The WAGS Work Series aims to show our readers that we are more than the stereotypes you might be familiar with--we're creative, hard-working, driven, and willing to do whatever it takes to make this lifestyle work. We also hope to inspire women in all walks of life to get creative and think outside the box when it comes to working and creating the lives of their dreams. Please reach out to the women featured in this series if you have questions or want to learn more about what they do.

TELL US WHO YOU ARE, HOW YOU GOT INTO THE BASEBALL WORLD, AND A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOU  AND YOUR HUSBAND.  

Hello! I’m Elizabeth Holloway, and my husband is Trevor Holloway. We met in high school when the only things I knew about baseball were the basics from gym class. We started dating my senior year of high school, and I have learned so much about the baseball world as he played on multiple college teams and now in the Yankees minor leagues.

TELL US ALL ABOUT YOUR JOB, WHAT DO YOU DO, AND HOW LONG YOU’VE BEEN WERKIN’ IT.  

I am a Speech-Language Pathologist at a hospital adult outpatient rehabilitation center. I’ve been working in this field for just over a year now, and I primarily see patients with swallowing, speech, language, voice, and cognitive disorders secondary to stroke, brain injury, cancer treatment, or progressive diseases.

HOW DID YOU FIND THIS JOB?

I completed my master’s degree in the midst of the pandemic. The hospital I work at now was willing to provide specialized training in outpatient and acute care so that I could work with patients across settings. Trevor and I packed up our dog, Harvey, and our belongings, moved across the country, and started a new adventure!

HOW DO YOU BALANCE WORK AND LIVING THE BASEBALL LIFE?

Trevor and I did long distance for the 2021 baseball season. Although we did long distance several times in the past while dating, marriage was entirely different. I balanced work and baseball life by prioritizing phone calls with him on the weekends when I didn’t have an early shift the next morning. We also wrote handwritten letters throughout the season which gave us something to look forward to. One thing I love about speech-language pathology is the flexibility of career location. Next year, I plan to follow Trevor by doing travel contracts at skilled nursing facilities or hospitals near the team so that we don’t have to live in different time zones.

HOW DID FINDING THIS JOB IMPACT YOUR LIFE PERSONALLY, AND FOR THE TWO OF YOU?

This job has been a perfect introduction to medical speech-language pathology. It has given me confidence in my clinical skills with a wide variety of experiences and allowed me to support our family. Moving across the country for this job has opened doors for new friendships and outdoor adventures (hiking and off-roading with our Jeep) for us as well.

WHAT’S A TYPICAL WORKDAY LIKE FOR YOU?

I work 4/10s at the adult outpatient rehabilitation clinic and occasionally help the acute care team at the hospital. In a typical day, I see 8-10 patients for evaluation and treatment of swallowing, voice, speech, language, and cognitive disorders. After lunch, I head over to the radiology department at the hospital to complete a couple of modified barium swallow studies under fluoro (a type of video x-ray) which is definitely my favorite part of the day.

No two days ever look the same, and seeing patients eat their first steak after completing head and neck cancer treatment, say their name for the first time after a stroke, or remember their grandchild’s name makes every day incredibly rewarding.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HARDEST PART SO FAR? WHAT’S BEEN THE BEST?

The hardest part of my job is working with patients with progressive diseases. It’s difficult to tell a patient that they will never swallow normally again because their muscles are going to continue to weaken or to explain to family members that their loved one will likely not remember their name most days.

The best part of my job is seeing the hope and excitement when educating patients and their families on strategies and treatments that can improve or restore functions that have been diminished or lost.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER WAGS WHO WHO ARE TRYING TO BALANCE BASEBALL WITH THEIR OWN GOALS?

My best advice is to chase your dreams. You can accomplish so much in just a year if you set a goal and work toward it daily. Continue to cheer on your man, and ask him to do the same for you. For us, knowing that experience in my field would open employment opportunities in the future made the sacrifices this year totally worthwhile.

WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WISH EVERYONE KNEW ABOUT BEING A WAG/BASEBALL LIFE?

Being a working baseball wife is not glamorous. It takes commitment and sacrifice, forces you to be independent, and requires creativity to maintain a strong relationship. That being said, there is nothing more rewarding than chasing our dreams together…even when we are apart.

WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU ONLINE / HOW CAN WE KEEP UP WITH YOU?

You can find me on Instagram @e_hollo to see more adventure pictures!