Shifting Obstacles Into Opportunities: Paralympian Amy Purdy Dishes on Her New Book "Bounce Forward"

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.donnellyTo 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.

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.donnellyTo 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.

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.donnellyTo 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.

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.donnellyTo 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.

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.donnellyTo 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.

Morgan's Message Co-founder Meaghan Birnie and Student Ambassador Michaela O'Connor are back to chat more about why starting conversations around mental health is so important and how the non-profit is supporting students athletes across the globe. Today we dive in to: The reality of being a student athlete and balancing academics, athletics & social life Why the need for organizations and support like Morgan's Message has grown significantly in recent years Keys to supporting men's mental health Boston College Women's Lacrosse team's culture and "sunshine committee" Strategies and habits to finding peace & pause daily Strength in taking the first step **Content Warning: This conversation does include conversations around mental health**   If you, or someone you know, is struggling there are resources available at 988lifeline.org  Learn more about Morgan's Message: @morgansmessage Follow along with BC Women's Lacrosse: @bcwlax   Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnellyTo 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.

A year after Morgan Roger's took her own life in 2022, her friends and family got together to turn their pain into purpose. Morgan's Message was born as a way to grieve the full of life, fun-loving sister, friend and teammate, but what it turned into is so much more. The non-profit works with schools across the globe to open conversations around mental health and provide resources. Today,  Co-founder Meaghan Birnie and Ambassador Michaela O'Connor (Boston College Women's Lacrosse Senior Captain) join me to dive in to:  How Morgan's friends and family turned their pain into purpose to honor her life and legacy What being an ambassador means & looks like on campus Morgan's legacy How the Boston College Women's Lacrosse team's 'Sunshine Committee' supports the team throughout the season What motivates the team to keep growing & starting these conversations Dedication Games The significance of the butterfly logo **Content Warning: This conversation does include conversations around mental health. If you, or someone you know, is struggling there are resources available at 988lifeline.org  Learn more about Morgan's Message: @morgansmessage Follow along with BC Women's Lacrosse: @bcwlax   Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnellyTo 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.

Not many people get to live one dream in their 20s, but Kelsey O'Driscoll is living two: working as a nurse to help people and representing Team USA at the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games. After a spinal injury in 2021, Kelsey was determined to not let those dreams pass her by. She still works as a nurse (at the same hospital that inspired her to pursue the career) and became Gore Mountain's first adaptive ski patroller. Additionally, Kelsey now races as a four-track skier, a form of para alpine skiing where an athlete uses two skis and two hand-held outriggers (metal crutches with ski tips). It wasn't long before Kelsey's talent was recognized and just a few short years later she is competing in Milan with USA across her chest. She is blazing trails for young athletes facing any kind of obstacle, creating visibility in the hospital and on the mountain, and doing it all with a bright and optimistic attitude. Today we dive in to:  Excitement and gratitude heading into her first Winter Paralympic Games in Italy  How her family instilled a passion for skiing and community at a young age  Her early passion for nursing  Goals for recovery after her spinal injury in 2021  Why it was important for her to get back to Gore Mountain and become the mountain's first adaptive ski patroller (and how it actually gives her an edge!)  What training & traveling the world has looked like as a para alpine skier  The best advice her veteran teammates have offered her  Where her strong resilient mindset was born  The impact her family has had on her life, career & success Follow along with Kelsey on social: @kelski_odriscoll   Follow along with the U.S. Para Alpine Ski & Snowboard Team: @usparaskisnowboard         Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnellyTo 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.

The Boston Fleet brought home a lot of hardware from the Olympic Games. Goaltender Aerin Frankel recorded a .980 save percentage and became the first Olympic women's hockey player to record three shut-outs on this stage. She helped Team USA to a perfect 7-0 record and GOLD medal! Meanwhile, her teammate Alina Müller scored the game-winning goal with just one minute left in overtime to secure the BRONZE medal for her home country of Switzerland. She also earned the honor of Closing Ceremony flagbearer. Just back from Italy, they dish on:  Historic Olympic hockey runs for both Team USA and the Swiss Women's Hockey team  What actually happened in their respective locker rooms between regulation and OT play  Caesar salad & rise of @painbyromaine (IYKYK)  Best moments of Olympic experience outside of play on the ice  Women's hockey culture and camaraderie  Significance of having a professional league (PWHL) to come back to  Longevity and significance of Alina's career (in 2014 she became the youngest hockey player in Olympic history to earn a medal - she was 15)  Follow along with Aerin Frankel on social: @aerin.frankel Follow along with Alina Müller on social: @alinamueller_ Follow along with the Boston Fleet on social: @pwhl_fleet Become a caesar salad fan: @painbyromaine  Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnellyTo 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.

Everything is golden for Team USA women's hockey defensemen Megan Keller and Haley Winn! Megan knocked in the golden goal in OT to best Canada to bring home her second Olympic gold (third Olympic medal) and make it an unforgettable first Games for Haley! The two Boston Fleet players made significant contributions in Italy for the historic perfect 7-0 run. They are back in Boston for the PWHL season and stopped by to chat about:  whirlwind of the last month with PWHL play & Olympic Games  Keller's game winning goal in OT to defeat Canada  Their team's unique camaraderie and calm confidence in one another  Haley's brothers' electric energy,  support & fashion statements Celebrations (yes, we talk Flava Flav's Vegas invite!)  Return to Boston for immediate return to PWHL play  Medals & Mantras  Follow along on social:  Megan Keller - @megankeller4 Haley Winn - @haleywinn8 Boston Fleet - @pwhl_fleet Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnellyTo 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.