Her Y

In this episode of Her Y, we sit down with BYU gymnast Daisy Stephenson to talk about her journey through injuries, recovery, and resilience. After facing a series of setbacks —including three knee surgeries — Daisy shares what it took to stay motivated and work her way back to competing for BYU. She opens up about the role faith played in her recovery, the mindset that helped her push through difficult moments, and what it means to finally compete at the college level. Daisy’s story is one of perseverance, growth, and learning to trust the timing of her journey.

Join host Lauren McClain as she sits down with BYU women's volleyball assistant coaches Chloe Hirst and Torre Glasker. Fresh off a record-breaking season at Utah State, the coaching duo shares their journey to Provo. From overcoming initial hesitations about coaching to building relationships with an elite roster, Chloe and Torre reveal what drives their competitive yet player-centered approach. Hear stories about their playing careers, their paths to coaching, and why they believe this BYU team has what it takes to make a national championship run.

Former BYU gymnast Emily Vidmar Day joins host Lauren McClain to share her journey from competing on beam, bars, and floor at BYU from 2013 to 2016 to building an eight-year career as a pediatric and cardiac ICU nurse at Primary Children’s Hospital. The daughter of Olympic gold medalist Peter Vidmar, Emily talks about growing up in a gymnastics family while carving out her own identity, and how the mental focus she developed on beam—blocking out distractions, handling pressure, and staying present—became her greatest strength in life-or-death moments in the ICU. She shares the whirlwind of getting into nursing school with just ten days’ notice, turning down her dream job as a life flight nurse just weeks before welcoming her second baby, and ultimately stepping away from healthcare after her third child was born. Now a mother of three, Emily reflects on choosing to be present during these irreplaceable years and what it means to build a life beyond the titles of athlete and nurse.

Host Lauren McClain is spending some well-deserved time with her family, so we are featuring the other podcast Lauren hosts for BYUradio. Royal Legacy examines the intersection of family tradition and elite athletics. In this episode, Lauren talks with runner John, Isaac, and Jane Hedengren.

John Hedengren shares his journey from BYU Hall of Fame athlete to chemical engineering professor and coach. His children, Isaac and Jane, discuss the reality of following in those footsteps while setting their own blistering pace in the collegiate running world.

BYU track and field star Zoey Bonds joins host Lauren McClain to talk about her journey from a decorated high school career in Las Vegas to becoming one of the top multi-event athletes at BYU—following in the footsteps of her three sisters who also competed in track at the collegiate level. As she prepares for the Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championship, Zoey shares what’s fueling her strong indoor season, the focus it takes to compete in the pentathlon and hurdles, and the goals she’s chasing. She looks back on growing up in an athletic and supportive family, balancing life as a student-athlete and newlywed, and pushing through a major surgery and past setbacks. Zoey reflects on the lessons that have shaped her, the people who support her, and who she is beyond the track.

BYU women's basketball guard Kailey Woolston joins host Lauren McClain to share her remarkable journey from Lone Peak High School phenom to Big 12 standout—and her decision to step away from it all to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After an incredible freshman season in which she ranked 2nd in the NCAA in three-point shooting, Kailey felt called to serve a mission, a decision that became a whirlwind in two weeks. She opens up about leaving basketball, adjusting to missionary life, and returning to a completely new team. Kailey shares stories about growing up with daily gym sessions alongside her parents and sister, Kennedy, who will join the BYU Women's Basketball team after her mission. Now redshirting while getting back into shape, Kailey reflects on leading Lone Peak to back-to-back state championships and learning what truly matters beyond performance and accolades.

Host Lauren McClain chats with brand-new BYU gymnastics assistant coach McKenna Giles to discuss her journey from All-American gymnast to coach of the Cougars. McKenna's gymnastics story began at just eight days old, when her coach-mother brought her to the gym—and she never left. McKenna reflects on her time at the University and scoring a perfect 10 on the vault and floor. Plus, was she the inspiration behind the American Girl gymnastics doll McKenna? Find out in this episode of the Her Y podcast.

In honor of the upcoming rivalry matchup between the BYU Cougars and the Utah Utes women’s basketball teams, the Her Y team revisits a standout Season 1 episode featuring Morgan Bailey. Bailey—now an assistant coach for the University of Utah—once starred at BYU as a player and later returned as a member of the coaching staff. Her basketball journey is anything but traditional. After picking up the sport in ninth grade, she rose to become the West Coast Conference Player of the Year and forged an inspiring path marked by resilience, growth, and unexpected turns.

In this episode, Morgan reflects on her surprising rise in the basketball world and shares how she found a new sense of purpose on the sidelines. Though coaching was never part of her original plan, she now finds deep joy in mentoring players and helping them navigate their own journeys.

Everyone wants to ask BYU Softball standout Lily Owens how she set fire to her family's California home as a young child. The utility player answers that question and so much more in this episode of the Her Y podcast with host Lauren McClain. Lily shares her journey from Lehigh University to BYU, how her Catholic upbringing and her family's emphasis on leading with love shaped her approach to life and sports, and how the death of her grandmother has given her perspective on what truly matters.

BYU senior diver Sophia DeBergh’s career is defined by resilience. After multiple ankle surgeries, a broken foot, and the loss of her mother five years ago, she continues to compete and lead at the highest level. Host Lauren McClain sits down with Sophia to discuss her journey from becoming a collegiate diver to training to compete in the Big 12 and the mental discipline required to step onto the 10-meter platform confidently.