"Episode Sweet 16, but not completely sweet. Sam and Jordyn’s seasons are over, and they reflect on the wild ride of the last few months. Sam’s college soccer journey is officially done and she looks back on her incredible, history-making career as an Iowa Hawkeye. Jordyn, meanwhile, has another year in East Lansing. She is part of a Spartan program that has seen tremendous growth during her time and she has another year to soak up all that Michigan State’s women’s soccer program has to offer.We’re lucky to have IDA Sports as our sponsor. All season they have supported our efforts with the BIG LIFE podcast, and we can’t thank them enough. If you ever wondered if there was really a difference between men’s and women’s soccer footwear, you need to hear Emelia Funnell talk about the amount of thought and research that goes into designing IDA products. we love them because they don’t just have our feet; they have our backs."   Please subscribe to the BIG LIFE wherever you love to listen. Follow Sam Cary IG: @samcary Follow Jordyn Wickes IG: @jordyn_wickes Have questions? Go ahead and ask! Send it to scary@girlssoccernetwork.com The BIG LIFE is a Girls Soccer Network podcast.  Subscribe to Girls Soccer Network's Newsletter to stay posted about upcoming episodes. Follow us on Instagram/FB/Threads (@girlssoccernetwork) Follow us on Twitter @girlssoccernet Subscribe to our YouTube channel @girlssoccernetwork6137

Monica Wilhelm, our extraordinary guest who played for the Hawkeyes until last season, and our amazing host, Jordyn, speak honestly about how cruel this game can be. It can push you to the outer edges of your sanity if you let it.  Monica's journey of sticking with the game when things just were not going her way is so inspiring. There are so many uncontrollables in life and soccer. It's kind of exactly what Jordyn, who is going through her own soul-searching and a difficult time in the season, needed to hear. In fact, it's worth it for us all to listen to. We learn the most about ourselves during these moments, and find paths like faith and spirituality to get us through these times.  Additionally, Sam and Jordyn talk about the crazy upsets that took place last week and about their upcoming games, with Michigan State going to BYU to play Harvard and the University of Iowa heading to Clemson to play Georgia. Will they make it to the Sweet 16 next week? We'll love 'em either way. This podcasting journey has been one hell of a ride! Thank you to our sponsor, IDA Sports. IDA Sports shares GSN's commitment to empowering women in soccer by providing them with the specialized gear they deserve. The company's cleats are designed to address the unique needs and preferences of female athletes, aligning perfectly with the mission of "The BIG LIFE" podcast.  Donate to the Big Life to help us to produce this kickoff season and receive a brand new Big Life sticker https://donorbox.org/the-big-life Please subscribe to the BIG LIFE wherever you love to listen.  The BIG LIFE is a Girls Soccer Network podcast.  Follow us on Instagram (@girlssoccernetwork) Follow us on Twitter @girlssoccernet Subscribe to our YouTube channel @girlssoccernetwork6137

Episode 14 of the BIG LIFE is something we could not have dreamed of back in late August. The twists and turns of this season for both Sam and Jordyn could make even die-hard doubters believe in kismet. We had no clue where this little podcast would take us but to have not just one, but both of our hosts be Big Ten Champions is out of a soccer fairy tale. Or, as we like to say around here - it's called the Cary-Tale, because Sam and those yellow-decked Iowa Hawkeyes are the sleeper story of the season. And Jordyn, who we're calling J-Dub for helping Michigan State win the regular season championship, called it in episode four. Sam, looking for some extra love, point-blank asked her, "Who do you think the sleeper team is," and Jordyn reluctantly told her..."I'd have to say it's the Hawkeyes, Sam." Go figure. These Zoom sessions are sending some serious vibrations into the universe. To keep Cary-Tale and J-Dub a little humble, we brought on UCLA's Ally Cook, who knows a few things about titles. Last year, she was part of the epic Bruin team that won almost every trophy they could, including the big one - the Natty, in a game we're still recovering from. Ally is a killer forward who this year has scored nine goals and won Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week multiple times, as well as being named on the All-Conference First Team. She may be a lethal striker, but she's also an incredible human who loves to give back to the next generation. Ally was a Soccerista United mentor this past, and she was loved by the girls in our community who had her as their squad leader. This ia a winning episode if there ever was one. Have a listen and please share the BIG LIFE and leave us a review! Thank you to our sponsor, IDA Sports. IDA Sports shares GSN's commitment to empowering women in soccer by providing them with the specialized gear they deserve. The company's cleats are designed to address the unique needs and preferences of female athletes, aligning perfectly with the mission of "The BIG LIFE" podcast.    Donate to the Big Life to help us to produce this kickoff season and receive a brand new Big Life sticker https://donorbox.org/the-big-life Please subscribe to the BIG LIFE wherever you love to listen.  TheBIG LIFE is a Girls Soccer Network podcast.  Subscribe to Girls Soccer Network's GSN Newsletter to stay posted about upcoming episodes.  Follow us on Instagram (@girlssoccernetwork) Follow us on Twitter @girlssoccernet Subscribe to our YouTube channel @girlssoccernetwork6137

Episode 13 features Erica Suter, who we believe to be the top female fitness trainers specifically for girls in soccer in the U.S.  Known on social media as “@fitsoccerqueen” Erica’s approach to helping girls grow their game as their bodies grow develop is transformative. Her awareness of how girls mature and the timing of how they should be training and when, is not just smart and practical, but should be the industry standard. Sam and Jordyn as Erica a slew of questions about training, fitness speed and agility and Erica’s answers will have you wanting to buy her book and share it with the young player in your life.   Sam and Jordyn didn’t shy away from from talking about last week's upset. If you didn’t hear, Iowa beat Michigan State 2-1, after losing to them 3-0 the week before. We can say it here - no one expected the number 1 team to go down to number 8, but as we all know, that’s soccer, and anything can happen on any given day. Where that leaves both of them now? Well we feel it’s a glass half full scenario. The Spartans get an extra week off before the NCAA tournament starts and with the win, Iowa has punched their ticket last minute and has pushed their way in. They now get to play Penn State on Sunday.  They each talk about the week leading up to the game, and what each other their mentality was. It really was a unique scenario and made for a compelling storyline. In true sporting fashion, Jordyn gives Sam major accolades for FINALLY being recognized in the post season as Big Ten Second Team Defender of the Year. OUR LINKS: Check out Erica Suter’s book: The Strong Female Athlete Visit Erica’s Website: Follow Erica on Instagram: @fitsoccerqueen   Thank you to our sponsor, IDA Sports. IDA Sports shares GSN's commitment to empowering women in soccer by providing them with the specialized gear they deserve. The company's cleats are designed to address the unique needs and preferences of female athletes, aligning perfectly with the mission of "The BIG LIFE" podcast.    Donate to the Big Life to help us to produce this kickoff season and receive a brand new Big Life sticker https://donorbox.org/the-big-life Please subscribe to the BIG LIFE wherever you love to listen.  TheBIG LIFE is a Girls Soccer Network podcast.  Subscribe to Girls Soccer Network's GSN Newsletter to stay posted about upcoming episodes.  Follow us on Instagram (@girlssoccernetwork) Follow us on Twitter @girlssoccernet Subscribe to our YouTube channel @girlssoccernetwork6137

We’re calling episode 12 the “Groundhog Day Game” because, you guessed it, Sam and Jordyn have to play each other AGAIN! The good news is that both Iowa and Michigan State qualified for the Big Ten Tournament, and the bad news is they’re never getting rid of each other. We may have talked about the rivalry so much that we manifested for it to happen twice! Congrats to both teams, but let's give a special shout-out to Michigan State for winning the title in back-to-back seasons. Jeff Hosler, the team’s highly respected coach, shares a little bit about his own soccer journey and how he was able to lead the Spartan women to two championship titles in two years. This week's topics include recruiting, scouting, social media, and setting yourself up for success! OUR LINKS: Please subscribe to the BIG LIFE wherever you love to listen. Follow Sam Cary IG: @samcary Follow Jordyn Wickes IG: @jordyn_wickes Have questions? Go ahead and ask! Send it to scary@girlssoccernetwork.com The BIG LIFE is a Girls Soccer Network podcast.  Subscribe to Girls Soccer Network's Newsletter to stay posted about upcoming episodes. Follow us on Instagram/FB/Threads (@girlssoccernetwork) Follow us on Twitter @girlssoccernet Subscribe to our YouTube channel @girlssoccernetwork6137   Check out GSN’s other podcast, Give N’ Go with Rohtas Wadera.

Episode 11! Jordyn and Sam reflect on their last game and discuss Sunday's battle going down in East Lansing...against each other! They had a great conversation with 3x Big Ten Freshman of the Week, Bella Najera, about her transition to college soccer. She discusses what it was like to make an impact right away, how she prepared for college soccer, what surprised her the most, and what some of the hard parts have been. Too many jokes and trash talk to even begin to describe–but how many times do you think Jordyn can meg Sam in this final game?! Seriously, as the showdown heats up between Iowa and Michigan State on Sunday, Jordyn and Sam discuss the potential ramifications of the showdown and what the postseason could look like. Special thanks to our sponsor, IDA Sports, and their willingness to support women’s sports and keep us safer on the field. OUR LINKS: Donate to the BIG LIFE to help us produce this kickoff season and receive a brand new Big Life sticker https://donorbox.org/the-big-life Please subscribe to the BIG LIFE wherever you love to listen. Follow Sam Cary IG: @samcary Follow Jordyn Wickes IG: @jordyn_wickes Have questions? Go ahead and ask! Send it to scary@girlssoccernetwork.com The BIG LIFE is a Girls Soccer Network podcast. Check out our website here. Subscribe to Girls Soccer Network’s Newsletter to stay posted about upcoming episodes. Follow us on Instagram/FB/Threads (@girlssoccernetwork) Follow us on Twitter @girlssoccernet Subscribe to our YouTube channel @girlssoccernetwork6137

Things are definitely heating up in women's college soccer. Sam and Jordyn run us through some of the key matchups in the Big Ten. Bad luck: Wisconsin suffers two ACL injuries in one game. Sam shares her pet peeve about players who raise their arms and call offsides before the ref does. Both give us personal insights on how they've gotten through the tough times soccer can serve up. Special thanks to our sponsor IDA Sports, and their willingness to support women’s sports and keep us safer on the field.  OUR LINKS: Donate to the Big Life to help us to produce this kickoff season and receive a brand new Big Life sticker https://donorbox.org/the-big-life
 Please subscribe to the BIG LIFE wherever you love to listen. Follow Sam Cary IG: @samcary Follow Jordyn Wickes IG: @jordyn_wickes Have questions? Go ahead and ask! Send it to scary@girlssoccernetwork.com The BIG LIFE is a Girls Soccer Network podcast. Subscribe to Girls Soccer Network's Newsletter to stay posted about upcoming episodes. Follow us on Instagram/FB/Threads (@girlssoccernetwork) Follow us on Twitter @girlssoccernet
 Subscribe to our YouTube channel @girlssoccernetwork6137

Episode 9 starts off with a peculiar announcement. The only thing we can say is we never thought we’d be talking about balding on a women’s soccer podcast, but we went there this week. We won’t plug this storyline anymore (pun intended); we’ll leave it to you. But do email us with hair care solutions for Jordyn if you have'em at scary@girlssoccernetwork.com  We then get some updates about the current standings in the Big Ten and what a bottleneck it is at the top this year! Sam is hitting the road with the Hawkeyes for a border battle in Nebraska while Sam and the Spartans play their neighbor, the University of Michigan.  Can’t thank Emma enough for sharing so many incredible stories with us. She’s not just a major inspiration on the field but her comeback story is amazing and even more so her passion and knowledge on the benefits of meditation and how it can get you through the hardest of times with grace. Check out the org Athletes in Action after you hear her story. Give her a follow on Instagram and reach out to her if something she’s shared speaks to you @emmajaskaniec Special thanks to our sponsor IDA Sports, and their willingness to support women’s sports and keep us safer on the field.  OUR LINKS: Donate to the Big Life to help us to produce this kickoff season and receive a brand new Big Life sticker https://donorbox.org/the-big-life
Please subscribe to the BIG LIFE wherever you love to listen. Follow Sam Cary IG: @samcary Follow Jordyn Wickes IG: @jordyn_wickes Have questions? Go ahead and ask! Send it to scary@girlssoccernetwork.com The BIG LIFE is a Girls Soccer Network podcast. Check out our website here. Subscribe to Girls Soccer Network's Newsletter to stay posted about upcoming episodes. Follow us on Instagram/FB/Threads (@girlssoccernetwork) Follow us on Twitter @girlssoccernet
 Subscribe to our YouTube channel @girlssoccernetwork6137

The BIG LIFE Episode 8 As National Suicide Prevention Month closes out, we're humbled and honored that Gina and Steve Meyer have shared virtual space with us to talk about their Foundation, Katie's Save. The Meyers lost their daughter Katie, Stanford's star goalie, to suicide in 2022. There are few words to describe the emotion felt during this interview. Yes it was powerful. Yes it was sad. And yes, it's tragic but like Katie herself, the feeling of connection and love is what we're left with and what will live on. Sam and Jordyn never met Katie Meyer. But like many of us, they thought they knew her. Katie, the fiery, brilliant goalie whose reputation as a beast in the net was legendary. Katie, the cocky keeper who dares to stare right at the camera after a big save with a swagger so assured it made many people uncomfortable. The Meyers tell us about their daughter and who she really was - a vibrant and loving daughter, a great friend, a big sister. Even so, she, like Jordyn and Sam and so many young people who are involved in competitive collegiate sports, have moments where they can lose sight of the world around them. Sometimes for a day, or a week, and sometimes, even just a moment. Most of the time, people make it out of the dark and into the light but sometimes, these moments go unnoticed by even those closest to you. The purpose of Katie's Save is to prevent this from happening on college campuses across the country. Please take the time to learn more about Katie's Save here: Katie's Save Foundation. More importantly, share it with a college or institution so that they can better advocate for their students during this critical time in their lives. We love this article in the Players Tribune by Katie's close friend and former teammate, Naomi Girma. Beautiful tribute. Our managing editor Hannah Cantrell, interviewed Steve Meyer about the Katie's Saves Foundation in February of 2023. Dial 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline OUR LINKS: Donate to the Big Life to help us produce this kickoff season and receive a brand new Big Life sticker. https://donorbox.org/the-big-life 
 Please subscribe to the BIG LIFE wherever you love to listen. Follow Sam Cary IG: @samcary Follow Jordyn Wickes IG: @jordyn_wickes Have questions? Go ahead and ask! Send it to scary@girlssoccernetwork.com The BIG LIFE is a Girls Soccer Network podcast. Subscribe to Girls Soccer Network's Newsletter to stay posted about upcoming episodes. Follow us on Instagram/FB/Threads (@girlssoccernetwork) Follow us on Twitter @girlssoccernet
 Subscribe to our YouTube channel @girlssoccernetwork6137

For the last several weeks, we've heard all about the chaotic and frenzied lives of Sam and Jordyn. Now, we're going to hear from their moms, Kim and Lauren, two very special guests who helped wire these two dynamic, driven, very different Division 1 athletes. Who should listen to this? Parents, if you have a young soccer player who thinks they want to go all the way or you're just wondering what your life's going to look like if they do - you need to listen to this episode! Not only will you get tips and tricks, you may even tear up a bit 🥲 but only after you've had some serious chuckles . Club Players, if you're considering playing through college, then you'll get some sound advice from parents who aren't related to you, sometimes the best kind! Coaches, are your ears burning? Yep, there is no stone unturned in this episode! No one knows a good or bad coach like a soccer mom! Here are some of the topics they cover:   •    “The defensive spread of soccer moms”     •    What the struggles of club soccer can be     •    How to support your soccer player     •    Small moments to remember     •    Mishaps with convertibles     •    Advice for moms of college athletes     •    Things they wish they did different   Also in this Episode: Down goes #1 BYU! Sam is riding the Hawkeyes undefeated streak, while Jordyn takes off like a rock star on a lit chartered-plane for two away games. What's with all the ties across the Big Ten?! Questions answered by Amie from MA   The BIG LIFE has a sponsor! IDA Sports shares GSN's commitment to empowering women in soccer by providing them with the specialized gear they deserve. The company's cleats are designed to address the unique needs and preferences of female athletes, aligning perfectly with the mission of "The BIG LIFE" podcast.    Use Promo Code: BIGLIFE20 for 20% OFF!   OUR LINKS: Donate to the Big Life to help us to produce this kickoff season and receive a brand new Big Life sticker. Donorbox Please subscribe to the BIG LIFE wherever you love to listen. Follow Sam Cary IG: @samcary Follow Jordyn Wickes IG: @jordyn_wickes Have questions? Go ahead and ask! Send it to scary@girlssoccernetwork.com The BIG LIFE is a Girls Soccer Network podcast.  Subscribe to Girls Soccer Network's Newsletter to stay posted about upcoming episodes. Follow us on Instagram/FB/Threads (@girlssoccernetwork) Follow us on Twitter @girlssoccernet Subscribe to our YouTube channel @girlssoccernetwork6137   Check out GSN’s other podcast, Give N’ Go with Rohtas Wadera. Latest episode - interview with Randy Waldrum, the coach of Pitt and the Nigerian Women’s National Team, aka The Superfalcons.

Sam and Jordan bring in special guest, Chicago Red Star Ava Cook. Cook shares her unique experience in going pro. She was drafted from Michigan State in 2021 but started her career at Grand Valley in Division 2, which happened to be the national champion when she left. If one thing is clear, it’s that no two soccer experiences are exactly alike, and navigating your own journey takes patience, perseverance, and trust in the process.    Both Sam and Jordyn are entering the conference play phase of their season, where things will start to get very real. Can the undefeated Hawkeyes continue their unbelievable run of form against Illinois? And will the Spartans have their way with the Buckeyes? It’s going to be an incredible weekend of college soccer for sure!   The BIG LIFE has a sponsor! And not just any sponsor - one of our favorite brands in the soccer-verse. IDA Sports shares GSN's commitment to empowering women in soccer by providing them with the specialized gear they deserve. The company's cleats are designed to address the unique needs and preferences of female athletes, aligning perfectly with the mission of "The BIG LIFE" podcast.    OUR LINKS: Donate to the Big Life to help us to produce this kickoff season and receive a brand new Big Life sticker. Donorbox Please subscribe to the BIG LIFE wherever you love to listen. Follow Sam Cary IG: @samcary Follow Jordyn Wickes IG: @jordyn_wickes Have questions? Go ahead and ask! Send it to scary@girlssoccernetwork.com The BIG LIFE is a Girls Soccer Network podcast. Subscribe to Girls Soccer Network's Newsletter to stay posted about upcoming episodes. Follow us on Instagram/FB/Threads (@girlssoccernetwork) Follow us on Twitter @girlssoccernet Subscribe to our YouTube channel @girlssoccernetwork6137   Check out GSN’s other podcast, Give N’ Go with Rohtas Wadera. New interview up with Randy Waldrum, the coach of Pitt and the Nigerian Women’s National Team, aka The Superfalcons.

Tons of stuff going on in Episode 5. Sam and Jordyn cover the chattable moments of the NCAA women's soccer week, from scorelines to teams to watch. Some shoutouts to: BYU for rising to number one in the rankings. Hey Providence, we see you and your no-goals-scored upon status! And what about the dust storm in the middle of the UTSA and GCU game? Plus, Emma Jaskaniec from the University of Wisconsin is seriously on fire in the Big Ten right now (and she’s also a Soccerista United mentor 😘).  Sam and Jordyn come to realize how completely different they are and their college recruiting processes were. Turns out there’s more than one kind of personality on a soccer team and more than one way to approach high school and the recruiting process. Sam shares a University of Iowa soccer team ritual, the Hawkeye program has the team do the Enneagram Personality Test, which uses a scale of nine numbers to assess traits people have to help them communicate better with those around them.  Sam and Jordyn take listener questions:  What is your favorite part of playing at MSU? Day in the Life of a College Student? How do you balance being a student-athlete?   OUR LINKS: Donate to the Big Life to help us to produce this kickoff season and receive a brand new Big Life sticker https://donorbox.org/the-big-life Please subscribe to the BIG LIFE wherever you love to listen 🎙️ Follow Sam Cary IG: @samcary Follow Jordyn Wickes IG: @jordyn_wickes Have questions? Go ahead and ask! Send it to scary@girlssoccernetwork.com The BIG LIFE is a Girls Soccer Network podcast. Check out our website here. Subscribe to Girls Soccer Network's Newsletter to stay posted about upcoming episodes. Follow us on Instagram/FB/Threads (@girlssoccernetwork) Follow us on Twitter @girlssoccernet Subscribe to our YouTube channel @girlssoccernetwork6137

After having her playing time cut drastically, Jordyn responds by scoring a hat-trick in 12 minutes! Sam and Jordyn talk about the very different relationships they have with their coaches and how to balance and not balance school and soccer. Sam and Jordyn share the best advice that’s ever been given them, and the thing they've accomplished that means the most to them. PLUS: Weekend Preview: Miss St and SEMO/Eastern Michigan and Notre Dame.  OUR LINKS:   Donate to the Big Life and help us produce this awesome podcast!  Please subscribe to the BIG LIFE wherever you love to listen. Follow Sam Cary IG: @samcary Follow Jordyn Wickes IG: @jordyn_wickes   Have questions? Let us know! scary@girlssoccernetwork.com   The BIG LIFE is a Girls Soccer Network podcast. Subscribe to Girls Soccer Network's Newsletter to stay posted about upcoming episodes. Follow us on Instagram/FB/Threads (@girlssoccernetwork) Follow us on Twitter @girlssoccernet Subscribe to our YouTube channel @girlssoccernetwork6137 Check out GSN’s other podcast, Give N’ Go with Rohtas Wadera. Next week, Randy Waldrum, the coach of Pitt and the Nigerian Women’s National Team, aka Super Falcons, will be the special guest.  Thank you for listening!

The BIG LIFE Episode 3 Things are off to a great start for both Sam and Jordyn as both their teams go 2-0. They analyze the weekend games, talk preseason special honors, and get into a fascinating conversation about how one's role on a team can change and what to do when it does. OUR LINKS: Donate to the Big Life to help us to produce this kickoff season and receive a brand new Big Life sticker https://donorbox.org/the-big-life Please subscribe to the BIG LIFE wherever you love to listen. Follow Sam Cary IG: @samcary Follow Jordyn Wickes IG: @jordyn_wickes Have questions? Go ahead and ask! Send it to scary@girlssoccernetwork.com The BIG LIFE is a Girls Soccer Network podcast. Check out our website here. Subscribe to Girls Soccer Network's Newsletter to stay posted about upcoming episodes. Follow us on Instagram/FB/Threads (@girlssoccernetwork) Follow us on Twitter @girlssoccernet Subscribe to our YouTube channel @girlssoccernetwork6137

In Episode 2, another college soccer preseason is almost in the rearview mirror. Jordyn and Sam compare notes, beep test scores, exhibition matches and how excited they each are to be moving into the regular season. Plus, they catch us up on all the new twists and turns of the BIG TEN conference as well get give us their takes on the recent  Top 25 rankings release, and they answer their very first set of listener questions from the community.

Sam and Jordyn kick-off of the Big Life podcast as a new college soccer season gets underway! Jordyn, a Michigan State junior (and forward), and Sam, a 5th-year defender at the University of Iowa, are just getting back into the swing of soccer after a bit of time off in the summer. These fast friends and friendly rivals chat about the excitement of starting up again, the rigors of soccer pre-season, passing the spark test, mandatory ice baths, and discovering that they actually play each other in the last game of the season. Jordyn shares about her adventures in Australia over the summer and we learn that Sam is also a very accomplished referee.    OUR LINKS: Donate to the Big Life to help us to produce this kickoff season and receive a brand new Big Life sticker https://donorbox.org/the-big-life Please subscribe to the BIG LIFE wherever you love to listen. TheBIG LIFE is a Girls Soccer Network podcast. Subscribe to Girls Soccer Network's GSN Newsletter to stay posted about upcoming episodes. Follow us on Instagram (@girlssoccernetwork) Follow us on Twitter @girlssoccernet Subscribe to our YouTube channel @girlssoccernetwork6137 Follow Sam Cary IG: @samcary Follow Jordyn Wickes IG: @jordyn_wickes