Toni Brem

I attribute much of my success to relentless hard work and the unwavering guidance of my longtime mentor, Sharif Saber. I first met Coach Saber in 2015 when he became my club coach at Penn Fusion in Pennsylvania. Even as a teenager, I recognized how deeply he invested in his players—challenging us, believing in us, and setting standards that shaped the way I approached soccer and life.

When he left to become the women’s soccer coach at the University of Mount Olive, he recruited me to join him there. Together, we helped build a successful Division II program, achieving milestones that transformed my collegiate experience. During my third year, he moved on to lead the Division I program at USC Upstate—and once again, he believed in my potential, recruiting me to join his staff as a Graduate Assistant.

At USC Upstate, we accomplished the first regular season championship, the first conference tournament championship, and the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history. Those victories were more than results—they were proof of what can happen when someone sees your potential long before you see it in yourself.

Every major step in my athletic, academic, and professional journey is tied to Coach Saber’s mentorship. Without his belief in me, I wouldn’t be where I am today—earning a master’s degree, leading sport science research, and building a future in exercise and sport science. I owe a significant part of my growth to his leadership, his high standards, and his commitment to helping me become the strongest version of myself..

The best career advice I’ve ever received is to lead with compassion but operate with GRIT: Greatness Requires Intense Toughness. Care deeply about the people your work with, protect their trust, and give them your time - but also be courageous enough to take risks, fail forward, and step into discomfort. You grow when you're willing to be uncomfortable, and you earn respect when you consistently show up for others. That balance has shaped every step of my career.

My advice to young women entering the industry is: to be fearless. Don't wait to feel ready - step into rooms that intimidate you, speak up even when your voice shakes, and trust in the value you bring. This field requires grit and resilience, but it also rewards curiosity and the willingness to grow. Keep learning, keep showing up, and never underestimate the power of your presence.

One of the biggest challenges I’m navigating right now is balancing the end of my graduate program with preparing for the next step in my career. As I complete my M.S. in Exercise & Sport Science, I’m also focusing on strengthening my professional qualifications—including pursuing my CSCS certification—and identifying the right opportunities to continue growing in applied sport science and research.

At the same time, this stage of transition is also one of the biggest opportunities in my field. Sport science is evolving quickly, with increasing integration of data, technology, and athlete monitoring across all levels of sport. Being able to step into the field now, with hands-on experience in research, performance technology, and athlete development, allows me to contribute fresh ideas and grow alongside this expanding area of performance science.

A core value for me—both personally and professionally—is balance. I take pride in my work ethic, commitment, and drive to continually learn and improve, but I also recognize the importance of slowing down and making space for my life outside of work. As a young professional, I’m learning that rest, joy, and personal well-being are just as essential to long-term success as ambition and productivity.

I value being intentional with my time, showing up fully for the people I work with, and taking care of myself so I can perform at a high level without burning out. Staying grounded, staying human, and staying connected to my purpose are important to me. Whether in sport science, coaching, or research, I aim to bring authenticity, compassion, and balance into everything I do.