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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When Juliann Faucette isn't blocking and hitting on the volleyball court, she is in full-on mom mode to her three little ones at home. After a standout career at Texas, Juliann pursued a professional career overseas. She stepped away in 2018 to start a family and was pulled back in for a season in 2020. Then, she thought her playing career was wrapped up and she was committed to coaching and staying around the sport to help guide younger generations. She added twins to her family and her hands were full. But LOVB came calling....and Juliann answered. She helped LOVB Austin earn the first LOVB championship in 2025 and has her eyes set on another this weekend. Today we dive in to:

• Tips on how LOVB Atlanta is staying mentally locked in to their game at this point in the season
• Why season 2 has been more gritty and competitive on the court
• Growing gratitude and love for LOVB and the sport
• How having kids has shifted her perspective on the game and allowed her to recognize her ability to do both as a "superpower"
• Why building the right village is so important to allow room for success to grow
• How the positive championship culture at Texas shaped her career and identity (on and off the court!)
• How coaching at a high level influenced her return to play and ability to support teammates
• Passion for music (she has her own EP!)
• How she achieves her goal intensity level on game days

Follow along with Juliann on social: @juliannfaucette

When & where to watch 2026 LOVB Playoffs

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

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Amy Purdy simply doesn't quit. She has taken every obstacle life has thrown her way and turned it into an opportunity. At just 19 a sudden case of bacterial meningitis resulted in the loss of both legs below the knee, her kidney function, and spleen. After fighting for her life, she became a trailblazer in snowboarding, even making history as a 3-time Paralympic medalist. After, she continued to inspire millions by competing on "Dancing With the Stars," touring with Oprah, and authoring a New York Times best-selling memoir. Then, in 20198, life threw another obstacle her way causing her to rebuild. It's this rebuild that inspired her latest book "Bounce Forward." Today we dive in to:

• How she chose to find opportunity in continued health obstacles
• Why "Bounce Forward" is formatted like a toolkit for readers (with a playlist and workbook attached!)
• The 2019 injury that had her questioning "why me?" for the first time in her life
• What bouncing forward means to her & how it helped her write this book
• The power vulnerability has to bring people together and create strength
• How problem-solving has brought her happiness
• What drives her to keep sharing her story and making change

Get a copy of "Bounce Forward" here.

Follow along with Amy on social: @amypurdygurl

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

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Mohegan has OFFICIALLY announced that the Connecticut Sun franchise has been sold to the Tilman J. Fertitta family, pending WNBA approval. The team will play its final season at Mohegan Sun Arena through the 2026 season and move to Houston in 2027. CT Sun President Jen Rizzotti sat down with us to share more about the impact of the sale on the team, the franchise, fans, and continued growth of the league and women's basketball overall. We dive in to:

• Jen's unique perspective of the sale/move as a former 2x Houston Comets champion and now WNBA team president
• "Transformational" new CBA
• Why the team is not coming to Boston, despite a viable offer and interest
• How the team will build the 2026 roster given the unconventional offseason
• Genuine gratitude for the fans and community over the past 22 years
• Growing value of WNBA storytelling

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

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Not many people would describe themselves as "a southern girl looking for colder weather," but Brantley Mullins does. The professional snowboarder grew up riding in North Carolina but has since gone pro and moved out to Salt Lake City. She competes in street style snowboarding or urban snowboarding (think: sliding on rails, jumping off things, etc). She competes in different cities in Red Bull Heavy Metal competitions (she did say Boston was unlike anywhere else!) Today we dive in to:

• How she started on the mountain (skiing -> snowboarding -> competing)
• The moment she realized riding was more than just a hobby, but a passion she wanted to pursue professionally
• The excitement she feels when she sees more and more girls on the mountain riding (especially her home mountain)
• What training looks like off the mountain
• Her favorite places to travel & ride (and her strong packing skills)
• Obsession with Dolly Parton & Dollywood (take notes on her ideal day there!)
• Advice from others (shoutout to Brantley's mom!) & to others

Follow along with Brantley on social: @brantleymullins

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

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Not only did standout high school hooper (and future UCONN Husky) Olivia Vukosa earn the 2025-26 Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year Award, she was surprised with the news by UCONN legend Diana Taurasi. DT shocked Olivia at school Thursday morning surrounded by her teammates, family, and friends. Later, they sat down to dive into the significance of this award, DT offers advice to Olivia for UCONN, Olivia's hoop dreams & more!

Follow Olivia Vukosa on social: @olivia.vukosa

Follow Diana Taurasi on social: @dianataurasi

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

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