9: How One Athlete Turned a “Maybe” Into a Full Roster Spot (Part 1, Real Recruiting Stories)

Welcome to the Real Recruiting Stories mini-series, where we highlight the behind-the-scenes journeys of athletes navigating the ups and downs of the college recruiting process.In this first episode, Susan shares Emily’s inspiring path,  a story that proves success isn’t always straightforward. After being offered a non-traditional role as a team manager instead of a roster spot, Emily faced a choice: walk away, or step in and keep working toward her dream.Her decision, relentless effort, and unshakable belief turned what looked like a setback into an incredible opportunity,  earning her a full roster spot and a chance to thrive at the college level.This episode is a reminder that while the recruiting process can feel uncertain, your success is inevitable if you don’t give up.Chapters00:00 – Why every recruiting journey looks different02:30 – The messy middle nobody sees on Instagram04:45 – Why “your success is inevitable if you don’t give up”07:20 – The dartboard analogy: what recruiting really looks like09:40 – Meet Emily: her unique offer and non-traditional path12:35 – How Emily outworked expectations (and earned trust fast)14:55 – From manager to roster spot: how she turned it around16:30 – The bigger lesson: control what you can, believe in yourself19:30 – Closing thoughts & how this story can guide your journeyConnect with Susan:Check out the website: www.nxtvb.comFollow on Instagram + TikTok: @hey.susankwww.rallysend.comLooking for a better way to stay organized and manage your recruiting? Check out www.rallysend.com—our go-to recruiting software for athletes, families, and clubs. It streamlines communication with college coaches, saves hours on recruiting outreach, and helps you stay ahead of the biggest challenge in the recruiting process: time.Use code HEYSUSAN to save $5/month on a monthly subscription or $50 off an annual plan.