What does it take to move 4,000 miles from home to a new city & school sight unseen and become a national champion? Gabriela Zych has the answer.

In this episode, Sandy Adams sits down with Gabriela Zych, University of Memphis rifle standout and the first national champion in Memphis rifle history.

Gabriela shares her journey from Anchorage, Alaska to Memphis, how she discovered shooting in high school, and how mindset, consistency, and perseverance helped her build a record-breaking career both on the range and in the classroom.

She opens up about her training, competing under pressure, balancing academics with athletics, and the mental discipline that drives her success.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• How Gabriela discovered rifle in high school and decided to stick with it
• Her move from Alaska to Memphis to pursue her sport
• The mental discipline behind precision shooting and high-pressure competitions
• Competing outdoors at the USA Shooting National Championships
• Maintaining a 4.0 GPA while excelling at the national level
• Journaling, mindset, and building resilience as tools for success
• Her goals for coaching and giving back to the sport

Gabriela’s story shows that growth comes from showing up, trusting yourself, and putting in the work—even when stepping into the unknown.

NIL Opportunities: HERE

Follow Gabriela on Social Media:

• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/zychgabriela
• Instagram: @zych.gabriela | X: @zychgabbi

For full show notes, visit:

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Former soccer standout Jazzmin Mancilla opens up about resilience, reinvention, and life after sports.

After 15 years on the field, national titles, and two ACL tears, she’s now navigating motherhood, a big move to Tennessee, and launching her own soccer training business.

Highlights:

• 2× national club champion (Arsenal & Legends FC)
• Cal State Fullerton: multiple Big West titles
• Overcame 2 ACL tears & major injuries
• Coached club & college soccer, then worked in finance
• Played amateur soccer overseas (Europe & Australia)
• Relocated from California to Knoxville for a fresh start
• New mom to a 16-month-old son
• Launching her own soccer training business

Connect with Jazzmin:

• Instagram: @jazzfootball25
• LinkedIn: Jazzmin Mancilla
  
  

Jazzmin’s story shows how to reinvent yourself, balance new responsibilities, and create purpose beyond the game.

Send us a text.

💬 This episode includes a special message about Sandy’s LinkedIn Makeover service—designed to help professionals show up online with confidence. Want your profile to reflect your expertise and stand out? Book your makeover at sandy-adams.com/linkedin.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today. Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

Support the show

Follow The 5th Quarter Podcast:
Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite platform.
📺 Watch on our Youtube channel

Connect with us: Website | Email

Follow Host Sandy Adams on Instagram | Linkedin | X | YouTube | Website

What happens when your biggest passion leads you to unexpected places and the search for what’s next?

Dr. Kishi Smith-Rey’s journey started on the soccer fields of Southern California, where her love for the game carried her to Division I at Cal State Fullerton. Along the way, she faced injuries, setbacks, and the challenge of balancing athletics with academics as a first-generation college student.

After retiring from competitive soccer, she explored new paths — from professional wedding photography to earning her Ph.D. and joining Clemson University as an Assistant Professor.

Today, she’s the founder of SportPhD, an organization helping young athletes — especially girls — develop the mental, physical, and emotional skills to thrive both on the field and in life. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and purpose — proof that the end of one chapter can be the start of something even bigger.

Highlights:

• Growing up in California and discovering soccer
• Playing D1 soccer and overcoming injuries
• Transitioning out of competitive sports
• Building a career in photography
• Pursuing a Ph.D. and becoming a professor
• Launching SportPhD and The Athlete Mindset workshops
• Supporting athletes in life, leadership, and mindset

If you’ve ever faced a turning point and wondered what comes next, this conversation is for you. Kishi’s journey reminds us that setbacks don’t define us — they prepare us for the next chapter.

Find Kishi online:

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/rikishiteren/

Instagram: @sportphd @kishiteren

Website:

Send us a text.

💬 This episode includes a special message about Sandy’s LinkedIn Makeover service—designed to help professionals show up online with confidence. Want your profile to reflect your expertise and stand out? Book your makeover at sandy-adams.com/linkedin.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today. Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

Support the show

Follow The 5th Quarter Podcast:
Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite platform.
📺 Watch on our Youtube channel

Connect with us: Website | Email

Follow Host Sandy Adams on Instagram | Linkedin | X | YouTube | Website