The Athlete Confidential

What if the problem isn’t how hard we’re working—but the system we’re working within? In this episode of The Athlete Confidential , we explore the myth of meritocracy—the belief that success is earned solely through talent, intelligence, and effort—and how it shows up in sports, especially women’s sports. From being told to "just be grateful" for the bare minimum to navigating financial...

In this solo episode, host Gabbie Ewing shares updates on everything happening behind the scenes at The Athlete Confidential, along with some personal life changes. Reflecting on the transitions in her life, Gabbie is reminded of a significant moment—her retirement from soccer. She discusses five valuable lessons she learned while navigating through change.

In this episode we are joined by Anna Miller, former collegiate soccer player and current overseas goalie who shares her coming out story and the internal struggles she faced exploring her queer identity while maintaining her athlete identity. Anna made a decision to transfer after her sophomore year despite loving and thriving in the soccer program where she started her collegiate career, a sacri...

We sit down with DJ Ahana, a former college basketball player turned mental health therapist. From team manager to starter, DJ shares his unconventional journey through college sports and what kept him motivated through it all. DJ eventually discovered an interest in pursuing a career in mental health where he went on a personal discovery to self-love and understanding of himself outside of sport....

 Audrey Baldwin, a former professional soccer player with over nine years of experience overseas, shares her unfiltered journey through the highs and lows of the game.  Audrey takes us behind the scenes, revealing the challenges and pressures she faced navigating different teams, contracts, and countries. From the exhilaration of victory to the agony of countless injuries, Audrey shares the untold...

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions about mental health struggles, including thoughts of suicide. If you or someone you know is having a crisis please call or text 988. Former football player turned entrepreneur, Brandon Allen, takes us on a journey of self-discovery and resilience. Through his personal experiences of battling injuries and self-doubt on the sidelines, Brandon reveal...

In this episode, we are joined by the Author of "Everything I Got," Julia Allain. Julia is a former athlete and current mental skills coach who wrote a book that includes 30 lessons about "what you give, what you get, and how you grow through sports" based on her personal experiences as an athlete and life after sports. Instagram: @allainmentalperformance Go to https://betterhe...

We're joined by Morgan Bullock, a former DI softball player turned life coach and founder of Sportswomen Co. Morgan shares her journey of transitioning from the high-pressure world of collegiate athletics to the multifaceted realm of "real" life and motherhood. She candidly discusses the challenges she faced in rediscovering her identity post-sport and how she utilized her athletic...

Happy National Athletic Trainer Appreciation Day. Celebrate by revisiting our episode with University of Portland Senior Athletic Trainer, Miho Arai on mental health. We sit down with Miho Arai, Senior Athletic Trainer from the University of Portland who's on a mission to champion mental health in the world of sports. With a refreshing perspective, Miho emphasizes the importance of taking car...

In this episode, we are joined by Will Bush, a student-athlete at the University of Portland. As the SAAC president, Will is on a mission to ensure that the voices and needs of student-athletes are heard and addressed, especially when it comes to mental health. Will shares his struggles with mental health and how he's navigated them throughout his collegiate journey. Despite facing several in...

In this episode, we are joined by Mo Fitzgerald, possibly one of the coolest people we know. Mo is completely unfiltered and unapologetic and we love her for that. As a competitive athlete, she brings firsthand experiences and insights into the realm of women's sports. We explore the journey of women's sports, from the groundbreaking impact of Title IX to the dynamic role of social media...

Kicking off season two with a solo episode. In this episode, The Athlete Confidential Podcast Host, Gabbie Ewing shares her hardest truth. Gabbie reveals the real reason that pushed her to retire from sport. She shares a part of her story that she's never shared publicly before and the recovery journey she has been on for the last few years. Grab your tissue box and get cozy for this one. Tri...

In this episode we are joined by Willey who we have claimed as our female sport expert and just all around cool human. She's not just your average sports fanatic; she's lived and breathed the game herself. In this episode we dive into the world of female sports, chatting about hot takes, fashion, WNBA, NWSL and more. But it's not all about headlines; we're getting real with Wil...

Dr. Adrian Ferrera, Sport Psychology Consultant, joins us on this episode to discuss the relationship between the mind, mental health and performance. We cover the importance of self talk, repairing relationships, and knowing what questions to ask yourself when you feel like walking away from your sport.  www.adrianferrera.com Instagram: dradrianferrera A Journey Forward Go to https://betterhelp.c...

Trigger Warning: Topics such as suicide and suicide ideation are discussed in this episode.  We're joined by Sarah Golleme, who shares her journey of grief after losing her teammate and cherished friend, Jordyn Clark. Sarah and Jordyn were goalies on the same collegiate soccer team, but their connection extended far beyond the field. Sarah opens up about how she looked up to Jordyn, not only...

Join us in this episode as we sit down with Brae Akana, a former UH Manoa volleyball player who recently bid farewell to her college athletic career. Brae takes us through her thought process and considerations that led to her decision, highlighting the significance of self-discovery and making choices in line with one's individual journey. Her insights provide a valuable guide for fellow ath...

Trigger Warning: Topics of abuse and suicide are discussed in this episode.  We sit down with Karelle Edwards-Perry LMHCA, CMPC, a former Canadian National Team Hurdler, as she shares her story in this podcast episode. Karelle opens up about her journey dealing with a chronic back injury that significantly impacted her collegiate and professional athletic pursuits, as well as her mental health. Sh...

This time, we're diving into the world of student-athletes with Jonathan Curran, a  golfer in his fifth year at Saint Mary's who's changing the game. See, Jonathan loves golf, but life threw him a curveball with some his mental health struggles. Instead of keeping it under wraps, he decided to start his own podcast called "Stories by Student Athletes."  In this episode we...

Join us for a compelling episode featuring Mac from "The Sideline Perspective" as we delve into the often-unexplored world of grieving the loss of sports and dismantling society's expectations that athletes should always be invulnerable. Mac shares personal insights and experiences, shedding light on the emotional journey athletes undergo when stepping away from their sport. Togethe...

We sit down with Miho Arai, Senior Athletic Trainer from the University of Portland who's on a mission to champion mental health in the world of sports. With a refreshing perspective, Miho emphasizes the importance of taking care of our minds alongside our bodies, and she opens up about her own personal journey with mental health. Get ready to dive into an insightful conversation as Miho shar...

Mental performance coaching mock up session and post session discussion with mental performance coach Alex Barene and your host of The Athlete Confidential Podcast Gabbie Ewing. Alex takes Gabbie through a mock up mental performance coaching session where they discuss her struggles with life after sport, personal identity, and transitioning from competitive athlete to the professional working spac...

In this episode, we sit down with Tyler Ichiki, a former collegiate golfer who experienced firsthand the challenges of anxiety, self-imposed pressure, and the impact they can have on performance. Tyler shares his personal journey of rediscovering his love for golf after graduating, and how this newfound enjoyment has led to improved performance on the course. But Tyler's story doesn't en...

We dive deep into the personal journey of Taiana Tolleson, a former D1 soccer player who faced immense mental struggles during her time as a college athlete. Taiana shares her raw and honest account of how she distanced herself from the sport after graduation, feeling disillusioned and disconnected. However, three years later, she undergoes a powerful transformation, rediscovering her purpose and...

Baron Rapozo, jiu-jitsu athlete and sports performance coach joins us for this episode of The Athlete Confidential Podcast. Brace yourself for an authentic conversation that delves into a journey of self-discovery. Baron takes us through some of his most personal thoughts as he reveals how he's shed societal expectations and embraced vulnerability like a champ. He fearlessly opens up about hi...

Embark on a captivating solo episode as I delve into the uncharted territory of moving on from the world of sports. After an unexpected break down following a triggering event, I explore the challenging transition that often goes unnoticed. I confront the raw realities of leaving behind a sports-driven lifestyle, unearthing the unspoken struggles that many of us face. Tune in as I get vulnerable a...