Content Creation, NIL, and the D1 Grind — My Episode on The Real Deal

I had the chance to sit down with Taylor Jacobs on The Real Deal, part of the Hey Fightin’ Podcast Network — LSU’s official podcast network. At the time of the episode I was a sophomore running the 1500m and mile for LSU, and we talked about my journey as a content creator and D1 athlete, how I think about NIL, and what it’s been like building something beyond the track while competing at the SEC level. You can listen to the full episode below.

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Listen to the Episode

Also available on Apple Podcasts.

Content Creation as an LSU Athlete

One of the biggest topics Taylor and I dug into was how I got started creating content. It didn’t happen overnight — I started posting casually and then realized there was a real audience of people who wanted to see what daily life actually looks like for a college runner. From early morning lifts to race-day prep to the random stuff in between, I try to show the full picture. The goal was never to be an influencer — it was to document something I’m already living and let people come along for the ride. By the time this episode came out, my YouTube channel had already grown past tens of thousands of subscribers, and I was publishing race recaps, training vlogs, and day-in-the-life content multiple times a week.

Navigating NIL as a Track Athlete

NIL is still a new world for a lot of athletes, especially in non-revenue sports like track and cross country. Taylor asked some great questions about how I approach brand partnerships and what I’ve learned about building a personal brand that actually means something. For me, it comes down to authenticity — I only work with brands and products I actually use and believe in. That’s how you build trust with an audience long-term, and it’s the approach that has opened the most doors for me so far. My partnership with COROS watches is a good example — it’s a product I actually train with every day, so talking about it feels natural rather than forced.

Representing LSU and Leawood, Kansas

Growing up in Leawood, Kansas, and then making the move to Baton Rouge to run at LSU was a big transition. We talked about what that adjustment was like — a new state, a new conference, a totally different culture. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. LSU has pushed me both as an athlete and as a person. The support system here, from my coaches to my teammates, has been a huge part of why I’ve been able to balance competing at a high level with everything else I have going on off the track.

About The Real Deal

The Real Deal with Taylor Jacobs is part of the Hey Fightin’ Podcast Network, LSU’s official podcast network covering all things LSU Sports. The show spotlights LSU student-athletes and goes beyond the stats to explore the real stories behind the competition — from NIL and personal branding to the day-to-day grind of being a college athlete. Episodes drop weekly and are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

Key Takeaways

• Content creation started as documentation, not a strategy — showing real day-in-the-life moments as a D1 runner built an audience organically.
• Authenticity is the foundation of NIL — only partnering with brands I genuinely use keeps things credible and sustainable.
• The transition from Kansas to LSU pushed growth both on and off the track, and the support system at LSU makes balancing athletics and content possible.
• Non-revenue sport athletes have real NIL opportunity if they focus on building a personal brand and telling their story consistently.