The title of my podcast, “Live With Grace,” is a play on words.
It could mean to live with a sense of grace, or it could mean to live with Grace Beyer, which is me!
Whatever way you interpret it, my mission is to create a community for athletes, dreamers, and leaders.
I interview current athletes, former athletes, and industry professionals to explore the intersection of sports and life.
To this day, I’m thrilled to have published sixty episodes and three seasons.
Through the podcast, I’ve had the opportunity to interview NFL champions, former professionals, and experts in the NIL space, among others.
Creating this podcast wasn’t an easy journey, but it’s one I’m incredibly proud of.
Overcoming Adversity
In my eighth-grade year, I tore my ACL and meniscus for the first time.
I ended up tearing my other ACL during my senior year of high school.
I had a third knee surgery to clean up my meniscus on my right knee after my freshman year of college in 2022.
It was a long and grueling journey to recovery, but I had always known I wanted to play college basketball.
That was my dream, and even through the injuries, I never wanted to give up on it.
I knew there was a purpose behind my setbacks. I had the hope and belief that something bigger would come out of this.
And I was right.
When a former coach and some close friends encouraged me to start my own podcast, I didn’t think I had the time, given the demands of being a college athlete.
But the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to do it.
I knew I couldn’t be alone in my fight against injuries. There had to be other athletes, just like me, who were struggling to persevere through tough times.
A podcast would be a way for me to be a voice for people who needed someone to look up to. I could be a source for guidance, inspiration, and encouragement for people who don’t have someone to turn to.
That’s how the podcast came to life.
When I first started it, I was actually still recovering from my ACL injury.
I wasn’t just talking the talk, but I was walking the walk. I was living in the present and going through battles at the same time as other athletes.
That’s why I think I connected with so many people.
It was unique and relatable. And it was powerful.
A Balancing Act
The biggest challenge I’ve faced with the podcast is balancing it all.
I’m a college athlete, and I tend to overcommit at times. I’m a high achiever, and I put a lot of pressure on myself. I want everything to be the highest quality it can be.
Sometimes, I get overwhelmed and anxious when I’m not performing at my best.
I think that’s something we all go through as athletes.
We are so disciplined and hard on ourselves that we have this burning desire to be the best we can be.
When we don’t look our best or perform at our best, it’s difficult to accept.
That’s something I’ve had to learn through the podcast – showing myself grace.
If my best isn’t good enough one day, I have to accept that and strive to be better the next day.
I also have to remind myself that I’m only human.
I can’t do everything all at once, and I can’t expect my podcast to grow overnight.
It’s a process, and I have to be patient with myself and my audience.
I may not be where I want to be yet, but I have to continue to show up for myself and my viewers and listeners.
The Power of Vulnerability
One of the most transformative things the podcast has taught me is how to be comfortable with being seen.
I think one of the greatest fears people have is being visible because we’re taught to care so much about what people think of us.
For the longest time, I kept many aspects of myself hidden.
I wasn’t always open to sharing my journey and being vulnerable with others.
But the podcast has really helped me get out of my comfort zone.
When you show your true self, people can judge you and say whatever they want.
But me speaking my truth might help the next athlete or person achieve their goals.
And that’s what it’s all about.
The podcast has also helped me become a better communicator.
I used to be shy in high school, but talking to new people and keeping conversations going has helped me come out of my shell.
Starting my podcast has been an invaluable growth experience for me.
A Bright Future
Looking ahead, I aim to continue growing the audience and building a community for athletes, dreamers, and leaders.
I want the growth to be organic, and I want to impact as many people as possible.
I also want to develop a mentoring program and build relationships with young athletes to help them in their journey.
As a journalism major, I plan to make this my full-time job one day.
I want to write books, engage in more live experiences, and conduct interviews with people.
I feel like this is the space for me, and I’m excited to see where it takes me.
More than anything, I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my story and the stories of others.
I hope to continue inspiring and motivating people to live with grace and achieve their dreams.
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