Committed by Bri Nunley: Soccer Adversity, Overcoming Injuries, and Becoming a Leader

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Remembering that you are a student athlete.
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You're not just an athlete at this point.
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So focusing on that student piece is a big part because that will take you further.
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But you've also had a lot of success within NIL.
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Yes.
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And you've not even been on the field most of the time.
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Yeah.
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And I think that's people don't realize that's a possibility.
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NIL, the whole purpose is that you're not getting paid for your athletic abilities.
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You're getting paid because of your name, image, and likeness, which means who you are as a person off the field, not your accomplishments on the field.
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When an athlete is enjoying themselves out on the field, that is when you play that so much better.
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Yes, you are so much better when you actually are enjoying yourself.
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What does it really take to make it to the next level in sports?
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And is it worth the sacrifices?
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If you could ask a caller pro athlete one unfiltered question about their journey, what would it be and why?
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And the choices you're making today, the teams, the coaches, the training schedules, the study of the six steps, 30 out of 40.
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Athlete, female sport leader, and now the founder of two businesses, filter NIL.
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But none of that came easy.
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And trust me, most of it was a broad shirt.
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Hi everyone, and welcome to Committed by Athletes of Duty, a new podcast where we give you the behind-the-scenes stories of athletes, what it takes to play at the next level.
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And today we have Division I soccer player Bree.
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She's a soccer player at Arizona State University who has used her platform to become a standout student athlete leader, storyteller, and advocate for equity and mental health well-being across college athletics, has president both the Student Athletic Advisory Council, SAC, and the Empower Program, Breeze Led Initiative centered on inclusion, athlete voice, and building community, helping shift the culture around athlete sport at ASU and across the college athletic landscapes.
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Off the field, she's built a strong background in strategic marketing, branding, event management, interning with athletic departments and companies to create campaigns that resonate with athletes and fans alike.
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Her interests lie in using storytelling to elevate sports and impact culture.
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Her personal mission revolves really around her three pillars: vision, voice, and value, a framework she uses to mentor young athletes and push for positive change across college sports.
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From injuries to playtime for navigating college athletics as president of stack and everything in between.
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Please, please help me welcome Bree to the podcast.
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Hi everyone.
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Like Kate said, my name is Bree Nunley.
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I am a Division I soccer player, but also I like to consider myself way more than just an athlete at ASU.
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All the accomplishments she listed, very flattering to hear, to say the least.
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But yeah, above all, I am just a person like everyone else and happy to be here.
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We're so I'm so excited to have you here because uh little background, Brie, I think I said this earlier, but she's like a little sister to me.
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I was in president, was I president when you came in?
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You were freshman, which is crazy to look back.
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I feel older now sitting here.
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But um, it's just incredible to see.
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I remember one time I think I drove you home one night and you were like, Kate, this is what I want to do, and I have all these aspirations.
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And it's been incredible to now like you've been accomplishing them and you are just thriving.
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And I'm so proud of you.
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And I can't wait to get into your story because it's so inspiring for so many to hear.
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But before we get into everything you've accomplished within college athletics, let's first talk about how you became a college athlete.
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So, what was that like?
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Like, let's take it all the way back to what put you in soccer and how did that evolve to a deeper mission?
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Originally, so my mom played collegiate soccer as well.
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Actually, she played at Oregon State originally.
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So, soccer has always been a part of my life.
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I think my favorite story is that when I was three, I asked her to sleep like with my best friend, which was my soccer ball at the time.
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And she's my favorite person.
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Like, can I have a sleepover?
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And as a three-year-old, she like saw me and did a little happy dance saying that I'm gonna play soccer.
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And from that point forward, soccer was always just a huge part of my life, kind of made up a lot of things I did, drove me through a lot of things, taught those things like dedication, um, and just a commitment to something to continue going further with it.
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So definitely started with my mom.
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She had the love of the game from an early age for me, and through that got to where I am now.
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That's amazing.
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So you started early on, and you were like, soccer is my life.
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This is the only sport I'm playing.
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Did you ever diversify and play other sports?
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Yes, my mom was huge on the fact that you need to be more than just a one sport athlete, and highly recommend that to all athletes across the board.
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Totally agree.
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Yes, you need to help later in life too.
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Yeah, it helps with everything.
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It's not just like your skill set for that sport will improve by playing other sports, but just in general.
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Oh, yeah.
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Social skills, everything.
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Yes, you need to get out of your little bubble and out of your comfort zone and go try those things.
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So sports for you.
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Um, honestly, all of them.
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The only one really I didn't play was volleyball.
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No more.
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Yeah, that was it.
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But I mean, I did dance lessons when I was little.
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There's photos of me sitting in the corner hating it, but I still did it.
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Um, I did basketball all the way up into seventh grade, I believe.
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And so basketball and soccer were always my main two, but I did skiing growing up because I lived in Utah for a little bit.
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And yeah, pretty much just every sport, honestly.
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Like I could list them all.
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So then when did you kind of hone in on soccer as your sport?
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And you switched entirely to soccer.
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That would be eighth grade.
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So when I moved to Arizona from Utah, that's when I fully was like, all right, soccer is my pathway.
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I want to do that.
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And because at the time, the recruiting process, coaches could talk to you in eighth grade, freshman year.
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And so middle of eighth grade was kind of when I started getting that looks from coaches, emails, all those types of things.
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And I was like, all right, okay, this is serious now.
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I need to lock in on this part.
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Yeah, I've seen that as a pathway amongst not only my own personal story, but other athletes.
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It's like play multiple sports and then come in when you need to.
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So, do you recommend that athletes today, you know?
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I think it's so common that people are like, I'm gonna go into baseball and I'm only gonna do baseball.
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Yeah.
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Where it's like, you're kind of recommending let's play as many sports as you can.
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And then when it becomes serious, you can put yes, you know, put the others aside.
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Like just kind of now what freshman year of high school you'd say.
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I'd say around there, especially because all the recruiting rules have shifted, which I think is the biggest blessing for people.
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Totally.
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I mean, was such a stressful situation sitting my freshman year English class, not writing my papers, but writing emails to coaches.
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Like and also as a freshman, you don't know where you want to go.
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No, no one who's admitting that as a freshman does have any clue on what's actually they'd want for college.
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No, which I'm so happy that World Change came my freshman year because I had the offers right before the World Change was coming and had that opportunity to get those experiences.
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But at the time, I mean, I thought I was gonna study microbiology and wanted to do all of that.
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What are you study now?
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Marketing.
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Yeah.
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So um, yeah, definitely not in the realm of microbiology at all.
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So I thought I want to do that in ASU actually was the school I was gonna commit to my freshman year and had the offer from.
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But I decided to take advice from a lot of different people saying, wait, if it's still meant to be, it'll turn up the same.
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And it did my junior year when I was able to commit, I've still got the offer back and committed here and I've loved it.
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So it's amazing.
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So yeah, tell me if you remember a little bit about that as a high school athlete.
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Like, what was your mindset?
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What were you thinking?
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How were you reaching out to coaches?
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Like, what was that experience for you?
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Honestly, it was quite a fun experience.
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Like, yeah, very stressful, but I'm also someone who I love stressful situations.
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I think I excel more in it than when stuff is laid back.
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Yeah, it definitely helps me more.
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So, as much as it was stressful and everything in it, I had so much fun learning through not just communication styles of how do you talk to an adult in a professional manner, but just writing emails was a simple thing that in eighth grade I had no idea how to write an email and send it properly.
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Like, who am I emailing at that point?
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Oh what?
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Yeah.
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So it was so cool to learn all of those things.
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And of course, it's before Chat GPT was a thing.
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So you actually had to write them yourself.
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And one of the biggest pieces of advice that I got from someone and encourage other athletes to do is that you write your own emails.
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Don't have your parents be doing it.
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Don't hire someone to write your emails, do it yourself because it's personal.
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The coaches want to know you for who you are, not an image that you're just trying to present.
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So that would be the biggest piece of advice in that.
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And yeah, honestly, it was fun.
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Enjoy it because I look back and I thought that was stressful, and I'm like, I wish I could go back.
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Well, because that's something interesting about stress.
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You said you find it fun.
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And I can relate to that.
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Yes.
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But I think that is a very key factor in how you're able to like find fun in stress.
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So kind of talk us through like what does that mean?
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Like when you're a high school 16-year-old athlete and just like student and girl in high school managing all of that, how did you find fun in the stress at that age?
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I think it was a lot of the piece of the learning threat.
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I'm very much someone who I love to learn.
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Anything new I can take in and grasps is something I see as a challenge.
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And then how do I get on top of that mountain per se?
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Totally.
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And so this was something to me that I'm like, this is the mountain that I need to climb.
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My goal is to play division one soccer somewhere.
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How do I get to that piece?
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And every step of the way is hard as it is and challenging.
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It's one step closer to your goal.
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So those little milestones and little victories to the bigger end goal is what was fun to me to accomplish along the way.
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It's almost like you looked at it in a sense of people doubting me or the challenges is actually what's motivating me to make it fun and enjoy it.
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Oh, which makes sense.
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I mean, that's kind of the mindset of a D1 athlete because day-to-day is not beautiful.
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No, no, it definitely is like it looks glamorized, but the day-to-day reality of an athlete, especially D1 athlete, but at any level, is a lot of challenges.
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It's a lot of stress.
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So definitely that's really good foresight that you have to manage it starting then.
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So then once you were sending out emails, I mean, do you remember?
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Like, did you get a lot of rejections?
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How many no's to yeses did you get?
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And what was like your approach to contacting a coach?
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My approach was being genuinely just myself and who I was because, like I said before, I didn't want to put out that fake front because also I wouldn't want to be at a school that didn't like me for me.
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So, yes, there definitely was rejections, but the funny part is is in the moment it definitely felt like a big thing, but now I can't even remember the schools that said no or weren't interested because you just you move on.
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And for every no, there's a yes somewhere else.
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You just got to find that right school and fit that's for you, not for your best friend on the team, but what's actually works for you.
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So I love that.
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Can't really remember the no's, honestly.
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Like I can remember the feeling of being like, oh, that kind of sucks.
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But all right, what's next?
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Like, keep moving forward.
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You have a good line.
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Every no, there's a yes, and you're doing it for you, not for your best friend, not for someone else.
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Like, you need to pick the school for you.
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Oh yeah.
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And so then when you finally finalized on ASU, um, what made you determine this is the school I want to go to?
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A big piece of it was academics that they had, the honors college, which I'm in, because that was something that was huge to me.
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I love school, I love to learn, like I said before.
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So as much as I was an athlete and definitely then put my identity as an athlete going into college and deciding what school, but school was the academic piece was still always that big component that I wanted to lean in on.
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And ASU had those offerings and had the academic coach on every Zoom call with me, made sure that I knew about all the available resources between hearing about SAC coming in when I'm a junior in high school trying to commit, and I have no idea what this even is, but they're still presenting it to me and seeing other leaders on the team of stuff that they've done and just these examples of not just athletes, but the human beings behind them was a huge piece of why I wanted to come to ASU and wanted to embody everything that it meant to be an athlete here.
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So you said two good points.
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That one, first of all, what advice do you have to so to an athlete right now who's looking at different colleges?
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Like, what should they first focus on outside of their sport and within their sport more than just like, you know, playing soccer?
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It's all those other factors of the team dynamics and the university and where you are.
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Like, what advice do you have someone who's looking for that right now?
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My advice would be focusing on things that one, you're more than just an athlete.
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Like at this moment, it definitely feels like your sport is your life, your world, and that is completely normal and honestly a good thing because that's where it's got you to where you are now.
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But focusing on those pieces like the academics, the culture of the team, actually seeing how the girls interact with each other, not just again a fake image that can be put out there on social media, but on your visits, actually looking into and being like, is everyone close to each other?
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Do people stand off in the corner by themselves?
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That type of environment.
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Because as a division one athlete, most people, as sad as it is, get injured at one point or another.
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And that takes you out of the soccer piece or whatever sport you play, that those other components become the bigger piece to you.
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So will you still be happy in an environment that you're not playing or doing your sport all the time and can rely on other things too?
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There's also the reality that you might not start.
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Yeah, you could get there and you might not play a game, or even you might start and the next game something happens.
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Like, oh yeah, so those are really key factors, which kind of leads me to the next question.
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For an athlete, you talked about your identity being your sport when you were coming in, and it doesn't sound like that's your identity anymore.
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So, what advice do you have to athletes either currently or like young athletes about their world as their sport?
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And there's obviously you have to, that's important because it gets you to the next level.
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But like, what is your outlook now on that?
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I think definitely just remembering that you are a student athlete, you're not just an athlete at this point.
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So focusing on that student piece is a big part because that will take you further.
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Because there always comes a day where even if you go into pro sports, your body can't play till you're 50.
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I mean, that's just a given.
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So focusing on the point that there is life after sports still, no matter how long or short that is to where you are at this moment, but making sure you're prepped for that part of it as well.
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And yes, focus on the athletic side.
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So I'm not saying don't be that athlete in yourself, um, but just find other parts to you because you need to.
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I mean, you are so much more than just an athlete in that.
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And if you put your soul happiness and who you are to that, like you said, you can't control those factors.
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A coach could not want to play you, you could be injured, like anything can go wrong in those ways that you gotta prep yourself and be ready for what's next.
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Totally.
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I mean, I couldn't agree more, you know that.
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Yes.
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You had a really unique kind of experience at ASU.
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So when you came in as a freshman, what was your freshman year like?
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So, my freshman year, I had a medically red shirt.
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So that in itself was a very unique and difficult challenge.
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But looking back, I'm so grateful for it because it helped me get to where I am now.
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Um, but yeah, third day of preseason, I believe it was, I blew out my ankle.
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And from then I did not get to play.
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I tried to come back and play in force to the injury, but I think two weeks of playing, I had to call it quits again after trying to come back and uh was out pretty much until the next season and dealt with more injuries to come after, but was a unique experience in it.
00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:33.679
The athletic side was incredible for the piece of trying to help me get back the support in it.
00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:40.399
But really, what helped me was one of the uh people in CSAC or Carson that we call it was Dina.
00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:46.879
And she came up to me one of the days I was injured and was like, Well, you know, there's there's more to ASU than just soccer that you're playing.
00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:48.639
Like you can't go on travel trips now.
00:14:48.799 --> 00:14:51.679
And that's such a harsh reality to see, especially as a freshman.
00:14:51.759 --> 00:15:09.759
I mean, I'm 17 trying to look at this, but Dina's open soccer, and you seriously two weeks in blow your knee out, you're barely meeting new players that it's like, or sorry, your ink glass, but oh yeah, you're barely you're just you're trying to navigate meeting girls on the team and navigate friendships, and now you're like, I don't have soccer anymore.
00:15:09.919 --> 00:15:11.039
Yeah, definitely was rough.
00:15:11.200 --> 00:15:17.840
I mean, the friendship-wise, it was yeah, two days of training that I had with everyone, and that third day being out in that morning practice.
00:15:17.919 --> 00:15:21.919
I mean, it's hard to feel like a team member when you haven't been there in the first place.
00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:26.720
And secondly, you're not on the field, so you're not communicating with them all the time in the same aspects.
00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:29.279
No one really knows who you are as an athlete yet.
00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:31.759
They just see you as the girl on the sideline at first.
00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:38.879
And my teammates were incredibly supportive that that wasn't the reality, but that's how it felt that I was just the girl on the sideline.
00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:45.200
So, how do you get past that piece and embrace that moment too and become your teammates' biggest cheerleaders?
00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:46.799
Because that's a part of the sport too.
00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:51.360
Is again, like you said, injured or just not playing, you've got to cheer those on because it's your team.
00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:51.759
Yeah.
00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:52.960
So, how did you do that?
00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:55.919
You know, a lot of it was the seniors that year.
00:15:56.080 --> 00:15:57.759
They were incredibly supportive.
00:15:57.840 --> 00:16:09.600
And the fifth years, the leadership on the team, they came to me individually, would meet with me for coffee, take me out, make sure that I felt still part of that team and would drag me in, even if they could see that maybe I wasn't having the best day.
00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:18.000
So my team definitely cheered me on in ways that I don't even think they realized by just saying good morning to me while I was sitting and they're warming up.
00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:26.240
Those little moments are what built up to making me feel like a real member of the team again and wanting to be so involved and they're cheering me on in my own challenges.
00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:30.159
I want to embrace them and cheer them on in everything they're doing because it is a team.
00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:32.000
Like that's your family at the end of the day.
00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:33.919
And I like what you said about those little moments.
00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:45.360
I think all athletes listening could really take that to heart of like whether you're the starting team captain, whether you're never gonna touch the field, whether you're somewhere in between, whatever it may be, having there's a role.
00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:49.679
And you know, people hear that, it's hard to believe, but you just said how true that is.
00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:56.000
Like just simply saying good morning makes a difference to that person and it it creates a team environment.
00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:59.519
Because at the end of the day, we're all humans and want that human connection.
00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:00.240
Exactly.
00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:02.080
I mean, those were the biggest pieces.
00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:11.519
Like that's what my freshman year I look back and I remember those good mornings or high fives when you're on the bench compared to, I mean, even because I never got to really touch a soccer ball or play any minute.
00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:16.480
So I don't look back at the games, I look back at those little pieces and they build up to something even bigger.
00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:19.039
Yeah, and now I'm sure you still have lasting friendships going on.
00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:19.920
Oh, completely.
00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:23.119
I mean, every year there's a person on the team that I'll still talk to.
00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:29.440
I mean, even now, the people who graduated a year or two years ago, I'm meeting them with coffee and seeing how they're doing, we're all checking in on each other.
00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:31.759
It's it's a lasting, I mean, it's a family, like I said.
00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:32.480
It totally is.
00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:35.279
You're you're done, but you're still a part of this ever-evolving.
00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:39.200
And everyone goes in their own directions of life, and it's so beautiful.
00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:40.960
And I think, I mean, that's incredible.
00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:41.839
That's so inspiring.
00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:43.839
So then what do you have advice-wise?
00:17:43.920 --> 00:17:52.799
Because in the end of the day, especially for a younger athlete listening, how can they navigate embracing team culture while also being highly competitive and wanting to win?
00:17:53.039 --> 00:18:01.519
I would say it's again, like you said, the balance of it, how do you find it is you got to look at yourself and be a good person before just being a good athlete.
00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:11.359
That obviously you want to be the best athlete you can be, drive that competitiveness in a culture of a team, challenge each other, but have the trust within your teammates that they're challenging you for the right reasons.
00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:16.720
They're not challenging you to put you down and say you're not doing good enough, but hey, I know what you're capable of.
00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:19.440
Let's get to that level and push each other in that.
00:18:19.599 --> 00:18:24.960
But if you are the one who's not starting, you've got to embrace the person who's in front of you and cheer them on when it's game time.
00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:28.720
When it comes to practice, I mean, do all your best to try to beat them out.
00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:31.039
Like just make you and the other person.
00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:31.680
Exactly.
00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:34.319
Like you're challenging everyone to completely keep going for it.
00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:35.839
And the competition is a good thing.
00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:42.079
Some people think it's scary or not good on a team, but that competitive level is what drives teams to championships.
00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:45.599
And overall, that's all what we want to be as athletes is champions in it.
00:18:45.839 --> 00:18:55.440
So driving each other to be better every single day and every moment and keeping each other accountable, building that trust within the team is huge and keeps the team going and having that winning legacy.
00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:56.319
Yeah, that's beautiful.
00:18:56.480 --> 00:19:00.720
Well, you said something about being champions, and you've been a champion outside of your sport.
00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:05.519
You've been a champion for mental health and the just like awareness for student athletes.
00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:06.960
So kind of tell me about that.
00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:12.640
Again, that started with Dina coming up to me and saying, Hey, Bree, you could bleed in power.
00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:13.599
Like, have you heard of this?
00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:15.839
And I was like, I have no clue what that is, Dina.
00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:17.759
Like, what are you even talking about?
00:19:17.920 --> 00:19:20.880
Because I was in my little bubble of just being a soccer player.
00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:32.880
And once I got out of that, all these doors started opening and the people I started meeting that I had friendships on every single team across ASU Athletics, not just my own team, which was amazing to have in those friendships.
00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:39.440
But sometimes you need to get out of that world because you learn so much about the other sports, what they do, and it gives you a different perspective in life.
00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:43.200
And so Dina was an academic advisor for ASU Athletics.
00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:43.359
Yes.
00:19:43.599 --> 00:19:48.480
Because for those of you listening, like within a college university, you have advisors and different people to.
00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:51.200
And so Dina came to you as like, hey, here's more.
00:19:51.599 --> 00:19:56.000
And so through that, you got into the empower program, which is about female athletes and empowering them.
00:19:56.160 --> 00:20:01.759
So then, in the end, like once you started getting involved in this, like, what does an athlete's voice then mean to you?
00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:05.759
And how can schools better center that in their culture?
00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:09.759
The athlete's voice, I think, is the true heart of the program.
00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:13.519
And the reason is is because they're the ones who are experiencing day in and day out.
00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:17.599
The leadership of it and all the coaching staff, everything is so appreciated.
00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:20.960
Us athletes could not be who we are without them at all.
00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:24.079
But also the athletes are the ones experiencing it day in and day out.
00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:34.720
And giving the feedback to others and letting your voice be heard is a way that, again, you create that winning culture within a program because you're constantly trying to make everyone within this program be better.
00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:34.960
Yeah.
00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:38.960
From our trainers to our coaches to the academic coaches, all of it.
00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:40.799
Everyone wants to better themselves every day.
00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:42.160
That's why you're in sports.
00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:43.759
You love that competitive environment.
00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:51.839
Yeah, it's almost like breaking down this like stigma mindset of everyone needs to show up at their best and being like, let's connect with each other and lean on each other's resources.
00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:59.599
And having athletes say, I'm gonna go talk to my coach, I'm gonna go talk to my advisors, but then having those people be available to talk to.
00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:00.319
Completely.
00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:00.559
Yeah.
00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:14.319
And that's what I mean, I've been so grateful that my experience there has been everyone outside of yes, the coaching staff, the trainers, the academic coaches, all of them have been present in my life in so many different ways that it's allowed me to grow and see so much more to life.
00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:20.240
So outside of that injury freshman year, what are moments that have challenged your identity and how did you push through them?
00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:25.599
I think big pieces are also the transfer portal, is so big in college athletics now.
00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:28.559
So seeing your teammates come and go constantly.
00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:32.480
And every year it's almost like, oh wow, we're we're restarting again.
00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:34.319
Like this is a new team.
00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:49.359
So I think in the beginning, that's hard to let go of those friendships, but not in a way of you're not friends anymore, but just hey, there's new opportunities now, there's new people, and being open to this new environment of a team, especially when you are someone who's there constantly, year in and year out.
00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:52.240
You see the changes for better or for worse in each ways.
00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:58.319
But how do you keep making them better each time and accepting those changes to the fact that it's not a bad thing that the team is new?
00:21:58.400 --> 00:21:59.759
Like this is something to embrace.
00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:05.039
Let's love it and let's now look at all these strengths that we have that we might not have had last year.
00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:06.240
So how do you navigate that?
00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:12.480
Like what's a tangible kind of checklist or something you do when you when this happens in the new year starting and it's a new team?
00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:19.519
One of my biggest things is making sure I talk to each individual somehow personally within the first week of meeting them.
00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:24.079
It can be a one-minute conversation, five minutes, they could become my new best friend.
00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:30.079
Any of those things, but just actually reaching out to them, especially if it's freshmen, because freshmen, I mean, you're scared.
00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:30.559
You're scared.
00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:33.440
You're like, oh my God, what am I getting into right now?
00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:38.880
It is such a new world going into preseason, double days, all of it, trying to balance the academics.
00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:48.400
That for me, especially now being a senior, the biggest thing has been reaching out to those people and making in an effort that I'm going and having an actual conversation with every individual on the team.
00:22:48.640 --> 00:23:00.160
So, in that, when you're kind of mentoring them in a way, like what advice do you have other athletes that are trying to get into college athletics and find their voice and find their place on a team where they're trying to navigate this new team and the transfer port?
00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:01.440
Like, what advice do you have to them?
00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:04.319
The biggest piece would be know yourself first.
00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:07.839
You need to understand who you are, be confident in that.
00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:12.640
Because if you're not confident yourself, how are you going to be confident in a team environment in general?
00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:19.279
So you need to know who you are, what you stand for, and have that align with the things that your team is trying to accomplish and get that mission.
00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:24.799
So, has all of this kind of changed your idea of what success means within a team and just in general?
00:23:25.119 --> 00:23:26.480
Like what successing do you know?
00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:31.039
Success to me, I think so many people just focus on that end goal.
00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:32.000
And that's incredible.
00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:37.200
Like you want to achieve those moments, but success to me really is learning and the growth through those goals.
00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:40.880
Like achieving it, yes, that's something you can mark off the checklist.
00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:44.480
But really, success to me is am I better than I was yesterday?
00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:45.759
Did I learn something new?
00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:46.880
Did I improve?
00:23:47.119 --> 00:23:48.720
Am I a better person because of it?
00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:49.359
I like that.
00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:51.519
Like, am I better than who I was before?
00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:54.240
It's a constant competition with yourself.
00:23:54.400 --> 00:23:54.880
Completely.
00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:55.440
Totally.
00:23:55.759 --> 00:24:01.039
So then within this talk of success and transfer portal and athletics, did you ever consider the transport?
00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:02.720
I definitely did.
00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:05.599
I think every athlete can say at one point they did.
00:24:06.559 --> 00:24:09.200
Um, if you're saying you didn't, I think that's a lie.
00:24:09.359 --> 00:24:12.640
Yeah, I am every athlete saying, I'm out of here.
00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.359
Yeah.
00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:16.559
And I think looking back, like I didn't transfer for a reason.
00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:20.400
And it's a lot of in the moment, feelings can become so big.
00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:24.640
And not playing can be something that's like, oh my gosh, like I'm not playing.
00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:25.440
This is horrible.
00:24:25.599 --> 00:24:26.400
What am I gonna do?
00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:30.400
And you wake up the next day and you're like, I'm I'm still here and life is good.
00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:31.839
Like it's okay.
00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:37.440
And that's what I tell a lot of people now is they're like, oh, I played so bad today.
00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:39.680
Like, I'm not getting on the field, I won't be in the starting lap.
00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:46.160
I'm like, well, good thing we have a practice tomorrow and the next day, and three more years of it if you're a freshman coming in actually.
00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:47.440
You're gonna run a lot more.
00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:50.240
Like, this is not the end all be all.
00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:57.119
And so I definitely did consider it, but there's a reason that I stayed, and the reasons I stayed outweighed it by far more.
00:24:57.359 --> 00:25:00.400
And were some of those reasons greater than just the sport?
00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:01.039
Completely.
00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:05.759
It was the university, it was the university itself, all of the support staff that I had in it.
00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:10.559
And I really had to look at that you are more than just your sport was a big piece of it.
00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:19.200
And especially for me, I think my story is so different because I mean, I've been injured more and not able to play in more games than I've actually been available to play in.
00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:19.519
Yeah.
00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:23.599
So when you look at that aspect of it, soccer was completely taken out of it.
00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:27.279
So that is a component that's not always easy to navigate.
00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:32.480
Well, that's so good for people to hear, especially younger athletes, because that is out of your control completely.
00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:38.640
Athletes can like you, they're type A, you know, most of the time at least with their sport to get at any high level.
00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:38.880
Yes.
00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:41.359
And so it's like that is out of your control.
00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:43.920
You got injured and you've done everything exercise.
00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:53.359
So it's like that ability to have a community and enjoy where you are, even if the sport wasn't there, is so important during the recruitment process and like in general.
00:25:53.440 --> 00:26:00.079
With once you get there, don't go to the university and just be like, go to the pro team and be like, all this, that like make a community.
00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:03.759
Embrace every piece of it because also, I mean, it creates those lifelong friendships.
00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:08.799
And you learn so many more life lessons than just looking at who you are as an athlete.
00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:12.079
And you meet some really incredible people, everyone has a unique story.
00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:12.799
You really do.
00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:19.359
I mean, that's my favorite thing is meeting people and listening to them because every person in your world that you meet, you learn something from.
00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:24.799
Yeah, like, and those are even those little minute conversations with my teammates that I try to have, you learn something new.
00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:28.720
And there's a lot of lessons I've learned from people just with 30 seconds of talking to them.
00:26:28.880 --> 00:26:29.039
Totally.
00:26:29.599 --> 00:26:36.480
So, how have you navigated um being like a very independent girl, friendships and relationships, you know, from every level?
00:26:36.640 --> 00:26:38.079
Like, how do you navigate that?
00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:45.839
A lot of time management is the biggest, and that's in every piece of everyone will say that being an athlete at any level is time management.
00:26:46.400 --> 00:26:47.279
What does that mean for you?
00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:49.200
For me, it's a lot of schedules.
00:26:49.359 --> 00:26:52.880
Um, I am very it is calendar and checklist.
00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:54.880
I need that in order to stay organized.
00:26:55.039 --> 00:27:01.359
But in that, just finding out that hey, checking in with the people around me of do you notice I'm not as present?
00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:10.079
Like asking their advice as well and being open to the criticism in it because sometimes you get so stuck in your world, you don't see that maybe I have been a bad friend.
00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:13.759
Yeah, or if you're dating someone, maybe I haven't been a good enough partner to your family.
00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:19.119
I haven't been as present as I should be because I'm so involved in the things I'm doing, and that's incredible.
00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:25.759
But you need to look outside of just yourself and who's all around you because they in the end are the ones who helped you get to where you are now.
00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:26.319
Completely.
00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:28.960
And it's so important that you don't lose sight of that.
00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:31.359
Completely, and you're not just engulfed with your sports.
00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:36.079
So then with all of this, have you ever had a moment which every athlete has?
00:27:36.160 --> 00:27:41.599
So I know the answer is gonna be yes, with your injuries, especially where you're like, I am just quitting soccer.
00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:42.240
I'm done.
00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:44.480
I quit, I don't want to play the sport anymore.
00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:46.240
And well, that obviously happened.
00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:47.839
So how'd you get through it?
00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:50.079
I think it's just the perseverance, Pierce.
00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:54.240
You just gotta you gotta wake up the next morning and be like, I can do this.
00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:56.880
No challenge is too big for me to handle.
00:27:56.960 --> 00:28:02.079
And again, that confidence piece of knowing yourself that this is a hard moment, but it's only a moment.
00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:13.599
And there's more moments to come that are gonna be so much better, and you're gonna be at the top of that mountain that you just climbed, and it's the greatest victory you ever had because of those little milestones and the growth that you had in the learning.
00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:20.240
That is how I measure success that I said earlier, but it really is just understanding that this is just a moment of time.
00:28:20.400 --> 00:28:21.839
This too will pass.
00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:36.000
And so, what I think is really unique is you've had a lot of ups and downs throughout your journey, and you've navigated like friendships, the relationships, um, injuries, sport, leadership, but you've also had a lot of success within NIL.
00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:38.960
Yes, and you've not even been on the field most of the time.
00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:39.359
Yeah.
00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:42.400
And I think that's people don't realize that's a possibility.
00:28:42.640 --> 00:28:49.359
I think people think NIL and college athletics nowadays is like if you're not the starting quarterback, like you're screwed, which is just not true.
00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:51.440
No, it's not so tell me about that.
00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:59.599
NIL, it's been incredible, honestly, to learn as I go with it because I mean, when I got here is when it first started really being a thing.
00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:00.000
Right.
00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:13.119
So the amount of different ways that you've had to process deals or go through it and make sure that you still have your eligibility, even though you're making money, has been such an ever-changing landscape, and I think continue will continue to be as we're learning it.
00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:19.279
And I think just through it, it's really helped me understand legal transactions too in general.
00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:21.359
You're like, oh wow, I know all this.
00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:27.359
Yeah, and banking and taxes on it too at a certain point, because you do get taxed on an IL.
00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:29.440
Like athletes remember that, please.
00:29:30.000 --> 00:29:31.039
So you do get taxed.
00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:32.640
It turns a free gift and not cash.
00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:33.599
Yeah, you get taxed on that.
00:29:33.839 --> 00:29:35.039
You still get the amount of that gift.
00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:36.480
Yes, you still get taxed.
00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:40.880
So through it, I mean, as the years have gone on, I've gotten more into it.
00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:54.319
And ASU definitely provided a platform that really helped about it with all the different people they had that you could learn from, but also the different apps that you could sign up for, which is like 98 strong and postgame are ones that are really common for athletes to use.
00:29:54.400 --> 00:29:58.319
And you can just go on and click a deal saying, I want to be a part of it, and it's open to any athlete.
00:29:58.480 --> 00:29:58.720
Yeah.
00:29:58.880 --> 00:30:00.480
So those are just easy ones to do.
00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:04.720
So, what's a campaign or project you've worked on that really reflects who you are beyond the jersey?
00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:06.000
And that like is really cool.
00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:09.599
The most recent one, and probably my favorite, is the GoDaddy Arrow campaign.
00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.160
I love it.
00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:11.519
It's been incredible.
00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:15.759
One at ASU with the incredible opportunity, which uh Kate helped launch.
00:30:15.920 --> 00:30:17.680
So want to point that out too.
00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:20.000
Thank you to you because you helped me with this.
00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:27.920
But to really let athletes create this website or brand to show who they are, what they want to be, and a platform that they can continue to grow.
00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:36.880
But from that, I then got the amazing deal and partnership to work with GoDaddy Arrow and their team to present who I am outside of just being an athlete.
00:30:37.039 --> 00:30:38.960
So that has been incredible as well.
00:30:39.200 --> 00:30:55.440
And honestly, just one of the most amazing experiences from everyone on the team, from the Camp Four productions that did it to GoDaddy Arrow, all of them and everyone at ASU, including Kate specifically, you have all been so incredible and made this journey so easy for me that I'm just grateful.
00:30:55.599 --> 00:30:57.920
So then what was that like once you got the campaign?
00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:59.759
And like what was what was the shoot like?
00:31:00.000 --> 00:31:03.440
The shoot was very time consuming, which was in our contract.
00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:06.720
So I knew it would be, but honestly, it was so much fun.
00:31:06.799 --> 00:31:09.759
And that's where the work and the stress again turned to fun.
00:31:09.839 --> 00:31:14.480
Because yes, you're running from thing to thing, shoot to shoot, you're having to listen to directors, which is an athlete.
00:31:14.559 --> 00:31:21.680
I mean, you're used to listening to coaches, but you're not used to it's very different that it's if you mess up the clip, no, it is go back and redo it.
00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:23.200
It's not work through the bad scene.
00:31:23.359 --> 00:31:24.319
It's like no fix it.
00:31:24.480 --> 00:31:25.920
Yeah, like fix this now.
00:31:26.160 --> 00:31:39.119
So it was definitely a very different environment, but an incredible atmosphere to be around and just showcase who I am outside of yes, I'm an athlete, but what else do I do in that in a bigger screen setting, you could say.
00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:43.519
And also when I first got the deal, the biggest thing was the contracts.
00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:58.000
Was this a lot of paperwork with NDAs that you have to sign, but then also just the contract itself of how much are you committing to doing for this company or production, anything that it is, and that you gotta follow through on it.
00:31:58.079 --> 00:32:02.559
Like you are signing a legal binding document and understanding the value of what that means.
00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:02.960
Yeah.
00:32:03.119 --> 00:32:07.119
And I think people overlook that because it can be like, oh, let me just do this social media post.
00:32:07.359 --> 00:32:09.839
But like you, I mean, how many followers do you have on Instagram?
00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:11.359
Almost 2,000 now.
00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:12.240
So it's not a ton.
00:32:12.400 --> 00:32:13.039
It's not like no.
00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:18.000
It's not like you're at, you know, two million followers or you can 20,000 followers on Instagram.
00:32:18.319 --> 00:32:25.440
So this GoDaddy contract was really because you were able to like, it was your story that aligned with the brand and a company.
00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:27.440
Completely athletes forget about that.
00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:43.359
It's like, yes, okay, it's great, you can work through postgame, get Adidas, but there's all these NIL opportunities that like you've experienced even more than the GoDaddy ones, where you've seen success, where it's like I as a person and as an athlete align with this brand's values, and that brings me good an NIL dealer.
00:32:43.519 --> 00:32:44.079
Yeah, completely.
00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:44.960
And is that what happened?
00:32:45.119 --> 00:32:46.640
Yes, that completely is what happened.
00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:57.279
I mean, they reached out to me through the services and ASU helping provide it, but seeing that it was our like our mission and our voices and our values all aligned together, and that's why we wanted to work together.
00:32:57.519 --> 00:32:58.400
Yeah, that's amazing.
00:32:58.640 --> 00:33:03.279
So, what like kind of moving forward is your next like big goal for NIL?
00:33:03.359 --> 00:33:07.440
And also with seeing an NIL success, that's not necessarily expected.
00:33:07.599 --> 00:33:09.759
How do you navigate the friendships on the team?
00:33:09.839 --> 00:33:13.839
Like, how does that work with team dynamic when maybe you're getting an NIL deal and someone's not?
00:33:14.160 --> 00:33:16.480
Honestly, my team has been so incredible.
00:33:16.559 --> 00:33:18.160
Like, it's they're your biggest fans.
00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:18.960
You love that.
00:33:19.119 --> 00:33:23.359
You get a deal and it's just them cheering you on, always supporting you.
00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:27.039
If you're like, hey, I need an extra like or comment, can you please help me out?
00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:29.119
Everyone is like, yes, of course, I got you.
00:33:29.200 --> 00:33:30.240
Like, what do you mean?
00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:33.759
It's everyone's biggest cheerleader, not just in the sport, but in life in general.
00:33:33.920 --> 00:33:38.960
So, really, on our team, I've never felt that of criticism or backlash from anyone on my team.
00:33:39.039 --> 00:33:43.920
It's only been support and like people praising you for it too, which has been awesome.
00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:44.720
That's amazing.
00:33:44.880 --> 00:33:45.599
That's amazing.
00:33:45.759 --> 00:33:56.480
And so then, what advice do you have then, like moving forward to athletes that are wanting to get involved with NIL, but maybe don't they don't have the big social media following or something isn't like they're not the starting quarterback?
00:33:56.720 --> 00:34:02.400
Yeah, for that, I mean, NIL, the whole purpose is that you're not getting paid for your athletic abilities.
00:34:02.640 --> 00:34:10.239
You're getting paid because of your name, image, and likeness, which means who you are as a person off the field, not your accomplishments on the field.
00:34:10.400 --> 00:34:18.079
So really honing in on that piece of it and just reaching out to people because the worst thing they can say is no, but in the day, you just made a contact through that.
00:34:18.320 --> 00:34:24.400
So learning to one network in the real world is something NIL helps with and teaches a life lesson of.
00:34:24.559 --> 00:34:29.360
But then once you do get those deals and those yeses, really aligning with okay, what ones do I want to do?
00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:35.199
Because you'll get to a place where there's a lot coming at you and you have to pick and choose and what one do I align with?
00:34:35.280 --> 00:34:38.480
Because you don't want to just say yes to every brand if it's something you don't actually support.
00:34:38.719 --> 00:34:39.119
Totally.
00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:43.679
And talk a little bit more about the life skills you've learned through being an NIL.
00:34:43.920 --> 00:34:55.760
I'd say the networking is a huge piece, which you learn in every part of college athletics, but definitely an NIL has helped that of how when you're the one searching for a deal, how do you network in that to find someone who will align with you?
00:34:55.920 --> 00:35:00.079
But then also the communication side of it of how do I talk to someone professionally?
00:35:00.159 --> 00:35:06.000
How do I present myself in a way that they'll look at it and be like, oh, this is someone I'm interested in hearing about?
00:35:06.159 --> 00:35:11.519
And it's almost like you're in a recruiting job process for this, too.
00:35:11.679 --> 00:35:16.320
It's they're looking at you as what you're giving them almost as a resume of what you're doing.
00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:24.639
So it's how do you put yourself in a light that one is positive for them and aligns with their values and tailoring everything to that piece and matching it?
00:35:24.800 --> 00:35:25.119
Yeah.
00:35:25.280 --> 00:35:28.480
And what was like going back to your shoe, what was your favorite part of it?
00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:30.159
Like, what was it like on set?
00:35:30.400 --> 00:35:39.440
Honestly, my favorite parts were the moments in between the shooting, like not the acting and everything, like it's fun to try to embrace it, but I will say by no means am I an actor.
00:35:39.760 --> 00:35:58.320
You're like, yeah, definitely not uh an actress by any means, but the little pieces in between it, I mean, the set was just everyone in the crew was incredible from the people doing the lighting that I have longer nails on and I can't open uh soda cans or anything by myself right now because of my nails.
00:35:58.480 --> 00:36:04.559
And I felt like the most like, oh my gosh, I don't mean to be pretentious in this, but can you please open this water can?
00:36:04.639 --> 00:36:09.119
Because all of them had the little, I don't know what it is, but on the soda can where the lid you have to flip up.
00:36:09.280 --> 00:36:18.559
And that everyone was just so willing to help out in any way and getting to know them too as people that the in-between of being like, oh, what does this lighting do?
00:36:18.880 --> 00:36:20.480
What does this camera actually do?
00:36:20.639 --> 00:36:21.599
What is this lens?
00:36:21.679 --> 00:36:22.880
How is it different from the other one?
00:36:23.119 --> 00:36:24.880
So you're just learning about this whole industry.
00:36:24.960 --> 00:36:25.679
Yes, completely.
00:36:25.920 --> 00:36:31.280
So have you had any NIL deals or DMs or messages that you're just like, whoa, no, like what happened?
00:36:31.519 --> 00:36:32.880
Like, can you share about those at all?
00:36:33.199 --> 00:36:49.920
I think there's some that it's people that are kind of just it's not that they don't have a ton of following, but they're they don't really know what they stand for in themselves, they're more just reaching out to use your name image and likeness to get their own following, not for what they actually stand for at all.
00:36:50.559 --> 00:36:53.039
So when I see those, it's kind of like uh I don't know.
00:36:53.760 --> 00:36:55.280
Like, uh do not respond.
00:36:55.599 --> 00:37:02.079
A lot of the time I just don't respond because it's a very generic message in it and um copy and paste copy paste.
00:37:02.320 --> 00:37:02.960
You can see that.
00:37:03.119 --> 00:37:04.800
Yes, you can compare it's pretty obvious.
00:37:05.039 --> 00:37:08.159
It's the same as when we're sending emails to coaches back to the recruiting.
00:37:08.239 --> 00:37:18.400
I mean, coaches understand when it's copy and pasted, and athletes see that with the NIL deals as well, especially for people who they don't know what they stand for, they don't know what they're trying to sell, they're just trying to get attention.
00:37:18.559 --> 00:37:18.880
Yep.
00:37:19.039 --> 00:37:22.880
So, from those, those are my definite of no, maybe not yet.
00:37:23.039 --> 00:37:30.719
If you come back and have a little bit more of this is who I am or who we are, and we want to help you represent us, then yeah, I'll be more interested.
00:37:30.880 --> 00:37:31.920
Yeah, that's amazing.
00:37:32.079 --> 00:37:34.800
So then you've balanced so many different areas now.
00:37:34.880 --> 00:37:36.719
You know, you're playing, you're healed.
00:37:36.800 --> 00:37:39.280
So you're playing, season's coming up, it's starting.
00:37:39.440 --> 00:37:43.280
Um, you're a president of stack of empower and leadership, you're doing NIL.
00:37:43.519 --> 00:37:50.239
Like, how do you, what advice do you have to athletes that are wanting to get into college and like get in all these responsibilities and then balance it all?
00:37:50.480 --> 00:37:55.679
I'd say, again, I know it's so repetitive, but that time management piece of yeah, find what works for you.
00:37:55.760 --> 00:38:01.760
If it's something physical, I have so many friends that they actually buy calendars and have to write out everything in their day physically.
00:38:01.920 --> 00:38:04.880
That if it's your iCloud calendar with whatever you use.
00:38:05.039 --> 00:38:08.559
Um, but just find what works for you to keep all those tasks manageable.
00:38:08.880 --> 00:38:12.400
I also think it's important to call it like, don't be embarrassed to do it if you like it.
00:38:12.559 --> 00:38:12.800
Oh, yeah.
00:38:12.960 --> 00:38:15.760
That's like a huge roadblock people run into.
00:38:15.840 --> 00:38:16.159
Oh, yeah.
00:38:16.400 --> 00:38:17.679
They're like, oh, that's weird.
00:38:17.760 --> 00:38:19.039
It's like, yeah, that's cool.
00:38:19.119 --> 00:38:22.559
Actually, like it promised you in the long run, yes, you'll be thankful you got it.
00:38:23.039 --> 00:38:23.679
Yes, definitely.
00:38:23.840 --> 00:38:27.119
Being different and unique and stuff is actually a good thing.
00:38:27.280 --> 00:38:30.719
It's not a weird thing or something to frown upon in any way.
00:38:31.119 --> 00:38:33.920
I mean, it's brought you and it all deals with involved or something.
00:38:34.079 --> 00:38:35.039
There's slavery involved.
00:38:35.119 --> 00:38:36.400
Yeah, and that's all it takes.
00:38:36.480 --> 00:38:39.280
And then, you know, it sets you up for like after sport too.
00:38:39.440 --> 00:38:39.840
Completely.
00:38:40.079 --> 00:38:46.000
You have those connections, and that's hard at you know, 17 years old when you're coming in to hear and be like, Oh, I want to be involved.
00:38:46.079 --> 00:38:46.960
Like, no, that's weird.
00:38:47.119 --> 00:38:48.960
Your other freshmen are like, What's wrong with these?
00:38:49.119 --> 00:38:50.559
Yes, why are you doing that?
00:38:50.800 --> 00:38:52.880
But it's it's cool, it really is.
00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:55.840
It is, it is the thing that helps you also.
00:38:56.079 --> 00:38:57.760
I mean, you make more friends that way, yeah.
00:38:57.920 --> 00:39:00.480
Like people think that you're gonna be weird or something from it.
00:39:00.559 --> 00:39:04.880
No, I've made so many more friends by being involved in relationships.
00:39:04.960 --> 00:39:09.280
Like, I would not have known you at all before this if I did not get involved in different ways.
00:39:09.519 --> 00:39:12.480
Like, yeah, I mean, we're our classes aren't similar at all.
00:39:12.639 --> 00:39:15.280
Like you're you were a senior when I was a freshman.
00:39:15.360 --> 00:39:16.480
Like, I think a junior.
00:39:16.639 --> 00:39:16.960
Junior.
00:39:17.039 --> 00:39:18.400
Okay, yeah, you were a junior when I was a freshman.
00:39:19.599 --> 00:39:23.440
And totally different sports, like our paths would have never crossed completely.
00:39:23.599 --> 00:39:35.840
And it's almost like I think the people at first, I always say the people at first who might like think it's weird or be like judging you for getting involved or you know, putting yourself out there for NIL, whatever it may be, they always circle back and are like, wait, how'd you get that?
00:39:36.079 --> 00:39:38.480
How'd you definitely help me, please?
00:39:38.639 --> 00:39:39.760
I really need to talk to someone.
00:39:39.840 --> 00:39:41.599
And you're like, Yeah, I mean, always show kindness.
00:39:41.760 --> 00:39:42.079
Oh, yeah.
00:39:42.159 --> 00:39:43.280
The world's small, yes.
00:39:43.440 --> 00:39:44.400
Everyone knows everyone.
00:39:44.559 --> 00:39:44.880
Yes.
00:39:45.039 --> 00:39:47.920
Um, but I think that's a huge roadblock for athletes.
00:39:48.079 --> 00:39:50.880
It definitely is, and seeing that there's so much more to it.
00:39:50.960 --> 00:39:56.719
I mean, not only do you you can get cool deals, yes, but that's not why I ever got involved in the first place.
00:39:56.960 --> 00:40:00.880
It's really just to be something more than yourself, be in a community, outreach.
00:40:00.960 --> 00:40:06.480
And it helps you see when you do get in your lows of your own world, you get to be around other people and they bring you back up.
00:40:06.880 --> 00:40:08.400
It's probably made you a better athlete too.
00:40:08.639 --> 00:40:11.280
Like completely better at soccer because your world's not soccer.
00:40:11.440 --> 00:40:12.480
No, it definitely has.
00:40:12.559 --> 00:40:17.119
And I mean, that's even going into each season now when I set my goals and do those things.
00:40:17.199 --> 00:40:22.719
They used to be, oh, I need to do this many passes forward, I need this many goals or those type of things.
00:40:22.800 --> 00:40:26.159
Now it's more focusing on the things I fully can control.
00:40:26.480 --> 00:40:29.840
And it's the have fun, embrace every moment.
00:40:30.159 --> 00:40:33.280
This won't last forever, yeah, which is a sad truth.
00:40:33.440 --> 00:40:35.519
And above all, just control the controllables.
00:40:35.840 --> 00:40:38.239
So if I can make that good pass, I'm gonna do it.
00:40:38.320 --> 00:40:40.400
But I also don't dictate when I get the ball.
00:40:40.639 --> 00:40:43.840
So having a certain number to that, yes, it's very good.
00:40:43.920 --> 00:40:47.679
But for me, what I found works better is focusing on what I really can control in myself.
00:40:47.840 --> 00:40:48.480
That's really interesting.
00:40:48.559 --> 00:40:56.559
I'd love to break soccer down more because it's like, yes, you know, in in beach volleyball, it's I can make X many, like so many serves.
00:40:56.639 --> 00:41:02.159
Like, you know, there's certain metrics, but in soccer, that's not necessarily true because you don't know when you're getting the ball.
00:41:02.320 --> 00:41:04.960
So, how do you navigate that mental health as a player?
00:41:05.199 --> 00:41:08.400
With it, I just my saying always is control the controllables.
00:41:08.639 --> 00:41:12.079
I mean, when anyone asks me, that's completely my go-to for it.
00:41:12.239 --> 00:41:16.880
And yes, I think you still should set if you're a forward, get X amount of goals in the season.
00:41:16.960 --> 00:41:18.320
That is an incredible thing to have.
00:41:18.480 --> 00:41:20.559
Do not limit yourself in that by any means.
00:41:20.800 --> 00:41:34.719
But for me, what has just worked personally is when I got so caught up in those pieces, I focused so much on those individual goals and not the bigger picture that I started messing up more because I got so stressed and freaked out and thinking, oh my gosh, I'm so far away from this goal.
00:41:34.800 --> 00:41:35.679
Like, what do I do next?
00:41:35.760 --> 00:41:42.400
And that in the game, I couldn't actually just enjoy it and have fun because when an athlete is enjoying themselves out on the field, that is when you play that.
00:41:42.800 --> 00:41:43.199
So much better.
00:41:43.280 --> 00:41:46.320
Yes, you are so much better when you actually are enjoying yourself.
00:41:46.400 --> 00:41:54.320
And so for me personally, and it doesn't work for everyone, but that's what I found is when I focus on that piece of the game of enjoying it, the soccer follows.
00:41:54.719 --> 00:42:01.119
So you're like when you're able to focus on like this is just fun, I'm enjoying this, like I play better a role.
00:42:01.280 --> 00:42:05.199
Like, what advice do you have to a parent who's putting their kid into sports right now?
00:42:05.920 --> 00:42:13.519
Like taking away someone who's putting their kid into soccer, and they're like, Okay, you know, they they talk about being a college athlete, their son or daughter really loves the sport.
00:42:13.599 --> 00:42:15.760
Like, how should their parents navigate that?
00:42:16.159 --> 00:42:25.280
I would say focus on the love of the sport because when these workouts come in preseason that you have two-days, if you don't love the sport, oh yeah, you are not getting through it.
00:42:25.440 --> 00:42:30.000
I mean, it is hard, it's brutal, it's demanding, and that's such an amazing thing.
00:42:30.079 --> 00:42:36.239
It makes you a better person, a better athlete, but you have to have love for the sport or else you can't keep going forward.
00:42:36.320 --> 00:42:44.000
Because if you're just completely unhappy doing it, I mean, your progress is gonna go down, your body is not gonna want to function the way it's supposed to, all of it.
00:42:44.079 --> 00:42:47.760
So, really to even because I do train younger kids now and help mentor them.
00:42:47.920 --> 00:42:53.679
The parents, when they come up to me asking for, oh, my son or my daughter needs to do this better and beat the player better.
00:42:53.760 --> 00:42:59.360
I kind of just look at them like there's seven-year-olds out there, like right now, they don't need to be focusing on that.
00:42:59.519 --> 00:43:05.440
What they need to be focusing on is the love of the game that they're able to exercise, making the friendship.
00:43:05.760 --> 00:43:06.079
Exactly.
00:43:06.480 --> 00:43:08.559
Learning, okay, how do I kick a software ball?
00:43:08.800 --> 00:43:11.920
Like, not oh yeah, like you will get to the nitty-gritties.
00:43:12.880 --> 00:43:13.519
Yeah, yeah.
00:43:13.760 --> 00:43:17.840
Definitely like have that focus in it, but don't make it your whole being in it.
00:43:18.000 --> 00:43:28.320
Like, you want to focus on the little pieces and get better and strategize, but you can't have that be your only goal in it because by the time you get to high school or college athletics, you're gonna be so burnt out in it and you won't love the game.
00:43:28.480 --> 00:43:28.639
Totally.
00:43:28.800 --> 00:43:30.239
And then what's the point of that?
00:43:30.320 --> 00:43:32.159
Because you're not gonna be living a life you love.
00:43:32.239 --> 00:43:33.440
That's not a life you want to live.
00:43:33.599 --> 00:43:36.239
Yeah, and I mean that even circles back to why you should play multiple sports.
00:43:36.480 --> 00:43:37.920
Oh, yes, no, definitely.
00:43:38.159 --> 00:43:40.000
Like it, there's so many pieces to it.
00:43:40.079 --> 00:43:55.199
So then completely how what advice that's advice to your parents looking back at maybe your 17-year-old self right now or 15-year-old self, right before stepping onto campus and stepping into this world, like just even maybe even before recruitment, before you committed days to you, like what advice do you have to those players?
00:43:55.519 --> 00:43:56.159
Enjoy it.
00:43:56.320 --> 00:43:59.519
I mean, I'm gonna keep saying it, but just enjoy those moments.
00:44:00.079 --> 00:44:02.559
And the little in-betweens because it goes by so fast.
00:44:02.719 --> 00:44:05.760
Like the fact that I'm a senior now is just, whoa, how?
00:44:05.920 --> 00:44:06.079
Yeah.
00:44:06.159 --> 00:44:07.360
Like, how did that even happen?
00:44:08.320 --> 00:44:09.440
It seriously is.
00:44:09.599 --> 00:44:13.920
But just enjoying those moments and that there's always another game the next day.
00:44:14.079 --> 00:44:16.719
There's another practice when you're that young in your career.
00:44:16.800 --> 00:44:28.719
And if you're really wanting to move it forward and keep playing, there'll be more opportunities and see those mistakes or when you get so down on yourself as that area that you can grow in the game and who you are because that's where you learned.
00:44:28.880 --> 00:44:32.079
And the next time you get back to that, you're not gonna make the same mistake, really.
00:44:32.800 --> 00:44:34.159
Like you learned from it.
00:44:34.320 --> 00:44:34.960
Yeah, totally.
00:44:35.039 --> 00:44:38.320
And you talked also a lot today about like your injuries and navigating that.
00:44:38.480 --> 00:44:42.960
So, like, what advice do you have to someone who's going through an injury right now and it's just unexpected?
00:44:43.039 --> 00:44:45.760
And every time they get better, it just crashes back down again.
00:44:45.840 --> 00:44:48.320
And you don't know, you know, you're navigating this world.
00:44:48.480 --> 00:44:50.159
Like, what advice do you have to that player?
00:44:50.320 --> 00:44:51.440
Don't give up hope.
00:44:51.519 --> 00:44:53.920
That is the biggest thing, and it's the hardest thing too.
00:44:54.159 --> 00:44:54.400
Totally.
00:44:54.559 --> 00:44:55.760
It is definitely the hardest.
00:44:55.840 --> 00:45:01.599
But surround yourself with people that when you can't be your own cheerleader, they can help you on too.
00:45:01.760 --> 00:45:06.639
And that was something that definitely helped me when I was so down in the dumps and couldn't get myself out of it.
00:45:06.719 --> 00:45:09.440
It was really those around me that helped me be like, you know what?
00:45:09.599 --> 00:45:10.639
I can keep going.
00:45:10.719 --> 00:45:13.920
There is hope, and you just gotta look a little bit harder for it sometimes.
00:45:14.000 --> 00:45:15.280
But it always does turn out better.
00:45:15.440 --> 00:45:15.679
Yeah.
00:45:15.920 --> 00:45:18.639
So then what advice do you have lastly to the coaches?
00:45:18.800 --> 00:45:20.079
Like the coaches listening.
00:45:20.239 --> 00:45:29.039
If your if your coach was listening, or if any coach is listening, like what advice do you have to them about how these athletes are actually thinking and just in general, advice for coaches?
00:45:29.280 --> 00:45:36.000
I'd say understand them as people too, not just as one of your athletes or another number on a roster.
00:45:36.239 --> 00:45:45.519
Really get to know them for who they are, because then not only can you help push them in the way that actually motivates them, but it creates an environment that people want to show up to every day.
00:45:45.760 --> 00:45:59.519
When you have a coach that every morning is telling you good morning and wants to see you and seems genuinely excited to be there and around you, it makes everyone want to work 10 times harder because it has that trust and the respect for that coach.
00:45:59.679 --> 00:46:04.880
So, yes, you want to understand them as an athlete, watch as much film as you want of them, know how they play.
00:46:05.039 --> 00:46:12.000
But above all, if you really want someone to work for you and it goes to any team setting, you need to know who they are as a person and what pushes them to that next level.
00:46:12.239 --> 00:46:17.840
And I think people overlook how much coaches actually impact an athlete's mental health completely.
00:46:18.320 --> 00:46:24.480
And like so many resources are available for an athlete's mental health, but it's the the people that are there day to day, it's the teammates and the coaches.
00:46:24.559 --> 00:46:25.920
That's where mental health comes from.
00:46:26.079 --> 00:46:26.800
Oh, completely.
00:46:26.960 --> 00:46:29.920
So to have that supportive environment is something you need.
00:46:30.000 --> 00:46:34.559
So as a coach and a teammate, just being your whether a good person.
00:46:34.719 --> 00:46:35.599
Yeah, just be a good person.
00:46:35.760 --> 00:46:38.559
Yeah, just be kind, be kind, be a good person.
00:46:38.800 --> 00:46:40.159
And recognize why people are there.
00:46:40.239 --> 00:46:44.159
You know, some athletes are don't don't want every, you know, life advice.
00:46:44.320 --> 00:46:45.920
They're like, just help me play my sport.
00:46:46.159 --> 00:46:46.400
Exactly.
00:46:46.559 --> 00:46:48.559
And other athletes are like, please, I need life advice.
00:46:48.880 --> 00:46:55.519
But you know, learning to navigate those relationships and understanding what a person's needs are and why they're there completely is crucial.
00:46:55.679 --> 00:46:56.800
Oh, yes, completely.
00:46:56.880 --> 00:47:05.760
I mean, understanding people's whys and what motivates them, that's what gets a team to have that winning culture and just that understanding of a human level, who are you?
00:47:06.000 --> 00:47:10.400
Yeah, I've totally found that it then translates into the real world completely.
00:47:10.639 --> 00:47:12.719
After you're yeah, those are those life skills, right?
00:47:12.800 --> 00:47:15.519
We already talked about after you learn a lot of life skills.
00:47:15.840 --> 00:47:16.400
Yes, I do.
00:47:17.039 --> 00:47:21.840
So then moving forward, what do you see changing in the world of college athletics over the next few years?
00:47:22.000 --> 00:47:25.679
And do you see yourself playing a role in that, especially female sports?
00:47:25.840 --> 00:47:29.199
Because there's a lot of discrepancy around female sports and NIL and all these things.
00:47:29.280 --> 00:47:30.639
So, like, what's your opinion on all that?
00:47:30.880 --> 00:47:34.480
I think the biggest thing is that it will become more equal among both sports.
00:47:34.639 --> 00:47:38.400
I think already women's sports are getting more highlighted than they used to be.
00:47:38.559 --> 00:47:43.440
I mean, if you look back 10 years ago, soccer games were not filled in stands at all.
00:47:43.519 --> 00:47:53.840
And now we actually do get a good crowd, and they're nationally televised games that people do tune in and listen and respect in different ways and want to be there to see it.
00:47:54.000 --> 00:48:06.320
So I think the game is going to keep growing across all of female athletics, and as long as people keep sharing their stories and who they are and why they're there, and that you do work just as hard as your male counterparts in every sport, no matter what you play.
00:48:06.719 --> 00:48:08.719
So I think that will be a big difference.
00:48:08.800 --> 00:48:10.480
And I I'm excited to see it.
00:48:10.559 --> 00:48:16.559
I can't wait that if I do have little girls one day to see them out on the field and supporting them and what they do.
00:48:16.800 --> 00:48:18.400
You hope and they play soccer.
00:48:18.639 --> 00:48:21.119
I hope they just enjoy whatever they do, honestly.
00:48:21.280 --> 00:48:25.280
It to me does not matter if they're gonna be in band, any of that.
00:48:25.440 --> 00:48:27.760
Like, I just want you to be happy as a kid.
00:48:28.000 --> 00:48:35.679
And so when talking about kids in sports, maybe like you said, your coaching, what's always the message you try to leave to your kids that you're coaching?
00:48:36.239 --> 00:48:37.679
Just to be better the next day.
00:48:37.840 --> 00:48:38.960
Always better yourself.
00:48:39.199 --> 00:48:42.159
Go to bed each day thinking, okay, what did I learn today?
00:48:42.559 --> 00:48:43.519
What do I get from that?
00:48:43.599 --> 00:48:49.840
And how do I move forward with it in a positive manner and support those around you while you are supporting yourself in that too?
00:48:50.000 --> 00:48:50.880
Yeah, that's amazing.
00:48:51.039 --> 00:48:54.800
And so then, last main question kind of we were looking at your website.
00:48:54.960 --> 00:48:56.239
You have your GoDaddy arrow.
00:48:57.440 --> 00:49:05.280
And um, on there, you're talking about three key pillars your vision, your voice, and your value, and how that's guided you through the chaos of the student athlete life.
00:49:05.519 --> 00:49:08.480
Like how have those three pillars shaped you?
00:49:08.800 --> 00:49:14.159
A lot of it, vision is who you want to be, and so focusing on that in goal, yes.
00:49:14.400 --> 00:49:20.000
Your voice of speaking up for what you stand for and making yourself known for that too.
00:49:20.239 --> 00:49:23.039
And your values of just morals as a human being.
00:49:23.199 --> 00:49:24.000
Who are you?
00:49:24.159 --> 00:49:31.679
And how do I embrace those morals and use that voice to share them with others to then again get to that in vision of the goal of who I want to be.
00:49:31.920 --> 00:49:36.000
So, through that in athletics, I think it's just led me each day to be be a good person.
00:49:36.079 --> 00:49:41.360
Like we said before, I mean, remember those three pillars and use them to your advantage and help everyone around you.
00:49:41.599 --> 00:49:42.239
That's amazing.
00:49:42.400 --> 00:49:43.119
That's amazing.
00:49:43.360 --> 00:49:49.440
Okay, well, I would like to get into a little bit more of the parent advice section, okay, where we ask some questions around recruitment.
00:49:49.519 --> 00:49:51.760
We had one, some we've had some people write in questions.
00:49:51.840 --> 00:49:56.559
And one of the questions I want to ask you is like, what type of players do you think a coach is really looking for?
00:49:56.719 --> 00:50:03.679
Are they focused more on your just if the player is good at their sport, or do you think that like the idea of being a well-rounded player is important?
00:50:03.920 --> 00:50:06.639
I think the well-rounded player piece is definitely important.
00:50:06.800 --> 00:50:10.320
I mean, coaches, when they come to watch you, first they see you by your film.
00:50:10.480 --> 00:50:15.760
So your skill is what gets a coach to come and see you and want to know who you are as a player.
00:50:16.000 --> 00:50:18.800
But these coaches, they're gonna be around you all the time.
00:50:18.880 --> 00:50:21.920
They also want to know that you are a good person on top of a good player.
00:50:22.079 --> 00:50:22.320
Totally.
00:50:22.480 --> 00:50:29.280
So they're watching you that if there's cones to be picked up, if you just leave them and say, yeah, someone else is gonna do it, they're seeing those actions.
00:50:29.440 --> 00:50:32.320
Are you someone that helps a player up when they get put down?
00:50:32.480 --> 00:50:37.360
And those types of little moments that make you that better person, better player in the overall scheme.
00:50:37.599 --> 00:50:38.800
Yeah, I completely agree.
00:50:38.880 --> 00:50:42.000
You know, they're looking, they're looking at what you do not playing.
00:50:42.239 --> 00:50:51.519
Yes, looking at all the side completely that you have completely and then what do you think makes a coach really say then I want that person on my team?
00:50:51.920 --> 00:51:09.199
I think if the player one aligns with whatever the coach is playing style, what they need in that year, because the thing is too, you could be one of the most incredible players, but if that coach already has, let's say, a center forward in soccer for the next three years, they might not be looking at you just because they aren't looking at that position.
00:51:09.440 --> 00:51:14.480
Says nothing about you as a person or a player, but just the fact that their team does not need that asset right now.
00:51:14.880 --> 00:51:27.119
So understanding that piece in it, but really a coach, what will solidify is if that is there, that they need you on the roster for that spot in your position, if you're skilled enough and can help the team be better the next day.
00:51:27.280 --> 00:51:29.599
But on top of it, are you good off the field?
00:51:29.760 --> 00:51:35.599
Because you want a culture that is incredible, a winning environment, a positive, just people want to be there.
00:51:35.840 --> 00:51:36.800
Yeah, that's amazing.
00:51:36.960 --> 00:51:42.079
And what do you wish more parents or high school coaches understood better at the time?
00:51:42.480 --> 00:51:52.480
I think just the level that comes with being a student athlete, especially at the division one part of that it is so much more than just you have practice every day.
00:51:52.639 --> 00:51:52.800
Yeah.
00:51:52.960 --> 00:51:56.159
Oh no, you have practice, but right after practice, you have weights.
00:51:56.239 --> 00:51:59.440
And after weights, you need to hit the showers and get to class right away.
00:51:59.599 --> 00:52:01.360
Sometimes you don't even have enough time to shower.
00:52:01.440 --> 00:52:07.440
But on top of that, balancing the homework piece with it and how you're showing up to class cover and sweat and everyone's like, what?
00:52:07.679 --> 00:52:10.079
Oh yeah, but she just walk in completely.
00:52:10.239 --> 00:52:17.280
And I think it's something that you don't fully understand until you are in that position, and that's completely reasonable to not understand it.
00:52:17.599 --> 00:52:27.519
But trying to get a grasp of that, that this is so much more than your sport at this point because you're not only physically tired, but you are mentally so tired from the classes all day, the people you're meeting.
00:52:27.679 --> 00:52:31.599
I mean, think back to your college experience parents out there, like what was your like?
00:52:31.679 --> 00:52:36.000
And if you weren't a student athlete, it's gonna be completely different than a student athlete's.
00:52:36.159 --> 00:52:36.320
Yeah.
00:52:36.480 --> 00:52:39.840
So, I mean, we can't just go out on a weekend and party because it sounds fun.
00:52:39.920 --> 00:52:42.159
Like, yeah, we got practice at 6 a.m.
00:52:42.320 --> 00:52:42.639
the next day.
00:52:42.880 --> 00:52:47.440
And then navigating those friendships, you know, making sure that people understand, like, sorry saying no.
00:52:47.599 --> 00:52:48.800
Yeah, the ability to say no.
00:52:48.960 --> 00:52:50.320
Oh, yes, you have to learn that skill.
00:52:50.480 --> 00:52:50.880
Oh, yeah.
00:52:51.119 --> 00:52:54.320
And know when to say yes, know when to say yes when people think you should say no.
00:52:54.559 --> 00:52:57.920
Probably say yes then, and in times you think you should say yes, probably say no.
00:52:58.079 --> 00:52:58.400
Exactly.
00:52:58.559 --> 00:53:00.639
Just being that confident in yourself again.
00:53:00.880 --> 00:53:02.400
Yeah, yeah, I love that.
00:53:02.639 --> 00:53:07.599
Okay, now we're gonna get into just a couple questions that are like funny moments and then a rapid fire session.
00:53:07.760 --> 00:53:07.920
Okay.
00:53:08.079 --> 00:53:14.480
So, first of all, think back what is like the funniest or craziest team locker room or like bus ride story you have that you can share.
00:53:14.800 --> 00:53:17.760
I would say one of the girls in my class, her name is May.
00:53:17.840 --> 00:53:19.280
Um, shout out May on my team.
00:53:19.440 --> 00:53:23.840
Love that girl, but she always would do a pregame dance for us.
00:53:24.159 --> 00:53:32.320
Um, there's always that one teammate that is so outgoing and loves to just oh yeah, like just like have a good time, be so joyous.
00:53:32.400 --> 00:53:34.960
And those moments are seriously some of the ones I look back on.
00:53:35.039 --> 00:53:48.239
I'm like, you made such a stressful situation of going into game time, have a little bit of fun before it and relax and be able to just enjoy the people around you and get you hyped at the same time to go out there and kick whatever team's butt is over there.
00:53:48.400 --> 00:53:49.840
Like, she just made it fun.
00:53:50.000 --> 00:53:50.480
She really did.
00:53:50.639 --> 00:53:51.679
Yeah, that's always a theme.
00:53:51.760 --> 00:53:52.880
It always reverts back to function.
00:53:53.039 --> 00:53:53.199
It does.
00:53:53.440 --> 00:53:56.239
It always reverts back to just have some fun in life.
00:53:56.400 --> 00:53:57.039
Yes, it does.
00:53:57.199 --> 00:54:01.039
Okay, we're gonna get into a little bit of a rapid fire session and ask some questions.
00:54:01.119 --> 00:54:06.880
So, what is one habit you credit most for just like surviving through transition that is not rapid fire?
00:54:07.119 --> 00:54:09.119
Um, I would say resilience.
00:54:09.280 --> 00:54:09.679
I love it.
00:54:09.840 --> 00:54:10.159
I love it.
00:54:10.239 --> 00:54:13.519
Okay, your team locker room energizer when things feel heavy.
00:54:13.840 --> 00:54:14.400
May.
00:54:14.880 --> 00:54:15.360
Dancing.
00:54:15.519 --> 00:54:16.400
Yes, dancing.
00:54:16.639 --> 00:54:16.960
May.
00:54:17.119 --> 00:54:17.360
Sorry.
00:54:17.440 --> 00:54:18.159
Yes, dancing.
00:54:18.880 --> 00:54:22.559
A book or quote or mantra that keeps you grounded when things get hectic.
00:54:22.800 --> 00:54:23.920
There's always tomorrow.
00:54:24.079 --> 00:54:25.840
There are no, but is it?
00:54:25.920 --> 00:54:28.559
I don't know if I like that how it's worded though.
00:54:28.719 --> 00:54:31.599
Because it's like I don't want people to think like, oh, you can do it tomorrow, you know.
00:54:31.840 --> 00:54:32.880
Oh, yeah, you know what you're saying.
00:54:32.960 --> 00:54:36.960
It's more like there's always like if today was rough, like tomorrow's a new day.
00:54:37.119 --> 00:54:39.360
I'll just do control the control bowls because I use that in everything.
00:54:39.519 --> 00:54:40.400
Okay, so it's way easier.
00:54:40.639 --> 00:54:41.119
I like that a lot.
00:54:41.199 --> 00:54:44.000
So then what's your go-to hype song before the game?
00:54:44.239 --> 00:54:45.760
Oh gosh, I don't have one.
00:54:45.920 --> 00:54:46.320
That's fine.
00:54:46.400 --> 00:54:48.480
Yeah, I actually have met a lot of athletes don't have one.
00:54:48.559 --> 00:54:48.960
I didn't have one.
00:54:49.199 --> 00:54:52.719
Okay, I was like, but then some people like our diehard for their hype songs.
00:54:52.880 --> 00:54:54.719
Yeah, no, I it's whatever's on in the locker room.
00:54:54.800 --> 00:54:55.360
Like, I'm fully.
00:54:55.599 --> 00:54:57.920
You're just like, I'm gonna get in right here, right now.
00:54:58.000 --> 00:55:01.199
Okay, so then are you an early bird or asleep late?
00:55:01.440 --> 00:55:02.639
Early bird, definitely.
00:55:02.880 --> 00:55:05.920
Okay, your dream NIL collab, be bold.
00:55:06.159 --> 00:55:07.360
I would say Viore.
00:55:07.599 --> 00:55:08.719
I I love their clothes.
00:55:09.039 --> 00:55:11.440
Viori can get so many athletes going on.
00:55:11.760 --> 00:55:12.480
I have no idea.
00:55:12.960 --> 00:55:14.559
Every athlete wants to work with Viore.
00:55:14.719 --> 00:55:14.880
Yes.
00:55:15.119 --> 00:55:15.519
You would do great.
00:55:15.760 --> 00:55:15.920
Definitely.
00:55:16.960 --> 00:55:21.840
Um, what teammate is most likely to go pro for something other than sports?
00:55:22.159 --> 00:55:29.599
I'd say my roommate too, Ava, she's definitely gonna be a huge like doctor someday out there and like she's just killed it.
00:55:29.679 --> 00:55:30.719
Oh, yeah, top surgeon.
00:55:30.800 --> 00:55:31.760
Like that girl's gonna kill it.
00:55:31.920 --> 00:55:32.559
Okay, I love it.
00:55:32.639 --> 00:55:32.960
I love it.
00:55:33.039 --> 00:55:35.039
If you could switch sports for a day, what sport are you trying?
00:55:35.199 --> 00:55:36.079
Beach volleyball, actually.
00:55:36.239 --> 00:55:36.480
Really?
00:55:36.639 --> 00:55:36.800
Yeah.
00:55:37.199 --> 00:55:37.920
Oh, continue.
00:55:38.960 --> 00:55:40.639
Please okay, a couple more.
00:55:40.719 --> 00:55:43.280
What's one thing in your locker bag that has just no business being there?
00:55:43.519 --> 00:55:45.920
An inhaler from junior year.
00:55:46.400 --> 00:55:46.559
Yeah.
00:55:47.840 --> 00:55:48.800
Oh yeah, yeah.
00:55:50.800 --> 00:55:54.480
Yeah, an inhaler from when I was sick, like junior year or sometime.
00:55:54.559 --> 00:55:55.519
Yeah, great, great.
00:55:55.679 --> 00:55:55.840
Okay.
00:55:56.239 --> 00:55:58.639
What's the most underrated leadership skill?
00:55:59.119 --> 00:55:59.840
Listening.
00:56:00.400 --> 00:56:00.719
Yes.
00:56:01.760 --> 00:56:02.880
I'm still working on that one.
00:56:03.199 --> 00:56:03.840
Most people are.
00:56:04.000 --> 00:56:05.360
Yeah, I feel like everyone is.
00:56:06.239 --> 00:56:06.400
Okay.
00:56:06.559 --> 00:56:10.559
And then last one, what does committed while you are off duty mean to you?
00:56:11.119 --> 00:56:15.119
Committed while off duty to me is just being true to yourself.
00:56:15.280 --> 00:56:17.440
I mean, every day practice what you preach.
00:56:17.519 --> 00:56:19.679
If you're saying that you're doing it, actually do it.
00:56:19.840 --> 00:56:21.280
Follow through, be the person.
00:56:21.519 --> 00:56:22.639
Yeah, walk that.
00:56:22.800 --> 00:56:25.519
Like be who you are and be proud of that.
00:56:25.840 --> 00:56:28.719
But also don't just say stuff to say things, actually.
00:56:29.039 --> 00:56:30.000
People can practice it.
00:56:30.159 --> 00:56:30.559
Oh, completely.
00:56:30.960 --> 00:56:31.679
Especially as you get older.
00:56:31.840 --> 00:56:33.119
You can read through it right away.
00:56:33.199 --> 00:56:35.920
So be confident and true to who you actually are.
00:56:36.079 --> 00:56:36.320
Yeah.
00:56:36.480 --> 00:56:37.760
Embrace it, mind who you are.
00:56:38.320 --> 00:56:38.880
Well, amazing.
00:56:38.960 --> 00:56:42.320
Well, thank you so much for taking the time to come down here and do this.
00:56:42.480 --> 00:56:43.119
I had so much fun.
00:56:43.360 --> 00:56:45.920
And I think you gave a lot of valuable insights to everybody.
00:56:46.079 --> 00:56:46.239
Yes.
00:56:46.480 --> 00:56:52.480
And so, what is um, how can someone reach you through Instagram or something if they there's an athlete who wants to learn a little more?
00:56:52.719 --> 00:56:55.440
Please, anyone reach out, parents, athletes alike, everyone.
00:56:55.519 --> 00:56:58.559
Um, my Instagram is Brie.nunly, so super simple.
00:56:59.039 --> 00:57:01.519
You can DM me there, I'll see it and I'll give your reply.
00:57:03.440 --> 00:57:05.280
Yes, it is N-U-N-L-E-Y.
00:57:05.679 --> 00:57:07.760
So, yeah, please reach out anytime.
00:57:07.840 --> 00:57:11.519
I'm here to help anyone and everyone, and just want to see you guys all do great.
00:57:11.599 --> 00:57:12.320
So amazing.
00:57:12.400 --> 00:57:13.840
Well, thank you so much for coming here.
00:57:14.000 --> 00:57:16.559
Everyone, please go follow Brie and follow her story.
00:57:16.800 --> 00:57:20.719
She's going into her senior season, and so it's the last run for Brie.
00:57:20.880 --> 00:57:21.760
Are you doing fifth year?
00:57:21.840 --> 00:57:22.079
No.
00:57:22.239 --> 00:57:23.599
Okay, didn't think so.
00:57:24.320 --> 00:57:24.719
We're done.
00:57:24.800 --> 00:57:27.679
She's like, No, I love my sport, but I'm ready.
00:57:27.840 --> 00:57:28.960
I love it, but I'm yeah.
00:57:29.119 --> 00:57:29.760
Okay, I'm ready.
00:57:30.400 --> 00:57:30.800
Amazing.
00:57:30.880 --> 00:57:38.159
Well, everyone, please go follow Brie, follow her story, and um, I'm really excited to see how you do this year and just everything you accomplish after sports.
00:57:38.239 --> 00:57:39.360
So thank you again.
00:57:39.519 --> 00:57:40.960
Um, tune in every week.
00:57:41.119 --> 00:57:44.480
We are dropping Athletes Off Duty's committed podcast every week.
00:57:44.559 --> 00:57:50.320
So tune in wherever you get your favorite podcast and think about what it means to be committed while you're off duty in your day today.
00:57:50.719 --> 00:57:51.199
Thank you.
00:57:51.360 --> 00:57:52.159
Thank you.