After the Athlete

How Athletics Have Changed Since We Retired

In this solo episode, it’s just us, Lexi and Danika, talking through how much athletics have changed since we stepped away from competition. We break it down across every level, from youth sports to college, diving into early specialization, increased pressure from parents and social media, and how kids are developing at a faster rate than ever before. We also get into the biggest shifts at the high school and college levels, including recruiting, NIL, and the reality of the updated conferences. Beyond structure, we talk about the cultural changes too, including body image, the shift from aesthetics to performance, growing attention on mental health, and the evolving landscape of women’s sports. As always, thank you for listening! Follow, rate, and leave us a review—it's the easiest way to support the pod and help other former athletes find us! Connect with us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@aftertheathletepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/aftertheathletepodcast/] Connect with us on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@aftertheathlete⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@aftertheathlete?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc]

Gabby Gramont: From D1 Hockey to Miss Colorado

In this episode, we’re joined by Gabby Gramont, Miss Colorado, whose path as an athlete has taken some unexpected and inspiring turns. Gabby grew up involved in track, cross country, and dance before casually walking onto a Division I ice hockey team. She’s the kind of person who seems to be good at just about everything she tries, and her journey definitely reflects that. After an injury ended her time in the sport, she stepped into a new chapter through pageantry, going on to compete in Miss America this past year, where she won the preliminary fitness award. That experience also brought her back to dance in a full-circle kind of way. We talk about her unique path, navigating change after sport, and continuing to find new passions along the way. Enjoy! Connect with Gabby on Instagram: @gabby.gramont [https://www.instagram.com/gabby.gramont/] Follow Miss Colorado on Instagram: @missamericaco [https://www.instagram.com/missamericaco/] Learn more about Miss Colorado here [https://misscolorado.org/]. Connect with us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@aftertheathletepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/aftertheathletepodcast/] Connect with us on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@aftertheathlete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@aftertheathlete?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc]

Caitlin Broadwell: "Hanging Up the Jersey"

In this episode, we sit down with Caitlin Broadwell, a former collegiate volleyball player who turned one of the hardest parts of being an athlete into the focus of her work. After playing at CSU Pueblo and LSU, Caitlin found herself facing the same question so many athletes do… what now? That question led her to become a mental health therapist, Athletics Case Manager, start the Hanging Up the Jersey podcast, and eventually publish the Hanging Up the Jersey workbook to help athletes navigate life after sport. We talk about her experience transitioning out of volleyball, the identity shift that comes with it, and how she’s now helping other athletes through that same process in a real, tangible way. We love this episode, and we hope you do too! Connect with the Caitlin on Instagram: @cait.be.well [https://www.instagram.com/cait.be.well/] Connect with Caitlin on LinkedIn here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlin-broadwell-apcc-00b6b9b4/] Purchase Hanging Up the Jersey here on Amazon [https://a.co/d/015f1S0c] Connect with us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@aftertheathletepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/aftertheathletepodcast/] Connect with us on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@aftertheathlete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@aftertheathlete?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc]

Dale Garland: When Running Ends, Hardrock 100 Begins

In this episode of After the Athlete, we chat with Dale Garland, the Run Director of the Hardrock 100. Before leading one of the most iconic ultramarathons in the world, Dale was an ultrarunner himself—pushing limits on the trails and even helping open the Colorado Trail through his own miles. After an injury brought his running career to an unexpected end, Dale was forced to redefine his identity and relationship with the sport he loved. Instead of walking away, he found a new purpose—helping build, shape, and lead a race that represents grit, community, and the true spirit of endurance. We talk about the transition out of running, what it means to stay connected to your passion in a new way, and how sometimes your next chapter ends up being even bigger than your first. Enjoy!! Learn more about the Hardrock 100 here: hardrock100.com [https://hardrock100.com/] Connect with the Hardrock 100 on Instagram: @hardrock100run [https://www.instagram.com/hardrock100run/] Connect with us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@aftertheathletepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/aftertheathletepodcast/] Connect with us on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@aftertheathlete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@aftertheathlete?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc]

Jake Stewart & Mike Daniels: Locker Room 2 Boardroom

Welcome to Season 2 of After the Athlete! We hope everyone is having a great 2026 so far. To kick things off, we’re joined by Jake Stewart and Mike Daniels, founders of Locker Room 2 Boardroom, a nationwide network dedicated to helping former athletes find opportunities, community, and just have access. They are also committed to helping college athletes bridge the gap between being and athlete and the real world. We discuss Jake and Mike's backgrounds as athletes, what their transition out of sports looked like, as well as how they started LR2BR. We are so excited to be back with new episodes every other Thursday. Follow, rate, and leave us a review—it's the easiest way to support the pod and help other former athletes find us! Learn more about Locker Room 2 Boardroom here: lr2br.com [https://lr2br.com/] Connect with LR2BR on Instagram: @lockerroom2boardroom [https://www.instagram.com/lockerroom2boardroom/] Connect with us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@aftertheathletepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/aftertheathletepodcast/] Connect with us on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@aftertheathlete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@aftertheathlete?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] ⁠Check out Locker Room 2 Boardroom on YouTube⁠ [www.youtube.com/@LockerRoom2Boardroom]