I spoke and the universe listened! After mentioning my admiration and appreciation of Kate Fagan and her book, "What Made Maddy Run," I was able to get her into my locker room for an interview! In episode 21, I get to compliment Kate profusely and we discuss as much as we could squeeze into our one hour together. Kate also has two podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/off-the-looking-glass/id1592584251 "Off the Looking Glass" (my favorite) and https://www.freecookiespodcast.com/ "Free Cookies" Please be sure to show your support!!***Please excuse my error in Kate's introduction. I misspoke by mistake and said she writes for "Sports Illustrator" and I meant to say "Sports Illustrated" ... lol I was a little nervous and still waking up that early morning. In my defense, she did say I gave her the best introduction she has ever received!  ***

Does your family say "I love you" yet it feels so empty? You are not alone. These powerful words are written by, Jonathan Wilson, Host and Creator of "Redefining Family." In episode 20, Jonathan Wilson joins me in my locker room as we discuss his family origin story. Jonathan Wilson is the President and Chief Value Creator for Dubb Value Creation, a boutique management consulting firm focused on Mergers, Acquisitions, and Strategy. For almost 20 years, Jonathan worked exclusively with Fortune 500 companies developing and executing both inorganic growth initiatives (M&A – acquisitions and divestitures) and organic growth initiatives to enhance profitability through increased revenue and / or realized cost savings.  Over the past few years, Jonathan has pivoted to focused partnerships with organizations, where annual revenues are below $1B. In addition to running his firm, Jonathan is the Chair of the Social Justice Task Force for the City of West Hollywood and President of the UCLA Anderson Black Alumni (ABA) association.

Depression and mental health struggles take a toll on family dynamics. After seeing the ways in which my relationship with my family changed throughout my years of mental health struggles, I think it is important to shed light on another perspective. Losing a family member through their afflictions can feel like mourning a death from both sides: the victim and their family members. In episode 19, I share my family origin story in preparation for episode 20 with Jonathan Wilson, podcast Host and Creator of "Redefining Family." *I'd like to honor and acknowledge my mom and dad whom selflessly sacrificed to provide me with the greatest opportunities and life lessons throughout my youth which got me to where I am today (and during my running career). My sister, Alyssa, for keeping my spirit alive during my early twenties. The newest additions to my family, the Aghilipours- whom have changed my life and I love so dearly.  Most importantly, my husband, my North Star and the love of my life. **cue Myra's, "Miracles Happen! **

In episode 18, I have the privilege of being empowered and inspired by the ethereal, Deja McClendon Domzalska in my locker room. Deja is a Penn State University graduate with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and Communications where she was also a 4x All-American and 2x National Champion volleyball legend. She went on to play professionally for six seasons abroad in Brazil, Italy, Poland, Azerbaijan and now in Dallas, Texas with Athletes Unlimited. In addition to being a public figure through her sport, Deja also leverages her academic background through Timeout App where she is passionate about reshaping the culture of mental health in sports by connecting with other athletes and storytelling. Through this interview, Maya's presence and articulation make her background in Broadcast Journalism and Communications incredibly evident. We discuss her journey with volleyball: both physically and mentally, her view on body image with an emphasis on her overcoming of Alopecia, her role as a black woman in sport with a specific instance of her and a teammate being referred to as "The Chocolates" by a coach, women maturing through sport during different life arenas, and much more. Don't miss out on this incredible episode with Deja. Looking forward to a Part 2 with her to come as we expand on much more! Also, please excuse some of my verbal errors during this episode. I had an extremely hectic week with little sleep and was not going to risk missing out on having Deja in my locker room by rescheduling.  Thank you, Deja, for being patient with me. Learn more about Deja's accomplishments and involvement with Athlete's Unlimited Player Executive Committee https://auprosports.com/volleyball/athletes/deja-mcclendon/https://www.thetimeoutapp.comIf you have been taking suicidal actions, OR you have tried to hurt yourself today or made a recent suicide attempt, get help immediately by calling 911. https://save.org/find-help/im-having-suicidal-thoughts/If you are not hurt, have a friend help you get to a mental health urgent care setting or the emergency roomIf you are having intense suicidal thoughts or urges please connect with a crisis counselor now at:National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)NSPL Online Chat ServicesCrisis Textline: Text “HOME” to 741-741

In episode 17, I am left speechless in my locker room by Author and mental health advocate, Mikaela Brewer, whom is also the Head of Content & Research at Timeout App. As mentioned in my previous episode, I have partnered with the brains and beauty behind recently established Timeout App, the future of mental healthcare delivery for athletes. Timeout provides a holistic approach to mental healthcare for athletes that is easily accessible, personalized, and athlete centered. This group of women that have created this masterpiece makes up the most amazing women I have ever met and I am so honored to be able to put their app, Timeout on my website as a resource for those looking to understand their own metal health. In this episode, Mikaela and I discuss her background as a track athlete and ballet dancer which lead to her highly decorated career as a Stanford and Team Canada Basketball player. Mikaela's level of vulnerability, intelligence and grace is sensational and she shares her journey with her mental health, suicidal ideations, Stanford career, mental health advocacy work, her recently published book, "The Sifting Project," and her contributions to Timeout App as the Head of Content & Research. Let's support Mikaela! https://uniteourlight.co/https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000177564442/Mikaela-Brewer-The-Sifting-Projecthttps://www.thetimeoutapp.comIf you have been taking suicidal actions, OR you have tried to hurt yourself today or made a recent suicide attempt, get help immediately by calling 911. https://save.org/find-help/im-having-suicidal-thoughts/If you are not hurt, have a friend help you get to a mental health urgent care setting or the emergency roomIf you are having intense suicidal thoughts or urges please connect with a crisis counselor now at:National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)NSPL Online Chat ServicesCrisis Textline: Text “HOME” to 741-741

Completely and utterly humbled and honored. In episode 16, I had the opportunity of having Maya McClendon, the stunning, well-spoken, and charming CEO of Timeout App in my locker room to discuss some very important topics pertaining to her unique experiences with her sport, mental health, suicidal ideations, standards she set for herself, her role as a black woman in sport and in business, and her inspiration behind Timeout App. Maya is a mental health and sustainability advocate that was a highly decorated volleyball player at Arizona State University and the University of Louisville. She was nominated as 2013 Under Armor All-American and was chosen to represent the USA Junior National team in the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation Tournament in Nicaragua among countless of other accoldaes. Not to mention, she also has a background in gymnastics! In January 2019, Maya founded the Sports Metaphor, LCC and participated in speaking engagements for the PAC12, the Green Sports Alliance, as well as various youth programs about holistic health and wellness related to sports. In 2021, she founded the Timeout App, a digital health and wellness platform for athletes and sports organizations. Women's Locker Talk® supports Timeout App and we are excited to see where this takes the mental health culture in our Intercollegiate sports environments and surrounding communities! https://www.thetimeoutapp.comIf you have been taking suicidal actions, OR you have tried to hurt yourself today or made a recent suicide attempt, get help immediately by calling 911. https://save.org/find-help/im-having-suicidal-thoughts/If you are not hurt, have a friend help you get to a mental health urgent care setting or the emergency roomIf you are having intense suicidal thoughts or urges please connect with a crisis counselor now at:National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)NSPL Online Chat ServicesCrisis Textline: Text “HOME” to 741-741

In episode 15,  join me and former Softball College World Series player and University of Hawaii at Monoa Alumni, Alex ( Aguirre) Gomez! We discuss her experience as a self-supporting student-athlete and the stereotype that oftentimes people associate the student-athlete status as one of privilege. While it is a wonderful privilege to compete at the Intercollegiate Level, this "privilege" is not to be mistaken with financial privilege.  We go into further detail about her experience competing at the Softball College World Series, how she balanced her sport with academia and work, Title IX discrepancies in women and sports, as well as mental-health and body standards during her time as a competitor. Press on Alex ( Aguirre) Gomez! https://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/softball/wahine-coaching-tree-grows/https://www.mpowherathlete.com/mpowher-blog/2018/7/31/full-time-student-athlete-to-unemployed-graduatehttps://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/12610725/rainbow-wahine-softball-players-return-home/https://youtu.be/mUlkFYYD5E0 Connect with Alex on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-gomez-maed

In one of my favorite interviews so far, in episode 14, I am joined in the locker room by LGBTQ+ activist, teacher, and speaker, Cal Dobbs (they, them, theirs). Cal is a queer, transgender ultra marathoner and professional long distance backpacker. Unfortunately, there was a time when Cal did not have the opportunity or vocabulary to fully embrace their identity. Cal discusses their journey as a competitive distance runner throughout high school and Division 3 collegiate athletics whilst still closeted and in search of their identity. Cal takes us up to speed on what they are up to these days including what their official coming out was like. Cal has over 7,000 miles of experience on American hiking trails and is on track to become the first ever transgender person to compete the 7,800 mile Triple Crown of American hiking trails. They are using their historic hikes to raise funds for The Trevor Project, an organization that provides life saving support and resources to LGBTQ+ youth. https://www.tiktok.com/@cal_hikes?lang=en Check out Cal's inspiring, relevant, and colorful LGBTQ+ advocacy and awareness TikTok content. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

She may have been #15 when she represented on the basketball court, but she just might be the #1 person you need to mentor you through your transition as a student-athlete to and from college. In episode 11, Zedralyn (Zee) Butler and I discuss her basketball career from high school to Junior College to Division 1 Basketball and overseas opportunities. We discuss why Junior College can be beneficial rather than frowned upon as a student-athlete, her challenges during her time as an athlete, parents that live through their children which she refers to in her academic research as "extremists," and her responsibility as a Black woman in sport. A Master's in Sports Management, public speaker and author, Butler says, "as an athlete, we don't retire, our time expires." Now a successful business owner, Butler mentors student-athletes that are undergoing a transition process either to or from college in her ever-growing business, The Ball Code. To reach Zee: [email protected]://www.theballcode.com/ https://www.theballcode.com/product-page/25-tips-for-the-next-level-student-athlete (link to her book!) https://www.blackgirlinom.comhttps://www.blackgirlsbreathing.comhttps://www.saddiebaddies.com

I have received some really nice feedback on my intro and outro music for my podcast. This episode goes into the symbolism and intentionality of every detail in the composing of this project! Thank you so much for your support and feedback!!