In the final episode of After the Game, the roles are reversed as Damyon Traylor steps in as host to interview the creator of the podcast, Jailyn Green. A former Piedmont competition cheerleader and sports communications major, Jailyn takes a seat on the other side of the mic to reflect on the journey that inspired the series and the reality of stepping into life after sports.

Centered around the theme “What’s Left: Legacy, Healing, and Moving Forward,” this episode dives into the identity shift that comes when the athlete role ends. Jailyn opens up about the emotional and mental challenges of leaving behind the structure, routine, and sense of purpose that once defined her, while also sharing how she’s learned to grow beyond it. From navigating uncertainty to redefining success, this conversation highlights the in-between moments that so many former athletes experience but rarely talk about.

Together, Damyon and Jailyn reflect on the impact of After the Game, the stories that shaped it, and the lessons carried forward from each conversation. As the series comes to a close, this episode serves as both a personal reflection and a message to current and former athletes: your identity is bigger than your sport, and what’s left after the game is where your next chapter truly begins.

In this episode of After the Game, I sit down with Kiki Howard, a graduate student at Piedmont University, former competition cheerleader, and now a first grade teacher, to talk about what it really looks like to step into the next chapter of life.

Kiki shares her journey from the structure and identity of being a collegiate athlete to navigating the uncertainty that comes when that chapter ends. We dive into the emotional side of transition, losing a routine, redefining purpose, and figuring out who you are beyond your sport.

Now in the classroom, Kiki opens up about how she found her passion for teaching, the challenges and rewards of working with first graders, and how her experience as an athlete still shows up in her life today.

This week, host Jailyn Green sits down with former Piedmont University competition cheerleaders, Gracie and Hannah Johnson, to talk about the pressure of performing under the spotlight, where every move is judged and every mistake feels magnified. They open up about what competition cheer is really like behind the scenes, the intensity, the mental preparation, and the weight of knowing you only get one shot.

The conversation goes deeper as they reflect on setbacks beyond the mat. Gracie shares her experience tearing her ACL during her senior year and the emotional challenge of being sidelined, while Hannah opens up about her decision to step away from the team, and what ultimately led her back. Together, they unpack the difference between physical and mental setbacks, and how both can reshape your identity as an athlete.

This episode is about more than losing, it’s about resilience, redefining yourself beyond your sport, and learning how to move forward when things don’t go as planned.

In episode 9 of After the Game, I sit down with Brook Patton, a graduate student at Piedmont University and former collegiate tennis player, to talk about what happens when the recognition fades and the routine of being an athlete comes to an end.

We dive into the reality of transitioning out of college sports, the loss of structure, the shift in identity, and the emotional side of no longer competing at the level you once did. Brook shares her personal experience navigating life after tennis, from missing the game to rediscovering who she is beyond it.

This episode is for any athlete who has ever wondered, “What comes next?” When the applause stops, who are you really, and how do you move forward?

In Episode 8 of After the Game, I sat down with Christopher Belin, a senior at Piedmont University, a former Piedmont men’s soccer player, and a film production major for a conversation about identity beyond athletics.

Together, they discuss the transition many athletes face when their playing career ends and the routines, roles, and identity tied to sports begin to change. Christopher shares his perspective on navigating life after the game and how he’s discovering who he is beyond the field.

In Episode 7 of After the Game, host Jailyn Green sits down with Emma Scroggs, a senior at Piedmont University, former Piedmont competition cheerleader, and biology major. This episode centers around the theme “The Injuries Nobody Sees,” focusing on the mental and emotional challenges that often go unnoticed in athletics.

Emma reflects on her journey as a college cheerleader and shares what it was really like balancing the demands of competition, academics, and personal life. While many people see the performances, routines, and excitement of cheer, Emma opens up about the pressure, burnout, and emotional struggles that athletes sometimes face behind the scenes.

Through an honest and thoughtful conversation, Emma highlights the importance of mental health in sports and the lessons she learned during her time as an athlete. This episode offers a deeper look at the side of athletics that people don’t always see—and reminds listeners that some of the most difficult injuries aren’t always physical.

In Episode 6 of After the Game, host Jailyn Green sits down with Silas Sandles- former Piedmont mens tennis player and currently an undergraduate admissions adviser at Piedmont, for an honest conversation about the reality of life after college athletics. Centered around the theme “Winning Didn’t Change Anything,” the episode explores the pressure athletes feel to succeed and the realization that reaching those goals doesn’t always change everything the way we expect.

Silas keeps it real as he reflects on his experiences as a college athlete, sharing the highs of competition and the challenges that come once the season, and eventually the career, comes to an end. The conversation dives into identity, expectations, and the emotional side of sports that people often overlook.

Through his perspective, Silas offers an authentic look at what it means to move forward after athletics and how athletes can begin to redefine themselves beyond the game.

In Episode 5 of After the Game, we dive into the tension between ego and humility, and how both shape leadership long after the final whistle blows. Featuring senior and former Piedmont University soccer player James Cooper, this conversation explores what it truly means to lead when the locker room is gone and the spotlight fades.

James reflects on his journey from being a competitive college athlete to preparing for life beyond the field. We talk about how ego can drive performance but also limit growth, why humility becomes essential in professional and personal spaces, and how accountability shifts when you’re no longer part of a team environment. From hard conversations in the locker room to redefining identity after sport, this episode unpacks the lessons athletics teaches us about responsibility, character, and growth.