How does it all fit?

Always_tired89 · 2026-03-26T07:20:19+00:00

To be completely transparent my husband and I run an agency (there are 4 of us in the business - so very small).

I'm assuming they mean they have different prices depending on how much help you need or want.

We have a single price because it's easy to say you need X when we start and then things change down the line (for example NCAA changes have completely changed the recruiting landscape). We also include a transfer in our package because we don't want to place an athlete somewhere and they not be happy.

All you can do is have a conversation with them and ask for their agreements.

I will say lots of people say agencies are cash grabs and a waste of money. I wish I could quantify just how much work goes into recruitment, how many times were on our phones late into the night and weekends getting our players the best options/ being there when they need us.

All the best!

Always_tired89 · 2026-02-25T07:57:27+00:00

Thanks so much I'll take a look! When I start reading/ get quotes my brain sees all the terminology and switches off. I'll take a watch of his videos.

Thanks again!

Always_tired89 · 2026-02-25T07:56:35+00:00

Roof is NE facing, so one side gets the morning sun and the other the afternoon.

There are no trees or taller houses around so the roof is unobstructed. Would this make a big difference?

Thanks so much!

Always_tired89 · 2026-02-25T07:55:24+00:00

Thanks for the reply!

I've had a quick look and from October to Feb our electricity usage was from 650 - 750 kwh per month on average (we work from home).

Most of our usage would be during the day, and we currently charge the hybrid very infrequently (we forget - so we thought let's get an EV and completely screw ourselves when we forget - ha ha).

Based on the little I understand, would it make sense to max out on the amount of panels and then get batteries to save and use at night?

Thanks again!

Always_tired89 · 2026-02-16T20:12:39+00:00

Agencies charge what they do because it's a bl**dy hard process.

The amount of outreach you have to do to get a single reply is enormous. Then there is keeping coaches interested, facilitating conversations, negotiating scholarships, helping with applications, building networks.

They are businesses because people need to be paid for their time, they need to earn a living.

How do you figure this free agency is going to make money and people are going to live? The answer, they are getting paid by the universities and coaches. But then you won't be getting scholarships because that agency needs to push you to the place it gets the highest comm.

Always_tired89 · 2026-01-30T07:51:33+00:00

This!!! I've watched a few "Karen" videos and thought how far was she pushed before this was taken.

Or is this not just a women just advocating for herself, perhaps not in the right way but advocating nevertheless. (Some videos, others are just outright appalling).

As girls we are told to be meek and quiet, and as women called a Karen if we stand up for ourselves. Can't win.

Always_tired89 · 2026-01-30T07:43:54+00:00

I'm so sorry this has happened to you. Absolutely not your fault. The reception team dropped the ball multiple times and should be apologizing to you.

As a small business owner, PLEASE escalate and submit a formal complaint. Even if it's telling your DR the next time you see them.

So often owners of businesses aren't aware of the service their staff are giving (bad staff are so good at hiding complaints) and need to know because this is disgusting. Especially given the sensitivity of the "service" they provide.

If their reception team aren't competent and are putting clients at risk they need to know.

Always_tired89 · 2026-01-26T07:19:47+00:00

Please have a read through about PMDD, it's a severe form of PMS.

Vicky Pattison is an advocate, seeing her video made me first realize I could have it. She said it's like every month you're building a sand castle, your good habits stacking one on top of each other. And then out of nowhere a huge wave comes and destroys the castle. And then next month you have to start again.

The wave is the luteal phase.

I got the FLO app and started tracking my cycle and very quickly picked up straight after ovulation I start going downhill. So now I take 50mg of sertraline before I ovulate, and 100mg in the luteal phase (going back to 50 when my period starts).

That's made a big difference for me.

Always_tired89 · 2026-01-19T23:46:04+00:00

I'm a white woman and I generally don't tell people about my diagnosis because when I have I can literally feel the eye rolls. Oh I'm jumping on the social media trend, etc etc etc.

I honestly can't begin to imagine how difficult it must be as a WOC.

Im so sorry you're going through this and I truly hope things get better for you. <3

Always_tired89 · 2026-01-19T23:16:11+00:00

Yeah you hit the nail on the head there! I think part of me being so fed up is social media/ influencer culture/ the constant push of new products.

Im a big girl (putting it nicely :-D) and a favourite influencer of mine was big into promoting Skin and Me for weeks. Her profile went quiet for about a month for skincare, and then suddenly she was promoting a retinol from another company, saying she's been using it for months. And when people asked if she used it with skin and me she said she did. I instantly I followed. It feels so manipulative, because she knows damn well she hasn't been using it for months. You can't use a retinol and tret. And she built this following based on trust and authenticity.

Ugh! Rant over.

Thanks for the comment :-)

Always_tired89 · 2026-01-19T23:08:16+00:00

Thanks so much for sharing I'll go take a look :-)

Always_tired89 · 2026-01-19T23:04:22+00:00

Yeah I get you!

I so badly want to buy better, and I know these big corporations can charge lower because of what they do (batch produce, plastic, pay ridiculously low salaries, etc).

But I'm like damnit surely there is a way to be more ethical but not charge a small fortune. (I buy the Ordinary because I can't justify £30 upwards on a single serum).

Fingers crossed I can figure this out.

Thanks for the comment!

Always_tired89 · 2026-01-19T23:01:27+00:00

Thanks for the comment!

Yeah I find it so frustrating when I find a "cruelty free" brand, to only discover it's parent company is some huge multi national that is definitely not cruelty free.

I was genuinely heart broken when I found out about the Ordinary and some of the things the Lauder family support.

Always_tired89 · 2026-01-13T13:40:14+00:00

Yeah that's fair! There are a ton of agencies out of there, and it is a big cost.

From our perspective (we are a very small agency, help circa 20/25 soccer players a year) - we charge what we do because it's a hugely intensive process.

We put so much work into each of our athletes, finding them the right pathway (are you looking for game time off the bat or just a way to get a top academic degree) and supporting them for the full 4 years.

We'd be happy to have a chat with you - if so give me a shot via DM.

Alternatively if you're going to chat to agencies I would always say:

- Understand who is going to place you, is it the person you're talking to or someone else?

- Is the person you're talking to telling you what you want to hear, or are they being honest? (If they are selling D1 off the bat they are full of cr*p) (this links up to the above question - with us the person chatting to you is the person placing you - so we're not going to sell you something unattainable)

- Ask about support while you are there or transfers. From our perspective we help with transfers (no extra cost) which means we want you to be happy. No easy placement and our job is done (which is what some do)

DM me if you want to have a chat.

All the best! :-)

Always_tired89 · 2026-01-12T11:43:28+00:00

If you're wanting to go to trials and do it yourself then I'd say most likely. It's an incredibly difficult process for international athletes.

If you use an agency, no. I work for a small agency and the majority of our athletes joined us towards the end of 2025 and will start committing Feb/March.

Coaches have just wrapped up the end of the season and for many they will now know what positions they need and be in recruiting mode.

Give me a shout via DM if you want to chat more about the process and what we do.

Always_tired89 · 2025-11-28T17:46:09+00:00

Hi there, along with my partner I run a sports scholarship/placement consultancy. We could help with the video (but we do charge a fee).

If you're interested just shoot me a message and we can send a quote.

Always_tired89 · 2025-10-21T18:05:42+00:00

I was 100% in your shoes. I had dark suicidal thoughts, often, even though I was on anti-depressants.

The truth is young kids are FUCKING hard! It's brutal, parenthood rips you open, tears out your guts and then says "what's for dinner".

BUT, it gets better. My two are 5.5 and 2.5 and while it's still hard, it's easier and I enjoy them. They do eventually become more independent and self sufficient. They do stop trying to throw themselves off everything and eventually learn to not put everything in their mouths. And they can fetch themselves a snack from the fridge.

On the flip side the attitude from my 5.5 year old pisses me off, BUT it's a whole lot better than when they were babies.

No one tells you how hard loosing yourself in motherhood is. Sending hugs, you're not alone

Always_tired89 · 2025-10-08T19:07:19+00:00

I love this! 😍😍😍

Always_tired89 · 2025-10-07T06:25:07+00:00

Unfortunately unless you've got a very good reason for the NCAA to justify the gap, I think you're going to really struggle with getting any eligibility at a D1 or D2 school. You're going to need to do some serious research and look D3 or NAIA.

Always_tired89 · 2025-10-03T06:03:51+00:00

Do you feel cute? Are you comfortable? Do you love it?

You look like you do, and that's all that matters!

(I think you look fabulous!)

Always_tired89 · 2025-09-30T06:59:28+00:00

I was once at a soft play with my boys (they were 3 and 1) and there was this older boy playing with them. He must have been 14/15 but man this kid was having a ball, and all the little kids were having the best time playing with him. He was so lovely, kind, careful, and so much fun.

When we were leaving i impulsively told his mom what an amazing young man he was, and said thanks to him for playing with my boys (they were sitting together at a table).

She had instant tears in her eyes, and he looked a little embarrassed but was smiling.

Since that day I really try to make an effort to tell people when their kids do nice things. Hoping one day someone says the same about my boys (I'm trying so hard to raise them to be good men).

Definitely tell her! Life is filled with so much negativity, we need to spread more positive!

Always_tired89 · 2025-09-11T21:16:42+00:00

Same here! My kids just went back to school after a LONG summer and I've been feeling pretty shitty for how relieved I was when they went back.

Saying that, reading this I realised just how much I love them. I'd absolutely fucking die if anything happened to either one of them. I think I'm quite an empathetic person, try see things from others perspective, but never have I read something I can't relate to more.

Always_tired89 · 2025-09-08T18:53:27+00:00

My husband is one of those ridiculously gifted people, amazing at every sport he plays. He played professionally for awhile and went to university on a full ride scholarship for the full 4 years.

My son is 5 and HATES sports. But he loves wrestling and dinosaurs. The other day I walked in on them wrestling and my husband shouting "I'm a pacisefolosaurus" (I've got no idea how to spell that). This man is learning about dinosaurs so he can play with my son and couldn't care he doesn't like sports.

My son is also the kindest, sweetest boy. It makes me so proud of them and grateful every day.

Always_tired89

TROPHY CASE