The Retired Athlete Mentality Podcast

In this episode of the Retired Athlete Mentality Podcast, Jamal sits down with Olivia Ruiz, a former Cal State Fullerton runner who competed in the 800 and 1500 before transitioning into half marathons, fashion, and lifestyle content. Olivia shares how she discovered running, the surprise of breaking her high school 800-meter record, and the leap from junior college to Cal State Fullerton. She ope...

In this episode of the Retired Athlete Mentality Podcast, Jamal sits down with Mati Dubas as he shares his journey from being a competitive swimmer at the University of Florida to transitioning into marathon running and coaching. He discusses the mental and physical challenges of athletic life, injury prevention, building community through run clubs, and balancing a busy lifestyle. CONNECT WITH MA...

In this episode of the Retired Athlete Mentality Podcast, Jamal sits down with Trevor Stewart. He shares his journey from college lacrosse to building a community in New York City through running and lacrosse. He discusses resilience, community building, and the importance of access and representation in sports. What started as recreational play eventually became a serious pursuit through club lac...

In this episode of the Retired Athlete Mentality Podcast, Jamal sits down with Preston Ruth as he shares his journey from college athletics to life after sports, emphasizing mental resilience, the importance of community, and balancing training with life. He discusses his experiences with injury, transitioning to road racing, coaching, and his new book, offering valuable insights for athletes navi...

In this episode of the Retired Athlete Mentality Podcast, host Jamal welcomes Drew Wendel from Kennesaw State University. Drew shares his transition from competitive sports to endurance and functional fitness. After an outstanding college tennis career and setting all-time records at Kennesaw State, Drew transformed his mindset, embracing new challenges in endurance racing, Hyrox, and marathon run...

In this episode, Cheyanne Stewart shares a powerful story of reinvention through sport. She shares how she went from discovering golf as a high school sophomore in Arizona to becoming a standout collegiate player at Mesa Community College and North Carolina A&T, where she helped carry winning traditions and earned a national championship. CONNECT WITH CHEYANNE Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠@cheyanne.stewart...

In this episode of the Retired Athlete Mentality Podcast, host Jamal welcomes Kenzie and Zack Venus, a couple who transitioned from successful college soccer careers at Messiah University to competing in Hyrox events. They discuss their journey from meeting in high school, playing soccer in college, and how their shared passion for fitness has evolved post-college. They also talk about their exper...

In this episode of the Retired Athlete Mentality podcast, host Jamal welcomes Alexander Levengood, a former soccer player from William & Mary and San Diego State University. Alexander shares his journey from playing soccer in high school to pursuing a professional career. He discusses the challenges and experiences of transitioning from college sports to endurance running, including running ma...

In this episode, Brittney Coronna shares her journey from Naval Academy athlete to endurance racing champion, discussing her mindset, training strategies, and balancing motherhood with athletic pursuits. Discover insights on longevity in endurance sports, adapting training during pregnancy, and the importance of enjoying the sport. CONNECT WITH BRITTNEY Instagram - @coronnab8 JOIN ME ON THE SHOW!...

In this episode, Sam Cvetkovski shares her journey from college softball to ultra endurance racing, highlighting lessons on resilience, mental toughness, and the importance of a human-centered approach to training. She transitioned from a dislike of running to embracing it as a passion, learning practical insights along the way. Discover how her experiences shape her coaching philosophy and her cu...

In this episode, Erin Williams shares her journey from a high school basketball star to a West Point athlete, Army officer, and dedicated runner. She shares her insights on leadership, adaptability, and maintaining fitness through life's challenges. Discover practical advice for transitioning from structured to unstructured lifestyles, balancing family and fitness, how to stay motivated in end...

In this episode, Hunter Etheridge shares his journey from college football success to a career in physical therapy and his passion for running. He discusses the lessons learned from athletics, the importance of adaptability, and tips for former athletes transitioning to endurance sports. CONNECT WITH HUNTER Instagram - @hetheridgedpt Email - hunterethridge@gmail.com JOIN ME ON THE SHOW! If you pla...

In this episode of the Retired Athlete Mentality Podcast, host Jamal interviews Jhovanna Therrien, a former multi-sport athlete at Hollins University. They discuss Jhovanna's athletic journey from high school to college, her leadership roles in athletics, and her transition to life after sports. Jhovanna shares her experiences with running, ultra marathons, and unique adventures like burro rac...

In this episode of the Retired Athlete Mentality podcast, host Jamal interviews Felicia Pasadyn, a former elite swimmer turned competitive runner and current medical student. Felicia shares her journey from swimming at Harvard to running marathons, discussing the challenges and triumphs of balancing athletics with academics. She emphasizes the importance of goal setting, self-coaching, and maintai...

In this episode of the Retired Athlete Mentality Podcast, host Jamal interviews Yasmine Mansi, a former collegiate athlete from the University of Michigan. Yasmin shares her journey from being a competitive runner to transitioning into endurance sports, including her experiences with training, injuries, and mental health. She discusses her nonprofit organization, The SunBundle, which aims to provi...

In this episode of the Retired Athlete Mentality Podcast, host Jamal speaks with Desmond O'Donovan, a former collegiate runner from Juniata College, who shares his journey from competitive athletics to navigating life post-college. Des reflects on the transition from high school to college running, the pressures of team dynamics, and the importance of coaching in his development as an athlete....

In this episode of the Retired Athlete Mentality Podcast, host Jamal interviews Natalie Daube, a former college soccer player turned marathon runner. Natalie shares her journey from playing soccer at Michigan State University to achieving an impressive 2:57 finish in the Pittsburgh Marathon. The conversation explores her transition to endurance sports, the challenges of training, and the lessons l...

In this episode of the Retired Athlete Mentality Podcast, host Jamal speaks with Ellie Pollion, a former collegiate rower at Michigan State University. They discuss Ellie's transition from college athletics to post-college endurance sports, her experiences as a coxswain, and the importance of balancing academics with athletics. CONNECT WITH ELLIE Instagram - @elizabethpollion LinkedIn - Elizab...

In this episode of the Retired Athlete Mentality Podcast, host Jamal speaks with Charles Pegues, a former collegiate runner from Belhaven University, about his journey from competitive athletics to rediscovering his passion for running. They discuss the challenges of transitioning from college to professional life, the importance of training and mental resilience, and the unique experiences of run...

In this episode of the Retired Athlete Mentality podcast, host Jamal interviews Sierra Morris, a former collegiate and professional rugby player turned endurance runner. They discuss Sierra's journey from soccer to rugby, her achievements in the sport, and her transition to endurance running. Sierra shares insights on building confidence, finding balance in fitness post-college, and the compet...

Welcome to the Retired Athlete Mentality Podcast! This is where we explore the ups and downs of life after competitive collegiate sports. Join me as I chat with fellow athletes about their journeys and how they’ve adapted to new challenges. What’s your biggest takeaway from your athletic career? Let’s connect in the comments! JOIN ME ON THE SHOW! If you played collegiate or professional sports and...