The Nikki & Brie Show

Episode: HER Impact: A.J. Andrews
Date: March 26, 2026
Host: SiriusXM
Guests: Nikki & Brie Garcia (hosts), A.J. Andrews (professional softball player & MLB Network personality)

Episode Overview

This episode, in honor of Women's History Month, features trailblazing athlete A.J. Andrews, celebrated as the first woman to win a Rawlings Gold Glove. Nikki & Brie dive into Andrews' early sports experiences, career milestones, representation in women’s sports, and personal philosophies—offering inspiration for athletes, parents, and women everywhere. The tone is energetic, supportive, and candid, in keeping with the Nikki & Brie brand of friendship and empowerment.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Nikki & Brie’s Tag Match Comeback

(00:56-05:05)

• Nikki and Brie celebrate returning to the wrestling ring after eight years for their first tag match.
• Discussion of excitement vs. nerves, the experience of performing live, and dealing with last-minute match cutbacks.
• Nostalgia over their teamwork, desire to continue competing, and upcoming match against Charlotte and Lexi.
• On their in-ring personas and competitive energy:

  "I get it. There was... I was a major heel, and now heel face. I'm heel face. You're gonna always get heel face from me. I'm just gonna be me. And that tends to be more heelish." – Nikki (04:33)

2. Introducing A.J. Andrews: Breaking Barriers in Softball

(05:05-05:35)

• Nikki introduces A.J. Andrews, highlighting her history-making Gold Glove, career in broadcasting, and Drop in Diamonds podcast.
• Warm reminiscence about past meetings and immediate friendship.

3. A.J. Andrews’ Athletic Beginnings & Family Influence

(05:59-11:42)

• A.J. played multiple sports as a child, but softball stood out for its camaraderie.
• Formative moment around age 13-14: recognition of her talent through key mentors and a shift to a harder work ethic.
• Her father's wisdom was pivotal:

  "There's always going to be someone better than you, and so there cannot be anyone that works harder." – A.J. Andrews' dad, as recalled by A.J. (10:23)

• The role of her father as motivator and her mother as source of grace and resilience.

4. College Years at LSU: Lessons in Failure and Discipline

(14:17-18:16)

• Loving the culture and intensity of LSU; drawn to Louisiana by its spirit and food.
• Reality check in college: everyone is a star; learning to be humbled and embrace failure.
• Embracing the acronym FAIL: First Attempt In Learning.

  "Once I started looking at failure as a part of success rather than the opposite... that’s when my discipline continued to outweigh the sometimes the results." – A.J. Andrews (17:17)

5. Making History: The Gold Glove

(18:16-20:50)

• Vivid recounting of the banquet where she won the first women's Rawlings Gold Glove.
• Moment of shock and joy, recognizing the broader significance for women's sports:

  "It was just a really, really cool moment. And not just for me, but for the sport of softball and honestly, for women in sports, because I always felt like the more any woman in any sport can break down a barrier, it's just like knocking down that door..." – A.J. Andrews (20:33)

6. State of Women’s Professional Softball & Representation

(21:46-23:01)

• Growth in pro leagues and increased MLB partnership.
• Challenges: need for more brand support and translating college fans to pro softball.
• On role modeling for girls and representation:

  "Another moment that really stuck with me... a mother and her daughter come up to me as Black woman and her child... she said, yeah, but she never has seen someone that looks like her playing. And she recognized you immediately." – A.J. Andrews (24:22)

7. Career in Media & Inspiration as a Broadcaster/Podcaster

(25:02-29:22, 28:20-29:22)

• Transitioning to the MLB Network and Dropping Diamonds podcast.
• Her platform highlights athlete journeys, inspiration, and the realities of the game.

  "When you think of inspiration, you come to Dropping Diamonds... for people that play the game, but also those that are just interested in it." – A.J. Andrews (28:41)

8. Women’s History Month Reflections & Rapid Fire Empowerment Segment

(34:13-41:10)

• On the meaning of Women’s History Month:

  "It means the opportunity for us to slow down and recognize all the women that have come before, all the women that are showing up now, and all the women that are getting ready to show up in the future." – A.J. Andrews (34:24)

• First hero: Her mother, a breast cancer survivor, changing A.J.’s perception of strength.
• Rapid fire Q&A:
  • Trait in women she admires: Assertiveness, using your voice.
  • Myth about strong women: That strength negates the need for grace or rest.
  • Real power: "Never backing down from what you want... and bringing other women with you."
  • Most powerful moment: Receiving the Gold Glove, dedicating it to future women winners.
  • Thing women need to stop apologizing for: Their feelings.
  • When women support each other: The world goes around.

9. Quotes & Affirmations

(42:16-42:57; 44:03-47:20)

• A.J.’s favorite affirmation:

  "Whether you believe you can or whether you believe you cannot, either way, you are right." – A.J. Andrews (42:51)

• Nikki & Brie on motivation:

  "We never chased fame, we chase success... when we’re on that field... we're just so driven and focused into our goals and, like, what we want to do. And we think of achieving, not being liked, but achievement." – Nikki (45:20)

10. Personal Journeys & Sisterhood

(47:32-50:27)

• The three discuss life, relationships, and personal focus.
• A.J. and Nikki both describe enjoying time single, centering personal growth and happiness.

  "I do really like you, but I just like me more right now... I'm just focusing, you know, on myself right now until I get to that space." – A.J. Andrews (48:27)

• Brie shares her married perspective, relishing the joys of supporting her single friends.

11. Celebration & Outro

(50:27-end)

• Nikki and Brie express admiration for A.J. as a role model:

  "You are such a role model, inspiration for so many women. And thank you for that. Thank you for being one of those warriors that really pushed through, worked so hard to get to where you're at today so that other young girls can look up to you and just be like, I can do it." – Brie (50:53)

• Call to support women's sports more broadly and to check out A.J.'s podcast Dropping Diamonds.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “There's always going to be someone better than you, and so there cannot be anyone that works harder.” – A.J. Andrews’ dad (10:23)
• “FAIL: First Attempt In Learning.” – A.J. Andrews (17:48)
• “Not just for me, but for the sport of softball and honestly, for women in sports...” – A.J. Andrews (20:33)
• “It has absolutely nothing to do with performance. It has everything to do with whatever it is about you that they see and they resonate with and they can connect with. And because of you, their dreams get bigger, they get broader and, and they get brighter.” – A.J. Andrews (24:05)
• “Whether you believe you can or whether you believe you cannot, either way, you are right.” – A.J. Andrews (42:51)
• “Real power is always bringing someone... you get yourself in the door, then you send the elevator back down...” – A.J. Andrews (38:50)
• “Strong women don’t need grace—that myth has to die.” – A.J. Andrews (37:54)
• “When women support each other, the world goes around. Everything stops.” – A.J. Andrews (40:17)

Highlighted Moments

00:56-05:05 – Nikki & Brie’s wrestling return, dealing with nerves, time cuts, and the power of teamwork.
18:16-20:50 – A.J. recounts her Gold Glove win and the surprise/exhilaration of making history.
24:24-25:00 – Impactful story about being a role model, particularly for young Black girls, reinforcing the importance of representation.
34:13-36:46 – A.J. reflects on Women's History Month and her mother as her inspiration.
42:51 – A.J.’s affirmation: "Whether you believe you can or whether you believe you cannot, either way, you are right."

Summary

A lively, inspiring conversation celebrating the trailblazing path of A.J. Andrews—her journey from multi-sport childhood and the pivotal influence of her parents, through the discipline of collegiate ball at LSU, to history-making achievements in professional softball. Andrews discusses visibility for women in sports, her role in the MLB media landscape, and her podcast “Dropping Diamonds,” all while candidly sharing personal philosophies and affirmations.

The rapid-fire section and personal honesty from all three women infuse the episode with warmth, humor, and wisdom—offering practical insights for listeners about perseverance, failure, representation, and the power of women uplifting women. The hosts’ open sharing (from parenting to relationships to career hurdles) round out an episode that’s both motivational and full of real-life sisterhood.

For Listeners:

• Check out Dropping Diamonds for more stories from women in bat-and-ball sports.
• Look for A.J. Andrews on MLB Network.
• Support women’s sports—show up, tune in, and be part of the change!