In this deeply moving episode of The Unsung Athlete Podcast, I sit down with Kristi Udley—mother, wife, athlete, and co-owner of Mark 44 Martial Arts Academy.

Kristi shares her powerful journey of identity, resilience, and rediscovering herself through sport—from growing up in a competitive athletic family, to heartbreak after not making the volleyball team, to finding strength again through Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu, and lifting as a powerful woman and mother of three.

Kristi dives deep into:

• What it means to reclaim your identity as an athlete later in life

• Navigating imposter syndrome as a woman in a male-dominated sport

• Building a gym culture rooted in safety, belonging, and community

• Motherhood, postpartum depression, and finding your way back to yourself

• Creating women-only training spaces that restore confidence and self-worth

This episode is a reminder that you don’t need medals, spotlights, or accolades to matter. Some of the strongest athletes are the ones quietly showing up—raising families, building communities, and fighting for themselves every single day.

✨ If you’ve ever questioned whether you still “count” as an athlete—this conversation is for you.

In this episode of The Unsung Athlete Podcast, I’m joined by my dear friend, the one and only David Koll.

David is the kind of person who lights up every room he walks into. A loving dad, an incredible husband, and a bright, steady presence in this world, he brings heart, humility, and grit to everything he does. Outside of work, David is pure Minnesota spirit — from time on his land hunting and fishing, to hitting the golf course, to diving into home projects with full enthusiasm. And long before all of that, he lived and breathed baseball… a passion that carried him through his college years and shaped the athlete — and person — he became.

I am so excited to finally have him on the show, to unpack his journey, and to share the story behind the incredible human so many of us admire. Tune in — you won’t want to miss this.

In this episode of The Unsung Athlete Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Jonathan Carone — dad, coach, and entrepreneur. Jonathan is the founder of Healthy Sports Parents, a podcast and social platform helping parents lead their kids through youth sports without losing their minds. With a background in student ministries and experience across every level of youth athletics, from rec leagues to Division I play, Jonathan brings a unique perspective. His ultimate “why” is powerful: to help parents raise great humans, not just great athletes. That mission is what The Unsung Athlete is all about, and I can’t wait for you to hear his story.