What happens when the sport that shaped you is taken away in a second? In this episode of No Former Athlete, Erin sits down with Ciara — former volleyball player, Navy veteran, coach, content creator, and founder of The New Mix — to talk about athlete identity, career-ending injury, mental health, and rebuilding confidence after sport. Use code CIARAPOD to get a special discount to get lifetime access on the NFA Breathe Here Now Virtual Breathwork session. https://www.noformerathlete.com/bhn Ciara grew up as a volleyball player through and through. After receiving D1 and D2 offers, she made the unexpected decision to join the United States Navy instead of playing in college. But volleyball was still part of the plan. After years of waiting for the chance to play for the All-Navy volleyball team, she finally made the roster and got her USA jersey. Then, on the same day she got her jersey, she suffered a career-ending injury. Ciara opens up about the reality of nerve damage, relearning everyday tasks like tying her shoes and turning a doorknob, coaching while she was still grieving the loss of playing, and realizing later that she had been struggling with depression. She also shares how being in the military impacted the way she processed mental health, why stepping away from volleyball eventually helped her heal, and how the athlete in her still shows up today. The conversation also explores Ciara’s life after sport — from coaching and content creation to fashion, modeling, social media, personal style, and building a brand rooted in confidence and representation. She talks about growing up in the South, not seeing herself reflected in fashion, learning to get in front of the camera, being recognized online, and why little C would be so proud of the person she has become. This episode is about losing the version of yourself you thought you’d always be — and realizing the athlete never really leaves. It just finds a new place to go. In this episode, we talk about: Choosing the Navy over college volleyballPlaying for the All-Navy volleyball teamThe day Ciara got her jersey and suffered a career-ending injuryRecovering from nerve damage and relearning basic movementsDepression after sport and injuryMental health stigma in the militaryCoaching while grieving the ability to playAthlete identity after retirementCompetitiveness, leadership, and intensity after sportBuilding a career in content creation and fashionRepresentation, confidence, and personal styleWhat parts of the athlete still show up in Ciara’s work today Use code CIARAPOD to get a special discount to get lifetime access on the NFA Breathe Here Now Virtual Breathwork session. https://www.noformerathlete.com/bhn Listen to this episode if you’ve ever had to let go of a version of yourself — or if you’re still figuring out where the athlete in you belongs now.
