No Former Athlete

Imagine grinding your whole life to play at the D1 level—only to have it all taken away by injuries. That’s exactly what happened to Natalie Freeman, a former college soccer player whose career was full of unexpected twists, surgeries, and one brutal conversation that changed everything. But here’s the thing: When sports end, your identity doesn’t just disappear. So what happens next? In this epis...

In this episode of No Former Athlete, we explore the journey athletes face when their competitive careers come to an end. What happens when you’re no longer defined by your sport? As a retired National Champion, NFA host, Erin McGinnis, turns into the guest for this episode and opens up about the emotional and mental challenges of transitioning from the structured world of athletics to everyday li...

🎙️ *From Pro Athlete to Coach: Navigating Life After Sports | No Former Athlete* 🎙️ In this episode, we sit down with Todd Mitchell, a former Division I baseball player who was drafted by the New York Yankees, to explore the highs and lows of athletic life and the emotional transition after retiring from sports. Todd shares his journey, from being a top-tier athlete to coaching the next generation...

🎙️ In this episode, I’m joined by my former college basketball teammate, Ellie Pearson, for a deep dive into life after sports. 🏀 We explore the emotional and mental challenges that come with leaving behind an athletic identity, including the grief, the struggle to find new routines, and the ways that competitive drive never really fades. Ellie opens up about her journey, from the highs of winnin...

In this episode of No Former Athlete, we sit down with Kurt Swearingen, a retired multi-sport athlete who has seamlessly transitioned into a successful career as an educator. Kurt shares his journey from the football field and baseball diamond to the classroom, discussing how his identity as an athlete continues to influence his life today in retirement. We dive into topics like the enduring compe...

In today’s electrifying episode, we’re joined by Jack Burgeson, a retired swimmer whose journey is nothing short of inspiring. Jack didn’t start swimming until high school, yet he propelled himself to become a collegiate swimmer at DePauw University and is now a dedicated triathlon enthusiast in between his work as a physician. Tune in as Jack shares the adrenaline-pumping highs and gut-wrenching...

Today on the No Former Athlete Podcast, we’re joined by 2019 World Cup gold medal-winning athletic trainer, Katie Donnelly. Katie reveals how she transitioned from an active kid trying out every sport imaginable (after School Sports Specialist anyone?) to becoming a vital part of the support staff for professional athletes on the world stage. She shares her conflicted experience immediately follow...

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Eversley, an athlete from the South Side of Chicago who played professional basketball internationally, and has now fully bet on himself and his skills as an entrepreneur. Chris shares his experiences, challenges, and triumphs, revealing the resilience and perseverance that have defined his life. This episode is packed with insights into the mental and physi...

Today on No Former Athlete, we explore the inspiring journey of Alison Wiley, a retired competitive dancer who has faced the complexities of athletic identity, body autonomy, and the transition to motherhood. Alison shares her early beginnings in ballet, her experiences with competitive dance growing up, and her time on her college dance team. She opens up about the struggles of leaving the dance...

Welcome to the very first episode of the No Former Athlete Podcast! Today, our host Erin McGinnis has the pleasure of chatting with Jill Hutchison, a true pioneer in women's basketball. Jill opens up about her incredible journey from being an athlete to becoming a coach and eventually finding her way into retirement.  She shares the ups and downs of advocating for women's sports since the...

Welcome to the first episode of the No Former Athlete Podcast. Most athletes spend more time retired than playing the sports they love. When the arena empties, retired athletes face a significant shift in identity, leading to feelings of loss, purposelessness, and confusion as they attempt to redefine themselves outside of their sport. In this episode, we explore the emotional and psychological ch...