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