“Sport is a means to develop the whole person”, and when coaches abuse this it can lead to long term trauma and effects. This is the story of Jennifer Sey, former national champion gymnast, who was the first to expose the wide spread abuse in women’s gymnastics. She joins Sam to discuss the lasting effects of abuse in sport, and also how we can fig…

Last episode of the FIERCE Athlete Toolbox, and all other episodes and growth lead to this one- Leadership. Sam, Danae, and Angel challenge you to take what you've learned and positively impact those around you. They discuss different leadership styles, what not to do, and make the point that living a Christian life allows you to embody all the cha…

“How we receive feedback can be empowering.” This week Sam, Danae, and Angel talk about a tool that can not only set you apart as an athlete, but lead to growth in all areas of your life- “being coachable”. We discuss, learning how to properly ask for feedback, how to graciously ignore bad feedback, and how to give feedback ourselves. Ultimately, t…

Communication îs an art. Whether with a coach, teammate, parent, friend, or in the media, the way we communicate through our tone, body language, and words, reveals a lot. As athletes, we need to hone this skill. Sam, Danae, and Angel discuss how our communication has the power to heal and make others feel like they belong and are worth listening t…

Ownership is essential not only to personal success, but also team success. This week we begin talking about elements of our toolbox that affect and involve others. Sam, Angel, and Danae discuss the importance of ownership to create a culture of trust, to navigate unforeseen circumstances, to discover your role, and to accept your reality. They get…

"If I have a peaceful, quiet soul, it is going to allow the rest of my life to be balanced and focus." When the game gets heated or comes down to the wire...how do we stay focused on the task at hand? Angel, Sam, and Danae discuss the best way to refocus our selves, our minds, and our tasks in order to reach our goals, especially amidst the many ma…

Join us as we jump back into our Athlete Toolbox- the attitudes and characteristics that will distinguish you as a player and person. While internal drive may get you out of bed in the morning, today we're talking about HOW you approach the workout, game, practice, and our sport. Yes- lets talk "Work Ethic". It is virtuous to work hard, to do every…

Macy Petty was forced to play against a man in high school club girls volleyball back in 2019. Since then she has found herself becoming a leading advocate to protect women's sports. In continuing our mini-series on Fighting for Women in Sport, Sam and Macy discuss what has inspired her to step out in truth. You don't want to miss this very full an…

Paula Scanlan, former Penn swimmer and teammate of Lia Thomas, speaks to Sam about faith, courage, friendships, and what led her to come out as a public advocate. Given her unique and personal experience, she is currently fighting against biological men competing in women’s sports and violating women’s locker room spaces. Unique to this interview, …

Fighting for Women in Sport Podcast Series This SPECIAL Edition episode is a dialogue with decorated former collegiate athlete and women in sport advocate, Riley Gaines. Riley shares her personal experience of having to compete against a biological male, "transgender" individual, at the NCAA National Swimming Championships. Tune in to hear this riv…

Dive back into our FIERCE Athlete toolbox with us – listen to our dialog on the essential characteristics that make individuals & teams successful.....What is toughness? Can we increase our capacity for being tough? Can I be Tough AND Feminine? Learn how to grow in physical and spiritual toughness, who we can look to as our role model, and how we c…

Join us as we continue to unpack these FIERCE Athlete tools that aren’t found on the stat sheets…. the skills that are helping the individuals reach new heights on the athletic field/court AND also propels teams to success. Self-Confidence is KEY for our athletic performance as well as instrumental in understanding our identity as Daughters of God.…

Many moments during the game, race, or match are out of our control. When in the heat of competition… What DO we as athletes have control & choice over? Digging into the FIERCE Athlete Toolbox; Sam, Angelina, & Danae discuss the essential role ATTITUDE plays in success on and off the field. Unlock the secrets to becoming a true competitor, differen…

Summer workouts, 6am weights, long road trips, and countless hours in the gym…Why do we do what we do? What do we need to be “successful” athletes and people… and what does success really mean? The FACT is that we were CHOSEN by God to be an athlete. What a gift and responsibility. Sam, Angelina, & Danae dive into the “WHY” behind the INTERNAL DRIV…

Carol Marquardt played amateur tennis (only because they didn't have pro back then) in the 1960s against the likes of Margaret Court and Billie Jean King. In the pre-Title IX era, Carol expresses she felt like she had to "apologize for liking sport" because as a woman it was so countercultural to do so. Our ability to play sport is built on the sho…

Sam and Britt offer their commentary on the new hit movie, Encanto. There are so many gems that we as athletes can relate to. Like many of us, the characters are solely defined by their talents, and have fears of appearing weak or vulnerable. While our athletic talents are amazing, and gifts from God, we are so much more than them. Join Sam and Bri…

Our culture has a certain definition about what it means to be a woman....and the athlete culture seems to have a different one. So what does it mean to be a woman? A MUST LISTEN! Sam and Britt speak into their own experiences of trying to discover true femininity and how they came to embrace who they really are as athletic women. Even more, they d…

As athletes, often times we are our own toughest critics. Britt and Sam wrap up the "opinions" mini-series by talking about the standards we set for ourselves as athletes. We dive into perfectionism, pride, and what true humility is. Join us as we encapsulate so many themes this week! “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fea…

Whether it’s peer pressure, comparison, trying to fit in and be accepted, or changing who we are, we often give others, especially our teammates, power over us. We need to have confidence in who we are because being authentic is what allows us to gain respect. Sometimes we gel with our teams and other times it takes more work. Sam and Britt discuss…

We are continuing with our "opinion of others" mini series in Season 3. This week Britt and Sam talk about how our coaches affect us as athletes. They break down the things we can control in regards to our coaches and those we can't. They pull from their own experience in regards to playing time, coaching style and what to do with tough situations.…

For many of us, our parents are the reason we’ve been given the opportunity to play our sport. They can be our biggest fan, but sometimes we can feel a lot of pressure from our parents to perform, win the race, or earn a scholarship. Britt and Sam begin a mini series on others opinions by talking about our parents opinions of us. They equip you to …

Athlete Mental Health is at the forefront of the media right now, and yet it has been a struggle for many athletes for a long time. Sam, joined by her friend and former college rower Angelina Heyse, seek to bring much needed light to the reality of mental health in sport. They offer commentary on why this is a crisis, but also the anecdote and ways…

Perhaps our MOST IMPORTANT episode yet! You are more than your past self...part 2. This week we get deep, and real, hoping to offer consolation to all our listeners' hearts. You are more than your past sins, mistakes, failures, hurts, wounds, and pains. It is time to break free from the shame we carry, and move forward in freedom. Britt and Sam div…

You are more than...your past self. This week we dive into our GLORY DAYS (cue Springsteen)! As athletes it is really easy to compare ourselves to what we used to be: before we were injured, when we had a different coach, or when we were on a different team. While it is ok to celebrate where we have been, we can't let it ruin where we are or discou…

You are more than an Athlete...you are LIMITLESS! Growing up, and even today, many of us are labeled as "an athlete", and while we are so proud of this, there is so much more to us than what we do on a track, or field, or in a pool; maybe it's drawing, or music, or like Sam, BIRDS! Whatever it is, we have been created for beauty and to discover the…

You are more than a number on a scale, a body fat %, or your eating habits. As women, and especially as athletes, we are hyper aware of our weight and body make up. We struggle with over eating, under eating, comparison, and false standards. Britt and Sam break down this sensitive topic, speaking into their own experiences, but also providing insig…

Failure is a natural, but brutal part of sport. Ultimately, it helps us get better, but it definitely hurts in the process. This week, we talk about the times in sport and life we have faced failure. We hope to provide you with some advice and tips in order to turn your failures into your greatest drivers for growth, because you are more than your …

While once reserved for athlete's sporting accomplishments, everyone has access to a highlight reel today through social media. Britt and Sam dive into the world of social media and how it affects our performance, self image, and view of others. You'll also learn Britt's fun "nickname" and enjoy a few laughs with us! So press play during a workout,…

You are more than your injury. Injury can be one of the toughest and yet most common realities of women's sports. Whether it be a concussion, sprained ankle, tendinitis, or a torn ACL, most of us have experienced injury. Between the two of them, Britt and Sam have 20 surgeries, so they are no stranger to the struggle. They speak into their own expe…

You are more than your view of your body. As athletes our bodies come in all shapes and sizes, often times reflecting our sport; whether it be soccer thighs, swimming shoulders, or runners legs. However, our views of our bodies range from body hate to body pride, causing us to view our bodies as tools, or something we can manipulate. Britt and Sam …

You are more than your performance. Everything we do as athletes comes down to performance- whether its wins or losses, time clocked, our play at practice, how much we lift, or what we do off the field. As such, we can easily get caught up in the ups and downs of sport day to day. Sam and Britt, offer practical advice to avoid this. They share how …

We are living, playing, and competing in interesting times. Whether your season has been cancelled, changed, modified, or put on hold due to COVID, injury, or other unforeseen circumstances, this podcast is for you. Erin Yenney, current professional soccer player, joins us to talk about how the uncertainty of her professional career, but also how t…

Confidence is something that every athlete needs in order to be at the top of their game, and yet it is something that we all seem to struggle with. Former Notre Dame and 7 time professional soccer player, Brittany Bock, joins us to talk about her journey with confidence. Sam and Britt engage in a dynamic discussion, sharing their own experiences w…

"Ugh its that time of the month again" is our usual reaction to our periods, but what if coming to understand our fertility cycles as women can not only help us appreciate how our bodies were designed but also help us with our sport training and performance? Join host, Samantha Kelley, as she interviews fertility care specialist Marie DiCecco. Mari…

"The biggest difference between you being good and you being great is how you handle failure." In today's episode, we have Coach Alyson Habetz, Associate Head Coach of Alabama Softball, teach us how to "fail". Failure, frustration, and loss are a part of sport that we all have to deal with. Coach Habetz has coached at the highest level for over 20 …

Join Sam and Angela in an important conversation about a common reality in the female sports world: same-sex attraction. In Part 1 of our Season 2 opener on Relationships in Women's Sports, we want to begin the conversation, offer insights on attraction and invite our listeners into a deeper reverence of this topic. If you are an athlete, then you …

Part 2 of our opening podcast of Season 2 on Relationships in Women's Sports. In follow-up to the discussion about same-sex attraction, Sam and Angela desire to answer the deeper question: how to enter into true, real, honest and healthy friendships with our female friends and teammates. We discuss how to be a good friend, how to influence the cult…

Former College Tennis player, now avid Crossfitter, Krista Ingrilli, gets real with us about the mental and physical game surrounding competing! With "For the Glory of God Always" inscribed on her barbell, Krista seeks to lift and compete always for the Lord. She talks about being a STRONG woman, being proud of who you are, being kind to yourself, …

Bailey Landry Domangue, an LSU Alumni, two-time NCAA D1 All American, and now professional softball player, joins us to discuss her journey through sport. She discusses how to prepare yourself mentally to compete at the highest level, how to adapt and grow into new roles on your team, and how to be uniquely the player and athlete that you were crea…

Former professional basketball player and NCAA National Defensive Player of the Year, Jennifer Finegan, discusses how life can be a gift, when we look to make it one. She discusses the importance of good mentors and coaches, a proper perspective on basketball, and how she came back to living the gift of her Catholic faith. But her journey hasn't al…

Kerri Gallagher is a former professional runner who represented the US at the World Championships in 2015, and currently coaches D1 Cross Country and Track at Manhattan College. She talks about how we “are not in the business of feeling good”, but of pursuing greatness both on the track and in the spiritual life. But greatness and progress come whe…

Have you ever talked to a nun? How about one who was a star basketball player at a top Division 1 program? On this episode, Sr. M. Xavier of the Franciscan Sisters of the Martyr St. George shares how she went from being all in as a Ohio State stand out to all in as a religious sister. We discuss the parallels that exist between sport and faith. We …

Kristen Phillips, former college and professional basketball player, Division 1 coach, and now mom of two, gets real about self-worth. From a young age, Kristin knew basketball was a part of God’s purpose for her life. A college career riddled with mono and injury, helped teach her the lesson that her self-worth is not based on success and achievem…

Nicole and Sam welcome you to the FIERCE Athlete Podcast! From a very awkward first encounter to concurrent hip surgeries, these two friends and former D1 athletes have been through it all, and they are excited to welcome you into the journey to becoming a FIERCE Athlete. We are female athletes being raw and real about the joys and struggles of lif…