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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.
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Leah and Kate recap the final regular-season games and upcoming conference tournaments, then welcome BYU forward Ellie Walbruch to discuss her path from UCLA to BYU, overcoming an ACL injury, and leading on the field.
Ellie also shares her summer MVP season with Utah United, how she balances sports journalism internships with being a student-athlete, and her goals to play professionally and pursue a broadcasting career.


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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 how tearing her ACL tested both her identity and mental strength.
Now in her senior year, Keegan’s perspective is all about balance — pushing herself on the field while chasing big dreams in the classroom. Her story is equal parts resilience, ambition, and heart — a reminder that your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.
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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.
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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 relationships, and preparing for travel and missed classes.
Listeners will learn practical advice on staying organized, using campus resources, building faculty connections, and making the most of college both on and off the field.
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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 film is just as important as training reps, Austin shares tips every athlete (not just GKs) can use.
It’s all about confidence, resilience, and learning to trust yourself — whether you're between the posts or just trying to level up in life.
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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 fitness.
From staying grounded to finding joy outside of sport, this episode is full of wisdom for athletes, coaches, and anyone navigating high-performance environments.
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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’s all about balance — pumpkin muffin baking, football games, and trying to stay sane in the chaos of student-athlete life.
🎧 Tune in now and catch the highs, the hustle, and the heart behind NCAA women’s soccer.
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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 Notre Dame’s campus that changed the way she sees the game…and life.
Berkley gets real about the mental side of injury, the small wins that matter most, and the freedom she’s found in embracing her full identity — not just as a player, but as a person. Her message for other athletes? Find joy in who you are off the pitch, too.
She’s still got big dreams (think overseas), but this convo is all about mindset, growth, and the stuff you don’t see on the highlight reel.
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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 for staying locked in and how quick turnarounds test both body and mind.
Plus, we’re talking pregame rituals, power meals, and standout matchups across the country — from Duke to Arkansas to Kansas — as conference play looms large.
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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. Her journey from South Carolina to Texas A&M to Tennessee is all about grit, growth, and believing in your squad.
The crew also gets real about balancing school, soccer, and life — because being a student-athlete is no joke. Whether you're here for the game recaps or the mindset gems, this one’s packed with perspective.
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