I am back this week with a very special guest, my cousin, Spencer! I got to interview Spencer while I was home for MDW. This is a valuable and unique conversation, as Spencer has experienced so much around sport since a young age. He pursued soccer at the Division I level. Although he had many highs, Spencer was constantly faced with adversity and made the decision to transfer twice. We talk about the transfer process, how to make the decision and how to have hard conversations. Ultimately he persevered and graduated in 2019. After graduating, Spencer traveled a bit and landed a great job. I'm so proud of him and honored to have him on the podcast. You can find him and the pod below!Spencer - Spencerward11 https://www.instagram.com/spencerward11/Instagram: @fromUtoYoupodcast - https://www.instagram.com/fromutoyoupodcast/@erikamward - https://www.instagram.com/erikamward/

Today's episode is my first life advice Q&A! I asked listeners to submit questions on Instagram and I cover a majority of them in this episode! A lot of questions on college, advice to my younger self, etc. I'd love to do this more so look out for the next one on the From U to You Instagram which you can follow below!Instagram: @fromUtoYoupodcast - https://www.instagram.com/fromutoyoupodcast/@erikamward -  https://www.instagram.com/erikamward/

I’m back this week sharing my top life lessons and takeaways. This episode is in honor of my 23rd birthday which I celebrated last week! Although I don’t know everything or have it all figured out just yet, I wanted to share some of the experiences and beliefs that have formed me into who I am today. It’s a short and sweet episode that I hope you guys find value in and enjoy!My top 3 books -A Purpose Driven Life: https://www.amazon.com/Purpose-Driven-Life-What-Earth/dp/031033750XResisting Happiness: https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/resisting-happiness/RHAP.htmlAnxious for Nothing: https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Nothing-Finding-Chaotic-World/dp/0718096126Instagram: @fromUtoYoupodcast - https://www.instagram.com/fromutoyoupodcast/@erikamward - https://www.instagram.com/erikamward/

I am back this week and joined by a very special guest, Dan Lucas! Dan is a certified personal trainer and the owner of Perfectly Fit, a small group and personal training fitness facility in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Dan also played Division 1 soccer at the University of Rhode Island. In this interview, Dan shares advice for former athletes and non-athletes on the importance of fitness and nutrition. Dan shares insight on how different forms of workouts can help you achieve specific goals. We discuss the importance of habits, but also moderation, and learning to practice what is more sustainable. Be sure to check out our social media to see Dan, the Perfectly Fit facility, and a typical workout at PFit!You can find Dan and Perfectly Fit below!Perfectly Fit: https://www.perfectlyfitri.com/Instagram: @perfectlyfitri - https://www.instagram.com/perfectlyfitri/Dan: @dnoluc11 - https://www.instagram.com/perfectlyfitri/Instagram: @fromUtoYoupodcast - https://www.instagram.com/fromutoyoupodcast/@erikamward - https://www.instagram.com/erikamward/

The pressures athletes face are greater than ever before. Not only to perform at their sport, but to be a stellar student and all around person. It feels like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. We are seeing an increase in anxiety and depression among athletes, a problem that’s been weighing on me for a long time. We need to bring awareness to student-athlete mental health which was my inspiration for this episode. In this episode, I share the small systems and strategies that helped me persevere through college athletics. Everyone has their own struggles and journey, but I hope these 5 tips help current and former athletes alike. Thank you for listening and helping to raise awareness!Things Mentioned - NBC News Article - https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/suicide-stanford-soccer-star-katie-meyer-forces-us-confront-perfectionism-ncna1291690Mind Gym book - https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Gym-Athletes-Guide-Excellence/dp/0071395970Victoria Garrick Ted Talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sdk7pLpbIlsInstagram: @fromUtoYoupodcast - https://www.instagram.com/fromutoyoupodcast/@erikamward - https://www.instagram.com/erikamward/

On today’s episode I’m joined by a dear friend and fellow former athlete from Bryant University, Stephanie Mirando. Steph played softball at Bryant, where she also majored in Marketing and Communications. I met Stephanie last year and we became fast friends, as we related on many subjects since transitioning out of sport and into corporate life. We give into these topics which include:Choosing a major/career path and how to do that at only 18 years old on top of school and sportsClimbing the corporate ladder and how it relates to winning in sportImposter syndrome and leadershipUpon graduating, Steph attended grad school and has had a successful career in marketing. This episode is a great resource for current students and those early in their career who are looking for deeper meaning and the right fit for their work.Instagram: @fromUtoYoupodcast - https://www.instagram.com/fromutoyoupodcast/@stephmirando - https://www.instagram.com/stephmirando/@erikamward - https://www.instagram.com/erikamward/

I am back this week talking about the mental transitions I have experienced since graduating and ending sport. These include identity outside of sport, gauging how you are doing without quantitative feedback, and finding fulfillment in your next chapter. Many resources are referenced in this episode you can find below!Things Mentioned - Resources on Ukraine - https://abcnews.go.com/International/ukraine-amid-russian-attacks/story?id=83156472https://globalnews.ca/news/8645877/ukraine-correct-pronunciation/HBR article - https://hbr.org/2019/04/the-biggest-hurdles-recent-graduates-face-entering-the-workforceAtlantic article - https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2020/05/how-choose-fulfilling-career/611920/Instagram: @fromUtoYoupodcast - https://www.instagram.com/fromutoyoupodcast/@erikamward -  https://www.instagram.com/erikamward/

In today's episode I finally sit down and talk about the physical challenges I have faced upon ending sport. The areas that have physically impacted me are: exercise/working out, food/nutrition, and routine/the structure of my day. I hope athletes and nonathletes alike can relate in trying to figure out what works for them in these realms. I took the opportunity to unpack my eating disorder for listeners, as it's been mentioned a few times, but hasn't been fully explained in an episode. I reference numerous resources that have helped me in these areas you can find below!Items Mentioned - Breaking Free from Emotional Eating - https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Free-Emotional-Eating-Geneen/dp/0452284910The Transition Playbook for Athletes - https://www.amazon.com/Transition-Playbook-ATHLETES-Athletes-Sports/dp/0578500876A Purpose Driven Life - https://www.amazon.com/Purpose-Driven-Life-What-Earth/dp/031033750XInstagram - @fromUtoYoupodcast - https://www.instagram.com/fromutoyoupodcast@erikamward - https://www.instagram.com/erikamward/

In this episode I’m joined by Courtney Solek. Courtney runs a food and lifestyle Instagram with over 30k followers called apaigeofpositivity, and that’s what Courtney is - a positive, inspiring influencer in her space. We discuss eating disorder recovery, navigating social media & comparison, and working a modern corporate job. I highly encourage you to check out Courtney below!Find Courtney below- Blog: A Paige Of Positivity | Healthy and Delicious RecipesCourtney's Eating Disorder Journey blog post: https://apaigeofpositivity.com/my-eating-disorder-journey/Instagram: https://instagram.com/apaigeofpositivity?utm_medium=copy_link

On this chatty, solo episode I introduce you guys to some major themes that have evolved in my life over the past couple years around resistance and becoming the best version of yourself. I then move into to talking about goal setting, tips to set goals/intentions at any time throughout the year, and share my 2022 goals with you. Lastly, I wanted to share some easy ways to reset when you’re feeling in need of a refresh. Things Mentioned –IKEA Alex Desk - https://www.ikea.com › alex-desk-w...ALEX Desk, white, 393/8x187/8" - IKEAResisting Happiness book - Buy Resisting Happiness | Dynamic CatholicSkinny Confidential episode - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-skinny-confidential-him-her-podcast/id1093028505?i=1000549152564Little Words Project bracelets - Little Words Project | A Shareable, Trackable BraceletSelf care journal - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/self-care-insight-editions/1128935658 Instagram - @fromUtoYoupodcast – https://www.instagram.com/fromutoyoupodcast@erikamward - https://www.instagram.com/erikamward/