In this episode, Kelsey sits down with Sydney Supple. Sydney is infectiously energetic, strong, committed, and generously kind. She empowers others through her work in sports and storytelling.
 
Sydney Supple is a former D1 Softball player at Northwestern University and a current sports broadcaster. Kelsey and Sydney talk about Sydney's journey in sports, the importance of community and giving back, navigating confidence and self-perception, and the role of strong female figures in her life. Sydney shares her experiences transitioning from college sports to broadcasting, the challenges of maintaining confidence, and the valuable lessons learned from her family. The conversation emphasizes the significance of self-awareness, mentorship, and the empowerment of young athletes.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:05 Sydney's Journey in Sports
05:51 The Importance of Community and Giving Back
09:05 Navigating Confidence and Self-Perception
12:10 Transitioning from College Sports to Broadcasting
14:58 The Role of Strong Female Figures
17:59 Advice for Young Athletes
20:52 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

What to Expect:

• Sydney's journey growing up as a competitive travel softball athlete and playing for one of the best programs in the country.
• Sydney’s defining moment of raising $110,000 to build a softball field in her hometown.
• It's important to give oneself grace and not strive for perfection.
• Valuable lessons learned about self-love and confidence through coaching.
• The transition from college sports to professional life. 
• Strong female figures who have greatly influenced Sydney’s journey and why.  
• Inspiring young athletes to be courageous and confident. 
• The power of storytelling and connection in sports.

Call to Action: Reflect on causes you care about, how you might want to give back to a community in your life, or ways you can inspire the next generation.

Special Links:
Life Beyond Labels is brought to you by KazCM. They aim to create space where businesses can build assets and drive revenue through writing and talking. Learn more at KazCM.com.

Sydney Links:

• Socials: Instagram | LinkedIn
• Website: sydneysupple.com
• SportsEpreneur: Finding Identity Outside of Sport

Let’s Connect!

• Socials: Instagram | TikTok | Facebook: @kelsoconnor6
• Website: kelseyoconnor.net

Credits

• Life Beyond Labels is a QuietLoud Studios production. Featured on SportsE Media. Discover more at quietloudstudios.com.
• Music provided by YoKram: YouTube | Spotify | TikTok @yokrammusic

In this episode, Kelsey sits down with Marques Ogden. Marques is hardworking and motivated — he strives to inspire people through his positive mindset and powerful story.

Marques Ogden shares how he went from living the dream as an NFL player and building a multimillion-dollar business to losing it all and rebuilding his identity and career. After overcoming failure and ego, Marques learned to embrace his authenticity, which has turned him into a renowned motivational speaker and podcaster. You won’t want to miss this authentic episode.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Marcus Ogden
03:15 The Journey from NFL to Entrepreneurship
09:49 Overcoming Adversity and Rock Bottom Moments
17:30 Mindset and Authenticity in Leadership
23:34 The Importance of Service and Relationships
30:02 Defining Authenticity and Leadership
39:12 Living Beyond Labels and Internal Values

What to Expect:

• Authenticity, service, and relationships are key components of successful leadership.
• Rock bottom moments can lead to significant personal growth.
• Mindset is essential for overcoming adversity and thriving in life.
• Every expert was once a beginner, and starting from the bottom is part of the journey.
• Marcus's journey illustrates the power of resilience and determination.
• Living beyond labels allows for a more authentic and fulfilling life.

Call to Action: Listen to this episode for a reminder that even the toughest setbacks can lead to incredible growth, and see how Marques Ogden’s story might inspire you to embrace your own authenticity!

Special Links:
Life Beyond Labels is brought to you by KazCM. They aim to create space where businesses can build assets and drive revenue through writing and talking. Learn more at KazCM.com.

Connect with Marques Ogden:

• LinkedIn | Instagram
• Website: marquesogden.com

Let’s Connect!

• Socials: Instagram | TikTok | Facebook: @kelsoconnor6
• Website: kelseyoconnor.net

Credits

• Life Beyond Labels is a QuietLoud Studios production. Featured on SportsE Media. Discover more at quietloudstudios.com.
• Music provided by YoKram: YouTube | Spotify | TikTok @yokrammusic

In this episode, we dive into the idea that labeling our experiences can sometimes make us wonder if our best days are behind us. We challenge the whole concept of "the best years" by chatting about how we can look at our lives through a more balanced lens rather than just a lowlight or highlight reel. Your best days are not behind you, and, no, you’re not missing them!

What to Expect:

• The expectations placed on phrases like “College is supposed to be the best 4 years of your life” or “golden days.”
• I will talk about a lowlight reel and a highlight reel of my high school and college years.
• Understand how labeling our experiences can create unnecessary pressure and expectations around specific life stages.
• If you’re not having “the best years of your life,” it’s okay. You didn’t miss it.
• We can choose to view our lives through the highlights, lowlights, or a more balanced perspective.
• Both positive and negative experiences can coexist; life is complex.
• Use gratitude lists to maintain perspective; raw feelings lists allow you to name what you really feel. It’s crucial to feel through difficult emotions rather than suppress them.
• Acknowledge that social media often presents a skewed highlight reel, contributing to feelings of inadequacy.
• Recognize that every chapter of life has its own unique challenges and blessings that shape our experiences.
• Reframe expectations to reduce anxiety about the future.
• Use intentional language to reshape our outlook on life to allow for a more balanced perspective.
• Both joy and pain are essential parts of what we experience as human beings.

Call to Action: Embrace a balanced perspective of your life’s experiences and chapters.

Referenced: “We cannot selectively numb emotions. When we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.” -Brene Brown

Special Links:
Life Beyond Labels is brought to you by KazCM. They aim to create space where businesses can build assets and drive revenue through writing and talking. Learn more at KazCM.com.

Let’s Connect!

• Socials: Instagram | TikTok | Facebook: @kelsoconnor6
• Website: kelseyoconnor.net

Credits

• Life Beyond Labels is a QuietLoud Studios production. Featured on SportsE Media. Discover more at quietloudstudios.com.
• Music provided by YoKram: YouTube | Spotify | TikTok @yokrammusic

In this episode of Life Beyond Labels, we’ll talk about 10 practical ways to be kind to your mind, let go of the need for external validation, and improve your self-talk to improve your life.

What to Expect:

• 10 ways to improve not only how you talk to yourself, but how you see yourself.
• The voice you will have to listen to the most throughout your life is your own.

10 Tips to Improve Self Talk

1. Start with going from Negative self-talk to Neutral self-talk.
2. Don’t trust your thoughts when you’re tired, hungry, or thirsty.
3. Ask yourself: is this my voice or someone else’s?
4. If it is your voice, label it as someone else.
5. Use intentional language.
6. “What If” in the right direction: what if it all works out?
7. Be a role model in how you speak to yourself.
8. Self-discipline increases confident self-talk.
9. Speak kindly about others.
10. Set affirmations and intentions.

Call to Action: Apply one of these 10 tips! Speak to yourself like you’d speak to a friend or someone you love.

Special Links:
Life Beyond Labels is brought to you by KazCM. They aim to create space where businesses can build assets and drive revenue through writing and talking. Learn more at KazCM.com.

Let’s Connect!

• Socials: Instagram | TikTok | Facebook: @kelsoconnor6
• Website: kelseyoconnor.net

Credits

• Life Beyond Labels is a QuietLoud Studios production. Featured on SportsE Media. Discover more at quietloudstudios.com.
• Music provided by YoKram: YouTube | Spotify | TikTok @yokrammusic

Welcome to Life Beyond Labels
In our VERY first episode of Life Beyond Labels, we’ll explore what it truly means to be defined by more than just our external accomplishments, roles, jobs, or titles. While we often find ourselves influenced by things like our careers or relationships, this episode will focus on embracing our authentic selves and building our identity from the inside.

What to Expect:

• What does Life Beyond Labels mean?
• 3 things that define who you are on the inside: your attitude, how you treat others, and your unique qualities.
• Understand how labels can help us make sense of our experiences while recognizing that our internal identity—our attitude, how we treat others, and our unique qualities—matters most.
• I’ll share a glimpse of my personal story: the concussion that ended my athletic career, a viral speech, and the serious self-reflection that occurred along the way.
• I’ll explain how my identity is rooted in faith, but it’s a daily choice to maintain a positive attitude, treat others well, and embrace my unique self.
• Learn how to appreciate yourself and others for more than just roles, titles, or achievements, and see who people truly are at their core.

Call to Action: Describe people using three key things: 1) their attitude, 2) how they treat others, and 3) what makes them uniquely beautiful—their inner strengths and qualities.

Special Links:
Life Beyond Labels is brought to you by KazCM. They aim to create space where businesses can build assets and drive revenue through writing and talking. Learn more at KazCM.com.

Let’s Connect!

• Socials: Instagram | TikTok | Facebook: @kelsoconnor6
• Website: kelseyoconnor.net

Credits

• Life Beyond Labels is a QuietLoud Studios production. Featured on SportsE Media. Discover more at quietloudstudios.com.
• Music provided by YoKram: YouTube | Spotify | TikTok @yokrammusic