In this powerful episode, we sit down with Jax—athlete, entrepreneur, and founder of California’s first sports bar dedicated to women’s sports, Watch Me. Jax opens up about reclaiming her athlete identity, navigating identity shifts post-sport, and the fire that fueled her journey from JV standout to community trailblazer. We talk about what it means to start before you’re ready, building safe spaces, and how sports continue to shape our drive, self-worth, and vision. This one’s for anyone who’s ever struggled to find their place after the final whistle.

She Walked Away from the Game — and Found Herself Again

In this episode of No Former Athlete, Jerrica Brooks keeps it real about what it’s like to grow up loving a sport that doesn’t always love you back.

We get into the highs of high school hoops, the pain of toxic coaching, and how stepping away from basketball for six years ended up being one of the most important moves of her life.

This episode includes:

– What happens when your identity is your sport

– The mental/emotional burnout no one warns you about

– Being Black, gay, and constantly underestimated

– Learning how to feel feelings (?!?) in your 30s

– Reconnecting with joy — on and off the court

This one’s for the athletes, the ex-athletes, and anyone out there trying to figure out who they are when the jersey comes off.

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What did sport teach you about YOU?

Life After Pro Sports with AthletEX Founder: Taylor CohenWhat happens when the final whistle blows — and you’re not ready to stop playing? In this episode, we sit down with a former pro soccer player and founder of AthletEX, a community-driven platform helping athletes rediscover identity, purpose, and connection after competitive sports.She opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of retirement (twice!), playing overseas during COVID, returning to the field for one final gold-medal run, and ultimately transitioning into entrepreneurship. We dive into:✅ Coping with identity loss post-sport✅ Coming out of retirement on your terms✅ The power of athlete community after college✅ Starting AthletEX and redefining “retired”✅ Dealing with long-term injuries and navigating recovery✅ Why there's no such thing as a “former” athleteWhether you’re one season removed or a decade out, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating the afterlife of sport.