I've always been drawn to social media and the creative art behind it.
But growing up, as a young student-athlete, there weren't a lot of athletes to look up to on social media that truly resonated with me and my story.
I was being recruited to run track, but I didn’t have that much exposure to what college athletes go through on a day-to-day basis.
I questioned, what’s life like for them?
How do they balance it all?
What’s the transition to college athletics like?
But with the growth of NIL, I knew I could be an example for other young girls and athletes.
Not only could I show them what my life is like, but I could also show them the realness of being a student-athlete.
It’s hard, but it’s also really rewarding.
I wanted to be that outlet for girls who were going through what I went through in high school.
And that’s what motivated me to become a content creator.
Building My Brand
I like to think I’ve built a brand that focuses on health, wellness, fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle.
As a nutrition, exercise, and health science major at Nebraska, I have a big interest in nutrition and its impact on athletes.
But I also want to show that we have lives outside of athletics.
I always try to showcase both ends of the spectrum.
That way, people can truly see what it's like to be a student-athlete.
I also love to tap into humor and relatable content for athletes.
Those videos are fun to make, and it’s a lighthearted way to connect with people.
Getting Started
While I’ve had social media for as long as I can remember, I didn’t really start my creator journey until December 2023.
That’s when I did my first NIL deal, which is when I really tapped into TikTok, Instagram, and making content.
So, I have about a year of creating content and doing NIL work under my belt.
In that time, I’ve grown to about 30,000 followers on Instagram, which is my main source of posting.
I’ve also gotten a lot more comfortable with posting and using my page.
When I first started, posting on the internet was a little nerve-wracking.
It's not always easy to put yourself out there for so many people to see.
But I’ve gotten so comfortable with it at this point that it’s just really fun for me.
Defining Moments
One of my most defining moments as a content creator came this past December when I attended the AthleteCon Queens Retreat.
It was such a fun trip, and I was able to meet so many incredible girls and athletes.
The support was just unmatched.
So much about NIL and this creator journey is about supporting each other.
Being able to connect with all those girls who have similar interests and goals was just so fun and so cool.
It really pushed me out of my comfort zone, too.
Like I said, NIL is hard.
You really are just kind of putting yourself out there for the world.
And anyone can say anything to you.
But going to AthleteCon just really taught me the importance of being your authentic self.
That’s your greatest strength.
Another cool moment for me was my partnership with Ameritas, a financial group here in Lincoln, Nebraska.
They invited about about 20 Husker athletes to a Lincoln Salt Dogs game to celebrate women in sports.
We got to go onto the field and throw our ceremonial first pitches.
Then, we each signed posters from our respective teams.
It was just a remarkable experience celebrating women's sports with other female athletes from my school and experiencing the community support first-hand.
It definitely was one of my favorite NIL partnerships to-date.
My Greatest Strength
I’ve only been on this NIL journey for a bit over a year, yet I already met so many incredible people.
I’ve connected with so many people that I genuinely never thought I could.
It’s been really rewarding.
If I could give one piece of advice to an athlete looking to become a content creator, it’s to be authentic.
It's a piece of advice that truly resonated with me and I couldn't agree more.
Being authentic is your biggest strength.
No one can be you, and no one can do exactly what you do.
So if you really tap into your strengths and be yourself, that’s going to be your biggest advantage.
People will fall in love with your unique story.
So showcase who you are and don't be afraid to go for it.
You might be surprised by how many lives you'll impact.
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📷 Cami Merickel and Nebraska Athletics
