From College to Pro to What’s Next: Olivia Nash's Story

About this episode

Mikki O’Neal interviews former professional basketball player Olivia Nash about her journey from college athletics to life after sports.

In this episode of Purpose After Sports, Mikki O’Neal sits down with former professional basketball player Olivia Nash to talk honestly about the athlete journey, from early competition to college basketball, playing professionally overseas, and the emotional reality of stepping away from the game. Olivia opens up about her competitive nature, the highs and lows of college athletics, navigating professional contracts in Germany and Finland, and the identity shift that comes when basketball is no longer the center of your life. She shares how injuries, body changes, and unspoken grief impacted her confidence, relationships, and sense of purpose, and how coaching became a meaningful way to stay connected to the sport.

People in this episode

Host: Mikki O’Neal

Guest: Olivia Nash

Topics covered

• athlete journey
• college basketball
• professional sports
• identity shift
• coaching

Keywords

• competitive nature
• college athletics
• professional contracts
• injuries
• sense of purpose

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Purpose After Sports

Places: Germany, Finland

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