In this episode of No Former Athlete, Erin talks with Jenny Bauer, a lifelong athlete, former DePauw women’s basketball player, All-American track athlete, attorney, coach, and multi-sport competitor.

Jenny reflects on growing up in a small Indiana town during the early days of organized girls’ sports, when softball was one of the only options available and girls’ basketball was becoming a major part of the community. She shares how she found her athlete identity through softball, basketball, volleyball, track, and cross country — and why she chose DePauw because it allowed her to follow joy and play the sport she loved.

Use code JENNYPOD to get a special discount to get lifetime access on the NFA Breathe Here Now Virtual Breathwork session. https://www.noformerathlete.com/bhn

Jenny also opens up about life after college sports, the identity shift that came with law school, and the realization that removing sports from her life meant removing a core part of herself. From intramural teams and pickup basketball to softball leagues, coaching, cycling, pickleball, and cheering on women’s basketball, Jenny’s story shows how the athlete never really leaves.

This episode is about athlete identity, women’s sports, multi-sport athletes, DePauw athletics, life after basketball, and the truth behind No Former Athlete: you may stop competing, but you never stop being an athlete.

Use code JENNYPOD to get a special discount to get lifetime access on the NFA Breathe Here Now Virtual Breathwork session. https://www.noformerathlete.com/bhn

Just two childhood friends and no former athletes catching up on 20+ years of history — and unpacking why neither of us knew how to relax until literally last year. 😅

Erin sits down with lifelong friend Veronica (soccer, basketball, and youth league bowling — yes, really) to talk about what happens when your entire identity used to be athlete and then... it just isn't anymore. No one prepares you for that.

Use code VPOD to get a special discount to get lifetime access on the NFA Breathe Here Now Virtual Breathwork session. https://www.noformerathlete.com/bhn

We get into:

🏀 Why "Are you an athlete?" is somehow a loaded question

🧠 The overachiever spiral (looking at you, GPA above a 4.0)

💭 Internal vs. external validation and why one is SO much harder

🥅 The random moment that cracked open a whole identity realization

😂 Ballin’ out at the bowling alley in wide-leg jeans, no belt

If you played sports growing up and still find yourself needing a gold star for basic adult tasks — this one's for you.

No Former Athlete: because you never actually stop being one. 🍊

Use code VPOD to get a special discount to get lifetime access on the NFA Breathe Here Now Virtual Breathwork session. https://www.noformerathlete.com/bhn

Joshua Jones played college football at DePauw before becoming a social worker and community leader in St. Louis.

Use code JOSHPOD to get a special discount to get lifetime access on the NFA Breathe Here Now Virtual Breathwork session. https://www.noformerathlete.com/bhn

In this episode, Josh shares his journey of athlete retirement, learning to process grief, and redefining success off the field.

We explore how competitive sports shape identity, the emotional aftermath of leaving a team, and why sports psychology, mindfulness, and self-compassion matter for every no former athlete.

Use code JOSHPOD to get a special discount to get lifetime access on the NFA Breathe Here Now Virtual Breathwork session. https://www.noformerathlete.com/bhn