November 12, 2021 • 43 mins
We are all about best friends on this episode as Naya and Lo are joined by their besties; Jaz Gray and Nicole Heavirland respectively. We get the low down on what made them click and why their relationships are so special both on and off the field. We find out their pet peeves and how they annoy each other, and we also hear how their different personalities work to improve the other. Plus Nicole spills the beans about Lo as her room mate when they are on tour. And if you follow them on social media you’ll have an idea that anything goes between these two! And no, they are not dating! Our favorite Leo’s also answer cubs questions so stay tuned to the end. This is a fun episode.
Hosts: Naya Tapper & Ilona Maher
Recorded: November 10, 2021
For more information, links and resources and hundreds more conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1500+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. We are ranked in the top 2% more of than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.
Hosts: Naya Tapper & Ilona Maher
Recorded: November 10, 2021
For more information, links and resources and hundreds more conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1500+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. We are ranked in the top 2% more of than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Hi everyone, and welcome to seasontwo, episode four of The leos Den.
My name's Naya, and my funfact is that I have about ten
best friends. Everyone. My nameis Elona. My teammates call me low.
And my fun fact is I thinkI really have like one best friend.
(00:22):
To be honest, how do youhave ten best friends? I is
that possible? It is? Ihonestly think I might have a little more
than that. As I've come intomy adult years, I've been trying to
figure out, like, am Ijust classifying all my close friend friends as
best friends or should I be breakingthose categories down into like this is my
sister, this is my actual bestfriend, this is my great friend,
(00:46):
this is my associate, versus kindof putting them all in one big box.
As I've gotten older and friendships haveturned into different categories, but for
right now, we're just calling themall my best friends. I'm still I'm
attached to that. I'm figuring thatout. I think that's fine. I
think when I was in like fourthgrade, this girl told me I couldn't
(01:07):
be her best friend. She's sheonly can have one best friend. That
scarred me. I went uerneath mydining room table and cried. So that's
why I only think you can havelike one best friends what she told me.
But like, yeah, I wouldconsider my sisters my best friends went
away. I don't consider my sistersmy best friends, but I have like
one best friend who like she's basicallyfamily. So ratcha doung. Yeah,
(01:29):
instead of calling best friend, I'mlike your family, Like you're my sister,
like literally not my blood, butmy blood. So that's kind of
how you roll around that. Butmy ten versus your one. Maybe I
can give you some of my bridesmaidsso they don't included. Okay, guys,
so you know, before we getinto the episode, we start with
(01:51):
our horoscope, us being Leo,as we love to hear about ourselves from
each other and also from the world. For this horoscope today, it says,
no member, it could put youthrough some test, Leo, but
it's nothing you can't manage. Infact, the more you go with the
flow, the better things will turnout. Tension could be building up between
your career and home life, especiallyduring this month's new moon and full moon.
(02:14):
The secret lies and asking for help. You do so much for people,
so why not let them return thefavor When you need it the most,
rely on your support system. LowIs that touching you in any way?
Yeah, it's just funny that it'sa support system because you have a
massive support system of your ten bestfriends. So that kind of is fitting
(02:35):
for today's episode. I think Icould rely on people more because I think
at times I'm like I could dothis. I'm strong enough, I'm fine,
instead of like maybe going a littleoutward for it. What about you,
I would definitely say it definitely relateswith us in our work life getting
ready for scrimmages and selections for Dubai, and then in home life just trying
(02:57):
to get being situated. So itdefinitely touches me in a way and brings
things into perspective that I'm not goingcrazy and that it actually has something to
do with astrology, I guess,So that's kind of a nice relief.
And then just the advice of relyingon your support system, I think that's
really important. And as you said, I've had I have ten best friends
as well as my sisters and familyand my teammates, so I'm really lucked
(03:21):
out in that area. So ifyou guys have an already guest or if
you haven't read the caption. Today, we're gonna be talking to our best
friends, our personal best friends.So yay, they're here. They took
their time out of their day tocome talk to us, even though they
talk to us every day. Somy best friend do I brought on today
is Nicole Havelin. Nicole, sayhi, and please give us a fun
(03:43):
fact. Hey everyone, my nameis Nicole. Fun fact about me is
Elona mar is literally my soulmate andevery single way except one except one.
Yes, but other than that,we're made for each other. Or what
are you guys exploring that? No, damn it for a turnity around like
(04:08):
that. I mean, it's notthe first time. It's not the first
time we've gotten asked that. Yeah, people always ask that about us,
like oh you did it, andlike, no, we're just best friends.
Okay, we just get along.Well, there's other things we can
do like drink coffee and hang outand share secrets. All right, that's
very beautiful to go off of that. I have brought in my bestie.
(04:32):
Her name is Jazz Gray. Jazz, would you please introduce yourself and give
us a fun fact about you?Hello? Everyone, my name is Jazz
Gray and a fun fact about me? Is I collect pets? Now?
Tell me, Jazz, how doesit feel that you're actually just one of
ten, that you're actually not thatimportant? It feels good because, like
(04:59):
I do get to see her everyday and be with her, so,
like, you know, I feellike that that elevates me in the tenets
a little bit. It's a tinybit. He's also like been around majority
of them too, so I feellike she can understand, like, Okay,
I see where all these people fitinto a certain piece of your life
(05:19):
and why you need all ten ofthem. And like Jazz, when you
hang out with Naya's other friends,do you like feel like, oh you
work well with them as well becauseyou all have like a same a similar
maybe friendship or is it like Ifound sometimes like people's best friends kind of
maybe compete with each other, likeno, I'm her best friend, No
she's no, I'm her number one. Oh no, it's really like I'm
(05:42):
I'm a real laid back and alot of them are kind of like her
and being like a little over thetop. So um, don't you know,
yeah, we we mesh pretty well. I think, good, Nicole,
what about you tell me what thatlife is like being the one and
only m is. It is precious. I mean, I mean I am
(06:06):
not like jazz um Low. Ifyou ever get another best friend, I
will probably drown you. Um.And I'm already like not looking forward to,
you know, not spending the nextcouple of weeks with you when you're
in Dubai and you're gonna have anew roommate, so I'm gonna be you
(06:26):
know, probably calling you lots um. But yeah, it's like I grew
up, you know, having aone friend, a one best friend,
and Low as that person. Andit's we just celebrated our three year anniversary.
Three year friend anniversary. Guys,you guys should start selling celebrating friend
anniversaries. How cute is that?Can you please tell it? Give us
(06:47):
a little more information on that.With that day went like so like usually
we do it every year, butand we do fun things, but this
year is pretty chill. Yeah,no, this year we um, what
was it? Last week? OnFriday, we were like, let's let's
get dressed up and go get appetisedand get a drink and just you know,
(07:11):
share share each other, like whatwe loved about each other and and
just talk, talk and it waslike a really really good evening and it
ended up being, um, alittle bit too much of a good weekend.
But you know, you're making ourrelationships sound really subsnical. Watch what
you say, all right, weare completely normal for listening Nile. Well,
(07:38):
congratulations to you guys. Um Iheard low you kind of giving us
advice that me and Jazz should dothe same. I don't know if I
remember exactly the day we met,so I feel like that would kind of
be difficult, but I will say, like we probably celebrate like once a
month, which is probably too much. But I do see you guys going
out often. I'm like, oh, look at them and Benny Hannah again,
(08:03):
no way, yea. So tellme, like, when did you
two kind of know like, hey, I vibe with this person. I
guess I'll start. I think whenfirst off, realizing finding out she was
from North Carolina, I felt likewe could relate on that aspect being from
(08:24):
the East Coast. I feel Ihave noticed that East Coast and West Coast
people operate differently, they think differently, they have different mentalities. So from
a sports perspective, we were verysimilar in our competitiveness, our confidence,
and how we communicated and then offthe field like doing team activities and kind
(08:46):
of gravitating towards her. When Inoticed like we like the same type of
music, we like to do thesame type of things, we like to
experience experiences, and we like tospend money. I was like, Okay,
this is this is the person forme. What about you, Jazzy.
Um. I think it was probablythat day that we had the little,
(09:07):
uh a little jumping competition, likewe both were like uh, you
know, going back and forth,having a little banter and that's always fun.
Um and yeah, like just likeboth of us are very competitive,
we love to bet, we loveto spend money as well. UM.
So yeah, I think I thinkthat day was like all right, yeah,
(09:31):
And just to give some context intothat day, we were doing vertical
tests um at training and Jazz iswhat you're five three, five four,
thank you for Jazz four And I'mfive nine, So you know, I'm
already thinking like I got this inthe bag, Like I'm not the highest
vertical in the team from the jump, but I'm looking at Jazz and I'm
(09:54):
like, I got this in thebag, Like I got about five inches
on her. I should be fine. And in Jazz, being the competitive
person she is, she really likesto take a challenge. Even if she
truly knows she still will not win, she'll still do it. And in
this situation, she knew she wouldwin. And luckily for her in her
pockets and her bank account, shedid win. She did beat me by
(10:18):
a lot in the vertical. Soshout out to Jazz for her athletic ability.
Yeah, because Jazz can be veryquiet. Like when she first came
in, we were all like whothis, yes, and then but then
when it comes to competition time,Jazz steps up. I remember that vertical
job competition because Jazz was hyped onJazz on on that point. With Jazz
(10:41):
is being super quiet. It's funnythough, like during during practice, it's
like you hear Jazz's voice come out, and then you hear Naya's loud voice
come out, and then they justbe fighting at each other. They're arguing
back and forth, and then they'restill playing rugby though they're still playing and
then they're still arguing, but theyget they get their stuff done, you
know, and it's just kind offunny to watch, and it's it's kind
of interesting, like different relationships likethese two will be yelling at each other,
(11:07):
like saying some reasons. No,I don't know if it's rude things,
but like aggressive things. And thenthey're like, hey, talk nicer
to Tanaya and Jazz, and Iare like, no, that's how we
talk. Like none of them feelbad. It's just like the relationship they've
created it and they're The way theycommunicate is like very different than how I
maybe communicate with Nicole Low tell usa little bit about how you and Nicole
(11:31):
met and like when that moment waswhere you were like, this is my
best friend. Well, I thinkI kind of was like maybe Jazz.
When I came in as well,I was very quiet, you know,
Doyle called me weird. I didn'treally know how to talk to people,
and it wasn't as so. Icame in in the summertime and I played
at the World Cup and nothing reallycame from that. I wasn't friends with
(11:52):
Nicole at all. But then itwas during the twenty nineteen fall season before
Glendale when I was like, hey, Nicole, like I put you on
as my roommate. I think wecould work well. She's like, hey,
I put you down in my roommateand I was like what So we
were roommates in Colorado and it justlike worked really well together. Like,
um, I think what works forus is that we're very opposite in many
(12:13):
ways. Like she is very neat, she can she's very strict on her
diet. I can be very messy. I am not strict on my diet.
And our personalities are very different.I would call her more of an
introvert and myself more of an extrovert. And I think it was just like
that moment, and then after Glendale, I think we just kind of knew
like, Okay, this is somebodythat I really work well with. Nicole,
What what about you? Yeah?I know for me it was after
(12:37):
Glendale you basically like invited yourself intomy home and like I'm not the one
too, you know, I'm notthe one to like like hey come over,
but no, Low's like, hey, I'm coming over. We're going
out. I'm like sweet, okay, Like I'm not the one to make
plans, but like the sense likeLows make plans, Like that's that's like
(13:01):
a personality trait that I gravitate towardsbecause I'm not the one that to do
so, so I as a likean introvert. I'm like, that's that's
what I want as an a bedbest friend is someone to be like,
let's do this, let's do that, and we're going here, and I'm
like sweet, sweet sweet, andthat that weekend she spent the night at
my house. Um, and thenI liked, next weekend, I think
(13:22):
I met your sister low and like, I just like fell in love with
your family and and knew that youguys were good people. And I'm curious
about that because I feel like that'sa very common thing with Leos is to
kind of take control of situations.And we kind of talked about our star
our star star signs earlier, ourcubs nowhere Leos Nicole, what is your
(13:43):
zodiac sign? I'm a Pisces.Okay, Jazzy, what's yours? I
too, am a Pisces. No, things are like really close together.
Oh they are. I told youdidn't even realize that. That's wild.
That has to be some stars orsomething like that. I believe it.
(14:09):
Well, that is insane. Okay. I couldn't tell you what pisces are,
but they they I love them.I guess, yeah, I don't.
I don't don't really know either.I think pisces are like very they
say they're super emotional, you know, tend to be a little bit No,
not me at a point, No, I'm not emotional. Um,
(14:33):
tend to be you know, likean introvert, a little bit kind of
quiet um. But then you gotsome pisces you say like, no,
I'm not any of those. SoI don't know, but like that's how
like I've heard it. I don'tknow if I would describe you two as
very emotional, but maybe maybe deepdown, maybe you guys really have a
soft spot. Deep down. Um, I do have a question, like
(14:56):
what is it training and working togetherevery day? Like how does it for
you guys? I'll tell you howit is for us, because sometimes it
can be a lot um. Forme, it's it's pretty cool, mainly
because we play the same position,me and I, so we always giving
each other feedback and saying no,this, do it this way, or
(15:20):
try this. So that's I thinkthat actually like brings us closer, to
be honest, and on top ofthat, like it is hard as well
because we're again playing in the sameposition and we're actually like really competing against
each other. We're fighting for thesame spot, so that can like create
tension and stuff. But I thinkthat we've are very honest with each other,
(15:43):
so we're kind of able to workthrough that. You know. And
I will say, like Jazz isvery chatty, and she she knows like,
oh, if I say certain thingsor I do certain things, it'll
get under that person's skin and messtheir game. I think that is like
an awesome trait. But I willsay, like I struggle with that some
(16:03):
days where I'm like, mother,strangle your neck right now. But I
think that's great. I think that'sa perfect way to prepare me for you
know, shit talking that I candeal with on tournaments what you know,
teams do and try to trigger youwith to throw your game off. So
I think her in that aspect isa great addition to our team, for
(16:26):
us to be able to work aroundthat, work around that regressiveness, that
competitiveness, that confidence, that arrogancein a positive way. I think that's
good to see and good to beable to go up against because it really
tests your emotional strength, I think. And I think too, like Naya,
she'll send me like after practice,she'll send me like fifty clips and
(16:49):
sometimes it'll just be like me walkinglike on a play, and she'll then
she'll call me, I want totalk about it, and I'm like,
I know, I was walking out, I'm want to talk to you about
But like when we are like forcedto talk about it, it really holds
me accountable and it makes me somuch better. So I appreciate her for
that. Yeah, I think we'rejust constantly always doing things saying things to
(17:14):
make each other better, so andvice versa, because like I'll say,
oh, you're walking, She's like, well, here's a clip of you
walking yea, And I'm like,okay, care but but there's another clip
from years ago. So it makesit hard too that we're very similar in
the type of players we are,so it's like we really have to be
(17:34):
honest with ourselves in order to getbetter as athletes of like, yeah,
we have the same issues in termsof fitness and other things like that,
so it's like how can we pusheach other. For some people, it's
like, you know, for Jazz, it's like I'm gonna be like,
you ain't doing it right, dada da, And for me it might
be like to Jazz, like sendingour clips. So yeah, I found
(18:00):
that too about your guy's relationships,that you are constantly making each other better
and like constantly their race and they'redoing whatever. When else two are on
the wing opposite each other, it'sa little scary, to be honest,
Like they rev up. I don'tthink. I think Nya runs the fastest
when she's chasing Jazz down, probablybecause there's no way she's gonna let Jazz
(18:21):
win. Um, it's the opposite, I think. Well, I think
for me, like I love workingwith her, but with Nicole, but
it's like there are times when it'sit's a lot when you see each other
for that long of a time,um, and like you're just you see
(18:44):
how they act and you see you'rearound them just with other people. I
always wanted to live with Nicole.I think that would be great, but
I was like, I cannot livewith you if I have to see you
during the day as well, Iwill, I will, I can't do
it because Nicole. A fun factabout what Nicole is. If she has
a problem, she will literally alwaystalk to you about it, like,
hey, Loo, can I talkto you about this? And I'm like,
(19:08):
what did I do? Yeah,sure it's up. She's like,
hey, so I just think you'vebeen kind of doing this, and she'll
like she's making me better as well. I think we make each other better
more silently maybe, but she's alwayslike, hello, just let you know
you've been really doing this a lot, and I'm like, awesome, and
so I get so annoyed. I'mlike, hmm, but she's literally just
telling me how I can be abetter person. But who that that's a
(19:30):
pet peeve right there, Nicole.I think, Um, you know,
I really appreciate that we aren't inthe same position low because for me,
like I don't ever feel like,oh I gotta like, you know,
cleaning my cards right sometimes like notshare everything with you sometimes, you know,
like that can be our environment isso competitive, and I think that
(19:53):
like let's loose on a lot oflike areas that I can, like,
you know, be so free withyou and tell you anything how I'm feeling.
And so I really appreciate that.But yeah, it's like, um,
sometimes I feel like we are differenton the field versus off the field,
you know, like in terms oflike what we say to each other.
(20:15):
On the rugby pitch is like moremore business sometimes and not as fun,
and then off pitch just like,Oh, we're just having fun,
you know, let's let's talk abouteverything and anything. And I think that's
one of the important things, isto be able to have the balance between
work and play, because we arearound each other all day, whether we're
(20:37):
working or playing, So to beable to separate those two entities is very
important in terms of keeping a goodrelationship with somebody. Now, do you
have a is there pet peeve inthis relationship? Like is there something that
one of you guys do? Andyou're just like, gosh, dang you
as Jazz knows, she's ready,I can tell you hers. One time
(21:00):
we got into a little spat.I was like asking her questions about about
the men's team, because she's friendswith one of the men's players, and
so I kept it was like threeor four questions back to back, and
she's like, I don't know,I don't know, and then she just
gets so mad. She's like,I don't know, you keep asking me
dumb questions and I'm like, tome, they don't seem dumb, because
(21:22):
like, you know, somebody whoplays for them, and she's like,
I don't talk to him. Allthe time. She was getting so mad,
and I was like you know what, I'm never asking you. That's
so I think her pet pee withme is like when I asked her questions
that she doesn't know the answer.Yeah, I could agree with that.
(21:48):
You don't do that very often,So like I wouldn't say that would be
my biggest pet peeve. If Ihad to say my pet pee for you,
it would probably be like in thebeginning, you like your tardiness would
like really get under my skin,and you'd be like I'm outside and I'd
be standing outside and she's like downthe road. I'm like, that's not
(22:11):
outside. Yeah, So I thinkthat would be my pet peeve for her,
which hers for me, Jesse,I would say, Um, she
just wants to like I'm smaller thanher, so she always wants to like
put her hands either around my neckon my head, like she just wants
(22:32):
to treat me like a little kid. So that would probably be my prayer.
Like every time I come into training, she's like like all my neck,
like I'm just a child. Soyeah, that would probably be my
prayer. What about you, lowNicole, let's here. I'm i gotta
(22:55):
say, like, there's not alot of things that annoy me, you
know, that load up and likeI can. I can deal with most
of the things, like yes,I'm super clean, and like she's super
nusty. And there's sometimes in theroom when we're on tour and you believe
it of on my side of thenightstand, and I'm like, this is
not mine, but I don't sayanything. I'm like, I'll deal with
(23:22):
it, like it doesn't matter.I'll just move it. But like it's
like you know, the garbage sometimesand then one time though, you did
put your dirty laundry on my bit. Oh, I'm so sorry. I
watch a couple don't I would Iwould have passed out. But you know
why, I think one problem isI'm too comfortable around you. You got
(23:45):
to start yelling at me, no, like hey this, get move your
laundry or something. I want youto be comfortable with me. So that's
why I don't say anything. It'smore it's more for me to have you
be comfortable than to you know,be like, hey, don't do that,
because it doesn't really bother me.I don't know, maybe it's ever
take you just gotta start yelling atme. N I gotta give those boundaries,
(24:07):
Nicole, because yeah, for thefor a continuously good friendship, like
it has to be complete comfort onboth sides. Like just as you would
share information with her very frequently onthe field, it should be the same
off the field. Because you saylike, oh, it doesn't bother me,
but it does. It does.You can't let just keep doing her
(24:30):
thing, my guy, but shewill. I don't think bothers the right
word. It's like, oh,that's not really what I want, but
I I don't really enjoy this,but okay, um, well now I
know. So I can't even practicein Dubai. But I honestly, when
I'm with people who like I'm notbest friends with, I'm much cleaner.
(24:51):
Surprisingly, But when I'm with Nicole, I'm like, she doesn't care.
So I'll practice for dubai and thenhopefully we'll be roommates again and I'll be
like ten times better. I'm notgetting any promises, but maybe you have.
Actually we have had this conversation andyou did get better, you know,
Oh yeah you did get cleaner.Yeah, oh my god, blick
at me. I'm so much better. Wow, I'm so impressed with myself.
(25:11):
I don't know if I fully haveany pet pee. I definitely sometimes
she really gets on my freaking nerve. Man, I just need to like,
I don't know what it is she'sdoing, but like she does like
to really just bring everything up.You know, Hey, you did this
today. I'm like, oh,okay, what else did I do?
(25:33):
So that gets on my nerves,But honestly, nothing too bad. I
think that's like I think when you'reyou're like good friends, it's kind of
like a sister and that they dothings that it's gonna know you and you're
not gonna like them all the time, but it's like that's what a relationship
is. Yeah. On top ofthat, like with best friends, you
(25:56):
have outside of that relations as well, like having a boyfriend, having a
girlfriend, things of that such.How does that come about in you guys
relationships in terms of balancing that,balancing dating and also trying to spend time
with your best friend. How doesthat work out? Well? Well,
(26:18):
um, I will say that whenme and I first started being friends,
she did not have a boyfriend,and it was lit for us. We
was out, we was in thestreet every weekend. I felt like it
was just like Friday night, Saturdaynight. We was always doing something.
And then she did get a boyfriend, and it's been a little sad for
(26:41):
me. You know, a lotof Saturday nights I've been just in my
room by myself. But like Iam happy for but it's just, you
know, the nights of us goingout on the town have definitely lessened.
Yeah, And I think that's somethinglike I've been trying to balance because now
instead of only having to make oneperson happy, you got to make two
(27:03):
people happy. And when those twopeople, you know, it's two different
relationships that you have to satisfy.In actions are different in those two relationships.
I think for me, it waslike, Okay, for this weekend,
like I'm going to hang out withmy boyfriend, and then for this
day of this next weekend, I'mgoing to hang out with Jazzy. Like
I've been trying to make sure thatI'm putting in effort to spend time with
(27:26):
her because I know, in likemy past relationships, I would just get
warped into my love life and kindof forget about my friends, which my
mom was like, you can neverdo that. If there's anything you shouldn't
do, it's forget about your friendsonce you are in love or doing whatever
you're doing. So that's been somethingthat's been important for me of like making
sure I hang out with her aswell, making time for her, making
(27:48):
her feel like that friendship is stillstrong and that I still care about her,
and also like trying to make surethat they have a good relationship so
that we can all go out togetherand have a good time. So I
think it's been a work in progressand it'll only get better from here.
Um, I don't really know ifwe have any of those problems because I
have been single my whole life,so I don't think we have that.
(28:15):
But she's very encouraging of me toget out there and slay the day,
which is awesome because I think eventhe first weekend when we hung out,
but I think I just love everin her house on like Friday night,
and then that Saturday, I wentout with her and her brother and her
brother's friends and went out and likewe met some people at a bar and
(28:36):
she left early because she can beboring sometimes when she didn't want to say
us or whatever. So this ishow we became as friends, is like
I hung out, was hanging withsome people whatever, and then like I
came back late and she was like, what's up what happened? Like,
I just tell your little story.I came back. We just had to
sleep over, and I told thelittle story. But like she's like,
go out, do you think?So? We don't really have any problems
(29:00):
that I hope we do one day, Like I don't know if it'll be
me, but hopefully Nicole like getson her high, you know, on
her horse find somebody. Yeah.Yeah, we've never actually had to deal
with it. Like it's like,yes, we're very like, let's maybe
tonight, tonight we'll need our significantother. We never do never, never
(29:21):
to night. I think we're toobig. You ooh, you can't say
it because then you jink it.You just gotta go out. Not even
here's my thing, Nia, I'vebeen saying for like five years, I'm
not looking for a man. I'mfine. I'm chilling, like trying to
do that reverse psychology. They allsay when you're not looking is when you
find them. Well, it hasn'tbeen working. So now I'm gonna say
(29:42):
it. I'm looking, okay,and hopefully if by looking it'll actually work.
That's I'm trying a new technique.Has it helped? Has it worked?
No? But we'll see one ofthe things that I think is really
cool and funny and miller in bothof our relationships is that low you and
(30:02):
me are straight, and Nicole andDad we are not very like I want
to say, uncommon back in theday, like relationship even like now,
like that's a very uncommon thing tosee more common now than before. What
do you think, like, hasthat had any effect on you guys relationship?
(30:23):
I know you talked about like peopleasking like, hey, are you
guys stating Yeah. I honestly thinkit makes it work so well because wake
when we were first hang out,it was like, oh, is this
are they the new couple? It'slike no, And since I'm since I'm
straight at times even aggressively, soit is almost like works out better better
(30:47):
for our relationship because like there's nosexual attraction there, so it just works
out like there's no way we're goingto ruin it in a way, and
we have different types so we're allgoing for different people. So I think
it honestly just makes a relationship reallybetter. I mean, I think maybe
you two could also answer like whatis it in a too gay girl best
(31:08):
friendship jazz Um, I think likeNaya underestimates, like how much when we
go out together, people think thatwe are a couple. And I'm like,
she's like, you go talk tothis girl, go talk to this
girl whatever, And I'm like,everybody thinks we're on a date right now,
like and She's like, no way, and I'm like, yes,
(31:29):
they do. Yeah. I neverpick up anybody when I'm with you because
it always looks like we're on adate. I ever believe that though,
because I'm like Jazzy, I'm likefive, I'm foller than you, I'm
muscular as hell. There's no waythat they think that I'm with you.
And I try to I try togive off the vibe like ladies, come
talk to my girl Jazzy. Sometimesit works, but I can understand how
(31:55):
it can shy some females away becauseeven when even in the current state of
Jazzy dating, like I'm sure wetalked about in the past of like girls
always asking her like are you datingNaya? Are you talking to Naia?
And I'm just like I get it, but I don't really get it.
But I guess it's because like we'rein it, you know. Yeah,
No, it's because she's illegal andshe thinks she's too good for me.
(32:17):
It's impossible I would be with that. Are you serious? Literally? Never?
Well, it's kind of interesting becauseour our relationships are very similar.
First off, two big girls andI are two big girls. Jazz and
Nicole two pretty very tiny, veryfit, compact women. You know,
(32:40):
you know, similar energies. Weboth it's it's so it's kind of wild,
like we're I guess we're the blueprintfor perfect for good relationships or whatnot.
Yeah, but I don't know,like does it does it affect like
what? Actually we just kind ofanswered that question. But so Nia you
have a boyfriend, Nicole, youthat I haven't ever been seen anybody when
(33:00):
we've been together. No, notfor a long term. No. Yeah,
because you're picky dude, so areyou? You can't say anything?
So yeah, I think it's beena balance. I think one of the
questions I have is, um,what's one thing that you learned from your
best friend that you'll take on forthe entirety of your life. Um,
(33:29):
I'll go first. I guess Ithink mine would probably be patience and putting
my stuff in somebody else's shoes,because I think Jaggy challenges me a lot
with that, especially in the beginningwhen she was always late. It would
just fire me up and I'm like, why are you letting that fire me
(33:50):
up somebody? And she would justbe like patience, Like why are we
in a rush? It was sofunny because the other day I was telling
myself when I was around, I'mlike, patience, and then I said
something. She's like, that wasnot patience, and I'm like, Okay,
you're right, So I think thatwould be that. And then just
the debates we have. I feellike a lot of the times she's a
(34:12):
devil's advocate and she doesn't truly believewhat she's saying, but it has forced
me to see the other side andeverything that I talk about, think about,
or work around. So I thinkthat's been the things that I'm going
to carry with me from her.I think for me just being more open
(34:36):
to really doing things, like we'llbe sitting I'm like, man, you
know this person is pretty Oh.You know, she's like, go say
something. I'm like, no,I'm scared, and she's like, you
need to do the things that you'rescared and I'm like no. So she
like really forces me just to dothe things that like I'm scared of doing
or like I'm too shy to do. And I shake that because like I've
(35:00):
started a lot of things just becauseshe's told me to just like just do
it. No, we're not waitingtill tomorrow, Like do it right now.
No, you're not gonna wait tillI leave, Like you're gonna do
it right in front of me.And so I appreciate that a lot.
For me. I think what I'lltake from well, like the rest of
my life is definitely like you've helpedme be more like confident and outgoing,
(35:22):
like since you're so outgoing and confident, and I like when I'm around you,
I feel that way. And solike I'm more confident in my body,
you know, and um, moreoutgoing, like I'm saying more yes,
you know, like to things thatgoing out and out of my comfort
zone and um, you know,like people jump. But like we're like
(35:49):
when we are on tour, we'reusually not clothed, and that's because we
are super confident in our bodies.Stop making this so I don't have to
share everything. Damn. Oh okay, no, but seriously, I was
never naked before you. But it'sa good way not in a very best
(36:09):
grid way, never in a relationshiplike that. See, well there you
go. See I M I personallylike to be naked at all times.
Okay, when I'm at home,like to be naked. I think it
helps my body image. So Ijust encourage that of others. I think
if you're naked and you you canappreciate yourself in a mirror, it helps
(36:31):
your your confidence. Okay. Um, I think Nichols taught me a lot.
I think, um, she hasyou know, as I said,
those little conversations that we have,Like she's taught me you know, hey,
you do this a lot, andit's kind of She's helped me to
really evaluate my own self and totake a step back and like I guess
(36:54):
take a look at who I amin my personality in a different way.
And I think that's really helped me. I think she's helped me as well
to build confidence because we do livein a stressful environment and um, you
know, I'll have a lot ofuncertainty and she definitely just like gives me
that certainty that I need, whetherit's with rugby and life whatnot. So
(37:15):
just gonna just gonna continue learning.And I think that is a beautiful segue
into our cub questions. Before wego into those, I want to say
thank you Jazzy as my best friend, for being my best friend and also
for being on this podcast. Nocalm, thank you for having me.
Nicole, thank you so much formaking it sound like we have the weirdest
(37:38):
relationship. You are the best.You're welcome. Just no filter there right
now, I'm just kidding out.Thank you for coming on, super like,
super appreciated. I'll see you probablytoday later. So I'm like that,
chairs chairs, let's get into thesecup questions. So today we got
(38:07):
four questions. Our first question interestingone. Is it okay for best friends
to date the same guy? Solow? I know, obviously our best
friends do not date guys. Yeah, so I guess this would just be
like other people what we think ouropinions. Yeah, I would say no,
(38:28):
I would agree. I feel likeI feel like there might be levels,
you know, because if you werejust texting them, you know,
and then the other person was like, hey, you know, I want
to go on a date with thisperson, and you're like, I don't
care, it really wasn't nothing likeif the person's fine with it, go
for it. Yeah, but ifyou went past if you like kissed and
(38:50):
went past that, I don't Idon't think. I don't know how that
would rock. I'm just gonna sayno, why you know, I don't
know. But and that's why Ionly my best I choose my best friends,
you know, by having very differentinterests and make that a point.
I just say, that would beweird, Like then you're really you're really
best jees in that point, likeyou're Eskimo first. Yeah, do you
(39:15):
tell your best friend everything? No? All ten of them? All?
Ten? Okay, it ranges likesome best friends get information that others don't.
I will say, Ratchdog knows onehundred and ten percent, like literally
everything about me. There's nothing thatI'm ashamed to talk about with her.
I would tell her everything. Iwill say. As the list goes down,
(39:37):
it does kind of decrease in thethings I tell, just in terms
of comfort and how long I've knowncertain people. You have best friends that
you've known for two years. Youhave best friends that you've known for thirteen
years. So there's some connections therewhere it's like, you know, there's
some things I will share in somethings not so much. So it's good
to have those different levels of friendsso that if you do have something that
(40:00):
you want to talk about that youcan't talk about with certain friends, you
have somebody who you can what aboutyou? Oh, I just I tell
her everything, like the weirdest stuff, the funniest stuff, most embarrassing stuff.
I'm like, I gotta get thisoff my chest. When I was
ten years old, I did youknow, I'll just tell her some stupid
stuff I do, But yeah,I could, And I think as I
(40:22):
have one one person that's like mysounding board, so I definitely try to
like key here out on everything andshe'll know. Also if I had like
something to tell her, like,she'll just like, what's up? Tell
me? So the next question,would you consider your sisters your best friends?
See? And that's what Gosh andI were so like, I would,
(40:44):
I guess now because I love themand I tell them a lot of
things as well. But they're mybest friends in such a different way.
I guess because I don't think Itell them everything like I would tell Nicole.
But I mean they are just thelights of my life, and I
can spend all the time with them. I tell them so much. We
hang out all the time, Soin a way, yes, they are
(41:05):
my best friends. You I wouldsay more catered to sisters than best friends,
just because when I'm comparing the relationshipbetween best friends and sisters, I
tell my best friends a lot morethan I tell my sisters, maybe because
of the difference in ages and theexperiences we're going through at the moment.
(41:25):
My sisters are also two very differentpersonalities, so I don't know, like
having grown up with them all ourlives and been through the things we've been
through together, it doesn't it wouldn'tfeel like a best friend. Yeah,
I feel like more of a protectorfor them, Like I don't want to
know all your business, but Iwant to make sure you're okay, and
(41:47):
that if you got anybody messing withyou, I know about it. But
I also want to go to theclub with you and have a good time.
But you know, you can keepsome of the other stuff to your
best friends. So I would sayI wouldn't consider that my best friend.
I would stick to the sisters vibenice. Well, that's it for the
leosen for us. I'm so we'vegot our best friends on it. They're
(42:08):
the lights of our life and theykeep us going even when they say very
honest stuff. If you can subscribeto The leos Den on your podcast app,
the show notes are on our webpageon wisports dot com. Listen,
listen Tablio's Den, and follow atwith Sports on all social media platforms for
more great podcasts on women's sports andthe challenge for this episode is to turn
(42:32):
your alerts on every Friday for ourepisode releases and to make sure you follow
the leos Den at Leo's Den Underscorewith Sports on Instagram. Thank you guys
so much for tuning in. Makesure to check us out on Instagram to
stay updated and also to listen tothe previous episodes if you haven't already,
whether you came for the rugby andstayed for the Shenanigans, we hope you
(42:53):
join us again and the Leo's nBye, It's out.
Hi everyone, and welcome to seasontwo, episode four of The leos Den.
My name's Naya, and my funfact is that I have about ten
best friends. Everyone. My nameis Elona. My teammates call me low.
And my fun fact is I thinkI really have like one best friend.
(00:22):
To be honest, how do youhave ten best friends? I is
that possible? It is? Ihonestly think I might have a little more
than that. As I've come intomy adult years, I've been trying to
figure out, like, am Ijust classifying all my close friend friends as
best friends or should I be breakingthose categories down into like this is my
sister, this is my actual bestfriend, this is my great friend,
(00:46):
this is my associate, versus kindof putting them all in one big box.
As I've gotten older and friendships haveturned into different categories, but for
right now, we're just calling themall my best friends. I'm still I'm
attached to that. I'm figuring thatout. I think that's fine. I
think when I was in like fourthgrade, this girl told me I couldn't
(01:07):
be her best friend. She's sheonly can have one best friend. That
scarred me. I went uerneath mydining room table and cried. So that's
why I only think you can havelike one best friends what she told me.
But like, yeah, I wouldconsider my sisters my best friends went
away. I don't consider my sistersmy best friends, but I have like
one best friend who like she's basicallyfamily. So ratcha doung. Yeah,
(01:29):
instead of calling best friend, I'mlike your family, Like you're my sister,
like literally not my blood, butmy blood. So that's kind of
how you roll around that. Butmy ten versus your one. Maybe I
can give you some of my bridesmaidsso they don't included. Okay, guys,
so you know, before we getinto the episode, we start with
(01:51):
our horoscope, us being Leo,as we love to hear about ourselves from
each other and also from the world. For this horoscope today, it says,
no member, it could put youthrough some test, Leo, but
it's nothing you can't manage. Infact, the more you go with the
flow, the better things will turnout. Tension could be building up between
your career and home life, especiallyduring this month's new moon and full moon.
(02:14):
The secret lies and asking for help. You do so much for people,
so why not let them return thefavor When you need it the most,
rely on your support system. LowIs that touching you in any way?
Yeah, it's just funny that it'sa support system because you have a
massive support system of your ten bestfriends. So that kind of is fitting
(02:35):
for today's episode. I think Icould rely on people more because I think
at times I'm like I could dothis. I'm strong enough, I'm fine,
instead of like maybe going a littleoutward for it. What about you,
I would definitely say it definitely relateswith us in our work life getting
ready for scrimmages and selections for Dubai, and then in home life just trying
(02:57):
to get being situated. So itdefinitely touches me in a way and brings
things into perspective that I'm not goingcrazy and that it actually has something to
do with astrology, I guess,So that's kind of a nice relief.
And then just the advice of relyingon your support system, I think that's
really important. And as you said, I've had I have ten best friends
as well as my sisters and familyand my teammates, so I'm really lucked
(03:21):
out in that area. So ifyou guys have an already guest or if
you haven't read the caption. Today, we're gonna be talking to our best
friends, our personal best friends.So yay, they're here. They took
their time out of their day tocome talk to us, even though they
talk to us every day. Somy best friend do I brought on today
is Nicole Havelin. Nicole, sayhi, and please give us a fun
(03:43):
fact. Hey everyone, my nameis Nicole. Fun fact about me is
Elona mar is literally my soulmate andevery single way except one except one.
Yes, but other than that,we're made for each other. Or what
are you guys exploring that? No, damn it for a turnity around like
(04:08):
that. I mean, it's notthe first time. It's not the first
time we've gotten asked that. Yeah, people always ask that about us,
like oh you did it, andlike, no, we're just best friends.
Okay, we just get along.Well, there's other things we can
do like drink coffee and hang outand share secrets. All right, that's
very beautiful to go off of that. I have brought in my bestie.
(04:32):
Her name is Jazz Gray. Jazz, would you please introduce yourself and give
us a fun fact about you?Hello? Everyone, my name is Jazz
Gray and a fun fact about me? Is I collect pets? Now?
Tell me, Jazz, how doesit feel that you're actually just one of
ten, that you're actually not thatimportant? It feels good because, like
(04:59):
I do get to see her everyday and be with her, so,
like, you know, I feellike that that elevates me in the tenets
a little bit. It's a tinybit. He's also like been around majority
of them too, so I feellike she can understand, like, Okay,
I see where all these people fitinto a certain piece of your life
(05:19):
and why you need all ten ofthem. And like Jazz, when you
hang out with Naya's other friends,do you like feel like, oh you
work well with them as well becauseyou all have like a same a similar
maybe friendship or is it like Ifound sometimes like people's best friends kind of
maybe compete with each other, likeno, I'm her best friend, No
she's no, I'm her number one. Oh no, it's really like I'm
(05:42):
I'm a real laid back and alot of them are kind of like her
and being like a little over thetop. So um, don't you know,
yeah, we we mesh pretty well. I think, good, Nicole,
what about you tell me what thatlife is like being the one and
only m is. It is precious. I mean, I mean I am
(06:06):
not like jazz um Low. Ifyou ever get another best friend, I
will probably drown you. Um.And I'm already like not looking forward to,
you know, not spending the nextcouple of weeks with you when you're
in Dubai and you're gonna have anew roommate, so I'm gonna be you
(06:26):
know, probably calling you lots um. But yeah, it's like I grew
up, you know, having aone friend, a one best friend,
and Low as that person. Andit's we just celebrated our three year anniversary.
Three year friend anniversary. Guys,you guys should start selling celebrating friend
anniversaries. How cute is that?Can you please tell it? Give us
(06:47):
a little more information on that.With that day went like so like usually
we do it every year, butand we do fun things, but this
year is pretty chill. Yeah,no, this year we um, what
was it? Last week? OnFriday, we were like, let's let's
get dressed up and go get appetisedand get a drink and just you know,
(07:11):
share share each other, like whatwe loved about each other and and
just talk, talk and it waslike a really really good evening and it
ended up being, um, alittle bit too much of a good weekend.
But you know, you're making ourrelationships sound really subsnical. Watch what
you say, all right, weare completely normal for listening Nile. Well,
(07:38):
congratulations to you guys. Um Iheard low you kind of giving us
advice that me and Jazz should dothe same. I don't know if I
remember exactly the day we met,so I feel like that would kind of
be difficult, but I will say, like we probably celebrate like once a
month, which is probably too much. But I do see you guys going
out often. I'm like, oh, look at them and Benny Hannah again,
(08:03):
no way, yea. So tellme, like, when did you
two kind of know like, hey, I vibe with this person. I
guess I'll start. I think whenfirst off, realizing finding out she was
from North Carolina, I felt likewe could relate on that aspect being from
(08:24):
the East Coast. I feel Ihave noticed that East Coast and West Coast
people operate differently, they think differently, they have different mentalities. So from
a sports perspective, we were verysimilar in our competitiveness, our confidence,
and how we communicated and then offthe field like doing team activities and kind
(08:46):
of gravitating towards her. When Inoticed like we like the same type of
music, we like to do thesame type of things, we like to
experience experiences, and we like tospend money. I was like, Okay,
this is this is the person forme. What about you, Jazzy.
Um. I think it was probablythat day that we had the little,
(09:07):
uh a little jumping competition, likewe both were like uh, you
know, going back and forth,having a little banter and that's always fun.
Um and yeah, like just likeboth of us are very competitive,
we love to bet, we loveto spend money as well. UM.
So yeah, I think I thinkthat day was like all right, yeah,
(09:31):
And just to give some context intothat day, we were doing vertical
tests um at training and Jazz iswhat you're five three, five four,
thank you for Jazz four And I'mfive nine, So you know, I'm
already thinking like I got this inthe bag, Like I'm not the highest
vertical in the team from the jump, but I'm looking at Jazz and I'm
(09:54):
like, I got this in thebag, Like I got about five inches
on her. I should be fine. And in Jazz, being the competitive
person she is, she really likesto take a challenge. Even if she
truly knows she still will not win, she'll still do it. And in
this situation, she knew she wouldwin. And luckily for her in her
pockets and her bank account, shedid win. She did beat me by
(10:18):
a lot in the vertical. Soshout out to Jazz for her athletic ability.
Yeah, because Jazz can be veryquiet. Like when she first came
in, we were all like whothis, yes, and then but then
when it comes to competition time,Jazz steps up. I remember that vertical
job competition because Jazz was hyped onJazz on on that point. With Jazz
(10:41):
is being super quiet. It's funnythough, like during during practice, it's
like you hear Jazz's voice come out, and then you hear Naya's loud voice
come out, and then they justbe fighting at each other. They're arguing
back and forth, and then they'restill playing rugby though they're still playing and
then they're still arguing, but theyget they get their stuff done, you
know, and it's just kind offunny to watch, and it's it's kind
of interesting, like different relationships likethese two will be yelling at each other,
(11:07):
like saying some reasons. No,I don't know if it's rude things,
but like aggressive things. And thenthey're like, hey, talk nicer
to Tanaya and Jazz, and Iare like, no, that's how we
talk. Like none of them feelbad. It's just like the relationship they've
created it and they're The way theycommunicate is like very different than how I
maybe communicate with Nicole Low tell usa little bit about how you and Nicole
(11:31):
met and like when that moment waswhere you were like, this is my
best friend. Well, I thinkI kind of was like maybe Jazz.
When I came in as well,I was very quiet, you know,
Doyle called me weird. I didn'treally know how to talk to people,
and it wasn't as so. Icame in in the summertime and I played
at the World Cup and nothing reallycame from that. I wasn't friends with
(11:52):
Nicole at all. But then itwas during the twenty nineteen fall season before
Glendale when I was like, hey, Nicole, like I put you on
as my roommate. I think wecould work well. She's like, hey,
I put you down in my roommateand I was like what So we
were roommates in Colorado and it justlike worked really well together. Like,
um, I think what works forus is that we're very opposite in many
(12:13):
ways. Like she is very neat, she can she's very strict on her
diet. I can be very messy. I am not strict on my diet.
And our personalities are very different.I would call her more of an
introvert and myself more of an extrovert. And I think it was just like
that moment, and then after Glendale, I think we just kind of knew
like, Okay, this is somebodythat I really work well with. Nicole,
What what about you? Yeah?I know for me it was after
(12:37):
Glendale you basically like invited yourself intomy home and like I'm not the one
too, you know, I'm notthe one to like like hey come over,
but no, Low's like, hey, I'm coming over. We're going
out. I'm like sweet, okay, Like I'm not the one to make
plans, but like the sense likeLows make plans, Like that's that's like
(13:01):
a personality trait that I gravitate towardsbecause I'm not the one that to do
so, so I as a likean introvert. I'm like, that's that's
what I want as an a bedbest friend is someone to be like,
let's do this, let's do that, and we're going here, and I'm
like sweet, sweet sweet, andthat that weekend she spent the night at
my house. Um, and thenI liked, next weekend, I think
(13:22):
I met your sister low and like, I just like fell in love with
your family and and knew that youguys were good people. And I'm curious
about that because I feel like that'sa very common thing with Leos is to
kind of take control of situations.And we kind of talked about our star
our star star signs earlier, ourcubs nowhere Leos Nicole, what is your
(13:43):
zodiac sign? I'm a Pisces.Okay, Jazzy, what's yours? I
too, am a Pisces. No, things are like really close together.
Oh they are. I told youdidn't even realize that. That's wild.
That has to be some stars orsomething like that. I believe it.
(14:09):
Well, that is insane. Okay. I couldn't tell you what pisces are,
but they they I love them.I guess, yeah, I don't.
I don't don't really know either.I think pisces are like very they
say they're super emotional, you know, tend to be a little bit No,
not me at a point, No, I'm not emotional. Um,
(14:33):
tend to be you know, likean introvert, a little bit kind of
quiet um. But then you gotsome pisces you say like, no,
I'm not any of those. SoI don't know, but like that's how
like I've heard it. I don'tknow if I would describe you two as
very emotional, but maybe maybe deepdown, maybe you guys really have a
soft spot. Deep down. Um, I do have a question, like
(14:56):
what is it training and working togetherevery day? Like how does it for
you guys? I'll tell you howit is for us, because sometimes it
can be a lot um. Forme, it's it's pretty cool, mainly
because we play the same position,me and I, so we always giving
each other feedback and saying no,this, do it this way, or
(15:20):
try this. So that's I thinkthat actually like brings us closer, to
be honest, and on top ofthat, like it is hard as well
because we're again playing in the sameposition and we're actually like really competing against
each other. We're fighting for thesame spot, so that can like create
tension and stuff. But I thinkthat we've are very honest with each other,
(15:43):
so we're kind of able to workthrough that. You know. And
I will say, like Jazz isvery chatty, and she she knows like,
oh, if I say certain thingsor I do certain things, it'll
get under that person's skin and messtheir game. I think that is like
an awesome trait. But I willsay, like I struggle with that some
(16:03):
days where I'm like, mother,strangle your neck right now. But I
think that's great. I think that'sa perfect way to prepare me for you
know, shit talking that I candeal with on tournaments what you know,
teams do and try to trigger youwith to throw your game off. So
I think her in that aspect isa great addition to our team, for
(16:26):
us to be able to work aroundthat, work around that regressiveness, that
competitiveness, that confidence, that arrogancein a positive way. I think that's
good to see and good to beable to go up against because it really
tests your emotional strength, I think. And I think too, like Naya,
she'll send me like after practice,she'll send me like fifty clips and
(16:49):
sometimes it'll just be like me walkinglike on a play, and she'll then
she'll call me, I want totalk about it, and I'm like,
I know, I was walking out, I'm want to talk to you about
But like when we are like forcedto talk about it, it really holds
me accountable and it makes me somuch better. So I appreciate her for
that. Yeah, I think we'rejust constantly always doing things saying things to
(17:14):
make each other better, so andvice versa, because like I'll say,
oh, you're walking, She's like, well, here's a clip of you
walking yea, And I'm like,okay, care but but there's another clip
from years ago. So it makesit hard too that we're very similar in
the type of players we are,so it's like we really have to be
(17:34):
honest with ourselves in order to getbetter as athletes of like, yeah,
we have the same issues in termsof fitness and other things like that,
so it's like how can we pusheach other. For some people, it's
like, you know, for Jazz, it's like I'm gonna be like,
you ain't doing it right, dada da, And for me it might
be like to Jazz, like sendingour clips. So yeah, I found
(18:00):
that too about your guy's relationships,that you are constantly making each other better
and like constantly their race and they'redoing whatever. When else two are on
the wing opposite each other, it'sa little scary, to be honest,
Like they rev up. I don'tthink. I think Nya runs the fastest
when she's chasing Jazz down, probablybecause there's no way she's gonna let Jazz
(18:21):
win. Um, it's the opposite, I think. Well, I think
for me, like I love workingwith her, but with Nicole, but
it's like there are times when it'sit's a lot when you see each other
for that long of a time,um, and like you're just you see
(18:44):
how they act and you see you'rearound them just with other people. I
always wanted to live with Nicole.I think that would be great, but
I was like, I cannot livewith you if I have to see you
during the day as well, Iwill, I will, I can't do
it because Nicole. A fun factabout what Nicole is. If she has
a problem, she will literally alwaystalk to you about it, like,
hey, Loo, can I talkto you about this? And I'm like,
(19:08):
what did I do? Yeah,sure it's up. She's like,
hey, so I just think you'vebeen kind of doing this, and she'll
like she's making me better as well. I think we make each other better
more silently maybe, but she's alwayslike, hello, just let you know
you've been really doing this a lot, and I'm like, awesome, and
so I get so annoyed. I'mlike, hmm, but she's literally just
telling me how I can be abetter person. But who that that's a
(19:30):
pet peeve right there, Nicole.I think, Um, you know,
I really appreciate that we aren't inthe same position low because for me,
like I don't ever feel like,oh I gotta like, you know,
cleaning my cards right sometimes like notshare everything with you sometimes, you know,
like that can be our environment isso competitive, and I think that
(19:53):
like let's loose on a lot oflike areas that I can, like,
you know, be so free withyou and tell you anything how I'm feeling.
And so I really appreciate that.But yeah, it's like, um,
sometimes I feel like we are differenton the field versus off the field,
you know, like in terms oflike what we say to each other.
(20:15):
On the rugby pitch is like moremore business sometimes and not as fun,
and then off pitch just like,Oh, we're just having fun,
you know, let's let's talk abouteverything and anything. And I think that's
one of the important things, isto be able to have the balance between
work and play, because we arearound each other all day, whether we're
(20:37):
working or playing, So to beable to separate those two entities is very
important in terms of keeping a goodrelationship with somebody. Now, do you
have a is there pet peeve inthis relationship? Like is there something that
one of you guys do? Andyou're just like, gosh, dang you
as Jazz knows, she's ready,I can tell you hers. One time
(21:00):
we got into a little spat.I was like asking her questions about about
the men's team, because she's friendswith one of the men's players, and
so I kept it was like threeor four questions back to back, and
she's like, I don't know,I don't know, and then she just
gets so mad. She's like,I don't know, you keep asking me
dumb questions and I'm like, tome, they don't seem dumb, because
(21:22):
like, you know, somebody whoplays for them, and she's like,
I don't talk to him. Allthe time. She was getting so mad,
and I was like you know what, I'm never asking you. That's
so I think her pet pee withme is like when I asked her questions
that she doesn't know the answer.Yeah, I could agree with that.
(21:48):
You don't do that very often,So like I wouldn't say that would be
my biggest pet peeve. If Ihad to say my pet pee for you,
it would probably be like in thebeginning, you like your tardiness would
like really get under my skin,and you'd be like I'm outside and I'd
be standing outside and she's like downthe road. I'm like, that's not
(22:11):
outside. Yeah, So I thinkthat would be my pet peeve for her,
which hers for me, Jesse,I would say, Um, she
just wants to like I'm smaller thanher, so she always wants to like
put her hands either around my neckon my head, like she just wants
(22:32):
to treat me like a little kid. So that would probably be my prayer.
Like every time I come into training, she's like like all my neck,
like I'm just a child. Soyeah, that would probably be my
prayer. What about you, lowNicole, let's here. I'm i gotta
(22:55):
say, like, there's not alot of things that annoy me, you
know, that load up and likeI can. I can deal with most
of the things, like yes,I'm super clean, and like she's super
nusty. And there's sometimes in theroom when we're on tour and you believe
it of on my side of thenightstand, and I'm like, this is
not mine, but I don't sayanything. I'm like, I'll deal with
(23:22):
it, like it doesn't matter.I'll just move it. But like it's
like you know, the garbage sometimesand then one time though, you did
put your dirty laundry on my bit. Oh, I'm so sorry. I
watch a couple don't I would Iwould have passed out. But you know
why, I think one problem isI'm too comfortable around you. You got
(23:45):
to start yelling at me, no, like hey this, get move your
laundry or something. I want youto be comfortable with me. So that's
why I don't say anything. It'smore it's more for me to have you
be comfortable than to you know,be like, hey, don't do that,
because it doesn't really bother me.I don't know, maybe it's ever
take you just gotta start yelling atme. N I gotta give those boundaries,
(24:07):
Nicole, because yeah, for thefor a continuously good friendship, like
it has to be complete comfort onboth sides. Like just as you would
share information with her very frequently onthe field, it should be the same
off the field. Because you saylike, oh, it doesn't bother me,
but it does. It does.You can't let just keep doing her
(24:30):
thing, my guy, but shewill. I don't think bothers the right
word. It's like, oh,that's not really what I want, but
I I don't really enjoy this,but okay, um, well now I
know. So I can't even practicein Dubai. But I honestly, when
I'm with people who like I'm notbest friends with, I'm much cleaner.
(24:51):
Surprisingly, But when I'm with Nicole, I'm like, she doesn't care.
So I'll practice for dubai and thenhopefully we'll be roommates again and I'll be
like ten times better. I'm notgetting any promises, but maybe you have.
Actually we have had this conversation andyou did get better, you know,
Oh yeah you did get cleaner.Yeah, oh my god, blick
at me. I'm so much better. Wow, I'm so impressed with myself.
(25:11):
I don't know if I fully haveany pet pee. I definitely sometimes
she really gets on my freaking nerve. Man, I just need to like,
I don't know what it is she'sdoing, but like she does like
to really just bring everything up.You know, Hey, you did this
today. I'm like, oh,okay, what else did I do?
(25:33):
So that gets on my nerves,But honestly, nothing too bad. I
think that's like I think when you'reyou're like good friends, it's kind of
like a sister and that they dothings that it's gonna know you and you're
not gonna like them all the time, but it's like that's what a relationship
is. Yeah. On top ofthat, like with best friends, you
(25:56):
have outside of that relations as well, like having a boyfriend, having a
girlfriend, things of that such.How does that come about in you guys
relationships in terms of balancing that,balancing dating and also trying to spend time
with your best friend. How doesthat work out? Well? Well,
(26:18):
um, I will say that whenme and I first started being friends,
she did not have a boyfriend,and it was lit for us. We
was out, we was in thestreet every weekend. I felt like it
was just like Friday night, Saturdaynight. We was always doing something.
And then she did get a boyfriend, and it's been a little sad for
(26:41):
me. You know, a lotof Saturday nights I've been just in my
room by myself. But like Iam happy for but it's just, you
know, the nights of us goingout on the town have definitely lessened.
Yeah, And I think that's somethinglike I've been trying to balance because now
instead of only having to make oneperson happy, you got to make two
(27:03):
people happy. And when those twopeople, you know, it's two different
relationships that you have to satisfy.In actions are different in those two relationships.
I think for me, it waslike, Okay, for this weekend,
like I'm going to hang out withmy boyfriend, and then for this
day of this next weekend, I'mgoing to hang out with Jazzy. Like
I've been trying to make sure thatI'm putting in effort to spend time with
(27:26):
her because I know, in likemy past relationships, I would just get
warped into my love life and kindof forget about my friends, which my
mom was like, you can neverdo that. If there's anything you shouldn't
do, it's forget about your friendsonce you are in love or doing whatever
you're doing. So that's been somethingthat's been important for me of like making
sure I hang out with her aswell, making time for her, making
(27:48):
her feel like that friendship is stillstrong and that I still care about her,
and also like trying to make surethat they have a good relationship so
that we can all go out togetherand have a good time. So I
think it's been a work in progressand it'll only get better from here.
Um, I don't really know ifwe have any of those problems because I
have been single my whole life,so I don't think we have that.
(28:15):
But she's very encouraging of me toget out there and slay the day,
which is awesome because I think eventhe first weekend when we hung out,
but I think I just love everin her house on like Friday night,
and then that Saturday, I wentout with her and her brother and her
brother's friends and went out and likewe met some people at a bar and
(28:36):
she left early because she can beboring sometimes when she didn't want to say
us or whatever. So this ishow we became as friends, is like
I hung out, was hanging withsome people whatever, and then like I
came back late and she was like, what's up what happened? Like,
I just tell your little story.I came back. We just had to
sleep over, and I told thelittle story. But like she's like,
go out, do you think?So? We don't really have any problems
(29:00):
that I hope we do one day, Like I don't know if it'll be
me, but hopefully Nicole like getson her high, you know, on
her horse find somebody. Yeah.Yeah, we've never actually had to deal
with it. Like it's like,yes, we're very like, let's maybe
tonight, tonight we'll need our significantother. We never do never, never
(29:21):
to night. I think we're toobig. You ooh, you can't say
it because then you jink it.You just gotta go out. Not even
here's my thing, Nia, I'vebeen saying for like five years, I'm
not looking for a man. I'mfine. I'm chilling, like trying to
do that reverse psychology. They allsay when you're not looking is when you
find them. Well, it hasn'tbeen working. So now I'm gonna say
(29:42):
it. I'm looking, okay,and hopefully if by looking it'll actually work.
That's I'm trying a new technique.Has it helped? Has it worked?
No? But we'll see one ofthe things that I think is really
cool and funny and miller in bothof our relationships is that low you and
(30:02):
me are straight, and Nicole andDad we are not very like I want
to say, uncommon back in theday, like relationship even like now,
like that's a very uncommon thing tosee more common now than before. What
do you think, like, hasthat had any effect on you guys relationship?
(30:23):
I know you talked about like peopleasking like, hey, are you
guys stating Yeah. I honestly thinkit makes it work so well because wake
when we were first hang out,it was like, oh, is this
are they the new couple? It'slike no, And since I'm since I'm
straight at times even aggressively, soit is almost like works out better better
(30:47):
for our relationship because like there's nosexual attraction there, so it just works
out like there's no way we're goingto ruin it in a way, and
we have different types so we're allgoing for different people. So I think
it honestly just makes a relationship reallybetter. I mean, I think maybe
you two could also answer like whatis it in a too gay girl best
(31:08):
friendship jazz Um, I think likeNaya underestimates, like how much when we
go out together, people think thatwe are a couple. And I'm like,
she's like, you go talk tothis girl, go talk to this
girl whatever, And I'm like,everybody thinks we're on a date right now,
like and She's like, no way, and I'm like, yes,
(31:29):
they do. Yeah. I neverpick up anybody when I'm with you because
it always looks like we're on adate. I ever believe that though,
because I'm like Jazzy, I'm likefive, I'm foller than you, I'm
muscular as hell. There's no waythat they think that I'm with you.
And I try to I try togive off the vibe like ladies, come
talk to my girl Jazzy. Sometimesit works, but I can understand how
(31:55):
it can shy some females away becauseeven when even in the current state of
Jazzy dating, like I'm sure wetalked about in the past of like girls
always asking her like are you datingNaya? Are you talking to Naia?
And I'm just like I get it, but I don't really get it.
But I guess it's because like we'rein it, you know. Yeah,
No, it's because she's illegal andshe thinks she's too good for me.
(32:17):
It's impossible I would be with that. Are you serious? Literally? Never?
Well, it's kind of interesting becauseour our relationships are very similar.
First off, two big girls andI are two big girls. Jazz and
Nicole two pretty very tiny, veryfit, compact women. You know,
(32:40):
you know, similar energies. Weboth it's it's so it's kind of wild,
like we're I guess we're the blueprintfor perfect for good relationships or whatnot.
Yeah, but I don't know,like does it does it affect like
what? Actually we just kind ofanswered that question. But so Nia you
have a boyfriend, Nicole, youthat I haven't ever been seen anybody when
(33:00):
we've been together. No, notfor a long term. No. Yeah,
because you're picky dude, so areyou? You can't say anything?
So yeah, I think it's beena balance. I think one of the
questions I have is, um,what's one thing that you learned from your
best friend that you'll take on forthe entirety of your life. Um,
(33:29):
I'll go first. I guess Ithink mine would probably be patience and putting
my stuff in somebody else's shoes,because I think Jaggy challenges me a lot
with that, especially in the beginningwhen she was always late. It would
just fire me up and I'm like, why are you letting that fire me
(33:50):
up somebody? And she would justbe like patience, Like why are we
in a rush? It was sofunny because the other day I was telling
myself when I was around, I'mlike, patience, and then I said
something. She's like, that wasnot patience, and I'm like, Okay,
you're right, So I think thatwould be that. And then just
the debates we have. I feellike a lot of the times she's a
(34:12):
devil's advocate and she doesn't truly believewhat she's saying, but it has forced
me to see the other side andeverything that I talk about, think about,
or work around. So I thinkthat's been the things that I'm going
to carry with me from her.I think for me just being more open
(34:36):
to really doing things, like we'llbe sitting I'm like, man, you
know this person is pretty Oh.You know, she's like, go say
something. I'm like, no,I'm scared, and she's like, you
need to do the things that you'rescared and I'm like no. So she
like really forces me just to dothe things that like I'm scared of doing
or like I'm too shy to do. And I shake that because like I've
(35:00):
started a lot of things just becauseshe's told me to just like just do
it. No, we're not waitingtill tomorrow, Like do it right now.
No, you're not gonna wait tillI leave, Like you're gonna do
it right in front of me.And so I appreciate that a lot.
For me. I think what I'lltake from well, like the rest of
my life is definitely like you've helpedme be more like confident and outgoing,
(35:22):
like since you're so outgoing and confident, and I like when I'm around you,
I feel that way. And solike I'm more confident in my body,
you know, and um, moreoutgoing, like I'm saying more yes,
you know, like to things thatgoing out and out of my comfort
zone and um, you know,like people jump. But like we're like
(35:49):
when we are on tour, we'reusually not clothed, and that's because we
are super confident in our bodies.Stop making this so I don't have to
share everything. Damn. Oh okay, no, but seriously, I was
never naked before you. But it'sa good way not in a very best
(36:09):
grid way, never in a relationshiplike that. See, well there you
go. See I M I personallylike to be naked at all times.
Okay, when I'm at home,like to be naked. I think it
helps my body image. So Ijust encourage that of others. I think
if you're naked and you you canappreciate yourself in a mirror, it helps
(36:31):
your your confidence. Okay. Um, I think Nichols taught me a lot.
I think, um, she hasyou know, as I said,
those little conversations that we have,Like she's taught me you know, hey,
you do this a lot, andit's kind of She's helped me to
really evaluate my own self and totake a step back and like I guess
(36:54):
take a look at who I amin my personality in a different way.
And I think that's really helped me. I think she's helped me as well
to build confidence because we do livein a stressful environment and um, you
know, I'll have a lot ofuncertainty and she definitely just like gives me
that certainty that I need, whetherit's with rugby and life whatnot. So
(37:15):
just gonna just gonna continue learning.And I think that is a beautiful segue
into our cub questions. Before wego into those, I want to say
thank you Jazzy as my best friend, for being my best friend and also
for being on this podcast. Nocalm, thank you for having me.
Nicole, thank you so much formaking it sound like we have the weirdest
(37:38):
relationship. You are the best.You're welcome. Just no filter there right
now, I'm just kidding out.Thank you for coming on, super like,
super appreciated. I'll see you probablytoday later. So I'm like that,
chairs chairs, let's get into thesecup questions. So today we got
(38:07):
four questions. Our first question interestingone. Is it okay for best friends
to date the same guy? Solow? I know, obviously our best
friends do not date guys. Yeah, so I guess this would just be
like other people what we think ouropinions. Yeah, I would say no,
(38:28):
I would agree. I feel likeI feel like there might be levels,
you know, because if you werejust texting them, you know,
and then the other person was like, hey, you know, I want
to go on a date with thisperson, and you're like, I don't
care, it really wasn't nothing likeif the person's fine with it, go
for it. Yeah, but ifyou went past if you like kissed and
(38:50):
went past that, I don't Idon't think. I don't know how that
would rock. I'm just gonna sayno, why you know, I don't
know. But and that's why Ionly my best I choose my best friends,
you know, by having very differentinterests and make that a point.
I just say, that would beweird, Like then you're really you're really
best jees in that point, likeyou're Eskimo first. Yeah, do you
(39:15):
tell your best friend everything? No? All ten of them? All?
Ten? Okay, it ranges likesome best friends get information that others don't.
I will say, Ratchdog knows onehundred and ten percent, like literally
everything about me. There's nothing thatI'm ashamed to talk about with her.
I would tell her everything. Iwill say. As the list goes down,
(39:37):
it does kind of decrease in thethings I tell, just in terms
of comfort and how long I've knowncertain people. You have best friends that
you've known for two years. Youhave best friends that you've known for thirteen
years. So there's some connections therewhere it's like, you know, there's
some things I will share in somethings not so much. So it's good
to have those different levels of friendsso that if you do have something that
(40:00):
you want to talk about that youcan't talk about with certain friends, you
have somebody who you can what aboutyou? Oh, I just I tell
her everything, like the weirdest stuff, the funniest stuff, most embarrassing stuff.
I'm like, I gotta get thisoff my chest. When I was
ten years old, I did youknow, I'll just tell her some stupid
stuff I do, But yeah,I could, And I think as I
(40:22):
have one one person that's like mysounding board, so I definitely try to
like key here out on everything andshe'll know. Also if I had like
something to tell her, like,she'll just like, what's up? Tell
me? So the next question,would you consider your sisters your best friends?
See? And that's what Gosh andI were so like, I would,
(40:44):
I guess now because I love themand I tell them a lot of
things as well. But they're mybest friends in such a different way.
I guess because I don't think Itell them everything like I would tell Nicole.
But I mean they are just thelights of my life, and I
can spend all the time with them. I tell them so much. We
hang out all the time, Soin a way, yes, they are
(41:05):
my best friends. You I wouldsay more catered to sisters than best friends,
just because when I'm comparing the relationshipbetween best friends and sisters, I
tell my best friends a lot morethan I tell my sisters, maybe because
of the difference in ages and theexperiences we're going through at the moment.
(41:25):
My sisters are also two very differentpersonalities, so I don't know, like
having grown up with them all ourlives and been through the things we've been
through together, it doesn't it wouldn'tfeel like a best friend. Yeah,
I feel like more of a protectorfor them, Like I don't want to
know all your business, but Iwant to make sure you're okay, and
(41:47):
that if you got anybody messing withyou, I know about it. But
I also want to go to theclub with you and have a good time.
But you know, you can keepsome of the other stuff to your
best friends. So I would sayI wouldn't consider that my best friend.
I would stick to the sisters vibenice. Well, that's it for the
leosen for us. I'm so we'vegot our best friends on it. They're
(42:08):
the lights of our life and theykeep us going even when they say very
honest stuff. If you can subscribeto The leos Den on your podcast app,
the show notes are on our webpageon wisports dot com. Listen,
listen Tablio's Den, and follow atwith Sports on all social media platforms for
more great podcasts on women's sports andthe challenge for this episode is to turn
(42:32):
your alerts on every Friday for ourepisode releases and to make sure you follow
the leos Den at Leo's Den Underscorewith Sports on Instagram. Thank you guys
so much for tuning in. Makesure to check us out on Instagram to
stay updated and also to listen tothe previous episodes if you haven't already,
whether you came for the rugby andstayed for the Shenanigans, we hope you
(42:53):
join us again and the Leo's nBye, It's out.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!