Meet Brie Lieberman of The Sideline Hustle Athletes of the Future Foundation

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brie Lieberman.

Hi Brie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi! My name is Brie Lieberman. Here is my story:

How I Started:
I am originally from Berwick, Louisiana – a very small southern town where community means everything. I was raised by my mother, Michelle, my father, Todd, my younger brother, Tyler, and my grandparents, Janie and Nolan (who lived right next door to us). My father played professional basketball and my mother was a model and dancer, so I grew up surrounded by discipline, creativity, and hard work. My grandparents, who are still pillars of our community, instilled in me the value of giving back and serving others. I truly believe my family shaped both my career and my vision for the future in such an inspirational way.

The Early Stages:
Sports became a huge part of my life early on. I went on to play Division 1 volleyball graduating with dual degrees in Pre-Law and Psychology. During the off seasons, I coached club volleyball for local teams, which is where I really began to understand the power of mentorship and leadership.
In 2021, I moved to Atlanta to pursue my Master’s in Clinical Psychology. That’s when I also met my now husband, Drew Lieberman, who had already launched his company, The Sideline Hustle. After completing my Master’s, I began working in private practice with children facing a variety of stressors. While the work was meaningful, it wasn’t filling my cup up. I would come home emotionally drained, unable to leave “work at work.” After many late-night conversations, Drew encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone, challenge societal expectations, and consider a completely different path – a path that allowed me to merge my love of sports, mentorship and community.

Where I am Today:
Today, my heart and energy are centered on Athletes of the Future Foundation, the nonprofit that I created with a lot of help from my husband. We launched in 2023, and in just a short time, we’ve been able to give out more than $20,000 in scholarships, run two community camps, run two fundraising events, and present over seven awards to student athletes who exemplify the mission to be great. Our mission is to create opportunities for young athletes who might not otherwise have access, and to instill the values of leadership, service, and resilience. One of my proudest moments has been launching scholarships in honor of my grandparents, who spend their lives giving back to our hometown community.
In addition, I serve as Chief Operating Officer of the Sideline Hustle, where I help build the systems, operations, and structure behind the scenes of our NFL athlete development company. While that role challenges me professionally, Athletes of the Future is what fuels me personally – it’s where I feel I can make the biggest long-term impact.

What Drives Me:
At the core of everything I do is the belief that mentorship, opportunity, and access can change the trajectory of someone’s life. I enjoy working and giving back in the shadows – building systems, creating opportunities, and empowering others. Drew has done such a wonderful job at pushing our mission forward through public speeches, hosting our events, and actively spreading awareness of our future plans through the community channels. For me, after growing up with much of my life under the public eye of a small town, I have found freedom in being able to express myself through our work. That’s where I feel most authentic.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all – and honestly, I wouldn’t expect it to be. Any meaningful journey comes with struggles.
One of the biggest challenges was my career transition. After investing years into psychology, it was hard to step away from a path that, on paper, was already set for me. I struggled with identity – feeling the guilt of realizing I didn’t want the career I had spent some much time building toward. With that came doubt, fear, and plenty of late night conversations about whether I was doing what was best for me. It was a major challenge to find someone to help me navigate this new chapter of my life. As someone who knew all the “tips and tricks” of a psychologist, I didn’t do well with “traditional therapy.” Finding Virginia Fulton, a spiritual guider and mentor completely changed my life in the most positive and powerful way possible.

From a practical standpoint, starting Athletes of the Future Foundation in 2023 brought its own hurdles. Nonprofits that are 501c3 exempt require a lot of structure and compliance. Because this was something that I had never done before, there was definitely a learning curve, but with the help of my mother in law Susan who had worked with several nonprofits in the past, our amazing CPA Greg Hudgins, and our financial advisor Joe Giamio I was able to successfully get approval.
One thing I realized through it all is that success isn’t about staying on the path everyone expects you to walk – it’s about creating one that aligns with your purpose.

We’ve been impressed with The Sideline Hustle Athletes of the Future Foundation, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We truly believe in the power of sports. Our nonprofit is dedicated to bridging the information gap in sports and empowering aspiring athletes of the future. Our goal is to ensure that no athlete is held back due to lack of access and resources and that every young athlete deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams- whatever that may look like.
What sets us apart from others is the support that we receive from professional athletes. I mentioned before that my husband founded The Sideline Hustle (TSH). He works primarily with NFL Wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs focusing on route running, film study, and mental development. Drew has built a huge community and that community is like family for us. We all want to see each other succeed, so we do what is necessary to help one another fulfill our goals.
I am most proud of our authenticity and direct communication to the kids we are helping. When we give out scholarships and do camps, we are there in person creating conversations and building relationships. When someone comes into our nonprofit, they have our cell phone number and direct access to us. We keep up with the kids that we meet. We truly care about their development both on AND off of the field.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is when I feel in alignment; when I am surrounded by the people I love and living in a way that reflects someone other can look up to. Time with my husband, my family, and my closest friends grounds me and reminds me of what truly matters. Creating opportunities for others is part of it, but at the heart of it all, my happiness comes from connection, love, and leaving any space/experience better than I found it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.athletesotf.org/
• Instagram: athletesotf
• Other: Our main pages handles (IG, Twitter, Facebook) @Sidelinehustle