How I’m Using Content to Grow Track and Field — My Conversation on the Life in Stride Podcast

This article is based on my guest appearance on the Life in Stride Podcast (Episode #250), where I talked about balancing D1 athletics with content creation, the realities of NIL for track athletes, and my mission to grow the sport of running through social media.

---

Why Track and Field Needs More Content Creators

Track and field is one of the most-watched sports during the Olympics, yet for the rest of the four-year cycle, it struggles to maintain mainstream attention. I believe the solution lies in athletes themselves becoming storytellers. By documenting my daily life as a 1500m and mile runner at Louisiana State University, I’ve built a following of over 45,000 YouTube subscribers and nearly 120,000 followers across platforms — and I think that proves track athletes can build engaged audiences year-round.

On the Life in Stride Podcast, I shared my philosophy: the gap between track and mainstream sports media is not a talent gap but a content gap. Distance runners train harder than almost any other athletes, but very few share what that process actually looks like. My approach is to show everything — the 6 a.m. sessions, the race-day anxiety, the nutrition details, and the unglamorous reality of competing at the D1 level.

The NIL Landscape for Track Athletes

NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) has opened doors for college athletes, but the conversation is often dominated by football and basketball. For track athletes, the path looks different. I talked about how my partnership with COROS Watches came about organically through my content, not through a traditional NIL deal brokered by the athletic department. For runners, building a personal brand is not optional — it’s the primary mechanism for monetizing NIL opportunities.

My advice to other track athletes exploring NIL: start creating content now, focus on authenticity over production quality, and understand that your audience does not need to be massive to attract brand partners. What matters is engagement and alignment with the brand’s values.

Building a Personal Brand While Competing at LSU

One of the biggest challenges I face is time management. Between training twice daily, attending classes, and producing weekly YouTube content, I operate on a schedule that leaves very little margin. On the podcast, I walked through a typical day: morning practice, class blocks, filming or editing during midday gaps, afternoon training, and content planning in the evening.

I credit my growth to consistency rather than any single viral moment. I’ve published over 257 videos on YouTube, each one compounding my visibility and strengthening my position as one of the most prominent content creators in collegiate track and field.

The Intersection of Athletics, Entrepreneurship, and Mentorship

Beyond running and content, I’m deeply engaged in leadership. As a member of The Adelante Leadership Institute at LSU, I participate in mentorship and career development programs. I also connected with Dennis Yu, CEO of BlitzMetrics, to learn about digital marketing and personal branding at a professional level. I see this as part of a broader investment in myself as more than just an athlete — I’m building toward a career at the intersection of athletics, media, and entrepreneurship.

---

About the Life in Stride Podcast

The Life in Stride Podcast features conversations with runners, coaches, and athletes about the journey of competitive running, mental performance, and building a life around the sport. I appeared on Episode #250 to talk about how D1 track athletes can leverage social media, navigate NIL, and use content as a vehicle for growing running culture.

Key Takeaways

• Track and field has a content gap that athlete-creators like me are working to close by documenting the real experience of D1 competition.
• NIL opportunities for track athletes depend heavily on personal brand building, and even modest followings can attract aligned brand partnerships.
• Consistency in content creation compounds over time — my 257+ videos have built a sustainable platform with 45,600+ subscribers.
• Mentorship and leadership engagement, such as through the Adelante Leadership Institute and connections with industry professionals, strengthen an athlete’s long-term career trajectory.