Her Y

Michele Vasconcelos was chasing her dream of going pro when everything changed—she found out she was pregnant. In this special Mother’s Day episode, Michele talks about the unexpected timing of becoming a mom and how Lot’s wife’s story helped her stop looking back. Relying on faith to guide her, she kept moving forward. Now she plays professionally in Spain for Levante Badalona while raising her daughter Scarlett! In part one of our two-part series, Michele shares what it has been like balancing soccer, motherhood, and the dreams that don’t always go the way you planned—but turn out better than you imagined.

Lindy Milkowski is making the most of her lone season with the BYU Softball team. The catcher is smashing home runs and throwing out baserunners, stepping up to sing the national anthem on short notice, and showing off her dance moves with her teammates before games. Her passion for life and softball shines through in everything she does for the Cougars. In this podcast episode, discover the roots of her love for the game, why she transferred to BYU, and whether she prefers the thrill of belting homers or the satisfaction of throwing out runners at second base.

Allie Hancock-Schneemann didn’t have the perfect college softball career—and that’s exactly what makes her the coach she is today! In this episode of Her Y, the former BYU player turned assistant coach gets real about what it’s like to struggle, feel like you’re falling short, and still show up. She shares how being recruited late, switching positions, and battling with self-confidence shaped how she now leads with empathy for her players. Allie also talks about balancing motherhood with coaching, long-distance marriage to MLB player Daniel Schneemann, and how her daughter Kendall has become the team’s tiniest MVP! You won't want to miss this episode!

In this episode, BYU swimmer Ellie Boyer shares the deeply personal journey that has shaped who she is today. From becoming a state champion to suffering a traumatic sternum injury, Ellie’s path has been anything but easy. Just two weeks before starting her freshman year at BYU, her world shifted again with the sudden passing of her younger sister, Shaela. Through overwhelming grief, physical recovery, and the pressure of being a Division I athlete, Ellie found strength in her faith, her teammates, and her determination to keep going. Now, she’s preparing to pause her swimming career to serve a full-time mission in Philadelphia for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ellie opens up about honoring her sister’s legacy, choosing to lead with love, and what it means to find hope—even in the hardest moments.

BYU soccer player Mackenzie Vance shares her journey from a small South Carolina town to D1 soccer. She opens up about battling injuries, mental health, the pressure of national team call-ups, and how transferring from UCLA to BYU gave her a fresh start, a family-like team, and a chance to grow as a leader.

In this episode, we sit down with Cougar Royalty, Tresa Spaulding Hamson—BYU basketball legend, Hall of Famer, and proud mom to three Cougar athletes. Tresa shares her inspiring journey from a late start in basketball to becoming a three-time All-American, playing on the U.S. national team, and having her iconic #54 jersey retired at BYU. She discusses choosing BYU over powerhouse programs, the challenges of being a trailblazer in the basketball world, and the joy of watching her daughters carry on her family legacy. It’s a powerful story of humility, determination, and deep Cougar pride that you won't want to miss!

BYU Soccer’s Avery Frischknecht opens up about overcoming migraines, an ACL tear, a meniscus tear, and bone disintegration. She shares how she’s grown through setbacks, her thoughts on last season and the team now, and her pregame rituals. Avery also reveals Her Y. Tune in for an inspiring story of resilience and passion!

Her Y will be back with another great episode next week. In the meantime, here is another great BYU SportsNation podcast with host Lauren McClain. Royal Legacy dives deep into the family connections of BYU sports. In this episode, Lauren McClain interviews siblings Kate and Nate Dahle, both current and former standout pitchers at BYU—Kate in softball and Nate in baseball. They discuss their shared love for competition and their journey to becoming top athletes. Nate shares insights into his professional baseball career and how fatherhood has reshaped his life. Kate talks about her brother's influence on her decision to join BYU's softball team.

BYU Women's Basketball fans, you won’t want to miss this! Freshman phenom Delaney Gibb joins Her Y to discuss her incredible first season. From earning Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors to becoming BYU’s leading scorer, she shares her experiences adjusting to college basketball in the United States, handling pressure in big moments, and proving herself in one of the toughest conferences in the country. Delaney also dives into her journey from a small town in Canada to the Big 12, her aspirations of playing on the Canadian Olympic team, and why BYU felt like the right place for her over other top programs.

Record-breaking BYU track sprinter Sami Oblad shares her inspiring journey from dreaming of Olympic volleyball to discovering her true passion on the track. She opens up about how knee injuries, tough recruiting decisions, and moments of self-doubt led her to change course and break records in the 400 meters. Sami explains how switching to track taught her to take ownership of her growth both as an athlete and as a person. With honest and heartfelt insights, she discusses how her faith and family’s support gave her the strength to overcome tough moments. This podcast episode highlights what it truly means to stay in your lane, put in the work, and trust the process, no matter how challenging it might seem!