She Shot Sue Bird, Rolling Stone, and SLAMs StudBudz Cover | Nicol Biesek [oSBGXDeZjqZ]

From college basketball to shooting covers for Rolling Stone and SLAM Magazine — sports photographer Nicol's journey is proof that retired athletes never really stop being athletes. In this episode of No Former Athlete, Nicol shares her path from playing club basketball alongside Chelsea Gray, to becoming one of the most in-demand names in women's sports photography. We talk about athlete identity after retirement, the confidence she never built on the court, post-athletic career transition, hip surgery at 34, and how her years of training quietly shape every photoshoot she runs today. Use code NICOLPOD to get a special discount to get lifetime access on the NFA Breathe Here Now Virtual Breathwork session. This conversation covers imposter syndrome, external validation, limiting beliefs, queer identity in sports, the WNBA's rising visibility, and what it really means to grieve your athletic identity while building a new one. Nicol opens up about photographing Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Breanna Stewart, Lisa Leslie and the viral StudBudz SLAM cover, and why she's still chasing the version of her career she hasn't reached yet. If you're a no former athlete, a retired college athlete, or anyone navigating identity after sports, this episode is for you. Use code NICOLPOD to get a special discount to get lifetime access on the NFA Breathe Here Now Virtual Breathwork session.