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Written by: Tomas Morgan
In the heart of Northern Virginia, nestled within the picturesque town of Leesburg, a young man by the name of Mitchell Pehlke began a journey that would not only redefine his own life but also captivate the hearts and minds of countless others. Raised in a household where lacrosse was more than just a sport, it was a way of life, Mitchell's story takes us on a remarkable voyage through the world of content creation, self-discovery, and the pursuit of dreams.
Growing up, Mitchell's dad, Kevin Pehlke, was a lacrosse legend, earning the prestigious title of a four-time All-American in the University Box Association (UBA). Lacrosse was woven into the very fabric of the Pehlke family, but his mom had a different perspective. She believed that life had to be more than just lacrosse. She often reminded him that a first date couldn't revolve solely around the sport. It was this maternal wisdom that planted a seed of curiosity in Mitchell's mind.
As Mitchell transitioned from adolescence to young adulthood, his fascination with YouTube and home vlogs grew exponentially. He yearned to become a content creator but battled the fear of judgment and the opinions of others. It wasn't until a friend named Buck encouraged him to embark on this digital journey that Mitchell's adventure truly began.
Their initial video, a daring endeavour involving haircuts exchanged between friends, took the internet by storm and quickly went viral in their town. It was the spark that ignited a wildfire. Mitchell, now consumed by the world of content creation, began documenting every aspect of his life, from high school escapades to the thrilling college experiences that lay ahead.
College life took him to Ohio State, where he found himself surrounded by like-minded individuals who shared his relentless passion for success in the Lacrosse field. In this tight-knit community, the relentless pursuit of their goals became infectious, and they fueled each other's ambitions. For Mitchell, it was a realization that the grind never truly stops, and the rewards are boundless when you put in the work.
Yet, when his four years at Ohio State were finished, one challenge he confronted was pushing himself physically. It's a common human tendency to shy away from activities that seem grueling or painful. However, Mitchell came to understand that the exhilaration of finishing a strenuous task was unparalleled. In the realm of content creation, as in life, effort is directly proportional to results, and that journey is the most rewarding part.
Returning home presented its own set of challenges. Unlike his structured college days at Ohio State, there was no rigid schedule to adhere to. Managing time and staying active became paramount, and Mitchell grappled with finding the balance between his digital world and the real one.
One of the most trying periods in Mitchell's content creation career came when he joined Ohio State's lacrosse team. NCAA regulations at the time prevented him from capitalizing on advertisements and sponsorships associated with his YouTube channel. His videos transformed into mundane room monologues, touching upon the most ordinary of subjects, such as soap.
However, fate had other plans. On July 1st, just before his junior year, the NCAA reached an agreement to allow student-athletes to profit from their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). Mitchell's passion for content creation rekindled, and he once again combined it with his love for lacrosse.
One of Mitchell's pet peeves is encountering individuals in the content creation space who dismiss others based on their follower count. To him, everyone, regardless of their social media reach, is human, and we all share the same aspirations and struggles. He believes in treating everyone with respect, regardless of their level of fame, and sees this as a mark of true character.
Accountability has been a constant companion in Mitchell's life, a lesson learned early on that allowed him to mature rapidly, especially when entering the challenging world of college. It's this sense of responsibility that has propelled him forward, even in the face of adversity.
Mitchell Pehlke's story is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the courage to embrace one's interests beyond the familiar. From a lacrosse household in Leesburg to the vast world of content creation, his journey reminds us that the pursuit of dreams can take us to unexpected places, and that, no matter the stage, we are all human, with shared experiences and dreams worth chasing.
To learn more about Mitchell Pehlke and his journey listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. You can also watch on YouTube. For episodes of The Athletes Podcast click here.
