COMMITTED

Should your 10-year-old be playing 100 games a year? Does making varsity actually matter if they never play? Are expensive travel teams, showcases, rankings, and gear really helping your child become a better athlete?

In this episode of Committed, Kate sits down with former professional baseball player and longtime youth coach Zach Lutz for a conversation every sports parent needs to hear.

After more than a decade in professional baseball and another decade working with young athletes, Zach has seen youth sports from nearly every angle: player, coach, trainer, and now parent.

He breaks down what actually develops young athletes, why kids may be specializing too early, how parents can evaluate coaches and travel programs, when the money is actually worth spending, and why playing more games doesn't automatically mean getting better.

They also dive into burnout, social media, rankings, the transfer portal, NIL, choosing the right college level, and why getting reps on JV may be far more valuable than sitting on a varsity bench.

The message throughout the conversation is simple: stop chasing what everyone else is doing and bring clarity back to the process.

Because developing a great athlete shouldn't come at the expense of developing a kid who still loves the game.

• To reach out or learn more please visit: https://byndsport.com/
• Social Media: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• Substack: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• YouTube: @kateafitzgerald

What happens when you achieve the dream, only to realize your identity has to become bigger than the game?

In this episode of Committed, Kate sits down with former NFL player and Super Bowl champion DJ Foster to talk about the realities of recruiting, D1 football, the NFL, mental health, and preparing for life after sport.

DJ shares what it was like becoming one of the nation’s top recruits, why he chose ASU with his life at 35 and 45 in mind, and what athletes and parents should actually consider during recruiting.

He opens up about a difficult senior season, going undrafted, earning his opportunity in the NFL, and eventually facing the identity shift that comes when the game ends. Now back at ASU developing student-athletes, DJ is helping the next generation prepare for both performance and life beyond it.

From NIL and the transfer portal to financial literacy, mental health, career preparation, and learning to “run your own race,” this episode is a real look at what it takes to succeed during sport without losing sight of who you’ll be after it.

Contact: @djfoster

• To reach out or learn more please visit: https://byndsport.com/
• Social Media: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• Substack: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• YouTube: @kateafitzgerald

In this episode of Committed, Kate sits down with Division I football player Adama Fall to share his unique journey from Senegal to competing at the highest level of college athletics.

Adama opens up about transitioning from soccer to football, adapting to a new country and culture, and navigating the challenges that come with chasing opportunity far from home.

He shares how his upbringing, family values, and the legacy of his grandfather have shaped his mindset both on and off the field.

Beyond football, Adama dives into his passion for fashion, his interest in pursuing law school, and how he’s thinking about building a life that extends far beyond the game.

This episode is a powerful look at identity, resilience, and what it means to pursue purpose alongside performance.

Follow Adama:
Instagram: @adamafall 
Learn more/reach out: https://adamadiagnefall.com/about

• To reach out or learn more please visit: https://byndsport.com/
• Social Media: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• Substack: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• YouTube: @kateafitzgerald

In this episode of Committed, Kate sits down with Bri Nunley to dive into the real journey behind competing at a high level and growing through the challenges that come with it.

Bri shares her experience navigating the ups and downs of athletics, from handling pressure and adversity to stepping into leadership roles and staying committed through difficult moments.

She opens up about the mindset required to keep pushing forward, how to stay grounded when things don’t go as planned, and what it truly takes to grow both on and off the field.

This conversation highlights the importance of resilience, self-belief, and learning how to turn challenges into opportunities for long-term development.

If you’re an athlete, coach, or parent looking for honest insight into what it takes to succeed beyond just performance, this episode is for you.

Follow Bri:
Instagram: @bri.nunley

• To reach out or learn more please visit: https://byndsport.com/
• Social Media: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• Substack: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• YouTube: @kateafitzgerald

In this episode of Committed, Kate sits down with former Arizona State beach volleyball teammates Ava Haughy and Ava Williamson to share an honest look into the reality of Division I athletics.

From navigating recruiting to entering college as freshmen on a historic NCAA tournament team to then transferring after their freshman year, both athletes open up about what it actually takes to compete at the next level.

They break down the transition into college athletics: early mornings, intense training schedules, and the mental pressure that comes with stepping into a completely new environment.

The conversation dives into comparison, feeling behind in recruiting, and why starting later can actually become an advantage.

Ava and Ava also share their experiences navigating the transfer portal, the emotional challenge of leaving teammates, and how to make decisions that prioritize long-term growth over comfort.

This episode is a real, unfiltered look at what it means to grow through change, trust your path, and build an identity beyond your sport. 

Follow Ava Haughy:
Instagram: @avahaughy

Follow Ava Williamson:
Instagram: @avagwilliamson

• To reach out or learn more please visit: https://byndsport.com/
• Social Media: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• Substack: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• YouTube: @kateafitzgerald

In the first episode ever recorded of Committed, Kate sits down with Indiana University volleyball player Ava Vickers to break down the real journey through recruiting, college athletics, leadership, and more!

From sending hundreds of emails and navigating rejection to ultimately choosing a school she never expected, Ava shares how her recruiting journey reshaped what she truly valued in a program.

She opens up about stepping into a leadership role early, navigating major team changes, and how small actions (like building connection and trust) can transform a team’s culture.

Ava also dives into balancing Division I athletics with NIL opportunities, launching her own clothing brand, and playing through injury while continuing to show up for her team.

This episode is a raw look at what it takes to grow as both an athlete and a person when everything around you is changing. 

Follow Ava:
Instagram: @avavickers_

• To reach out or learn more please visit: https://byndsport.com/
• Social Media: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• Substack: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• YouTube: @kateafitzgerald

In this episode of Committed, Kate sits down with longtime friend and standout baseball player Kevin Karstetter to unpack the real journey through college athletics.

Kevin’s path wasn’t linear. After earning his first Division I scholarship offer at just 15 years old, his career took multiple unexpected turns, including losing his senior season to COVID, choosing the junior college route, transferring to Arizona State, navigating NCAA eligibility rules, and ultimately helping lead the University of Tampa to a national championship.

Kevin shares what JUCO baseball is really like, why it can be one of the best development paths for athletes, and the mindset required to keep going when your plan doesn’t work out.

From early recruiting pressure to mental resilience and learning to love the game again, this conversation is a raw look at the sacrifices, pivots, and perspective it takes to stay committed to the sport you love.

Social Media: @k_karstetter 

• To reach out or learn more please visit: https://byndsport.com/
• Social Media: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• Substack: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• YouTube: @kateafitzgerald

In this episode of Committed, Kate sits down with Nebraska distance runner Cami Merickel to talk about the realities of Division I track and field and building a life beyond your sport. 

From growing up in Arizona to competing at the D1 level, Cami shares how she navigated recruiting without a clear roadmap, adjusted to the demands of college training, and learned to trust her own path as an athlete. 

She opens up about the transition from high school to D1, managing injuries and increased workload, and why track is far more mental and strategic than people think. 

Cami also shares her experience studying abroad in Barcelona while continuing to train at a high level, a rare path for student-athletes, and how that experience ultimately reshaped her career goals and identity beyond running. 

This episode is for athletes learning how to balance performance, personal growth, and life outside of sport. 

Follow Cami:
Instagram: @camimerickel (confirm handle if needed) 

• To reach out or learn more please visit: https://byndsport.com/
• Social Media: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• Substack: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• YouTube: @kateafitzgerald

Committed is a podcast about the real journey through sports and the life that follows. Hosted by former Division I beach volleyball player and entrepreneur Kate Fitzgerald, the show is rooted in her unique path through college athletics. Kate walked on to Arizona State’s beach volleyball team, earned a scholarship, became one of the top NIL-earning Olympic sport athletes, and helped lead ASU to its first NCAA Championship appearance. Along the way, she launched two businesses through NIL, including VBAmerica and the SPORTx Student-Athlete Venture Studio, a $1.5M+ partnership with GoDaddy focused on helping athletes develop skills beyond being influencers. Now, she talks with athletes, coaches, and innovators to share real stories about recruiting, college sports, NIL, and life after the game. New episodes every week. 

• To reach out or learn more please visit: https://byndsport.com/
• Social Media: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• Substack: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• YouTube: @kateafitzgerald