No Struggle No Story

National Steeplechase Champion, Leader of the Minority Student Athlete Collective, and Nebraska Track and Field and Cross Country runner Sadio Fenner joins the show for Episode 21 of our series. Sadio talks about the importance of how he defines his success every day and the experience of being able to create community around him as a minority in his environment. Sadio shares an unrelenting belief in helping others, making a difference in his community, and above all else never giving up on people. These traits are what have helped him get through the biggest struggles in his life and learn that every day is not a test, but an opportunity to grow.

Olympic Gold Medalist. 2x NCAA Champion. 3x World Champion. Episode 20 digs deep into the career of wrestling legend Jordan Burroughs as he speaks about the adversities and struggles he faced in his many years on the mat. Through relentless work ethic, a great support system, and an understanding that the toughest losses turn you into a better champion he was able to transform the adversities into opportunities to grow. Burroughs explains that all of the accolades mean nothing in comparison to the man he is becoming in the process. A truly inspirational person with enough knowledge about facing struggles to last a lifetime. Don't hesitate to listen in!

In an eye-opening Episode 19 of No Struggle No Story, former South Carolina Beach Volleyball player and current Duke Volleyball outside hitter Franky Harrison talks about her journey with mental health throughout her life. After years of struggles in her later high school and early college years, speaking with a psychologist and realizing it's okay to not be okay allowed Franky to learn each day from these experiences and turn them into an opportunity to grow. This journey led her to be a huge advocate for mental health, create her own podcast her senior year, and truly enjoy every aspect of her life as it comes. Listen in to one of the most relatable episodes yet!

Episode 18 digs into an incredible conversation with former All-B1G Husker soccer player and current player for the NWSL Orlando Pride, Savanah Uveges. Savanah faced a daunting couple of years highlighted by four ACL surgeries. Through all of the pain and the struggle, she was able to find strength in her faith, her family, and her growth mindset that allowed her to learn from each of these experiences and become not only a better athlete but a better person as well. This story is a must-listen surrounded by positivity, resilience, and faith in what you believe in. Don't miss out!   

Episode 17 brings on All-B1G Freshman Honorable Mention, Defensive Player of the Game against Ohio State, and Freshman starting DB for the Indiana Hoosiers. Riggins delivers an incredibly inspiring story about his struggles with mental health and how he was able to turn his own struggles into a platform to help others. After suffering from severe depression and anxiety, A'shon eventually faced a failed suicide attempt later into his Indiana career. This experience propelled him to become one of the B1G's leading mental health advocates and a man trying to help others cope with the same struggles he faced. Riggins' story is a must-listen, and will help many realize that they are not alone.

Episode 16 takes a different perspective as we bring on No Struggle No Story podcast host, Boyd Epley Award winner, ITA Scholar-Athlete, and Nebraska Men's Tennis player Patrick Cacciatore. Many people over the past few months have asked, why did you start the podcast? And the answer is this: after a long period of suffering from depression and anxiety that I finally began to understand last summer, I wanted to find a way to impact and inspire others who were dealing with similar struggles. I wanted to help other people find a platform that helped them realize they are not alone, and there are thousands of other people facing the same adversities they were. I wanted people to realize that it's okay to not be okay. And with my podcast, No Struggle No Story, I have attempted to do just that. Through the help of an incredible support system, a newfound perspective to judge myself off of who I am rather than what I do, and an understanding of my calling in life I was able to learn how to better cope with my struggles. I hope that this episode can shine light on my story and the reason I do what I do today. A special thank you to Husker Sports Psych for having me on and interviewing me as well!

On Episode 15, ATP Career-High #129, winner of 25 professional level doubles titles, and Philippines Davis Cup member Ruben Gonzales joins the show. Ruben shares his inspiring story about dealing with financial struggles at the beginning of his professional career but fighting on to pursue his dream of playing on the world's biggest stage by coaching and competing at the same time. Ruben puts a huge emphasis on how much having a strong support system, a growth mindset, and a clear purpose can lead to true happiness and content in your heart. He has learned that each and every step of the journey are equally important as the last and that doing what you love will always be a guiding light. Listen in to this incredible story and remember that with no struggle, there is no story.

In Episode 14, listen to former ATP #48 and 3rd round competitor of both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open Jared Donaldson dig into the adversities he faced with his tennis career and how these shaped his view on how he would judge himself. After a brief period of quitting the sport, Donaldson refound his love for tennis through competing and soon learned that what really mattered was if he was a better version of himself than he was yesterday. With this newfound perspective, Jared combined it with his relentless pursuit of putting his all into anything he does to turn this struggle into one incredible story. Tune in!

On Episode 13, 8x All-American, ACC Player of the Year, and 3x UNC Men's Tennis team Captain Will Blumberg delivers a vital message about the struggles he faced throughout his tennis career and the ways he was able to rebuild his confidence from a time of self-doubt. Surrounding himself with a great support system, Blumberg was able to put a focus on the small victories each day and putting an emphasis on gratitude for the opportunities he's been given to become one of the greatest players in college tennis history. His humble attitude and balanced lifestyle make you realize that life is not all about your sport, your job, or your career. It's about self-improvement and being the best version of yourself. Listen in to hear this illuminating episode!

Episode 12 brings on 3x All-American, ATP Number 66, and 2019 US Open Quarterfinalist Jackson Withrow to the podcast. Jackson gives incredible insight into how losing tennis for 22 months in a row due to surgeries changed his perspective on the game and how he viewed his success. His perseverance, attitude, and effort to be great deliver an incredible energy that exemplifies the way he's been able to overcome adversity and become one of the best doubles players in the world. His story is one to hear and a great listen for all viewers alike!