In this episode of Committed, Kate sits down with longtime friend and standout baseball player Kevin Karstetter to unpack the real journey through college athletics.

Kevin’s path wasn’t linear. After earning his first Division I scholarship offer at just 15 years old, his career took multiple unexpected turns, including losing his senior season to COVID, choosing the junior college route, transferring to Arizona State, navigating NCAA eligibility rules, and ultimately helping lead the University of Tampa to a national championship.

Kevin shares what JUCO baseball is really like, why it can be one of the best development paths for athletes, and the mindset required to keep going when your plan doesn’t work out.

From early recruiting pressure to mental resilience and learning to love the game again, this conversation is a raw look at the sacrifices, pivots, and perspective it takes to stay committed to the sport you love.

Social Media: @kevinkarstetter

• To reach out or learn more please visit: https://byndsport.com/
• Social Media: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• Substack: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• YouTube: @kateafitzgerald

In this episode of Committed, Kate sits down with Nebraska distance runner Cami Merickel to talk about the realities of Division I track and field and building a life beyond your sport.

From growing up in Arizona to competing at the D1 level, Cami shares how she navigated recruiting without a clear roadmap, adjusted to the demands of college training, and learned to trust her own path as an athlete.

She opens up about the transition from high school to D1, managing injuries and increased workload, and why track is far more mental and strategic than people think.

Cami also shares her experience studying abroad in Barcelona while continuing to train at a high level, a rare path for student-athletes, and how that experience ultimately reshaped her career goals and identity beyond running.

This episode is for athletes learning how to balance performance, personal growth, and life outside of sport.

Follow Cami:
Instagram: @camimerickel (confirm handle if needed)

• To reach out or learn more please visit: https://byndsport.com/
• Social Media: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• Substack: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• YouTube: @kateafitzgerald

Committed is a podcast about the real journey through sports and the life that follows. Hosted by former Division I beach volleyball player and entrepreneur Kate Fitzgerald, the show is rooted in her unique path through college athletics. Kate walked on to Arizona State’s beach volleyball team, earned a scholarship, became one of the top NIL-earning Olympic sport athletes, and helped lead ASU to its first NCAA Championship appearance. Along the way, she launched two businesses through NIL, including VBAmerica and the SPORTx Student-Athlete Venture Studio, a $1.5M+ partnership with GoDaddy focused on helping athletes develop skills beyond being influencers. Now, she talks with athletes, coaches, and innovators to share real stories about recruiting, college sports, NIL, and life after the game. New episodes every week.

• To reach out or learn more please visit: https://byndsport.com/
• Social Media: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• Substack: @committedbykatefitzgerald
• YouTube: @kateafitzgerald