Guest: Krystinya Birch - Former Assistant Basketball Coach at Concordia University

Challenges off the court impact the world of student athletes more than we like to admit. Join us this week as Krystinya Burch tells her story of finding her way through sports and sexuality.

Guest: Damian Williams - Sports & Events Sales Manager at Travel Salem

At the beginning of the season season, building a solid team culture is essential to a team's success. Without a baseline of how team members need to train, interact, and represent their program, any team will find themselves directionless.

Guest: Jo Koons - Assistant Softball Coach - University of Oregon

Often there is a big wall put between players and coaches. The need to not get to connected or disclose too much of ourselves to the others is the expectation. In reality the connection can lead to great mentorship opportunities. 

Guest: Susie Campbell - Head Women's Tennis Coach - University of Portland

Athletes, coaches and parents often assume that more training will lead to more success. However, things are not quite so simple. The true key to long term success for an athlete is living a balanced life.

Guest: Jane Samuels - Assistant Athletic Director - Linfield College

Athletes live in the past and future more than any other population. The key to managing performance anxiety and making the most of the sports experience is mindfulness.

Guest: Amy Dames Smith - Assistant Director of Academic Support, University of Portland Athletic Department

Academics often gets put on the back burner for an athlete, but a student athlete's education is the one thing that stays with them forever. 

Guest: Curtis Miller

So many student athletes are coming to the field with past trauma.  These events get in the way of their performance and relationships with teammates and coaches.  Learning how to manage a student past events is crucial to be able to support them to the best possible.  

Guest: Hannah Taylor - Standout Women’s Soccer Player at the University of Oregon

After facing two significant injuries to start her career with the Ducks, Hannah chose to make the best out of a bad situation and become a part of the campus community as she recovered and found a better balance as a student athlete.

Guest: Sara Molyneaux - Former 1st team All-American Golfer at Concordia University Portland, currently a special ed teacher, coach, wife and mom of 2 girls.

Long after the days of playing were completed, Sara realized she played with a high level of anxiety that continued into her adulthood.

Guest: Brenna Blain - Public speaker and host of the podcast, “Can I say That.”

Brenna tells her story of overcoming trauma, severe depression, and suicidal ideation. She took her experience and turned it into an opportunity to reach out to others.