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.

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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.

In this episode of the Shining Athletes Podcast, hosts Tyler Baum and Erin Molay sit down with Meghan Croyle, a standout hockey player at Stevenson University and Shining Athletes intern. Meghan shares her journey from Connecticut youth hockey to competing at the college level — reflecting on lessons in teamwork, leadership, and resilience along the way.

She opens up about what it means to lead with integrity, the transition from high school to college competition, and how she chose a university that fit her both on and off the ice. Plus, Meghan gives a behind-the-scenes look at her favorite hockey memory — winning a state championship with her family — along with her pregame rituals and her tenacious playing style.

For more on how we empower athletes in and out of sport, visit shiningathletes.com.

Former college basketball player and Shining Athletes intern Nyah Wilson joins Tyler Baum and Erin Molay to share her journey from Duncanville High School’s winning culture to the challenges of college athletics. She opens up about mental health, recruiting, character, and social media—offering valuable advice for athletes, parents, and coaches.

For more information, visit shiningathletes.com

In this episode, Tyler Baum and Erin Molay sit down with Deerfield native and Illinois State captain Brandon Lieb to dive into his basketball journey. Brandon reflects on growing up in a tight-knit basketball community, navigating an unusual COVID-era recruiting process, and earning a spot at the University of Illinois before transferring to Illinois State in search of a bigger role. He shares what it was like to transition from high school standout to Division I athlete, what it takes on a day-to-day basis to succeed as a student-athlete, and the lessons he learned about leadership. Brandon also opens up about being voted team captain, the Redbirds’ pursuit of an NCAA tournament berth, and his advice for young athletes and families navigating the recruiting landscape.

In this episode of the Shining Athletes Podcast, hosts Tyler Baum and Erin Molay sit down with soccer standout and new Shining Athletes team member Allie Goerge. Allie opens up about the twists and turns of her recruiting journey, including making one of the latest commitment decisions you’ll ever hear, and how patience and perseverance shaped her path. She shares what it was really like competing at Virginia Tech, the lessons she learned from playing at the highest college level, and how those experiences prepared her for her transition into professional soccer. Beyond her playing career, Allie talks about why she’s passionate about joining Shining Athletes and how she hopes to guide the next generation of student-athletes through the same challenges she faced. Whether you’re an athlete navigating recruiting, a parent supporting the journey, or just someone who loves hearing inspiring stories, this episode is packed with wisdom, honesty, and motivation. Tune in now to hear how Allie turned a late decision into a lifelong dream, and why it’s never too late to chase your goals.

In this episode of the Shining Athletes Podcast, hosts Tyler Baum (Co-Founder of Shining Athletes) and Erin Molay sit down with Max Dopp. A former Division III soccer player at Gettysburg College, Lane Tech High School alum, and club soccer competitor at TCU.

Max’s story is about making the most of every opportunity, adapting through transitions, and continuing to compete at a high level both on and off the field. From his early days in Chicago’s soccer culture to balancing academics and athletics, transitioning to club soccer, and carrying lessons from sports into life, Max shares valuable insights for athletes at every stage