Game Changers: Incredible Stories of Resilience in Sports

NC State Softball and Commencement Speaker Kelsey O'Connnor S2 Episode 4

Linda Martindale

This week's guest embodies everything that the Game Changers podcast is all about: resilience. Kelsey O'Connor was a Division 1 softball player at North Carolina State when a traumatic brain injury during practice abruptly ended her athletic career. Faced with an unpredictable and challenging recovery, Kelsey refused to give up. She fought her way through and her story of grit and determination - even when she was facing a very difficult situation on her team and with her coaches is amazing. After it all, Kelsey graduated with a degree in social work and she was chosen to be the commencement speaker at graduation.


Her powerful commencement speech, where she shared her journey of overcoming adversity and redefining success beyond titles, resonated deeply with so many people. In fact, the speech went viral on TikTok and Facebook, racking up more than 40 million views. Today, Kelsey is a motivational speaker who travels across the country, inspiring others with her story. She’s also pursuing her Masters degree in Social Work while working with several non-profit organizations.  

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Game Changers. We hope you found inspiration and motivation in the stories of resilience and adversity shared by our incredible guests. Remember, no matter what challenges you face, your ability to overcome them lies within. Stay resilient and keep pushing forward towards your goals. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with others who may benefit from these powerful stories.