The Athlete's Lens

So often in sport, we're taught to push through discomfort, embrace pressure, and keep performing. But what happens when the environment you're in starts taking more from you than it's giving?

In this episode of The Athlete’s Lens, I sit down with Laura Collins, a former elite gymnast and Division 1 diver, and a clinical leader in NYC for 20+ years. Laura understands the pressure, drive, and identity shifts that come with high-performance environments. 

She draws on her personal experiences to shape her work, helping athletes, coaches, and high performers navigate stress, transition, and personal growth with a focus on clarity, resilience, and compassion. Laura shares how challenging sporting environments can influence our relationship with achievement, self-worth, and mental health long after our competitive careers end.

We discuss recognizing early signs of burnout, finding courage to speak up when something doesn't feel right, and the importance of building a support system beyond sport.  

Whether you're an athlete navigating pressure, a former athlete discovering who you are beyond competition, or a coach or parent looking to create a healthier performance environment, this conversation offers an important reminder: performance matters, but so does the person behind it. 

Website - https://lcollinslcsw.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/theathletepsychotherapist/
Instagram - https://instagram.com/theathletepsychotherapist

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, Stephanie Militano, Registered Sports Dietitian, joins us to unpack what it means to fuel as an athlete in today’s world.

⚠️ Please note this episode includes conversations around eating disorders, disordered eating, body image, weight, and GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic ⚠️

Stephanie shares her journey from athlete to expert, emphasizing the importance of proper fueling, recognizing red flags of under-fueling, and navigating societal and family influences on nutrition. She brings a unique perspective to some of the most common nutrition challenges athletes face and why an athlete’s needs can look very different from those in the general population. Stephanie also discusses how body image, social media, diet culture, family dynamics, and the growing conversation around weight-loss medications can shape the way athletes think about food and their bodies.

We also explore how the language and environments surrounding athletes can either build confidence around fueling or unintentionally make it more complicated.

Whether you’re an athlete trying to better understand your body, a parent navigating how to support your athlete, or a coach looking to create a healthier performance environment, this conversation offers insight into fueling with greater confidence, awareness, and intention.

An episode for everyone because fueling isn’t separate from performance, it’s part of it.

https://smnutritionrd.com/about

IG: highschool.athlete.nutrition

#sportsnutrition #sportsdietitian #athletenutrition #fuelforperformance

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

Most female athletes encounter a messy backpack, but Meredith Hudson decided to change the game… literally. With zero background in retail or entrepreneurship, she drew on her sports discipline and never-give-up mindset to create SLB, a brand that's transforming gear into community. Meredith’s journey from Yale field hockey, through corporate roles at Google and Snapchat, to full-time entrepreneur reveals the surprising parallels between sports risk-taking and her success in building a business.

Her story explores how the mental skills gained in athletics, such as discipline, coachability, and resilience, are the keys to thriving after sport, in every area of life. 

She breaks down the lessons sports taught her, from taking risks, embracing and seeking discomfort, to failing. From trying to launch a virtual coaching business to creating a product that’s now beloved by thousands, Meredith shares her mindset of seeing setbacks as little stepping stones.

Meredith's transition out of sports was a challenge for different reasons than most. A scary Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis stopped her in her tracks but she credits the things she learned in sports for her fight to overcome and, 6 months post-remission, get on the line to run her first marathon. She constantly proves that it’s the hard that makes it great. 

This episode dives into concepts like consistency, accountability, and community, showing how sports instill core skills like discipline, purpose, and authenticity that resonate at every stage of your career. Meredith vividly illustrates how the mental toughness learned on the field becomes a superpower for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone chasing their next chapter. 

Whether you’re looking for motivational stories, practical advice on risk-taking, or insights into building a meaningful community, Meredith’s journey highlights resilience, purpose, and innovation. Don’t miss Meredith's inspiring lessons on how sports teach us to show up, adapt, and thrive in the toughest moments.

Instagram: @meredithhuds and @getsld

Get your own sideline bag today: https://getslb.co/

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

Most athletes know how to train for performance but what happens when the game is over? A lot athletes struggle with redefining training after their sports career ends and many fall into harmful patterns of pushing too hard or giving up altogether. There can be a smarter, healthier way to stay strong, confident, and fulfilled once you leave your sport.

In this episode, I sit down with Gini Grimsley, a former Division I basketball player at UNC Greensboro turned elite strength coach and trainer. After earning her master's degree in cardiac rehabilitation and transitioning into strength and conditioning, Gini found her passion helping former athletes build a healthier relationship with training beyond their competitive careers.

We dive into why so many athletes struggle with this transition and how years of performance-focused training can shape the way we view exercise long after sport ends. Gini shares the phased approach she uses with clients to help them redefine what fitness means in this new chapter. This includes moving away from the mindset that "more is better" and toward training that is sustainable, purposeful, and fits real life.

We also discuss the importance of individualized programming, realistic goal setting, effective feedback, and using technology and self-awareness to train smarter, not harder. Whether you're balancing a demanding career, raising a family, or simply trying to stay active after years of competition, Gini explains how to leverage the discipline and resilience developed through sport to improve everyday life, not just athletic performance.

No matter what walk of life you are in, this episode offers practical strategies and a refreshing perspective on building long term strength, confidence, and longevity.

Instagram: @ginigrimsley

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gini-grimsley-ms-cscs-05530b77/

https://www.nsca.com/education/podcasts/nsca-coaching-podcast/nsca-s-coaching-podcast-season-9/season-9-episode-20/?srsltid=AfmBOorpj_phT-w9LpfKFkzXN-i8Bpkca0w0czF7QvZUbVyvLJNm9rni

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, Archie Watts shares his journey, drawing on his six years of college soccer and all he has learned in building his own coaching business. We talk through the biggest differences between English and American soccer training, aside from it not being called football, touching on the importance of building a strong foundation in your offseason since the physical load is so high playing in America. 

He emphasizes the importance of personalized training tailored to your needs rather than generic programs. As a registered dietitian, Archie talks through fueling needs as an athlete compared to a general person while recognizing nothing is a one-size-fits-all. This episode will give you practical insights on balancing physical performance, navigating all the information on social media, and building habits for long-term success.

Instagram @archierwatts

Book your free strategy session with Archie today: https://calendly.com/archie-wattsperformance/strategy-call?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGn-sGq4afQsBKfsB5MxiH0wGG4Q2113IdHr9FqCjiOulNSqVxuhxcNDngebTw_aem_6XHvlq4BeB4L-i4TdhH6PQ&utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3

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

It's time to get to know me. After some time away, I am back to reintroduce myself and get this podcast back up and running.

In a world where the pressure to perform can be overwhelming, athletes often find themselves at the crossroads of mental health and physical performance. In this episode, I dive into my insights and reflections from my journey as an athlete, sharing twenty-three lessons learned over my twenty-three years of life. Whether you're an athlete, a coach, or someone interested in the psychology of sports, this episode is designed to provide valuable insights that can help you navigate the challenges of life both on and off the field.

Today I sit down to reintroduction myself talking about all things college recruitment and commitment, the importance of asking for help, and the transitions experienced in sports. I emphasize the value of self-belief, the impact of relationships, and the responsibility for creating the life you want.

IG: leahss.lens

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 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.

Instagram: @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/