8 episodes

The Real Athlete Podcast is hosted by Division 1 cross country and track student-athlete Lexi Reed. It takes a deeper look at the experiences of many different athletes, including mental health struggles, body image, injuries, the pressures of high expectations, interpersonal relationships, identity struggles, and much more. The podcast aims to unite not only athletes but the entire community as a whole by having real conversations about life, lessons learned, trials and adversities overcome, and how acknowledging our struggles does not make us weak, but actually much stronger.

The Real Athlete Podcast Lexi Reed

    • Health & Fitness
    • 5.0 • 13 Ratings

The Real Athlete Podcast is hosted by Division 1 cross country and track student-athlete Lexi Reed. It takes a deeper look at the experiences of many different athletes, including mental health struggles, body image, injuries, the pressures of high expectations, interpersonal relationships, identity struggles, and much more. The podcast aims to unite not only athletes but the entire community as a whole by having real conversations about life, lessons learned, trials and adversities overcome, and how acknowledging our struggles does not make us weak, but actually much stronger.

    Episode 8- Carli Cutler- Coping w/ COVID & Being a Woman in Sport

    Episode 8- Carli Cutler- Coping w/ COVID & Being a Woman in Sport

    In this episode we are joined by Carli Cutler, a recently graduated D1 softball player from UConn! Carli discusses her experience transitioning from being a student-athlete after her senior season unexpectedly got cut short due to COVID-19. She addresses the struggles she faced with feeling a loss of identity and direction and what eventually helped her get back on track and find new purpose. We also discuss the experience of being a female in the world of sport, the challenges that come with it, and societal changes that we hope to continue seeing in the future!

    Follow Carli on Instagram: @CARLI_CUTLER (Link to her blog in her bio!)

    Follow Lexi & the podcast on Instagram: @LREED_4 @THEREALATHLETEPOD

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    • 53 min
    Episode 7- Dam Worth It- Ending the Stigma Around Mental Health

    Episode 7- Dam Worth It- Ending the Stigma Around Mental Health

    In this episode we are joined by not just one but TWO guests- Nathan Braaten and Taylor Ricci. Nathan and Taylor are the co-founders of the Dam Worth It Campaign- a mental health awareness campaign that they started during their time as Division 1 student-athletes and have continued to grow over the past few years. Dam Worth It has received national recognition from Sports Illustrated, USA Today and NBC Sports, among others. Nathan and Taylor discuss all things mental health including why there is a negative stigma attached to it (especially among athletes and in the sports world) and what actions they are taking with the campaign to end it. They also announce some BIG NEWS that you don't want to miss out on, so make sure to give this one a listen! TRIGGER WARNING: suicide
    Follow Nathan, Taylor, and Dam Worth It on Instagram: @TAYRICCI @NLBRAATEN @DAMWORTHITCO
    Follow Lexi & the podcast on Instagram: @LREED_4 @THEREALATHLETEPOD
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    • 43 min
    Episode 6-Caleb Etter- Kicking Out Cancer

    Episode 6-Caleb Etter- Kicking Out Cancer

    In this episode, Oregon State men's soccer player Caleb Etter shares his incredible journey overcoming a rare cancer diagnosis and the physical and mental challenges that came with it. Caleb discusses how he was able to keep a positive mindset and find new purpose even in the worst times of fear and uncertainty, and how the experience as a whole taught him the importance of always being grateful, even for the smallest things. Listen if you are in need of inspiration!
    Follow Caleb on Social Media: @CALEBETTER17
    Follow Lexi & the podcast on Instagram: @LREED_4 @THEREALATHLETEPOD
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    • 57 min
    Episode 5- Why I Am No Longer Competing as a Student Athlete

    Episode 5- Why I Am No Longer Competing as a Student Athlete

    In this solo episode, Lexi discusses why she is no longer running competitively as a student-athlete (at least for now) and why she is excited for the future! 
    Follow Lexi & the podcast on Instagram: @LREED_4 @THEREALATHLETEPOD
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    • 30 min
    Episode 4- Isis Lowery- Lowering Your Crown

    Episode 4- Isis Lowery- Lowering Your Crown

    In this episode, former All-American gymnast Isis Lowery discusses her  journey with gymnastics and everything she’s learned through her experience as an International student athlete. She talks about how she’s overcome personal struggles with body image and mental health and how she now uses her platform to encourage self-love and body positivity. Listen to hear Isis preach about what her signature catchphrase “lower your crown” represents, the importance of valuing mental health in sport, and how to live your own life without worrying about the opinions of others!
    Follow Isis & Dam Worth It Campaign on Instagram: @ISIS_LOWERY @DAMWORTHIT_CAMPAIGN
    Follow Lexi & the podcast on Instagram: @LREED_4 @THEREALATHLETEPOD
    Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

    • 50 min
    Episode 3-Brie Oakley- Overcoming Injuries & Expectations by Learning to Let Go

    Episode 3-Brie Oakley- Overcoming Injuries & Expectations by Learning to Let Go

    In this episode, our first guest Brie Oakley (All-American Division 1 runner at Cal Berkeley) talks about her journey with running. We discuss her rapid rise to the top of the high school running world and dealing with pressures and expectations from that as well as the mental challenges and physical changes she faced when dealing with a ruthless cycle of injuries. Brie addresses how learning to be gentle with herself, surround herself with good people, and LET GO has helped her overcome these obstacles and get to a much happier place today. 
    Follow Brie on Instagram: @B_OAKLEY22
    Follow Lexi & the podcast on Instagram: @LREED_4 @THEREALATHLETEPOD
    Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

    • 44 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
13 Ratings

13 Ratings

Pokey Bill ,

Genuine

I stumbled upon The Real Athlete and was suprisingly rewarded in several dimensions none more than how real, genuine, transparent, topical, the host Lexi Reed comes across. For someone so young she is wise, intelligent, mature, humble and gracious. I've already listened to most of her podcasts and surely await others. Perhaps what I mostly derived is not to take successes too seriously. I believe we are God's children and He, and our dear ones love us without reservation whether we make it to the podium, are back of the pack finisherers, or just out for our customary jog in the park. We are defined not by our physical talents but by our character. Perhaps we must all first love ourselves and don't define ourselves by our hobby of the day. The good book admonishes us to love Him and all others first and throught that all blessings will occur.... I myself was an orphan which prompted me to make something of myself. Our time I stumbled over and over again. Ultimately, through perseverance, faith and positive life choices I became a physician and an AG Triathlon World Champion in 2015 and 2017 despite multiple serious injuries. But I'm still a back of the pack athlete since now at 91 there were no other competitors in my age group. Thank you Lexi for your live enhancing podcast....Pokey Bill

Maddy Ellsworth ,

Loved it!!

These episodes are so real and I love the conversations!!

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