Letting Go of Who You Think You Are with Adam Sarancik
Letting Go of Who You Think You Are with Adam Sarancik  
Podcast: The Way to College Podcast
Published On: Wed Sep 16 2026
Description: Adam Sarancik has spent decades coaching and mentoring young athletes, but his work goes far beyond sports. Through Elevate Sports Academy, he helps students think critically about college, career, identity, and what comes next when athletics is no longer the center of their world. In this episode of The Way to College Podcast, Adam shares his own journey through adversity, law, real estate, teaching, coaching, and mentoring, and explains why young people need to understand their gifts, interests, and purpose before simply following the path everyone expects of them.We talk about:Why identity can become too closely tied to one activityThe question, “Who am I beyond this?”Why students should reflect on their strengths and interestsThe importance of work ethic and independenceHow parents can help young people explore without over-directing themWhy college and career planning should begin with self-awarenessAdam’s question for every student: “What’s your why?” Adam’s message is especially powerful for student-athletes, but it applies to anyone entering a new chapter of life:You don’t have to abandon who you were, but you do need to give yourself room to discover who else you can become.🎧 Listen now to this week’s episode of The Way to College Podcast and check out Adam's work:Coaching site: https://www.coachingchampionsforlife.com/Adam's books: http://amazon.com/author/adamsarancik