If you are listening to this episode, I am hopeful that you’ve also listened to part one and two of my bonus series. One thing to keep in mind about this chapter, and any chapter of anyone’s story for that matter, is that perspectives are different. The way things play out for everyone can be different. And we all live through things in different ways. So while this is an experience and chapter of my life that did involve others, the way I tell it is from the way I lived it. This is my experience and only my experience.  There are bits and pieces that I have omitted in the interest of privacy and some details that are either irrelevant or still too difficult to share.  One thing to remember and one of the biggest takeaways in this entire chapter of my life was that the people in your life are capable of supporting you. I was never one to willingly ask for help, but you’d be amazed at the support that comes flying your way when a personal crisis occurs. So while you may have your own turbulence or your own heartbreak, keep in mind that while you may feel alone, and lonely… you have an army of family and friends just patiently waiting for you to be ready for a hug or a good cry with someone. So, with that being said, thank you for listening to what was an extremely difficult segment of my story to write. I had a lot of lessons to learn during this time and hopefully some of them can be of value to you too.

Christine Jones was born and raised in Vancouver BC. She is my mom, which obviously, by default, makes her a total badass. She has worked for ~30 years with Fraser Health and knows the ups and downs of being a working mom in today’s society. At 40 years old, she went back to university to finish her degree. She now holds a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology. Listen carefully to the journey she took to get to where she is today.

Happy Mother's Day!

Danielle Thomas is a Spanish and leadership teacher at the high school level whose energy fills a classroom to the point where sometimes I can even hear her from 100 metres away in my portable! Just kidding, but in all reality, the way she brings language to life in the classroom keeps the Spanish program at our school going strong. This woman makes strong connections with her students and with her colleagues, and keeps it as real as it gets along the way. We have conversations on the regular about some of the tough stuff in life, and this episode is no exception to that. Settle in for an hour with Danielle – you won’t want to miss this one.

Welcome to the second part of this four part series about the chapters that have brought me to where I am today.  I was so lucky to have an array of experiences in my early 20s that remain as some of my fondest memories with some amazing people. I had been to many states and cities and college campuses, but I knew at 21 years old that there was so much more to see. As I entered my final semester of my undergraduate degree, I started to wonder what was coming next.  So here we go on the wild ride – where did I come from, where was I, and where was I going next?

Stephanie hails from St. Louis, Missouri and we met while playing soccer in Clarksville Tennessee. In this episode, she connects the dots between her time as a collegiate athlete to the life skills she has learned, and everything in between. We talk about her career path and the obstacles that she has faced in her line of work, relationships, and some of her most memorable moments on and off the soccer field. 

Kenz Ladd was my freshman redshirt buddy - we both arrived as injured first-year student-athletes living away from home and not quite knowing what to expect. Fast-forward thirteen years and we still reminisce about the time we had during those four years that helped shape us into the adults we are today. She has always been a sound source of advice for me and has one of the most supportive demeanors a friend could ask for. Every conversation with Kenz has me wanting to take notes and learn from her. I hope you enjoy listening to this conversation as much as I enjoyed having it. 

*Please stick with us through our beginning minute of "can you hear me?" etc. - we do jump into the conversation and I do want all authentic parts of this episode to be included... but it was my first time using this new recording platform! thank you!!* Carley Bergdoll is one of the first people I met at Austin Peay State University when I visited for the first time in 2007. She was not only an amazing goalkeeper (and field player, as I learned in this episode), but she has gone on to do great things in the teaching world, the coaching world, and in the parenting world. We take a walk down memory lane, talk a bit about soccer, a bit about love and a lot about this crazy life. Tune in to hear about Carley’s journey as one of Austin Peay’s greatest Lady Govs, as Mrs. Bergdoll, and as someone who answers so lovingly nowadays to the name “mom” https://letsgopeay.com/news/2020/6/23/womens-soccer-soccer-greatest-govs-carley-newman.aspx

The first chapter of the four-part story sharing why I am the way I am.  A good portion of my life was spent in cleats and for a long time, it was where I felt the most comfortable. Little did I know that my self-worth was so heavily tied to the girl who wore cleats, and that taking that away took me to a dark place. While being on an NCAA Soccer team left me with the memories of a lifetime, the on-field disappointment in myself and the emptiness I held throughout those four years is something I am happy to leave behind.

If you have paid any attention to women's soccer in the Vancouver area over the past few decades, chances are you'll have heard the name Karen Jones a time or two. She is both an accomplished youth and adult coach and a former player herself. Beyond being a goal scorer and a great motivator on the sidelines, Karen had a gift for bringing out the best in athletes all while teaching important life values and lessons along the way