2-time Olympian Kristi Kirshe is living her dream after winning a bronze medal with the US Women's Rugby Sevens team in Paris! The Franklin, Mass native has dreamt of being an Olympian since she was a kid, and while it may not look exactly as she thought (on the rugby pitch), it may be even better! Today we dive in to:

• The feeling of coming home to her Franklin High School field and community with as an Olympic Bronze Medalist
• Inner dialogue during the final seconds of the bronze medal match against Australia when Alex Sedrick (aka Spiff) scored to win the game
• Rugby culture -- camaraderie and competition
• Rise of the sport as a result of the team's performance and personalities
• The 1% of work and play the world sees vs. 99% we don't
• Love for movies & dream "meets"

Watch how Krisit first found rugby at 23 in Boston here.

Follow along with Kristi on social: @klkirshe

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Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's a WNBA first: SOLD OUT game at Boston's TD Garden! The Connecticut Sun are hosting the LA Sparks for the pioneering moment. To celebrate the occasion we had to have CT Sun star Veronica Burton back on the podcast (you can listen to her first episode here!) Veronica grew up in the Boston area, had an incredible career on Northwestern University, was drafted to the Dallas Wings in 2022 where she played for a few years. Just before the 2024 season tip-off she was waved from the team. She stayed locked in and was ready when Connecticut called in June; she made an immediate impact and continues to do so. Today we dive in to:

• What it was like to get the call from the CT Sun to continue her WNBA dream closer to home
• Team chemistry and commitment to chasing the championship
• Physical and mental work that went in to staying ready between Dallas and CT
• Significance of FIRST-EVER women's professional basketball game at TD Garden (SOLD OUT, btw!)
• Role family has played in her life and career, especially sister Kayla

Follow along with Veronica on social: @veronicaab22

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Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's the swing between fun and frustration on the tennis court that has Dana Mathewson hooked. Right now she is the country's top-ranked female in wheelchair tennis and is preparing for her third Paralympic appearance in Paris. She's been a pioneer in the sport for several years, cementing that legacy when she became the first American woman to earn a Grand Slam wheelchair title in 2022 at Wimbledon. Today we dive into:

• Significance of 3rd opportunity to represent Team USA at the Paralympic Games and her approach
• Value of routines and calmness in tennis
• How she found wheelchair tennis & hopes to shed adaptive sports of any stigma
• How her competitive nature and stubbornness have helped her pave a path she is proud to live
• Why growing the game is so important for disabled athletes of all ages
• Dana's non-negotiable on match day

Follow along with Dana on social: @dana.mathewson

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Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku set the American record for the 100m just months after getting her first running blade (and still holds the record!) Now, eight years later, Femita is again defying the odds and competing at the Paralympic Trials 6 months after giving birth to her daughter. Today we dive into to:

• Her running story
• Training as a new mom with an infant
• The no-nonsense mindset that helps her show up on tough days
• Hopes for Trials and beyond
• Family's influence and importance in her life on and off the track

Follow along with Femita on social: @femitaayanbeku

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Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Olympian Laurie Hernandez has traded her leotard and the mat for a NBC mic on the Olympic stage. She has two Olympic medals to her name after competing in the 2016 Rio Games. Since then, Laurie has dipped her toes into the media and entertainment world and hasn't looked back! She's a NBC Sports Analyst covering the sport she loves so much. Today we dive in to:

• Stepping into a broadcast analyst role after getting injured in 2020 and for Paris 2024
• Experience of "instant celebrity" after global victory & support of sisterhood/teammates
• Positive improvements to the gymnastics culture
• Passion for performing and acting & her NYU experience
• Dream acting gig(s!)

Follow along with Laurie on social: @lauriehernandez

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Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Everything Eliza Shirazi does is rooted in community. It's what inspired her to find and start her popular workout Kick It By Eliza in 2009, gave her the confidence to pursue it full-time in 2016, and the fuel to continue growing it IRL and virtually today. The creative and community side of things came easy to Eliza but the business was a much different beast but something she has navigated with grace and growth! Today we dive in to:

• What inspired her to teach her first Kick It class & how it's grown in 10+ years
• Resources and supports that helped her navigate and grow the business
• Tips to ditch the "shoulds" in life and show up completely and confidently
• Reframing fitness as a privilege over a punishment
• Female empowerment, i.e. The Fempire
• What the role of Titi (auntie) means to her

Follow along with Eliza on social: @kickitbyeliza

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Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games not only bring together the best athletes in the world, but the best coaches, too. Jen Rizzotti and Christina Schwab both had incredible careers on the basketball court and are now taking their talents to the sidelines as head coaches for women's hoops, 3x3 and wheelchair basketball, respectively. Jen was a standout guard at UCONN where she helped the team secure their first championship title in 1995, went on to play 8 seasons professionally winning 2 championships, coached at the collegiate and national level, and now serves as the President of the WNBA's Connecticut Sun. Christina also has an impressive resume; she's a 5x Paralympian and 3x gold medalist. Both women are stepping into the role of head coach for the first time on this stage and are honored to do so. Today we dive in to:

• excitement for Paris Games
• intricacies and details of each sport
• coaching influences and strategies/game
• why the Games are important for athletes who aren't in the headlines every week
• training plans before competition begins in Paris

Support both teams by following along on social: @teamusa

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Follow along with all On Her Mark content with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

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NBC SPORTS BOSTON: @nbcsboston

NBC10 BOSTON: @nbc10boston

WATCH episodes: NBC Sports Boston Youtube: On Her Mark Playlist

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're calling summer 2024 "The Summer of Mallory Weggemann." Mallory is three-time Paralympic swimmer with medals and currently training for her spot on her fourth roster in Paris. Her fourth Paralympic appearance will look a little different though, she'll have her toddler daughter in tow. As if balancing motherhood and elite training weren't enough, Mallory is adding two other projects to the summer agenda: 1) release documentary "Watershed," 2) host Olympic coverage for CNBC and E!. She is embracing every role and passion to help her find success in them all. Today we dive in to:

• How her past Paralympic experiences and training quads have prepared her for this chapter of her life
• Motivation behind and mission of her eye-opening documentary "Watershed" with husband Jay Snyder
• How her family motto "Protect the Dream" has played a role in her success in the pool and strength through infertility
• Significance of hosting role with NBC, both professionally and personally
• Goals for this summer

Follow along with Mallory for updates on training, motherhood & hosting: @malloryweggemann

Get updates on the official release of "Watershed": @watershedthefilm

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Follow along with all On Her Mark content with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

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NBC SPORTS BOSTON: @nbcsboston

NBC10 BOSTON: @nbc10boston

WATCH episodes: NBC Sports Boston Youtube: On Her Mark Playlist

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.