Sarah is a former Division III basketball player whose college experience looked and felt much bigger than the label — intense time commitments, deep preparation, and three conference championships that shaped her identity and routine. After graduating, Sarah faced the familiar but often unspoken challenge of leaving sport, structure, and community all at once, while also navigating personal and family changes.
In this episode, Sarah opens up about the messy transition into the “real world,” the struggle to rebuild a sense of purpose, and the surprising role fitness played in her healing. After years of programmed training with teammates and a shared mission, she had to relearn how to move for herself — eventually finding spin, community, and joy again in Denver. Her journey led her to becoming a spin instructor, a vulnerable leap that restored routine, confidence, and a deeper focus on mental health.
Sarah reflects on redefining success beyond sport, making decisions for herself even when they’re uncomfortable, and trusting that purpose can evolve. This conversation is an honest look at life after athletics, the power of community, and learning to give yourself grace while your path unfolds.