In this episode of the Shining Athletes Podcast, hosts Tyler Baum and Erin Molay welcome Tonya McKenzie, founder of Sand & Shores, for a powerful conversation on what truly defines a student-athlete’s brand in and out of sport.

Tonya shares why a personal brand goes far beyond social media and highlight reels — it’s built through daily actions, communication, and character in and out of sport. Drawing from her experience in collegiate athletics, youth development, and branding, she explains how student-athletes shape their reputation through dependability, boundaries, and how they show up in moments that often go unseen.

The discussion also dives into the growing communication gap among student-athletes, the impact of technology on relationships with parents and coaches, and why self-advocacy is a skill that must be taught early. Tonya and Tyler explore the role parents play in supporting — not speaking for — their student-athletes, and how responsibility and dialogue prepare young people for success at the next level.

This episode is a must-listen for student-athletes, parents, and coaches who want to better understand how character, communication, and consistency shape opportunity in and out of sport in today’s digital age.

⸻

Topics Covered

• What a student-athlete’s brand really is

• Why actions in and out of sport matter just as much as performance

• Communication gaps caused by over-reliance on technology

• How poor communication impacts opportunity and trust

• Teaching student-athletes self-advocacy and initiative

• The parent’s role in developing responsibility

• Building a positive reputation starting at a young age

• Coaching as education, not dictatorship

• Telling your story authentically in the NIL era

• Speed round: habits, leadership traits, and defining values

Sand and Shores Website:

https://seashell-giraffe-968595.hostingersite.com/

Where to find Learners and Leaders Podcast:

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAWRvsrq0WTrBmSu5y0471_41tQKFHDIb&si=YOtgZL_Y3eUBGIpv

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/learners-leaders/id1595702872

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/6Xn7Z17aD5uYbRBiGclvbG?si=0-uKw5COQuqJzUQEJen8nQ

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.