Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariah.
Hi Mariah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been passionate about sports, storytelling, and creating meaningful connections. Growing up as the daughter of NBA coach and former player Mike Woodson, I had a front-row seat to the world of professional sports. While there were many incredible moments, there were also difficult ones. Watching my dad navigate the highs and lows of coaching taught me a lot about resilience, public perception, and the sacrifices families make behind the scenes.
After competing as a Division I volleyball player at the University of Florida and Georgia Tech, I built a career in sports and entertainment, working across communications, event strategy and talent relations. Throughout that journey, I became increasingly fascinated by people’s stories. I’ve always believed that everyone has experiences worth sharing and that our stories are often the very things that connect us. When we’re willing to be honest about our struggles, challenges, triumphs, and lessons, we create opportunities to help someone else feel seen, understood, or inspired.
Entrepreneurship has also been a recurring theme in my life. After undergoing surgery to remove a large twelve pound ovarian tumor as a teenager, I launched a swimwear line inspired by the confidence and body-image challenges I experienced during recovery. Years later, after struggling with eczema and sensitive skin, I began developing skincare solutions rooted in comfort and simplicity. Both ventures were born from personal experiences and a desire to create something that could help others facing similar challenges.
The idea for Born To The Game came during a painful chapter in my dad’s coaching journey. It made me think about how often we only see the public side of someone’s story. We know the athlete, coach, entertainer, or executive, but we rarely hear from the sons and daughters who are experiencing that journey alongside them. I wanted to create a platform where those stories could be shared openly and honestly.
Today, Born To The Game explores identity, legacy, grief, purpose, and personal growth through conversations with the children and families of influential athletes, entertainers, and cultural figures. At its core, the show is built on a simple belief: none of us are alone in our experiences, and there is power in sharing our stories. We should never be ashamed of where we’ve been, because our stories may be the very thing that helps someone else navigate their own journey.
Today, I continue to build at the intersection of sports, media, entrepreneurship, and community. Whether through storytelling, events, partnerships, or business ventures, my goal is to create meaningful connections, amplify authentic voices, and leave a positive impact. Becoming a mother has only deepened that mission and reinforced my belief that legacy isn’t just what we achieve, it’s what we pass on.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think that’s true for most people pursuing something meaningful.
One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to navigate uncertainty. Throughout my career, I’ve had opportunities that looked promising and didn’t materialize, business ideas that took longer than expected to develop, and moments where I had to pivot when the path forward wasn’t clear. Entrepreneurship, in particular, has taught me that success rarely happens in a straight line.
I’ve also had to learn how to separate my identity from outcomes. Growing up around sports, you quickly realize that public success and failure are often visible to everyone. Watching my father navigate the highs and lows of coaching taught me resilience, but it also showed me that setbacks are part of the journey, not the end of it.
Personally, I’ve faced health challenges that significantly shaped my perspective. As a teenager, I underwent surgery to remove a large ovarian tumor, which resulted in the loss of one ovary. In the years that followed, I was often told that conceiving children could be challenging because of that surgery. Navigating those conversations and uncertainties at a young age was difficult, but it taught me not to take life’s blessings for granted and to remain hopeful even when circumstances seem uncertain.
More recently, balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship, and career growth has stretched me in ways I never anticipated. There are days when you’re building a business, pursuing opportunities, caring for your family, and trusting that the seeds you’re planting today will eventually grow. That requires a tremendous amount of faith and patience.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change much. The challenges have taught me resilience, adaptability, and empathy. They’ve also given me stories and experiences that allow me to connect more deeply with others, which is ultimately at the heart of everything I do.
As you know, we’re big fans of BORN TO THE GAME. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At its core, Born To The Game is a storytelling platform dedicated to exploring identity, legacy, and purpose. Through our podcast, live experiences, and community initiatives, we create meaningful conversations with the children and families of influential athletes, entertainers, entrepreneurs, and cultural figures.
While many interviews focus on accomplishments and public success, we’re more interested in the human story behind the headlines. We explore topics like family dynamics, grief, pressure, personal growth, resilience, and what it means to build a name for yourself while carrying a family legacy. Our goal is to create conversations that are honest, relatable, and impactful.
What sets us apart is that we don’t view our guests through the lens of who they’re related to, we view them as individuals with unique experiences and stories worth sharing. Time and time again, we’ve discovered that the emotions people experience, whether it’s loss, self-doubt, ambition, joy, or the desire to make their family proud are universal. Those shared experiences are what connect us all.
Beyond the podcast, we are building a community centered around storytelling, connection, and legacy. Whether through live events, partnerships, or future initiatives, our mission is to create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and inspired.
What I’m most proud of is the trust our guests place in us. Many have shared stories they’ve never publicly discussed before. Knowing that we’ve created an environment where people feel comfortable being vulnerable and authentic is something I don’t take lightly.
Ultimately, I want readers to know that Born To The Game is about much more than sports or celebrity families. It’s about the stories that shape us, the lessons we inherit, and the legacy we choose to create. We believe everyone has a story worth sharing, and sometimes hearing someone else’s story can help us better understand our own.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m entering a season of building, and that’s something I’m incredibly excited about.
With Born To The Game, I am focused on continuing to grow the platform through new podcast episodes, strategic partnerships, and expanding our reach to new audiences. Our vision has always been bigger than a podcast. We want to continue creating meaningful conversations that inspire, educate, and connect people through the power of storytelling.
I’m also continuing to expand my work in sports, entertainment, partnerships, and brand strategy. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work across multiple industries, and I’m excited about opportunities that allow me to combine storytelling, relationship-building, and community engagement in impactful ways.
On the entrepreneurial side, I’m looking forward to continuing to develop brands and products inspired by real-life experiences. Some of my greatest ideas have come from challenges I’ve personally faced, and I hope to continue creating solutions that genuinely help people.
Most importantly, I’m excited about growth, not just professionally, but personally. Becoming a mother has changed the way I define success. While I still have ambitious goals, I’m equally focused on building a life that reflects my values, creates opportunities for others, and leaves a positive impact on the people around me.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the journey rarely unfolds exactly as planned. Some of the most meaningful opportunities in my life have come from unexpected places, and I’m looking forward to continuing to evolve, create, and remain open to whatever comes next.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.borntothegamepodcast.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahwoodson_/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BornToTheGamePodcast
