Katie Hnida: How a Pioneering Athlete Became a Powerful Voice for Sexual Assault Victims

It's Why We're Here: Finding the Path to Purpose

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and today’s guest is unfortunately very aware of what sexual assault victims go through both during and after the assault. Our host Steve is honored to welcome friend, and pioneer for women playing in football, Katie Hnida. Katie is an author, advocate, and history-making athlete. In this episode, we get to hear her journey of discovering her love of football, following her dreams of becoming a college and semi-pro kicker in her favorite sport, and how she has turned the trauma of being sexually assaulted by a teammate into being a voice and advocate for sexual assault victims.

02:00 Katie and I go way back!

03:15 What did your journey look like growing up and becoming a collegiate athlete?

05:15 How did you discover that you had the talent for punting a football?

06:00 What was it like trying out for your high school football team?

09:40 What did the guys in High School think when you became a Varsity Kicker?

11:20 Did colleges quickly become interested?

13:15 What did it feel like playing for your dream college football team?

15:00 What was the transition like from playing in high school to college football?

16:30 Why did you end up leaving your dream college of CU?

18:30 Did anyone defend you as you were being harassed?

19:00 The ultimate betrayal of being sexually assaulted by someone she knew.

20:40 Did you initially tell anybody about being raped?

21:40 How did you navigate depression and trauma after the assault?

24:50 Making history at the University of New Mexico!

28:50 The contrast of the team at CU and University of New Mexico.

30:40 What was it like doing a public interview about the sexual assault?

34:30 What was your Dad’s reaction to hearing about the assault?

38:15 Tell us about becoming a semi-pro football player?

41:00 Why has it become so important to you to be an advocate for sexual assault victims?

43:30 What are the biggest misconceptions about sexual assault cases?

45:40 Are there still times you relive the experience as you see stories of sexual assault?

48:30 What advice would you give to someone who finds themselves victim of sexual assault and doesn’t know what to do?

49:30 What is your pathfinder, a quote or saying that inspires you?

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