In this episode of the Shining Athletes Podcast, Tyler Baum and Erin Molay sit down with Macalester College softball player Maddie Molay to explore her athletic and academic journey. Maddie shares her high school accomplishments, her experience navigating the COVID-19 recruiting process, and what ultimately led her to choose Macalester for its strong culture and supportive environment. She also opens up about overcoming mental hurdles, earning All-America Scholar-Athlete honors, and developing leadership skills as SAC President. Now applying to graduate programs in sports psychology, Maddie offers valuable advice for young athletes on trusting their own unique recruiting path.

In this episode of the Shining Athletes Podcast, host Tyler Baum welcomes Parker Zidel, a graduate assistant with the Arizona State University (ASU) Men’s Basketball program, to share his inspiring journey from high school player to college team manager — and now a key part of a Division I coaching staff.

Parker opens up about how starting at the “bottom of the totem pole” as a student manager taught him humility, hard work, and time management — skills that opened doors to opportunities in strategy, scouting, and recruiting. Together, Tyler and Parker dive deep into the importance of finding your path, building trust within a program, and valuing every role in the gym, from managers to coaches.

The episode also offers valuable advice for high school athletes and families navigating the recruiting process — including why it’s crucial to “control what you can control” and how parents can support without overstepping.

In this episode of the Shining Athletes Podcast, hosts Tyler Baum and Erin Molay sit down with Meghan Croyle, a standout hockey player at Stevenson University and Shining Athletes intern. Meghan shares her journey from Connecticut youth hockey to competing at the college level — reflecting on lessons in teamwork, leadership, and resilience along the way.

She opens up about what it means to lead with integrity, the transition from high school to college competition, and how she chose a university that fit her both on and off the ice. Plus, Meghan gives a behind-the-scenes look at her favorite hockey memory — winning a state championship with her family — along with her pregame rituals and her tenacious playing style.

For more on how we empower athletes in and out of sport, visit shiningathletes.com.