The college soccer season is officially here — and Paige Thompson (Alabama) and Jaiden Rodriguez (USC) are taking us inside all of it.

In Episode 2 of The BIG LIFE, Paige and Jaiden recap their preseason matches, including Paige's battle wound against LSU, and look ahead to some huge early-season matchups.

Then they dive into the changing world of college soccer: preseason rankings, new NCAA eligibility rules, NIL, agents, and what it's actually like to build a personal brand while competing as a Division I athlete.

They also get candid about their own college recruiting journeys — why Paige ultimately chose Alabama, why Jaiden chose USC, what mattered most when making their decisions, and their advice for young players navigating an increasingly fast-moving recruiting process.

In this episode:

The BIG LIFE follows college soccer from the players' perspective — the games, pressure, friendships, recruiting, NIL and everything that happens beyond the pitch.

Follow Girls Soccer Network and join Paige and Jaiden every week as they take us inside The BIG LIFE.

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The BIG LIFE is back with new hosts Paige Thompson (Alabama) and Jaiden Rodriguez (USC) and they're kicking off the season by pulling back the curtain on what life is really like as Division I soccer players.

From grueling preseason fitness tests and exhibition matches to the mental challenges of earning playing time, Paige and Jaiden have an honest conversation about the highs, lows, and lessons they learned during their freshman seasons. They also share the goals they're setting for the year ahead—on and off the field.

In this episode:

This episode is proudly sponsored by SogilityGO—the smart rebounder helping players get more quality touches, improve their first touch, and train with purpose outside of team practice. Use the promo code GSN10 for 10% off your purchase. 

Whether you're preparing for college soccer, currently playing, or dreaming of competing at the next level, this episode offers an honest look at what it takes to keep growing.

Subscribe for new episodes every week featuring the voices of college players living The BIG LIFE.

But this episode isn’t just about the X’s and O’s — it’s also a family affair. Leah and Kate bring on their parents (yes, the parents) for a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like raising a D1 athlete. From carpool chaos to college commitments, they open up about the highs, the heartbreaks, and the hustle behind the dream.

Expect stories, laughter, maybe a few tears, and a whole lot of gratitude. It’s a celebration of the people behind the players — and a reminder that no one gets here alone.

Leah and Kate recap a dramatic ACC tournament week — beating Duke, an overtime final with Stanford decided on penalties, and the build-up to the NCAA tournament. They discuss other conference shootouts, recovery, and tournament strategy.

They then welcome Iowa Hawkeye Kenzie Roling to talk about her journey, overcoming injuries, leadership as a grad student, balancing academics and soccer, and her goals for the postseason. The episode emphasizes resilience, identity beyond sport, and team culture.

This week on The BIG LIFE, Leah and Kate open up about their first loss of the season — a tough one against Pitt — and how they’re turning that sting into fuel for the ACC tournament. With so much on the line, they reflect on what it means to bounce back, refocus, and play with purpose.

They look ahead to a huge semifinal matchup vs. Duke and share what it’s like prepping for big-time games on neutral turf. From mindset shifts to tournament pressure, Leah and Kate keep it real about staying present and trusting the work.

They also revisit favorite moments from the season so far — big wins, locker room laughs, and everything in between. It’s a reminder that team culture runs deeper than any scoreboard.

This week on The BIG LIFE, Leah and Kate sit down with Mizzou senior midfielder Keegan Good, who’s balancing Division I soccer with a pre-med track and plans to become a plastic surgeon. (Yeah, she’s that impressive.)

Keegan opens up about her unconventional path to college soccer — skipping the big-name club scene, grinding through ID camps, and carving her own way to Mizzou. She talks leadership, injuries, and how tearing her ACL tested both her identity and mental strength.

Now in her senior year, Keegan’s perspective is all about balance — pushing herself on the field while chasing big dreams in the classroom. Her story is equal parts resilience, ambition, and heart — a reminder that your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.

Leah and Kate recap another awesome week in women’s college soccer, discussing their own games, senior night emotions, and the challenges of travel and heckling from fans. They break down notable matchups, red-card drama, and the grind toward postseason, including penalty-kick preparations.

Tune in for reflections on team routines, travel strategies, and a preview of upcoming big games and a special guest next episode.

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Sponsored by Soccer.com, this episode of the Big Life Podcast features Notre Dame Women’s Soccer academic advisor Jennifer Pratt and hosts Leah and Kate discussing how student-athletes balance Division I soccer with rigorous academics.

Jen explains weekly check-ins, mandatory freshman study hall, tutoring, and strategies for time management and choosing a major. The players share personal tips on planners, professor relationships, and preparing for travel and missed classes.

Listeners will learn practical advice on staying organized, using campus resources, building faculty connections, and making the most of college both on and off the field.

This week on The BIG LIFE, Leah’s riding high after back-to-back wins over UNC and Clemson, while Kate keeps it real about a tough loss to Mississippi State. With conference play heating up, they talk mental stamina, staying locked in, and how to bounce back fast.

Joining the convo is Austin Parker, Mizzou’s new goalkeeping coach — and he gets the mental grind. From how keepers reset after mistakes to why watching film is just as important as training reps, Austin shares tips every athlete (not just GKs) can use.

It’s all about confidence, resilience, and learning to trust yourself — whether you're between the posts or just trying to level up in life.

🎧 Tune in, get inspired, and take notes.