Home Grown: Real Athletes. Real Stories. Big Dreams.

Steve Goodson
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Home Grown highlights hometown athletes who embody the spirit of their community wherever they go. Each episode revisits former high school stars now competing at the college level — athletes who grew up on local fields, courts, and tracks and continue to represent the places that shaped them. Through candid, unfiltered conversations, they share their journeys of grit, growth, and gratitude. Home Grown isn’t just about sports — it’s about pride, roots, and the people who make our community what it is. No matter how far they go, these athletes remain true to their roots.

  1. Apr 24

    Home Grown: Miles Parker

    Miles Parker’s journey from Jacksonville, North Carolina, to East Carolina University football is what “trust the process” actually looks like in real life. This isn’t a highlight reel — it’s the work behind it. In this episode of Home Grown, Miles breaks down what it takes to earn your way at the Division I level, from late recruiting exposure to grinding on the scout team and building trust inside a college football program. If you’re a high school athlete, parent, or coach trying to understand college football recruiting, player development, and mindset, this is a must-watch.   What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • The reality of college football recruiting (and why it starts earlier than you think) • How being a multi-sport athlete long-term development • Why the weight room became a turning point in his career • What it’s really like going from high school star to “back at the bottom” in college • How Miles turned scout team into an opportunity — and earned “scout team champion” • The challenge of switching positions (defense ➡️ tight end) • The importance of special teams in earning playing time • Lessons from competing in bowl games and high-pressure moments • Why staying connected to your hometown still matters   From Local to D1 From packed Friday night lights in Cardinal Stadium in Jacksonville, NC, to Saturdays at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Miles Parker’s story is about consistency, patience, and doing the work when nobody is watching.   Who This Episode Is For: ✔️ High school football players ✔️ Multi-sport athletes ✔️ Parents navigating recruiting ✔️ Coaches building development programs ✔️ Anyone chasing the next level   Call to Action 👉 Subscribe for more local athlete stories and high school sports coverage 👉 Share this with an athlete who needs to hear it 👉 Drop a comment: What’s the biggest lesson you took from Miles’ story?

    28 min

  2. Apr 24

    Home Grown: Lovina Teel

    What If Your Biggest Advantage Is Starting Late She didn’t grow up in a volleyball town. She didn’t start early. And she didn’t take the easy path. In this episode of Home Grown: Real Athletes. Real Stories. Big Dreams., we sit down with Lovina Teel, a Jacksonville High School ('24) athlete who found volleyball in eighth grade—and turned a late start into a Division I opportunity. Now, after a breakout junior college career, Lovina has officially signed to play Division I volleyball at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Her journey is built on adaptability, resilience, and doing the work when no one’s watching. We dive into: 🏐 Starting volleyball late and catching up fast 🏐 Training through COVID and staying consistent 🏐 Switching positions and becoming a complete hitter 🏐 The difference between high school and club volleyball 🏐 Junior college success at Richard Bland & St. Johns River 🏐 Visualization, film study, and mental toughness 🏐 Competing at nationals and handling pressure 🏐 Why JUCO volleyball is underrated 🏐 Signing Division I and what comes next Lovina’s story proves: It’s not when you start. It’s how you respond. Presented by Humphrey Heating & Air Conditioning 👉 Subscribe for more Home Grown stories 👉 Share with a player chasing the next level 👉 Comment: What’s one habit that changed your game?

    35 min

  3. Apr 24

    Home Grown: Anthony Cooper

    Small Battles. Big Results A lot of athletes talk about “the grind.” Anthony Cooper can point to the exact reps that changed his life. In this episode of Home Grown: Real Athletes. Real Stories. Big Dreams, we sit down with Jacksonville, North Carolina native Anthony Cooper, a midfielder who built his game from the ground up—starting lacrosse in eighth grade, expanding his skillset at Northside High School, and earning his way to play college lacrosse at Coker University. His story is about more than highlights—it’s about the small battles most people overlook. We dive into: 🥍 Starting lacrosse late and catching up through work 🥍 How ground balls and takeaways build real impact 🥍 The mindset shift from sophomore to junior year 🥍 Using football to bring physicality and confidence 🥍 Leading a growing program at Northside High School 🥍 Staying motivated when wins aren’t coming 🥍 College recruiting strategies that actually work 🥍 Why highlight film (especially the first minute) matters most 🥍 Using platforms like FieldLevel and social media to get noticed 🥍 Choosing Coker University and what success looks like now Anthony’s message is clear: Progress isn’t hype—it’s reps, stacked daily. 👉 Subscribe for more Home Grown stories 👉 Share with a player chasing the next level 👉 Comment: What’s one small habit that could change your season?

    32 min

  4. Apr 24

    Home Grown: Tymir Brown

    What Happens When Your Roots Call You Back | Tymir Brown | Home Grown Sometimes the biggest plays don’t start on the field—they start with where you come from. In this episode of Home Grown: Real Athletes. Real Stories. Big Dreams, we sit down with Jacksonville, North Carolina standout Tymir Brown to break down the journey behind a game-changing moment—a 45-yard interception return touchdown built on film study, preparation, and trusting what he saw. But this story goes deeper than one play. Tymir takes us from backyard battles in Onslow County, growing up with two older brothers, to Friday nights at Jacksonville High School, and into the world of Division I football. We dive into: 🏈 Growing up in Jacksonville and learning toughness through family 🏈 The culture and lessons from Jacksonville High football 🏈 Recruiting during COVID and choosing UNC 🏈 Handling role changes at the college level 🏈 Entering the transfer portal and finding the right fit 🏈 Why returning to East Carolina University reignited his edge 🏈 How consistent reps build confidence and rhythm 🏈 Breaking down the pick-six through film and preparation Tymir’s story is about identity, resilience, and what happens when you reconnect with your roots. 👉 Subscribe for more Home Grown stories 👉 Share with a Jacksonville or ECU fan

    30 min

  5. Apr 24

    Home Grown: Payton Jensen

    What Do You Owe The Place That Built You? | Payton Jensen | Home Grown Your home doesn’t disappear when you leave—it travels with you. In this episode of Home Grown: Real Athletes. Real Stories. Big Dreams, we sit down with Payton Jensen, a Swansboro standout whose journey from local fields to Shenandoah University softball was built on travel ball, family, and the kind of mindset that holds up under pressure. From early mornings and tournament weekends to long car rides that quietly build family bonds, Payton shares how travel ball shaped her confidence, discipline, and love for the game. We dive into: 🥎 Growing up in Swansboro and finding softball through travel ball 🥎 Handling pressure without getting lost in stats 🥎 Training for game-speed moments and building softball IQ 🥎 Using speed with smart aggression on the bases 🥎 Becoming a reliable defender through footwork and awareness 🥎 Learning to lead and speak up as a teammate 🥎 Navigating recruiting and coaching changes 🥎 Why Shenandoah felt like the right fit Payton’s story is about more than softball—it’s about identity, growth, and carrying your hometown with you wherever you go. Her advice: Slow down. Soak it in. Keep the fun alive. 👉 Subscribe for more Home Grown stories 👉 Share with a teammate or parent 👉 Comment: What do you owe the place that built you? #HomeGrown #PaytonJensen #Softball #SwansboroNC #CollegeSoftball #TravelBal

    24 min

  6. Apr 24

    Home Grown: Tristan Shapiro

    One Dropped Pass Doesn’t Define You | Tristan Shapiro | Home Grown A dropped pass can haunt you for years — or rebuild you from the inside out. In this episode of Home Grown: Real Athletes. Real Stories. Big Dreams., Jacksonville native Tristan Shapiro shares the moment a potential game-winning touchdown slipped through his hands — and how his teammates responded with the kind of brotherhood that changes a player’s mindset forever. That story opens the door to a deeper conversation about Jacksonville Cardinals football, resilience, and the community that shapes athletes long after the lights go out. Tristan takes us through his journey from childhood football to Jacksonville High School, and now to Barton College, where he continues his football career while studying exercise science. We talk about: 🏈 Growing up around football and family influence 🏈 The culture and discipline of Jacksonville Cardinals football 🏈 Playing wide receiver alongside his brother Shane 🏈 The dropped touchdown that became a turning point 🏈 Brotherhood and support from teammates 🏈 Transitioning to Barton College football 🏈 Using faith to stay grounded and control emotions 🏈 Studying exercise science and pursuing strength & conditioning 🏈 Mentoring younger athletes in Jacksonville For Tristan, success isn’t just about touchdowns. It’s about resilience, faith, and giving back to the community that helped raise you. 👉 Subscribe for more Home Grown stories 👉 Share with a teammate who needs this message 👉 Comment: What mistake helped shape who you became? #homegrown  #TristanShapiro #JacksonvilleNC #CollegeFootball #BartonCollegeFootball

    23 min

  7. Apr 24

    Home Grown: Nate Mahouchick

    Be Comfortable Being Uncomfortable | Nate Mahouchick | Home Grown The jump from high school star to college athlete isn’t smooth—it’s fast, physical, and sometimes painful. In this episode of Home Grown: Real Athletes. Real Stories. Big Dreams., Methodist University midfielder Nate Mahouchick shares the journey from growing up on the sidelines of Jacksonville High School watching his dad coach to earning minutes at the next level. Nate opens up about the moment the college game hit him—literally—during his first preseason session, the quick pass that finally settled his nerves in a live match, and the daily consistency it takes to earn trust from coaches and teammates. Then came the toughest test: an ACL tear on the final practice of the season. Nate walks through the rehab grind, the mental discipline of staying engaged when you can’t play, and how film study, team culture, and small wins kept him moving forward. Along the way, he reflects on his pride in seeing other Onslow County players on the Methodist roster and on how international teammates helped deepen his understanding of the game. We also dive into: ⚽ Growing up around Jacksonville High soccer ⚽ Being the coach’s son and the pressure that comes with it ⚽ The speed and physicality of the college game ⚽ Recovering from an ACL injury ⚽ Leadership through consistency ⚽ Turning recovery into a career path in athletic training Nate’s message for young athletes is simple but powerful: Be comfortable being uncomfortable. If you’re chasing the next level—or fighting your way back from a setback—this conversation will hit home. 👉 Subscribe for more Home Grown stories 👉 Share with a teammate chasing a comeback 👉 Comment: What’s the hardest moment that made you grow? #HomeGrown #CollegeSoccer #ACLRecovery #AthleteMindset #NateMahalchik #MethodistSoccer #JacksonvilleNC

    27 min

  8. Mar 15

    Home Grown: Kaydence Daniels

    No Warm-Ups. No Breakfast. No Doubt Some championships start with perfect preparation. This one didn’t. In this episode of Home Grown: Real Athletes. Real Stories. Big Dreams., Jacksonville track standout Kaydence Daniels shares the chaotic morning that led to one of the biggest moments of her career. She missed breakfast. She missed warm-ups. And on her final attempt, she jumped 18 feet, 10½ inches to win the state championship. Now competing at North Carolina Central University, Kaydence reflects on the journey from AAU track meets and concrete runways to Division I competition. We dive into: 🏃‍♀️ Switching from gymnastics to track 🏃‍♀️ Winning races against older athletes as a freshman 🏃‍♀️ Balancing school, AAU track, and a first job 🏃‍♀️ Being coached by her Marine mom 🏃‍♀️ The mental battle when progress stalls 🏃‍♀️ The chaotic state championship meet that ended in gold 🏃‍♀️ Competing against Division I athletes and hitting new PRs Kaydence’s message to young athletes is simple: Run for time, not faces. Protect your mindset. Trust the process. If you love stories about resilience, discipline, and hometown pride, this one hits. #HomeGrown #KaydenceDaniels #TrackAndField #LongJump #NCCUTrack #JacksonvilleNC

    43 min
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About

Home Grown highlights hometown athletes who embody the spirit of their community wherever they go. Each episode revisits former high school stars now competing at the college level — athletes who grew up on local fields, courts, and tracks and continue to represent the places that shaped them. Through candid, unfiltered conversations, they share their journeys of grit, growth, and gratitude. Home Grown isn’t just about sports — it’s about pride, roots, and the people who make our community what it is. No matter how far they go, these athletes remain true to their roots.

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