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What happens when college soccer doesn’t go according to plan? This week, Paige and Jaiden are experiencing two very different sides of the season. Paige is in the middle of Alabama’s run, while Jaiden is working her way back from injury and finally starting to get limited minutes again. They talk travel, rehab, staying connected to their teams, and what they’re learning from seeing the game from a different perspective.  Then Paige welcomes Alabama teammate Melina Rebimbas to the pod. Melina opens up about starting her college career at UNC, why she ultimately entered the transfer portal, and what made Alabama feel like the right place for her—not only as a player, but as a person. She also gets candid about a series of difficult injuries, including hip surgery and an abdominal injury that forced her to spend significant time away from the game.  They also talk about her experiences with the U.S. Youth National Team, Alabama’s season, what could come next after college, and why, after having soccer taken away from her more than once, she’s approaching this season with a different mindset: being present, finding joy, and appreciating the chance to play.  It’s a really honest conversation about how much growth in college soccer happens off the field. 🎙️ Hosted by Paige Thompson (Alabama) and Jaiden Rodriguez (USC).

Conference play is here — and so are the highs, lows, injuries, rivalry games, and mental battles that come with it. This week, Paige Thompson and Jaiden Rodriguez catch up after two very different weeks. Jaiden opens up about partially tearing her MCL, the frustration of being sidelined just as conference play begins, and the mental spiral of replaying an injury and wondering what she could have done differently.  Meanwhile, Paige takes us inside Alabama's rivalry wins over Auburn and Arkansas, the intensity of SEC soccer, and what she's learning about managing her own mentality when games — and substitutions — don't go exactly as planned.  The conversation gets real about frustration, confidence, rehab, bench energy, and one of the hardest lessons for any athlete: figuring out what you can control and letting go of what you can't. Then they lighten things up with college-life talk and a rapid-fire round of soccer Would You Rather. Two players. Two very different weeks. And a reminder that sometimes the biggest part of the game is what happens inside your head. Show Notes Jaiden suffers a partial MCL tear and talks about the physical and mental aftermath of getting injured during conference play. TBL_ep7-8vui2h-Optimized Why replaying the moment of an injury over and over can be almost as difficult as the injury itself. TBL_ep7-8vui2h-Optimized Paige breaks down Alabama's rivalry wins over Auburn and Arkansas — and what makes SEC soccer such a different kind of game. TBL_ep7-8vui2h-Optimized The reality of getting subbed out, questioning why, and learning to refocus on the minutes still ahead. TBL_ep7-8vui2h-Optimized Jaiden gets candid about frustration, crying in training, and wanting better tools to manage the emotions that come with competing. TBL_ep7-8vui2h-Optimized What people don't see: classes, treatment, rehab, lifting, homework — and everything else packed into the life of a college athlete. TBL_ep7-8vui2h-Optimized Would You Rather: game-winning goal or assist? Hat trick or championship winner? Pouring rain or 100-degree heat? 8 AM or under the lights? TBL_ep7-8vui2h-Optimized Paige and Jaiden close with their words for the week: growth and discipline — and why both come back to focusing on what they can control. TBL_ep7-8vui2h-Optimized Hosts: Paige Thompson & Jaiden Rodriguez Presented by Girls Soccer Network

Conference play is here — and things are getting very real for Paige Thompson and Jaiden Rodriguez. Paige and Jaiden recap a wild week that included a first loss, a 10-goal game, a red card, a lightning delay and USC's 2–2 battle with No. 1 Stanford. They talk about the shrinking margin for error as conference play begins, dealing with playing-time decisions and learning not to let a coach's choices change the way you see yourself as a player. Then USC's Peyton Nakagawara joins the show with a comeback story that goes way beyond soccer. Peyton arrived at USC after tearing her ACL during her senior year of high school. She worked her way back, played an entire spring season — and then tore her other ACL in the final minutes of the final spring game. Suddenly, another fall season was gone. Peyton opens up about the mental side of going through the same devastating injury twice, watching teammates play while she rehabbed and finding parts of herself outside of soccer along the way. Now, more than two years later, Peyton is finally back on the field. In just her third game back, she started against Stanford — and scored. She takes Paige and Jaiden inside that moment, what kept her going through two long rehabs and what she'd tell the young player who just tore her ACL and is wondering whether her soccer dream is over. Her message? Take rehab one day at a time. Pour yourself into the work. Learn what the setback has to teach you. You can come back stronger. Also in this episode: Paige finally finds the back of the net, Jaiden reflects on one of her best individual performances despite a tough team result, the girls set their goals for conference play, and they talk leadership, composure, confidence and what their teams need to improve next. 🎙️ The BIG LIFE is college soccer from the girls actually living it. Follow Paige + Jaiden as they take you inside the games, pressure, friendships, setbacks and everything else that comes with Division I soccer.

September is here, conference play is around the corner, and Paige Thompson and Jaiden Rodriguez are checking in on where they really are both individually and with their teams. Paige and Jaiden talk rankings, results, the frustration of creating chances without scoring, what they wish they could replay from their latest games, and the specific parts of their own games they want to improve. Paige is focused on being more vocal and demanding the ball, while Jaiden has one very clear goal: find the back of the net. Then Paige's Alabama assistant coach Alyssa Deloice joins the show. A former Mississippi State midfielder and captain, Alyssa shares her own path from Texas Tech into the transfer portal and ultimately Mississippi State — and why finding coaches who saw her as a person, not just a player, became so important to her. They get into what young players don't always hear about the jump to Division I soccer: the speed of play, learning patience, balancing the physical demands, and understanding that freshmen don't have to constantly prove they belong. Alyssa also shares how playing through an ankle injury taught her the hard way that there's a difference between being sore and being hurt. They also talk leadership, Alyssa's transition from player to coach, what coaches actually see when they review film, and how players can take more ownership of their development. And for players going through recruiting, Alyssa has some particularly good advice: know your non-negotiables and talk to the players already inside the program. A coach is naturally going to tell you their culture is great. The players living it every day can tell you what it actually feels like. In this episode: Paige + Jaiden's weekly Rose, Bud & Thorn Rankings vs. focusing on the next game The start of conference play Honest self-evaluation as a college player The jump from club soccer to Division I Transfer portal lessons Playing through pain vs. soreness Why freshmen don't need to "prove" themselves Leadership without wearing the captain's armband Seeing the game from a coach's perspective Recruiting, ID camps + choosing the right program The questions recruits should actually be asking 🎙️ The BIG LIFE takes you inside Division I women's soccer with Alabama's Paige Thompson and USC's Jaiden Rodriguez — the games, travel, pressure, recruiting, friendships and everything that happens beyond the scoreboard.

Another week in the BIG LIFE means games, classes, sore legs and a whole lot happening at once. Paige and Jaiden catch up on Alabama’s 4–0 start, USC’s battle with BYU, the return to class and what they’re both thinking about life after college soccer. Then they welcome their first guest of Season 5, former Santa Clara and Cal player Alex Kloss, for an honest conversation about the transfer portal, playing time, confidence and knowing when it’s time to make a change. Alex shares why she walked away from a school and teammates she loved, gave up a significant scholarship and took a chance on Cal after being told she likely wouldn’t have a major role the following season. It was a risk that ultimately led to more playing time, a full scholarship and a new path toward playing professionally. They talk about trusting your gut, choosing the right college fit, rebuilding confidence, going pro and why there’s no single “right” path through soccer. The BIG LIFE is college soccer from the players actually living it. Follow the podcast and come along for the season.

The soccer season is underway. Now add classes, homework, roommates, travel, playing time, exhaustion and an actual social life to the mix. In Episode 3 of The BIG LIFE, Paige Thompson (Alabama) and Jaiden Rodriguez (USC) get honest about what happens when preseason ends and being a student-athlete suddenly means being a STUDENT again. Paige recaps Alabama’s huge road wins over Saint Louis and Memphis — including snapping Memphis’ 41-game home winning streak with a goal in the final seconds — while Jaiden reflects on USC’s early-season games and the lessons that come from getting a serious wake-up call against a top team. Then the conversation gets real. Paige and Jaiden talk about balancing classes with training, the sacrifices that come with being a college athlete, dorm and roommate life, playing time, confidence, managing emotions after a tough game and why two teammates living under the same roof can be having completely different college soccer experiences. They also check in on the college soccer rankings, make predictions for some of the biggest upcoming games and answer a few questions about what nobody tells you before you become a college athlete. In this episode: • Alabama’s dramatic road win over Memphis • The reality of travel and early-season games • Going back to class while playing Division I soccer • Time management, sleep and sacrificing your social life • Dorms, roommates and finally having your own space • What happens when one roommate plays 90 minutes and another plays zero • Handling frustration and conversations with your coach • Confidence, overthinking and learning to “play free” • Paige’s game-day reminder: “Play big. Be you.” • Early college soccer rankings and upcoming games • What they wish someone had told them before college The BIG LIFE takes you inside college soccer through the players actually living it. New episodes every week with Paige + Jaiden. #TheBIGLIFE #CollegeSoccer #NCAASoccer #StudentAthlete #GirlsSoccer

The college soccer season is officially here — and Paige Thompson (Alabama) and Jaiden Rodriguez (USC) are taking us inside all of it. In Episode 2 of The BIG LIFE, Paige and Jaiden recap their preseason matches, including Paige's battle wound against LSU, and look ahead to some huge early-season matchups. Then they dive into the changing world of college soccer: preseason rankings, new NCAA eligibility rules, NIL, agents, and what it's actually like to build a personal brand while competing as a Division I athlete. They also get candid about their own college recruiting journeys — why Paige ultimately chose Alabama, why Jaiden chose USC, what mattered most when making their decisions, and their advice for young players navigating an increasingly fast-moving recruiting process. In this episode: Paige's bloody preseason battle against LSU Jaiden's takeaways from USC's first preseason match Early-season goals and big matchups ahead Their reaction to the preseason Top 25 How the changing NCAA landscape is affecting college athletes What NIL actually looks like for women's soccer players Jaiden's experience signing with Nike and working with an agent How college recruiting has changed Why players shouldn't rush their college decision How Paige chose Alabama and Jaiden chose USC The BIG LIFE follows college soccer from the players' perspective — the games, pressure, friendships, recruiting, NIL and everything that happens beyond the pitch. Follow Girls Soccer Network and join Paige and Jaiden every week as they take us inside The BIG LIFE. #TheBIGLIFE #CollegeSoccer #NCAASoccer #NIL #CollegeRecruiting #GirlsSoccer

The BIG LIFE is back with new hosts Paige Thompson (Alabama) and Jaiden Rodriguez (USC) and they're kicking off the season by pulling back the curtain on what life is really like as Division I soccer players. From grueling preseason fitness tests and exhibition matches to the mental challenges of earning playing time, Paige and Jaiden have an honest conversation about the highs, lows, and lessons they learned during their freshman seasons. They also share the goals they're setting for the year ahead—on and off the field. In this episode: Preseason fitness tests, beep tests, and preparing for the season Lessons learned during their freshman year of college soccer Managing confidence, pressure, and the mental side of the game Working with sports psychologists and developing a stronger mindset Setting performance goals for the upcoming season Small daily habits that make a big difference Why extra training, recovery, and consistency matter This episode is proudly sponsored by SogilityGO—the smart rebounder helping players get more quality touches, improve their first touch, and train with purpose outside of team practice. Use the promo code GSN10 for 10% off your purchase.  Whether you're preparing for college soccer, currently playing, or dreaming of competing at the next level, this episode offers an honest look at what it takes to keep growing. Subscribe for new episodes every week featuring the voices of college players living The BIG LIFE.

This week on The BIG LIFE, Leah and Kate break down all the wild twists from the NCAA Tournament’s Elite 8 — from clutch performances to teams that seriously shocked us. Stanford’s looking sharp, Michigan State’s heating up, and Ohio State? Let’s just say no one saw that coming. But this episode isn’t just about the X’s and O’s — it’s also a family affair. Leah and Kate bring on their parents (yes, the parents) for a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like raising a D1 athlete. From carpool chaos to college commitments, they open up about the highs, the heartbreaks, and the hustle behind the dream. Expect stories, laughter, maybe a few tears, and a whole lot of gratitude. It’s a celebration of the people behind the players — and a reminder that no one gets here alone.   Become a Patron of The BIG LIFECheck out our ⁠⁠⁠new merch! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ (@girlssoccernetwork)Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ channel

Leah and Kate recap a dramatic ACC tournament week — beating Duke, an overtime final with Stanford decided on penalties, and the build-up to the NCAA tournament. They discuss other conference shootouts, recovery, and tournament strategy. They then welcome Iowa Hawkeye Kenzie Roling to talk about her journey, overcoming injuries, leadership as a grad student, balancing academics and soccer, and her goals for the postseason. The episode emphasizes resilience, identity beyond sport, and team culture. Become a Patron of The BIG LIFECheck out our ⁠⁠⁠new merch! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ (@girlssoccernetwork)Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ channel

This week on The BIG LIFE, Leah and Kate open up about their first loss of the season — a tough one against Pitt — and how they’re turning that sting into fuel for the ACC tournament. With so much on the line, they reflect on what it means to bounce back, refocus, and play with purpose. They look ahead to a huge semifinal matchup vs. Duke and share what it’s like prepping for big-time games on neutral turf. From mindset shifts to tournament pressure, Leah and Kate keep it real about staying present and trusting the work. They also revisit favorite moments from the season so far — big wins, locker room laughs, and everything in between. It’s a reminder that team culture runs deeper than any scoreboard. Become a Patron of The BIG LIFECheck out our ⁠⁠⁠new merch! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ (@girlssoccernetwork)Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ channel

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

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This week on The BIG LIFE, Leah and Kate sit down with Mizzou senior midfielder Keegan Good, who’s balancing Division I soccer with a pre-med track and plans to become a plastic surgeon. (Yeah, she’s that impressive.) Keegan opens up about her unconventional path to college soccer — skipping the big-name club scene, grinding through ID camps, and carving her own way to Mizzou. She talks leadership, injuries, and how tearing her ACL tested both her identity and mental strength. Now in her senior year, Keegan’s perspective is all about balance — pushing herself on the field while chasing big dreams in the classroom. Her story is equal parts resilience, ambition, and heart — a reminder that your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Become a Patron of The BIG LIFECheck out our ⁠⁠⁠new merch! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ (@girlssoccernetwork)Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ channel

Leah and Kate recap another awesome week in women’s college soccer, discussing their own games, senior night emotions, and the challenges of travel and heckling from fans. They break down notable matchups, red-card drama, and the grind toward postseason, including penalty-kick preparations. Tune in for reflections on team routines, travel strategies, and a preview of upcoming big games and a special guest next episode. Become a Patron of The BIG LIFECheck out our ⁠⁠⁠new merch! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ (@girlssoccernetwork)Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ channel

Sponsored by Soccer.com, this episode of the Big Life Podcast features Notre Dame Women’s Soccer academic advisor Jennifer Pratt and hosts Leah and Kate discussing how student-athletes balance Division I soccer with rigorous academics. Jen explains weekly check-ins, mandatory freshman study hall, tutoring, and strategies for time management and choosing a major. The players share personal tips on planners, professor relationships, and preparing for travel and missed classes. Listeners will learn practical advice on staying organized, using campus resources, building faculty connections, and making the most of college both on and off the field. Become a Patron of The BIG LIFECheck out our ⁠⁠⁠new merch! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ (@girlssoccernetwork)Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ channel