The Commits

Jody

The Commits are a group of exceptional individuals who balance a life of two lives. For some, they are or have previously been collegiate athletes who juggle the demands of their sport with the intensity of completing a degree. For others, they balance the life of performing at the highest level in sports with the many personal or professional endeavours that keep them afloat. But for all, they chose to commit to a life that is coveted yet concealed. This podcast dives deeper than ever before into the lives of collegiate and professional athletes who have a story to reveal with rest of us.

  1. "This Is What We Have Gotten WRONG about Nutrition" - Maddi Osburn

    May 15

    "This Is What We Have Gotten WRONG about Nutrition" - Maddi Osburn

    In a world flooded with nutrition trends, quick fixes, and conflicting health advice, how do you actually build a healthy life that lasts? In this episode, former collegiate soccer player, nutrition coach, entrepreneur, and mother Maddi Osburn joins the show for one of the most honest and insightful conversations we’ve had about health, discipline, identity, and modern nutrition culture.From her journey playing at Butler Community College before transferring to Kansas State University, to launching Flexible Nutrition and consulting with Wichita State University Athletics, Maddi breaks down how her experiences as an athlete shaped her early relationship with food and how years of continued education challenged many of the things she once believed about nutrition herself.Throughout this episode, we unpack why so many people struggle to make healthy changes even when they know exactly what to do, the psychology behind failed habits, and what truly separates successful clients from those who constantly start over. Maddi explains why consistency matters more than perfection, how discipline and flexibility can coexist, and why sustainable health has far more to do with lifestyle foundations than restrictive dieting.We also dive deep into the current state of the nutrition industry and the dangerous rise of misinformation online. Maddi gives her perspective on why evidence-based nutrition often gets drowned out by viral opinions and breaks down some of today’s biggest nutrition myths. One of the most impactful parts of this conversation centers around women’s health, motherhood, and identity. Maddi opens up about how pregnancy and postpartum changed her personally and professionally, the gaps that still exist in women’s nutrition research, and the realities of motherhood that are rarely talked about in wellness spaces. We also discuss balancing marriage, family, work, faith, and health priorities while trying to model a healthy relationship with food for the next generation.This episode is not just about nutrition, it’s about learning how to think critically in a culture obsessed with extremes. It’s a conversation about grace, discipline, purpose, and building a healthier life in a sustainable way. If you’re tired of toxic health trends and want a real discussion grounded in experience, science, and honesty, this is an episode you do not want to miss.

    1h 17m
  2. Across the Pond & All In "One bad shot and everything can be taken away" - Charlie Townsend

    Mar 27

    Across the Pond & All In "One bad shot and everything can be taken away" - Charlie Townsend

    What does it take to leave everything you know your home, your country, your comfort all in pursuit of a dream?Charlie Townsend did exactly that. British Charlie packed up his life and moved to the United States to chase collegiate golf, first at Weatherford College in Texas and now as a junior at Newman University in Wichita, Kansas where he's earned All-MIAA honors and cemented himself as one of the Jets' most consistent competitors on the course.But this episode isn't just about golf. It's about identity.We sit down with Charlie to talk about what it really means to uproot yourself at a young age and rebuild culturally, mentally, and athletically. We get into the psychological side of golf: a sport where one shot, one moment, one lapse in emotional control can unravel everything you've built. Charlie opens up about the pressure he feels on the course, his relationship with perfectionism, and how he's learned to compete with both patience and confidence.We also go deep on life off the course the culture shock of American life, what he misses about home, how he decides who deserves his time, and what it's like to wake up one day and realize you've grown up in a country that isn't yours.And somewhere in between all of it, we ask him the one question that ties it all together: What are you truly chasing right now?You'll want to listen if:You love the mental side of sport and what separates good competitors from great onesYou're interested in what it's like to leave home young and build a life somewhere entirely newYou want an honest, unfiltered conversation about ambition, identity, and what the game of golf teaches you that life simply won't

    57 min
  3. " I Told Them I Would LIVE IN MY CAR!" - What It Really Takes to Compete in Sports Performance

    Jan 23

    " I Told Them I Would LIVE IN MY CAR!" - What It Really Takes to Compete in Sports Performance

    In this episode we sit down with Ashtin Meerpohl, the Director of Sports Performance for Wichita State Men’s Basketball, whose love for sports started at a young age and ultimately became his life’s work. A native of Holton, Kansas, Ashtin played sports growing up before injuries shifted his path from aspiring athlete to elite performance coach. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Education in Community Health from the University of Kansas in 2015, Ashtin began working behind the scenes completing internships at Kansas and The Ohio State University, including time with OSU’s 2016 Fiesta Bowl football team. He then served as Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for football at Southwest Minnesota State University, followed by a position as a Sports Performance Assistant back at Kansas before joining Oral Roberts University in 2018, eventually becoming Director of Sports Performance. In 2023 he returned home to Kansas to take on his current role with the Shockers.In this wide-ranging conversation we talk about his journey and timeline, the people who mentored him, the coaches and players he’s worked with, and the hands he’s shaken along the way. We dive into the values he’s seen in those who came before him, the ones who stood out and helped shape his philosophy, and how those same values guide his work today. We also explore his thoughts on faith, relationships, and building culture, as well as deep topics like genetics versus training, the pitfalls of “one size fits all” strength and conditioning programming, and the evolving landscape of NCAA rules and the competitive sports industry. Whether you’re an aspiring coach, athlete, or performance professional, this episode is packed with insight, real-world experience, and hard-earned wisdom for navigating life and performance at the highest levels.

    1h 3m

About

The Commits are a group of exceptional individuals who balance a life of two lives. For some, they are or have previously been collegiate athletes who juggle the demands of their sport with the intensity of completing a degree. For others, they balance the life of performing at the highest level in sports with the many personal or professional endeavours that keep them afloat. But for all, they chose to commit to a life that is coveted yet concealed. This podcast dives deeper than ever before into the lives of collegiate and professional athletes who have a story to reveal with rest of us.