Playing Isn’t Everything: Confidence, Clarity, and Finding Your People With Shannon Reny

Hey, y’all! On this episode of Play Like A They, Monica and Sara hang out with Shannon Reny, a former D2 basketball player from Montana, lover of coffee shops and live music, and nonbinary human. In this episode, Shannon reflects on how sports have shaped their lives, from building community and gaining confidence to finding representation in a traditionally binary world.

Shannon’s got stories about how sports gave them confidence, community, and a whole lot of life lessons—like how basketball helps them handle the pressure of law school. They also share the ups and downs of figuring out their gender identity, especially when you grow up in a small town with zero representation, and even how Play Like A They played a role in their gender journey (!!!).

We’re talking about everything from body image issues in women’s sports to finding a queer community in Portland that just gets it—and how sometimes, competition isn’t the only reason we play.

If you’ve ever felt like the gender binary doesn’t quite fit, this episode’s gonna hit home. So grab your headphones and get ready for some laughs, some feels, and a whole lot of honesty. Don’t forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram @PlayLikeAThey for more!

Episode transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1se-_a8-tcn8bRuACroDXl7965clCupfge1EwzrHSOO8/edit?usp=sharing