Welcome to KeaFirstSteps

I’m from Greensboro, North Carolina, and like many athletes, sports shaped who I was long before I understood who I was becoming. Competition gave me structure, discipline, and purpose—but it also came with pressure, expectations, and moments where I felt lost beneath the surface.

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I began my collegiate athletic career at Vanderbilt University before transferring to The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. From the outside, it looked like success. From the inside, I was navigating the mental and emotional weight that comes with high-level athletics—expectations, identity, performance pressure, and the fear of not being enough when the game stops.

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During that time, I met with a sports psychologist for the first time, and that experience changed everything. For the first time, I felt seen beyond my stats and performance. I walked away feeling empowered—like I could take on the world. That moment planted a seed I didn’t fully understand yet, but I knew it mattered.

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After continuing my playing career at the professional level, I realized that what impacted me most wasn’t just the game—it was the mental skills, support, and guidance that helped me navigate life within and beyond sport. I saw how many athletes struggled silently, unsure how to ask for help or prepare for what comes next.

That realization led me to create Kea First Steps—a space dedicated to supporting athletes through their development, transitions, and mental well-being.

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Today, I am pursuing my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at North Carolina Central University, where I am a Counselor-in-Training. My work is grounded in both lived experience and clinical training, allowing me to bridge the gap between performance and mental wellness.

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Kea First Steps exists to help athletes build confidence, resilience, and clarity—not just for the next level of competition, but for life beyond the game.