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She's a team captain, an All-Big 12 honoree, and a gymnast who once came close to walking away from the sport entirely. Now, heading into her senior season, Ava Jorgensen Miller reflects on the journey behind the accolades, from the burnout that nearly ended her career to the summer of hard work that changed everything. Ava opens up about life beyond the gym, getting married, balancing a supply chain internship, and a team trip through Europe that brought her squad closer together ahead of the season. She also shares honestly about her struggles with body image, the role her faith has played in her hardest moments, and the challenge of being a perfectionist in a sport that demands so much. As she enters her final year, Ava is chasing big goals, embracing the journey, and searching for one perfect routine.

Taylor Lovell never expected to be a runner. A soccer player from the start, she had her heart set on playing for BYU. That was until her dad forced her to try cross country, and something shifted. By the time she arrived in Provo, she was a walk-on in one of the nation's top distance programs, surrounded by runners she was in awe of and battling imposter syndrome at every starting line. Now in her final season as a Cougar, Taylor is building her legacy around one simple belief: find joy in the process. She opens up about overcoming self-doubt, finishing ninth at nationals twice, and the mindset shift that turned those setbacks into a national title. From forgetting her spikes in her second-ever steeplechase to crossing the line as a champion, Taylor shares what it means to chase goals that scare you and to trust that the hard things always lead to something great.

In this installment of our BYU Athletics Hall of Fame series, we sit down with Amy Boswell Usevitch. Amy never set out to make history —she just wanted to play volleyball with her sister. But what started as a childhood dream in Aloha, Oregon, turned into one of the most decorated careers in BYU women's volleyball history. Three All-American selections, four consecutive NCAA Sweet 16 appearances, and a 2014 season that took the Cougars to their first-ever national championship match, all while earning a nursing degree. In this episode, Amy talks about balancing Division I athletics with nursing school, the coaches and professors who made it possible, and the faith she leaned on when four hours of sleep had to be enough. From stuff blocks to scrubs to raising four kids, Amy shares what it means to take life one day at a time.

In this installment of our BYU Athletics Hall of Fame series, we sit down with Rachel Newren Harmon. Growing up as the youngest member of a golf-loving family, Rachel followed her siblings to BYU and became one of the most decorated golfers in program history. She shares stories from her record-setting collegiate career, the ups and downs of professional golf, and the surprising path that led her to become a Division I head coach at just 26 years old. Now helping golfers experience some of the most renowned courses around the globe, Rachel looks back on a life shaped by faith, family, and a passion for the game, while reflecting on the legacy she hopes will continue long after her playing days.

Cougar Confab is a new podcast series that previews each BYU women's athletic team as they prepare for the upcoming season. Lauren McClain chats with BYU Women's Tennis head coach Holly Hasler about the culture and mindset driving her team into the new season. From building close-knit team culture off the court to the "win or learn" mentality fueling their improvement, Holly gives fans a preview of what to expect from the BYU Women's Tennis team this year.

Cougar Confab is a new podcast series that previews each BYU women's athletic team as they prepare for the upcoming season. Lauren McClain chats with BYU Women's Tennis player Sue Yan Tan about her journey from Singapore to Provo and her experience representing her country on the international stage. From adjusting to a new culture to building team unity heading into the season, Sue offers insight into what fans can expect from BYU Women's Tennis this year.

Cougar Confab is a new podcast series that previews each BYU women's athletic team as they prepare for the upcoming season. Lauren McClain chats with BYU Women's Tennis player Cara Korhonen about her journey from Australia to Provo, her mindset as a new Cougar, and her passion for mental health advocacy. From adjusting to life at BYU to her goals for self-development on the court this season, Cara offers insight into what fans can expect from her as she begins this new chapter with BYU Tennis.

Cougar Confab is a new podcast series that previews each BYU women's athletic team as they prepare for the upcoming season. Lauren McClain chats with BYU Cross Country sophomore Zariel Macchia about her transition from Mastic Beach, New York to Provo, the mindset behind chasing consistency, and the opportunities and challenges awaiting the Cougars this season.

Cougar Confab is a new podcast series that previews each BYU women's athletic team as they prepare for the upcoming season. Lauren McClain chats with BYU Cross Country runner Emerald Kehr about her journey to BYU and the mindset behind this season's goals. From the culture and leadership that drew her to the program to the personal growth fueling her performance, Emerald offers insight into what fans can expect from BYU Cross Country this year.

Cougar Confab takes fans behind the scenes of BYU women's athletics, highlighting each team before the start of a new season. This week, Lauren McClain visits with BYU cross country junior Nelah Roberts, who shares how she's evolved as a student-athlete, learned to balance individual goals with team success, and drawn inspiration from her father's influence throughout her running career.

Emma Lythgoe never expected to be coaching at BYU this soon. Twenty weeks pregnant and settled into a life in California, she thought her dream of returning to Provo was years away. Instead, an unexpected opportunity—and a little sign she couldn't ignore—had her packing up her life and moving back to Utah in just three weeks. Now entering her third season with the Cougars, Emma is building a coaching philosophy around one simple belief: happy swimmers swim fast. She opens up about trusting God's timing, finding joy in the unexpected, and learning that motherhood doesn't have to mean putting your dreams on hold. From the pool deck to the realities of raising a daughter, Emma shares what it means to chase a dream that came sooner than she ever imagined.

From a young girl inspired by a movie about therapy to BYU's Assistant Athletic Director of Clinical Mental Health, Holly Binks's path into athletic counseling was anything but expected. She never imagined where her career would lead, but today she walks alongside student-athletes as they navigate burnout, perfectionism, identity struggles, and the unique pressures that come with competing at the highest level. Through years of listening, counseling, and advocating, Holly has become a trusted voice in helping athletes understand that their worth extends far beyond the scoreboard. In a culture that often celebrates performance above all else, she is helping redefine success by breaking down the stigma around mental health and reminding athletes and non-athletes alike that caring for your mind deserves the same commitment as caring for your body.

What does it feel like to chase your biggest dream alongside the person who has been there since the beginning? BYU long-distance runners and sister Karissa and Riley Chamberlain have seen each other through the highs, the setbacks, and the moments they never expected. Their journeys may not look the same, but through every race and every challenge, they’ve discovered the power of chasing a dream with your biggest supporter right beside you.

In this installment of our ongoing Cougar Confab series, Lauren McClain talks with KJ Burgess, senior middle blocker for the BYU Women's Volleyball team. After transferring from Oklahoma and spending a semester studying abroad in Italy, KJ shares what brought her to BYU for her final collegiate season — including a little nudge from her dad, BYU men's basketball assistant coach Chris Burgess. We dive into what she's most excited about this year, from playing closer to home to competing in the Big 12 for the first time. Plus, KJ tells us about the upcoming matchup she can't wait for: facing off against her sister Chloe at ASU. We talk family rivalries, the transition to a new team and coaching staff, her leadership style, and what makes this year's squad so dynamic and tough to scout.

In this episode of our ongoing Cougar Confab series, we chat with BYU Volleyball junior outside hitter Ellie Mortensen. Ellie shares what she's loving about this stage of the season, how the new coaching staff has helped her deepen her toolkit and find confidence in her swing, and why this team's grit and competitiveness have them ready to make waves in the Big 12. From growing as a player and a person since her freshman year, to the role faith and values play at BYU, to the team's pre-game Just Dance warm-ups — this conversation covers it all.