Amaya is an advocate in player and identity development, whose journey bridges elite athletic performance and transformative mentorship. As a captain, two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and AVCA All-American middle blocker, she led Louisville to the Final Four in 2022—where she received the Elite 90 Award for highest GPA at the NCAA National Championship Tournament.

Despite pro volleyball opportunities, Amaya chose purpose over popularity and decide to walk away from her competitive career.

Now, Amaya has joined the University of Kentucky volleyball staff as an assistant coach—a role that perfectly aligns with her dedication to nurturing both athletic excellence and personal identity.

Her work exemplifies how sport is the best tool for human development—and how every athlete deserves to be seen beyond their stats.

Connect with Amaya:

IG: @amaya.shay
LinkedIn: Amaya Tillman

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Learn more about The Sideline Perspective:

Website: http://thesidelineperspective.com
Submit Your Story: http://thesidelineperspective.com/submit/
Instagram: @thesidelineperspective
Connect with Mac: mac@thesidelineperspective.com

When Deon Reid was growing up in the sport of Diving, his eyes were focused on one thing: the Olympics. Dead-set on making it there, Deon sought out the right program, coach, culture, and training environment to support him on his path. That journey took him from Duke to USC, away from diving, and back to it again. This episode recounts all that he learned about himself as both an athlete and a person in the process.

Fast-forward to today, Deon is a dedicated Spin Instructor at GritCycle, known for his high energy and commitment to fitness excellence. Armed with undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Southern California, Deon is driven to advance his career within the fitness industry. His goal is to leverage his education and passion for wellness to inspire others and make a lasting impact on their health journeys.

Connect with Deon:

IG: @diverreid

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Learn more about The Sideline Perspective:

Website: http://thesidelineperspective.com
Submit Your Story: http://thesidelineperspective.com/submit/
Instagram: @thesidelineperspective
Connect with Mac: mac@thesidelineperspective.com

This episode features Mac and Erica as they dive into the sometimes confusing, and often overwhelming, world of therapy and mental health support. They cover why athletes can benefit from working with a therapist, the various approaches therapy can take, and tips to be sure the therapist you choose is the right fit.

Erica Curry is a former D1 athlete and now licensed therapist. During her time as a springboard diver in college, she watched her teammates struggle with various mental health issues as she fought my own battle with anxiety - leading her to the decision to become a therapist. Now, she gets to help athletes transition out of sport and manage issues like depression, grief, anxiety, perfectionism and substance use problems. She aims to equip her clients with the skills they need to have a fulfilling athletic career and life. She does this with the help of DBT and RO-DBT, both of which are skill based therapies that pave the way for her work with athletes.

Connect with Erica:

Website: https://coachericacurry.com/
Email: ericacurrylmft@gmail.com
IG: @ericacurrylmft

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Learn more about The Sideline Perspective:

Website: http://thesidelineperspective.com
Submit Your Story: http://thesidelineperspective.com/submit/
Instagram: @thesidelineperspective
Connect with Mac: mac@thesidelineperspective.com