Episode 3: A Day in the Life of a Division 1 Rower: A Story About Humility, Coachability, and Showing Up

In this episode, I sit down with a very special guest—my son, Conor. From family stories to Division I rowing, this conversation is a journey through resilience, risk-taking, and the powerof community.

We start with family stories: the giant baby who wore men’s shoe sizes by age five, the Southern-boy-meets-Irish-name combo, and my own first-time-mom worries. Then, Conor takes us into the world of sports—the heartbreak of his last high school basketball game, the brotherhood of team bonds, and the surprising ways men build connection through shared struggle. Conor opens up about finding rowing asa “second-chance sport,” and the whirlwind that took him from GWU to following his dream of rowing for a Division 1 program. What follows is raw and real: the high of being recruited, to setbacks, and the spiral of doubt.

But this isn’t just a story of loss—it’s about the comeback. Conor shares how discipline, not motivation, got him out of bed to keep training when everything felt over. He found a newcommunity, rebuilt his confidence, and turned consistency into growth. We close with big reflections: what itmeans to be a man today, how young adults can push back on stereotypes, and the importance of congratulating and supporting one another—especially for young men who don’t always hear that message.

This episode is a mix of laughter, honesty, and hard truths about resilience, risk, and finding your place. If you’re a parent, an athlete, or a young adult trying to figure out who you are—you’ll find yourself in this story.

What You’ll Hear:

• What failure really teaches you when you keep showing up anyway
• How to build confidence by doing hard things, not waiting for the perfect moment
• Why feedback is a gift, even when it stings
• The mental toughness it takes to be a collegiate athlete
• The ultimate team lesson: progress only happens when everyone rows in sync

Takeaways:

• Resilience is a choice: You don’t control the outcome—you control the next rep, the next practice, the next email.
• Consistency beats motivation: Start first; motivation follows momentum.
• Coachability = trust: Take feedback on the chin, make the change, prove you’re moldable.
• Seek hard rooms: You won’t grow if you’re the best in the boat; surround yourself with people who push you.
• Team > talent: Synchronization, shared language, and clear race plans create winning crews.
• Time is a skill: Prioritize, protect sleep, and stack small routines that travel with you.
• Redefine masculinity: Check in on your guys, have real conversations, celebrate each other’s wins.
• Mentorship multiplies: Be the person you wish you had—one text a month can change aseason.

Who This is For:

• Parents & mentors supporting young adults through high-stakes transitions.
• Coaches & leaders who value feedback cultures and want teams aligned on one message.
• Any young adult who’s been humbled, is rebuilding, or just needs proof that discipline works.

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments and share this podcast with your friends so that we can figure it outtogether!

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Episode 2: Why I am so passionate about building a community that lifts both men and women up

In this conversation, I sit down with my dear friend Dr. Carli Snyder—a board-certified clinical psychologist licensed in CA and NV with 25 years in practice—whose philosophy is simple and powerful: health is wealth. We explore what she’s learned working with young adults through a holistic mind-body lens, why connection is mental health’s best friend, and how small actions create real momentum.

We dig into the wins and worries for this generation: girls are soaring academically yet reporting record anxiety; boys are too often lonely, under-mentored, and slower to seek help. We talk about how labels like “toxic masculinity” can shut down useful dialogue, and why reframing masculinity as a set of human behaviors—not a gender identity—opens the door to support both our sons and our daughters. You’ll hearwhy community (teams, faith groups, recovery circles) gives boys a language for emotion, and how mentors—especially positive male role models—change trajectories.

Threaded throughout is a simple mindset shift: it’s not either/or; it’s and. We can champion girls and lift up boys. Abundance over scarcity. Empathy over polarization.

What You’ll Hear

• Carli's holistic approach (sleep, food, movement, mindfulness) and why it's finally mainstream.
• The loneliness trend in young men, how it shows up, and what parents often miss.
• Why girls and boys are struggling with the same core needs - belonging, purpose, real friendships.
• Language matters: moving from "but" to "and" to change the conversation.

Takeaways & Tiny Actions

• Action absorbs anxiety: leave the house, take a walk, talk to a human.
• Build connection on purpose: join a team, club, faith group.
• Find (or be) a mentor; normalize asking for help.
• Feel your feelings - fully. They're data points about what matters to you.
• Practice the "and" - support women and men so all young adults thrive.

Who It’s For

Parents, educators, leaders, coaches, and young adults who believe we can raise a generation of confident, compassionate leaders—together.

For more information about Dr. Carli Snyder, you can contact her through her website:

www.drcarlisnyder.com

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments and share this podcast with your friends so that we can figure it out together!

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Episode 1: Why I Finally Hit Record 🎙️

After years of excuses (“too busy, not the right time, maybe next year…”), I realized the truth: fear was holding me back. Fear of being vulnerable, imperfect, judged. And yet—here I am. Ready or not.

In this episode, I share the real story behind starting Fresh Out & Figuring It Out—from growing up as a 1.5 generation Korean American straddling two cultures, to chasing achievement as a way to earn love, to finally realizing that belonging and worth can’t come from checking boxes.

This podcast is my love letter to young adults—my sons, and the incredible Gen Z and millennials who inspire me every single day. You’ll hear why I believe your voices matter, why it’s time to rewrite harmful stereotypes (especially about young men), and why we need a community that lifts everyone up.

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being real. And if I’m asking you to show up courageously, I have to go first. So let’s do this—together. 💛

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments and share this podcast with your friends so that we can figure it out together!

Follow me so we can stay connected!

https://www.instagram.com/marychoikelly/

https://www.tiktok.com/@marychoikellyphd

https://www.facebook.com/marychoikelly/

https://www.mckleadership.com/

https://www.womenshospitalityinitiative.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marychoikelly/