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What happens when your entire identity is stripped away, and you are forced to ask: "Who am I when the winning stops?"
In this powerful episode of (un)conversations, host Dr. Alison sits down with Alison Tetrick—professional cyclist, Gravel Cycling Hall of Famer, Unbound 200 winner, and CEO of Saga Ventures.
Alison opens up about her grueling recovery from a traumatic brain injury, navigating depression and anxiety as an elite athlete, and why staying "unapologetically human" ultimately saved her life. Together, they dive into the hidden pressure on top performers, leaders, and athletes to project invincibility—and why real healing, growth, and long-term strength begin only when we stop hiding our vulnerabilities.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 - Podcast Intro & Guest Welcome
01:23 - The "Ali" Connection & Pre-Show Nerves02:57 - Preparation for the "Unwords" Assignment
05:00 - Hiding Weakness & Vulnerability as an Elite Athlete
07:05 - First Unword: Unapologetically Human
10:37 - Overcoming the Pressure of Perfection & Finding Identity
16:07 - Second Unword: Unquiet
22:16 - Third Unword: Uncategorizable
25:34 - Balancing Multiple Identities & Managing Failure
31:39 - Traumatic Brain Injury, Recovery, & Retraining the Brain
36:41 - Returning to Sport on Her Own Terms41:38 - The Importance of an Intentional Exit
46:25 - Fourth Unword: Unclaimable49:21 - Navigating Brand Partnerships & Commercial Autonomy
58:20 - Parallels Between Professional Sports and Entrepreneurship
01:01:59 - Saga Ventures, Giving Back, & Supporting Women in Sports
01:04:31 - Ali Asks Dr. Alison: Overcoming "Unapologetic" & Claiming Worth
01:12:14 - Episode Wrap-Up & Closing Remarks
Connect with Dr. Alison Schmidt:
• Website: https://www.unconventionllc.com/messageus
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisonschmidt/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/
Connect with Alison Tetrick:
• Saga Ventures: https://www.saga-ventures.myshopify.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amtetrick/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amtetrick/
🎵 Theme Song Produced by DJ Doug Jackson
Comment: What is one 'Unword' you would use to describe your personal journey right now?
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and review on Spotify to help more leaders find these conversations!
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