Despite growing up around rowing, Olympian Kate Knifton didn't get on the water until she was a teen. But when she did, she never looked back! She went on to help Texas earn their first national title (and then another one!) and represent Team USA in Paris. Kate has stayed passionate about the sport despite injuries and setbacks with the help of her teammates and family. Today we dive in to:

• Why she resisted rowing as a kid until her first job on the docks of her dad's rowing center
• Rowing at the Head of the Charles Regatta
• Road to Paris -- what it was like training with the national team and earning a spot on the Olympic roster
• How freshman year heartbreak at Texas lead to the program's first national title (and a second one not long after!)
• New coaching gig with My Row
• The big Q...LA2028?

Follow along with Kate Knifton on social: @kateknifton

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

You know her as the newest host and reporter here at NBC Sports Boston: Kayla Burton is on the pod today! Kayla's roots are here in Boston so she was so excited to come back and cover the city of champions. Sports are in her blood; she grew up playing hoops and went on to play 4 years at Lehigh University. Then, she picked up a mic and began her career covering the sports she spent her life playing. Today we dive in to:

• NBC Sports Boston adjustment - what her first few months have been like
• Why waking up at 5am with her parents and siblings throughout her childhood helped shape her passion, drive & work ethic
• Hoops history - from the church gym to Lehigh's Stabler Arena
• The draw to sports broadcasting & early days
• The path to her seat at NBC Sports Boston covering her hometown teams
• Favorite ways to disconnect & unwind

Follow Kayla on social: @kayb2 and @kay_breezy22

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Jess McClain's return to running has made people pay attention! First, she placed 4th at the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials in February. Then, in June, Jess returned to the track to place fourth in the 10,000 meters. Both finishes earned her the title of a double Olympic alternate, so she stayed fit and ready. A week before the Paris Olympic Marathon, Jess hopped on a plane to France to prepare to maybe run the 26.2 miles (spoiler: she didn't!) And most recently, Jess was named the US 10k Road Champ. She does all of this while coaching herself and working a full-time job. Today we dive in to:

• Why she stepped away from running during the pandemic and what gave her the itch to start racing again
• What racing the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trial was like with the best in the sport
• Relationship with the track (admittedly a place she never thought she would return)
• Her renewed perspective on the sport that has allowed her to find more success
• Excitement and training prep for NYC Marathon

You can follow along with Jess on social: @jesstonn

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

After some major ups and downs last season, skater Amber Glenn celebrated a major victory as 2024 US Champion! While standing at the top of the podium Amber became the first openly queer woman to win do so. She's also made history at the 6th American woman to land the triple axel (woah!) And while celebrating the highs in her career Amber has also been transparent about the lows, sharing her struggles with mental health and advocating and resources. Amber's honest, talent & passionate personality draws in audiences on and off the ice! Today we dive in to:

• What it was like winning the 2024 US Skating Championship after a tough season
• Value of mental training for sport, especially skaters
• Responsibility and honor to be a role model for young athletes
• Nerd out on her hobbies

You can follow along with Amber on social: @amberglenniceskater

ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2025 are back in Boston in March. NBC10 Boston is the proud local media partner for the event. To learn more and get tickets visit isuworlds2025.com.

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Olympic legend Dara Torres has 12 Olympic medals from 5 Olympic games and one of the longest Olympic careers to date. The swimmer had two 'retirements' and two major comebacks because her passion for the sport was so deep and she was eager to compete. When not in the pool, Dara has dipped her toes in sports broadcasting, motivational speaking, writing and now, coaching. She is the new head coach for the Boston College swimming and diving program and she's eager to find their potential. Today we dive in to:

• First coaching gig - why now felt right & hopes for the BC program
• Iconic Olympic career - what fueled her to keep competing
• Eating Disorder Struggles & how she has shifted that experience to help her overcome other challenges and how it has helped shape her coaching philosophy
• Most proud moments of 26-year swimming career

Follow along with Dara Torres on social: @swimdara

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

5 World Championship titles, 2 Olympic Gold medals and 3 Olympic appearances wasn't enough for Meghan Musnicki, so she went for a fourth Olympic Games. When asked "why," she responds, "why not?" Meghan is known for her relentless work ethic, desire to learn, and always accept a challenge to compete. At 41 years old, she became the oldest US female rower to compete at an Olympic Games when she raced in Paris. Today we dive in to:

• Decision to return to elite competition & historic Paris Olympic performance
• Ups and down of her 15 year career in the sport
• How work ethic and mindset changed the game for her
• US Women's Eight Dynasty - what made the team so successful & special
• Head of the Charles Regatta

Follow along with Meghan on social: @megmus

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Remember the UCLA gymnast who went viral a few years ago for her perfect 10 performances?! The gymnast who performed with pure joy while her teammates danced along with her from the sidelines?! That gymnast is Katelyn Ohashi and she is still spreading joy through the sport in a variety of ways. First, she's on her second "Gold Across America' tour with Simone Biles and other Olympians and elite athletes. She's also sharing her love of the sport through fashion design and poetry, too. Today we dive in to:

• Rediscovering her love for gymnastics & the joy it brought/brings her
• Passions outside of gymnastics
• Her new book of poetry, "Every Time, I Always Would"
• Body image struggles and importance of seeing all different bodies performing at their peak
• "Gold Across America" Tour with former teammates & new friends

To learn more about Katelyn's new leo project & her book: katelyn-ohashi.com

Follow Katelyn on social: @katelyn_ohashi

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

The Minnesota Lynx won game 3 (90-8) in Connecticut to lead the series 2-0. Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams had great games for the Lynx and are looking to finish it tomorrow. The Connecticut Sun struggled on both ends of the court last night to drop the first home game of the series. Alyssa Thomas summed it up by saying "we didn't come to compete" post game. On the other side, the Las Vegas Aces pulled out the W to avoid elimination against the New York Liberty. The Liberty still lead the series 2-1. Host Hannah Donnelly breaks down all of last night's action.

Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly

To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube