Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Bowles.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey really took off when I became a fitness ambassador for STRIDE Fitness. What started as a passion for movement and building community turned into so much more. I began leading workouts, creating content, and stepping into the role of an influencer for the brand. That experience helped me grow both personally and professionally, and it sparked my desire to help others find confidence through health and consistency.
At the same time, I was navigating life as a student-athlete at Trevecca Nazarene University, where I play soccer. Being in that space opened my eyes to how underdeveloped the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) opportunities were for Division II athletes like myself. I started leading conversations and efforts on campus to bring awareness and create better access to NIL deals for our teams.
That led me to develop Bridged, a platform designed to connect college athletes with brands and companies in a way that blends NIL opportunities with real-world career development. Whether it’s turning a brand partnership into an internship or helping athletes build a portfolio that transitions beyond sports, Bridged exists to empower student-athletes to take control of their future.
My story is still unfolding, but it’s built on the belief that your platform, no matter how big or small, can become a launchpad for impact.
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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I’ve seen how every challenge has had purpose. One of the biggest struggles has been learning how to be respected and taken seriously as a young woman who’s still figuring things out, all while balancing life as a full-time college athlete, working jobs, and building a business from the ground up.
There have been so many moments of pressure, trying to show up professionally while still turning in assignments and showing up for my team. The tension between growing into adulthood and still being in a college season isn’t always easy to manage. And working in the NIL space, especially at a Division II school, meant I was stepping into uncharted territory. I had to learn through trial and error, from launching my Share a Smile podcast to securing brand deals without a blueprint to follow.
But through it all, I’ve truly seen God open doors I couldn’t have walked through on my own. He’s guided me, steadied me, and reminded me that I don’t have to carry the weight of it all alone. Every opportunity, every closed door, and every lesson has been part of His plan, and I’m just grateful to be walking in the purpose He’s set before me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My co-founder Grayson Barbour and I launched Bridged after seeing firsthand how disconnected the NIL space was from athletes’ actual needs. As an athlete myself, I knew how demanding the college schedule is, between practices, games, and travel, most student-athletes don’t have time for internships or professional networking. At the same time, brands were struggling to navigate NIL and weren’t seeing the return they expected from one-off social media deals.
Bridged solves both problems. We work with brands to create on-campus events, athlete-led campaigns, and group activations that maximize brand exposure while giving athletes meaningful involvement. Whether it’s pop-up events, product launches, workshops, or social campaigns, we make sure companies get more athletes, more engagement, and a better ROI, all for a lower cost than traditional NIL.
Athletes benefit by participating in career-building opportunities tied to these brand partnerships, gaining leadership experience, marketing exposure, and real connections while still in college.
What sets us apart is that Bridged operates end-to-end, running live events, managing in-person activations, and delivering measurable results. We’re focused on helping brands build lasting impact on campuses while giving athletes tools and experiences that go beyond a simple transaction.
At Bridged, it’s not just about NIL deals it’s about creating real relationships, memorable events, and future-ready athletes.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to us is solving a problem that so many college athletes face. We want to create a way for athletes to compete in the sport they love while also building professionalism, connections, and purpose beyond the game.
Being a student-athlete teaches more than just athletic performance. It builds time management, leadership, discipline, and teamwork. We believe those qualities have incredible value off the field as well. What matters to us is helping athletes learn how to apply those same strengths to business, relationships, and the world around them.
At Bridged, we’re not only helping athletes prepare for life after sports. We’re also helping companies connect with driven, influential talent in a more efficient and meaningful way. Through curated campaigns, NIL-based internships, and real brand partnerships, we’re creating a system where athletes gain career experience while companies grow with authenticity and purpose.
This matters to us because we know the athlete journey doesn’t end at graduation. It’s just the beginning.
Contact Info:
- Email: bowlesnatalia@gmail.comgrayson.barbour@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.bridged.agency
- Instagram: Bridgedplatform , natalia.bowles
- Other: natalia@bridged.com
