The BIG LIFE

The BIG LIFE is back with new hosts Paige Thompson (Alabama) and Jaiden Rodriguez (USC) and they're kicking off the season by pulling back the curtain on what life is really like as Division I soccer players.

From grueling preseason fitness tests and exhibition matches to the mental challenges of earning playing time, Paige and Jaiden have an honest conversation about the highs, lows, and lessons they learned during their freshman ...

This week on The BIG LIFE, Leah and Kate break down all the wild twists from the NCAA Tournament’s Elite 8 — from clutch performances to teams that seriously shocked us. Stanford’s looking sharp, Michigan State’s heating up, and Ohio State? Let’s just say no one saw that coming.

But this episode isn’t just about the X’s and O’s — it’s also a family affair. Leah and Kate b...

Leah and Kate recap a dramatic ACC tournament week — beating Duke, an overtime final with Stanford decided on penalties, and the build-up to the NCAA tournament. They discuss other conference shootouts, recovery, and tournament strategy.

They then welcome Iowa Hawkeye Kenzie Roling to talk about her journey, overcoming injuries, leadership as a grad student, balancing academics and soccer, and her goals for the postseason. Th...

This week on The BIG LIFE, Leah and Kate open up about their first loss of the season — a tough one against Pitt — and how they’re turning that sting into fuel for the ACC tournament. With so much on the line, they reflect on what it means to bounce back, refocus, and play with purpose.

They look ahead to a huge semifinal matchup vs. Duke and share what it’s like prepping for big-time games on neutral turf. ...

This week on The BIG LIFE, Leah and Kate sit down with Mizzou senior midfielder Keegan Good, who’s balancing Division I soccer with a pre-med track and plans to become a plastic surgeon. (Yeah, she’s that impressive.)

Keegan opens up about her unconventional path to college soccer — skipping the big-name club scene, grinding through ID camps, and carving her own way to Mizzou. She talks leadership, injuries, and h...

Leah and Kate recap another awesome week in women’s college soccer, discussing their own games, senior night emotions, and the challenges of travel and heckling from fans. They break down notable matchups, red-card drama, and the grind toward postseason, including penalty-kick preparations.

Tune in for reflections on team routines, travel strategies, and a preview of upcoming big games and a special guest next episode.

Become...

Sponsored by Soccer.com, this episode of the Big Life Podcast features Notre Dame Women’s Soccer academic advisor Jennifer Pratt and hosts Leah and Kate discussing how student-athletes balance Division I soccer with rigorous academics.

Jen explains weekly check-ins, mandatory freshman study hall, tutoring, and strategies for time management and choosing a major. The players share personal tips on planners, professor relations...

This week on The BIG LIFE, Leah’s riding high after back-to-back wins over UNC and Clemson, while Kate keeps it real about a tough loss to Mississippi State. With conference play heating up, they talk mental stamina, staying locked in, and how to bounce back fast.

Joining the convo is Austin Parker, Mizzou’s new goalkeeping coach — and he gets the mental grind. From how keepers reset after mistakes to why watching...

This week on The BIG LIFE, Leah and Kate are joined by Notre Dame Head Coach Nate Norman for a candid convo about soccer, leadership, and the mental side of the game.

Leah kicks things off fresh off a huge win over Duke, while Kate reflects on the challenges of facing ranked opponents. Then Coach Norman jumps in with insights on building a team culture, the pressure coaches face, and why mental health matters just as much as fitnes...

This week on The BIG LIFE, Leah and Kate kick off conference play with big wins and even bigger vibes. Kate breaks down her team’s 3–1 dub over Texas, while Leah relives a nail-biter 2–1 win over NC State.

With Duke (ranked #2) on deck, they dive into rivalry week prep, mindset shifts, and what makes conference games feel different. It’s a battle every match, and they’re here for it.

Off the field? It&...

This week, Leah and Kate sit down with Notre Dame’s Berkley Mensik — a baller with a bright future and a story that goes way deeper than soccer.

From growing up in Chicago to grinding through the ECNL circuit, Berkley seemed destined for the top. But after a brutal ACL tear during practice, everything paused. What followed? A journey of recovery, reflection, and radical resilience — including time at the Grotto on...

Leah Klenke and Kate Phillips are back with a look at Week 3 of NCAA women’s soccer — the highs, the lows, and everything in between! Leah shares a bounce-back win over Missouri State after a tough loss to Memphis, while Kate celebrates a dominant 8-0 dub over Oakland (yes, eight).

The duo also digs into what makes Sunday games so brutal — the fatigue, the travel, the mental battle. They share their own strategies...

This week, Leah and Kate break down some serious shakeups in Week 2 of NCAA women’s soccer — including Houston’s huge 4-1 win over Texas and Mississippi State’s upset over Wake Forest. It’s giving underdog energy, and we’re here for it.

Special guest Shea O’Rourke from Tennessee joins the pod to talk about bouncing back from injury, transferring programs, and finding her groove as a leader....

The season is officially on, and Leah Klenke and Kate Phillips are wasting no time breaking down their opening matches. Leah dishes on a big win over Western Michigan and a gritty tie with powerhouse Arkansas, while Kate shares the highs and learning moments from her matchup against South Dakota State.

But this episode isn’t just game talk — it’s gym talk too. The hosts bring in special guest Ana Menendez, Kate&rs...

We’re officially in preseason mode, and Leah Klenke and Kate Phillips are bringing the heat. In this episode, the duo breaks down what those early matchups actually teach a team — from tough lessons vs. Kansas State and Indiana to figuring out how to get the freshmen locked in and game-ready.

They get into the nitty gritty of film review (spoiler: it’s not always pretty) and talk about how seeing the big picture h...

College soccer preseason is HERE and it’s a whole vibe. Kate and Leah spill the tea on double sessions, heat waves, new coaches, and team reunions. From late-night laughs to sports psych sessions, they share how their squads are building chemistry and bracing for the season ahead.

They also get real about the mental side of the game — how teams are leaning into sports psych, handling the pressure, and finding small wins...

Join hosts Kate Phillips and Leah Klenke as they welcome special guests Izzy Engle and Grace Restovich, standout sophomores from the Notre Dame women's soccer team. Dive into their exciting journey from high school to collegiate athletics and explore their experiences with Team USA, including their summer tournament in Costa Rica and the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. In this episode, the duo shares the joys of their freshman year,...

Join the new hosts, Kate Phillips and Leah Klenky, as they embark on their first season of "The Big Life Podcast." With the mic on and vibes up, they dive into the world of collegiate soccer, sharing experiences from pre-season preparations to academic challenges, personal anecdotes, and loads more. Get to know Kate and Leah through fun quick-fire questions where th...