From elite athletes who proudly wear our Sounders FC crest, to community members who have shown extraordinary grit and determination in their everyday lives, ‘Behind The Shield’ pulls back the curtain and honors these individuals, reminding us that we are all capable of greatness.
Go behind the scenes on a day-in-the-life with Sounders FC midfielder Cristian Roldan. We begin the episode at Roldan's home alongside his parents, César and Ana, his wife, Ciana, and his newborn daughter, Mia. The family reflects on their shared values, parenthood, leaning on loved ones during difficult times, and passing down cultural traditions.
Cristian Roldan and his two brothers grew up learning about the different traditions and ideals their parents experienced growing up in Guatemala and El Salvador. Now, he hopes to carry those same cultural traditions and shared values down to his newborn daughter, Mia, as he and his wife, Ciana navigate parenthood.
Go behind the scenes on a day-in-the-life with Sounders FC defender Jackson Ragen and midfielder Paul Rothrock. We begin the episode at Rothrock’s family home in Montlake, where the duo reflects on their resilient path to playing for their hometown team, before they go swimming in Lake Washington.
From the McGilvra Mad Dogs to the Seattle Sounders, Jackson Ragen and Paul Rothrock are lifelong teammates and friends. Now starters for their boyhood club, the pair look back on the winding road they took to Lumen Field, and the role models who helped guide them along the way.
On this edition of Behind the Shield, Zak and Brad get back to Washington's roots, sitting down with native Washingtonians doing great work for their community and following their dreams: Jackson Ragen and Paul Rothrock, and Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Regence BlueShield, Celicia Yeoman. Jackson and Paul grew up playing youth soccer together, and are now living a shared dream of playing for their hometown squad. Celicia manages volunteer and giving opportunities for Regence employees, truly giving back to the place she's always called home.
Celicia Yeoman manages the volunteer and giving opportunities for Regence’s 1,800 employees in Washington. Community giving is a big part of Regence’s culture, going back to when the company was founded 107 years ago, and Celicia is a critical part of Regence’s connection to the communities it serves.
Celicia is celebrating her 25th anniversary with Regence in June. Her first roles were in marketing and communications before she joined the community giving team. She serves as a connector and facilitator between employees, company leaders, community partners and nonprofit organizations. When she attends in-person volunteer opportunities, she is energized by meeting colleagues from across Regence and seeing the volunteers' hands-on enthusiasm for helping their communities.
Celicia is based in Regence’s Burlington office and has lived in Skagit Valley since she was in high school. Growing up, she and her family were active in fighting for farmworkers rights and she has continued that commitment with her own children.
Among her other work in the community, she serves as team manager of her child’s local soccer club, Northwest United FC. She graduated from Washington State University with a bachelor's degree in communications.
Go behind the scenes on a day-in-the-life with Sounders FC forward Jordan Morris. We begin the episode at his home in Kirkland before transitioning to May 5th's match against LA Galaxy, where he talks about how he navigates the demands of pro sports, managing T1D, and fatherhood.
From growing up a fan with his dad as the team doctor to now being one of the most influential players in club history, the Seattle Sounders have been a constant in Jordan Morris' life. Now, he is looking to share that same experience with his son, Theo, as he and his wife, Eliza, embark on their new journey of parenthood.
Steve Zakuani and Brad Evans are joined by Jordan Morris, who discusses growing up with the Sounders, his work within the T1D community, and beginning his next chapter as a father. Then, the duo chat with Community Hero Buffy Anderson, a Customer Service Professional at Regence BlueShield. Buffy helps thousands of Regence members navigate an often-complicated health care system and meet the health care needs of themselves and their loved ones.
Buffy Anderson has been part of the nationally recognized customer service team at Regence since 2016, and for the last four years, has worked directly with Regence members to help guide them through their health care journeys.
She has won numerous honors, both from Regence and the national Service Quality Measurement (SQM) Call Center Customer Service Industry Awards, for her skill in helping thousands of Regence members navigate an often complicated health care system and meet the health care needs of themselves and their loved ones. Buffy has formed such close bonds with some Regence members that they call her regularly not to get their health insurance questions answered but to check in as a friend.
Buffy, who lives in Lakewood, Wash., with her husband, has spent her career helping others. Before joining Regence, she worked in other customer service roles and at a nonprofit for people with developmental disabilities. “I feel good about making time for people,” she says. “It’s always about what you can do for others.”
Go behind the scenes on a day-in-the-life with Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei. Beginning at his home in Bainbridge Island and venturing across the water to training in Renton, Frei opens up on the importance of balance in his life.
Known as one of the most successful goalkeepers in the history of Major League Soccer, Stefan Frei discusses this desire to find balance and holistic wellness off the pitch.
Brad Evans and Steve Zakuani are joined by Stefan Frei to discuss finding balance with his health. Frei goes into his career, and how fully balanced health care has evolved for professional athletes. Then, Community Hero and Regence BlueShield Executive Medical Director Dr. Nicole Saint Clair joins the pod to continue the thread of fully balanced health, giving advice and support to the next generation of Sounders athletes and fans.
Dr. Nicole Saint Clair leads Regence BlueShield’s clinical programs, helping make health care affordable, accessible and effective for the 1.5 million people Regence serves in Washington.
Dr. Saint Clair, who joined Regence in 2022, is a Seattle native whose family has lived in the city for three generations. Her grandfather, Sam Smith, was the first African American elected to the Seattle City Council, serving for 24 years. Dr. Saint Clair received her medical degree from the University of Washington and served in several leadership positions, including in operations and women’s health, at Seattle’s Group Health, which was later acquired by Kaiser Permanente.
Dr. Saint Clair was born and raised in Seattle, attended Garfield High School and now lives in South Seattle with her husband and children. She also serves on the board of Seafair, the nonprofit and multiweek summer festival that was founded in 1950 and is still closely linked to the region’s history and identity.