The Balance That Makes You Better
Being a great athlete isn't just about performance—it's about taking care of yourself beyond your sport. Lauren shares how building relationships, exploring interests outside of athletics, and prioritizing mental health helped her overcome burnout and red
Finding Joy, Purpose, & Perspective Growth Through Challenges (Life Skill Development) Identity Beyond Sport
Published July 6, 2026 by Lauren Slagle
More Than a Wrestler
After multiple season-ending injuries and four surgeries, GVSU Elijah shares how losing the ability to compete forced him to confront his mental health and redefine his identity beyond wrestling. His story is a powerful reminder that our worth isn't measu
Finding Joy, Purpose, & Perspective Growth Through Challenges (Life Skill Development) Identity Beyond Sport Injury, Adversity, & Comebacks Mental Health & Emotional Resilience
Published June 29, 2026 by Elijah Bunn
Where Do I Fit In?
In "Where Do I Fit Into My Team?", Josh explores how every athlete contributes to team success through unique character roles like leadership, positivity, mentorship, and work ethic. He reminds athletes that their value extends far beyond stat
Community, Support, & Connection Finding Joy, Purpose, & Perspective Identity Beyond Sport
Published June 22, 2026 by Josh Grimenstein
You GET to do This
Charlotte shares how a simple shift in perspective—"You GET to do this"—helped her navigate the challenges of being a student-athlete. Through long travel days, academic pressures, and the ups and downs of competition, she learned to embrace the p
Finding Joy, Purpose, & Perspective Growth Through Challenges (Life Skill Development) Identity Beyond Sport
Published June 8, 2026 by Charlotte Georsch
Losing Volleyball but Finding Myself
Sydney shares her journey of transferring schools, losing the identity she had built around volleyball, and learning how to rediscover herself beyond the sport. Through the challenges of pressure, burnout, and uncertainty, she found growth, confidence, an
Community, Support, & Connection Finding Joy, Purpose, & Perspective Growth Through Challenges (Life Skill Development) Injury, Adversity, & Comebacks
Published May 26, 2026 by Sydney Standfield
Where Lacrosse Ends and I Begin
Ella shares her journey of navigating performance anxiety and the pressure to be perfect, ultimately discovering the power of leaning on her support system. By separating her identity from lacrosse, she’s found a healthier balance and a deeper understandi
Community, Support, & Connection Finding Joy, Purpose, & Perspective Growth Through Challenges (Life Skill Development) Identity Beyond Sport
Published May 11, 2026 by Ella Manfred
I Am More Than Wrestling
Sabrina shares her journey of realizing that wrestling, while meaningful, was never meant to define her entire identity. By exploring interests and relationships beyond her sport, she’s begun to build a more balanced and authentic sense of self.
Finding Joy, Purpose, & Perspective Identity Beyond Sport Mental Health & Emotional Resilience
Published May 4, 2026 by Sabrina Nauss
The Weight of My Jersey
Lauren shares how the weight of her jersey became a symbol of hidden mental health struggles, ultimately discovering that true strength comes from vulnerability, support, and redefining self-worth beyond performance.
Finding Joy, Purpose, & Perspective Identity Beyond Sport Mental Health & Emotional Resilience
Published April 24, 2026 by Lauren Volk
Sport Can Set You Free
When the thing you love starts to feel like pressure… it’s time to reconnect with your why. 🏃♂️ Find the joy, trust the process, and let your sport be your escape again—not your stress.
Community, Support, & Connection Finding Joy, Purpose, & Perspective Growth Through Challenges (Life Skill Development) Identity Beyond Sport
Published March 30, 2026 by Ian Fowler
More Than “I’m Okay”: Redefining Strength Beyond the Game
Indira shares how opening up about her struggles helped her rediscover her worth beyond the game and redefine what true strength looks like
Finding Joy, Purpose, & Perspective Growth Through Challenges (Life Skill Development) Identity Beyond Sport Mental Health & Emotional Resilience
Published March 23, 2026 by Indira Marker
More Than an Injury: Learning to Heal Beyond the Track
Bri shares her journey through injury, recovery, and learning that healing goes far beyond what an MRI can show.
Finding Joy, Purpose, & Perspective Growth Through Challenges (Life Skill Development) Injury, Adversity, & Comebacks Mental Health & Emotional Resilience
Published March 16, 2026 by Brianna Rhodea
Competing While Healing
Kalo reflects on navigating heartbreak while continuing to compete as a college athlete
Community, Support, & Connection Finding Joy, Purpose, & Perspective Growth Through Challenges (Life Skill Development)
Published March 2, 2026 by Kalomoira Rali
Unlearning the Idea that Winning Equals Worth
Natasha shares her journey of growing up with her identity tied to tennis and the pressure of performance, and how she's learning that her worth exists beyond wins and losses.
Finding Joy, Purpose, & Perspective Growth Through Challenges (Life Skill Development) Identity Beyond Sport
Published February 23, 2026 by Natasha Sengphrachanh
Journey to Loving Myself
Evelyn reflects on shifting from a perfection-driven, self-critical mindset to competing and improving from a place of self-love.
Finding Joy, Purpose, & Perspective Growth Through Challenges (Life Skill Development) Identity Beyond Sport Injury, Adversity, & Comebacks Mental Health & Emotional Resilience
Published February 16, 2026 by Evelyn Park
College Athletes and Identity: More than the Game
Colton explores how college athletes’ identities often center on sport, the challenges this creates after competition ends, and the importance of recognizing they are more than the game they play.
Community, Support, & Connection Finding Joy, Purpose, & Perspective Growth Through Challenges (Life Skill Development) Identity Beyond Sport
Published February 9, 2026 by Colton King
Who Am I Without My Sport?
Macy reflects on her journey from the pressure of perfection in gymnastics to rediscovering joy, identity, and self-worth beyond athletics.
Finding Joy, Purpose, & Perspective Growth Through Challenges (Life Skill Development) Identity Beyond Sport
Published February 2, 2026 by Macy Polasek
A Letter to My Younger Self from a Laker Who Kept Going
Hi there! My name is Olivia Behen and I am a sophomore on the volleyball team. As I was preparing how to put my story into words, my mind kept drawing blanks. All I kept thinking of was younger Liv and how thrilled she would be that I’m here writing this
Community, Support, & Connection Finding Joy, Purpose, & Perspective Growth Through Challenges (Life Skill Development) Mental Health & Emotional Resilience
Published February 1, 2026 by Olivia Behen