Editor's Note: The following piece from Saint Louis FC midfielder and Pennsylvania native Austin Martz outlines his unlikely connection with teammate and San Diego product Jake Fenlason. Their upcoming collaboration, the "Outside the Box" podcast, is scheduled to debut as part of the From the Pitch series during Week 9 of the USL campaign.

HEY, THERE

They say once graduating from university, as an athlete, you’ll most likely never want to write again.

Despite the status quo, professional athletes quickly realize that once the morning training is over, an abundance of valuable time awaits.

To squander this opportunity would turn to regret in years to come, unless the time became a companion to be earnestly explored.

Some explore by reading, like my friend Jake Fenlason who has already read 65 books since January 1, 2018. Some, like myself, Austin Martz, explore by writing; keeping a journal everyday and frequently sending letters to friends and family.

With the combination of our affinity for reading and writing, Jake and I decided blogging would be the most effective way to share our interests as friends in addition to connecting with family, friends, and fans.

The Origin of “Plenty to Say”
 

Plenty to Say, our blog, started when two guys who played for two consecutive teams together, became two great friends. Jake and I met last year in Orlando, Fla., sometime in February.

We’ve only known each other for a little more than a year; hard to believe, we know. Yet, what’s even harder to believe is that our blog had not manifested as an idea until roughly one month ago.

In Orlando, we frequently talked about podcasts discussing specific topics sparking our interests. For example, Radiolab talked about autonomous cars, plants that can be conditioned, even without a brain, and the dilemma of triage. Furthermore, Austin had started a blog in Malta, piecing together a few stories before returning to the states.

Upon learning we’d be in another city together, the blog became a no brainer. St. Louis, surprised us as an upcoming, eclectic city full of tremendous culture, and offers a plethora of activities for us to delve into.

We were thrilled to receive a call from the USL about wanting us to lead a podcast that would aim to promote stories about players and their journeys beyond the pitch.

Yes would be the only acceptable and reasonable answer!

People with Stories, not just Players in Sport

This theme of athlete blogging and podcasting has been growing in recent years, so we’d be bummed to miss the movement.

In the last few years, we’ve noticed the rise of The Players’ Tribune and LeBron’s Uninterrupted. Lesser known, The Athlete Story was started by former MLS and USL player, and current analyst, Bobby Warshaw, we believe just slightly before The Players’ Tribune (yes we’re still a bit bitter, maybe).

Being from the same hometown as Bobby and growing up as good friends, I became an advocate for Warshaw’s project and often offered a story of my own to try to provoke relatable conversations.

Because here’s the truth; more than being professional athletes who are gifted in sport, we desire relatability and connection to each other and those who engage with us on social media or through off-field interactions.

We’re people too, who long for outsiders to understand our circumstances through small moments of vulnerability. This is why The Players’ Tribune and Uninterrupted are vital to the promotion of this ability to relate. Narratives from primary sources are allowing other professionals, family, friends, and fans to feel encouraged, motivated, and inspired. Those going through a storm, a physical ailment, or a drought in their season can be reminded that other players experience struggle too.

Brené Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston, explored the concepts of shame, guilt, vulnerability and empathy in her TED talk. During her speech, Brown states that the two most powerful words when we’re in a struggle are “Me Too.”

We all need this, and we all need a platform to let our voices and personal anecdotes be exposed. It’s beneficial for everyone involved!