Sets For Life

Sometimes it takes former athletes a while to realize that our playing days are really over. In this week’s episode former softball player Ashley Facio describes what it felt like once the letters HR no longer stood for home run but human resources. Playing sports allows us to understand the importance of sacrifice. Ashley talks about the fact that in softball many times you will step up to the plate and bunt just so that your teammate can move forward. Ashley Facio currently works in human resources and she dropped a ton of gems for listeners who are looking to start their career or take their career to the next level. Be sure to connect with Ashley Facio  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-facio Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and connect with Coach J www.joiwalker.com info@joiwalker.com Social Media https://www.instagram.com/setsforlife314/ https://twitter.com/SetsForLife314/ https://www.facebook.com/SetsForLife314/

As athletes we go from literally having an entire army of people to support us to being on our own literally overnight. It is extremely difficult for athletes who are often viewed as super human to share their insecurities and doubts. Thankfully there are more and more people willing to come forward and share their story in hopes of helping other athletes successfully navigate the transition. One thing to keep in mind as you transition is that you need to find new creative outlets. Athletes are artists. Having the ability to contort your body is a form of art. Once sport ends we lose that outlet and we need to replace it. Athletes have a creative nature and it’s hard to turn it off once you stop playing. We have to figure out how to move that energy into a different direction. Be sure to connect with our guest Kezia Conyers https://twitter.com/conyers_kezia https://www.instagram.com/k_gobeyondsports/ http://gobeyondbook.com/ Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and connect with Coach J www.joiwalker.com info@

Within the black community there is an elevated social status tied to athletics that many of us cling to. Sports allow us to escape as we get a certain sense of freedom on the playing field. So many African Americans view athletics as the only means to financial freedom. Once we realize that we will not obtain our ultimate goal of playing professionally it can be extremely difficult to let go and step away from our sport. Be sure to connect with our guests Dr. Morris Council and Dr. Robert Bennett https://twitter.com/moreed3 https://www.instagram.com/moreed3/ https://twitter.com/rb3phd https://www.instagram.com/rab3phd/ Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and connect with Coach J www.joiwalker.com info@joiwalker.com Social Media https://www.instagram.com/setsforlife314/ https://twitter.com/SetsForLife314/ https://www.facebook.com/SetsForLife314/    

Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and connect with Coach J www.joiwalker.com info@joiwalker.com Social Media https://www.instagram.com/setsforlife314/ https://twitter.com/SetsForLife314/ https://www.facebook.com/SetsForLife314/

No matter what career field you decide to enter it is so important to find your unique niche. You need to be the mad scientist at whatever you are bringing to the table. You have to see yourself as a unique specialist. In order to stand out you have to be like the Aunt who is bringing her signature mac and cheese to the family function. You are not valuable until you perfect what makes you different. Find you lane. Perfect it. Be obsessed with it. When people look at you then need to know exactly what you can bring to the table. Make sure no one in the country knows more about that thing than you. When someone is looking to hire someone within a specific niche they should look to you as a no brainer to fill the position.  Be sure to connect with Jhasmin Player www.twitter.com/theplayerway www.instagram.com/theplayerway Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and connect with Coach J www.joiwalker.com info@joiwalker.com Social Media https://www.instagram.com/setsforlife314/ https://twitter.com/SetsForLife314/ htt

Playing sports at a high level literally prepares you to dominate whatever industry you decide to enter. Our coaches drop so many gems throughout our playing career. We need to extract that information and figure out how to apply it to the rest of our life. Be sure to connect with special guest attorney Tyler D Bailey https://baileylawfirmsc.com/ https://twitter.com/tylerdbailey?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/tylerdbailey/ Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and connect with Coach J www.joiwalker.com info@joiwalker.com Social Media https://www.instagram.com/setsforlife314/ https://twitter.com/SetsForLife314/ https://www.facebook.com/SetsForLife314/

Life after sport can be extremely frustrating, as the rules that apply to our game don’t always get us the same results in life. If we want to become better shooters we get more shots up. If we want to become better ball handlers we work on tons of ball handling drills. However, as we navigate media, corporate, or other arenas we come to realize that although we may put in the work we may not always be given the opportunity that we believe we deserve.  As we navigate life it is important to understand the power of the pause. As kids we focus on making the varsity team. In high school we obsess over which college we will play for. We are always focused on what’s next. In order to uncover your gifts and realize what comes to you naturally we have to take the time to pause and reflect. Our coaches force us to pause and study film. Once we no longer have our coaches in our ear we have to have the discipline to study “film” on our own and make the necessary corrections. Be sure to connect with our guest Monica McN

This week’s episode goes from 0-60 in about .002 seconds as special guest Matt Mounier answers the million dollar question… If we all know that less than 2% of collegiate student-athletes will play professional sports why don’t we hear the stories of the other 98%?  Many athletes are under the impression that everything will be easy once they are done playing sports. They believe that companies will desire to hire them just because they are former athletes. Often times the transition is more difficult than athletes envision. Matt also brought up another great point in which he mentioned a survey. The survey was taken by male football and basketball players at NCAA division one, two, and three institutions. 66% of the athletes surveyed believed they would play professional sports. Matt posed a great question by asking what happens when reality slaps you in the face? We talk about this and so much more on episode 59 entitled The Other 98% Be sure to connect with our guest Matt Mounier  https://www.instagram.com

Ready to run it back? Check out this months solo episode. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and connect with Coach J www.joiwalker.com info@joiwalker.com Social Media https://www.instagram.com/setsforlife314/ https://twitter.com/SetsForLife314/ https://www.facebook.com/SetsForLife314/

For the first 20+ years of our lives we are socialized as athletes. So when you take that away many athletes feel lost. However, some manage to figure out that the key to success is often to fill that time you once dedicated to your sport to something else.  In this episode Tahj-Anthony Jean talks about his decision to step away from his collegiate football career to open a restaurant. You do not want to miss this episode which could be summed up as Entrepreneurship 101.  Be sure to connect with special guest Tahj-Anthony Jean https://www.instagram.com/tahjanthonyj https://twitter.com/T_Anthony28 www.farmhousecrepes.com   Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and connect with Coach J www.joiwalker.com info@joiwalker.com Social Media https://www.instagram.com/setsforlife314/ https://twitter.com/SetsForLife314/ https://www.facebook.com/SetsForLife314/  

Your work will never determine your worth. As athletes it can be difficult to grasp that concept. Many of us look for new things to make us feel significant once we are no longer defined by the sport we play. In this episode we explore how to uncover something deeper. Be sure to connect with special guest Mark Boren mboren@fca.org Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and connect with Coach J www.joiwalker.com info@joiwalker.com Social Media https://www.instagram.com/setsforlife314/ https://twitter.com/SetsForLife314/ https://www.facebook.com/SetsForLife314/

In this week’s episode we breakdown post athletic career trauma and so much more. Get your pen and pad ready! Be sure to connect with today’s special guest Dr. Joseph Cooper Joseph.cooper@uconn.edu https://www.amazon.com/Exploitation-Back-Empowerment-Development-Education/dp/1433161559 Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and connect with Coach J www.joiwalker.com info@joiwalker.com Social Media https://www.instagram.com/setsforlife314/ https://twitter.com/SetsForLife314/ https://www.facebook.com/SetsForLife314/

As athletes we must realize that when our playing career comes to an end we are not just turning another chapter. We are literally starting on another book. The great part is that we get to decide what we will write on page one of this new journey. It’s important to develop a diverse portfolio. As athletes we put all of our eggs in one basket knowing that at some point we will have to transition into the next stage of life. We discuss this and so much more in this week’s episode. Be sure to connect with today’s special guest Caroline Doty https://www.instagram.com/cdoty5/ https://twitter.com/cdoty5/ Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and connect with Coach J www.joiwalker.com info@joiwalker.com Social Media https://www.instagram.com/setsforlife314/ https://twitter.com/SetsForLife314/ https://www.facebook.com/SetsForLife314/

Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and connect with Coach J www.joiwalker.com info@joiwalker.com Social Media https://www.instagram.com/setsforlife314/ https://twitter.com/SetsForLife314/ https://www.facebook.com/SetsForLife314/

As athletes we have to be honest with ourselves. In the midst trying to balance a chaotic schedule of practice, travel, and class we have to find time to pause. We have to ask ourselves what we can truly see ourselves doing. There are tons of amazing professions but you have to find the best fit for you. It is also important to define what true winning means for you. You do not want to miss this episode featuring former pro turned coach Josh Cooperwood. Be sure to connect with today’s special guest Coach Josh Cooperwood on social media https://twitter.com/coachcoop_5 https://www.instagram.com/coach_coop5 Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and connect with Coach J www.joiwalker.com info@joiwalker.com Social Media https://www.instagram.com/setsforlife314/ https://twitter.com/SetsForLife314/ https://www.facebook.com/SetsForLife314/

As athletes we go to war with our teammates. Sometimes one of the hardest parts of stepping away from our sport is not having the same relationship with our teammates anymore.  One of the greatest yet often overlooked things we take away from our sport is the ability to be patient. Patience is a skill that will serve us well long after the ball stops bouncing.  You don’t want to miss this incredible interview featuring the Big Homie D Murph Be sure to connect with D Murph https://www.instagram.com/itsdmurph/ https://twitter.com/itsdmurph https://soundcloud.com/itsdmurph   Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and connect with Coach J www.joiwalker.com info@joiwalker.com Social Media https://www.instagram.com/setsforlife314/ https://twitter.com/SetsForLife314/ https://www.facebook.com/SetsForLife314/  

As athletes we have so much more to offer than what we do on the field or court and it is so important that we find our voice and use our platform. While the majority of the students on campus are trying to figure out who they are outside of their parental sphere, athletes already come in with a label. As athletes we have to figure out who we truly are because the sport stops. So many of us are lost when the ball stops. Be sure to connect with today’s special guest Imani McGee-Stafford https://www.instagram.com/imanitrishawn/?hl=en https://twitter.com/imanitrishawn_?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRagbJpr6_J5uFZ3jAYLwCA Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and connect with Coach J www.joiwalker.com info@joiwalker.com Social Media https://www.instagram.com/setsforlife314/ https://twitter.com/SetsForLife314/ https://www.facebook.com/SetsForLife314/

Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and connect with Coach J www.joiwalker.com info@joiwalker.com Social Media https://www.instagram.com/setsforlife314/ https://twitter.com/SetsForLife314/ https://www.facebook.com/SetsForLife314/

In many cases the sport we love and dedicate the first 20 years of our lives to is often taken from us in an instant. The end of our playing career could come as a result of an injury or being cut by a professional team. For some athletes this leads to a deep dark depression. Some athletes turn to alcohol and pills to numb the pain.  There are so many athletes suffering alone in silence. The good news is that there is light at the end of the tunnel. You can figure it out and you can bounce back. Sets For Life is designed to tell the untold stories of former athletes. You do not want to miss this episode featuring special guest Leo Sullivan. Be sure to connect with Leo Sullivan online http://themhia.com/ Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and connect with Coach J www.joiwalker.com info@joiwalker.com Social Media https://www.instagram.com/setsforlife314/ https://twitter.com/SetsForLife314/ https://www.facebook.com/SetsForLife314/

As athletes we can gain a false perception of what it truly takes to obtain certain luxuries in life. We grow accustomed to chartered flights, five star hotels, and catered meals. Once our playing days come to an end we have to figure out where we fit in society and what we can do to provide for ourselves.  Many athletes struggle with the transition out simply because they never prepared for it. It is so important to feed your mind with things outside of your sport. You must come to grips with the fact that you will have to start  over. You may be the senior and the leader on your team but a few months later you could find yourself on a corporate job where you have less experience than all of your coworkers. In a sense you will be a “rookie” all over again. There is nothing wrong with starting over. It is simply a part of the process. Be sure to connect with Morgan Jones online and on social media https://morganmjones.com/ https://www.instagram.com/morganjones_mj/ http://twiter.com/morganjones_mj/ Be sure to