Voice In Sport

Professional golfer and Stanford University graduate Rose Zhang shares what it really takes to build longevity in elite sport. From picking up a golf club at nine years old to spending a record 141 consecutive weeks as the world's top amateur, Rose opens up about the moments that challenged her most — a persistent neck injury, burning out after 22 units at Stanford, and losing her period for a year and a half — all while competing at the highest level. She reflects on the power of quiet time, gut health, working with a sports nutritionist, and learning to lean on the people in her circle when the pressure felt impossible. Rose encourages young women athletes to give themselves grace, treat their bodies as a temple, and understand that success isn't just about the scorecard — it's about caring for your whole self. Her story is a powerful reminder that the road back from burnout starts with honesty, self-reflection, and the courage to ask for help.

Registered dietitian and eating disorder expert Jillian Lampert, PhD, joins the VOICEINSPORT podcast to bust three eating disorder myths, and give athletes, parents, and coaches the tools to drive real change.  Drawing on her own eating disorder experience, 30 years in a clinical background, and doctoral research on sport and disordered eating, Jillian breaks down why weight-based coaching is harmful, why eating disorders affect athletes across every sport, and why bullying is never tough love. She also outlines what true recovery looks like, and shares the story of her work with Olympic gold medalist Jessie Diggins and the documentary Threshold. Jillian offers guidance for athletes, parents, and coaches, including the language shifts that protect girls, the signs of disordered eating to be aware of, and why building a community of support is the most important thing a young athlete can do before entering a collegiate environment.  “If we don’t do this work, who will? I care a lot about people with eating disorders, and if I don’t use my voice, people who don’t care about people with eating disorders, because they don’t know about it, they’re not gonna do it. So if it’s not gonna be me and the people that I work with, who will it be?”

American hockey player, PWHL athlete, and Olympic gold medalist Gwyneth Philips shares what it really takes to stay ready, patient, and committed while building a career in elite sport. From competing at the highest level with Team USA to navigating the intensity of the PWHL, Gwyneth opens up about the reality of waiting for your opportunity and the mental strength required to stay prepared behind the scenes. She reflects on the discipline it takes to remain consistent, the importance of trusting your development, and how daily habits, both on and off the ice, shape long-term success. Gwyneth encourages young women athletes to believe in their process, stay grounded in their preparation, and understand that growth often happens in the moments no one else sees. Her story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t always immediate, but with patience, resilience, and trust, the right moment can change everything.

Two-time Olympic medalist and PWHL Minnesota Frost goaltender Nicole Hensley joins us to share her journey navigating self-belief, rejection, and mental resilience in elite sport. From growing up playing hockey with the boys in Colorado to hearing “no” from nearly every college during recruiting, Nicole opens up about the challenges that shaped her confidence and helped her forge her own path in hockey. In this episode, Nicole reflects on her time at Lindenwood University, where she became the NCAA all-time leader in saves, and shares the mental tools she uses to manage overthinking, reset after mistakes, and stay grounded under pressure. Her story is a powerful reminder that belief starts from within — and that confidence is built through persistence, perspective, and trusting yourself when the path forward isn’t clear. “You have to believe in yourself before anyone else does.” — Nicole Hensley

Canadian Women’s National Team defender and professional footballer Ashley Lawrence shares what it really takes to build longevity in elite sport. From leaving college early to play professionally in Europe, to navigating cultural change, competition, and self-doubt, Ashley opens up about the moments that challenged her most — and the tools that helped her stay grounded. She reflects on the importance of mental health support, nutrition, sleep, gratitude, and remembering the joy that first drew her to the game. Ashley encourages young women athletes to trust themselves, embrace curiosity, and understand that success isn’t just about performance — it’s about caring for your whole self. Her story is a powerful reminder that growth happens when you’re willing to take the leap, ask for help, and reconnect with your purpose — even when the journey gets hard.

Former elite gymnast and UCLA standout Katelyn Ohashi returns to the Voice in Sport Podcast to talk about life beyond competition and what it means to redefine who you are after stepping away from sport. In this episode, Katelyn opens up about leaving elite gymnastics, discovering new creative outlets, and learning how to listen to her own voice after years of external pressure. She reflects on identity, transition, and the freedom that comes with allowing your path to evolve. Her story is a reminder that you are more than your sport, and that growth, purpose, and joy can look different in every season.

Flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S.—but the pathway to the top hasn’t always been clear, especially for women. In Episode 2, Team USA Flag Football athlete and Olympian Madison Fulford returns to the VOICEINSPORT Podcast to break down the evolution of the sport, the gaps in the development pipeline, and why representation and coaching matter more than ever. Madison shares how she discovered flag football later in life, what it takes to compete at the elite level, and how she’s now giving back as a coach through MAD Skills Training—working with girls ages 7–18 to help build confidence, skills, and belief. From Olympic dreams to grassroots development, this episode explores how athletes can help shape the future of their sport.

Three-time Paralympian swimmer Lizzi Smith was born with amniotic band syndrome, which resulted in her losing her left hand. She spent years trying to make that part of herself invisible, but through swimming, the pool became the one place where she wasn't afraid to be seen.  Lizzi encourages us to build confidence through adversity, and to find strength in the parts of ourselves we’re tempted to try and hide. She shares honest reflections on the heartbreak that comes with chasing Olympic dreams and the courage required to show up as a woman athlete with a disability, and reminds us how essential owning your space and finding your voice is  — especially when everything inside you wants to shrink.

Former elite gymnast and UCLA standout Katelyn Ohashi joins us to share her journey navigating body image, mental health, and rediscovering joy in gymnastics. From the pressure and perfectionism of the elite world to the freedom she found at UCLA, Katelyn opens up about how she learned to rebuild her confidence and love for the sport on her own terms. In this episode, we also highlight excerpts from her new book, Every Time, I Always Would — a beautiful collection of poetry that reflects her growth from self-doubt to self-love. Katelyn’s story is a reminder that healing takes time, and that true confidence comes from embracing who you are, not who you think you’re supposed to be. “Appreciate what your body is capable of and give yourself all the love because you deserve it.” — Katelyn Ohashi

Two-time Olympian, Team USA middle blocker, and VIS Mentor Chiaka Ogbogu opens up about her ongoing journey with perfectionism and the mindset shifts that helped her rediscover confidence and joy in sport. Chiaka shares how she learned to redefine success on her own terms, set goals that empower rather than pressure, and use tools like journaling and self-reflection to stay grounded. She also discusses how faith has shaped her mental performance journey, helping her navigate setbacks, silence self-doubt, and embrace progress over perfection. Her story is a reminder that true strength in sport comes not from being perfect, but from learning to evolve with purpose and grace.  “I’m here for a reason… I’ve already done the hard to get here. I might as well see this through with the joy I had coming into it.” — Chiaka Ogbogu

Skylar Park, professional taekwondo athlete, Olympic bronze medalist for Team Canada, and VIS mentor, discusses how she manages family dynamics being coached by her father and growing up in a Taekwondo family. Skylar opens up on the difficulties in continuing finding love for the sport during the  Paris Olympics and how her family was able to help her through that. Skylar provides young women athletes with great advice for managing parents who are coaches and the importance of family support in sports.

Brittany Brown, Olympian, professional sprinter for Team USA, Adidas athlete, and VIS Mentor, takes us inside the world of track and field beyond race day. From her first memories on the track in Southern California to competing on the world’s biggest stage, Brittany opens up about the highs and lows of confidence, nerves, and performance. She shares the evolution of her pre-race routine—from journaling and visualization to logging off social media and even smiling at the starting blocks—as tools to protect her energy and stay grounded. Brittany also reflects on moments of doubt early in her career, reminding young athletes that their talent deserves recognition, and that confidence can be built over time with awareness and self-belief. Her story is a powerful reminder that success in sport isn’t just about speed—it’s about mindset, resilience, and finding joy in the journey. “Your talent deserves to be seen. Don’t hide away from it—because the more you show up as yourself, the more it helps others.” – Brittany Brown

Morgan Hentz, professional volleyball player, three-time NCAA champion, three-time Pac 12 Libero of the year, and VIS mentor, gives us insight into the world of professional volleyball. She has experienced both overseas play and play within the United States and shares with our audience how to go about deciding if playing overseas is for you. Morgan breaks down the new United States pro volleyball leagues, discussing structure, prize money, culture, and benefits. While diving into what professional volleyball entails, Morgan offers great advice to girls looking to pursue playing volleyball professionally.  “My biggest hope is that the sport continues to grow… there’s just such talent” -Morgan Hentz

While dominating in the pool as a 3-time Olympic medalist, Paige Madden has also been quietly fighting a different kind of battle— at age 13, she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid. Behind the scenes of her athletic success, she has faced extreme fatigue, emotional lows, and the mental strain of managing a condition that can be as unpredictable as it is exhausting. Paige opens up about the hidden toll Hashimoto’s has taken—on her body, her mindset, and her identity as an athlete. She shares her lowest moments, what it took to keep pushing forward, and how learning to embrace vulnerability became one of her greatest strengths. Her story is a powerful reminder that even at the highest levels of sport, athletes are not immune to struggle—and no one has to face it alone. “It'llpullyouback.Ifyouletitpull,pullyouback.”-PaigeMadden

Skylar Park, professional taekwondo athlete, Olympic bronze medalist for Team Canada, and VIS mentor, discusses how she managed to embrace her feminine side as an athlete in a combative, male-dominated sport. Skylar debunks common combative sport myths by sharing her experiences and describes the strides the sport of Taekwondo has made towards equity for men and women athletes. Skylar provides young women athletes with great advice for embracing their athletic selves in sport.   “Be confident in who you are and … believe in yourself wholeheartedly” -Sklyar Park 

Morgan Hentz, professional volleyball player, three-time NCAA National Champion, three-time Pac-12 Libero of the Year, and VIS Mentor, shares her best performance mindset tips. Morgan breaks down how working with a sports psychologist helped her develop new skills to overcome game-day performance anxiety. Morgan discusses strategies like breathwork, visualization, and communication with teammates, which have helped her to perform at her peak. Having access to mental health resources at Stanford helped Morgan balance her identity in and out of sport. Morgan wraps this episode with game-changing dos and don'ts—what coaches, parents, and teammates should (and shouldn't) say to athletes on game day. “Effort, attitude, focus, being a great teammate—those four items you can always control" -Morgan Hentz

Christine Monjer, the President of the Los Angeles Sparks, joins us to share her inspiring career journey, which includes leading brand strategies for the Las Vegas Aces and major shows at MGM Resorts International. She takes us through her dynamic career journey from marketing at Quaker Oats and MGM Resorts to shaping the brand identity of the Las Vegas Aces. Christine shares the power of being fearless in her professional life, emphasizing how important it is to speak up, take risks, and pursue what truly excites you. She also reflects on the lessons she’s learned from her career transitions and how transferable skills have played a pivotal role. Our personal and professional journeys are seldom linear or predictable. Christine speaks from personal experience about how the unpredictable can be a source of growth and strength. Christine opens up about the importance of giving herself emotional space, especially after facing significant personal challenges; this practice helped her grow into the successful leader she is today. “Ask for the coffee, ask for the promotion, speak up in the meeting. If you see that something’s going left and it needs to go right, say it. Be less afraid of saying the wrong thing. Stay present and be fearless” - Christine Monjer

In this episode of the Becoming President series, President and COO of the Atlanta Dream, Morgan Shaw Parker walks us through her career journey from being an intern at the Kansas City Chiefs, to becoming the first female Vice President of Communications in the NFL, and eventually to the C-Suite of the Dream. Shaw Parker shares the importance of being intentional in curating a team ready to ‘roll up their sleeves and get in the mud together.’ Success comes from teams comprised of people with a shared mission, perseverance, and mutual respect. Ultimately, Morgan encourages us to embrace diverse perspectives and pave the path for other women.  “Be open to taking on any challenge, especially things that scare you, especially things that are outside your comfort zone. Go in eyes wide open and figure it out because you wouldn't be there if you weren't smart enough to figure it out” -Morgan Shaw Parker 

In a new, exclusive Voice in Sport podcast series featuring women presidents, we dive into the stories of trailblazing leaders shaping the future of sport. This episode highlights Keia Clarke, the President & CEO of the New York Liberty, who shares her incredible journey to the top of one of the most iconic teams in the WNBA. Keia began her career at the NBA/WNBA League Office, prior to joining the New York franchise. Among her many awards, Keia was named to Adweek’s Most Powerful Women in Sports list, Sports Business Journal’s Game Changers Class of 2023, and most recently, CNBC’s Changemakers Inaugural Class of 2024. Clarke’s story is one of persistence, learning, and trust-building. Reflecting on her career growth, she discusses the challenges she overcame, the importance of mentorship and building trust, and encouraging innovative leadership. From Clarke's first chapter, “Sport Adjacent” where she stepped outside her comfort zone fresh out of college, to her current role in chapter, “Point Guards Lead From the Front” as the President & CEO, her journey is a remarkable trajectory of personal and professional growth.  "You always want that feeling of we did this, not, I did this” - Keia Clarke.

In a new, exclusive Voice in Sport podcast series featuring WNBA presidents, we dive into the stories of trailblazing women shaping the future of basketball. This episode, Jennifer Rizzotti, a basketball legend and current President of the Connecticut Sun has had nothing short of a remarkable career. She is a former standout point guard at the University of Connecticut, national championship winner, WNBA professional athlete and two-time WNBA championship winner, and 2013 inductee in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. In this conversation, Rizzotti shares insights into her leadership journey, the lessons she’s learned from building teams, and her passion for developing the next generation of female leaders in sports. Reflecting on her 17 years of head coaching at the University of Hartford, her continued work with USA Basketball, and entry into the C-Suite at the Sun, this episode is packed with inspiration for aspiring athletes and leaders alike.  “There’s no dream that's too big, right? If your goal is to be a president of an organization, put the work in, build the relationships, and just be somebody who wants to learn all the time" - Jen Rizzotti.