Back To The Nest

What happens when the thing that once defined you… no longer does?In this episode, Brent shares his journey from being an NFL punter to building a life in the corporate world—and the identity reckoning that came with that transition. Together, we explore how meaning is built outside of work, why tying your entire identity to one role can be so fragile, and what it really takes to live a purposeful, grounded life after a major career shift.Brent opens up about why he no longer leads with his NFL career when meeting new people, what athletes mean when they say “an athlete dies twice,” and how the character traits developed through elite sports can be translated into a meaningful life beyond the field.Whether you’re a former athlete, someone navigating a career transition,​ retirement,  or simply questioning how much of your identity is wrapped up in your job—this conversation offers perspective, honesty, and a powerful reminder that meaning is something you build, not something you earn through titles.In This Episode, We Cover:How to make meaning outside of workBrent’s journey from the NFL to the corporate worldWhy Brent chose not to lead with his former NFL career when meeting new peopleThe importance of diversifying your identityWhat it means when people say “an athlete dies twice”The emotional and psychological transition from professional sports to life after footballHow Brent translated the character traits developed in football into his post-NFL lifeThe connection between meaning, purpose, and responsibility

Join Leah and Sonia as they exchange acorns!More from Sonia:Sonia's Website: https://www.soniaholstein.com/Sonia's IG: @youllwantsecondsSonia's Substack: https://substack.com/@youllwantsecondsMore From LeahSubscribe to my personal SubstackListen to my other podcast, Shoulders DownEmail me: [email protected]

Join Leah and Victoria as they exchange acorns!More From LeahSubscribe to my personal SubstackListen to my other podcast, Shoulders DownEmail me: [email protected]

Join Leah and Bea as they exchange acorns!More From LeahSubscribe to my personal SubstackListen to my other podcast, Shoulders DownEmail me: [email protected]

Join Leah and Kayla as they exchange acorns!More from Kayla!More From LeahSubscribe to my personal SubstackListen to my other podcast, Shoulders DownEmail me: [email protected]

Join Leah and Robyn as they exchange acorns!More From LeahSubscribe to my personal SubstackListen to my other podcast, Shoulders DownEmail me: [email protected]

Special edition episode!Join me and 2 of my pals, Bea and Victoria, as we reflect on our acorns from our recent section hike of the Appalachian Trail.More From LeahSubscribe to my personal SubstackListen to my other podcast, Shoulders DownEmail me: [email protected]

Join Leah & one of her dearest friends, Jamie, as they exchange acorns!More From LeahSubscribe to my personal SubstackListen to my other podcast, Shoulders DownEmail me: [email protected]

Join Leah and one of her childhood best friends, Maddie, as they exchange acorns 🐿️More From Maddie:Follow Maddie on Instagram for art Email Maddie about a custom piece: [email protected] More From LeahSubscribe to my personal SubstackListen to my other podcast, Shoulders DownEmail me: [email protected]

Welcome to Back To The Nest! In this episode, Leah is sharing the piece that inspired this podcast and what you can expect from this show.For additional content and to make sure you never miss an episode, head to leahkern.substack.com and subscribe.To learn more about Leah's Intuitive Eating work visit https://leahkernrd.com/ or checkout Shoulder Down Podcast. 

Welcome to Back to the Nest. I'm your host, Leah Kern, and this is a monthly podcast where I sit down with a loved one to swap “acorns”— the little bits and tips we’re currently leaning into. Acorns can be trivial things, like a fun new way to store earrings or a brand of clear lip gloss that tastes like vanilla and isn’t too sticky. But they can also be deeper nuggets of wisdom—lessons from therapy, profound song lyrics, or a tip to calm existential anxiety. As your host, I'm here to bring you sweet, “slice of life” conversations that will help you gather inspiration and infuse your days with fresh energy. Acorns are the things we gather along the way, and Back to the Nest is the place we share them with you. Subscribe on Apple and Spotify so you never miss an episode. Thanks for listening.For additional content and to make sure you never miss an episode and make sure you never miss an episode, head to https://leahkern.substack.com/