She Lost Everything That Defined Her — Then Rebuilt Her Identity | Alison Tetrick

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?

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