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Former college athletes often spend years chasing goals on the court, but what happens when the game ends? In this episode of It's Just Different, Ashley Roberts sits down with former SMU and Wake Forest basketball player Tamia Jones to discuss the challenges of college athletics, overcoming injuries, building confidence, and transitioning into entrepreneurship.
Tamia shares how her experiences as an athlete shaped her approach to training and led her to create TJ Elite Performance. From navigating adversity to helping young athletes train smarter and stay healthy, this conversation is full of valuable lessons for athletes, parents, and coaches alike.
This Conversation Dives Into:
- Life as a student-athlete at SMU and Wake Forest
- Overcoming injuries and building mental resilience
- Navigating the challenges and growth opportunities in college athletics
- Transitioning from basketball to entrepreneurship
- Developing young athletes while prioritizing injury prevention
- Balancing training, recovery, and long-term development
- Why trusting yourself and your journey matters
- Mental resilience is one of the most important skills athletes can develop.
- Individualized training helps athletes maximize performance while reducing injury risk.
- Life after sports can create uncertainty, but pursuing your passions can lead to new opportunities.
- Recovery and long-term development should be prioritized over short-term results.
- Trusting yourself and staying committed to your goals are essential for long-term success.
About the Guest
Tamia Jones is a former collegiate basketball player who competed at both SMU and Wake Forest. Following her playing career, she turned her passion for athlete development into a business by founding TJ Elite Performance.Drawing from her own experiences as an athlete, Tamia focuses on helping players improve performance, prevent injuries, and build confidence both on and off the court.
Key Takeaways
- Mental resilience is one of the most important skills athletes can develop.
- Individualized training helps athletes maximize performance while reducing injury risk.
- Life after sports can create uncertainty, but pursuing your passions can lead to new opportunities.
- Recovery and long-term development should be prioritized over short-term results.
- Trusting yourself and staying committed to your goals are essential for long-term success.
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"Former College Athlete Could Have Quit.. Why Strong Mindset Is Important" is an episode of Its Just Different Podcast. Runtime 50 min. Published June 16, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.