In this conversation, Emily Brooks talks about her journey to qualifying for the Boston Marathon, the impact of social media in the fitness space, and the importance of working with a dietitian.

She completed her undergraduate degree at Penn State and is currently pursuing a Master of Science as she works toward becoming a dietitian. As a future dietitian, she uses her own experiences to educate and inspire others to properly fuel both their bodies and minds in pursuit of a healthier, more balanced life. Emily opens up about the importance of stepping away from running in high school to prioritize her mental and physical health.

Throughout the conversation, she highlights her passion for dietetics and emphasizes the importance of blending science with enjoyment in her approach to both running and nutrition.

Although she made the difficult decision to defer running the Boston Marathon this past weekend to prioritize her long-term health, it does not diminish the accomplishment of qualifying or the excitement surrounding what lies ahead in her running journey.

IG: @ems.goodeats

Tiktok: @emsgoodsbooks

In this episode, Laci Miller offers a unique perspective through her lens as a coach. From her cycling classes at her University Rec center to becoming a Head Coach at Orange Theory Fitness while still in undergrad, she has redefined what fitness means to her. She believes group fitness is a powerful tool for both physical and mental well-being, and she’s worked hard to help people from all walks of life find purpose through movement. What she’s built is a true reflection of the care and intention she brings to everything she does.

Laci dives into the shift from viewing exercise as punishment to embracing it as empowerment. She shares her own journey in creating a career and brand around herself that has provided and been so fulfilling despite it being so different from the career path she initially envisioned. She speaks to the challenges of navigating the balance of fitness in adulthood, emphasizing that with the right environment and guidance, it doesn’t have to feel intimidating or overwhelming.

IG: @laci.millerr @williamsburg.otf

If you’re interested or know someone whose perspective could inspire and benefit other athletes fill out the link: https://forms.gle/6NSRwQsGc1wJYvpr5

In this episode, Makenzie Steele shares her journey and perspective as a previous Division I student-athlete, content creator, and future sports business professional. After graduating from Clemson with a degree in marketing and a minor in accounting, she is now pursuing her MBA in Sports Business at the University of Oregon while serving as a graduate assistant for the GoDucks creative team, creating content for Oregon Athletics. The passion for creating content might have started during covid with her foodie Instagram @goodfoodgoodrun but the opportunity to create content for an athletics department came as a silver lining to an injury that ended her career.

As a former cross country and track athlete at Clemson University, Makenzie shares her experience as a walk-on, her reflection coming back from injuries, and the amazing people she has met along the way (shout out @sydminarik and all the work she is doing). Makenzie offers a unique perspective on the student-athlete experience and the importance of establishing an identity outside of your sport. She has embraced every evolving role she’s stepped into, no matter what it looked like at the time. Her story resonates with athletes navigating uncertainty, questioning their post-grad paths, and finding new ways to stay connected to the sports world, all while remaining authentic both online and offline.

Through her lens, we dive into how setbacks can bring new opportunities for growth and how the lessons learned through sport continue to drive success long after competition ends.

IG: @goodfoodgoodrun

In this episode, we are joined by Nicolette Caneda, a former Division 1 soccer athlete turned F45 coach, for an honest and inspiring conversation about life in sports beyond the game. Nicolette reflects on her journey and the lessons she has learned through competition, transition, and prioritizing mental health at every stage of an athlete’s career. She is currently getting her Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling where her ability to reflect and her passion for helping others will serve her well.

She opens up about her own journey, the vital role her family played in supporting her growth, and her advocacy work with Strong Girls United, a nonprofit organization that works to empower young female athletes. Though sharing her journey wasn’t easy, her willingness to be vulnerable has shaped her into a leader who now inspires and guides others toward living happy and purposeful lives. Together, we explore what it means to find your “why” and how amazing it is to help people do that.

This episode highlights the power of reflection, vulnerability, and celebrating progress both on and off the field. Nicolette’s story serves as a powerful reminder that true strength comes from honesty, community, and lifting up those around you.

IG: @nickifit22

IG: stronggirlsunited

https://www.sgunitedfoundation.org/

In this conversation, Wiktoria Fronc shares her journey from playing semi-professional football in England to pursuing a Division I soccer career in the United States, before returning home to England uncertain of what was next. While completing an Ironman at 21 and competing in ultra races are remarkable achievements, what she is most proud of is the internal work she has done. She has developed a mindset that allows her to live a deeply fulfilling life without tying her worth to her accomplishments. It is the lessons she learned about herself that she remembers when reflecting on her 25 hour world toughest mudder run, 111km Isle of Wight ultra, Rome marathon, Edinburgh half, and 6,000£ raised for charity.

We discuss the challenges of balancing athletics and academics, as well as the often-unspoken realities of competing at such a high level. Wiktoria highlights the importance of mental health and her work with LoveBrain, a cognitive brain training company, emphasizing self-belief, internal validation, and building genuine self-worth. As the founder of the Remind Someone project, she is committed to spreading love and being the change she wants to see in the world. This conversation explores the balance between pushing physical limits, improving mental well-being, and finding joy in the journey of life.

IG: @wiktoriafrocnc

https://remindsomeone.com/

In this episode, we sit down with not only an extraordinary student-athlete, but an inspiring human whose journey is defined by resilience, self-awareness, and advocacy. Amy Schwem was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease just as she took off for her lifelong dream, competing at the Division one level. She was forced to rethink and relearn what truly worked best for her body and mind. Through trial and error, reflection, and courage, Amy learned how to listen to her body. That meant pushing forward sometimes and scaling back others, even when it challenged traditional expectations of toughness in sport.

Rather than letting her diagnosis limit her, Amy transformed it into purpose. When no community existed for autoimmune athletes, she took matters into her own hands and created one. That led to the creation of @the_autoimmune_athlete, a platform committed to supporting and connecting athletes navigating autoimmune conditions. She is also passionate about mental health advocacy through The Hidden Opponent, working to reduce stigma and bring awareness to campuses nationwide. After serving as both a Campus Captain and Head Captain, she now continues her impact as the organization’s Social Media & Marketing Manager.

A standout both on and off the court, Amy is a Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award Recipient, AVCA Battles Won Award Recipient, 4-time Dean’s List honoree, and 2-time CAA Commissioner’s Honor Roll recipient. She served as a two-time Team Captain for William & Mary Volleyball, earned the Comeback Kid Award, and received the William & Mary President’s Award. She finished top 10 in school history for career assists, aces, and digs, and graduated cum laude with degrees in Kinesiology and Psychology. Amy is now continuing her education at Rush University Medical School, where she is studying to become a Registered Dietitian.

This conversation is an honest and empowering look in Amy's Lens of advocating for yourself and using your own strength to uplift others. Amy’s journey has been far from easy but it is deeply inspiring.

IG:

@the_autoimmune_athlete

@thehiddenopponent

https://theautoimmuneathlete.org/who-we-are-1

https://www.thehiddenopponent.org/

Welcome to The Athlete’s Lens, where we explore the mindset of athletes, the knowledge of professionals, the stories from everyone, and the conversations that inspire change.

Whether you’re here to learn something new, find a little inspiration, or just enjoy great conversation - you’re in the right place.

Each week, we sit down with guests to dive deep into topics surrounding sports, fitness, personal growth, and overall health. But today it is just me giving you a warm welcome !

New episodes drop every other Wednesday starting in 2026 but follow on @leahs.lenss on Instagram for more updates. If you want to join the fun fill out the link below :)

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