Be Valiant

Ep. 33 Episode 17 - Part 3 of 3 — When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes: Will Proctor, The Athlete’s Voice

"In the final episode of the three-part series “When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes,” Todd Merkow sits down with longtime family friend Will Proctor to hear the athlete’s full story—after earlier conversations with Will’s parents, Jeff and Lisa Proctor.

Will shares how sports shaped his identity from a young age, how baseball became his obsession, and how early success brought elite opportunities—and intense, self-imposed pressure. He opens up about the anxiety that quietly built behind the scenes, the moment everything shifted during his senior year of high school under heavy scouting attention, and how mental strain can derail performance even when the talent is there.

Will then takes listeners through college baseball at the University of Georgia, an unexpected transition from infielder to pitcher, and a rapid rise that put him back on a pro trajectory—until a devastating shoulder injury changed everything. He describes the physical pain, the emotional fallout, the identity loss that followed, and the difficult process of letting go of the game he loved.

Today, Will has built a new path as a filmmaker—carrying the discipline and drive from sports into creative work, including his documentary project American Daredevil. This episode is a powerful reminder for parents and athletes: your sport is something you do, not who you are—and the journey matters more than the outcome.

Be Valiant. Play Fearless."