In this podcast episode, we dig into the inspiring journey of Konstantina Mantziori, a talented basketball player from Greece who made the bold decision to pursue her dreams in the United States. From navigating the challenges of high school basketball to thriving in college athletics, Konstantina's story is a testament to determination and resilience.

Konstantina's journey is a remarkable story of courage, adaptability, and growth. Her experiences highlight the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges, the value of supportive relationships, and the transformative power of sport. Whether you are an athlete or pursuing a dream in a new environment, Konstantina's story serves as an inspiration to embrace opportunities and face challenges head-on.

Konstantina's IG: mantziorii

Konstantina's bio: https://lindenwoodlions.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/konstantina-mantziori/28743

Enjoy the episode, and don't forget to subscribe!

Support the show

In this solo episode, Barbora breaks down the four themes that keep showing up in conversations with international student-athletes: doing your research, using your resources, knowing your priorities, and planning strategically. Whether you're already in the U.S. or dreaming of earning a scholarship abroad, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence to navigate the journey.

Support the show

In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Marta, an international student-athlete from Bulgaria, who is currently a senior at Rollins College and a player on the volleyball team. Marta shares her experiences of moving to the US, the challenges she faced adapting to a new culture, and her unique approach to the college recruiting process. From her early days in Bulgaria to her current life balancing academics and athletics, Marta's story is one of resilience, determination, and the pursuit of dreams. Tune in to hear about her favorite memories, the lessons she's learned, and her advice for aspiring student-athletes.

Marta's bio: https://rollinssports.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/marta-tsaneva/9474

Marta's IG: marta.rossenova

If you enjoy our episodes, please subscribe to our show!

Support the show

Can you imagine walking across your college campus and being approached by a coach who changes the course of your life? That’s how Flaubert Akepeu’s football journey began at the University of South Florida. Originally from Brazil, Flaubert first came to the U.S. to play basketball in high school before later transitioning to football in college. In this episode, Barbora sits down with him to explore how he balanced Division I football, a chemical engineering degree, and fraternity life — all while navigating the challenges of being an international student-athlete. They dive into his mindset, the power of priorities, and how his experiences on the field and in the classroom continue to shape his career today.

Flow's Instagram: @flowxvi

https://www.instagram.com/flowxvi?igsh=dXR0OGV4Z2x5cmcw

Support the show

In this episode, we’re joined by Maira Ogata, a Mental Performance professional and soccer coach, who shares insightful and practical tips on how student-athletes can take care of themselves both mentally and emotionally. Drawing from her own experience, Maira discusses the common challenges student-athletes face, how to overcome them, and ways to set yourself up for success—all while enjoying the unique journey and privilege of being a student-athlete.

Maira's email address: [email protected]

Maira's instagram: ogata_mpc

Enjoy!

Support the show

In this episode, we are joined by Lyndsay Michel, Head Volleyball Coach at Indian Hills Community College, to talk all things recruiting. She shares valuable tips for both international and domestic athletes, insights on navigating transfers, and how a diverse team helps players grow on and off the court. If you’re looking to play at the next level, this conversation is packed with advice you won’t want to miss.

Lyndsay's email: [email protected]

Lyndsay's bio:  https://indianhillsathletics.com/sports/wvball/coaches/Lyndsey_Michel?view=bio

Support the show

In this episode, we sit down with Andy Heston, Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services at Jacksonville University, a NCAA Division I program in Florida. With years of experience supporting student-athletes, Andy has been instrumental in helping them not only succeed academically but also make the most of their overall college journey.

Andy shares valuable insights specifically for international student-athletes—from asking the right questions when making big decisions, to seizing opportunities on campus, to navigating the complexities of the American college system.

Whether you’re a current or future international student-athlete—or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes support that fuels athletic and academic success—you won’t want to miss this conversation!

Andy's bio:

https://judolphins.com/staff-directory/andy-heston/133

NCAA International Academic Requirements:

https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2018/5/15/international-academic-requirements.aspx

Support the show

Anja, a junior libero from Serbia, has inspired many by taking a leap of faith and building her path from a small hometown to playing Division I volleyball at the University of Texas. She shares her recruiting journey, the challenges of transferring through the NCAA transfer portal, and the cultural adjustments that came with studying and competing in the US. Anja also opens up about her mental health strategies, favorite memories on and off the court, and the lessons she has learned from balancing academics, recovery, and high-level competition. Her story highlights the importance of community, resilience, and courage for any student-athlete chasing big dreams.

We hope you enjoy it!

Anja's Instagram: kujanja

Anja's Bio: https://texaslonghorns.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/anja-kujundi/14355

Support the show

In this episode, we introduce Emma Heikkilä, a former soccer student-athlete from Finland! Emma shares her story of how playing for her national team led her to be spotted by an American coach and ultimately brought her to the U.S. She also talks about how committing to her team and persevering through both the highs and lows paid off when, in her final year, she and her teammates made school history. Lastly, Emma reflects on graduate school, graduate assistantship, and the importance of building strong relationships throughout the journey.

 We hope you enjoy!

Emma's Instagram: @emma_heikkilae

Emma's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-heikkila/

Support the show

Suzana, a former indoor and sand volleyball student-athlete, has inspired many by leading through example and sharing her journey from high school to junior college and eventually to a Division I university. Now serving as a Division II sand volleyball head coach, Suzana walked us through her favorite memories, the struggles she faced, and the academic challenges turned into lessons. She also shares valuable insights on navigating the H-1B visa process, along with what players should prioritize when pursuing recruitment and striving to succeed as collegiate student-athletes.

Suzana's instagram: suzanaandrade_

Suzana's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzana-andrade-255522219?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Support the show