Breanne Smedley, is a certified female athlete Confidence Coach who works to empower and enable female athletes to cultivate true confidence, unlock their potential, and level up their performance across all aspects of their lives. Breanne played collegiate volleyball at Western Washington University where she earned a degree in Physical Education/Health and a Masters in Special Education. As a former collegiate volleyball player and long-time coach, Breanne has experienced first-hand the unique struggles that female athletes face on the court and in life. Which is why she and her sister in-law founded The Elite Competitor where they provide courses, programs, and community to help female athletes step into their power and thrive in their sport and in life.   Listeners of this episode can visit this unique link for free resources from The Elite Competitor program:  https://www.kristinabreanne.com/champions. 

Champions of Active Women

062 - Breanne Smedley, Elite Performance Coach for Female Athletes and former collegiate athlete

 Regina Lewis currently serves as a Project Manager, in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, and conducts research evaluating the impact of policy on physical activity and nutrition programing outcomes in childcare settings. She earned her BS in Human Nutrition, MS in Nutritional Sciences, and is pursuing her Ph.D. at the Martin School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Kentucky. Regina is interested in expounding on research that examines systemic patterns of inequity that reverberate in the modern Black experience and contribute to disparate outcomes such as the racial wealth gap. In her spare time, Regina enjoys pulling semi trucks, pressing logs overhead, and training to compete in Strongwomen Competitions. 

061 - Regina Lewis, Strongwoman competitor, Project Director, & PhD Candidate at the University of Kentucky

Lora Gralheer is currently an assistant coach with Centre Women's Soccer and a Technical Director with Commonwealth Soccer Club. A native of Lexington, Ky., Lora played soccer at Centre College in 2007 & 2008 before graduating in 2011. Lora has coached club soccer across the state of Kentucky for the past decade. In 2018, she was presented with the prestigious 30 Under 30 award by United Soccer Coaches. She has also been a member of the Kentucky Olympic Development Program staff for the past nine years including two years on the Midwest Regional ID Camp staff as well as being named to the coaching staff for the 2017 KY ODP International trip to the Netherlands. In 2019, she joined the leadership team for the United Soccer Coaches Women Coaches Advocacy Group and has helped oversee the creation of a quarterly newsletter, revamping of the groups social media pages, and the naming of the Coach of the Week recognition. In 2018, Gralheer earned her Masters degree in Sports Administration with a focus in Sports Media & Branding from Western Kentucky University.

060 - Lora Gralheer, Asst. Soccer Coach Centre College & Technical Director Commonwealth Soccer Club

Jess Hogan earned a scholarship to play soccer at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. Jess played with the U-19 and U-21 United States National Teams and the Women’s Premier Soccer League. After relocating to Lexington, she began her coaching career in youth soccer. She is a National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer, Multi-Directional Speed Instructor, and Certified Speed and Agility Coach. She also holds a National D Soccer Coaching license. Jess is dedicated to using her experiences as an elite athlete and her expertise to help youth athletes achieve their peak performance goals -- on the field and in life.         

059 - Jess Hogan, owner of Xponent Sports Performance, Director for the Lexington Futbol Girl's Academy, and former D1 soccer athlete

Dr. Cady Brown is a native Lexingtonian who has been in private practice primary care for the past three years. She earned her undergraduate degree in East Asian History from Davidson College where she was a varsity soccer athlete. During a study abroad trip to China, Dr. Brown studied Traditional Chinese Medicine that led her to apply to medical school at the University of Kentucky. She then completed an Internal Medicine residency at Tulane University. In her leisure time, Dr. Brown loves to be outside. You can find her running downtown, at the local parks with her children, Nettie and Chet, or on weekend adventures that might include creek-walking or ice skating. Her professional work at Downtown Drs. Brown allows her to create strong relationships with patients and focus on the root of health issues. Her goal is to help patients with their health and wellness so they may pursue whatever it is they most enjoy.

058 - Dr. Cady Brown, MD, co-owner of Downtown Drs. Brown, former D1 soccer athlete

Ashley Grigsby is the Ticket Sales Manager for the Lexington Legends. She is from San Antonio, Texas and moved to Lexington in 2005 to attend the University of Kentucky where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. Ashley is committed to giving back to the Lexington community. She is currently serving as the Immediate Past President for The Nest, Center for Women Children and Families' Executive Board of Directors and she has served the Central Kentucky community as a member of multiple organizations including Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass, Amachi Central Kentucky, CASA, the Rotary Club of Lexington and The Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation. In 2018, Ashley was the inspiration behind the 'I Was Here' project, a public art memorial to the former enslaved. In her free time, Ashley hosts conversations for women to talk about sports. Ashley is a proud member of the Big Blue Nation, and her favorite professional teams are the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Astros, and the San Antonio Spurs.

057 - Ashley Grigsby, Ticket Sales Manager with Lexington Legends, Co-Founder Women Watching Sports Live

Prior to starting her own equity, inclusion, and wellness advocacy firm, Jon’a was a successful corporate communications leader, where she led strategic initiatives such as healthcare, wellness and belonging communications, oversight of business resource groups, and equity and inclusion programming for a multi-brand franchise system. Today, Jon’a spends her time engaging and educating leaders on the intersectionality of equity, inclusion, psychological safety, and employee well-being. After navigating her own healing journey as a young, widowed parent, Jon'a created Drink First Then Pour®, a self-love activation community for high-achieving women. She coaches young widows, serves as advisor for the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association, and was recently recognized by Parents Magazine as a wellness champion. Jon'a is a proud mom who stays active by chasing her tiny human around, weight training, and the Peloton program.

056 - Jon'a Joiner, DEI Consultant, Speaker, Wellness Advocate

Nicole Stork-Hestad earned her Master’s degree in Family Science and is working towards her PhD in Personal Finance and Family Economics with certifications in Financial Counseling and Financial Therapy from the University of Kentucky. She is the owner of NSH Money Coaching where she works with clients to create new money management systems that offer financial freedom, reduce stress, and build family wealth. Nicole is committed to incorporating physical activity into her own life and helping her clients prioritize self-care and wellness. She says, “Exercise helps me calm every physical and mental cell in my body, allows me to focus, and give my body the movement it needs in a structured and intentional way”. Nicole is a mother to three children who are 7, 4, and 3 years. She is working to keep them moving and help each of her children find physical activities that bring them joy. 

055 - Nicole Stork-Hestad, Owner of NSH Money Coaching, PhD student, and mother of three

Dr. Katherine Thompson is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Dr. Bing Zhang Department of Statistics at the University of Kentucky. She earned undergraduate degrees in Mathematics and Biology from UK and then a Master’s and PhD in Statistics from The Ohio State University. Her research centers on developing statistical methods to address biologically-relevant topics in the biomedical sciences, and focuses on predictive modeling and identification of risk factors for outcomes of interest. Dr. Thompson stays active by playing soccer, running, and walking. She loves running with John’s Striders, a local running group, and has run four half marathons to date and participated in the 200-mile Bourbon Chase team relay in 2017. In March of 2020, Dr. Thompson had a major unexpected open-heart surgery and is currently working on building up walking and jogging stamina.

054 - Dr. Katherine Thompson, Associate Professor of Statistics and avid runner

Ann Smith, MPA, MT (ASCP), FACHE, now retired, was the Senior Vice President for Hospital Services at UC Health where she was responsible for leading the integration and strategy of the inpatient care across all three UC Health sites. Prior to UC Health, Ann served UK HealthCare in a variety of roles. Having more than four decades of experience in healthcare operations, she is dedicated to fostering an environment that builds camaraderie and teamwork across the continuum of care with respect and humanity between the patients and caregivers as a critical component. Ann earned an undergraduate degree in Medical Technology and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Kentucky. She currently holds positions on the Advisory Board for the UK College of Health Sciences CLM program as well as on the Board of the Active Women’s Health Initiative. Ann was inducted into the UK College of Health Science Hall of Fame in April of 2017. Ann has been an avid runner for the last 20 years. One full marathon, nine years on the Bourbon Chase team and too many half marathons, 10 milers, 10ks and others to count, she continues to train and enjoy the activity and the experiences associated with the sport.

053 - Ann Smith, Avid runner and former Senior Vice President for Hospital Services at UC Health

Chris Plonsky has worked in college athletics since 1976 and is in her 33rd year at The University of Texas. She is executive senior associate athletics director/chief of staff and the University of Texas senior woman administrator for the Big 12 Conference and NCAA governance. Chris earned a B.S. in Journalism in 1979 at Kent State University, where she was a three-year basketball student-athlete, undergraduate athletics media relations assistant, and editor of The Daily Kent Stater. In 2021, Chris was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame. She is a USA Basketball board member, a US Olympic Committee Collegiate Advisory Council member, and an emeritus board member of the National Football Foundation/College Football Hall of Fame. Earlier this year, Chris joined our Active Women’s Health Initiative Advisory Board.

052 - Chris Plonsky, Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director, University of Texas

Rebecca Vice Bowers graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. As a speech language pathologist, Rebecca has worked with both adult and pediatric populations in hospital, outpatient, Kentucky First Steps, and school settings. In 2013, she started her own business as an Arbonne Independent Consultant and is a currently a Regional Vice President. Rebecca has always loved being active, participating in cross country, track, and cheerleading in high school. She continued distance running, competing in several ½ marathons with her husband and family members. Then, in 2015, Rebecca joined a women’s power lifting team and continues to train and compete. She is the mother to an almost 4 year old and has been married to her husband for 8 years.

051 - Rebecca Vice Bowers, powerlifter, Regional Vice President Arbonne, mother

Meg Sutton started her career as a Financial Advisor with Hilliard Lyons in 2013 after three years coaching collegiate lacrosse and soccer at Ohio Wesleyan University. Meg is a graduate of Allegheny College in Meadville, PA where she earned a degree in Managerial Economics and was a lacrosse student athlete. Since returning to Lexington, she has become involved in the Lexington community serving on different boards. She currently serves on the board of the High Street YMCA, is a lacrosse coach at The Lexington School, and is the co-founder of the Sizzle Select Lacrosse Club. Meg was a member of the first ever girls’ lacrosse team in Lexington and continues to be active today by running, lifting, spinning, and chasing around her toddler. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, baking, and spending time with her husband, Kyle and their daughter Ellie.

050 - Meg Sutton, Financial Advisor, club lacrosse coach, and former collegiate lacrosse athlete and coach

McKenna Reitz is a teacher, coach, inspirational speaker, author, and mother of two girls. McKenna played volleyball at Hope College and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education with a History major. For the past 16 years, she has taught AP Psychology and coached varsity volleyball at Springfield High School in Ohio. In 2015, McKenna was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Alopecia Universalis, which results in total body hair loss. Sports were, and still are, an important part of McKenna’s life. She says, “Volleyball changed my life. It gave me the strength I have needed to fight many battles in my life.” McKenna was named 2020 Make a Difference Teacher, BCSN Teacher of the Month, District 7 Coach of the Year, Promedica Junior Philanthropist of the Year, given a Humanitarian Award while also being nominated numerous times for Toledo’s 20 Under 40 Award. McKenna has shared her story with numerous audiences and most recently was invited to speak at a TEDx conference in Philadelphia.

049 - McKenna Reitz, TEDx speaker, author, coach, teacher, & mother

This mother-daughter pair has an impressive list of athletic accomplishments. In high school, Tori was an 8x state championship medalist in swimming and track and was awarded the High School Heisman Award and All Sports Association Female Scholar Athlete of the year for her accomplishments in sport, the classroom, and the community. Currently, Tori is a freshman on the University of Kentucky Swimming and Diving Team that recently won their first SEC Swimming Championship. Beyond athletics, Tory was named AF ROTC Freshman Cadet of the semester and serves on the FCA leadership team and as a mentor for the Amachi program. Terry attended Tulane University where she was a 3x swimming All-American. Her success in athletics continued after college. Terry was a US National Champion in Modern Pentathlon & Epee Fencing, an 8-year member of the US National Team Modern Pentathlon and a 2-year member of the US National Team for Fencing. Terry was a 5x Air Force Academy Athlete of the Year and was named Department of Defense Athlete of the Year in 1990.

048 - Terry and Tori Orcutt, mother-daughter pair talks about family, sports, and military

Interviews with individuals who have been successful within athletics and beyond to encourage and inspire girls and women to be active for a lifetime, to reach their goals, and to break new barriers in sport and life. This podcast is brought to you by the Active Women’s Health Initiative (AWHI) in the Sports Medicine Research Institute at the University of Kentucky.

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Champions of Active Women

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