“You don’t need to fake it—because faking it is what burns people out.”

Former D1 linebacker, veterinarian, and ultramarathoner Dr. Jake Rostas joins NILfluencer to talk about purpose-driven branding, mental health, and why student-athletes must build more than a highlight reel. From team-first mindsets to running 63 miles in freezing Wisconsin, this episode is packed with powerful truths on authenticity, discipline, sacrifice, and building a legacy that lasts.

What you'll learn:

– Why authenticity is your greatest NIL asset

– The mental lessons Jake learned from ultramarathons

– What it really means to build a brand with discipline

– How to transition from athlete identity to long-term impact

– When to post, what to post, and how to think long-game

– The one thing every athlete should write down this week

Who will love this episode:

– Student-athletes navigating NIL in real time

– High school athletes building their brand before D1

– Athletes seeking purpose beyond performance

– Coaches, mentors, and families guiding the next generation

– Anyone looking for real talk on discipline, burnout, and legacy

Timestamps:

00:00 – From D1 football to Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

03:00 – Team-first mindset: the original brand

08:00 – Running 63 miles in the Frigid Fox ultramarathon

14:00 – Small goals, mental grit, and breaking down barriers

20:00 – How a life-changing loss fueled lifelong discipline

27:00 – Building a brand before NIL was legal

33:00 – Authenticity vs. burnout: the hidden danger of faking it

40:00 – What NIL athletes should be thinking about right now

46:00 – Final takeaways: your brand should outlast your career

Stay Connected:

• Like this video if you learned something new
• Drop your questions or feedback in the comments
• Subscribe & hit the bell icon for more athlete-led episodes Welcome to NILfluencer – where your name meets opportunity

Resources Mentioned:

Follow Jake: @jakerostas on Instagram | YouTube: Ultravet Rostas

Follow Rachel: @TheGirlIQ on all platforms

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios

📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

Ep. 6

#NILfluencer #JakeRostas #NILAthlete

“You live on a floating rock—what’s the worst that could happen?”

In her very first podcast, rising D1 water polo athlete and content creator Gigi Rimlinger joins Rachel Mueller (The Girl IQ) to talk about growing a social media presence, chasing NIL dreams, and navigating the pressure of being a female athlete online. From senior year stress to sunscreen, sponsorships, and going viral for being authentic, this episode is for every young athlete wondering where to start—and why they should.

What you'll learn:

– How Gigi built a following of 13K+ before even starting college

– The power of “Get Ready With Me” content in high school sports

– How to balance confidence, vulnerability, and online hate

– Three keys to creator success: Content, Consistency, Collaboration

– NIL strategies for student-athletes entering D1 programs

– Real talk on mental health, sponsorships, and staying authentic

Who will love this episode:

– Student-athletes building a brand before college

– Female athletes navigating social pressure

– Parents supporting their kids through NIL and social media

– High school seniors ready to take the next step

– Anyone who’s been judged for being their authentic self online

Timestamps:

00:00 – Gigi’s first podcast and last semester of high school

03:00 – From high school pool to D1 water polo at UC Santa Barbara

06:00 – How Gigi built her platform and grew confidence

10:00 – Handling hate, judgment, and mental health

14:00 – NIL strategy: what brands want & how to stay authentic

19:00 – Prom, practices, and behind-the-scenes content

24:00 – Rachel’s 3 Cs: Content, Consistency, Collaboration

28:00 – Why timelines don’t define success in NIL or life

31:00 – Wrap-up: “We’re not competition—we’re allies”

Stay Connected:

• Like this video if you learned something new
• Drop your questions or encouragement in the comments
• Subscribe & hit the bell icon for more athlete-led episodes Welcome to NILfluencer – where your name meets opportunity

Resources Mentioned:

Follow Gigi: @gigirimlinger on TikTok and IG

Follow Rachel: @TheGirlIQ on all platforms

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios

📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

Ep. 5

#NILfluencer #GigiRimlinger #NILAthlete

"Every platform has a different audience. Why post once when you can post everywhere?"

Welcome back to NILfluencer! Dr. G is joined again by Rachel Mueller (@TheGirlIQ) and co-host Omar Brown, former NFL defensive back for the Atlanta Falcons, as they dive into the reality of being a content creator in today’s chaotic, competitive, and ever-changing landscape. This episode pulls back the curtain on bloopers, burnout, DIY hacks, algorithm myths, and the mental game of staying in it when the views don’t come.

What you'll learn:

– Why consistency beats virality in content creation

– How Rachel approaches bloopers, hacks, and audience testing

– The creative process behind her DIY videos

– The impact of perfectionism on burnout

– Why some of her lowest-viewed videos are still wins

– Tools and tactics to build across 8+ platforms without losing your mind

Who will love this episode:

– DIY creators and digital tinkerers

– Student-athletes trying to grow on social while managing pressure

– Burned-out influencers seeking purpose again

– Fans of funny fails and behind-the-scenes moments

– People navigating negativity, hate, or imposter syndrome

Timestamps:

00:00 – Rachel returns: the power of DIY and the pivot after virality

04:00 – Cupcake hacks, dishwasher tricks & pinecone pumpkins

09:00 – Why she records bloopers—and how they outperform polished videos

13:00 – The Woommate series: 100M views and the origin story

19:00 – Comments, criticism & staying confident through chaos

25:00 – How many videos actually go viral? (Spoiler: almost none)

30:00 – Hacking content for every platform, not just TikTok

37:00 – Burnout, purpose & what creators get wrong

44:00 – Pranks, puzzle games & viral content strategy

51:00 – Rachel’s final message to creators: passion over perfection

Stay Connected:

• Like this video if you learned something new
• Drop your questions or feedback in the comments
• Subscribe & hit the bell icon for weekly episodes Welcome to NILfluencer – where your name meets opportunity

Follow Rachel: @TheGirlIQ on all platforms

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios

📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

Ep. 4

#NILfluencer #ContentBurnout #DIYLife