The BIG LIFE

Welcome back to the Big Life Podcast! What a season it has been. Sam is flying solo at the mic this episode, while Jordyn is flying across the country for Michigan State's games against Oregon. This will Meanwhile, how is it possible that the Hawkeyes and the Spartans are undefeated! Is this the year of the underdog? This episode highlights the shifting dynamics in women's college soccer, and how...

Michigan State's women's soccer team is now ranked number one in the country, which Sam and Jordyn, especially Jordyn could not be happier about! They marvel on the remarkable transformation of the program over the years, acknowledging the hard work and dedication of past and present team members.  This episode Sam and Jordyn also take a deep dive into the complexities of team dynamics and persona...

Welcome back to the Big Life Podcast! Sam and Jordyn kick things off with a message from our sponsor, IDA Sports. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, IDA Sports has partnered with the Know Your Lemons Foundation to release a special edition and super sleek pink cleats! These cleats are not just rad; $10 from each pair sold goes to breast cancer education and early detection initiatives! Get...

Welcome back to "The Big Life Podcast"! This episode is chock-full of nerdy yet seriously interesting information about the college game. In this episode, Jordyn and Sam dive into Michigan State's incredible rise to the number one spot in the RPI rankings. What is RPI? You must tune in to learn more about this rating system used in NCAA sports! Rick Allen, owner of The Informed Athlete, joins us t...

Welcome back to the Big Life Podcast! Transitioning from college soccer to the professional level is a dream for many female soccer players, but the journey is filled with challenges, pressures, and unexpected twists. In this week's episode of the Big Life podcast, Sam and Jordyn dive head first into this topic as two athletes who are currently navigating these waters. Sam shares her personal jour...

In this episode of The Big Life, we are thrilled to welcome Margueritte Aozasa, the head women's soccer coach at UCLA. She shares her insights on joining the Big Ten Conference, the challenges of dealing with injuries, and, of course, adapting to the Midwest's weather! We also discuss the latest Big Ten soccer updates, including Michigan State's recent performances and the impact of the U-20 World...

Welcome back to The Big Life! This episode dives into the rollercoaster of emotions experienced on senior night, as Jordyn reflects on the bittersweet moments and unexpected feelings that came with it. Join us as we explore the highs and lows of being a college athlete, the impact of roster decisions, and the changing landscape of college soccer. We also discuss major news in women's soccer, inclu...

Welcome back to "The Big Life!" In this episode, Jordyn and Sam celebrate Michigan State's historic win against Notre Dame and look forward to their upcoming match against Arkansas. Jordyn shares the intense emotions of the game and the experience of watching from the sidelines due to injury. The episode transitions into a comprehensive recap of Big Ten women's soccer, highlighting major moments l...

Welcome back to The Big Life! In this episode, Sam and Jordyn explore the brand-new USL Super League, a new professional league for women. Join us as we dive into the league's inaugural season, and what this means for players who want to continue their careers.  We had the privilege of speaking with two talented players from different teams: Sheyenne Allen from Fort Lauderdale and Jenny Vetter fro...

Welcome back to Big Life, listeners! We're as excited for the upcoming soccer season as you are. Season three kicks off with a fun game of "Two Truths and a Lie" and some exclusive offers from our sponsor, Ida Sports. Make sure to grab your new cleats with our special discount! In this episode, Jordan and Sam catch up on their summer adventures and dive deep into the current state of college athle...

Hey socceristas and welcome back to The BIG LIFE Podcast! It's the last episode of Season 2 and we feel like we're ending it with a real bang with a very special guest! This season has been a whirlwind for Sam and Jordyn as they adjust to being on different continents while sharing their lives and experiences. They will be back in late July with more exciting content, covering women's college socc...

Hey Everyone, or Hej as they say in Sweden. Summer is in session! Jordyn is sun burnt back in the gym already and Sam scored her first goal as a professional! School may be out but soccer never sleeps! The highlight, of Episode 8 is an incredible interview with Ella Masar, assistant coach of the Chicago Red Stars. Ella shares her incredible journey from being a low-profile recruit in Urbana, Illin...

In this super informative Episode 7 of the BIG LIFE, Jordyn and Sam delve into the rapid changes within NCAA athletics, particularly focusing on the evolving NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) policies. Joined by Darien Harris, Assistant Athletic Director for Business Development and NIL Strategy at Michigan State University, the discussion covers recent NCAA settlements, the intricacies of NIL, and the...

Episode 6 of the BIG LIFE goes international, with Jordyn visiting a teammate in Montreal and Sam slaying it in Sweden, partying with Taylor and the Swifties! But that's not all! We have an amazing guest on this week's podcast: Dr. Nick Holton, an expert in sports performance and mental resilience. Dr. Holton, who works closely with Michigan State,  and, dives deep into the mental aspects of athle...

Welcome to another episode of The Big Light Podcast, where we dive deep into the world of soccer with our dedicated and ambitious guests. This week, Jordyn chats with Brooke Allen, a high school senior entering the University of Wisconsin next fall. Jordyn and Brooke went to the same high school in Ohio and played one season when Brooke was a freshman. With the signing day ink just barely dry from...

Join special guest Gabriel Chapman, Executive Director of Inspired XI, in a riveting conversation on international women's soccer and the path to a professional career. In this episode of the Big Life Podcast, hosts Sam and Jordyn explore the multifaceted world of women's football, emphasizing the importance of agents and comprehensive player management. Gain insights into successful transitions f...

In this episode of The BIG LIFE, Jordyn and Sam answer viewers' questions and share their insights on fitness, and mental health programs for college-athletes. If you're a senior entering college in the fall, you don't want to miss this! Discover summer training and academic tips to prepare new college freshmen for the exciting challenges ahead. They delve into the merits of sleep scheduling, nutr...

Welcome back! In this episode, we delve into the heart of soccer—exploring the unique journey of Maya Antoine, who transitioned from a Canadian youth national player to a college player at Vanderbilt University and is now playing professionally in Sweden with Sam! Learn about the differences between the Canadian and U.S. sports systems and get a closer look at the shifting landscape of youth socce...

The BIG LIFE is back baby! Sam and Jordyn return for Season 2, and their lives look quite a bit different from when they left off back in November. In this first episode, Jordyn dives into what spring season looks like at Michigan State. She suffered a knee injury, but things look bright for the rising senior. Sam recounts her whirlwind of a life since the last episode of season 1, including enter...

You know when you set out to accomplish something but have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into? That’s a little bit about how the BIG LIFE came to be. Like many of the beautiful things that seem to blossom at Girls Soccer Network, the BIG LIFE started with a DM from Jordyn, who pitched the idea of a podcast focused on college women’s soccer, specifically around the Big Ten. She wanted to talk...

With the season over for all but for the four teams playing in the College Cup on Friday, it's prediction time. Who's it going to be? BYU, Stanford, Florida State or Clemson? We won't tell you who they picked but you can be sure they did not agree on the outcome. Iowa Hawkeye Kelli McGroarty shares valuable experience about the process of entering the transfer portal. As a new player on the team l...

"Episode Sweet 16, but not completely sweet. Sam and Jordyn’s seasons are over, and they reflect on the wild ride of the last few months. Sam’s college soccer journey is officially done and she looks back on her incredible, history-making career as an Iowa Hawkeye. Jordyn, meanwhile, has another year in East Lansing. She is part of a Spartan program that has seen tremendous growth during her time...

Monica Wilhelm, our extraordinary guest who played for the Hawkeyes until last season, and our amazing host, Jordyn, speak honestly about how cruel this game can be. It can push you to the outer edges of your sanity if you let it.  Monica's journey of sticking with the game when things just were not going her way is so inspiring. There are so many uncontrollables in life and soccer. It's kind of e...

Episode 14 of the BIG LIFE is something we could not have dreamed of back in late August. The twists and turns of this season for both Sam and Jordyn could make even die-hard doubters believe in kismet. We had no clue where this little podcast would take us but to have not just one, but both of our hosts be Big Ten Champions is out of a soccer fairy tale. Or, as we like to say around here - it's c...

Episode 13 features Erica Suter, who we believe to be the top female fitness trainers specifically for girls in soccer in the U.S.  Known on social media as “@fitsoccerqueen” Erica’s approach to helping girls grow their game as their bodies grow develop is transformative. Her awareness of how girls mature and the timing of how they should be training and when, is not just smart and practical, but...