Beyond The Jersey Podcast

Olivia Miles - #2 Then. #2 Now. Everything In Between.

#2 Then. #2 Now. Everything In Between. | Olivia Miles | Beyond the Jersey Some stories don't start with glory. They start with a little girl in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, who fell in love with a game — and refused to let anything take it from her. This week on Beyond the Jersey, I sat down with my best friend, Olivia Miles. The #2 recruit coming out of high school. The Notre Dame record-setter. The girl who tore her ACL and watched an entire season from the sideline. She made the hardest decision of her college career and transferred, while the whole world had something to say about it. And then the woman who came back quieter, stronger, and more herself than she'd ever been. Her senior season at TCU was unlike anything women's college basketball had seen — 19 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 48% from the field. But the numbers only tell half the story. On April 13th, 2026, Olivia Miles heard her name called as the #2 overall pick in the WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx. The same number she carried in. Full circle. In this episode, we go beyond the jersey. We talk about the little girl who started it all, the silence of the sideline, the mental health battles she fought behind closed doors, the moment she finally chose herself, and what it felt like to stand on that draft stage carrying every version of herself that got her there. This one is for every girl who's been counted out, every athlete who's had to rebuild from nothing, and every person who's ever had to choose themselves when it was the hardest thing to do. This episode will move you. Don't watch alone. CHAPTERS 00:00 — Introduction 02:30 — The little girl from Phillipsburg 07:00 — Arriving at Notre Dame as #2 13:00 — The ACL. The silence. The sideline. 22:00 — The mental health journey no one saw 31:00 — Leaving Notre Dame & choosing herself 40:00 — The TCU era & the breakout season 51:00 — April 13th — the WNBA Draft 58:00 — What she's chasing next 1:02:00 — What she'd tell the next girl If this episode moved you, subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss a story like this. 📲 Follow Olivia Miles: Instagram: @oliviamiles Twitter/X: @oliviamiles 📲 Follow Beyond the Jersey: Instagram: @beyondthejersey YouTube: youtube.com/@BeyondTheJersey TikTok: @beyondthejersey — #OliviaMiles #BeyondTheJersey #WNBA #WNBADraft #MinnesotaLynx #WomensBasketball #TCU #NotreDame #MentalHealth #Resilience #Athletes #Podcast #BlackExcellence #WomenInSports Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2446376/support]

The Next USC Legend? Kennedy Smith’s Journey from #6 Recruit to Trojan Star!

In this powerful, in-depth conversation, USC Women’s Basketball standout Kennedy Smith opens up like never before. From being named Gatorade Player of the Year, McDonald's All-American, and No. 6 recruit in the nation, to navigating the pressures of stardom at Etiwanda High School, Kennedy reflects on the highs, lows, and the people who shaped her journey. She shares what it was like growing up in a competitive household with five siblings, who first put a basketball in her hands, and how her parents laid the foundation for her character. We dive deep into her freshman year at USC, including the pressure of being a top recruit, the transition to the college game, moments of doubt, and the surprising things she discovered about herself along the way. Kennedy speaks candidly about the weight of expectations, leadership as a freshman, and what it took mentally and emotionally to perform at the highest level. With JuJu Watkins out this season, Kennedy discusses how she’s preparing to step into a bigger role, the parts of her game she’s sharpening, and the kind of leader and player she’s becoming in year two. In our emotional “Locker Room Letters” segment, Kennedy reflects on her younger self, the sacrifices she's made, and what she wishes more people understood about her story. Whether you're a fan of college basketball, chasing your own goals, or just need a dose of motivation—this is a story of resilience, heart, and purpose you won’t want to miss. 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews with the next generation of game-changers. #KennedySmith #USCWomensBasketball #CollegeBasketball #McDonaldsAllAmerican #GatoradePlayerOfTheYear #TrojanNation #LockerRoomLetters #b1gwbball  #WomenInSports #AthleteInterviews #FreshmanPhenom #viralvideo #podcast #podcastclips #kENNEDYSMITH #viral #explore #browsefeatures #usa #gold Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2446376/support]

From UCLA to USC: Londynn Jones’ Redemption Run

Londynn Jones has never let the doubters define her. From dropping 2,713 points in high school to setting records at UCLA and now turning a new page at USC, this is a story of resilience, belief, and redefining what greatness looks like — especially when you don’t fit the “typical mold.” In this exclusive sit-down, Londynn opens up about: Being ranked 22nd in the 2022 class — but not named a McDonald’s All-American Representing Team USA 🇺🇸 (U17 + U18) & playing in the Jordan Brand Classic Setting UCLA’s single-season 3PT record (87 made) & leading them to the Final Four The emotional highs and lows of being "undersized" and overlooked Her transfer to USC, why she bet on herself, and what she’s building next A powerful new segment: “Locker Room Letters” — her message to the ones who believed in her first "If there's a kid out there who feels too small, too unseen — I hope my story helps them realize...you do belong." Londynn Jones This is more than just stats. This is heart, honesty, and hustle. Hit play — and hear Londynn’s journey in her own words. #LondynnJones [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/londynnjones] #USCWBB [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/uscwbb] #UCLAWBB [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/uclawbb] #WomensBasketball [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/womensbasketball] #UnderdogMentality [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/underdogmentality] #LockerRoomLetters [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lockerroomletters] #JordanBrandClassic [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/jordanbrandclassic] #WNBADreams [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/wnbadreams] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2446376/support]

From NCAA Indoor Champion to Future Olympian: Johnny Brackins Jr. Shares His Journey to Greatness!

Meet Johnny Brackins Jr., a powerhouse in track and field and one of the brightest stars in the sport today. Currently holding his school’s long jump record, Johnny has proven time and time again that he’s a force to be reckoned with. As the 60m hurdles record holder at USC with an all-time best of 7.43, he continues to dominate the track at every level. In 2024, Johnny made history by winning his first national title at the USA Indoor Championships, solidifying his status as one of the best in the world. He’s also earned a spot on the prestigious Bowerman Watch List and was named B1G Track Athlete of the Week four times. With a B1G record in the 60m hurdles and the fourth-fastest time in NCAA history, Johnny is leaving his mark in the record books. Not only did he claim third place at the 2024 World Championships, standing behind track legends Grant Holloway and Cameron Murray, but Johnny’s journey is only just beginning. With Olympic dreams on the horizon, Johnny Brackins Jr. is set to make waves on the global stage! Follow Johnny on Social Media  Instagram: @Johnnybrackins TikTok: Johnnybrackins444 Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2446376/support]

Legendary NFL Journey: Donovin Darius on His 10 Years in the League, Leadership, Life After Football

Join me or an exclusive interview with Donovin Darius, a standout NFL player with a remarkable 10-year career. Drafted 25th overall in the 1998 NFL Draft, Donovin quickly made a name for himself as a dominant force on the field. From being named a 1997 All-American and BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year to earning a spot on the Syracuse All-Century Team, his accolades speak for themselves. As the only defensive back to ever be franchised tagged three times, Donovin's leadership and impact extended beyond the field. He was a team captain for every team he played for and served as the NFLPA's Player Rep and Vice President. His commitment to excellence didn't stop at football—Donovin's dedication to training and performance earned him a Sports Emmy Award. In this podcast, Donovin opens up about his career, the challenges he faced, and how his experiences shaped the man he is today. Tune in to hear firsthand from one of the NFL's most respected and accomplished players! Instagram: BeyondtheJerseypod TikTok: Beyondthejerseypodcast #basketball #podcast #nfl #nflcombine #motivation #football #podcastclips #interview #journey #newvideo #popular #viralvideo #viralvideos #viralreel #viralshorts Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2446376/support]