Stepping away from the game is one of the toughest transitions an athlete can face. The routine changes, the identity shifts, and suddenly — the question becomes: who am I beyond the sport?

In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey, host Rob Finkelstein, Founder and CEO of Alumni Direct, sits down with Linda Martindale — a former college basketball player, certified mental fitness coach, professor, keynote speaker, and founder of Martindale Coaching — to explore how athletes can strengthen their mental fitness, expand their networks, and redefine success after sports.

Linda brings a powerful combination of experience and empathy — as both a former athlete and parent to four collegiate athletes. She opens up about the mental and emotional challenges athletes face when the cheers fade and the structure of sports disappears. Together, Rob and Linda dive deep into the connection between **mental health, NIL opportunities, and personal development**, showing how today’s athletes can turn their competitive mindset into a foundation for lifelong growth.

Together, Rob and Linda unpack:

- How sports build a competitive spirit that can fuel success beyond the game

- Why mental fitness is just as critical as physical fitness

- The impact of NIL on athlete entrepreneurship and personal branding

- How networking early can open doors for post-sports careers

- The power of alumni mentorship in supporting the next generation of athletes

- Why identity and purpose matter most when the playing days end

If you’re an athlete (or know one) navigating what comes next, this episode will remind you that your strength doesn’t stop when the game ends — it just shifts to a new arena.

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🔗 Connect with Linda Martindale

- Website: [Martindale Coaching](https://www.notion.so/allsite/Martindalecoaching)

🎧 Hosted by Rob Finkelstein, Founder & CEO of Alumni Direct

Connect with Alumni Direct:

- Website: [alumnidirect.com](http://alumnidirect.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

- Instagram: [@alumnidirect](https://instagram.com/alumnidirect?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

- X (formerly Twitter): [@alumnidirect](https://twitter.com/alumnidirect?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

- Facebook: [Alumni Direct](https://facebook.com/alumnidirect?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

- LinkedIn: [Alumni Direct](https://linkedin.com/company/alumnidirect?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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Discover how mental fitness, connection, and community can empower athletes to build their next chapter with purpose and confidence.