Briana emphasizes the power of networking and building genuine relationships. She advises athletes and career changers to say “yes” to opportunities, connect with people, and engage in various types of career conversations, including:

• Information Sessions: Exploratory chats to understand what a job or industry really involves.

• Career Conversations: More focused discussions to learn about specific roles and career paths.

• Mentorships: Ongoing relationships that provide guidance, support, and professional growth.

By leveraging these conversations, athletes can better discover their passions and create meaningful connections that open doors to new opportunities.

Once in the role, Jazz did what elite athletes do best: she embraced the learning curve with humility and intensity. She asked questions constantly, shadowed teammates, and took full advantage of the training she received. Her eagerness to learn and comfort with being coached helped her ramp up quickly and start making an impact.

In a short time, she progressed from contributing individually to coaching others. Jazz began mentoring and developing sales reps, eventually managing multiple teams and helping to drive company-wide success. Her athletic background had instilled key traits like resilience, feedback-seeking, and a drive for continuous improvement, skills that translated directly into leadership.

That first opportunity, combined with her determination and coachability, gave her what so many athletes are looking for after sport: a sense of purpose and a new professional identity.

“Once I had that experience,” she said, “everything changed. Suddenly, people wanted to talk to me.” Experience opened doors, but it was her mindset and work ethic that helped her walk through them.