Let’s Talk About It

D1 Women’s Basketball Player, Ayianna Johnson and Sheila Hughes of Glow Up Counseling discuss the transfer portal, adjusting to college life, and building a foundation outside of college athletics. This episode is sponsored by Glow Up Counseling. Learn More About Glow Up Counseling Here: https://www.glowupcounseling.com

Sydney chats with Denzel Luna, a former college basketball player at Bridgeport and founder of Nexa Tax about everything athletes need to know about taxes. Denzel breaks down W2 vs 1099 income, deductions, and how to prepare your documents in time for tax season. This episode is a must watch for anyone participating in NIL whether you’re doing a large brand endorsement or receiving a free pair of shoes. ** This episode is for educational purposes only and not official tax advice.

Sydney chats with Cindy and Braulio Rivera of Xtreme Volleyball Club about her journey to college volleyball. As a young player with a lot of potential but little confidence, Sydney took lessons at Xtreme Volleyball Club where she was encouraged to make mistakes, ask questions, and have fun. What Sydney learned at Xtreme prepared her to end up on one of the best youth club teams in the U.S., in the Ivy League, in the ACC, and eventually to become a professional volleyball player. The group discusses mental toughness, delayed gratification, and the role of parents in setting up their kids for success. This is a must listen for parents and players looking to level up in sports.

Sydney chats with Ashley McBay, wide receiver at Texas Elite Football about what it’s like to be a professional football player as a woman. Ashley breaks down the finances, commitment, and sacrifices that go into becoming a professional athlete as a woman. Sydney and Ashley talk about safety in football, the way women players are perceived, and the growth of the game.

Sydney chats with Bryan Moussako about how he went from a team manager to starter on the NYU men’s basketball team. Bryan talks about the series of “failures” that led him to his ultimate success and competing for a National Championship.

Sydney chats with Geanice Morales about her journey as a college softball player. Geanice talks about dealing with performance anxiety, unsupportive coaches, and how embracing REAL positivity changed her outlook on and off the field.  

Sydney chats with Erynn Floyd about how she went from committed walk-on to full scholarship and starting Goalie at Louisville. Erynn talks about why she chose Louisville over other schools, how she handled starting as a Freshman, and what to do when someone tells you no.

Sydney chats with Hayley Manners about how being an international student-athlete impacted her college experience. Hayley breaks down the visa process and the rules that impacted her NIL earnings and tips for athletes going through the same thing.

Sydney chats with Francesca Faraci on how she juggles D1 soccer and law school at UIC. Francesca shares her journey from University of Florida soccer to pursuing a legal career and practical advice on internships, admissions, and support systems. 

Sydney chats with Nick Peck about how athletes can take advantage of the life changing opportunities college athletics provides. Nick talks about the challenges he experienced growing up in an abusive and alcoholic household and his advice for those in similar situations.

Sydney chats with Eddie Taylor (Director of NIl, U of Cincinnati) about how athletes who are skeptical about personal branding and content can still benefit from NIL. Eddie talks about how he has helped athletes get internships, land jobs, and even set up business without becoming full-time influencers.

Sydney chats with Rachel Maeng about how athletes can calculate their rates for social media posts, the history of the influencer industry fueling NIL, and a step-by-step guide to negotiating compensation. Rachel shares the education and tools athletes need to protect their value and set themselves up for long-term success. This episode is sponsored by RootNote.

Sydney chats with Emily Pierce (Campbell T&F) and Jeremy Burchard (CCO of RootNote) about social media analytics and strategy. Emily and Jeremy share their strategies for success on social media. Sydney opens up about feeling pressure to follow the algorithm over her heart.

Sydney chats with Alana Casner, SVP at Parity, about how personal branding is closing the gap in sports. Alana breaks down what drives athlete value, how brands actually measure it, and how student-athletes can take advantage of these insights to create their own opportunities.This episode is sponsored by RootNote.

Sydney chats with 2x Paralympian Bailey Moody about  journey as an athlete and what it actually means to compete with a disability. Bailey breaks down wheelchair basketball’s classification system, the policy gaps in collegiate sports, and how we can better support and understand adaptive sports.

Sydney chats with Kendall Ellis, 2x Olympian and 4x NCAA Champion about her  journey from college to professional track. Kendall discusses the importance of performance, navigating sponsorships, building a personal brand, and the significance of having a strong support system. They emphasize the business aspect of being an athlete and encourage others to take charge of their careers.

In this solo episode, Sydney shares five personal mindsets that have guided her journey as an athlete, student, and founder. Sydney shares honest reflections from sitting the bench, dropping pre-med, and finding the confidence to launch her own company. 

Sydney chats with decorated gymnast Sierra Brooks (Michigan) on her path to athletic retirement and life after gymnastics. Sierra reflects on her decision to take a fifth year and the mental shift needed to succeed in her corporate job.

Sydney chats with Journey Amundson (Saint Louis University T&F) about burnout. They share unorthodox advice for how they manage college athletics and say the thing every student-athlete is thinking.

Sydney chats with college sports business expert Kristi Dosh about Revenue Share & NIL Contracts between athletes and Universities. Kristi outlines the key red flags athletes should look for before signing, explains the role of collectives, and offers actionable advice on how athletes can maximize the long-term value of their deals. 

Sydney chats with D1 thrower Riley Simmons, who transferred between three Power 5 schools before finding her fit at a mid major.They work past the hype to deliver advice for athletes looking to find their best fit.

Sydney chats with Arthur Bryant, the nation’s leading Title IX attorney, about the legal battles shaping gender equity in college sports. Arthur breaks down how NIL, revenue sharing, and the House vs. NCAA case tie into Title IX — plus the ongoing fight for accountability in athletic departments and how lawsuits are holding schools responsible.

Sydney breaks down what Title IX really is—explaining the three pillars of compliance, who’s responsible for enforcing it, and how it actually shows up in sports. It’s a must-listen for athletes, coaches, and sports fans who want to understand the rules behind the game.

Sydney chats with 3 members of the Louisville Dance Team about the logistics of college dance, mental health, and navigating competition and entertainment. 

Sydney chats with Cat Flood from Pitt Volleyball about navigating social media on a famous team, tuning out the distractions, and embracing your role—whatever it looks like. Oh, and of course… her hair.

Sydney chats with Payton Petersen (Louisville VB) about her Freshman year of P4 volleyball. Payton shares about her family’s influence on her volleyball career and her Final Four experience.

Sydney chats with Sami Francis (Stanford VB) about how the many injuries she experienced during her career impacted her mental health. Sami opens up about how the challenges she faced at Stanford changed her life.

Sydney chats with Chelsea Thorpe (UNC VB) about the mental challenges of transferring, finding confidence in a new team, and stepping into a leadership role. Chelsea shares how she navigated loneliness, performance anxiety, and the pressures of being a captain. Tune in for insights on athlete mental health, team culture, and the rising competition in ACC volleyball! 

Sydney chats with Rachel Richardson (Duke VB) to discuss the challenges of navigating identity, mental health, and competitiveness as a student-athlete in the ACC. Rachel shares powerful insights on growth, support, and thriving in a high-performance culture. This episode is sponsored by The Zone, The Wellness Copilot for Sports Organizations. 

Sydney chats with Katie Moore (D1 Track, Iowa) about the realities of social media. They dive into the pressures of maintaining an online presence, dealing with public criticism, and finding a balance between authenticity and privacy.

Sydney chats with Abby Hansen of the Orlando Valkyries (Pro Volleyball Federation) about the rise of pro volleyball in the U.S., the impact of two competing leagues, and what this means for the future of the sport.

Sydney chats with Mir McLean (Maryland WBB) about her experience balancing Greek life with athletics. Mir clears up misconceptions about Greek organizations, offers advice for student-athletes who want to join a sorority or fraternity, and explains how research, values, and self-reflection play key roles in the journey.

Sydney chats with World Champion Discus Thrower, Laulauga Tausaga-Collins on the Mindset of a Champion. Laulauga opens up about the ugly truths of competitive athletics and gives career changing advice for those doubting their athletic future. 

Sydney chats w/ Sabrina Oostburg (D1 Throwing, CEO of NIL Roadmap) about how Sabrina grew her online presence while growing as her own person. Sabrina talks about how she organizes her content, creating opportunities, and what every athlete should know about NIL.

Sydney sits down with an attorney on the House vs. NCAA case, Stephanie Verdoia, to discuss the facts of the claims process. Stephanie clears up misinformation and urges student-athletes to stay diligent and informed.

Sydney chats with Ava Bogan and Madison Wood (Cornell Volleyball) about their freshman year. Ava and Madison discuss how the year met (or didn’t) meet their expectations and what they think all incoming freshmen should know.

Sydney chats with Doga Ozalp and Sara Pomar (Cornell Volleyball) about their experience as International student-athletes. 

Sydney chats with Ryan Meis (Seton Hill Basketball) about how his coach, Ben Wilkins, changed his life for the better. Ryan reveals what recruits should be looking for when choosing the right program for them. 

Sydney chats with Coach Ben Wilkins (Seton Hill Basketball) about the critical role coaches play in student-athletes’ lives. Coach WIlkins shares ways coaches can better connect with their athletes and how athlete’s priorities affect recruiting. 

Sydney chats with Dr. Laura Jones (Mental Health Coordinator, UNC Asheville) about what steps athletic departments can take to support their student-athletes effectively. Dr. Jones explains common mental health techniques. This episode is presented by The Zone, the Wellness Co-Pilot For Sports Organizations. 

Sydney chats with Katie Willet (Senior Associate Commissioner, Big East Conference) about how conferences can support student-athlete mental health. They discuss how athletes can influence what happens at their schools. This episode is presented by The Zone, the Wellness Co-Pilot For Sports Organizations.

Sydney chats with Kari Lewis (licensed clinician, Marquette University) about the mental health challenges student-athletes face each day. Kari gives advice on some of the most common student-athlete struggles. This episode is presented by The Zone, the Wellness Co-Pilot For Sports Organizations. 

Sydney chats with Brianna Scott (Georgetown Basketball) about Bri’s mental health journey as a D1 basketball player. Brianna opens up about finding a therapist and the support she received from her family, teammates, and Georgetown community. This episode is presented by The Zone, the Wellness Co-Pilot For Sports Organizations. 

Sydney sits down with Ivan Thatchouwo (CEO, The Zone) to announce a special mental health series of Let’s Talk About It presented by The Zone. They outline the partnership and share the main takeaways from the upcoming episodes. 

Sydney chats with Skylar Roe (Sports Hawgs) about goal setting and finding your way in athletics. Skylar shares the advice that kept her confident throughout her playing career. This episode is presented by Sports Hawgs. 

Sydney chats with Molly Dreher (Wake Forest T&F) about the realities of being a graduate transfer. Molly opens up about her struggles with NIL, getting used to a new school, and being the oldest on the team. 

Sydney chats with Caroline Ramsey (USA Field Hockey) about her journey to the national team. Caroline opens up about her struggles with confidence and choosing to pursue the Olympics over a traditional job after graduation

Sydney chats with Summer Parker-Hall (Cornell Basketball) about the meaning behind “Representation Matters”. Summer shares how being the only Black girl in many environments didn’t deter her from chasing her dreams. 

Sydney chats with Nya Harrison (Stanford Soccer) about losing the national championship in 2023. Nya opens up about heartbreaking loss and how her team has been working for the upcoming season.

Sydney chats with Emanuela Lukac, the youngest fifa certified agent ever. Emanuela shares finding her passion after playing professionally and how she tackles imposter syndrome as a young professional.