The Unheard @hlete Podcast
Athletes are celebrated for their performance, but what happens behind closed doors after a major injury or something else occurs?
You put your life and career in the hands of people who you’re told know better but unfortunately they can make it worse, much worse.
This happened to me…and yes, I got angry, I lost trust, but I didn’t lose myself and I didn’t give up on the game.
I’m Ellison Jordan, former D1athlete and I created this podcast to expose the pain and betrayal that athletes - and those who love them - experience more often than you may think.
This podcast is for athletes battling injuries, dealing with the mental strain of being sidelined and even forgotten. It starts right here, with my story.
Episodes
18 episodes
HIGH SCHOOL 2 COLLEGE | FRESHMAN YEAR UNFOLDED DIFFERENTLY
Ellison had finished his journey at Gilman and was ready to begin the next chapter as a freshman student-athlete at Penn State.Then, before his first college season could begin, he learned that the knee injury he had been carrying requi...
BACKSTORY 2 — SENIOR YEAR | IT WAS THE ENDING THAT COMPLETED THE JOURNEY
Ellison Jordan closes out his high school journey with a senior year filled with success, major decisions, competition, growth, and gratitude.He entered the year with more than 20 college offers and played on what he describes as the bes...
THE PENN STATE OFFER
After years of recruiting attention, one opportunity still mattered most.In this clip, Host Ellison Jordan reflects on earning the Penn State offer after repeatedly being evaluated through the lens of height rather than production.
TOO SHORT FOR PENN STATE
After a strong Penn State camp performance, the expected offer didn't immediately come.In this clip, Host Ellison Jordan reflects on how height concerns became a major factor in the recruiting conversation and the frustration of being ev...
THE OFFEERS STARTED COMING ...
Recruiting momentum doesn't happen overnight.In this clip, Host Ellison Jordan reflects on the point in his Junior Year journey when scholarship offers started arriving and opportunities began expanding.The recognition was growing...
FINDING MY IDENTIFY
Before recruiting attention increased and scholarship offers started arriving, there was a more important breakthrough.Confidence.In this clip, Ellison Jordan reflects on discovering who he was and how that realization became the ...
BACKSTORY 2 — JUNIOR YEAR | UNDERSIZED. UNDENIABLE.
Junior Year was the season everything began to change.Scholarship offers started arriving. Recruiting attention increased. Rankings improved. Opportunities expanded.Yet one question continued to follow Ellison Jordan:Was he...
ESPN / GOOD COUNSEL OPENER - “We wanted to make a statement that we were still Gilman.”
In this BONUS CLIP from BACKSTORY 2 — SOPHOMORE YEAR, Ellison Jordan reflects on opening the season against Good Counsel in an ESPN matchup that tested Gilman immediately.From rivalry pressure and early adversity to proving the ...
FROM #71 TO #42
In this BONUS CLIP from BACKSTORY 2 — SOPHOMORE YEAR, Ellison Jordan reflects on the transition from #71 to #42 and the confidence shift that came with sophomore year football.From changing positions and taking on ...
BACKSTORY 2 - SOPHOMORE YEAR -- MY FAVORITE YEAR
In Part 2 of the BACKSTORY series, Ellison Jordan reflects on his sophomore year at Gilman School — the season where he transitioned from #71 to #42 and began emerging as one of the top defensive linemen in the region.Fro...
YOUR PAIN BECOMES YOUR VOICE | MEN OF LIGHT SPEECH
Your pain doesn’t disappear.It transforms.In this powerful message from the Men of Light Program, at the Evening Light Church of Christ, UNHEARD @HLETE Host Ellison speaks on healing, forgiveness, and finding purpose through pai...
BACKSTORY 2 / BONUS CLIP 2 --- SACRIFICE SEASON
In this moment from UNHEARD @HLETE, Ellison reflects on the discipline and sacrifice required in the student athlete journey.This story explores the mindset behind high school football preparation, ment...
BACKSTORY 2 / BONUS CLIP 1 --- THE 40 Year Plan
Are you building for the moment -- or for decades?In this segment from THE FRESHMAN YEAR, Ellison explains the long-term mindset behind choosing Gilman. This decision wasn't rooted in short-term visibility, but in building...
BACKSTORY 2 - HS FRESHMAN YEAR
In BACKSTORY 2, Ellison takes you inside his freshman year at Gilman — a year defined by sacrifice, pressure, doubt, and breakthrough moments.From choosing a school based on a 40-year plan… To summer school and relentless workou...
BACKSTORY 1 - BONUS (KLM)
For many athletes, the game becomes more than a sport.It becomes identify.In these early years, football gave him confidence, direction, and purpose.He loved the game.He trusted the journey....
