From Competitive Cheerleader to Women’s Sports Broadcaster | Athlete Identity After Sport with Ari

Most people assume Ari played basketball.

She’s 6 feet tall. She covers women’s sports. It feels obvious.

But her athletic background?

Taekwondo. Gymnastics. Competitive all-star cheer. Volleyball.

Use code ARIPOD to get a special discount to get lifetime access on the NFA Breathe Here Now Virtual Breathwork session. https://bit.ly/Ari-Breathwork

In this episode of the No Former Athlete Podcast, Ari shares her full athletic journey — from earning a black belt at 4 years old to competing in Division I cheer, to navigating a medical situation that abruptly ended her volleyball career.

We talk about:

• The physical reality of competitive cheerleading (and why it’s one of the most demanding sports)
• Growing up tall in gymnastics
• Losing a sport unexpectedly
• Transitioning out of team athletics
• Redirecting competitive energy into career and entrepreneurship
• Founding Highlighter and building a platform for women’s sports
• The perfectionism that follows athletes into adulthood
• Why women’s sports advocacy is her life’s work

This conversation goes deep into athlete identity after sport, chasing perfection outside of competition, and what it means to still be an athlete long after the uniform comes off.

If you’ve ever struggled with life after sports, leaving a team environment, or redefining what winning looks like — this episode is for you.

Are you an athlete?

Ari’s answer: Always. Forever. Even if it looks different now.

Use code ARIPOD to get a special discount to get lifetime access on the NFA Breathe Here Now Virtual Breathwork session. https://bit.ly/Ari-Breathwork