In this episode of The Unsung Athlete Podcast, I sit down with Clay Udley—athlete, MMA fighter, coach, gym owner, and proud father—for a raw and inspiring conversation about resilience, growth, and legacy.

Clay takes us from his childhood competing in backyard competitions, to college football, to the pro MMA ring, and ultimately to building a gym rooted in inclusion and community. Along the way, he reflects on the mindset of once an athlete, always an athlete, the lessons passed down from his mother, and the deep joy and responsibility that comes with parenthood.

This episode is about more than sport—it’s about identity, perseverance, and the impact we leave on others. Clay reminds us that setbacks are simply setups for growth, and that true legacy is measured by how many lives you help rise along the way.

If you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or anyone committed to personal growth and continuous improvement, this conversation will meet you right where you are—and challenge you to keep moving forward.

In this deeply moving episode of The Unsung Athlete Podcast, I sit down with Kristi Udley—mother, wife, athlete, and co-owner of Mark 44 Martial Arts Academy.

Kristi shares her powerful journey of identity, resilience, and rediscovering herself through sport—from growing up in a competitive athletic family, to heartbreak after not making the volleyball team, to finding strength again through Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu, and lifting as a powerful woman and mother of three.

Kristi dives deep into:

• What it means to reclaim your identity as an athlete later in life

• Navigating imposter syndrome as a woman in a male-dominated sport

• Building a gym culture rooted in safety, belonging, and community

• Motherhood, postpartum depression, and finding your way back to yourself

• Creating women-only training spaces that restore confidence and self-worth

This episode is a reminder that you don’t need medals, spotlights, or accolades to matter. Some of the strongest athletes are the ones quietly showing up—raising families, building communities, and fighting for themselves every single day.

✨ If you’ve ever questioned whether you still “count” as an athlete—this conversation is for you.

In this episode of The Unsung Athlete Podcast, I’m joined by my dear friend, the one and only David Koll.

David is the kind of person who lights up every room he walks into. A loving dad, an incredible husband, and a bright, steady presence in this world, he brings heart, humility, and grit to everything he does. Outside of work, David is pure Minnesota spirit — from time on his land hunting and fishing, to hitting the golf course, to diving into home projects with full enthusiasm. And long before all of that, he lived and breathed baseball… a passion that carried him through his college years and shaped the athlete — and person — he became.

I am so excited to finally have him on the show, to unpack his journey, and to share the story behind the incredible human so many of us admire. Tune in — you won’t want to miss this.