Leo's Den

In this intimate and inspiring episode, we sit down with Phaidra Knight — trailblazing rugby player, World Rugby Hall of Famer, attorney, coach, and entrepreneur — for a raw and personal conversation about her extraordinary life and career. From growing up in rural Georgia to becoming one of the most respected figures in international rugby, Phaidra shares the defining moments, struggles, and triumphs that shaped her path. Discover how she broke barriers in a male-dominated sport, her transition from athlete to advocate, and the deep sense of resilience, identity, and empowerment that fuels her mission today. This episode dives into the mental and emotional side of sport — exploring what it truly means to lead with strength, authenticity, and compassion on and off the field. Perfect for sports lovers, changemakers, and dreamers, this conversation is a powerful reminder that greatness isn’t just about victory — it’s about courage, purpose, and staying true to who you are.🎧 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Google Podcasts to hear the full story behind one of rugby’s most influential voices.Tags / Keywords:Phaidra Knight, rugby podcast, women in sports, female athletes, rugby union, sports leadership, athlete interviews, women’s empowerment, breaking barriers, resilience, mindset, athlete stories, sports equality, diversity in sports, LGBTQ athletes, motivational podcast, inspirational women, athlete to entrepreneur, personal growth, mental toughness, AART podcastThis week’s guest on the season finale is not only a USA rugby legend but a legend around the world. She has made three appearances in the Rugby World Cup and was selected as the top player in the world in her position in 2002 and 2006. In 2010, she was named the U.S. Rugby Player of the Decade. In November 2017, she was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame. Currently she has her own clothing line called the PSK collective, which Naya is an ambassador for and is a commentator on the world rugby sevens series so you've probably heard her voice before. She has paved the way for women in rugby and is constantly taking on new projects, most recently MMA. Phaindra shares her passions with us and what's on her bucket list, some of which may surprise you...or not... if you know how invincible this woman is.Hosts: Naya Tapper & Ilona MaherRecorded: December 7, 2021For more information, links and resources and hundreds more conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1500+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. We are ranked in the top 2% of more than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.

What happens when world-class athletes sit down to talk about something most people never do — money and friendship? In this deeply honest and refreshingly unfiltered episode, USA Rugby stars Ilona Maher, Naya Tapper, Nicole Heavirland, and Jay Gray open up about the realities of finances in professional sport, the pressures of success, and the complex balance between friendship and financial independence. From navigating sponsorships, budgeting, and social media fame to supporting each other through the highs and lows of rugby life, this conversation reveals a side of elite athletes rarely seen. It’s funny, raw, and profoundly human — a behind-the-scenes look at how money shapes relationships, identity, and resilience both on and off the pitch. Whether you’re a fan of rugby, women’s sport, or simply love real talk about money and meaning, this episode will stay with you long after the final whistle.🎧 Keywords::Ilona Maher, Naya Tapper, Nicole Heavirland, Jay Gray, USA Rugby, women’s rugby, rugby sevens, rugby podcast, athlete finances, money in sport, women in sport, friendship and money, financial wellness, team dynamics, sports psychology, athlete stories, women’s empowerment, athlete interviews, behind the scenes rugby, USA Rugby Sevens, sports friendship, mental health in sport, professional athlete life, sports podcast, women’s rugby team, personal growth, money talk podcast.Hosts: Naya Tapper & Ilona MaherRecorded: November 10, 2021For more information, links and resources and hundreds more conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1500+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. We are ranked in the top 2% more of than 2.71 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.

In this deeply personal and empowering episode of Unfiltered Power, USA Rugby stars Ilona Maher and Naya Tapper open up about the realities behind the strength. From the outside, they’re fierce athletes and viral personalities—but behind the scenes, both women face the invisible battles of mental health, self-doubt, and emotional resilience in elite sport. Together, they break down how social media, expectations, and the constant push to perform can take a toll on the mind—and how they’ve learned to protect their mental space, support teammates, and redefine what real strength means. This is an honest, raw, and hopeful look at mental wellness in professional sports, especially for women navigating fame, identity, and authenticity in the digital age. Whether you’re an athlete, fan, or simply someone trying to stay strong in a demanding world, this episode offers inspiration, vulnerability, and truth straight from two of America’s most powerful women in rugby.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.SEO Tags & Keywords:Ilona Maher, Naya Tapper, USA Rugby, women’s rugby, mental health in sports, athlete mental health, female athletes, mental wellness, sports psychology, resilience, body image, self-care, women in sport, rugby sevens, mindfulness, athlete interviews, mental health podcast, Unfiltered Power podcast, women empowerment, vulnerability in sports, emotional resilience, social media and mental health, pressure in athleticsHosts: Naya Tapper & Leo's DenFor more information, links and resources plus conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1500+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. We are ranked in the top 2% more of than 2.69 million podcasts worldwide. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.

In this powerful and unfiltered episode of Unfiltered Power, USA Rugby stars Ilona Maher and Naya Tapper open up about the real life of professional athletes on the world stage. From the highs of international competition to the quiet moments between matches, they share what it truly means to live life on tour — the friendships, the fatigue, the freedom, and the fight to stay grounded while constantly on the move. Hear Ilona and Naya as you’ve never heard them before — honest, raw, and full of laughter — as they take you inside the emotional and physical rollercoaster of representing your country while navigating life, identity, and purpose around the globe. Whether you’re a rugby fan, athlete, or someone chasing big dreams, this intimate conversation reveals the truth about what it’s really like to live the global athlete lifestyle.🎧 Keywords/Tags:Ilona Maher, Naya Tapper, USA Rugby, rugby sevens, women’s rugby, rugby podcast, life on tour, athlete lifestyle, sports travel, women in sport, professional rugby, rugby life, mental health in sport, team USA, global athletes, sports journey, Unfiltered Power Podcast, motivational sports stories, behind the scenes rugby, athlete interviews, rugby cultureHosts: Naya Tapper & Ilona MaherFor more information, links and resources plus conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1300+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.

In this unfiltered and deeply personal episode of Unfiltered Power, USA Rugby stars Ilona Maher and Naya Tapper open up about one of the most relatable — yet rarely discussed — parts of being an elite athlete: dating while playing professional sport. From navigating relationships on the road to finding partners who understand the grind, Ilona and Naya share hilarious, heartfelt, and brutally honest insights into love, attraction, and vulnerability behind the powerhouse personas. This candid conversation dives into how confidence, independence, and ambition shape their views on dating, what red flags they’ve learned to avoid, and how they balance being fierce competitors with the desire for genuine human connection. Whether you’re a rugby fan, athlete, or just curious about the love lives of strong women who own their space — this episode will make you laugh, reflect, and feel inspired.🎙️ Tune in for real talk, real laughs, and real love stories from two of rugby’s biggest stars.Keywords:Ilona Maher, Naya Tapper, USA Rugby, women’s rugby, dating as an athlete, athlete relationships, rugby podcast, women in sports, love and sports, athlete lifestyle, female empowerment, sports podcast, rugby sevens, relationships, women’s empowerment, female athletes, behind the scenes rugby, Unfiltered Power Podcast, dating podcast, athlete dating stories, sports and love, motivational podcast, female sports icons, athlete interviews.For more information, links and resources plus conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1300+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.

In this raw and inspiring episode of Unfiltered Power, USA Rugby stars Ilona Maher and Naya Tapper open up about body confidence, self-image, and the powerful journey of embracing their bodies as elite female athletes. From breaking stereotypes in women’s rugby to finding strength in vulnerability, Ilona and Naya share personal stories that reveal the heart behind their confidence — and the struggles that shaped it. This intimate conversation dives deep into how women in sport navigate body positivity, media pressure, and self-worth, offering real talk, laughter, and empowerment along the way. Whether you’re an athlete, a fan, or anyone working to love the skin you’re in, this episode will leave you inspired to redefine what confidence truly means.🎧 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or YouTube — and discover how Ilona Maher and Naya Tapper are changing the game for women everywhere. KeywordsIlona Maher, Naya Tapper, USA Rugby, women’s rugby, body confidence, body positivity, self-love, women in sport, athlete mental health, female empowerment, body image, sports confidence, women athletes, rugby podcast, inspirational podcast, women’s empowerment podcast, unfiltered power, female body confidence, sports and self-esteem, athletic women, breaking stereotypes, women’s fitnessHosts: Naya Tapper & Ilona MaherFor more information, links and resources plus conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1300+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.