What The Hell Do I Do Now?

This week we are joined by Shawn McKinney, former Collegiate Offensive Lineman at the University of North Texas. Shawn is the current VP of Growth at Influxer, where he works with collegiate athletes on a daily basis, helping them navigate NIL contracts and deals while providing mentorship and support. In this episode, Shawn shares his experience leaving football, and the things that he wished he knew during this transition. Shawn is full of knowledge and provides tips and tricks that he discovered during his own journey.

Allie Dacar is a former Stanford Women's Lacrosse Goalie who joins the podcast this week to share how she experienced her transition out of sports. Allie is a California native, but currently lives in Denver and enjoys all of the things Colorado has to offer. In this episode, Allie shares the lessons that she learned while playing lacrosse, what she did when she finished college, and how she continues to give back to the sport.

Jill Ferraro joins the podcast this week. She is a Virginia native and former Tarheel and Duke Blue Devil. Jill has a unique story, one filled with massive change during her softball career. During this episode, Jill describes her experience starting her career at UNC Chapel Hill, and later transferring to Duke and finishing her career there. Jill discusses the role that her family as well as previous coaches and teammates played in her career. She shares the lessons that she learned and how she has utilized these in her day to day.

During this episode, we also discuss the podcast that Jill co-hosts with her sister, ‘Gut Talk’, available on all platforms (https://open.spotify.com/show/6U8taTiHqwLEZz3fft2qKt?si=8fdd2f11efc74cff)

Christian Michner has been the head coach at the College of Charleston since 2010, where he returned to his alma mater. After retiring from professional soccer, mich jumped in head first into coaching. He has coached at University of Oklahoma and the University of Illinois before he found his way back to Charleston. During this episode, Mich provides insight about his experience following his playing career, hobbies that he learned, and how he continues to utilize his knowledge of the game to impact people of all ages.

Isabelle Germano, originally from Saratoga Springs, New York, is a former coxswain for Northeastern University's women's rowing team. She graduated from Northeastern University in 2018. Izzy then decided to attend graduate school to become a therapist, now providing vital support to individuals navigating mental health challenges. In this episode, we explore Isabelle’s evolving relationship with her body, exercise, and mental health, and how her experiences shape the compassionate care she offers as a therapist.

Sara Deutsch and Leah Sack (formerly Deutsch) are former collegiate athletes and sisters who played soccer at the College of Charleston, where Sara competed from 2015 to 2018 and Leah from 2017 to 2021. Known for their skill, leadership, and versatility on the field, they have since transitioned into impactful professional careers—Sara in marketing and communications and Leah in healthcare, focusing on patient advocacy and community support. Together, they join the podcast, sharing their journeys from collegiate athletics to professional life while offering insights and advice to help listeners navigate career development and personal growth.

Shanna Caldwell is an accomplished soccer coach and former collegiate goalkeeper with over 15 years of coaching experience. Currently, she serves as the Associate Head Coach for the College of Charleston women's soccer program. Shanna previously led Texas A&M-Corpus Christi as the inaugural head coach, where she built the program from the ground up, and has held coaching roles at several universities, including Oklahoma and Alabama. As a player, Shanna started her career at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, before transferring to the University of Connecticut. Shanna shares her journey of leaving college soccer as a player while staying involved in the sport at a much different capacity.

Gianna Salanitro, a former collegiate swimmer at Colorado State University, brings her inspiring story to the podcast this week. As an athlete, Gianna experienced the rigorous structure and discipline that swimming provided, which became a foundation for her personal and professional life. Now a Real Estate Agent in Denver, CO, Gianna opens up about the challenges of navigating major life transitions, from stepping away from competitive sports to finding a fulfilling career path. Join us as we dive into her journey, uncovering the resilience and adaptability it takes to redefine success and embrace new opportunities.

Gianna Salanitro, a former collegiate swimmer at Colorado State University, brings her inspiring story to the podcast this week. As an athlete, Gianna experienced the rigorous structure and discipline that swimming provided, which became a foundation for her personal and professional life. Now a Real Estate Agent in Denver, CO, Gianna opens up about the challenges of navigating major life transitions, from stepping away from competitive sports to finding a fulfilling career path. Join us as we dive into her journey, uncovering the resilience and adaptability it takes to redefine success and embrace new opportunities.

Mary Rounce is a dedicated educator and former collegiate athlete with a passion for fitness, teaching, and community. She currently serves as a Physical Education teacher in Illinois, where she provides support and encouragement to both the students she works with as well as the teachers she works with. Mary’s athletic journey began on the soccer field. She started her collegiate soccer career at Michigan State University before transferring to the College of Charleston, where she balanced academics and athletics, showcasing her drive and discipline. Mary brings energy, passion, and a commitment to growth in everything she does.