Why Not Me? Caley Chelios Vitale on confidence, comebacks, & ESPN

PEAC Train Like A Girl — Episode Show Notes Guest: Caley Chelios Vitale — ESPN, Big Ten lacrosse analyst; Northwestern Women's Lacrosse and Northwestern Women's Lacrosse National Champion; three-sport high school athlete Warm-up Quick list: Caley’s high school sports — lacrosse, volleyball, hockey (three-sport athlete, national-champion pedigree at Northwestern). Caley’s “Triple Threat” in high school: lipstick, lip liner, a little lip gloss. Episode Highlights Multi-sport benefits: Caley on how playing multiple sports set her up for long-term success — exposure to different team cultures, coaching styles, and transferable skills. Big fish → bigger pond: The transition from being a dominant high-school athlete to competing in a stacked Division I environment at Northwestern and the shock of that jump. Loss and rebuilding of confidence: How college competition humbled Caley, led to lost confidence, and ultimately built resilience and mental toughness. Coaching and mental toughness: Northwestern coaches taught toughness and mental skills (meditation, even judo) that reshaped Caley’s approach. Offseason advice: Follow the program, commit to offseason training, and “get right” — file the programming and create every possible edge. Lack of early adversity: Caley reflects that limited adversity in high school led to gaps in discipline; her dad Chris Chelios (former NHL player) emphasized hard work and loving the process over pure talent. Parenting in youth sports: A frank conversation about parents overstepping — parents should be supporters (apparent to the athlete), not sideline coaches. Growing through rejection: Losing confidence in college became a catalyst to develop “calluses” and the ability to handle noise and rejection. Pro leap and grit: Caley’s transition toward a professional sports/media path, loving men’s hockey, asking for opportunities in the NHL, and adopting a “Why not me?” mindset. Paying it forward: The importance of women helping women — Erin Andrews reaching out early to Caley as a reminder to lift the next generation; “there’s enough room up top for all of us.” Comfort with discomfort: Throughout her athletic and professional career, Caley learned to get comfortable being uncomfortable and to stay through the hard parts. Memorable Quotes “Triple Threat” — lipstick, lip liner, a little lip gloss. “Why not me.” Parents: “Be the parent, not the coach.” Fun Stuff Caley’s dream dinner party: Justin Bieber, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Elvis, Danielle, Sampson Bonus: Caley’s recipe for the best Greek dressing (shared on the episode). Key Takeaways Multi-sport participation builds adaptability and long-term success. Adversity and discomfort are growth engines — lean into them. Offseason discipline and following programming create edges. Parents should support athletes’ autonomy; let coaches coach. Lift others as you climb — mentorship matters. Where to find Caley ESPN/B1G lacrosse coverage and social profiles (search Caley Chelios Vitale). Subscribe, rate, and share PeaC Train Like A Girl — thanks for listening!