Behind every whistle and every game, there’s a wife holding it all together. In this special episode of Whistles & Wives, we step into the circle of incredible women who live the coaching life every single day — and aren’t afraid to share the truth about it. .

This week, host Sheka Espy takes you inside the Black Coaches Wives Collective, recorded live in Scottsdale during their most recent wives retreat. What unfolded was a raw, heartfelt, and unforgettable conversation filled with laughter, encouragement, and honest reflections on the highs and lows of being a coach’s wife.

From unexpected moves and balancing motherhood to building resilience and finding community, these women open up about what it really takes to thrive in the world of athletics. Whether you’re a coach’s wife yourself, or simply curious about the life behind the whistle, this episode is a celebration of strength, sisterhood, and survival.

Key Takeaways

• The hardest parts of transition season: moving, solo parenting, and constant uncertainty
• How football and basketball shape marriages, families, and even children’s perspectives
• What it’s like to juggle careers, parenting, and supporting a partner in athletics
• The unique bond and sisterhood found in the coaching wives community
• Honest, relatable stories of resilience, faith, and laughter through it all

✨ In this episode you’ll hear from:

• Laton Smith (Temple University) – on the challenge of moving as both a coach and a coach’s wife
• Kimi Griffin (UT Martin) – on raising four children and building resilience through transitions
• Princess Pedew (Elizabeth City State University) – on commitment, patience, and living through loss and new beginnings
• Kesia Bivins (Alabama State University) – on balancing busy schedules and supporting a husband’s passion
• Alyssa Jones (North Carolina A&T) – on finding blessings in the moves and building relationships through football
• Nicole Shannon (University of South Carolina) – on learning to be intentional with limited family time
• Bria Stokes (University of Michigan) – on community, giving back, and raising children in the football life
• Mandisa Cook (Arizona Cardinals) – on walking in unity as a couple and following a plan together

This episode is a celebration of sisterhood, strength, and survival on the sidelines. Whether you’re part of the coaching world or just love stories of resilience and community, this one will inspire you.

⭐️ If this episode spoke to you, follow Whistles & Wives, leave a rating and review, and share it with another coach’s wife who needs the encouragement. Your support helps grow this sisterhood and keeps these real stories flowing from the sidelines.