Sports can change lives; they teach resilience, grow leadership skills, build lasting friendships, and challenge us in all the right ways. It is these gifts and power that drive the work at Common Goal every day. Common Goal uses soccer to bring people together and drive society-wide change across the globe. This is something their new CEO Mary Connor believes to her core. She calls the sport her the "best friend" that's been through many chapters with her -- starting as a kid, playing professionally, and now in the non-profit world. When her playing career was done, Mary stayed connected to the sport and founded "Soccer Without Borders," (SWB) a program offering underserved youth with a toolkit to overcome obstacles to growth, inclusion, and personal success. Not long ago she transitioned to Common Goal, where SWB is just one of the hundreds of non-profits Mary gets to work with. Today we dive in to:

• Mary's role with Common Goal and what drew her to the organization
• How soccer became her "best friend" and stayed with her through various chapters of life
• How a trip to Nicaragua shifted Mary's perspective on the sport & intention in programming
• Why we need to break glass ceilings and raise the floor simultaneously (thanks Becky Sauerbrunn!!)
• How sport can help fight for gender equity
• Lessons from soccer that have helped Mary in leadership positions
• The ways soccer can tear down walls and reveal a willingness to see commonalities across cultures
• The importance of World Football Giving Day (May 26)
• How purpose-centered investment and giving can make a huge impact

Learn more about Common Goal's mission: common-goal.org

Follow along on social: @commongoalorg

Get involved with World Football Giving Day: worldfootballgivingday.org

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

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7-year NWSL veteran Bianca St-Georges was excited to come to Boston to help build a new era of professional women's soccer with the Boston Legacy FC. Not only has she brought her strength, skill, and ambition to the team, but her leadership. She is helping younger teammates build their confidence while also learning from them. When she is not training or traveling, you can find her giving powerful mindset pep talks on YouTube. Today we dive in to:

• Why both the Boston Legacy FC culture and the city's personality excited her to the opportunity with the team
• How her experience in the NWSL has allowed her to step into a leadership role on the team
• What the team chemistry is like off the pitch (spoiler: the international flare has made it fun for everyone!)
• How an injury in 2019 helped her detach from the singular identity of an athlete and launched her into a self-growth journey
• Her love for Boston Legacy FC's fans and why they are so important to the team and the culture they are building
• Tips for getting away from the "lizard brain" and into a growth mindset

Follow along with Bianca St-Georges on social: @biancastgeorges

Get a motivational pep talk from Bianca on YouTube: @BiancaSt-Georges

Follow along with the team: @bostonlegacyfc

To learn more about Boston Legacy FC: bostonlegacyfc.com

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

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When Patty Hung first ran the Boston Marathon 40 years ago, she didn't set out to break any records or run the iconic course at 80 years young. But, in 2023, when Patty crossed her 37th Boston Marathon finish line, she broke the record for longest female streak...and she hasn't stopped. Whenever someone hears Patty's story they are shocked and inspired. Then, they meet her and it all makes sense. She has the energy of a golden retriever puppy, a heart of gold and gratitude, a genuine passion for life, and unrelenting love and commitment to her family. And this weekend is when all of that comes together: her family gathers from across the country in her hometown city and she gets to celebrate life through movement. How do I know this, she's my crazy auntie (officially my dad's cousin!) Today we talk about:

• Why she started running
• What training has looked like over her 40 years
• How she overcame injuries this training cycle
• Who inspires her to show up every day for training
• The role family has played in her life and running career
• Her careers as a teacher and nurse (inspired by family!)
• What she is most proud of as she prepares to set another Boston marathon record for female streak (40 consecutive)

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

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