I remember the day as if it were yesterday.
I wasn’t feeling well but didn’t think much of it until I was pulled from my sport in April 2024.
It was brutal.
I was at the lowest point of my life — the most depressed I’ve ever been.
I’m so grateful that I had my family and friends to support me during that time, but I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d ever get back on the track and be the same athlete I once was.
Would I be able to run again?
And if I did, how would I compare to the runner I was before?
To say I was anxious would be an understatement.
But I kept pushing forward, and after four long months, I was finally cleared to train again.
I had a newfound sense of gratitude for my sport, my teammates, and the opportunity to compete.
It was a long and difficult journey, but I was determined to make the most of it.
At this point in my life, I can confidently say that I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, and I’m having the most fun I’ve ever had in my sport.
Thanks to the lows and highs I’ve experienced, I’m ready to make this my best season yet.
Finding my love for track
I began running track in sixth grade, which is a bit later compared to most people in the sport.
I played soccer for the majority of my life, following in the footsteps of my father, who was a collegiate soccer player.
I was always the fastest one on the field, so when track became an option in middle school, I decided to give it a try.
To this day, one of my earliest memories in the sport is racing the boys in practice. It was a different energy than soccer, and I loved the individual competitiveness that track brought.
I knew I wanted to compete at the collegiate level once I started high school.
I had a great freshman year, becoming the conference champion in the 400m and qualifying for States.
And when my sophomore year rolled around, I decided to finally take track seriously and fully pursue it.
My dedication to track paid off, and I ended up earning a roster spot at the collegiate level for the University of Pittsburgh.
Adjusting to minor injuries
As far as injuries go, I thankfully have not experienced any sort of significant physical setback.
Of course, there are always nagging issues, especially as I’ve gotten older in the sport.
But I’ve been fortunate to avoid any major injuries.
That being said, I did deal with some external medical issues last year that took a toll on me both mentally and emotionally.
Being away from my sport for four months was incredibly difficult.
I felt like I was missing out on so much and was worried about falling behind. But I knew that I needed to take care of myself and focus on my health first.
When I was finally able to train again, I made it a priority to enjoy every moment on the track.
I took in the time I had with my teammates, cherished the opportunity to travel and compete, and embraced the joy of running.
Having that time away from the sport made me appreciate it even more, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be back doing what I love.
Capitalizing on NIL from the get go
I graduated high school in June 2021, and NIL became legal for student-athletes around the same time.
It felt like a rite of passage to get involved in NIL as I began my collegiate career.
I’ve always been a creative person, and I attempted to start a YouTube channel in high school. However, I never really got serious about it due to intimidation and the fear of putting myself out there online.
But once I got to Pitt and was surrounded by a supportive group of friends, I decided to go all in and start creating content.
I launched my YouTube channel and began making content on Instagram as well. I reached out to brands I already enjoyed and started building my portfolio with NIL.
Being a student-athlete is not easy, and adding content creation and NIL into the mix can be overwhelming at times. But for me, creating content is more of an outlet than anything else.
It helps me glamorize the student-athlete life and makes those long days a little more fun.
I enjoy capturing all the different moments that make being a student-athlete so special and sharing that with people.
While it’s not always easy to balance academics, athletics, and content creation, I’ve found ways to make it work.
Organization is key, and I make sure to use my free time to the fullest.
Whether it’s editing videos on a long bus ride or bringing my camera along to capture moments throughout the day, I find ways to stay proactive and on top of it all.
Memories that will last a lifetime
Looking back on my time as a collegiate athlete, I have so many memories that I’ll cherish forever.
One of my favorite memories is from last season when we took a spring break trip as a team.
We went to Tampa, Florida to compete at USF for our season opener.
We arrived a week before the competition, so we had plenty of time to train in great weather and do fun activities as a team.
It was the first time I had ever done anything like that, and it was such a unique experience.
We spent time at the beach, went shopping, played putt-putt, and just enjoyed each other’s company.
It was a perfect balance of fun and competition, and it brought us closer as a team.
I’ve been in college for four years now, and I’ve had so many good and hard memories along the way.
But trips like the one to Tampa remind me of the incredible opportunities and experiences that come with being a collegiate athlete.
I’m grateful for every single one of them, and I know they’ll stick with me for the rest of my life.
As I continue my journey as a student-athlete, I’m excited to see what the future holds.
Whether it’s on the track, in the classroom, or creating content, I’m ready to make the most of every opportunity and continue chasing my dreams.
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📷 Mackenzie Sullivan and Pitt Athletics
