lives • The hidden pressures coaches face that fuel drinking habits • How COVID and personal loss pushed me to confront my relationship with alcohol • The role therapy and sober curiosity played in my turning point • How sports discipline gave me the tools to navigate life after sport without alcohol

Press play to hear what it really takes to shift your identity, rebuild strength, and choose a different path.

You love the game, but wonder what life looks like when you stop drinking. Can you still tailgate, hoop, or sit through a football Saturday without a beer in hand? This episode is for every athlete—past or present—navigating who they are without alcohol.

In the very first episode of Clean Play Podcast, Anne Skriba (former college basketball player and coach, 18 months alcohol-free) and Chris Marshall (17 years sober, founder of Sands Bar) break down how sport and sobriety overlap. From handling identity shifts after sport to showing up alcohol-free in stadium culture, they unpack what it really means to “play clean when life plays dirty.”

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • How sports mindset translates into staying strong as an alcohol-free athlete • What it looks like to tailgate, watch games, and re-engage with sports without drinking • Why identity shifts after sport and after alcohol often mirror each other • Lessons from Michael Jordan’s “Jordan Rules” and how they apply to sobriety • The power of redefining success beyond wins, losses, or drinking culture

Hit play now to hear how to build strength, identity, and freedom in life after sport—without picking up a drink.