The BIG LIFE

The soccer season is underway. Now add classes, homework, roommates, travel, playing time, exhaustion and an actual social life to the mix.
In Episode 3 of The BIG LIFE, Paige Thompson (Alabama) and Jaiden Rodriguez (USC) get honest about what happens when preseason ends and being a student-athlete suddenly means being a STUDENT again.
Paige recaps Alabama’s huge road wins over Saint Louis and Memphis — including snapping Memphis’ 41-game home winning streak with a goal in the final seconds — while Jaiden reflects on USC’s early-season games and the lessons that come from getting a serious wake-up call against a top team.
Then the conversation gets real.
Paige and Jaiden talk about balancing classes with training, the sacrifices that come with being a college athlete, dorm and roommate life, playing time, confidence, managing emotions after a tough game and why two teammates living under the same roof can be having completely different college soccer experiences.
They also check in on the college soccer rankings, make predictions for some of the biggest upcoming games and answer a few questions about what nobody tells you before you become a college athlete.
In this episode:• Alabama’s dramatic road win over Memphis• The reality of travel and early-season games• Going back to class while playing Division I soccer• Time management, sleep and sacrificing your social life• Dorms, roommates and finally having your own space• What happens when one roommate plays 90 minutes and another plays zero• Handling frustration and conversations with your coach• Confidence, overthinking and learning to “play free”• Paige’s game-day reminder: “Play big. Be you.”• Early college soccer rankings and upcoming games• What they wish someone had told them before college
The BIG LIFE takes you inside college soccer through the players actually living it.
New episodes every week with Paige + Jaiden.
#TheBIGLIFE #CollegeSoccer #NCAASoccer #StudentAthlete #GirlsSoccer

The college soccer season is officially here — and Paige Thompson (Alabama) and Jaiden Rodriguez (USC) are taking us inside all of it.
In Episode 2 of The BIG LIFE, Paige and Jaiden recap their preseason matches, including Paige's battle wound against LSU, and look ahead to some huge early-season matchups.
Then they dive into the changing world of college soccer: preseason rankings, new NCAA eligibility rules, NIL, agents, and what it's actually like to build a personal brand while competing as a Division I athlete.
They also get candid about their own college recruiting journeys — why Paige ultimately chose Alabama, why Jaiden chose USC, what mattered most when making their decisions, and their advice for young players navigating an increasingly fast-moving recruiting process.
In this episode:
Paige's bloody preseason battle against LSU
Jaiden's takeaways from USC's first preseason match
Early-season goals and big matchups ahead
Their reaction to the preseason Top 25
How the changing NCAA landscape is affecting college athletes
What NIL actually looks like for women's soccer players
Jaiden's experience signing with Nike and working with an agent
How college recruiting has changed
Why players shouldn't rush their college decision
How Paige chose Alabama and Jaiden chose USC
The BIG LIFE follows college soccer from the players' perspective — the games, pressure, friendships, recruiting, NIL and everything that happens beyond the pitch.
Follow Girls Soccer Network and join Paige and Jaiden every week as they take us inside The BIG LIFE.
#TheBIGLIFE #CollegeSoccer #NCAASoccer #NIL #CollegeRecruiting #GirlsSoccer

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 seasons. They also share the goals they're setting for the year ahead—on and off the field.
In this episode:
Preseason fitness tests, beep tests, and preparing for the season
Lessons learned during their freshman year of college soccer
Managing confidence, pressure, and the mental side of the game
Working with sports psychologists and developing a stronger mindset
Setting performance goals for the upcoming season
Small daily habits that make a big difference
Why extra training, recovery, and consistency matter
This episode is proudly sponsored by SogilityGO—the smart rebounder helping players get more quality touches, improve their first touch, and train with purpose outside of team practice. Use the promo code GSN10 for 10% off your purchase. 
Whether you're preparing for college soccer, currently playing, or dreaming of competing at the next level, this episode offers an honest look at what it takes to keep growing.
Subscribe for new episodes every week featuring the voices of college players living The BIG LIFE.

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 bring on their parents (yes, the parents) for a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like raising a D1 athlete. From carpool chaos to college commitments, they open up about the highs, the heartbreaks, and the hustle behind the dream.
Expect stories, laughter, maybe a few tears, and a whole lot of gratitude. It’s a celebration of the people behind the players — and a reminder that no one gets here alone.
 
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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. The episode emphasizes resilience, identity beyond sport, and team culture.
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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. From mindset shifts to tournament pressure, Leah and Kate keep it real about staying present and trusting the work.
They also revisit favorite moments from the season so far — big wins, locker room laughs, and everything in between. It’s a reminder that team culture runs deeper than any scoreboard.
Become a Patron of The BIG LIFECheck out our ⁠⁠⁠new merch! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ (@girlssoccernetwork)Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ channel