Podcast
Voice In Sport
Hosted by Stefanie Strack · EN
Voice in Sport® is on a mission to bring more visibility to female athletes and elevate their voice. Sport Industry Executive, Advocate, Former Athlete and Founder of VIS®, Stef Strack explores the journey of female athletes by sharing untold stories on topics rarely discussed like mental health, body image, female specific sports science and nutrition. Stef hosts a conversation with female athletes, at all levels, inspiring us all to raise our voice, keep playing and change more than just the game.
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 137: Controlling the Controllables: From the Olympic Pipeline back to Stanford
2w ago00:43:14Tap to summarizeTeam USA water polo athlete and Stanford student athlete Ella Woodhead shares what it truly takes to pursue excellence at the highest level of the sport. From growing up in the water and being inspired by her brothers, to competing on junior national teams and training for the Olympics, Ella opens up about the moments that defined her journey, leaving home in high school, becoming a team captain, and navigating the intense pressure of elite competition. She reflects on the emotional challenge of being cut from the 2024 PAris Olympic team and how that experience reshaped her mindset. Ella shares powerful lessons on resilience, leaning on support systems, and finding confidence through growth rather than perfection. Through it all, she emphasizes the importance of attitude, effort, and being a great teammate, reminding young athletes that success is about more than just outcomes, it's about who you become along the way.
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Episode 136: More Than a Number: Gut Health Metrics, Confidence, and Finding My Quiet
Apr 1000:49:07Tap to summarizeProfessional golfer and Stanford University graduate Rose Zhang shares what it really takes to build longevity in elite sport.From picking up a golf club at nine years old to spending a record 141 consecutive weeks as the world's top amateur, Rose opens up about the moments that challenged her most — a persistent neck injury, burning out after 22 units at Stanford, and losing her period for a year and a half — all while competing at the highest level. She reflects on the power of quiet time, gut health, working with a sports nutritionist, and learning to lean on the people in her circle when the pressure felt impossible.Rose encourages young women athletes to give themselves grace, treat their bodies as a temple, and understand that success isn't just about the scorecard — it's about caring for your whole self. Her story is a powerful reminder that the road back from burnout starts with honesty, self-reflection, and the courage to ask for help.
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Episode 135: The Thin Line: 3 Eating Disorder Myths All Women Athletes Should Know
Apr 200:48:55Tap to summarizeRegistered dietitian and eating disorder expert Jillian Lampert, PhD, joins the VOICEINSPORT podcast to bust three eating disorder myths, and give athletes, parents, and coaches the tools to drive real change. Drawing on her own eating disorder experience, 30 years in a clinical background, and doctoral research on sport and disordered eating, Jillian breaks down why weight-based coaching is harmful, why eating disorders affect athletes across every sport, and why bullying is never tough love. She also outlines what true recovery looks like, and shares the story of her work with Olympic gold medalist Jessie Diggins and the documentary Threshold.Jillian offers guidance for athletes, parents, and coaches, including the language shifts that protect girls, the signs of disordered eating to be aware of, and why building a community of support is the most important thing a young athlete can do before entering a collegiate environment. “If we don’t do this work, who will? I care a lot about people with eating disorders, and if I don’t use my voice, people who don’t care about people with eating disorders, because they don’t know about it, they’re not gonna do it. So if it’s not gonna be me and the people that I work with, who will it be?”
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Episode 134 : Gwyneth Philips Built Through Change
Mar 3000:35:57Tap to summarizeAmerican hockey player, PWHL athlete, and Olympic gold medalist Gwyneth Philips shares what it really takes to stay ready, patient, and committed while building a career in elite sport.From competing at the highest level with Team USA to navigating the intensity of the PWHL, Gwyneth opens up about the reality of waiting for your opportunity and the mental strength required to stay prepared behind the scenes. She reflects on the discipline it takes to remain consistent, the importance of trusting your development, and how daily habits, both on and off the ice, shape long-term success.Gwyneth encourages young women athletes to believe in their process, stay grounded in their preparation, and understand that growth often happens in the moments no one else sees. Her story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t always immediate, but with patience, resilience, and trust, the right moment can change everything.
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Episode 133: Learning to Believe in Yourself with Nicole Hensley
Mar 1800:34:31Tap to summarizeTwo-time Olympic medalist and PWHL Minnesota Frost goaltender Nicole Hensley joins us to share her journey navigating self-belief, rejection, and mental resilience in elite sport. From growing up playing hockey with the boys in Colorado to hearing “no” from nearly every college during recruiting, Nicole opens up about the challenges that shaped her confidence and helped her forge her own path in hockey.In this episode, Nicole reflects on her time at Lindenwood University, where she became the NCAA all-time leader in saves, and shares the mental tools she uses to manage overthinking, reset after mistakes, and stay grounded under pressure. Her story is a powerful reminder that belief starts from within — and that confidence is built through persistence, perspective, and trusting yourself when the path forward isn’t clear.“You have to believe in yourself before anyone else does.” — Nicole Hensley
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Episode 132: Remember Why You Started
Mar 400:49:17Tap to summarizeCanadian Women’s National Team defender and professional footballer Ashley Lawrence shares what it really takes to build longevity in elite sport.From leaving college early to play professionally in Europe, to navigating cultural change, competition, and self-doubt, Ashley opens up about the moments that challenged her most — and the tools that helped her stay grounded. She reflects on the importance of mental health support, nutrition, sleep, gratitude, and remembering the joy that first drew her to the game.Ashley encourages young women athletes to trust themselves, embrace curiosity, and understand that success isn’t just about performance — it’s about caring for your whole self. Her story is a powerful reminder that growth happens when you’re willing to take the leap, ask for help, and reconnect with your purpose — even when the journey gets hard.
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Episode 131: Finding Purpose After Sport with Katelyn Ohashi
Feb 2500:38:49Tap to summarizeFormer elite gymnast and UCLA standout Katelyn Ohashi returns to the Voice in Sport Podcast to talk about life beyond competition and what it means to redefine who you are after stepping away from sport. In this episode, Katelyn opens up about leaving elite gymnastics, discovering new creative outlets, and learning how to listen to her own voice after years of external pressure. She reflects on identity, transition, and the freedom that comes with allowing your path to evolve. Her story is a reminder that you are more than your sport, and that growth, purpose, and joy can look different in every season.
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Episode #130: Madison Fulford on Finding Sustainable Ways to Compete Through Burnout
Jan 1400:26:46Tap to summarizeFlag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S.—but the pathway to the top hasn’t always been clear, especially for women. In Episode 2, Team USA Flag Football athlete and Olympian Madison Fulford returns to the VOICEINSPORT Podcast to break down the evolution of the sport, the gaps in the development pipeline, and why representation and coaching matter more than ever.Madison shares how she discovered flag football later in life, what it takes to compete at the elite level, and how she’s now giving back as a coach through MAD Skills Training—working with girls ages 7–18 to help build confidence, skills, and belief. From Olympic dreams to grassroots development, this episode explores how athletes can help shape the future of their sport.
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Episode #129: Lizzi Smith on Confidence, Visibility, and Swimming with One Hand
Nov 2600:50:56Tap to summarizeThree-time Paralympian swimmer Lizzi Smith was born with amniotic band syndrome, which resulted in her losing her left hand. She spent years trying to make that part of herself invisible, but through swimming, the pool became the one place where she wasn't afraid to be seen. Lizzi encourages us to build confidence through adversity, and to find strength in the parts of ourselves we’re tempted to try and hide. She shares honest reflections on the heartbreak that comes with chasing Olympic dreams and the courage required to show up as a woman athlete with a disability, and reminds us how essential owning your space and finding your voice is — especially when everything inside you wants to shrink.
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Episode #128: Katelyn Ohashi on Body Image and Mental Health in Gymnastics
Nov 1400:42:31Tap to summarizeFormer elite gymnast and UCLA standout Katelyn Ohashi joins us to share her journey navigating body image, mental health, and rediscovering joy in gymnastics. From the pressure and perfectionism of the elite world to the freedom she found at UCLA, Katelyn opens up about how she learned to rebuild her confidence and love for the sport on her own terms.In this episode, we also highlight excerpts from her new book, Every Time, I Always Would — a beautiful collection of poetry that reflects her growth from self-doubt to self-love. Katelyn’s story is a reminder that healing takes time, and that true confidence comes from embracing who you are, not who you think you’re supposed to be.“Appreciate what your body is capable of and give yourself all the love because you deserve it.” — Katelyn Ohashi
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