In this deeply moving episode of The Unsung Athlete Podcast, I sit down with Kristi Udley—mother, wife, athlete, and co-owner of Mark 44 Martial Arts Academy.

Kristi shares her powerful journey of identity, resilience, and rediscovering herself through sport—from growing up in a competitive athletic family, to heartbreak after not making the volleyball team, to finding strength again through Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu, and lifting as a powerful woman and mother of three.

Kristi dives deep into:

• What it means to reclaim your identity as an athlete later in life

• Navigating imposter syndrome as a woman in a male-dominated sport

• Building a gym culture rooted in safety, belonging, and community

• Motherhood, postpartum depression, and finding your way back to yourself

• Creating women-only training spaces that restore confidence and self-worth

This episode is a reminder that you don’t need medals, spotlights, or accolades to matter. Some of the strongest athletes are the ones quietly showing up—raising families, building communities, and fighting for themselves every single day.

✨ If you’ve ever questioned whether you still “count” as an athlete—this conversation is for you.