The Real Athlete Podcast: Recent Episodes
Lexi Reed
The Real Athlete Podcast is hosted by Division 1 cross country and track student-athlete Lexi Reed. It takes a deeper look at the experiences of many different athletes, including mental health struggles, body image, injuries, the pressures of high expectations, interpersonal relationships, identity struggles, and much more. The podcast aims to unite not only athletes but the entire community as a whole by having real conversations about life, lessons learned, trials and adversities overcome, and how acknowledging our struggles does not make us weak, but actually much stronger.
In this episode we are joined by Carli Cutler, a recently graduated D1 softball player from UConn! Carli discusses her experience transitioning from being a student-athlete after her senior season unexpectedly got cut short due to COVID-19. She addresses the struggles she faced with feeling a loss of identity and direction and what eventually helped her get back on track and find new purpose. We also discuss the experience of being a female in the world of sport, the challenges that come with it, and societal changes that we hope to continue seeing in the future!
Follow Carli on Instagram: @CARLI_CUTLER (Link to her blog in her bio!)
Follow Lexi & the podcast on Instagram: @LREED_4 @THEREALATHLETEPOD
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In this episode we are joined by not just one but TWO guests- Nathan Braaten and Taylor Ricci. Nathan and Taylor are the co-founders of the Dam Worth It Campaign- a mental health awareness campaign that they started during their time as Division 1 student-athletes and have continued to grow over the past few years. Dam Worth It has received national recognition from Sports Illustrated, USA Today and NBC Sports, among others. Nathan and Taylor discuss all things mental health including why there is a negative stigma attached to it (especially among athletes and in the sports world) and what actions they are taking with the campaign to end it. They also announce some BIG NEWS that you don't want to miss out on, so make sure to give this one a listen! TRIGGER WARNING: suicide Follow Nathan, Taylor, and Dam Worth It on Instagram: @TAYRICCI @NLBRAATEN @DAMWORTHITCO Follow Lexi & the podcast on Instagram: @LREED_4 @THEREALATHLETEPOD Subscribe, Rate, & Review!
In this episode, Oregon State men's soccer player Caleb Etter shares his incredible journey overcoming a rare cancer diagnosis and the physical and mental challenges that came with it. Caleb discusses how he was able to keep a positive mindset and find new purpose even in the worst times of fear and uncertainty, and how the experience as a whole taught him the importance of always being grateful, even for the smallest things. Listen if you are in need of inspiration! Follow Caleb on Social Media: @CALEBETTER17 Follow Lexi & the podcast on Instagram: @LREED_4 @THEREALATHLETEPOD Subscribe, Rate, & Review!
In this solo episode, Lexi discusses why she is no longer running competitively as a student-athlete (at least for now) and why she is excited for the future! Follow Lexi & the podcast on Instagram: @LREED_4 @THEREALATHLETEPOD Subscribe, Rate, & Review!
In this episode, former All-American gymnast Isis Lowery discusses her journey with gymnastics and everything she’s learned through her experience as an International student athlete. She talks about how she’s overcome personal struggles with body image and mental health and how she now uses her platform to encourage self-love and body positivity. Listen to hear Isis preach about what her signature catchphrase “lower your crown” represents, the importance of valuing mental health in sport, and how to live your own life without worrying about the opinions of others! Follow Isis & Dam Worth It Campaign on Instagram: @ISIS_LOWERY @DAMWORTHIT_CAMPAIGN Follow Lexi & the podcast on Instagram: @LREED_4 @THEREALATHLETEPOD Subscribe, Rate, & Review!
In this episode, our first guest Brie Oakley (All-American Division 1 runner at Cal Berkeley) talks about her journey with running. We discuss her rapid rise to the top of the high school running world and dealing with pressures and expectations from that as well as the mental challenges and physical changes she faced when dealing with a ruthless cycle of injuries. Brie addresses how learning to be gentle with herself, surround herself with good people, and LET GO has helped her overcome these obstacles and get to a much happier place today. Follow Brie on Instagram: @B_OAKLEY22 Follow Lexi & the podcast on Instagram: @LREED_4 @THEREALATHLETEPOD Subscribe, Rate, & Review!
In this episode, Lexi openly discusses her past experiences and struggles with body image, disordered eating, and comparison to others as a young female athlete and how she's overcome them to reach where she's at today.
Read Lexi's February Blog Article:
https://lexijoylife.wordpress.com/2020/02/27/thinking-too-thin-overcoming-my-struggle-with-disordered-eating-and-body-image/
Follow Lexi & the podcast on Instagram: @LREED_4 @THEREALATHLETEPOD
Subscribe, Rate, & Review!
In this first episode, host Lexi Reed introduces herself and talks about what inspired her to begin this podcast and create a platform to share her passions for sports and mental health through connecting with other athletes. Follow Lexi & the podcast on Instagram: @LREED_4 @THEREALATHLETEPOD Subscribe, Rate, & Review!