On Her Mark

Nell Rojas is a FORCE on the Boston Marathon course. The Nike pro earned top American female finisher her first two races ('21 and '22). She loves the grit and hills of the course (the opposite of most!) When Nell isn't running, she's coaching. She's coached for years, even before she decided to go pro at 30 years old. Now, she learns a lot from her dad who coaches her and guides her in developing her own coaching style. Today we dive in to: Follow along with Nell Rojas on social: @nell_rojas_running Learn more about her coaching here. Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Jackie Gaughan lives in Boston, runs in Boston, and works a full-time finance job in Boston. The new Saucony pro likes her full life, crediting it for her success in the corporate world and in the sport. Jackie is excited to run her first Boston Marathon, especially as a New Hampshire native. Today we dive in to: while Follow along with Jackie Gaughan: @jackie_gaughan Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

At 24 years old Jocelyn Rivas become the youngest woman and Latina to finish 100 marathons! Jocelyn set the goal to show the world what a 'Dreamer' looks like and show women and girls everywhere that they can do hard things. After crossing the LA Marathon finish line in 2021, Jocelyn kept going and continues to set BIG goals in running and is still rooted in her strong 'why.' Today we dive in to: Follow Jocelyn Rivas on social: @joselinthewarrior Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Hot off smashing her own U.S. masters marathon record at the Valencia Marathon in December (2024), Sara Hall is feeling good and ready to race her fourth Boston Marathon. Sara has been running professionally for 20 years and continues to love the challenges and wins that come with it. She credits motherhood for helping her keep perspective and motivation; in 2015 she and her husband Ryan (also her coach!) adopted their 4 daughters from Ethiopia. Today we dive in to: Follow along with Sara Hall on social: @sarahall3 Learn more about the Hall Steps Foundation here. Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

After 8 years away from running, getting married, starting a family, working as a realtor, and a failed BQ attempt Keira D'Amato knew there was more in the tank. She was right. She holds the record for fastest American half marathon and woman's-only 10-miler and she shaved 24 seconds of then record holder Deena Kastor's fastest American marathon to break the record. Keira has done this all with gratitude, joy and incredible courage to chase big dreams. Today we dive in to: Follow along with Keira D'Amato on social: @keiradamato You can pre-order her book "Don't Call it a Comeback" here. Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

WNBA Veteran Diamond DeShields is bringing her electric play, competitive spirit & leadership to the Connecticut Sun in her 7th season. Diamond was the third overall draft pick in 2018, earned a WNBA Championship with the Chicago Sky in 2021 after a taxing surgery and rehab, and still feels she is just scratching the surface of her potential and her game. Today we dive in to: 3-D Foundation Follow Diamond on social: @diamonddoesit1 Follow the Connecticut Sun: @connecticutsun Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Born and raised in Boston, Jillian Dempsey knows the grit it takes to find success. The Boston Fleet forward has been playing professional hockey for over a decade, almost exclusively in her hometown. She grew up in Winthrop, played in college at Harvard, then for the Boston Blades (CWHL), Boston Pride (PHF), and now the Boston Fleet. Today we dive in to: For game tickets & info for Boston Fleet: thepwhl.com/bostonfleet Follow Jillian on social: @jilliantdempsey Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Sports can change lives, and basketball changed Ugo Nwaigwe-Hirschman's life. She had a successful collegiate career, international professional playing stint, coached at the collegiate level, and is now combining her passion for the game and calling to 'do good' by joining the Shooting Touch team. Shooting Touch is a non-profit that uses basketball as a tool for global impact and change. Ugo is the new Director of Domestic Programming & Strategy. Today we dive in to: Learn more about Ugo & Shooting Touch: shootingtouch.com Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

The wait is over for the highly anticipated inaugural Unrivaled Basketball season. It's a full court 3 v 3 league founded by WNBA greats Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. The unique thing about the league is that is it founded on an equity-based financial platform giving the athletes a great salary and ownership. One woman who has been pivotal in the buildout is Chief Brand Officer Kirby Porter. Kirby is an award-winning sports entrepreneur and brand builder, a self-proclaimed 'marketing girlie,' founder of New Game Labs, the first marketing hire at Will Ventures, and former Harvard Women's Basketball captain. Today we dive into: To follow & learn more about Unrivaled: unrivaled.basketball Follow along with Kirby on LinkedIn. Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

The last few months have been a whirlwind for Jess Mruzik - she won a national championship with Penn State, spent a few days celebrating the holidays with her family, and then moved to Houston to start her professional volleyball career with LOVB Houston. The standout outside hitter was a huge part of the historic season for the Penn State volleyball program, leading the team on and off the court. She is now etching her name in the professional history books as a member of the inaugural season of League One Volleyball League. Today we dive in to: Follow Jess on social: @jess_mruz19 Learn more about LOVB: lovb.com Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Professional runner Heather MacLean is as Boston as it gets - she loves runs on the Charles River, Dunkin, the Celtics, and even worked her first job at Market Basket. But now Heather is living her dream racing the 1500 for New Balance (based in MA!) She wasn't the standout in high school, or even college, but she puts in the work and trains with the best. In 2021 she punched her ticket to Tokyo, surprising many (but not her team!) The taste of the international stage at that scale lit a fire and she wants more! Since then Heather has battled injury but is back healthy and ready to compete in the upcoming season! Today we dive in to: Follow along with Heather on social: @heather_maclean31 Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Hockey goalie Aerin Frankel is known as one of the best goalies in NCAA history. While a freshman at Northeastern University she helped carry the team to their first (of many consecutive!) Hockey East titles. She also earned the Patty Kazmaier Award and WHCA National Goalie of the Year Award in 2021, and the latter a second time the following ear. She is now bringing her talents to the US National team and Boston Fleet (PWHL). Not only is she paving the way for women in hockey, but specifically young goalies! Today we dive in to: Follow along with Aerin on social: @aerin.frankel Learn more about the Boston Fleet & find tickets: thepwhl.com/bostonfleet Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

First, Hannah Huppi rowed on flat water in college. Then, she gave coastal rowing a shot (think beach sprints!). Then came ocean rowing, and now she's training for a 1,000-kilometer row across the Arctic Ocean where she will make history as the first female to do so! Hannah and her team (John Huppi, Andrew Tropp & Jimmy Graham) all have strong athletic backgrounds and are bringing their individual diverse experiences to help the team row, recover, eat, sleep, recover, hydrate and more on this adventure. Today we dive in to: Learn more about The Arctic Challenge 2025: thearcticchallenge2025.com Follow along with their training & preparation on social: @thearcticchallenge2025 Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Talent and skills can only take you so far in sports (and life, too!), it's the mindset that makes all the difference. As a lifelong athlete with great successes and frustrating setbacks, Bianca Martin knows that all to well. The 'Comeback Queen' has spent her life on the track and roads running, cycling, and then recovering from 3 shoulder surgeries in 18 months. She knows what it's like to win, to get knocked down, and come back stronger. Now, a graduate student, she is coaching athletes on their mental game to help propel them past where they think their limits are. Today we dive in to: Follow along with Bianca on social: @runthisb Learn more about individual/team coaching & speaking: comebackqueenb.com Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

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: My Row 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Follow along with Meghan on social: @megmus Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube