Alex Wilson, a former NCAA gymnast, spent years training with the singular goal of excelling in competitive sports. She made her way to Arizona State University. But when her gymnastics career came to an unexpected end, she found herself at a crossroads, questioning what to do next after dedicating her entire life to one path. In this episode, Alex shares her journey of navigating life beyond gymnastics and opening up about the challenges of redefining her identity and purpose when things didn’t go as planned. Now a successful fitness coach, she reflects on the mental hurdles she overcame, the resilience she built, and how she found a new sense of fulfillment outside of her original expectations. Her story highlights the universal struggle of adapting to life’s unexpected changes and finding your way when the future looks different from what you had planned.

Celeste Utley grew up in California, where her passion for athletics and fitness took root. She went on to compete in shot put and discus for the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos' Track and Field team, gaining valuable experience and discipline. After college, Celeste transitioned into the fitness industry, where she now works at Traverse Fitness. Currently living in Denver, CO, she is also pursuing her MBA, blending her academic goals with her commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles. This week, Celeste joins the podcast to share her journey of balancing career transitions, athletic pursuits, and academic goals, offering insight into how she navigates these challenges.

Susannah Anderson joins the pod this week, sharing her experience following collegiate soccer career and graduating from Elon University. Susannah grew up playing soccer in Jacksonville, FL before she moved up to North Carolina to pursue her collegiate soccer career. After graduating from Elon, she made her way to New York (with a few stops along the way) where she currently lives instructing yoga and leading yoga wellness retreats. In this episode, she shares insights on how athleticism has influenced her wellness journey, adapting to life in Brooklyn, and finding balance in her new career path. The podcast continues to explore the challenges of life transitions, focusing on mental health and personal growth. Available anywhere you get your podcasts!!!

Conar Ehring joins us this week to discuss his experience rowing in college, transitioning in and out of the corporate world, and some of the hobbies that they have picked up. Conar lived in Texas before attending the University of Delaware. After school, Conar had a brief stint in Alaska before moving back to Dallas, TX, where he continued his love for fitness and found a new love for coffee. Conar is dynamic, and a man of many talents!! He shares some of the lessons he has acquired in dealing with changes in his life, and the ways he has shifted his perspective as he moves through. Conor currently lives in Denver, CO where he is pursuing entrepreneurship as well as working as a fitness instructor at Traverse Fitness.

We had Mary Alex England and Annie Kelly join us to share their experience running in college and then competing after college as professional triathletes. They met at the University of Mississippi before Annie transferred to the University of Colorado. Following their collegiate career, they both ended up on the same “squad”, training and competing in triathlons all around the world. We discuss traveling, training, grief, community, and so much more on this episode, and they share some of their insight that they have gained throughout their experiences.

Gracie Anderson Freyer walks us through her experience as a college rower, and how she utilized her career ending injuries to learn new things and find different passions and hobbies. We discuss the feelings of shame, guilt, relief, and navigating unexpected outcomes at a young age. Gracie shares the knowledge that she has acquired to try and help anyone going through a change or transition in their own life.

Zach Adler joins the podcast this week to discuss his experience playing soccer at Columbia University. Zach, originally from Tappan, New York, shares how he got to Columbia and how he utilized his college experience to prepare himself for after he was done playing. Zach currently lives in Breckenridge, CO, where he has taken up new hobbies like mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, and backpacking. He currently works as a data engineer for Warner Bros Disney and MAX.

David Freeman joins us this week to discuss all the places that running has taken him. David started his track and field career as a sophomore in high school with the sole purpose of using it to stay in shape for football. He ended up excelling in track and field, and went on to run at the University of Kentucky, and then competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, representing Puerto Rico. Following his running career, David began teaching and coaching. David currently lives in Denver, CO, where he works to help with the recruiting process, retention, and success of recent graduates who are joining the workforce. David shares the nuggets of knowledge he has gained throughout his journey, and how he implements these things into his day to day.