Leo's Den

This week’s guest on the season finale is not only a USA rugby legend but a legend around the world. She has made three appearances in the Rugby World Cup and was selected as the top player in the world in her position in 2002 and 2006. In 2010, she was named the U.S. Rugby Player of the Decade. In November 2017, she was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame. Currently she has her own clothing line called the PSK collective, which Naya is an ambassador for and is a commentator on the world rugby sevens series so you've probably heard her voice before. She has paved the way for women in rugby and is constantly taking on new projects, most recently MMA. Phaindra shares her passions with us and what's on her bucket list, some of which may surprise you...or not... if you know how invincible this woman is.

Hosts: Naya Tapper & Ilona Maher
Recorded: December 7, 2021

For more information, links and resources and hundreds more conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1500+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. We are ranked in the top 2% of more than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at [email protected].

This week’s topic is finances and how professional rugby players manage their salary and portfolio. Our favorite Leo’s explain how they earn a living through the sport, how some players have a side gig and others have sponsorships. Lo explains how she has made some money through being a social media influencer even so it’s a lot of work. Naya explains how budgets work for her and Lo reveals she loves to save money. And although she’s a saver, she confesses that she’s learnt to treats herself when she want something because it gives her a spark of joy. The girls answer some great cub questions and close by giving us two challenges when it comes to money. This is a super insightful episode and has some great advice about preparing for the future.

Host: Naya Tapper & Ilona Maher
Recorded: November 24, 2021

For more information, links and resources and hundreds more conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1500+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. We are ranked in the top 2% of more than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at [email protected].

We are all about best friends on this episode as Naya and Lo are joined by their besties; Jaz Gray and Nicole Heavirland respectively. We get the low down on what made them click and why their relationships are so special both on and off the field. We find out their pet peeves and how they annoy each other, and we also hear how their different personalities work to improve the other. Plus Nicole spills the beans about Lo as her room mate when they are on tour. And if you follow them on social media you’ll have an idea that anything goes between these two! And no, they are not dating! Our favorite Leo’s also answer cubs questions so stay tuned to the end. This is a fun episode.

Hosts: Naya Tapper & Ilona Maher

Recorded: November 10, 2021

For more information, links and resources and hundreds more conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1500+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. We are ranked in the top 2% more of than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at [email protected].

On this week’s episode, Naya and Lo get into one of their favorite topics; social media. They discuss what works for them and what does not as well as how they have built their athlete brands around social media. We also learn some tips on how platforms work to engage followers and why that is more important than the number of followers. Naya explains how she has help to manage her social media strategy which is something Lo is considering in order to save time and maximise impact.

Hosts: Naya Tapper & Ilona Maher

For more information, links and resources plus conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1500+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. We are ranked in the top 2% more of than 2.69 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at [email protected].

The all important topic of mental health is the subject for this episode as Naya and Lo share their journeys. Lo explains how she has come to terms with the struggles she has had as a professional athlete, how the Olympic Games affected her. and why she has now started seeing a therapist. Naya has also had to face her own challenges as aa Black woman and is also turning to a therapist to help guide her. The girls are joined by Marisa Elbers a mental performance coach with a Masters in Performance Psychology, certified yoga teacher, and personal trainer who works with athletes from high school to professional level teaching mental skills. They discuss some of the challenges facing elite athletes and tools that can help. Our favorite Leos also take a moment to meditate on the show and you’re invited to join them.

Hosts: Naya Tapper & Leo's Den

For more information, links and resources plus conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1500+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. We are ranked in the top 2% more of than 2.69 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at [email protected].

Naya and Lo are back with a new season of their popular podcast and the girls reveal all (well most) of their Olympic experience. They take us through the long journey to arriving in training camp in Mimasaka, the transfer to the Olympic village and the opening ceremony. Lo fan girling Olympians, favorite moments, what they learned from the experience and getting used to being called an Olympian. And let’s not forget our Tik Tok Queen Lo who will forever be remembered by her funny and emotional videos from Tokyo, not least of all the birthing scene with her teammates. And to wrap up the season premiere the girls answer some cub questions about their Olympic debut.

Hosts: Naya Tapper & Ilona Maher

For more information, links and resources plus conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1500+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at [email protected].

As you will know, Naya and Lo are both on the USA Rugby Sevens team and they have just returned from Dubai where they were training and playing in an Invitational Tournament. So they sat down together to talk about what it’s like being on tour and to answer some cub questions. We hear about team selection, what players do if they don’t make the squad, what they wear, how long they travel for, what game week involves importantly they share their most private thoughts about roommates. And if you follow these two on social media you will already have the inside scoop on their personal choices.

Hosts: Naya Tapper & Ilona Maher

For more information, links and resources plus conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1300+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at [email protected].

Naya and Ilona get down to another favorite topic of their’s - FOOD. How much protein and carbs does it take to fuel a professional rugby player? If you follow Lo on Tik Tok you will know she has a BIG appetite! She avoid the word ‘diet’ and gives her body all the fuel it needs. They share their likes and dislikes, and their drinking habits before and after a game. let’s just say neither of them go hungry. They make sure that their nutrition keeps up with their calorie burn. But what about cheat foods like burgers and fries? Find out how these two feisty Leos stay healthy and well fed to keep their body tuned.

Hosts: Naya Tapper & Ilona Maher

For more information, links and resources plus conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1300+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at [email protected].

Naya and LO get down to dating on this week’s episode as they share their own experiences. They discuss what it’s like to date as a professional rugby player, if that’s hard and why since not every man can handle strong minded powerful woman, the pros and cons of dating another athlete, public or private dating, priorities of dating, long distance dating. And they consider the dating pool during a pandemic. Plus the duo responds to a variety of cubs questions that you don’t want to miss!

For more information, links and resources plus conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1300+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at [email protected].

Naya gets deep into the culture of being an African American woman in rugby beginning with the history of black people and how this has impacted her. They discuss the Black Lives Matter movement and how the events of 2020 have impacted Naya. The also unpack the music, fashion, dances around black culture on the team and address pushback as a black women in rugby.  This is another candid conversation between two rugby players on the raw topics that affect young women in professional sport. And finally they answer questions  from the Leo’s Den cubs.

Hosts: Naya Tapper & Ilona Maher

For more information, links and resources plus conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1300+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at [email protected].