Life. On Purpose

Her View From the Sidelines: Real Life, Faith, and Family in College Athletics

Send us a textThis end-of-year wrap-up episode of Life. On Purpose. is a deeply personal reflection on living with intention inside the unpredictable world of college athletics.What began as a podcast centered on intentional living evolved into something more honest this year — a space to acknowledge the realities of life as part of a college coaching family. In this solo episode, I reflect on why the most-listened-to conversations of the year came from a series with coaches’ wives, and why embracing that part of my own story became unavoidable.Through lived experience — job loss, uncertainty, answered prayers, constant transition, and quiet resilience — this episode explores the lessons college athletics has taught me both as a participant and an observer. From redefining control, choosing discomfort, and learning when not to react, to reshaping the meaning of home, forgiveness through hindsight, and practicing gratitude in a profession that gives as much as it takes.This episode also dives deeply into faith — how prayer became an anchor during seasons of loss and confusion, and how clarity and peace often arrive in ways we never expect.This conversation is for:Coaches’ spouses and familiesAnyone navigating change, instability, or identity shiftsThose learning to live intentionally through hard seasonsAnyone searching for perspective beyond headlines and outcomesAt its core, this episode is about choosing the hard things — on purpose — and recognizing that the lessons learned off the court often matter most.Sponsored by BluApple: https://thebluapple.com?sca_ref=8837292.HZGjjNgCncCode: Brandi15

Building Your Own Health Team: Dr. Matt Fontaine on Integrative Care, Patient Advocacy, and Peak Performance

Send us a textDr. Matt Fontaine is a lifelong athlete with over 24 years of experience as a sports chiropractor. His private practice in integrative physical medicine focuses on an accurate diagnosis, rapid recovery, and peak performance. He has served as a sports chiropractor in Major League Baseball and with the ART Ironman Triathlon Medical team. He completed his residency at the Texas Back Institute and has spent the last decade-plus serving a patient community that includes men and women of the U.S. armed forces, veterans, and other governmental agencies. In this episode, Dr. Fontaine discusses the common missteps patients make regarding musculoskeletal issues, often leading them to primary care providers lacking the necessary expertise. He emphasized the need for better communication and collaboration among healthcare providers. The conversation also touches on systemic issues within traditional insurance models, highlighting the importance of integrative practices that prioritize patient needs and improve outcomes.The discussion further explores the significance of preventative care in athletics and the advancements in regenerative medicine, such as platelet-rich plasma and stem cell therapies. For more on Dr. Fontaine: Book: "ONLY ONE BODY: Your Owner’s Manual for Optimal Health and Peak Performance for Life" Website: https://drmattfontaine.com/Sponsored by BluApple: https://thebluapple.com?sca_ref=8837292.HZGjjNgCncCode: Brandi15 

The Inflammation Code: A Physicist’s Quest to Reverse Chronic Disease

Send us a textSamuel Shepherd is a prominent physicist, inventor, and engineer, who has garnered international recognition for his expertise and contributions in several fields in science to include, Bio-Chemical / Medical engineering, physics, chemistry, and mathematics. He is an inventor with 42 patents and over 50 years of breakthroughs across these fields. His career has taken him from developing technologies for NASA and the Beijing Olympics to pioneering solutions in alternative energy and environmental remediation. But it was a deeply personal health challenge that led him to his most life-changing discovery. In 2003, Samuel was diagnosed with a rare, untreatable bone marrow cancer. Conventional medicine offered no viable path forward, so he turned to his lifelong expertise in science and innovation. After years of research, he developed ValAsta, the only patented glycosidic form of astaxanthin designed specifically to target inflammation, the root cause of most chronic disease. His unique delivery system makes astaxanthin far more bioavailable than typical supplements, producing remarkable results for energy, mobility, sleep, and overall vitality in both people and pets.Today, Samuel is on a mission to educate others about how inflammation accelerates disease and diminishes quality of life, and how targeted natural solutions can restore health. Beyond his formidable credentials, his personal story of overcoming terminal illness fuels his passion for helping others age with strength, energy, and resilience.Of note, Mr. Shepherd's dedication to his work and commitment to excellence have not gone unnoticed. He has been awarded Lifetime Fellow Status at the American College of Forensic Examiners and has been certified as a Class III Homeland Security professional.Website: https://valasta.net/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ValAsta Patents:https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/11065269https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/11497758Sponsored by: https://thebluapple.com?sca_ref=8837292.HZGjjNgCncCode: Brandi15

The Hidden Impact: A Bobsledder’s Fight for Brain Health; An Interview with William Person

Send us a textThis discussion centers on William Person's experiences as a former Team USA bobsledder and the significant impact of brain injuries, particularly chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), on athletes. William shares his personal journey, including his transition from sprinting to bobsledding and the physical and mental challenges he faced in the sport. He highlighted the prevalence of micro concussions and the cumulative damage they can cause, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and communication about these risks among athletes.William recounts the emotional toll of losing a teammate to suicide linked to CTE, which prompted him to advocate for better mental health support within the athletic community. He expressed frustration over the silence surrounding mental health issues and the lack of proactive measures to address them. The conversation also touched on the alarming connection between untreated CTE symptoms and incidents of violence, including mass shootings, underscoring the urgency of raising awareness and implementing preventive strategies.In addition to discussing his advocacy efforts, William details his ongoing class action lawsuit against U.S.A Bobsled aimed at ensuring athletes are informed about the risks associated with bobsledding. He clarified that the lawsuit is not about personal financial gain but rather about protecting athletes and promoting transparency regarding potential dangers. William also shares his struggles with accessing effective treatment for CTE. He emphasizs the importance of providing affordable treatment options for those affected by CTE and the need for continued advocacy and support for athletes and veterans. Links:https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/29/sports/bobsled-brain-injuries-lawsuit.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/26/sports/olympics/olympics-bobsled-suicide-brain-injuries.htmlhttps://gofund.me/e68951d2https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/08/us/navy-pilot-brain-injury-topgun.htmlhttps://youtu.be/JKY2vpJYcug?feature=sharedhttps://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMPnEyRF/Sponsored by BluApple: https://thebluapple.com?sca_ref=8837292.HZGjjNgCncCode: Brandi15

Beyond the NBA: Joe Alexander on Self-Honesty, Failure, Growth, and Finding Purpose in the Space Between Dreams and Reality

Send us a textJoe Alexander is a professional basketball player and lifelong student of resilience.Born in Taiwan and raised across Asia and the United States, Joe’s journey to the NBA was anything but typical. After years overseas, he returned to the U.S. to play high school basketball in Maryland and went on to star at West Virginia University, where his work ethic and explosive talent made him one of the top prospects in the country. In 2008, he was selected 8th overall in the NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks.But Joe’s path wasn’t linear. Injuries, setbacks, and the unpredictable reality of professional sports forced him to confront what happens when the dream doesn’t unfold the way you planned. What followed was a decade of reinvention — playing professionally across Israel, Italy, Turkey, Korea, and beyond, discovering new cultures, and learning what true success really means.Today, Joe speaks openly about growth, identity, and purpose beyond performance. His story is one of transformation — from chasing achievement to finding meaning — and of learning that the game doesn’t define you; the person you become through it does.Find Joe at hereSponsored by BluAppleUse Code: Brandi15