159. A Conversation with BYU Wide Receiver Cody Hagen

In this powerful and thoughtful episode of the Especially for Athletes podcast, hosts Dustin Smith and Shad Martin sit down with Cody Hagen, standout wide receiver at Brigham Young University, to discuss far more than football. From elite performance and resilience to mental health, social media pressures, and competing without contempt, Cody offers a rare, honest look into the life of a Division I athlete navigating the sportlight with humility, faith, and purpose. 🔑 Episode Highlights * From High School Stardom to Division I Football Cody reflects on his journey from Corner Canyon High School to BYU, including his experience returning from a two-year mission and rebuilding his body for elite competition. * Training with Intentionality Practical advice for athletes preparing for high-level sports—especially those returning from time away—highlighting sprint work, explosive lifts, and discipline in small daily habits. * "Eyes Up, Do the Work" in Real Life Cody shares how this core Especially for Athletes principle has evolved for him—from noticing others in school hallways to being fully present in meetings, workouts, and relationships at the college level. * Winning the Hour A deep discussion on focus, distraction, and being where your feet are in a world full of noise—drawing parallels between E4A principles and the culture at BYU football. * Mental Health & Social Media Cody speaks candidly about why he stepped away from Instagram, the emotional toll of online criticism (including hostile DMs from adults), and why even "mentally strong" athletes are affected. * Competing Without Contempt Powerful insights into fan behavior, sportsmanship, and why tearing athletes down—especially after mistakes—misses the heart of competition. * Brotherhood & Team Culture Cody describes the culture under Coach Kalani Sitake: fierce competition balanced with love, accountability, and care for teammates—on and off the field. * Resilience After Disappointment Lessons learned from falling short of playoff goals and responding with composure, hunger, and renewed commitment during the bowl game and offseason. * Using the Sportlight to Bless Others From visiting elementary schools to mentoring younger athletes, Cody embraces the opportunity—and responsibility—to lift others through his platform. 💬 Memorable Takeaways * "No one wants to succeed more than the players on the field." * "Even strong people are affected by what they read online." * "If you want to perform better than most, you have to win each hour." * "Everyone you see is fighting something." ⸻ Especially for Athletes: • Website: https://e4a.org • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EspeciallyForAthletes/ • X: https://x.com/E4Afamily • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/especiallyforathletes/ • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmbWc7diAvstLMfjBL-bMMQ Join the conversation using #E4APodcast ⸻ Credits: Hosted by Dustin Smith & Shad Martin Produced by Shad Martin and IMAGINATE STUDIO