“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