The Athlete's Lens

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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