The Brutal Truth About Freshman Year: What No One Tells You Before College Sports cover art

The Brutal Truth About Freshman Year: What No One Tells You Before College Sports

The Brutal Truth About Freshman Year: What No One Tells You Before College Sports

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 Game Changers: Athlete Edition - Episode with Josie Owen-Kren Show Description Join hosts Julie Jones and Kortney Harmon as they dive deep into the realities of freshman year with Michigan soccer player Josie Owen-Kren. This honest conversation explores the gap between expectations and reality, mental wake-up calls, and the challenges that shape young athletes today. From preparation strategies to managing new life demands, this episode equips you with insights to navigate your own athletic journey, especially if you're heading into your freshman year. Episode Highlights The Reality Check: When Expectations Meet College Athletics Josie shares her vivid memory of feeling "like a chicken with my head cut off" during her first possession drill at Michigan. Despite playing at elite club levels and feeling confident during captain's practices, everything changed once coaches arrived and competition intensified. Key Insight: "In preseason, before we were with the coaches, we were playing 77... I felt great. We get into season with the coaches, all of a sudden everybody goes from like the 75% that I thought was 100% in preseason to like 110% the first day." The Talent Level Jump: Club vs. College Coming from International Soccer Club (the same program as previous guest Katie Scott), Josie explains the dramatic difference between even elite club soccer and Division 1 college athletics. The Two Game-Changers: Fitness Level - The physical demands are exponentially higherDecision-Making Speed - Not just physical speed, but how fast you can think and react "Once you get to college, the talent from top to bottom is just like, it's pretty much all the same. It just ends up being who's more fit and who's faster at decision making speed." Preparation Advice: What Josie Wishes She'd Done Differently The biggest piece of advice for incoming college athletes? Start running and learn to embrace uncomfortable workouts early. Josie emphasizes finding ways to enjoy fitness while you're younger (sophomore/junior year of high school) so it's not a burden when you reach college. She credits this realization to stories her Marine father told her about improving his running times - advice she initially dismissed but now fully understands. The Social Challenge: Finding Your Place Not everyone immediately clicks with their team, and Josie's experience highlights an often-overlooked aspect of the college transition. While many of her former International teammates found their groups quickly, she struggled with social connections during her first semester. The Self-Isolation Trap: When things don't go as planned athletically, it's natural to withdraw socially - but this makes everything harder. The Turnaround: Second semester brought better relationships as Josie learned to put herself out there more, despite being naturally introverted. Navigating the Red Shirt Reality One of the most challenging aspects of Josie's freshman year was realizing she would be red-shirted. The turning point came through advice from a junior who had been in the same situation. The Game-Changing Conversation: After not traveling to away games and uncertainty about her status, Josie requested a sit-down with her coach. The key was asking for clarity so she could focus on her role rather than constantly wondering about her playing time. Coach's Response: "I don't want to waste your eligibility" - which Josie appreciated, having seen other players burn eligibility for minimal minutes. The Mental Shift: Once she knew her role as a red-shirt, Josie became the team's biggest cheerleader and could focus on being the best teammate possible. The Power of Direct Communication Both hosts emphasize a crucial lesson: As a freshman, you'll need your coach more than you'll ever ask for help. The gap widens when you're not getting what you want, but that's exactly when communication becomes most vital. Julie's Coaching Insight: "As a freshman, you can't get them in your office. As a sophomore, you can't get them out." The comfort level changes dramatically once players realize coaches are there to help, not just withhold opportunities. Key Takeaways for Athletes For Current High School Athletes: Start fitness training early - Learn to embrace uncomfortable workouts while you have time to develop the habitPrepare mentally for the jump - Even elite club players face significant adjustmentsUnderstand the competition level - Everyone was the best player on their previous team For Current Freshmen: Give yourself grace - The transition affects everything, including your athletic performanceDon't self-isolate - Put yourself out there socially, even if it feels uncomfortableCommunicate with coaches - Seek clarity about your role rather than living in uncertaintyFocus on your role - Once you know where you stand, embrace it fully The Social Connection Factor Research from Harvard shows that social connection, not test scores or intellect, determines success in college. This ...
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