Shows
Run AlongMaking decisions from a place of trust with Jerod CarrierBasketball gave Jerod Carrier a sense of purpose, an understanding of what he truly loved and a whole bunch of life skills. When his college career ended, he felt adrift -- unsure of where to go next and what his "why" was for doing so many things. Jerod, who now works in sports, came to learn that the knowledge and belief in himself he gained through basketball were trusty tools to turn to when facing uncertainty. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2022-09-0815 minRun AlongPerspective on movement after athletic retirement with Nyasha AbramsYears of competitive sports and a serendipitous experience in junior high left Nyasha Abrams with a deep-rooted love for movement. Now pursuing a career in physical therapy, she’s an advocate for kinetic learning, extending compassion to our bodies and reframing our “why” behind moving. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2022-07-2822 minRun AlongWhen choosing yourself might also be the best thing for your team with Phillip TranWhen COVID hit and college sports were thrown into limbo, Saint Anselm quarterback Philip Tran started an online business that quickly became an intense passion. The fire he felt in combo with the energy demands of the entrepreneur life all of a sudden meant his lifelong love of football scooted to the back burner of his world. As he geared up for the 2021 season, Philip began to realize that it wasn’t fair to himself or his team to give only 50/50 to both of these commitments. He knew he’d have to make one of the hardest decisions of his...2022-05-3130 min
Hannah and Erik Go BirdingBirding Travel and Israel Day 1You had travel questions - we answered. Listen in for birding travel information and then our first day exploring Israel!Birding travel questions begin at: 12:30Israel Day 1 begins at: 52:30Show notesChampions of the FlywayGlobal BirdFairRay Brown's Talkin’ Birds Optics loaner program webpageBlue hotelBarbis dinerSociety for the protection of nature in Israel"Hello Robin" by Ivor Game eBird Trip Reporthttps://ebird.org/tripreport/52136 Birds mentioned:Common Buzzard Green Bee-eaterTemminck’s Lark2022-05-051h 06Run AlongSelf-compassion in the retirement transition with Emily McGeeWhen Emily McGee decided on a plan for herself, there was no going back. Whether it was getting a Division 1 volleyball scholarship or working in investment banking, she did everything possible to achieve the goals she set and excel. Though that quality had seen her become an incredible student-athlete, it also nearly broke her. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Content warning: This episode contains references to physical abuse and suicide.
Check out Emily’s podcast, More Than My Stats
2022-04-1424 minRun AlongCultivating self-belief with former Jamaican bobsledder Devon HarrisDevon Harris’ first-ever bobsled competition was the 1988 Olympics. The army lieutenant was representing a country that had never appeared in the Winter games. He knew very little about the sport. He was afraid of heights and speed. Harris dug deep within himself to rise above all those challenges, learning some important lessons that have stayed with him long after retiring. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2022-02-1722 minRun AlongThe athlete transition study with Dr. Daniel ZimetAfter an eye-opening, hours-long conversation with a retired athlete, Dr. Daniel Zimet got an idea. Three years later, that idea has evolved into one of the world’s most ambitious and important retired athlete projects. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Check out athletetransitionstudy.com
2022-01-2041 min
Adventures in Luxury Travel37. Backroads Travel | Adventures around the world for active families, 3 favorite family trips to Glacier National Park, Mallorca and Costa Rica and answers to your questionsJoin Hannah and me as we talk about active trips with Backroads Travel. If you’ve never been on this type of trip and are curious to know if it’s right for your family, Hannah answers many of your questions about what it’s really like. She shares what types of activities travelers do on multi-adventure trips and the varying levels of hotels they stay in. We also talk about how to “dip your toe in” by going on one of the short weekend getaways and Hannah’s favorite off-the-beaten-path trips. Visit truvaytravel.com/37 for a video of to...2022-01-0757 minRun AlongMoving on when the joy is gone with Paige FesckePaige Fescke gave her everything to basketball. That’s what made her so good and so happy with a ball in her hands. Establishing herself as a star at Pepperdine, Paige had her eyes set on playing pro. Then, shortly after her fifth year season started, her feelings completely changed. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2021-12-1619 minRun AlongTransitioning to behind the camera with sports photographer Jared WickerhamJared Wickerham loved playing sports, but he knew early on that he wasn’t gonna be some big-time star. He played soccer competitively, closed that door once high school finished and then leaned fully into a passion that he felt he could make a career out of in sports photography. Shooting photos from the sidelines of NFL games and US Opens, Jared has found that his athlete background comes in handy every once in a while. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Check out Jared's work at wickphotography.com.
2021-10-2820 minRun AlongThe life and retirement of a racewalker with Jane SavilleFunny-looking. Somewhat confusing. Makes your hips hurt just watching it. Yeah, yeah Jane Saville already knows what you think about her sport. For nearly 20 years, this Australian legend committed herself to becoming one of racewalking’s best. On the brink of gold at her home Olympics in 2000, Jane became famous for a heartbreaking disqualification. Determined to not give up and come back stronger, she medaled in Athens in 2004. Her storied career came to an end in 2009 when she decided to hang up the spikes. Now, a mom with three kids and perpetually-aching hamstrings, she finds herself reflecting on the me...2021-09-0233 minRun AlongTransforming mental health struggles into a life’s purpose with A’Shon RigginsThe darkness that enveloped A’Shon Riggins got harder and harder to shake as his college football career wore on. He was a starter at a Big 10 school. He had plenty of people around him who loved and cared about him. By the looks of it all, A'Shon was having an ideal student-athlete experience at Indiana. Underneath though, he was suffering. He didn’t know how to make it stop or how to move forward. Then, September 25, 2018 happened. Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
CW: This episode contains references to a suicide attempt.
2021-08-1921 minRun AlongCoping with forced retirement due to a heart condition with Fraser FranksIn March 2019, Fraser Franks sat up in the middle of the night knowing he needed to go to the hospital. Over the following week, he’d undergo a number of tests that would soon reveal serious issues with his heart…the kind of issues that could kill him if he continued to play professional soccer. So, at the age of 28, Franks was told he’d need to walk away from his livelihood, his boyhood dream and the one thing that “made him interesting”. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2021-08-0539 min
2 jocks & a schlubEthan rants about car lane merges, Hannah Lichtenstein joins for some fun and women's sports talk, and the guys do a mailbag!On this week's episode of 2 Jocks & A Schlub, the guys rant about cars merging into lanes on the highway, what type of beer would be named after them, and they answer a mailbag question. Plus, Hannah Lichtenstein joins for some fun and women's sports talk!Follow the gang on Twitter!Podcast: @2Jocks1SchlubColin: @cjcernigMatt: @rootycakeEthan: @eurtz23Questions or suggestions for the show? Hit the mailbag:2jock1schlub@gmail.comIntro & Outro Mu...2021-07-291h 13
CERNIGEthan rants about car lane merges, Hannah Lichtenstein joins for some fun and women's sports talk, and the guys do a mailbag!On this week's episode of 2 Jocks & A Schlub, the guys rant about cars merging into lanes on the highway, what type of beer would be named after them, and they answer a mailbag question. Plus, Hannah Lichtenstein joins for some fun and women's sports talk!Follow the gang on Twitter!Podcast: @2Jocks1SchlubColin: @cjcernigMatt: @rootycakeEthan: @eurtz23Questions or suggestions for the show? Hit the mailbag:2jock1schlub@gmail.comIntro & Outro Music via HookSounds.comLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 2021-07-291h 16Run AlongInterval #9: The Retirement of an OlympianWhat kind of toll does being an Olympian take on the body? How does the life span of Olympians compare to us average folks? That and more on this pre-Opening Ceremony mini show!
2021-07-2209 min
Since 71 - Women's Football PodcastS03E14 - Tokyo Olympic PreviewWe are less than 48 hours until the previously postponed Tokyo Olympics is due to begin. Stu Barker is joined by special guests to preview the women's football competition with particular attention being paid to Team GB (of course), Australia, Japan and the United States. Guesting on this episode is Ben Gilby, Hannah Lichtenstein, Lewis Millington, Chloe Leadbeater and Charlotte Stacey. If you like what you hear then be sure to subscribe, share the episode and leave a review. Stay in touch with us on social media at @Since71Blog or via email contact@since-71.com.2021-07-201h 00Run AlongDisability classification & retirement with Abby DunkinAbby Dunkin’s diagnosis in 2013 caused her to plummet into a deep depression. Her life had done a 180. She needed a wheelchair now and was told she’d never be able to play sports again. She turned to pills to cope. But then, while browsing YouTube one day, Abby discovered wheelchair basketball and knew right away this would be her new love. Through playing the sport, Abby found community and a comfort that encouraged her to embrace every aspect of who she was. In 2016, she won a gold medal in Rio. She had hopes of more success in Tokyo unti...2021-07-0825 minRun AlongRolling with the high of being a standout athlete with Dr. Andrew GoldsteinIn 2003, Andrew Goldstein became the first American male team-sport professional athlete to come out as gay during his playing career. Being a star goalie helped give Andrew the confidence to tell his loved ones and step into the limelight as a trailblazer. After two seasons in Major League Lacrosse, he retired to get his PhD in molecular biology and embarked on the rest of his life of as a gay man without sport as a crutch. He now has his own lab prostate cancer research lab at UCLA. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2021-06-1727 minRun AlongWorking through athlete intensity with Justine CherwinkJustine Cherwink didn’t want to just excel as a student-athlete at Minnesota, she wanted to excel as a human. To do that, she pushed herself to the limit in the gym and pretty much everywhere else on campus. Several times through her college career, outside forces shook her to her core, forcing her to confront issues with intensity and her gymnastics identity. Now retired, she still gets pangs of wanting to take things to the extreme, but has tools now to help her manage that desire and give herself more grace. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2021-06-0322 minRun AlongRelinquishing control when a nightmare ends your season with Corey DouglasOn March 20, the night before VCU men’s basketball’s first March Madness game, the Ram’s season was ended after several of the team’s COVID tests came back positive. Corey Douglas was a senior captain on the team. On today show, he talks about his basketball journey up until that moment, hearing the news and saying goodbye to the sport. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2021-05-2020 minRun AlongThe Retirement of a Racehorse with Jen RoytzFrom a very young age, racehorses get used to strict schedules and keeping their body maintained for optimal performance. Like humans, transitioning out of sport can be pretty jarring for racehorses. Executive Director of the Retired Racehorse Project Jen Roytz explains the changes a horse undergoes during this time, how RRP raises awareness about the needs of these animals and what goes into figuring out which career they should be placed in next. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2021-05-0641 minRun AlongDeciding when staying in sport just isn’t worth it anymore with Ashton PollardThere’s a curious moment many have when meeting Ashton Pollard. You find out pretty quickly that she’s obsessed with Notre Dame athletics. It’s an eat, sleep, breathe kinda thing. But then...you find out she didn’t actually go to Notre Dame. This is the story of why, a look into her journey of pursuing a sport that defined who she was for over 15 years. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2021-04-2228 minRun AlongExploring your limits in life after sport with Paul Montague Jr.For 20 years, Paul Montague Jr. was a gymnast. A great gymnast. He trained at elite gyms, won state championships and competed at the Division 1 level. When his time at the University of Minnesota came to a close, he was ready. He felt at peace with his athletic career. As a self-described “fidgety” guy, though, he immediately began to contemplate what he could throw himself into next. He turned to the outdoors. For the fun, adrenaline and ability to challenge himself at first...then a reality tv producer approached him. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2021-04-0822 minRun AlongInterval #8: Dr. Stambulova's Strategy For Planning For Life After SportA look into Dr. Natalia Stambulova's 5 step career planning strategy for athletes in transition. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2021-03-2509 minRun AlongMaking peace when it doesn’t end how you want it to with Shivani MajmudarBeating her dad in golf. Making varsity as a freshman. Playing at the Division 1 level. Shivani Majmudar achieved goal after goal she set for herself as a golfer. As a young student-athlete, while her success in and passion for golf grew, so did her plans for the future. Shivani came to see how important pursuing a special kind of path in medicine was to her. It was so important, in fact, that she decided that her junior golf season at UIC would be her last. Then, almost a year ago to the day, that last season was taken away...2021-03-1120 minRun AlongThe experience of being a Black cowboy with Larry CalliesAs a kid, Larry Callies didnt have a doubt about what he wanted to be when he grew up. He wanted to be a cowboy. In 1960s Texas, it wasn’t common to see a young Black man wearing cowboy boots to school and competing in the rodeo. Though he was picked on and told he didn’t belong, Callies believed deeply that this was the world he was supposed to be in. More than that, he believed he had a calling to educate others on Black cowboys and help to re-write a whitewashed history of the Old West. So, i...2021-02-2526 minRun AlongLoving and leaving the grind of being a semi pro football player with Whitney ZeleeShe’d just give it a shot. That’s how tackle football started for Whitney Zelee. Twice a week, after long days at work, she’d travel to late night practices with the Boston Militia (now Boston Renegades). Soon, the sport gave her an intensely bonded community, a partner, and a sense of purpose beyond what she could have ever anticipated. Life as a star running back though took a toll on her body. After 4 major surgeries in 3 years, she made the decision to retire from the sport that unexpectedly nudged its way into her heart and transformed her life...2021-02-1121 minRun AlongTaking lessons from the soccer field to the ER with Andrea Gunderson, RNExhaustion. The need to know a little bit of everything. Performing under pressure. These are the realities for life as an ER nurse. Now add in a global pandemic. Former Delaware soccer player-turned-Philadelphia ER nurse Andrea Gunderson loves her job and knows this is right where she’s supposed to be. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2021-01-2821 minRun AlongMoving on when your body decides to call it quits with Carter ByrdEvery time Carter Byrd got injured, he worked hard to come back. That grit was part of what made him a good baseball player. But then, one day, his body told him once and for all his time was up. Carter saw more than ever how all those frustrating stints on the sideline ended up giving him something really helpful for the transition — diversified interests, a. sense of himself outside of baseball and a really, really great sports mind. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2021-01-1423 minRun AlongInterval #7: (Nearly) Everything You Wanna Know About The Senior Day TraditionThe last home game of the season. Walking out with loved ones. Flowers. A commemoration of commitment to the program. Senior Day is a time-honored tradition in American high school and college sports. What’s its significance? How have people celebrated it? Is a team more likely to win or lose on this emotion-filled day?
2020-12-3109 minRun AlongWhat happens when life happens? Embracing the post-college athlete transition with LaShawn GeeLaShawn Gee was an All-American track star in high school. She earned a full scholarship to UNC and became the first person in her family to go to a four-year college. The sport tested her. She faced injuries. She left Chapel Hill thinking about how her career could have turned out. Both her time in sport and transition out helped show her how discipline, resilience, and authenticity could be superpowers — and ultimately gave her an “a-ha” moment. Now, through Elle Gee Discipline Solutions (theellegee.com) teaches female student-athletes discipline and focus strategies to navigate academics, athletics, and life after sports...2020-12-1732 minRun AlongDeciding to forgo a senior season and graduate early with Shaaz PeeraniSince picking up a racket at 4 years old, Shaaz Peerani has only ever had a love-love relationship with tennis. A fourteen year journey in the sport ultimately landed him at Troy University. The chance to play Division 1 tennis was not something he took for granted — he wanted to work hard and play. Heading into junior year, Shaaz felt like there was nothing else to prove on the court. He was beating guys. He had the highest doubles ranking on the team. But none of it mattered to his coach. Feeling powerless and frustrated, Shaaz knew he had a difficult de...2020-12-0330 min
Change TalkE18, Hannah Collects HerselfOn this week's episode, we meet former soccer player and current sports journalist, Hannah Lichtenstein, whose change talk involves reaching inward when faced with difficult emotions.
Listen to Hannah and guests on her podcast, Run Along, a show about life after being a competitive athlete.
Inspired by Motivational Interviewing. Music by Hope and Social. Produced and Edited by Atara Shields Tile.
Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy; please seek professional help if needed.2020-11-2455 minRun AlongLearning to trust yourself and set your own expectations with Dana VollmerThere was understanding that Dana Vollmer would have a special relationship with swimming since the moment her mom went into labor with her while doing a swim workout. The love and passion she grew for the sport would lead her to clinching Olympic medals and smashing world-records. But it also led her astray — from herself and her sense of what she actually wanted and needed. Through overcoming setbacks and becoming a mom, Vollmer worked to develop a confidence in herself that lay outside of her accomplishments and any other external force. A year out from retirement, it is a sk...2020-11-1934 minRun AlongBeing patient and creating luck to find new passions with Talent 409 CEO Colin CernigliaFor Colin Cerniglia, playing baseball provided unparalleled feelings of joy and fulfillment. It wasn’t just about the high of games but also all the moments before and after — connecting with teammates, hitting a ball off a tee in his parents driveway for hours just trying to improve. So, it was all pretty discouraging when he retired and couldn’t find a job that excited him quite like baseball did. After a few years though, things started to clicked. Now, Colin runs his own business grounded in some of the most important lessons he learned as an athlete. Listen now on...2020-11-0535 min
The Confound MillennialS2 Ep. 41: Ft. Hannah Lichtenstein of the Run Along podcastToday on The Confound Millennial Stirvin and Chan are joined by special guest Hannah Lichtenstein, host of the podcast "Run Along". Hannah is used to interviewing athletes about what they are doing after they put sports behind them in life, but today we get to flip the tables and interview her! We cover everything from her sports career to her podcasting career, how the podcast helped her cope with the transition out of sports, and why she's been stalking The Confound Millennial on Instagram. It's always great to have a fellow podcaster join us on the show and we really...2020-11-0552 minRun AlongAdjusting to an acquired disability and making a life out of sport with Paralympian Jen ArmbrusterJen Armbruster’s life changed forever when she lost her vision at 14 years old. Not long after, she embarked on a path that would lead her to 7 Paralympic Games and a reputation as one of the greatest American goalball players of all time. The sport got her through emotional periods, tightened bonds with her family and even gave her a child. Now, 4 years out from her final game, she’s finding ways to carry over the lessons she cherishes most from her 28-year career. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2020-10-2227 minRun AlongLetting them see who you are outside of the jersey with entrepreneur Malcolm LemmonsWhile playing pro overseas, Malcolm Lemmons realized he hadn’t thought a lot about what he might want to do after basketball. So he started writing. Now, the entrepreneur and author helps athletes build their personal brands and prepare for life after sports. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2020-10-0817 minRun AlongRewind...the host's storyIn collaboration with Women Don’t Do That podcast, the host’s story of athlete identity and transition to life after sport.
2020-09-2437 min
The Daily GrindS2 Episode 12: Hannah Lichtenstein | Run Along Podcast‘Courage is contagious. Every time we choose courage, we make everyone around us a little better and the world a little braver’...the Daily Grind, your new weekly motivational podcast. This episode features Kelly Johnson and special guest Hannah Lichtenstein! Lichtenstein is a former college athlete turned sports journalist, and host of the Run Along podcast, talking about sports and stories with Olympians, high school ballers, super-fan parents, and athletes who dealt with injury, congenital defects and everything in between. She was born and raised in Los Angeles and is currently pursuing grad school at Northwestern University. She shares how s...2020-09-1540 minRun AlongThe financially-responsible retired athlete with financial advisor Carlos Dias Jr.Why do so many retired pros file for bankruptcy? How are the athletes of today in a better position to financially protect themselves than those from decades past? What do female pro athletes need to consider in planning for their financial future? Carlos Dias Jr., a financial advisor experienced in working with pro athletes, discusses it all on today’s show. He also drops a nug or two of wisdom for us regular retired athletes. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2020-09-1029 min
Women Don't Do That (WDDT)Identity and transition with athlete and podcaster Hannah Lichtenstein, Ep.51Hannah Lichtenstein is best known as a soccer player. She played college soccer in the United States, and recently, in Sweden. While in Sweden, she had to come to terms with her own transition from athlete to regular human. It is during this time that she discovered that her passion for sport and storytelling could intersect in a powerful and transformative way. In May 2019, while living in Sweden, she began her podcast called, Run Along.Hannah talks to Stephanie about sport, identity, transition AND her podcast. Hannah has a very “let's do something about it” attitude, which we l...2020-08-1944 minRun AlongThe medium and the message: black in lacrosse with Michelle StaggersSports shaped Michelle Staggers. It provided her with the most formative experiences of her life, taught her lessons and led her to her people. But there’s a difference, she recognized, between a “ball is life” mentality and a “ball helps life” one. In sport, Michelle strove to conceptualize herself as worthy beyond her athletic abilities and now works to help other Black athletes do the same. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2020-08-1334 minRun AlongThe four percent: black in tennis with John Wilson IVJohn Wilson IV has played tennis for pretty much his whole life. So did his dad John. So did his grandpa John. This John learned early on that the path these male athletes in his family chose was an uncommon one. Growing up in Dallas and then going on to play collegiately at an HBCU, his experiences in tennis helped to reveal his passion in speaking up to remedy deeply harmful status quos -- both on the court and off. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2020-08-0626 minRun AlongInterval 6: How the country an athlete develops in can affect retirementIs there any difference between the retirement experience of a Swedish athlete vs. an American vs. a Russian? Today, a look into research that shows the powerful ways culture influences the transition to life after sport.
2020-07-3009 minRun AlongLeaving a legacy with Angel City FC owner and goalkeeper coach Saskia WebberFormer USWNT goalkeeper Saskia Webber was a part of one of the greatest moments in sports history. 4 years after that summer, Webber put away her gloves for good, burnt out from the grind of being a pro female athlete. She separated herself from the sport for years...or at least, tried to. Now, she’s UCLA’s goalkeeper coach and an owner of the brand-spankin’ new Angel City SC. Listen to her story now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2020-07-2326 minRun AlongThe life and retirement of a competitive eater with Tim JanusCompetitive eating came into Tim “Eater X” Janus’ life in a really serendipitous way. For a long time, he felt like the fun, financial reward and sense of structure he enjoyed being in this world was what mattered most. That was until he really started to grasp what his pro eating lifestyle might put him at risk for. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2020-07-1740 minRun AlongCreating a life after sport team with Shakeout CEO Classye JamesMillions of those who have faced the athlete transition do so in quiet and without direction. Many do it in pain. Classye James was one of those millions. But, James was not okay with herself, her colleagues, and the greater athlete community having to grit their teeth and bear this monumental change without loud and proud support and resources. So, she did something about it. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
To learn more about Shakeout and Classye James, check out shakeoutllc.com.
2020-07-0931 minRun AlongNavigating gender identity in and out of sport with Isa BerardoGrowing up, Isa Berardo didn’t feel like the labels of “male” or “female” quite fit. Processing their gender identity as an athlete become complicated, however, in sport, an activity which really loves a binary. So, how did this All-American goalkeeper come to find acceptance in the very space that once isolated them? Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2020-07-0239 minRun AlongComing out as a gay NFL player with Ryan O'CallaghanRyan O’Callaghan didn’t have a plan for life after football. Stuffing down his sexuality for over 15 years had dragged the NFL player down to an incredibly dark place. Then, a meeting with a Kansas City Chiefs psychologist in 2011 changed everything. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Content Warning: This episode contains references to suicidal ideation.
Check out rofdn.org to learn more about his foundation that aims to support LGBTQ+ youth.
2020-06-2529 minRun AlongOn the frontlines of police brutality protests with police officer Hilary KingOn today’s show, former SF State long jumper Hilary King talks about her track journey, finding a next chapter, and her experience being a Black police officer in June 2020. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2020-06-1831 minRun AlongChanging the narrative around race in college athletics with Dr. Brandon E. MartinDr. Brandon E. Martin comes on the show to discuss his work “Athletic Voices and Academic Victories: African-American Male Student-Athlete Experiences in the Pac-10” and his current role as an NCAA athletic director and educator. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
2020-06-1136 minRun AlongCommunity and identity as an obscure sport athlete with former curler Ann Swisshelm and former handball player Matthew RyanThe folks who dedicate their lives to non-traditional sports are a special kind of athlete. They know how to leave their ego at the door, what it means to work tirelessly far away from the perks of the mainstream...and they probably have the most interesting fun fact to share in any social situation. Today, a curler and a team handball player talk about their journey to the Olympics and the power these unique sports communities harbor off the rink and court. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2020-05-2836 minRun AlongRetirement by Pandemic Pt. 4: The Cancelled Program AthleteColleges and universities are places for learning, research, and finding community. They're also businesses. And, like all businesses during a pandemic that has choked the economy, they are looking for ways to save money. For a few of these institutions, this has meant making difficult decisions—decisions like eliminating entire sports programs. So, what’s it like to have your athletic career come to an end because your sport was deemed less “valuable” than others? Today, twins wrestlers at Old Dominion discuss moment they were told their program would be cancelled and their time as members of the Monarch’s final wr...2020-05-1428 minRun AlongRetirement by Pandemic Pt. 3: The Spring Sport AthleteEvery spring sport athlete saw their season end due to the spread of COVID-19. For the seniors of these programs, this meant having their last run grounded before it really even took off. No traditional senior days. No last games against conference rivals. Today, two spring sport seniors share their stories of coming to terms with their collegiate experience and the final season that never was.
2020-05-0727 minRun AlongWhen athletes un-retireThe release of “The Last Dance”, the announcement by Rob Gronkowski...we’ve got un-retiring on the mind. Today, an expert explains what motivates this group of athletes to return to the game, what sports might see more of these stories than others and what can determine whether the success of the comeback. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2020-04-3015 minRun AlongRetirement by Pandemic Pt. 2: The Winter Sport AthleteBy the time March rolls around, only the best of the best collegiate winter sports teams still stand. For these most talented student-athletes, making it to March means a chance to fight for a national championship. Most years, that is. Not this one. So, what’s it like to watch a dream end to a season slip away at the hands of a pandemic? Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2020-04-2327 minRun AlongRetirement by Pandemic Pt. 1: The Olympic HopefulChase Brannon had been pursuing the Olympic dream for over a decade. A serious shoulder injury in 2018 led the pole vaulter to decide that he would give it his all to make the 2020 trials, but that after, he would retire. That was the plan…until March 24th when the IOC announced Olympics would be postponed to next summer. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2020-04-0914 minRun AlongSaying goodbye to your athletes with coaches Barbara Stevens and Patrick WalshEvery year, coaches welcome a group of student-athletes into their program. And every year, these coaches say goodbye to a group of student athletes leaving their program. They’ll do this hundreds of times in their career. Today, a high school football coach and a college basketball talk the sadness and fulfillment that comes with watching student-athletes walk away. Listen now on Spotify and Apple podcasts.
2020-03-2733 minRun AlongInterval #5: When athletes with disabilities retireTo what extent is the experience of retirement between para-athletes and able-bodied athletes the same? What support can be provided for some of the specific post-sports challenges athletes with disabilities face? No one really knew these answer to these Qs. That was until 2016, when a group of researchers conducted a groundbreaking study on this community. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2020-03-0509 min
Run AlongBecoming the face of the feminist movement as an athlete with Kathy SwitzerKathy Switzer will forever be known as the first woman to run the Boston Marathon as a numbered entrant. Today, running is just as central to her life as it was over 50 years ago. It’s not the story of a retired athlete like previous episodes. It is the story of how to jump off from a big, identity-defining athlete experience and take the love of sport with you. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2020-02-2821 min
Run AlongBreaking the cheerleader mold with firefighter Aric RodriguezFor Aric Rodriguez, a big, burly high school powerlifter, cheerleading started off as a joke. Then it stole his heart. Going on to cheer at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas, the sport ended up forever changing his life. Now, Aric is a firefighter. What’s it like to say goodbye to a sport as uniquely finite, aesthetic, team-centric and physically-demanding as cheerleading? Oh, and what’s it like when Netflix produces a wildly popular docuseries on your alma mater? Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2020-02-2032 minRun AlongThe perks of being in a relationship with a former athlete with Sean and Brittany SheldonSean and Brittany met in college. Together, they were athletes. Together, they retired. Now, they’re married with careers. In what ways does a shared athlete experience matter (and not matter) in a relationship? Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2020-02-1424 minRun AlongInterval #4: The retirement of Jim BrownJim Brown is widely considered one of the best to ever play the game of football. In 1966, at 29, he was in his athletic prime. So, when he announced his retirement, the country was shocked. Brown walked away to pursue something more, in one of the most critical and turbulent times in American History. While he did do a lot of good in his time after sport, he also abused his power and hurt many. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Content Warning: Sexual Assault
2020-02-0609 minRun AlongTurning post-sport discomfort into opportunity with fashion designer Lauren HallLauren Hall, the diver. The athletic identity that had once provided so much confidence and strength became a source of insecurity as Lauren transitioned to her job as an investment banker on Wall Street. The move from wearing t-shirts and leggings to less-than-comfortable skirts and pantsuits also wasn’t helping her feel good. Then, late to work one day, her skirt ripped while running up the subway steps and she got an idea. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
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2020-01-3025 minRun AlongBONUS: A conversation with St. Kitts & Nevis Coach Jené Baclwaski (Women’s Soccer Olympic Qualifying Special)It’s January 28th, 2020 and that means the final round of CONCACAF Women’s Soccer Olympic qualifying is kicking off. 8 teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean will be battling it out for the next week and a half to see who will represent the region in Tokyo this summer. The far and away underdog of the tournament is St. Kitts & Nevis, ranked 127th in the world. At the helm of this tiny island’s women’s soccer program is Jené Baclawski. Her impact with this team so far has been remarkable. How’d an American coaching in Texas ge...2020-01-2819 minRun AlongHow parents can help their kids develop a better relationship to sport with Ianni Training director of content Seth TaylorThe parent-athlete relationship is simultaneously one of the most important and neglected issues in youth sports. The bond and what it comes to be based on is key in defining an athlete's sense of identity and attachment to their sport during a career...and after. Many athletes go on to be parents of athletes. What work can be done to establish a healthy parent-athlete relationship? Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2020-01-2333 minRun AlongChanneling the athlete love for sport into a sports journalism career with broadcaster Jessica MendozaA softball Hall of Famer and 2x Olympic medalist. The first female broadcaster of an MLB game in the history of ESPN. It’s hard to find a dull spot on Jessica Mendoza’s resume. For Mendoza, fearless decisions and a passion for competitive sport has fueled her success in post-athlete life. Inspiring millions of women and girls in her barrier-breaking pursuits? That’s just a cool byproduct. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2020-01-1638 minRun AlongThe CBD remedy for retired athlete wellness with Beam founder Matt LombardiWhat does it do? Does it get you “high”? In recent years, CBD products have exploded in popularity. Retired athletes have fallen in love with the stuff, praising it as a natural remedy for pain and other ailments. Two former pros in Matt Lombardi and Kevin Moran wanted to share the goodness of CBD and started Beam. Through the highest quality products, superior branding and partnerships, and spreading CBD awareness, Beam aims to standout above the rest. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2020-01-0930 minRun AlongTowards a healthy body after sport with registered dietitian Lauren LinkNo more 15+ hours of working out a week, no more readily-available post-game meals. Retiring from sport means leaving behind a whole way of life designed to keep your body fit and healthy…It can be a shock to the system. Lauren Link is working to make this lifestyle shift less daunting. A registered dietician and board certified specialist in sports dietetics, Link is the author of “The Healthy Former Athlete: Nutrition and Fitness Advice for the Transition from Elite Athlete to Normal Human”. Today, we talk about the body changes and challenges athletes undergo post-sports and how to overcome them...2020-01-0225 minRun AlongInterval #3: Inside the history of the letterman's jacket, an iconic piece of athlete identityThe letterman’s jacket. It is an iconic symbol of athletic identity in the United States. Today, I unbutton the history of and understandings behind this sacred jock attire. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2019-12-2609 minRun AlongBuilding off of athlete resilience and drive with Aisyah Rafa'eeAisyah Rafa’ee is Singapore’s first and only Olympic rower. Getting to this stage in 2016 required a baffling amount of sacrifice and struggle. The adversity she overcame contributed to the “high” of her success. However, it also ground her down and led her to leave the sport that gave her so much. Listen to her story now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2019-12-1925 minRun AlongTranslating sports interests into business with ice cream company founder Kyle PetersKyle Peters always thought he might be a business owner. Then two things happened. College lacrosse led him to discover a love for fitness and nutrition. Time spent with his mom who was battling cancer helped him see an unfilled need and sprung him into action. The result? Six Pack Creamery (now Carter & Oak). Listen to his story now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2019-12-1237 minRun AlongFrom repping teams to repping clients with attorneys Carron Mitchell, Ed Buggé and Cari DavineA figure skater. A soccer/cricket player. A sprinter. 3 stories of the journey from an athlete’s world to a lawyer’s world. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2019-12-0531 minRun AlongFinding the silver linings from a winless senior season with Colton Younger-LoesingThe 2017 Northwest Mustangs were one of the worst high school football teams in the nation. This was Colton Younger-Loesing’s senior season. How does having an experience like this affect you as an athlete and as a person? Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2019-11-2918 minRun AlongInterval #2: Shelly Pennefather's story from college basketball superstar to nunIn 1991, Villanova basketball star Shelly Pennefather turned down an overseas contract that would make her one of the world’s richest female players. She decided instead to pursue a radical path. Pennefather joined one of the strictest religious sects in the world, a choice that has come with unimaginable commitment and sacrifice. This past June, 28 years since entering the monastery, Pennefather (now Sister Rose Marie) had her first physical contact with loved ones. The next time she’ll be able to do so will be in 25 years. Listen to her story now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2019-11-2109 minRun AlongMaking hard decisions and developing thoughtful athlete relationships with athletic trainers Toral Desai and Brian GallagherTwo athletic training rooms. One, at a Division 1 university. The other, at a high school. Through the stories of two athletic trainers, we get a window into this challenging, all-consuming but downright rewarding job. Athletic trainers are a special breed and they can come to play a pretty special role in an athlete’s life. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2019-11-1439 minRun AlongPassing on experiences to the next generation with college coach Paula WeishoffPaula Weishoff’s first contact with volleyball was an impactful one. It included a national championship, 3 Olympics and 11 club seasons on 3 continents. Her career as one of the sport’s great talents positioned her for a next step that was all at once natural and a new challenge. As a coach, Weishoff has mentored dozens of women at the collegiate and international level. Listen to her story now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2019-11-0827 minRun AlongProviding holistic support for Team USA athletes with ACE coach Terris TillerBeing an Olympian or Paralympian often comes with some pretty cool things. Pretty cool things like clarity of purpose, confidence, sponsorship deals, traveling around the world with random life stuff taken care of because of Olympian status. Stepping away from that unique experience can be uncomfortable and unforgiving. Cue the skies parting and sun beaming from heavens. This is where Terris “T” Tiller comes in. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2019-10-3133 minRun AlongWorking through burnout at the end of your athletic career with Sommer DenisonFor large portions of her soccer career, Sommer Denison felt burnt out. She had lost her heart for the game. Much of her competitive desire went away. Overall, her positive experiences in the sport felt fewer and farther in between. Still, she kept going. That perseverance — and a twist of fate — saw her end her career in a blaze of glory. Make no mistake though...when it was time to turn her jersey in, she couldn’t have been happier to do so. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2019-10-2439 minRun AlongInterval #1: The history of retiring numbers in sportsThe practice of retiring numbers is a not-so-straightforward one. A number that "hangs from the rafters" can get us thinking about some stuff. Like whose idea was this? What might be the best way to honor a legacy? Can retiring numbers go too far? Here's a short history, analysis, and entertaining anecdote hybrid episode on the sports ritual.
2019-10-1709 minRun AlongIntervals: Preview Introducing Run Along's new round of mini shows. “Intervals” is a lil platform for the cool, random stuff about athletic retirement and post-sports life in general. Did you hear the story about college basketball star who went on to become a nun? Have you ever wondered about the history behind “retired numbers”? What exactly happens when pro athletes go broke? That and more will be coming to you in these every-so-often jolts of auditory pleasure. It’s gonna be fun. It’s gonna be interesting and it’s all gonna happen in bite sized episodes under 10 minutes. Nice.
2019-10-1501 minRun AlongUsing sport as a healthy measuring stick when finding your next passion with health & wellness coach Matt BracegirdleMatt Bracegirdle ate, slept and breathed hockey. Not everyone who commits their life to their sport like this wins national titles or gold medals. They are average people who gave an extraordinary amount of themselves to the game. Loving something in that way is no doubt special and it can make leaving behind the experience devastating. How do you use what you once loved as a healthy (!) emotional measuring stick to find new passions? Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2019-10-1039 minRun AlongComing down from the high of the spotlight with Shannon MillerShannon Miller is the most decorated American gymnast of all time. As far as athletic successes go, her career was an extreme. Gymnastics — Female gymnastics. In the US. — is also an extreme. The discipline required, injury risk, relative retirement age, and the veneration our best and brightest young women garner every 4 years are elements that elevate the sport to a tier of its own. What happens after you leave behind a life that’s so exceptional in all these ways? List now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2019-10-0328 minRun AlongHonoring your love for sport & playing for something bigger than yourself with Neal PowlessHow does the way a sport is introduced define an athlete’s relationship to it? To the Iroquois, lacrosse is considered a gift from a higher power. Neal Powless is one of the greatest players the Onondaga Nation has ever produced. A life-threatening disorder ended his career. In the midst of his grief, he saw the ways being a pro athlete had hurt him and re-committed himself to promoting the Creator’s Game in the ways from which he had strayed. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
2019-09-2624 minRun AlongComing to terms with having to retire because of concussionsThe 6 individuals in this show were all confronted with a decision. They could potentially harm their well-being in an irreparable way by continuing to do something they love, something that has always defined them. Or they could say goodbye. They could weigh logic over emotion and walk away in order to protect their future. Navigating a scary end to their sports careers, these former athletes struggled through pain, found hope and learned a lot of lessons along the way. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2019-09-2043 minRun AlongKnowing your strength with Kikkan RandallKikkan Randall had a fairytale ending to her athletic career. She helped win the US’ first ever gold in cross-country skiing at the 2018 Olympics. Just weeks later, her retirement started off with a nightmare. Randall was diagnosed with breast cancer. Today, a story of side-by-side emotional extremes and putting the champion mindset to an unthinkable test. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2019-09-1225 minRun AlongProcessing athlete trauma and helping others with mentor Lucia RijkerAs the best female boxer in the world, Lucia Rijker’s career focused on damage — the ways to inflict it, the ways to overcome it. How might the type of sport an athlete plays affect them in the post-sports chapter? Now a coach and a speaker, Rijker has focused on turning the dysfunction she embraced as a fighter into a force for good. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2019-09-0528 minRun AlongThe science behind the retirement transition with professor David LavalleeWhat sort of factors affect the post-athlete transition and coping process (e.g. gender, type of sport, how a career ends)? What initiatives can individuals and organizations implement to both prepare athletes for and support them in retirement? For 25 years, Professor David Lavallee has focused on self-identity and coping processes in sport. Lavalle, who has studied over 15,000 athletes, is perhaps the world’s leading expert on retirement from sport and managing transitions across the career of athletes and coaches. Today, he shares his research with Run Along. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2019-08-2938 minRun AlongKnowing when it's time to leave with Annika SörrenstamBeing the women’s golf GOAT is only part of Annika Sörenstam’s story. She’s also a philanthropist, a businesswoman, a mom, and a wife. What does it mean, though, to start all these new chapters having closed the last one with the title of “best ever”? What happens when you walk away from one world having done it all? Sörenstam’s story of life after golf encourages us to reimagine the process of closing/opening doors in life. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2019-08-2218 minRun AlongFollowing an opportunity when it comes calling with singer Cody SimpsonAt 14 years old, Cody Simpson had a decision to make. He could stay the course he was on — a path he and others hoped might lead to the Olympics. Or he could dive into a shimmering unknown, a leap that meant leaving behind his friends, his passion for swimming and moving across the world. Now, at 22, he has no regrets but his love for the sport has stuck firm. And sometimes, yes, even music stars and actors can’t help but think what could have been. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
2019-08-1516 minRun AlongTaking on retirement as an athlete with disabilities with Ragnhild MyklebustRagnhild Myklebust contracted polio at 18 months old, rendering her partially paralyzed from the waist down. This is the beginning of her story. No doubt, it’s a fact that has life-defining significance — but how? In a practical, moving-about-the-world-way, yes. Perhaps more importantly is the mentality that circumstance instilled in the Norwegian. The idea of pushing on in the face adversity and exceeding expectations has been a guiding force throughout her life. Whether that be off the mountain as a physiotherapist and world-traveler — or on it, as the greatest Winter Paralympian ever.
2019-08-0817 minRun AlongAllowing the love of sport to be your guide with Navy SEAL and producer Kaj LarsenKaj Larsen knew he loved the water. He knew he was good at being in the water. What he didn’t know was to what shores that would take him in life. Kaj never had a set path, rather, he just kept building up experiences by sticking to and honing in on his already-existing abilities. From the pools of Santa Cruz to the Persian Gulf, Kaj Larsen tells his story. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Content Warning: This episode contains audio pertaining to the attacks on September 11th.
2019-07-2522 minRun AlongHow sport can act as both a way to hide yourself and be more of yourself with Natalie FlorescuFor much of her life, Natalie Florescu was attempting figure out the relationship between self-acceptance and playing the sport she loved. Stuffing down her sexuality to play college basketball told her that maybe those ideas could not together. Though, on the other hand, the sport had always been a great gift, providing her with confidence and a sense of belonging. Today, Natalie shares her story of how the game that shielded and hindered part of her identity for so long, ultimately became her means of becoming 100% comfortable in her own skin. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
2019-07-1917 minRun AlongTaking the leap from the athlete world to the music world with Daniel DavilaPutting people in categories make them easier to understand. “Artist” and “athlete” are labels that tell us how one might exist in their environment — what kind of friends you have and how you feel (or don’t feel) things. Of course, it’s not that simple. In what ways do these identities exist together? How do you give up one world and fully embrace the other? Meet Daniel Davila. Former high school baseball player, current professional singer and musician. Take a listen to his story about figuring out what you really should be doing with your life. Available on Spotify and Ap...2019-07-1123 minRun AlongMaking the best of your athlete situation with The Cause International founder Antoine TaylorAntoine Taylor always knew football was going to get him places. Growing up as a kid with a single parent mom, he had dreams of sold out stadiums and making it to the league. Things didn’t quite go that way. At first, it was hard for him to accept. But Antoine is familiar with adapting to plays and standing on his feet in the face of hard hits. Though football was not going to be a part of his future like he imagined, the sport did help to propel his life to new heights. It allowed him to be...2019-06-1915 minRun AlongYour best days aren't behind you with Pia SundhageWhen Swedish legend Pia Sundhage walked away from the game at 36, she was a pioneer, had been at the top of her field, and inspired millions. That’s pretty much more than anyone could ever hope to do in a life. However, Sundhage did not stop when she became a retired athlete. Apparently, blazing trails and achieving greatness are kinda just ingrained in her DNA. For 20 years, the joy and passion Sundhage possessed saw her become one of the best players in the women’s soccer history. For nearly 25 years (and counting), it is those same qualities that have made...2019-06-0530 minRun AlongCinderella After MidnightWhat happens after you capture the hearts of a nation and etch your name into the history books? Move to a tiny island off the coast of Italy. Sit in your ice house in Minnesota and contemplate your past and future. That’s what Carson Shanks did at least. Carson was a member of last year’s Loyola Chicago Ramblers, a team that went on one of the most unbelievable and inspiring runs college sports has witnessed. Like ever. He has embarked on new adventures since then. Carson is retired now and has found a way to repurpose his love...2019-05-2123 min
Run AlongRun Along TrailerThe scoreboard buzzer sounds one last time. Now what? People share their stories of the major life change that comes with saying goodbye to their sport and finding success in the next phase.
2019-05-1506 min