For this assignment, I chose Instagram because it is one of the most visual and athlete-driven platforms in sports culture today. Instagram allows users to combine imagery, short-form video, captions, and hashtags to build a consistent identity. The persona I created is called “Monarch Mindset.” It represents who I am as both a student-athlete and a sports management major with long-term goals of working in the sports industry. The focus is on authenticity, discipline, leadership, and ambition.

The tone of this persona is confident but not arrogant. It reflects the mindset of someone who competes at a high level while also preparing for a professional career beyond playing. Many athlete accounts focus strictly on highlights, but I wanted my persona to go beyond that. That is why some posts show behind-the-scenes work like myself reading to kids, planning for a future as a sports agent, or preparing mentally for competition. This adds depth and positions the account as more than just an athlete page—it becomes a brand.

Consistency was important in shaping this persona. The captions emphasize themes like “grind,” “leadership,” “team,” and “growth.” These values align with both sports culture and personal development. The visual style would include game-day tunnel shots, training content, team moments, and professional preparation scenes. Together, these elements build a recognizable voice.

The overall strategy behind Monarch Mindset is relatability mixed with aspiration. College athletes and sports business students can connect with the daily grind, while younger athletes may see it as something to work toward. In today’s social media landscape, authenticity drives engagement. By combining real experiences with a clear theme, this persona becomes both personal and marketable. It shows that the athlete identity and the future sports professional identity can exist at the same time—and that both require the same mindset.