Sunday Sports Club with Allison Kuch
Episode: Life Lately, New Year Intentions & What’s Next (Solo Ep)
Date: January 25, 2026
Host: Allison Kuch
Podcast Network: Dear Media
Episode Overview
Allison Kuch hosts a candid solo episode reflecting on her life as it stands in early 2026: the chaos of the year’s start, her intentions for a more mindful, intentional year, and practical (as well as emotional) preparations for the imminent arrival of her second child with her husband, broadcaster and former NFL player Isaac Rochell. This episode blends warmth, wit, and vulnerability as Allison discusses motherhood, career, travel, friendships, and her continued passion for sports.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Life Updates & The Start of 2026
- Chaotic New Year: Allison shares that 2026 began much more chaotically than expected. She thought it’d be a "chill" year but describes a whirlwind of travel and illness, stirring up her reflection on how much she values routine.
- “I thought 2026 for me was going to be, like, a very chill year. It has not been that so far.” — Allison (05:15)
- Travel Reflections: Went to Aspen for the Toyota Grand Prix (ski/snowboard event), then Mexico for a “baby moon” where the whole family got sick.
- Motherhood Gratitude: Reminds herself (and listeners) that her present is what her 20-year-old self would dream of, but also notes the challenge of always being on the move.
2. Family, Traditions, and Navigating the Holidays
- Holiday in Michigan: Emotional return home, creating new memories as a parent in her childhood space.
- “Getting to see my daughter go through that as well... just kind of insane and very nostalgic.” — (08:16)
- Realities of Traveling with Toddlers: Describes the logistics and stress of long flights, transporting gifts, and the toll of holiday travel.
- Tradition Building: Draws inspiration from a TikTok idea—"something to read, something to wear, something you want, something you need"—as a means to simplify gift-giving and start intentional traditions.
3. Comparing Pregnancies & the Pressure of Content Creation
- Pregnancy Timelines: Prefers her first pregnancy timing (December baby, coinciding with holiday slow-down) over giving birth in April, which she anticipates will be more hectic.
- “A December baby to me... that was so relaxing.” — (13:29)
- Content Creator Reality: Candidly discusses misconceptions about her job as an influencer (“I hate calling myself that”) while admitting it still constitutes real work and deserves time off.
- Maternity Leave This Time: Determined to carve out a true maternity leave, even if short, in contrast to her first postpartum experience, recognizing the importance of self-care.
4. Upcoming Plans: Sports, Travel & Career
- Super Bowl & Olympics: Isaac’s new broadcasting career means extra travel; family will accompany him to San Francisco for the Super Bowl and Milan for the Winter Olympics.
- “We’re going to Milan for the Winter Olympics, which is such an unbelievable opportunity... so grateful to be able to take our daughter.” — (19:41)
- Striking Life Balance: Though she loves being busy and the energy of her multifaceted life, Allison is seeking a better balance between “chaotic” and “slow”—with routine family moments becoming increasingly valuable.
5. Reflections on Home, Stability, and Creating Memories
- Longest Stay Yet: This is the longest the family has lived in a single home. Now, for the first time, she's thinking of more “permanent” house projects.
- Craving Simplicity: After a hyper-busy 2025, her intention for 2026 is a slower, more intentional lifestyle—appreciating small moments, not just achieving new things.
6. Physical and Mental Health During Pregnancy
- Physical Well-being: Allison feels physically great, crediting regular walks and being more mindful about her health habits.
- “If I don’t hit those steps by the end of the night, I go on my treadmill, I turn on Netflix, and I watch Grey’s Anatomy and I get my steps in.” — (26:10)
- Mental Health & Friendships:
- Discusses the difficulty of making new friends as an adult, and how friendships felt easier during NFL life due to shared circumstances.
- Notes isolation during her first postpartum and is now actively seeking to build a support “village.”
- “I think making friends when you’re in your 30s or 20s can be really difficult... I just want things to be, like, simple.” — (23:59)
- Openly shares her struggles with “prenatal depression”: “This pregnancy has been kind of a mind fuck.” — (25:10)
- Finds new hobbies (film camera, pottery class) helpful for coping.
7. Goals, Intentions, and Affirmations for 2026
- Word of the Year: Intentional
- “I think my word for the year is intentional. I think that can apply to not only my personal life, but also my family life, my relationships, and also work.” — (49:35)
- Resolution Themes:
- Family: Spend more intentional time together, make spontaneous trips, cherish simple experiences.
- Personal/Work: Possibly acquire and renovate another investment property, find more joy in designing and creating spaces.
- Body Image: Letting go of aesthetic “body goals” in favor of simply feeling strong and healthy.
- Friendship: Be more proactive and consistent with reaching out to friends, overcoming anxiety around communication.
8. Acknowleding Privilege & Being Real
- Consistently self-aware and grateful, Allison frequently checks in on her privilege (such as being able to travel or have childcare), while remaining honest about her challenges and emotions.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Traveling During the Holidays:
- “The holidays... I’m like, maybe I just take it in my own hands and just start simplifying it moving forward and say, like, oh, like a strict like, like one gift.” (11:16)
- On Pregnancy & Postpartum:
- “I dealt a lot with postpartum depression the first time... This time around, I’m going to be taking maternity leave, but I am taking a very small maternity leave and I have so much travel.” — (14:44)
- On Work & Social Media:
- “I could post a video about anything and like, get canceled for anything. I could be like, oh yeah, like the sky is blue. And someone be like, actually it’s not blue.” — (18:27)
- On Wanting to Slow Down:
- “I think I just, in 2026, want my life to slow down. And it feels weird to say that, because I just like... I like to always have something going.” — (21:37)
- On Friendships:
- “I want to be part of someone’s village, and hopefully they would want to be part of my village too... But I can lean on, like, the people who I’m friends with.” — (25:48)
- On the Power of Small Moments:
- “I just want to enjoy, like, the small things in life... I just want to be living in the moment.” — (42:22)
- On Letting Go of Body Ideals:
- “A goal that I think I’m going to let go of this year is being so obsessed with how my body looks.” — (46:56)
Highlighted Timestamps
- [00:00–05:40] – Opening monologue, life updates, 2026 chaos, travel mishaps
- [06:00–13:30] – Holidays, childhood home revisited with daughter, reflecting on Christmas and travel logistics
- [13:30–16:00] – Pregnancy timeline comparisons, benefits of a December baby, prep for second postpartum
- [16:00–20:15] – Work/life logistics, plans to actually take maternity leave, upcoming trips (Super Bowl, Olympics)
- [21:15–28:00] – Balance between busy life and craving calm, musings on home stability, project ideas
- [28:51–34:50] – Family routines, decluttering, reflections on domestic organization and routines
- [34:50–46:00] – New Year’s resolutions, intentions for family, personal, and work life, and the move to intentional living
- [46:56–48:13] – Letting go of body image pressure, focus on healthy habits and confidence
- [48:13–49:35] – Making time for friendship despite social anxiety, commitment to better communication
- [49:35–End] – Word for the year (“intentional”), open call for listener input on future episodes, closing reflections
Closing Thoughts
Allison’s solo episode stays true to her signature blend: heartfelt, honest, and slightly self-deprecating, while offering both relatable struggles and inspiration about motherhood, relationships, and personal growth. Her 2026 mantra—intentional—emerges as a guiding principle not just in words but in the lived intersections of her family, work, and inner reflections. Whether you're a long-time listener or new to her world, this episode offers both companionship and wisdom as Allison prepares for a year of change, challenge, and authentic presence.
Want to connect or send questions for future episodes?
Next week: Allison teases a Super Bowl preview episode with Isaac, promising insider takes and must-know storylines for NFL fans.