Live with Grace

Live with Grace

By Grace N. BeyerSports
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Live with Grace episodes

  • Preparing for Preseason (ft. Kayla Mitchell)

    What is the best way to physically and mentally prepare for preseason? What should you expect? How can you stand out?

    In today’s episode, I welcomed Kayla Mitchell to the show! Kayla is a Graduate Assistant Coach for Murray State, the host of the podcast “Zooming with Kaymitch,” and a former college hooper at Lamar University and Central Arkansas University. You can connect with her on Instagram @realkaymitch.

    As we approach the new school year, college athletes—especially basketball players—are preparing for preseason and the challenges ahead. This episode dives deep into how to get ready mentally and physically for both preseason and the season itself.

    EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

    1. The Role of Preseason: Setting the tone for the season, the transition from player to coach, balancing the physical and mental demands.

    2. Confronting the Unknown: Strategies for coping with anxiety, overcoming the discomfort of conditioning and difficult workouts, dealing with new faces and unknown circumstances.

    3. Standing Out and Being Your Best: What catches a coach’s eye during preseason, the importance of conditioning, communication, grit, and effort, advice for players entering a new season.

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    Join us for this insightful conversation, and don’t forget to share this episode with anyone who may need it! Please leave a rating, follow the podcast ⁠@livewithgracepodcast⁠, and stay connected with Kayla Mitchell ⁠@realkaymitch⁠ on IG and TikTok.

    Also, find the store and all products/resources connected to Live with Grace at ⁠this link.⁠ I appreciate you all!

    27 min
  • Pt. 2: Experience as a Professional Basketball Player (ft. Antoinette "AB" Bannister)

    How do athletes adjust to the next level? How do professionals deal with the pressure to perform-- especially in a foreign country?

    In Part 2 of our conversation with Antoinette Bannister (AB), a seasoned professional basketball player, we focus on the challenges and experiences that come after signing a contract. Antoinette discusses how she manages the pressure to perform, especially when financial stability is on the line, and shares her strategies for adjusting to new cultures, languages, and environments.

    We also explore the emotional aspects of playing overseas, including dealing with loneliness, adapting to new places, and navigating the uncertainty of trades and team changes. Antoinette's insights provide a candid look at what it takes to thrive in the unpredictable world of international basketball.

    15 min
  • Pt. 1: Experience as a Professional Basketball Player (ft. Antoinette "AB" Bannister)

    Do you have what it takes to play a sport professionally? Do you have aspirations to hoop overseas?

    Today on the show, we’re excited to welcome Antoinette Bannister, known as AB, a dynamic professional basketball player with a diverse international career. From playing in Portugal, Mexico, Kosovo, Albania, Nicaragua, Kenya, Egypt, and beyond, to representing the Jamaican National Team since 2018, Antoinette has built an impressive resume both on and off the court. A Jacksonville, FL native, she also had a standout career in Division 1 basketball at North Carolina, Florida, and East Carolina University.

    In this episode, we delve into Antoinette’s journey and expertise in navigating the professional sports world:

    TOPIC 1: Networking/Connections/Communication

    • ​Discover how AB navigated the process of signing her first pro contract.
    • ​Gain insights into effective communication with teams and agents from someone who’s been through it all.

    TOPIC 2: Signing Contracts

    • ​Learn how to identify good opportunities and avoid potential pitfalls when playing overseas.
    • ​Get valuable advice on staying safe and ensuring a comfortable situation in unfamiliar environments.

    Tune in for a deep dive into the realities of professional basketball abroad and hear firsthand from a seasoned pro about what it takes to succeed in this competitive field.

    Stay connected with AB on Instagram @LowLifeAB33

    41 min
  • USA Basketball and D1 Coaching (ft. P'hariz Watkins)

    Today on the Live with Grace podcast, we're joined by P'hariz Watkins, the D1 Assistant Women's Basketball Coach at Northwestern State University. P'hariz brings a wealth of experience, having served as a Graduate Assistant Coach for the renowned Tennessee Lady Volunteers and working with USA Basketball. With five years of college play under his belt, he holds a Bachelor's degree from Heidelberg University and a Master's Degree from Adrian College.

    In this episode, we delve into P'hariz's journey, discussing his impactful role at USA Basketball, his transition from player to D1 Coach, and valuable advice for aspiring coaches. We also explore P'hariz's deep faith and enduring gratitude that shape his approach to life and coaching.

    Connect with P'hariz on Instagram and X: @iampharizwatkins and @PharizWatkins. Follow the Live with Grace podcast on Instagram: @livewithgracepodcast.

    Leave a comment, drop a review/rating, and reach out to let us know your thoughts. Thank you all for listening! - GB♡

    26 min
  • Future Dietitian on Healthy Eating Habits and Body Image for Athletes (ft. Kyra Hungerford)
    Today I welcomed Kyra Hungerford (@kyrasgoodeats) to the podcast. Kyra is currently earning her Master's Degree in Dietetics at University of Illinois Chicago to become a future dietitian. She is also a former college basketball player at University of Missouri-St. Louis.
    -
    Today on the show we discussed Kyra’s outlook on sports, food, and forming healthy eating habits/body image as athletes and active people. We are specifically going to focus on how to create healthy eating habits/body image while remaining mindful of the competitive or health advantages of certain body types for sport.
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    Timestamps:
    00:00 Introduction and Rapid Fire
    3:05 Overview
    04:39 Factors that Affect to Eating Habits as an Athlete (Obsession, Fitting Meals within a Schedule, 
    06:25 Transparency about Eating and Mental Health Struggles as an Athlete
    09:59 The Root Cause: Food or External Factors/Pressures
    14:20 Strategies for Returning to Healthy Mindset about Body/Food
    16:56 Your Diet is More Than What You Eat
    20:10 How to Break Up with Using Food as a Coping Mechanism
    22:50 Balancing Food Choices/Beauty Standards versus Athletic Standards
    28:28 Food Should be Enjoyed— Cravings and Effects of Stress
    31:25 Listener Questions— Dieting, Intuitive Eating, Adjustments
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    IG: @kyrasgoodeats
    Other suggested IG accounts to follow: @danyelewilson @thesamplan @victoriabrowne @fueling.former.athletes @tiffanyima @theviragoproject @denvyr @sydneylbell
    Podcast IG, TikTok, and YouTube Channel: @livewithgracepodcast
    40 min
  • Optimizing the Offseason
    Every season has a purpose… the offseason included. The offseason is a time for working on new skills, building strength, and preparing for the season ahead. It also brings infinite decisions and choices for how to spend your time, between workouts, recovery, rest, and outside hobbies/passions. On this episode, I discuss how I’ve learned to spend my offseason to set myself up for success— not only in my sport, but in all areas of my life.
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    Time Stamps:
    00:00 Intro
    03:10 Building a schedule/plan
    10:31 Showing up everyday with a heart of gratitude (Focus: Doing your best, staying present, walking in your purpose)
    14:57 Implementing new habits and putting yourself in new environments
    17:50 Having the courage to pursue other passions & putting yourself out there
    19:37 Enjoy the offseason and giving back
    21:05 Closing
    23 min
  • Ivy League Athlete Paves the Way for Women in Sports (ft. Peri Sheinin)
    On this episode of the Live with Grace Podcast, I welcomed Peri Sheinin to the show. Sheinin is a former D1 tennis player at Brown University and currently works with Tennis Channel as the host of On The Rise, the first podcast dedicated to women's college tennis. On this episode, she describes her journey as a collegiate athlete, balancing sports with Ivy League academics, as well as advice to other aspiring athletes and sports journalists.
    38 min
  • Navigating College Athletics and Embracing the Future (ft. Camille Hobby)

    In this episode of the Live with Grace Podcast, I reunited with Camille Hobby, my former high school basketball teammate and recent graduate player from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Camille shares her inspiring journey from playing at NC State to Illinois, discussing her faith, overcoming challenges, maintaining love for the game, and advice for aspiring athletes. Join us as we explore her experiences, lessons learned, and her exciting transition to professional basketball.

    Follow Camille: @Hoopergirl41 https://www.instagram.com/hoopergirl41/

    Follow the Podcast: @LivewithGracePodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/livewithgracepodcast/

    -

    Timestamps:

    00:00 Introduction

    01:32 Rapid Fire Questions

    03:58 What inspired you to play basketball?

    06:27 Overcoming Challenges and Doubt from Naysayers; How Camille Developed Self-Belief and Confidence

    07:52 Strong Faith

    09:36 Advice to Other Athletes Challenges and/or Transferring Schools

    12:40 How to Maintain Love for the Game

    15:40 Lessons from Experience Playing at NC State and Illinois

    19:43 How to Stop Negative Thoughts

    20:28 Lessons from Experience Playing at Allen D. Nease in High School

    22:38 Advice to Incoming College Athletes on Dealing with Coaches

    26:59 Learning Self Expression/Advocacy Through College Athletics

    28:52 Transitioning to Next Chapter: Professional Basketball

    29:32 Closing

    32 min
  • Navigating Body Image as an Athlete

    Welcome to the Live with Grace Podcast as I discuss my candid thoughts about body image, my personal struggles with body image, and strategies/mindset tips I've learned to form a healthy body image that lasts... even through changing seasons of life.

    Intro: Navigating Body Image as a Student-Athlete and Woman

    Pt. 1 : Struggles with Body Image as an Athlete

    Pt. 2: Forming a Positive Body Image that Lasts


    Please share and leave a review/rating if this helped you!

    Thank you all for listening.

    -GB

    18 min

About Live with Grace

From the publisher's feed

Join me as I share my experiences as a college athlete, exploring key aspects of athletic life, including maintaining mental, spiritual, & physical well-being, overcoming challenges (e.g., injuries), building a personal brand (NIL and beyond), & developing mental resilience. I also feature discussions with fellow athletes and professionals on topics that impact sports and personal growth.