Purpose After Sports

In this episode, Eli shares his journey from JUCO to professional basketball, highlighting the importance of discipline, resilience, and adapting to challenges. Mikki explores Eli's experiences with sports, overcoming setbacks, and transitioning into coaching, offering valuable insights for aspiring athletes.

In this episode, Dr. Tayler Onion shares her journey from a farm town in Illinois to becoming a sports management professor and podcast host. She discusses the importance of self-advocacy, identity, and representation for women in sports, offering valuable insights for aspiring athletes and professionals.

Lindsey Nadler, a former Division I softball player and founder of Elite Mental Edge, shares insights on the mental side of sports, pressure handling, and building resilience. This episode explores how mental training can transform athletes' performance and well-being.

Lawson Hall shares his journey from a young football enthusiast to a college athlete, and now an entrepreneur helping student-athletes transition into the workforce. Discover insights on athlete mindset, overcoming injuries, and leveraging sports skills for career success.

Barb Smith shares her journey from college athlete to coach and entrepreneur, highlighting the importance of self-awareness, fit, and strategic planning in the college recruiting process. Discover practical advice for athletes and families navigating the complex world of sports recruitment and college selection.

Kendall shares her journey from high-level soccer athlete to life after sports, highlighting the importance of identity, faith, and finding new passions. This episode offers insights into overcoming mental and physical challenges, leadership lessons, and embracing growth beyond athletics.

Bella shares her journey from college softball player to coach, highlighting the behind-the-scenes work, the importance of passion, and how athletes can navigate their sports careers and transitions effectively.

Former athlete Shawn Lee shares his journey from football to comedy, highlighting resilience, grit, and the importance of embracing change. Discover how he overcame adversity, shifted his mindset, and found purpose beyond sports.

In this inspiring interview, Grace Telepak shares her journey from college basketball to becoming a strength and conditioning coach, overcoming injury, and embracing her identity beyond sports. Discover her insights on resilience, mentorship, community, and redefining success in fitness and life.

In this episode of Purpose After Sports, Mikki O’Neal sits down with former professional basketball player Olivia Nash to talk honestly about the athlete journey, from early competition to college basketball, playing professionally overseas, and the emotional reality of stepping away from the game.

Olivia opens up about her competitive nature, the highs and lows of college athletics, navigating professional contracts in Germany and Finland, and the identity shift that comes when basketball is no longer the center of your life. She shares how injuries, body changes, and unspoken grief impacted her confidence, relationships, and sense of purpose, and how coaching became a meaningful way to stay connected to the sport.