Her Y

It takes a village to raise a champion—and Kaylee Smiler Mo’o carries hers with her. Now back in Provo pursuing a doctoral degree and coaching women’s basketball, Kaylee reflects on the Māori community that helped fund her journey to America, the cultural identity she’s reclaiming through language and research, and her deep belief that giving back isn’t an obligation—it’s a privilege.

BYU distance runner Jenna Hutchins has been chasing greatness since high school — and she's not slowing down. In this episode, she talks about competing at the highest level, what it's like to be part of one of the best programs in the country, and the mindset it takes to keep pushing your limits. From Big 12 titles to BYU record books, Jenna shares what fuels her drive and what she's learned about growth along the way.

From training together to winning individual and team high school state championships - and now playing at BYU - Berlin and Aadyn Long have done just about everything together. In this episode, BYU women’s golf sister duo Berlin and Aadyn discuss what it’s like to compete head-to-head in tournament play, how Berlin’s injury changed her perspective on the sport, and why having your sister as a teammate makes every round a little more meaningful.

Tia Brown made history as the first girl in Utah to break 14 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles — and she's just getting started. The BYU freshman multi-event athlete opens up about competing days after a medical scare, earning a spot in BYU's record books, her journey from military kid to USA flag football gold medalist, and why she's trading the track for a mission to Mexico.

Lauren McClain and the Her Y podcast will be back with another great episode next week! In the meantime, listen to this episode from Royal Legacy, Lauren’s other podcast on BYU Radio.

Bruce and Sadie Mitchell join host Lauren McClain to discuss how two elite athletes navigate marriage and high-level competition. Bruce, a red-shirt senior offensive lineman, and his wife, Sadie, a former BYU distance runner and current Nike Professional, share how they met, their personal athletic journeys at BYU and beyond, and how they keep their relationship a priority.

Former BYU women’s basketball All-American Cathy Nixon joins the Her Y podcast to share her journey from competing at a Texas basketball powerhouse and BYU to building the women's basketball program at Utah Valley University. She reflects on leading UVU through its historic transition from junior college to NCAA Division I, the real work behind building a successful program, and her current role as Deputy Athletic Director. Nixon explains why the grind of building culture is far more fulfilling than simply adding another line to a résumé.

Paje Rasmussen Brady never planned on being a sprinter. A soccer player at heart, two torn ACLs shifted her path toward track — and after a mission, a walk-on spot at BYU, and being cut due to NCAA roster limits, she came back with something to prove. This season, she broke the BYU school record in the 200-meter dash, helped set another in the 4x400 relay, and medaled in three events at the Big 12 Indoor Championships. In this episode, Paige opens up about the injuries, the uncertainty, the faith, and the belief that carried her to places even she didn't expect.

Gracie Levelston arrived at BYU as one of the most decorated junior tennis players in the country — but the road to Provo was anything but straight. After a promising start was derailed by injuries, Gracie found herself back home in Vero Beach, questioning everything she had built her life around and seriously considering a path far removed from tennis. What brought her back, and what led her to BYU of all places, is a story about far more than a sport. In this episode, Gracie opens up about burnout, identity, resilience, and the unexpected journey that changed her life both on and off the court.

From Slovakia to BYU — Emma Marusakova's story goes far beyond the pool. In this episode of Her Y, BYU swimmer Emma Marusakova reflects on her journey from a small European city to competing at the highest level of collegiate swimming, sharing the challenges of leaving home, adjusting to life in a new country, and pushing through injuries and setbacks. She opens up about how her identity has grown beyond being an athlete, the importance of relationships and support systems, and what inspired her to pursue a future in marriage and family therapy. Emma’s story is one of resilience, growth, and discovering purpose outside of sports, proving that who you are matters just as much as what you achieve.

From the medieval streets of Asti, Italy, to the courts of Provo, Utah, Emma Barbero's journey is anything but ordinary. She left home at 12 to pursue elite volleyball, spending her teenage years moving from city to city, learning to adapt with every change. Before ever setting foot in the United States, Emma had already competed on the world stage with the Italian National Team. In this episode, Emma opens up about the sacrifices behind her success, the family that never stopped supporting her, and what ultimately drew her across the ocean to college volleyball in America. Her story is one of resilience, identity, and the courage to keep saying yes to the next adventure.