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Haleigh Washington is a two-time Olympic Medalist and professional volleyball player with LOVB Los Angeles. As the nation’s top recruit, she went on to Penn State, where she was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2014, helped the Nittany Lions win the 2014 NCAA national championship as a freshman, and earned AVCA First Team All-American honors in 2015, 2016, and 2017.  With Team USA, Haleigh helped the U.S. women win the first Olympic gold medal in program history at the Tokyo Games, where she was named Best Middle Blocker, and returned to earn a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She is also a two-time Volleyball Nations League gold medalist (2019 and 2021), a 2019 VNL Best Blocker, and a Pan American Cup gold medalist. After playing professionally in Italy, she returned to the U.S. to join League One Volleyball (LOVB), and she is a VIS Mentor.

Mental performance coach Dr. Haley Perlus, discusses the importance of showing up for competition without fueling unhealthy comparisons against your opponents. As a former athlete and coach, Haley understands how competition can quickly become negative comparisons between opponents. She shares different perspectives and tools that young women athletes can use to help them reshape their mindset when it comes to anxiety around competition. Haley encourages listeners to thank their opponents, thank themselves for showing up, and the importance of using visualization. Growth can’t happen when we’re stuck in a land of comparison. It's important to learn from others and what they’re doing well in order to become the best versions of ourselves.

With a Ph.D. In Sport Psychology and an extensive background as an athlete, coach, speaker, and author, VIS Expert Dr. Haley Perlus helps athletes find the tools and mindsets they need to optimize their mental game to achieve at a high level. She discusses the importance of reframing failure to be an opportunity both in life and in sport, instead of getting stuck in an “evaluation zone.” Coming from a competitive ski-racing background, Haley understands why failure feels frustrating, but she shares different mindsets and tools, like visualization, that girls and young women can use in order to grow from failure. Her mantra that “failure is an option, what a relief” helps to keep her going instead of getting discouraged from mistakes. Haley encourages listeners to give themselves grace, but to never let themselves off the hook, and this idea is what helps us grow as athletes.

Olympic Gold Medalist and Team USA hockey player shares what it truly takes to reach the highest level of sport. From dreaming of the Olympics at age three to competing in the 2022 Beijing Games as the youngest player on the roster, she reflects on the journey of building confidence, overcoming setbacks, and embracing every role along the way. Now a national champion and team captain at the University of Wisconsin, she opens up about the transition from being a “sponge” at the Olympics to becoming a leader and top contributor at both the collegiate and international levels. She discusses the importance of consistency, work ethic, and the small daily habits that separate elite athletes. She also shares honest insights on navigating slumps, managing pressure, and finding identity beyond sport, emphasizing the importance of balance and mental well-being. Through it all, she highlights that leadership comes in many forms and that success is about more than just performance, it's about growth resilience, and who you become in the process.

Team USA water polo athlete and Stanford student athlete Ella Woodhead shares what it truly takes to pursue excellence at the highest level of the sport. From growing up in the water and being inspired by her brothers, to competing on junior national teams and training for the Olympics, Ella opens up about the moments that defined her journey, leaving home in high school, becoming a team captain, and navigating the intense pressure of elite competition. She reflects on the emotional challenge of being cut from the 2024 PAris Olympic team and how that experience reshaped her mindset. Ella shares powerful lessons on resilience, leaning on support systems, and finding confidence through growth rather than perfection. Through it all, she emphasizes the importance of attitude, effort, and being a great teammate, reminding young athletes that success is about more than just outcomes, it's about who you become along the way.

Professional golfer and Stanford University graduate Rose Zhang shares what it really takes to build longevity in elite sport. From picking up a golf club at nine years old to spending a record 141 consecutive weeks as the world's top amateur, Rose opens up about the moments that challenged her most — a persistent neck injury, burning out after 22 units at Stanford, and losing her period for a year and a half — all while competing at the highest level. She reflects on the power of quiet time, gut health, working with a sports nutritionist, and learning to lean on the people in her circle when the pressure felt impossible. Rose encourages young women athletes to give themselves grace, treat their bodies as a temple, and understand that success isn't just about the scorecard — it's about caring for your whole self. Her story is a powerful reminder that the road back from burnout starts with honesty, self-reflection, and the courage to ask for help.

Registered dietitian and eating disorder expert Jillian Lampert, PhD, joins the VOICEINSPORT podcast to bust three eating disorder myths, and give athletes, parents, and coaches the tools to drive real change.  Drawing on her own eating disorder experience, 30 years in a clinical background, and doctoral research on sport and disordered eating, Jillian breaks down why weight-based coaching is harmful, why eating disorders affect athletes across every sport, and why bullying is never tough love. She also outlines what true recovery looks like, and shares the story of her work with Olympic gold medalist Jessie Diggins and the documentary Threshold. Jillian offers guidance for athletes, parents, and coaches, including the language shifts that protect girls, the signs of disordered eating to be aware of, and why building a community of support is the most important thing a young athlete can do before entering a collegiate environment.  “If we don’t do this work, who will? I care a lot about people with eating disorders, and if I don’t use my voice, people who don’t care about people with eating disorders, because they don’t know about it, they’re not gonna do it. So if it’s not gonna be me and the people that I work with, who will it be?”

American hockey player, PWHL athlete, and Olympic gold medalist Gwyneth Philips shares what it really takes to stay ready, patient, and committed while building a career in elite sport. From competing at the highest level with Team USA to navigating the intensity of the PWHL, Gwyneth opens up about the reality of waiting for your opportunity and the mental strength required to stay prepared behind the scenes. She reflects on the discipline it takes to remain consistent, the importance of trusting your development, and how daily habits, both on and off the ice, shape long-term success. Gwyneth encourages young women athletes to believe in their process, stay grounded in their preparation, and understand that growth often happens in the moments no one else sees. Her story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t always immediate, but with patience, resilience, and trust, the right moment can change everything.

Two-time Olympic medalist and PWHL Minnesota Frost goaltender Nicole Hensley joins us to share her journey navigating self-belief, rejection, and mental resilience in elite sport. From growing up playing hockey with the boys in Colorado to hearing “no” from nearly every college during recruiting, Nicole opens up about the challenges that shaped her confidence and helped her forge her own path in hockey. In this episode, Nicole reflects on her time at Lindenwood University, where she became the NCAA all-time leader in saves, and shares the mental tools she uses to manage overthinking, reset after mistakes, and stay grounded under pressure. Her story is a powerful reminder that belief starts from within — and that confidence is built through persistence, perspective, and trusting yourself when the path forward isn’t clear. “You have to believe in yourself before anyone else does.” — Nicole Hensley

Canadian Women’s National Team defender and professional footballer Ashley Lawrence shares what it really takes to build longevity in elite sport. From leaving college early to play professionally in Europe, to navigating cultural change, competition, and self-doubt, Ashley opens up about the moments that challenged her most — and the tools that helped her stay grounded. She reflects on the importance of mental health support, nutrition, sleep, gratitude, and remembering the joy that first drew her to the game. Ashley encourages young women athletes to trust themselves, embrace curiosity, and understand that success isn’t just about performance — it’s about caring for your whole self. Her story is a powerful reminder that growth happens when you’re willing to take the leap, ask for help, and reconnect with your purpose — even when the journey gets hard.

Former elite gymnast and UCLA standout Katelyn Ohashi returns to the Voice in Sport Podcast to talk about life beyond competition and what it means to redefine who you are after stepping away from sport. In this episode, Katelyn opens up about leaving elite gymnastics, discovering new creative outlets, and learning how to listen to her own voice after years of external pressure. She reflects on identity, transition, and the freedom that comes with allowing your path to evolve. Her story is a reminder that you are more than your sport, and that growth, purpose, and joy can look different in every season.

Flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S.—but the pathway to the top hasn’t always been clear, especially for women. In Episode 2, Team USA Flag Football athlete and Olympian Madison Fulford returns to the VOICEINSPORT Podcast to break down the evolution of the sport, the gaps in the development pipeline, and why representation and coaching matter more than ever. Madison shares how she discovered flag football later in life, what it takes to compete at the elite level, and how she’s now giving back as a coach through MAD Skills Training—working with girls ages 7–18 to help build confidence, skills, and belief. From Olympic dreams to grassroots development, this episode explores how athletes can help shape the future of their sport.

Three-time Paralympian swimmer Lizzi Smith was born with amniotic band syndrome, which resulted in her losing her left hand. She spent years trying to make that part of herself invisible, but through swimming, the pool became the one place where she wasn't afraid to be seen.  Lizzi encourages us to build confidence through adversity, and to find strength in the parts of ourselves we’re tempted to try and hide. She shares honest reflections on the heartbreak that comes with chasing Olympic dreams and the courage required to show up as a woman athlete with a disability, and reminds us how essential owning your space and finding your voice is  — especially when everything inside you wants to shrink.

Former elite gymnast and UCLA standout Katelyn Ohashi joins us to share her journey navigating body image, mental health, and rediscovering joy in gymnastics. From the pressure and perfectionism of the elite world to the freedom she found at UCLA, Katelyn opens up about how she learned to rebuild her confidence and love for the sport on her own terms. In this episode, we also highlight excerpts from her new book, Every Time, I Always Would — a beautiful collection of poetry that reflects her growth from self-doubt to self-love. Katelyn’s story is a reminder that healing takes time, and that true confidence comes from embracing who you are, not who you think you’re supposed to be. “Appreciate what your body is capable of and give yourself all the love because you deserve it.” — Katelyn Ohashi

Two-time Olympian, Team USA middle blocker, and VIS Mentor Chiaka Ogbogu opens up about her ongoing journey with perfectionism and the mindset shifts that helped her rediscover confidence and joy in sport. Chiaka shares how she learned to redefine success on her own terms, set goals that empower rather than pressure, and use tools like journaling and self-reflection to stay grounded. She also discusses how faith has shaped her mental performance journey, helping her navigate setbacks, silence self-doubt, and embrace progress over perfection. Her story is a reminder that true strength in sport comes not from being perfect, but from learning to evolve with purpose and grace.  “I’m here for a reason… I’ve already done the hard to get here. I might as well see this through with the joy I had coming into it.” — Chiaka Ogbogu