Athletes Rewired Podcast

Episode 13: In this episode of Athletes Rewired , former University of Alabama swimmer and 2x NCAA Champion, Kensey McMahon opens up about her journey through swimming, the challenges surrounding her case with USADA, and the impact it had on her athletic identity. Kensey shares what she’s learned through adversity, how she’s rebuilding life beyond the pool, and what it truly means to redefine succ...

Episode 12: In this episode of Athletes Rewired , I sit down with former NFL fullback John Conner, known to many as “The Terminator”. We dive into his journey from college to professional athlete, exploring both the highs of reaching the NFL and the difficult realities of what happens when that chapter ends. John shares what surprised him most about life after football, the challenges of rebuildin...

Episode #11: In this Episode I sit down with former MLB player Zach Lutz to talk about his journey from the big leagues to life after baseball. From his time with the New York Mets to playing overseas, Zach shares insider stories, career highs, and the lessons he’s carried off the field. Zach opens up about life after baseball and why he’s now turning his focus to something closer to home: the sta...

Episode #10 In this episode of Athletes Rewired , I sit down with Becca Mann — 8x U.S. National Team member, 2x National Champion, and the only person to ever complete the grueling Maui Nui Channel swim. Beyond her incredible accomplishments in the water, Becca has also made waves as an author, blending her creativity and discipline from sport into writing. Becca Mann opens up about what it meant...

Episode #9 In this episode of Athletes Rewired, Makayla sits down with former professional baseball player turned mental performance coach, Matt Phillips . Matt’s journey is anything but linear—from getting cut as a walk-on Division I athlete to earning a spot back on the team, and eventually going pro. Now, he runs Pro Athlete Advantage , a business dedicated to helping athletes strengthen their...

Episode #8 In this episode of Athletes Rewired , host Makayla Sargent sits down with former Division I basketball player and swimmer, Rachel Bantelman Evans. Rachel shares her unique journey from competing as a dual-sport athlete to building her thriving infrared sauna business, Lumos . She opens up about how an injury—and a few unexpected friendships—sparked the idea to start her own venture. Rac...

Episode #7 Feeling confused on how to navigate fitness in life after sports? This episode is for you. In this episode of Athletes Rewired , Makayla Sargent sits down with former swimmer, Division 1 coach, and entrepreneur Justin Andrade. He shares his journey from coaching at the collegiate level to launching Mejoria Training — a company designed to support former athletes navigating life after sp...

Episode #6 In this solo episode, I reflect on a recent visit back to my college team — a place that once felt like home. Seeing old friends and teammates brought questions, guilt, and unexpected emotion. I reflect on the pull of my past, the weight of “what could’ve been,” and the reminder that growth means honoring who you were and who you're becoming. This episode is for anyone who's ever return...

Episode #5 In this episode of the Athletes Rewired podcast, host Makayla Sargent interviews former swimmer Dillon Hillis, who shares his inspiring journey through the challenges of a heart condition and the impact it had on his swimming career. Dillon discusses the importance of finding balance in life and sports, the shift in identity when transitioning to college athletics, and how rediscovering...

Episode #4 In this episode of the Athletes Rewired podcast, Makayla Sargent interviews Sierra Schmidt, a former elite swimmer, about her journey transitioning out of competitive swimming. Sierra shares her experiences as a six-time US national team member and the importance of maintaining joy in the sport through her unique persona as a dancer. The conversation dives into the necessity of preparin...

Episode #3 In this Episode , I sit down with Kylee Alons to discuss the challenges and experiences of transitioning from competitive swimming to life beyond the sport. We explore themes of community building, the importance of rest, redefining friendships, and finding identity outside of athletics. Kylee shares her journey of discovering hobbies, pursuing photography, and the significance of maint...

Episode #2: In this week's episode, I sit down with former competitive swimmer, Summer Finke to discuss the challenges of transitioning from sports to civilian life. We explore the comparison trap that many athletes fall into, reflecting on past successes and the difficulties of redefining identities outside of sports. The conversation dives into the importance of self-validation, the impact of so...

Episode #1: Welcome to the Athletes Rewired Podcast. This week's episode is a short introduction where I discuss my personal journey through the sport of swimming and how it lead me to creating this podcast. I share details about my athletic retirement and things I have learned throughout the transition. If this episode resonated with you, consider sharing it with a teammate, a friend, or some...