Rejection Is Redirection: Life as a UMich Student Athlete & Entrepreneur

In this episode of The Best Four Podcast, Laura talks with Payton, a junior track athlete at the University of Michigan, about the reality of balancing life as a student-athlete at one of the most competitive schools in the country. From training in the Big Ten to managing classes, recovery, meals, housing, friendships, and now her own business, Payton shares how quickly she had to learn how to manage her time and advocate for what she needed. She also dives into her housing journey, from being placed in West Quad with teammates freshman year to searching for apartments almost immediately after moving in. Payton explains what she wishes she had known about leases, what now makes or breaks an apartment for her, and why choosing roommates who match your lifestyle matters more than people realize. She also shares how rejection from Michigan’s business school ultimately redirected her toward entrepreneurship and building a fitness brand of her own. In this episode, we cover: ● What freshman year is really like as a Michigan student-athlete ● West Quad, athlete housing, and Michigan’s changing dorm scene ● Why sophomore housing becomes stressful almost immediately ● Apartment must-haves like natural light, in-unit laundry, and parking ● Living with athletes from different teams and majors ● Turning rejection into redirection after applying to the business school three times ● Using social media, your university network, and campus resources to start a business Explore more episodes and continue the conversation on our website: https://thebestfourpod.com This episode is brought to you by Rambler Ann Arbor. Rambler Ann Arbor is a brand new student community coming to Ann Arbor in Fall 2027. Live directly across from The Diag and a short walk from Michigan’s central campus. Rambler will offer studios to six-bedroom apartments. Take a swim at the rooftop pool or warm up in the hot tub with views over campus and the Big House. Get your workout in at the top-floor fitness center overlooking Church Street…, then reset with a sauna session or a cold plunge. When it's time to focus, our dedicated study floor with private study rooms has you covered. And Daydreamer Cafe right in the lobby means your coffee run is never more than an elevator ride away. This episode is brought to you by Daydreamer. Daydreamer Cafe is every college student’s favorite coffee shop, coming to Ann Arbor inside the lobby of Rambler in 2027. Daydreamer offers amazing handcrafted coffee, espresso, and my personal favorite, matcha, in a beautifully designed space. But even sooner, you can catch a Daydreamer pop-up inside Rambler House starting Fall 2026. Be sure to follow @ramblerannarbor on Instagram for sneak peeks and updates.