NWSL player Bethany Balcer of the OL Reign has had an incredible start to her young professional career. Balcer was the first player in history to get drafted to the NWSL out of the NAIA collegiate league and soon became the Rookie of the Year. However, she also garnered attention for her openness about her…
Mary Banick: My Past is Not My Future
TW: sexual assault, suicide, self-harm My story begins my freshman year of college. I had started at the University of Tennessee, and I was so excited to begin my college career as a student athlete and a Volunteer. I had struggled with depression for several years prior, but I had done well to hide it…
Mack Beggs: The Trans Athlete Changing The Game
Mack Beggs went viral in 2018 after he went undefeated to win the Texas state wrestling championship. However, Beggs, a transgender man, had been forced for years to compete in the girls’ state tournament. Beggs now competes in college in the NAIA on the men’s wrestling team at Life University. Mack is an active advocate…
Maema Njongmeta: Tragedy Into Triumph
“There is no ‘right moment.’ There is just this moment and what you choose to do with it.” This shouldn’t come as a surprise to you, but almost my entire life revolves around football. Like many, the year 2020 was filled with a lot of anguish, and despair, lined with moments of growth and clarity….
Eva Merrell: My Battle with Anorexia As An Elite Swimmer
Head Campus Captain Eva Merrell once swam at the Olympic Trials. But, when she was forced to confront her ongoing eating disorder, she realized she needed to step away from her sport for her mental and physical health. Eva recently participated in The University of Georgia’s Ted Talk series “Dawg Talks” to share her story…
Hailey Murray: How My ADHD Diagnosis Saved My Life
I was never known as the brainy kid growing up. I went to a very competitive private school, and from a young age, I remember being measured by achievements in the classroom. When I was young, my teachers labeled me as average, and sometimes outspoken. As I got older, the statements became more memorable, “you…
Jack Beer: Overcoming Anxiety & Depression On The Road To A National Championship
I remember one day as a little kid, I asked my parents if it was possible for me to ever dislike my sport. Soccer is my life, but on that day, I wanted to test just how much I loved it. I gave it my best effort to hate soccer for the day and see…
Q&A with Kelsey Koelzer: The First, But Not The Last
Professional ice hockey player Kelsey Koelzer has been the first of a lot of things: first Black 1st round draft pick to the NWHL, first coach of Arcadia University’s newly established Women’s Ice Hockey program, first Black head coach in NCAA ice hockey history. But, she’s working to ensure that she’s not the last. Koelzer…
Morgan Alexander: Finding Purpose in a Career Wracked By Injuries
The other day, I was sitting in a job interview and the hiring manager asked me, “can you tell me about your experience playing division one lacrosse?” My response was definitely different than what she had expected. I simply responded, “filled with adversity.” My story is different than the average college lacrosse player, but I…
Karelle Edwards: Team Canada Hurdler & Mental Health Therapist
Karelle Edwards is Tokyo 2021 Olympics hopeful, competing for Team Canada track & field in the hurdles. She has her Master’s Degree in Counseling and is on her way to becoming a licensed mental health therapist. Karelle recently opened up on Instagram about her own mental health struggles and how she will be taking some…
