Let’s Talk About It

Sydney chats with Payton Petersen (Louisville VB) about her Freshman year of P4 volleyball. Payton shares about her family’s influence on her volleyball career and her Final Four experience.

Sydney chats with Sami Francis (Stanford VB) about how the many injuries she experienced during her career impacted her mental health. Sami opens up about how the challenges she faced at Stanford changed her life.

Sydney chats with Chelsea Thorpe (UNC VB) about the mental challenges of transferring, finding confidence in a new team, and stepping into a leadership role. Chelsea shares how she navigated loneliness, performance anxiety, and the pressures of being a captain. Tune in for insights on athlete mental health, team culture, and the rising competition in ACC volleyball! 

Sydney chats with Rachel Richardson (Duke VB) to discuss the challenges of navigating identity, mental health, and competitiveness as a student-athlete in the ACC. Rachel shares powerful insights on growth, support, and thriving in a high-performance culture. This episode is sponsored by The Zone, The Wellness Copilot for Sports Organizations. 

Sydney chats with Katie Moore (D1 Track, Iowa) about the realities of social media. They dive into the pressures of maintaining an online presence, dealing with public criticism, and finding a balance between authenticity and privacy.

Sydney chats with Abby Hansen of the Orlando Valkyries (Pro Volleyball Federation) about the rise of pro volleyball in the U.S., the impact of two competing leagues, and what this means for the future of the sport.

Sydney chats with Mir McLean (Maryland WBB) about her experience balancing Greek life with athletics. Mir clears up misconceptions about Greek organizations, offers advice for student-athletes who want to join a sorority or fraternity, and explains how research, values, and self-reflection play key roles in the journey.

Sydney chats with World Champion Discus Thrower, Laulauga Tausaga-Collins on the Mindset of a Champion. Laulauga opens up about the ugly truths of competitive athletics and gives career changing advice for those doubting their athletic future. 

Sydney chats w/ Sabrina Oostburg (D1 Throwing, CEO of NIL Roadmap) about how Sabrina grew her online presence while growing as her own person. Sabrina talks about how she organizes her content, creating opportunities, and what every athlete should know about NIL.

Sydney sits down with an attorney on the House vs. NCAA case, Stephanie Verdoia, to discuss the facts of the claims process. Stephanie clears up misinformation and urges student-athletes to stay diligent and informed.

Sydney chats with Ava Bogan and Madison Wood (Cornell Volleyball) about their freshman year. Ava and Madison discuss how the year met (or didn’t) meet their expectations and what they think all incoming freshmen should know.

Sydney chats with Doga Ozalp and Sara Pomar (Cornell Volleyball) about their experience as International student-athletes. 

Sydney chats with Ryan Meis (Seton Hill Basketball) about how his coach, Ben Wilkins, changed his life for the better. Ryan reveals what recruits should be looking for when choosing the right program for them. 

Sydney chats with Coach Ben Wilkins (Seton Hill Basketball) about the critical role coaches play in student-athletes’ lives. Coach WIlkins shares ways coaches can better connect with their athletes and how athlete’s priorities affect recruiting. 

Sydney chats with Dr. Laura Jones (Mental Health Coordinator, UNC Asheville) about what steps athletic departments can take to support their student-athletes effectively. Dr. Jones explains common mental health techniques. This episode is presented by The Zone, the Wellness Co-Pilot For Sports Organizations. 

Sydney chats with Katie Willet (Senior Associate Commissioner, Big East Conference) about how conferences can support student-athlete mental health. They discuss how athletes can influence what happens at their schools. This episode is presented by The Zone, the Wellness Co-Pilot For Sports Organizations.

Sydney chats with Kari Lewis (licensed clinician, Marquette University) about the mental health challenges student-athletes face each day. Kari gives advice on some of the most common student-athlete struggles. This episode is presented by The Zone, the Wellness Co-Pilot For Sports Organizations. 

Sydney chats with Brianna Scott (Georgetown Basketball) about Bri’s mental health journey as a D1 basketball player. Brianna opens up about finding a therapist and the support she received from her family, teammates, and Georgetown community. This episode is presented by The Zone, the Wellness Co-Pilot For Sports Organizations. 

Sydney sits down with Ivan Thatchouwo (CEO, The Zone) to announce a special mental health series of Let’s Talk About It presented by The Zone. They outline the partnership and share the main takeaways from the upcoming episodes. 

Sydney chats with Skylar Roe (Sports Hawgs) about goal setting and finding your way in athletics. Skylar shares the advice that kept her confident throughout her playing career. This episode is presented by Sports Hawgs. 

Sydney chats with Molly Dreher (Wake Forest T&F) about the realities of being a graduate transfer. Molly opens up about her struggles with NIL, getting used to a new school, and being the oldest on the team. 

Sydney chats with Caroline Ramsey (USA Field Hockey) about her journey to the national team. Caroline opens up about her struggles with confidence and choosing to pursue the Olympics over a traditional job after graduation

Sydney chats with Summer Parker-Hall (Cornell Basketball) about the meaning behind “Representation Matters”. Summer shares how being the only Black girl in many environments didn’t deter her from chasing her dreams. 

Sydney chats with Nya Harrison (Stanford Soccer) about losing the national championship in 2023. Nya opens up about heartbreaking loss and how her team has been working for the upcoming season.

Sydney chats with Emanuela Lukac, the youngest fifa certified agent ever. Emanuela shares finding her passion after playing professionally and how she tackles imposter syndrome as a young professional.