On Her Mark

Sara Falkson is a Harvard engineer redesigning the sports bra and helping women find body confidence in sport. Why redesign the sports bra? As an athlete herself (4 years of field hockey at Dartmouth) she has had her own relationship with confidence and sports bra woes and learned that so many other women did too! So, in her second year of Harvard University's Masters of Design Engineering program she set out to create something that was more comfortable and allowed athletes to have confidence in their gear to focus on their sport. Sara is also inspired by a stat from Dove and Nike that nearly 50% of teen girls drop out of sports due to lack of body confidence. Today we dive in to: Follow along with Robyn on social: @wear_robyn Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

Mary Borman loves to swim, to challenge herself, to wear bright colors, share her story, and most importantly, have fun! The athlete, model. and Down Syndrome advocate has always challenged herself to accomplish what some may say she can't. Mary has earned several medals competing at the Special Olympics, traveled internationally to race for the Down Syndrome International Swimming Organization, and is now training to become the first woman with Down Syndrome to finish a half Ironman (race is in June 2025). Today we dive in to: Follow Mary Borman on social media: @mermaid_maryborman Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

The dynamic running duo Alexi Pappas and Lisa Thompson joined me in studio during Boston Marathon weekend as they prepared to race their fourth Boston together. Alexi, a former Olympian representing Greece, and Lisa Thompson, a competitive visually impaired runner, met years ago through 'Team With a Vision' and have been racing around the world since. Today we dive in to: Follow along with Lisa on social: @modernbnb Follow along with Alexi on social: @alexipappas Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

When Becs Gentry isn't coaching you up on the Peloton app, she's likely chasing her big personal goals or her toddler daughter. Becs isd known for her speed and her spunk, but this is something she has grown into as she's found herself in the sport. After earning her 6th World Majors star in Toyko her partner planted the idea seed of the Great World Marathon (7 marathons, 7 days, 7 continents) -- this past fall she completed it as a way to fill her own cup in the new chapter of motherhood. She trained and competed in this challenge while still coaching millions on the Peloton app, showing up for her family and friends, and covering races as a commentator. Today we dive in to: Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

It wasn't until Katie Lohaus' senior year of college that she found rugby, but it was love at first hit and she hasn't looked back. After playing competitive sports through high school, Katie went to college and joined a sorority where she dabbled in rec leagues and the Greek games. When she gave rugby a shot her senior year she was excited about how far she could run with it (figuratively and literally), so she went for it. Katie has played professionally for years, first as part of Premier Rugby Sevens and now the inaugural season of Women's Elite Rugby with the Boston Banshees. Today we dive in to: Women's Elite RugbyFollow along with Katie on social: @katielohaus Follow along with the Boston Banshees: @wer_banshees Follow along with Hannah on social: @_hannah.donnelly To watch the episodes: NBC Sports Boston YouTube

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