EP#69: Zoom out: The Bigger Picture of Life as a Collegiate Athlete with Clemson Women's Rowing Coach Kelly Kraiss

This episode is all about the bigger picture - no matter who you are or what sport you play, going through the US college recruiting process and then becoming a college athlete allows you to Zoom out and really appreciate your journey. Coach Kelly Kraiss from Clemson Women's Rowing team sits down with Claire to chat about the broader topic of a recruiting journey as well as life as a US college athlete.When the recruiting process gets bumpy—Coaches ghosting you from your dream school, shifting timelines—Coach Kelly’s mantra is to zoom out. How lucky are you as an athlete to even be in the recruiting process! So many athletes around the world do not have the opportunity in front of them to speak to a US college coach. She chronicles how rejection is in the recruitment process takes you one step closer to finding your right fit program. Just like many other coaches have echoed on In the Huddle, Coach Kelly emphasises the critical element of updating coaches in the recruiting process - "a green flag is when athletes initiate updates...I love when an athlete is willing to initiate!"Coach Kelly also shares her thoughts on the way you develop as a human being while going through the recruitment process and while you are at college, no matter what sport you are playing. Zoom out - being a US college athlete shapes the person you’ll become and provides you with a great mindset moving forward in your life - planning, communication, balance and perspective under pressure translates from the recruiting process & life as a college athlete into the 'real world'. Of course they also dive deeper into the specifics of rowing as Claire asks Coach Kelly if she has any advice for younger rowers. Her advice? Try both sides of the boat, play other sports to grow your athletic base, take on small leadership roles, and pay attention to whether you love the sport as a whole.Enjoyed this one? Follow the show, share it with a teammate or parent who needs it, and leave a quick review to help more rowers find us. Got a guest in mind? Send us a DM!