On Her Mark

She's healthy, happy and ready to play! After sitting out the end of the 2023 WNBA season, Los Angeles Sparks guard Lexie Brown is ready to get back on the court and prove her talent. Lexie is a 2021 WNBA Champion (Chicago Sky) entering her 7th season in the league. She's not only putting up points on the court, Lexie has many talents and interests, especially in media and she's exploring (and crushing!) them. Today we dive in to:

• Contract extension with the LA Sparks
• Health update: Crohn's diagnosis
• 3rd Athlete's Unlimited season & role as Chairperson of Basketball Players Executive Committee
• Friendship bracelets (shoutout Taylor Swift!)
• Boston WNBA game: CT Sun vs. LA Sparks & significance for Lexie and her dad Dee Brown
• Career Bucket List

Listen to Lexie's first On Her Mark episode: "Offseason Opportunity, OG Girl Dad & 6th WNBA Season"

Follow Lexie Brown on social: @lexiebrown

-------

Follow along with all On Her Mark content with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

-------

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: @nbcsboston

NBC10 BOSTON: @nbc10boston

WATCH episodes: NBC Sports Boston Youtube: On Her Mark Playlist

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Makenna Myler nearly broke the internet with her 5:25 mile at 9 months pregnant last year, but that was never the goal for the professional runner. Makenna likes to challenge reality and finds joy in learning what she's capable of accomplishing. With a seventh place finish at the Olympic Trials Marathon (Jan '24), she has come a long way in 10 months and she's enjoying the process and learning along the way. Today we dive in to:

• Olympic Marathon Trials -- strategy, prep & overall experience
• Importance of learning your body for performance and longevity
• How she found worth & identity outside of running (which, shocker, helped her find more joy in the sport!)
• Motherhood
• Challenging realities & enjoying life
• Value of community in the sport

Follow Makenna Myler on social: @benzmakenz

-------

Follow along with all On Her Mark content with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

-------

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: @nbcsboston

NBC10 BOSTON: @nbc10boston

WATCH episodes: NBC Sports Boston Youtube: On Her Mark Playlist

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Volleyball is having a moment right now and we're here for it! And one of the stars is 24-year-old Asjia O'Neal. Asjia spent 6 years at the University of Texas where she earned two national championships and set the school record for blocks. Her road wasn't easy. In January of 2020 she underwent her second open-heart surgery (her first was at age 13). She came back to play the next semester and never looked back. She was the number 1 overall draft pick for the Pro Volleyball Federation and currently plays for the Columbus Fury. Today we dive in to:

• Love of the sport & passion to play at the highest level
• Texas career -- from heart surgery to making history
• Advice from NBA veteran dad (Jermaine O'Neal)
• How she sets goals & keeps on track with them
• Hopes for future generations of volleyball players & significance of the PVF

Follow Asjia O'Neal on social: @asjiaoneal

-------

Follow along with all On Her Mark content with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

-------

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: @nbcsboston

NBC10 BOSTON: @nbc10boston

WATCH episodes: NBC Sports Boston Youtube: On Her Mark Playlist

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rhonda Smith Banchero made a name for herself in basketball long before her son Paolo earned 2023 NBA Rookie of the year! Smith Banchero graduated from University of Washington as the leading scorer and rebounder. She went on to play in the American Basketball League, overseas, and the early years of the WNBA. She's taken the lessons she learned on the court to raise her three athletics kids alongside her husband. Today we dive in to:

• Journey to basketball & professional career
• Parenting high-level performers (sports, music, academics, etc!)
• Is there a roadmap to parenting a kid to the NBA?
• The differences she found coaching her daughter vs. her sons
• Why relationships with teammates are so important on and off the court

To learn more about the non-profit work and coaching Rhonda does now, visit rhondasmithbanchero.com.

-------

Follow along with all On Her Mark content with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

-------

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: @nbcsboston

WATCH episodes: NBC Sports Boston Youtube: On Her Mark Playlist

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hilary Knight is no stranger to success. She's a 4-time Olympian, 9-time IHFF World Champion, leading goal scorer in women's hockey & captain of Boston PWHL. She's a role model, on and off the ice, to both her teammates and young athletes everywhere. Today we dive in to:

• The new PWHL (Professional Women's Hockey League) -- what makes it unique & essential for the growth of the game
• Hilary's pure passion for the sport, even when stakes are high on the most elite stages
• US vs. Canada rivalry & playing alongside the opponent in PWHL
• How she developed her leadership
• Blazing trails for future generations - don't look back, run forward

Follow along with Hilary on social: @hilaryknight

Follow along with PWHL Boston: @pwhlboston

-------

Follow along with all On Her Mark content with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

-------

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: @nbcsboston

WATCH episodes: NBC Sports Boston Youtube: On Her Mark Playlist

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michelle Sechser is an Olympic lightweight rower with her eyes set on a second Games in Paris. This the final year that the lightweight double boat class will race in the Olympics so Michelle has been embracing the joy and fulfillment of the sport this season. The 11-year national team veteran has accomplished impressive finishes and great improvement in the process, all in preparation for trials and what comes beyond. Today we dive in to:

• Experience at high altitude training camp in Colorado Springs
• Impact small changes can have on big results
• Teamwork
• Racing in a flow state
• Big Head of the Charles Champions Singles
• Lessons learned at Tokyo Olympics

Follow along with Michelle on social: @michellesechser

Follow along with the women at the US Rowing Training Center in New Jersey: @womenintheboat

-------

Follow along with all On Her Mark content with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

-------

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: @nbcsboston

WATCH episodes: NBC Sports Boston Youtube: On Her Mark Playlist

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hockey has been in Reagan Rust's blood since she was 5 years old. After winning the Beanpot Championship in 2019 and playing professionally in the US and overseas, she is back in Boston coaching at her alma mater Boston University. She is a passionate mental health advocate, founder of the Female Athlete Society, and travel junkie. Today we dive in to:

• Historic Women's Beanpot at TD Garden & significance of the full circle moment
• Transition from playing professionally to coaching at Boston University (her alma mater!)
• Youth experience in sport
• Mission & impact of Female Athlete Society (founded in 2020!)
• Career and travel bucket list
• 
  

Follow along with Reagan on social: @rea.rust

-------

Follow along with all On Her Mark content with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

-------

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: @nbcsboston

WATCH episodes: NBC Sports Boston Youtube: On Her Mark Playlist

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As a former D1 athlete, nationally recognized performance coach, and podcast host Kirsten Jones is no stranger to finding on and off the pitch! In her new book "Raising Empowered Athletes: A Youth Sports Guide for Raising Happy, Brave, and Resilient Kids," Kristen combines her experiences as an athlete and as a mom of three to help parents, coaches, and mentors support kids in achieving success in sport while becoming well-rounded and resilience human beings in a chaotic, and often intense, youth sports landscape. Today we dive in to:

• How to define "empowered athletes"
• Why good, positive coaching is important to athlete growth & longevity
• Meddling Parents - is there ever a time it's appropriate to intervene in a coach-athlete relationship?
• Non-negotiable mindset for higher performers in sport, business & life

To learn more about Kirsten's one-on-one coaching & to purchase her book: kirstenjonesinc.com

Find more quick tips from Kirsten on social: @kirstenjonescoach

-------

Follow along with all On Her Mark content with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

-------

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: @nbcsboston

WATCH episodes: NBC Sports Boston Youtube: On Her Mark Playlist

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ladies, it's your turn to take charge on the court! Natalie White founded Moolah Kicks in 2021 to make the first-ever women's basketball shoe. The brand has grown immensely but at the core is still this: a basketball brand for women and girls by women and girls. With all of this growth and work, Natalie was recently named to the Forbes "30 Under 30" list. Today we dive in to:

• New position-specific shoes; Moolah now has a shoe for every position & kids
• The mission of the brand & how a focused approach is beneficial for all female ballers
• Value of NIL (name, image, likeness) for college athletes
• Importance of representation and support at all levels of play
• Lessons in entrepreneurship

Follow along with Moolah Kicks: @moolahkicks

-------

Follow along with all On Her Mark content with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

-------

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: @nbcsboston

WATCH episodes: NBC Sports Boston Youtube: On Her Mark Playlist

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Every time Adrianne Haslet has been knocked down, she gets up and keeps moving forward. That resilience has lead her to a career in motivational speaking and mentoring. She is a survivor of the Boston Marathon Bombing in 2013 where she lost part of her leg. Since then, her life has changed in so many ways and she is sharing her story and light with the world. Today we dive in to:

• Role in new IMAX film "The Heart of New England" -- why she said yes & what the process looked like
• Reason for continuing to share her story and lift others up
• What big and little resilience looks like everyday
• Running journey & why she pushed for a Para Division to be recognized in the Boston Marathon (BAA)
• Power of finding the right community (or lockbox as Adrianne calls it!)
• Her upcoming book -- Adrianne shares what she writes about for the first time!

Follow along with Adrianne: @adriannehaslet

-------

Follow along with all On Her Mark content with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

-------

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: @nbcsboston

WATCH episodes: NBC Sports Boston Youtube: On Her Mark Playlist

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.