Jared welcomes Alex Erickson-former NFL wide receiver, Wisconsin Badger, entrepreneur, and dedicated family man for a candid conversation about life beyond the gridiron. Alex shares his inspiring journey from his small-town Wisconsin roots, through his walk-on days at UW, to carving out a nine-year professional career in one of the world’s most competitive sports environments.

Alex and Jared dig deep into the mindset and habits that defined Alex’s career, the challenges of transitioning out of pro sports, and the ongoing quest to find purpose and identity in new arenas from business ownership to fatherhood. Together, they explore the importance of perseverance, redefining success, and building a life filled with intention, gratitude, and growth.

I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website or Instagram.

Connect With Alex Erickson: Instagram

Welcome to The Human Athlete podcast. Today, we sit down with Keith Wilford, a mental health and wellness educator at YSC Academy, founder of the Wilford Movement, and former All American lacrosse player at Widener University. With over 20 years of experience coaching, counseling, and mentoring student athletes, Keith helps young people grow not just in athletic performance, but as leaders navigating life with confidence and integrity.

Keith shares his journey from an introverted child with undiagnosed dyslexia to finding confidence through sports like lacrosse. He reflects on academic struggles, identity challenges, and life after competition, showing how these experiences shaped his approach to teaching, leadership, and emotional intelligence. Through his story, he highlights the importance of vulnerability, mindfulness, and meaningful connections in helping young athletes grow on and off the field.

I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website or Instagram.

On this episode of The Human Athlete, host Jared Markiewicz talks with Peyton Sewell, a former Division I volleyball player at the University of North Dakota. She shares her late start in the sport, rise through competitive volleyball, and the highs and lows of collegiate athletics—including burnout, coaching changes, and losing her passion for the game.

Peyton also opens up about building a large social media following before NIL, the identity challenges that followed, and her transition out of sport. From feeling lost after graduation to co-founding Studio Vignette, her journey highlights redefining success, finding purpose, and embracing vulnerability beyond athletics.

I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website or Instagram.

Connect with Peyton Sewell: Instagram, Facebook