Sidelined Stories
Inspirational and unique stories featuring athletes sidelined due to career-ending injury, health conditions, or repeat concussions. Dive deep into the raw and real journeys these athletes bravely share and see how they overcame adversities to realize all there is to offer beyond the game. Explore sport stories through a different lens, learn, grow, and be inspired.
Episodes
16 episodes
Emily Allard, Former Pro Softball Player, Chicago Bandits
There are times when the drive to continue to compete is so strong that an athlete can end up staying at it much longer than is probably best. That certainly was the case for Emily Allard who did everything humanly possible to avoid medi...
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50:49
Zoe Schweitzer, Former Gymnast, Ohio State
The decision to medically retire can be a grueling one especially for an athlete coping with chronic illness for years. In this interview, former collegiate gymnast Zoe Schweitzer talks about the challenges of coping with constant setbac...
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48:35
Jonathan Giles, Former Collegiate Baseball Player
No doubt every athlete experiencing repeat injuries fears the possibility of the premature end of their athletic career. Enduring years of injury, re-injury, therapies, surgeries, and rehab can take a toll on an athlete, both physically and men...
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40:53
Jackie Allibone, Former Mid-Fielder, Temple University Lacrosse
Working through a significant injury with a long recovery process is difficult for any athlete. Hundreds of hours in rehab, sitting on the sidelines for months on end, feeling a measure of disconnection from teammates, coping with depression an...
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55:50
Matthew Harris, Former Cornerback, Northwestern University Football
Having experienced multiple concussions in his football career, Northwestern University cornerback Matthew Harris understood the risks he was taking returning to play. Following recovery from another severe concussion, Matthew knew he had some ...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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53:44
Chrissy Papetti, Former Performing Arts Athlete, University of Michigan
Following a severe labrum tear that derailed her dancing career in college, Chrissy Papetti spent the next several years working through an intense physical recovery on top of the emotional journey following the loss of her craft. Many athletes...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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52:46
Val Jones, Former Competitive Figure Skater
With her sights set on earning a spot on the Olympic ice skating team, Val Jones was devastated when at 18, she was told she could never skate again following one severe knee injury. Just one triple lutz gone wrong and everything she had worked...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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41:03
Dexter Hollingsworth, Former Quarterback, St. Martin High School
His freshman year of high school, Dexter Hollingsworth faced the complex decision to discontinue football due to a series of concussions that left him vulnerable to long-term brain health damage if he continued. Dexter shares about this difficu...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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33:59
Johnathan Franklin, Former Running Back, Green Bay Packers
It's been said that there's no testimony without a test. For NFL Player, Johnathan Franklin, that test was an unforgiving and brutal reality check that one play can destroy an athlete's career at any moment's notice. Listen to accomplished RB, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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46:25
Alissa Boyhtari, Former Hockey Player, Multi-sport Athlete
The story of how one major concussion sidelined Alissa Boyhtari's hockey career and forced her to carve a different path forward. Alissa shares her experience with concussions during her teen years and the pressure she felt to "tough it out" as...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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45:06
Jonathan Meldrum, Former Offensive Tackle, Syracuse University Football
The story of Jonathan Meldrum, a former Syracuse offensive tackle. Jonathan opens up about his battle with depression during his collegiate career as well as the depression he experienced after becoming permanently sidelined due to repeat knee ...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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36:30
Chris Norton, Former Safety, Luther College Football
The story of Chris Norton, a former football player for the Luther College Norse. His career ended when he became paralyzed while making a tackle during a kick off. He was given a 3% chance of ever regaining movement below the neck, but, throug...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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18:29
Brett Ball, Former Guard, South Carolina Basketball
The story of Brett Ball, a former basketball player for South Carolina who was forced to quit competition in college after being diagnosed with a heart condition. Brett opens up about her resistance to getting help from a sports psychologist, h...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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18:32
Devin Hedgepeth, Cornerback, Oklahoma State Football
The story of Devin Hedgepeth, a former football player who last played football for Oklahoma State. Devin was a projected first round draft pick for the NFL but was forced to walk away from football after one too many Achilles tears. Devin spea...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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15:41
Erin Walter, Former Professional Soccer Player
The story of Erin Walter, a former midfielder who last played for the Saint Louis Athletica. Repeat injuries sidelined Erin permanently and altered the course of her life. Erin speaks of the hardships of having to walk away from a life of soccer a...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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25:43
