International Student-Athlete Podcast

Episode

• #26 - From Australia to Kansas: Izzy’s Freshman Mindset - Staying Grounded, Growing Daily 30.03.2026 37mnt

  Izzy is only a few months into her journey as an international student-athlete, but her mindset is already setting her apart. After arriving from Australia in January 2026, she joined the University of Kansas rowing team with a clear understanding: there’s a lot to learn, and growth takes time. Instead of rushing the process, Izzy embraces a day-by-day approach: staying grounded, realistic, and fully present in the experience. In this episode, we talk about adjusting to life in the US, the ch...
• #25 - From Player to Advocate: Sofia Hiort-Wright on Thriving Beyond the Game 15.03.2026 50mnt

  What does it really take for international student-athletes to thrive? Dr. Sofia Hiort-Wright - a former Swedish national-team tennis player and international tennis student-athlete at VCU, and now VCU’s Deputy Director of Athletics - shares insights on cultural adaptation, mental health, and the changing landscape of college athletics in the NIL era. In this conversation, listeners will gain insights into: - Challenges international student-athletes face adapting to new cultures and academic...
• #24 - From Small Town to International Volleyball Star: Rupia Inck's Journey 11.03.2026 52mnt

  In this inspiring interview, Rupia Inck shares her journey from a small town in Brazil to playing professional volleyball across the world, highlighting the importance of mindset, self-talk, and resilience. Discover how her experiences shaped her passion for sports psychology and her plans to help athletes unlock their full potential. Key topics Transition from college to professional sportsImpact of psychology and mindset on athletic performanceSelf-talk and visualization techniques for athl...
• #23 - Tim Bryson on Purpose, Policy & Shaping College Athletics Globally 03.03.2026 54mnt

  Timothy Ford Bryson - Founder & CEO of Walk With TFB and Student-Athlete Career Preparedness and Alumni Mentorship Coach at Stanford University, joins us to unpack what it really means to support international student-athletes beyond recruitment. Through his work consulting athletes, universities, and brands on international athlete development, internationalization strategy, and NIL education, Tim brings both systems-level insight and lived experience to the conversation. We dive into vi...
• #22 - Kim Marsh on Navigating Your First Steps as an International Student 26.02.2026 46mnt

  What does it really take to successfully begin your journey in the U.S. as an international student? In this episode, Barbora sits down with Kim Marsh, a former International Student Services Coordinator at Jacksonville University, to go beyond acceptance letters and break down the real strategy behind admissions, decision-making, and adjusting to campus life. This conversation is a clear, practical guide to starting strong and avoiding common mistakes. Key takeaways: How U.S. international a...
• #21 - The Championship Mentality with Oliveira Neto: Lessons from a 5x Olympian 18.02.2026 57mnt

  What does it take to reach the Olympic stage — not once, but five times — and win gold at the 2024 Paris Games? In this episode, I sit down with a volleyball coach who has competed in five Olympic Games with Brazilian National Team and most recently won a gold medal in Paris. We dive into the mindset required to perform at the highest level, what separates good athletes from great ones, and the key differences between coaching college athletes and professional players. This conversation...
• #20 - Atina Kamasi: Dream Big and Pivot Smart 04.02.2026 1j 16mnt

  In this episode, Atina Kamasi shares her journey from Serbia to the U.S. as an international student-athlete, opening up about the challenges of injuries, identity beyond sport, and adapting to life far from home. She talks about the importance of faith, making smart pivots instead of stubborn choices, and planning early for life after athletics. Together, we discuss building community, using available resources, understanding the business side of college sports, and why every “no” brings you...
• #19 - Maira Ogata Returns: Missing Home but Chasing Dreams 25.01.2026 51mnt

  Maira is back on our channel! In this episode, we welcome back Maira Ogata, a mental performance coach and soccer/goalkeeper coach. We dive into the challenges of returning to the United States after the Christmas break and why expecting the return to feel easier than prior times is often unrealistic. Getting back into your routine—and back on track toward your goals—requires intention and, most importantly, a strategy. This episode gives you the tools and insights you need to start bui...
• #18 - More Than Hockey: Embracing the Unknown with Marek Korencik 12.01.2026 1j 13mnt

  At just 15 years old, Marek Korencik left Slovakia, taking a leap that would change both his hockey career and his life. What followed was a journey through new countries, new languages, and new challenges — from adapting to life in Sweden to balancing academics and hockey in the NCAA, and eventually stepping into the professional game. In this episode, Marek reflects on embracing the unknown, taking risks, and why building skills, relationships, and a life beyond hockey has been just as impo...
• #17 - All Things Coaching International Student-Athletes with Suzana Andrade 02.01.2026 59mnt

  In this episode, we welcome back Suzana Andrade for a powerful conversation on the coaching experience of international student-athletes and what it truly takes to build healthy, sustainable coach–athlete relationships. Drawing from her perspective as a Division II head coach, Suzana shares practical insights on supporting athletes through cultural transitions, fostering trust, and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and understood. She also breaks down how her program i...
• Guest #16 - A Journey from Local Courts to D1 Arenas with Konstantina Mantziori 03.12.2025 1j 3mnt

  In this podcast episode, we dig into the inspiring journey of Konstantina Mantziori, a talented basketball player from Greece who made the bold decision to pursue her dreams in the United States. From navigating the challenges of high school basketball to thriving in college athletics, Konstantina's story is a testament to determination and resilience. Konstantina's journey is a remarkable story of courage, adaptability, and growth. Her experiences highlight the importance of perseverance in ...
• #15 - How You Can Set Yourself Up to Win 27.11.2025 15mnt

  In this solo episode, Barbora breaks down the four themes that keep showing up in conversations with international student-athletes: doing your research, using your resources, knowing your priorities, and planning strategically. Whether you're already in the U.S. or dreaming of earning a scholarship abroad, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence to navigate the journey. Support the show
• Guest #14 - Finding Yourself in the US with Marta Rossenova 21.11.2025 33mnt

  In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Marta, an international student-athlete from Bulgaria, who is currently a senior at Rollins College and a player on the volleyball team. Marta shares her experiences of moving to the US, the challenges she faced adapting to a new culture, and her unique approach to the college recruiting process. From her early days in Bulgaria to her current life balancing academics and athletics, Marta's story is one of resilience, determination, and th...
• Guest #13 – The Power of Priorities with Flaubert Akepeu: Balancing Chemical Engineering, D1 Football, and Frat Life 11.11.2025 36mnt

  Can you imagine walking across your college campus and being approached by a coach who changes the course of your life? That’s how Flaubert Akepeu’s football journey began at the University of South Florida. Originally from Brazil, Flaubert first came to the U.S. to play basketball in high school before later transitioning to football in college. In this episode, Barbora sits down with him to explore how he balanced Division I football, a chemical engineering degree, and fraternity life — all...
• Guest #12 - Maximizing Your Mental Performance with Maira Ogata 04.11.2025 55mnt

  In this episode, we’re joined by Maira Ogata, a Mental Performance professional and soccer coach, who shares insightful and practical tips on how student-athletes can take care of themselves both mentally and emotionally. Drawing from her own experience, Maira discusses the common challenges student-athletes face, how to overcome them, and ways to set yourself up for success—all while enjoying the unique journey and privilege of being a student-athlete. Maira's email address: maira.ogata@gmai...
• Guest #11 - Lyndsay Michel 03.10.2025 32mnt

  In this episode, we are joined by Lyndsay Michel, Head Volleyball Coach at Indian Hills Community College, to talk all things recruiting. She shares valuable tips for both international and domestic athletes, insights on navigating transfers, and how a diverse team helps players grow on and off the court. If you’re looking to play at the next level, this conversation is packed with advice you won’t want to miss. Lyndsay's email: Lyndsey.Michel@indianhills.edu Lyndsay's bio: https://indi...
• Guest #10 – Academic Success with Andy Heston: Seizing the Opportunities in Front of You 26.09.2025 44mnt

  In this episode, we sit down with Andy Heston, Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services at Jacksonville University, a NCAA Division I program in Florida. With years of experience supporting student-athletes, Andy has been instrumental in helping them not only succeed academically but also make the most of their overall college journey. Andy shares valuable insights specifically for international student-athletes—from asking the right questions when making big decisions, to sei...
• Guest #9 - Anja Kujundžić 19.09.2025 57mnt

  Anja, a junior libero from Serbia, has inspired many by taking a leap of faith and building her path from a small hometown to playing Division I volleyball at the University of Texas. She shares her recruiting journey, the challenges of transferring through the NCAA transfer portal, and the cultural adjustments that came with studying and competing in the US. Anja also opens up about her mental health strategies, favorite memories on and off the court, and the lessons she has learned from bal...
• Guest #8 - Where Opportunity Meets Commitment with Emma Heikkilä 12.09.2025 44mnt

  In this episode, we introduce Emma Heikkilä, a former soccer student-athlete from Finland! Emma shares her story of how playing for her national team led her to be spotted by an American coach and ultimately brought her to the U.S. She also talks about how committing to her team and persevering through both the highs and lows paid off when, in her final year, she and her teammates made school history. Lastly, Emma reflects on graduate school, graduate assistantship, and the importance of buil...
• Guest #7 - Suzana Andrade 05.09.2025 1j 29mnt

  Suzana, a former indoor and sand volleyball student-athlete, has inspired many by leading through example and sharing her journey from high school to junior college and eventually to a Division I university. Now serving as a Division II sand volleyball head coach, Suzana walked us through her favorite memories, the struggles she faced, and the academic challenges turned into lessons. She also shares valuable insights on navigating the H-1B visa process, along with what players should prioriti...