Unexpected Curves

This week, I catch up with Olympian Kate Grace to talk about her mom, Kathy Smith, and how the fitness empire she built has helped shape Kate on her own journey as an athlete and new mom. We dive into the cultural shifts that brought women into fitness, the trends that have come and gone, and how movement continues to shape identity, health, and balance across generations.

This week, we're lacing up for a deep dive on A'ja Wilson's highly anticipated A1s. I'm joined by E. Scott to discuss the legacy of signature shoes, how women have historically been excluded from this space, and why the A1s mark a shift toward greater representation. E. Scott, a veteran footwear designer with 25+ years in the industry and currently the Chair of Footwear at The Pensole Lewis Colleg...

Being the oldest daughter often means stepping up, staying strong, and figuring things out on your own. But that fierce independence? It can be both a superpower and a struggle. This week, I’m joined by U.S. middle-distance star Elise Cranny—Olympian, national champion, and the oldest of three sisters. We dive into how birth order may (or may not) have shaped her as an athlete. Plus, we get into a...

If you’ve ever played sports, you know it shapes who you are—and the stats back it up. A survey by EY and espnW found that 94% of women in C-suite positions played sports, with 52% competing at the collegiate level.. In this episode, I sit down with Morolake Akinosun, Olympic Gold Medalist and now Head of Athlete Relations at Grand Slam Track, an exciting new elite track event series. Morolake tal...

Today, we celebrate 100 years of Black women in sports. From the OGs like Alice Coachman and Ora Washington, who were dominating way before anyone thought 'they should,' to icons like Flo Jo, whose nails were as legendary as her speed. I’m joined by journalist and historian Bria Felician, whose recent article in Essence magazine chronicles the undeniable mark Black women have made on sports over t...

Jess Tonn McClain, a professional marathoner for Brooks, will have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about "never giving up." Jess shares how taking a two-year break from competing helped her hit the reset button, ditch the pressure of her identity as an athlete, reconnect with life beyond the track, and come back way stronger—on her own terms.

What’s more powerful than a sports icon? A sports icon with a fanbase. On this episode of Unexpected Curves, I’m joined by Alice Crossley to explore how WAGs (wives and girlfriends of athletes) have shifted from tabloid fixations to major influencers. As fandom continues to evolve WAGs are creating new pathways into sports, proving that passion for the game goes far beyond the field. From the flas...

Today’s guest, Erika Kemp, a professional marathoner for Brooks, joins us to discuss how the places we live and train shape performance. We explore the unique challenges and choices distance runners face when balancing physical gains with the emotional, social, and cultural dimensions of their environment. Through our conversation, we consider how an athlete’s sense of "home" evolves, and both the...

How do you keep love alive when your career is all about personal goals and sacrifices? In this episode, Olympian and US champion Colleen Quigley shares how she’s found balance between career, love, and personal growth. From navigating a long-distance relationship to defying societal expectations around marriage and family, Colleen reflects on forging her own path while chasing Olympic dreams.

In this episode of , I'm joined by acclaimed integrated marketing leader Martha Garcia, one of Running Insight Magazine's 25 Women to Watch . Together, we explore how women are boldly stepping into the world of business, using their authenticity and multi-dimensional identities as powerful tools to reshape industries. As the lines between sports and business continue to blur, we’ll discuss how ath...

Its not hyperbolic to say sports photography transcends the field of play. We all have images of play in our mind that build that narrative of a game. Brandi Chastain said she had “no idea” what made her tear off her shirt when celebrating the 1999 World Cup final against China. But it instantly became one of the most famous images in sports. It isn’t just about capturing action; it's about captur...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Simone Wood, Data and Public Policy Manager at Meta, and my big sister. We’re diving into how non-legacy media—especially podcasts—have transformed the way we consume information. From the 2024 election, which has been dubbed 'The Podcast Election,' to the growing influence of non-traditional media in women’s sports, we’ll explore how these platforms are challengi...

An overemphasis on superfoods, supplements, and detoxes can detract from what true wellness looks like. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Molly Malone, a New England-based multi-hyphenate creative. We dive into how she has used weightlifting to redefine what it means to be healthy, strong, and at peace in her body—not just for herself, but for her daughter.

This week, I sit down with Felicia Henderson, director of The Rebel Girls, a powerful short film that tells the story of 15 young girls who were kidnapped and imprisoned in a Civil War-era stockade in 1963. We explore themes of magical thinking, resilience, and how the legacy of these brave young women connects to the evolution of women’s sports today.

*And we are rewriting the punchline. This week we’re diving into the world of comedy with stand-up comedian and writer Marcia Belsky. Comedy and sports might seem worlds apart, but in a male-dominated environment, breaking through can feel just as tough as winning a high-stakes game. We explore staying true to your voice, and how humor can challenge norms and reframe everything from the film indus...

Global governments are making bold moves in the world of sports, bringing with them financial resources, and opening up new possibilities across a range of athletic disciplines. When nations like Saudi Arabia get involved, does their wealth bolster ambition for women's sports, or is tapping into private equity a risky game? Joining me today to explore these questions is Simon Chadwick, a researche...

Ok,hair me out! On this episode i'm joined by Ingrid Banks, an associate professor of Black studies at UC Santa Barbara, and the author of Hair Matters: Beauty, Power, and Black Women's Consciousness. We discuss how hair has historically been a signifier of both racial and gender identity, examining its implications for women, especially Black women, in sports and beyond.

In this episode, I'm joined by filmmaker K. Nicole Mills, whose short documentary A Race In The Sun captures the journey of Ayesha McGowan, the first African-American woman cyclist to go pro. Together, we discuss Nicole's path to filmmaking, Ayesha’s groundbreaking rise in the cycling world, the vibrant culture of New York City’s biking community, and the power of dreams and perseverance in reshap...

In movement—whether through physical activity or community engagement—Dora Atim finds power in reshaping her understanding of self and belonging. As a Global Nike Run Coach and founder of Ultra Black Running, her influence extends to global platforms, including The Vitra Design Museum in Germany, where the first-ever exhibition dedicated to the sportswear giant Nike is being unveiled. Nike: Form F...

Balancing the pressure of elite performance and creating space for family is no easy feat, and it might get even more complicated if your child decides to follow in your footsteps. This week we’re diving into the world of legacy, family , and the complexities of parenting in the spotlight.

Today, I’m joined by Emily Pritt, former team captain of the NC State Track and Cross Country team, to explore the values, culture, and leadership under head coach Laurie Henes that have made NC State a powerhouse. Now working as an agent and marketing director, Emily shares her insights into building a winning culture in sports.

This summer, it feels like the Games are shifting. There is an excitement around the Paris 2024 Olympics that has been missing for some time. These are the greenest Games to date, we’ve reached gender parity in participation, and only two additional stadiums were built—a major shift in how future host countries might integrate global sporting events into their existing infrastructure. But behind t...

This week, I'm joined by urban anthropologist and lecturer Katrina Johnston-Zimmerman, who is featured in BBC’s 2019 Top 100 Women list for her advocacy on women and girls in urban environments. We discuss how sporting venues can be built to better accommodate female sports fans, the biases inherent in urban design both locally and globally, and why these considerations matter for creating inclusi...

Sport is filled with so many narratives about what it's like to be in the thick of a career, but there aren't nearly as many stories about what life after professional sport might look like. This week, I'm joined by World Champion Kori Carter, who, after retiring from track and field, was inducted into the Stanford Hall of Fame, graduated from the Wharton School of Business, and started her first...

Every month, half of the population menstruates, yet it's still considered a taboo topic. This week on the show I'm joined by Christine Yu, an award winning journalist to discuss periods, and performance. Will the big business of women's sports reshape how we perceive and discuss menstruation? Join us!