Being the Athlete Podcast

LSU's Enzo Kohlmann de Freitas joins the show to discuss his tennis journey, the growth of tennis in Brazil and his decision to come to Baton Rouge and play college tennis. 

Kohlmann currently has played #2-#4 singles for the Tigers in the 2026 season, helping them to a 12-2 record, and the No. 7 ranking in the most recent ITA team rankings. 

Vanderbilt's Sophia Webster joins the show to discuss her time playing for the Commodores, creating her own path as a tennis player, and her growth as an athlete. 

Webster is currently ranked No. 3 in the country in doubles with partner Celia Belle Mohr, with whom she finished runner up at the NCAA Championships this past fall. 

She is also the first ever freshman All-American in program history. 

Current No. 9 in the country Matthew Forbes joins the show to discuss his time in East Lansing at Michigan State. 

We also discuss his transition to college tennis, learned maturity as well almost quitting tennis and how he found his joy for the sport. 

Oklahoma's Luis Carlos Alvarez joins the show to talk about his journey to college tennis from growing up in Mexico. We discuss how he prepares for both his collegiate and pro matches as well as how he changed his practices after playing against pros. 

Baylor's Head Men's Tennis Coach Michael Woodson joins the show to talk about his experience being a coach at the high Division I level. We discuss what match days are like, how he finds ways to relate to his athletes, things he's learned as a coach and what it's like hosting big tournaments. 

Oklahoma State's Olivia Lincer joins the show to talk about the coming season, her transfer from UCF to OSU, her progression as an athlete as well as finding her voice. 

Olivia is currently No. 630 in the WTA rankings in singles and No. 370 in doubles. She helped the Cowgirls qualify for indoor nationals and the team carries the No. 8 ranking in the country in the most recent rankings. 

Katya Khairutdinova joins the show to discuss her season for the Auburn Tigers, her transfer from FIU, how she handles everyday responsibilities of being an athlete, and shares a story of playing a current teammate as a freshman. 

Katya helped the Tigers qualify for National Indoors with a 4-0 win over FSU. 

Texas A&M's Kholo Montsi joins the show to discuss his time in College Station, his transfer from Oklahoma, mental health, as well as his goals as an athlete moving forward in life. 

Kholo just helped the Aggies secure a 4-2 win over Duke, sending them to the Indoor Nationals. 

Kickoff weekend special! Clemson's Matisse Farzam joins the show to discuss his upcoming freshman season for the Tigers, finding practice partners as a lefty as well as the difference in preparation from juniors to college. 

Matisse is currently 2-0 in the early season for the Tigers and has helped them to qualify for Indoor Nationals for the first time in over a decade, with team wins over South Carolina and Harvard. 

Clemson's Romain Gales joins the show for the first ever BTA Pod interview. We talk about the opening day match against LSU, his goals for the season and his journey to becoming a Tiger. 

University of Tennessee's Alejandro Moreno joins the show to discuss his college tennis journey, his transfer back to Knoxville, how he deals with early match strategy, and memories with teammates. 

USF's Hugo Car joins the show to talk about his journey to college tennis from Marseille, his evolution of being an athlete, playing high level players and his goals moving forward. 

A Christmas week show! This one features UNC's Ian Mayew. We discuss his fall season as well as blooming late as a junior tennis player and what it was like growing up in a tennis family. 

Mississippi State's Benito Sanchez Martinez Joins the Show to talk about his experience at the MastersU Tournament in France, representing his home country of Germany, as well as how he sets his goals for improvement as an athlete. 

Cal's Berta Passola Folch joins the show to talk about her time playing in Berkeley, her run to the NCAA final, as well as how she prepares for college matches on the road and her process for playing pro tennis. 

Stian Klaassen joins the show to discuss his time playing tennis at San Diego as well as his experiences in learning what it takes to play tennis at a high level. 

ITA #4 Jay Friend joins the show to discuss his All American win, how he prepares for his matches as well as how he deals with the ups and downs of being an athlete. 

LSU's Cadence Brace Joins the Show to talk about her preparation for matches, the upcoming Australian Open, representing Canada at the BJKC and her experience playing at LSU.

Ozan Baris joins the show from the Champaign Challenger. We discuss his preparation for pro tournaments, his favorite place to play, and what his goals are for the coming season. 

Wake Forest's Andrew Delgado joins the show to discuss the upcoming NCAA Tournament, where he is the two seed with teammate DK Suresh, as well as his recovery and preparation for the coming season. 

Clemson's Noa Vukadin joins the show to talk about growing up in Croatia, helping to turn around the Clemson tennis program and what it takes to be a leader.

University of South Carolina's Sean Daryabeigi joins the show to talk about his upcoming trip to the National Championships as well as his growth as an athlete. 

We're back, and in a different format. This time around, with a new show.