Picture By Khattab McIntosh

I am a mother, a Bay-Area California Native, a Doctor of Higher Education, PhD, a former Division I student-athlete and gainfully employed. I have always wanted to open up a platform to not only express myself openly, but create a safe space for former student-athletes that will help others in similar situations. Before jumping into my story and sharing all vulnerabilities, I do want to share that I am not an expert, far from perfect and have made a lot of mistakes. I am someone who has a passion for educating through testimony and have high hopes that my experiences and journey thus far, and journey to come, can help others realize that they have someone like them, experiencing what it takes to overcome some of the life obstacles we face as an individual who was once a student-athlete; Life after sports.

I want to acknowledge the powerful figures, both men and women who struggled and were strong activists and contributed to our opportunities we have today to express ourselves openly. I so love the many strong and powerful women and men who have come before us and have paved the pathways for us to be able to work, to be educated and to love how we please. One of my favorite writers is Maya Angelou. In fact, I have her words tatted on my back 😉. It reads “…A women who teaches by being…” What prompted me to start this Blog is just that. I want to “do” and not just talk. I, like many of you have so many creative thoughts and innovations that never become reality because of my lack of time with my work, motherhood, and my Doctorate or just simply being afraid to be openly me to the world. I began thinking about what went through my mind when I was going through the trauma and heartache and how much I worried about negative judgment, perceptions, and not ever being able to overcome it all. I wanted just one person who I could talk to, or relate to someone who went through something similar so they could tell me it will all be okay.

Photo by Khattab McIntosh

My intention with this Blog is to share life celebrations and challenges that others commonly relate to. As a former student-athlete who had plans and passions that changed drastically as I became an adult, I can relate to you (former student-athletes), as someone who competed at the Division I level from 2008-2013, I can relate to you (student-athletes), as someone who now has a new light each and every day when looking at my daughter, I can relate to you (Parents), and as someone who now has a little blessing of life that is dependent on me solely each and every day, I can relate to you (Business women & men).

What all those identities have in common is living LIFE and overcoming all burdens that are in our paths to ultimately form our individuality. Acknowledging that others go through similar situations and finding ways that they cope and overcome struggles or even celebrate wins, will allow us all to grow! I will not only share some of my personal stories, but I will also invite others to share their stories on being current student-athletes, former student-athletes, successful business people, or single mothers.

You may run across quite a few student-athlete blogs from perspective colleges or athletic organization, but what is missing from there is the real life experiences, unfiltered.  Trust, that the real life experiences are important to be exposed to to fully reach your potential during and after collegiate sports!

Experiences, Lessons, Advice and Laughter!

…Get ready for the juice! 😊