The BIG LIFE

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, ...

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 i...

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’s all about balance — pumpkin ...

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 camp...

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 locke...

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 ...

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’s strength and condi...

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 helps shape team id...

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 along the w...

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...

In our season-ending finale, Sam and Jordyn embark on an emotional and insightful journey through the world of college soccer. As the NCAA soccer championship unfolds, our hosts take us through the excitement of an all-ACC Final Four, sharing their predictions and insights into the teams vying for the title. With Duke University emerging as the favorite, they discuss the incredible talent and storylines that have defined this seaso...

As the NCAA women's soccer tournament kicks into high gear, the excitement is palpable. Let's face it, this is one of the most fun tournaments of the year whatever level you play! This is a time of thrilling matches, unexpected upsets, and intense competition. Sam and Jordyn dive into the heart of the tournament, offering insights and predictions that you won't want to miss.

Guess who is back on home soil?! After an incredible, Iro...

In episode 15, we dive into the excitement of the NCAA tournament bracket release. Join us as we explore the emotions and expectations surrounding  the postseason journey. Reflecting on past seasons and looking ahead to potential upsets, Sam and Jordyn discuss the dynamics of first-round matchups and the surprises in the selection process.

The episode also highlights the importance of understanding one's motivations for pursuing a ...

Join us for an exciting episode of Big Life as we delve into the latest updates from the world of women's soccer. Sam shares information about the upcoming Girls Soccer Network Friendsgiving event on November 20th, featuring discussions on gratitude with speakers liker performance and speed coach Erica Suter and Certified Mental Performance Consultant Amanda Ferrante.

Sam and Jordyn cover the recent Big Ten Final Four semifinals i...

In this emotional episode of The Big Life, join us as we dive into the heart-pounding excitement of the Big Ten tournament.

Sam and Jordyn discuss the intense feelings that come with the postseason, especially for those nearing the end of their college career. Jordyn reflects on the mix of emotions that come with knowing her college soccer days are nearing an end, while still being pumped about the tournament ahead. It's a delicate...

In this episode of "The Big Life," Sam and Jordyn dive into a whirlwind week of college soccer, highlighting Jordyn's challenging travel experience and the end of Michigan State's undefeated streak. Despite the setbacks, Jordyn shares personal milestones, like earning a starting position, and reflects on the balance between individual achievements and team disappointments.

The discussion extends to the broader college soccer landsc...