Setting the Foundation

The Mental Edge

Mental health is an important part of every student-athlete's success, both on and off the field of play. In this episode, our guest host, Ariel Johnson sits down with Dr. Jay Bean, Coordinator of Performance Psychology, to discuss common misconceptions surrounding mental health, the unique pressures student-athletes face, and the resources available through Wisconsin Athletics. Tune in to learn how prioritizing mental well-being can help athletes thrive in all areas of life.

Breaking Into The Sports Industry

Travis Beckum, UW–Madison football alum and former NFL tight end, joins Built for What’s Next to talk about life after the game, the skills that translate beyond sport, and how student-athletes can use their experience to create opportunities in the professional world. From competing at a high level to building a career in sports, this episode is all about what it takes to make the transition.

Careers in Finance & Long-Term Thinking

Eric Schremp joins Built for What’s Next to break down careers in finance and the power of long-term thinking. From commercial banking and relationship building to skills student-athletes already possess, this episode explores how discipline, delayed gratification, and strategy translate beyond sport. Whether you have a finance background or not, this conversation highlights different paths into the industry and what it takes to build a career over time.

Interview & Professional Edge

Victoria Ziemek joins Built for What’s Next to break down what actually separates candidates in the hiring process. From interview mistakes to professional presence and translating the student-athlete experience, this episode focuses on how to earn opportunities and stand out.

Setting the Foundation

What comes next after sport? In this opening episode of the Built for What’s Next series, we sit down with Duane Cooper, Associate Director of Employer Relations, to talk about preparing student-athletes for life after competition. From internships and networking to career readiness and professional development, Duane shares how student-athletes can start building their foundation now. This is the first episode in our Built for What’s Next series — helping student-athletes navigate career spaces and life after sport.