When the Game Ends | Finding Identity Beyond the Field with Sae Tautu

Former NFL and BYU linebacker Sae Tautu spent years chasing the dream that defined his life, until one injury changed everything. What happens when your identity is built on something that suddenly disappears? In this episode, Sae opens up about the silent struggle many high performers face after stepping away from what they love most.Through stories of grit, grief, and growth, Sae shares how he rebuilt his sense of purpose, found peace through breathwork and vulnerability, and redefined success outside of the locker room. His reflections remind us that strength is about learning to feel, adapt, and grow when life takes a turn you never saw coming.Chapters[Start] From Friday Nights to the NFL: Sae shares how his lifelong dream of playing football began.07:00 When the Dream Ends: An injury cuts Sae’s professional career short, forcing him to confront loss, identity, and the emotional fallout of stepping away from the game.20:00 Breathwork and Breaking Open: Sae describes how breathwork helped him release years of suppressed emotion and grief.30:00 Rebuilding Purpose: He reflects on the transition from athlete to entrepreneur. 38:00 The Warrior Routine: Sae shares his daily mental fitness practice, a simple 15-minute ritual of breathwork, gratitude, and visualization.Links & ResourcesSign up with NUE - Your Mental Fitness PlatformElizaChat - Responsible and Ethical AI SolutionsOrtho Athlete – Sae’s company supporting athletes through recovery and rehabilitation.The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson – Book on the power of small, consistent habits.Widen the Window by Dr. Elizabeth A. Stanley – On resilience and the nervous system.Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke – Exploring the balance between pleasure and pain.Jimmy Rex’s “We Are The They” Community – Men’s group Sae references for breathwork and growth.