Purpose After Sports

This week, we sat down with Jackie Carmichael to dive into his journey. From tough decisions to unexpected full-circle moments, his story is a testament to how life unfolds in its own way. Sports played a major role in his path, but he also shares wisdom on embracing the joys and possibilities that come after the game.

This week, we’re excited to welcome Bailey Coffman! She had an incredible athletic career and is now embracing life after sports head-on. While staying connected to the game, she’s navigating a completely new role. Tune in to this week’s episode to hear her story!

Welcome back! This week’s episode is all about answering your questions as a former athlete navigating the transition back into working out. Adjusting to life after sports can be challenging, but finding what works for you in the gym should be an exciting and empowering journey. We sat down with gym owner and trainer Chad Hobbs to dive into tips, strategies, and insights to help you rebuild confid...

This week, we had an amazing conversation with the head women’s volleyball coach at Illinois State University! She shared how volleyball became a big part of her life, the power of wearing your emotions proudly, and the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone. There were plenty of laughs and so much knowledge shared, check it out!

This week’s podcast guest, Mary Frahm, left me truly inspired. Not only was she a great athlete, but she’s also built a remarkable coaching career by staying true to her values and making a meaningful impact. Her program is helping athletes shape their lives for the better. Mary’s journey is one you don’t want to miss, tune in to hear her story!

This week’s episode is live, and you’re not going to want to miss it! Billy shares his not-so-easy journey with baseball, from multiple surgeries to finding positivity through it all. We also dive into his post-sports journey, career, and how he’s helping athletes build confidence in themselves and in the game. Check it out!

This week’s episode features former Illinois State University swimmer Jordan Peterson! She opens up about her journey through the highs and lows of sports, how she overcame burnout, and the excitement she feels for the next chapter in life after athletics.

Check out our latest episode featuring Megan Harrington, ISU Gymnastics Assistant Coach! She opens up about her journey into coaching, the challenges of transitioning out of sports, and why sometimes stepping back is necessary to rediscover yourself. Don’t miss it!

Tune into this week’s episode as we catch up with former collegiate wrestler Steven Lee! He shares his journey balancing life as a student-athlete while being enlisted in the military, and his experience coaching the next generation right after college.

We sat down with former gymnast Savannah Hooker to explore the challenges of overcoming mental blocks and navigating identity shifts after sports. Savannah opens up about finding a new career, rebuilding confidence, and using the skills she developed as an athlete to thrive in life beyond gymnastics. This episode is all about embracing your journey and turning your athletic experiences into tools...

In our latest episode, Kyonn, a former track athlete, opens up about his sports journey, including the ups and downs of transferring schools and the tough decisions that come with it. He shares how he’s navigating life after sports, staying active, and pursuing his career goals. Tune in to hear more about his journey and the lessons he's learned along the way!

An episode you won’t want to miss! After facing an unimaginable event, Kai was able to shift his perspective and find optimism in what life has to offer beyond sports. His journey is a true inspiration and a reminder that even when life doesn’t go as planned, it might just be opening the door to something even greater.

Meet Bree O’Neal, our amazing nutritionist, and my sister. Having her on the PAS team is such a gift. Bree’s passion for nutrition shines through in how she helps others fuel their bodies with knowledge and confidence, empowering them to feel supported and strong in their journey. In this episode, Bree shares her experience as an athlete, what inspired her to pursue nutrition, and the personalized...

We’re back, and this time I had the privilege of sitting down with Emma Utterback! She opened up about her journey as an athlete, the lessons learned along the way, and how her spirituality helped guide her through life after sports. Emma's an incredible athlete with even better stories to share. Grab your snacks and get comfy. You won’t want to miss this one!

In this episode, we catch up with gym owner and retired athlete Chad Hobbs! We dive into journaling tips, navigating life after college athletics, and the ups and downs of starting a business. Join us for an honest discussion on building resilience, balancing career shifts, and discovering purpose beyond sports.

Welcome to Purpose After Sports, where athletes find their purpose beyond the game. I’m Mikki O'Neal, a former collegiate basketball player, and like many of you, I once felt lost after my sports career came to an end. But through conversations with fellow athletes and my own journey of self-discovery, Purpose After Sports was born. We’re here to help you transition, reignite your passion, and thr...