From Setbacks to All-Pro: Sabrina “Pook” Kessler’s Journey Through Football, Motherhood & Mental Health

From Setbacks to All-Pro: Sabrina “Pook” Kessler’s Journey Through Football, Motherhood & Mental Health

In this episode of No Permission Needed, Brandee J sits down with Sabrina “Pook” Kessler — 2x WNFC All-Pro player, San Diego Rebellion co-captain, mother of two, and powerhouse both on and off the field. From growing up in Compton/Long Beach and serving in the Army to walking away from nursing school for a successful career in high-voltage construction, Pook shares the real story behind her journey. We dive into her transition from Cali War to the San Diego Rebellion, navigating co-parenting, overcoming injuries, mental health, leadership in women’s football, and what it truly takes to keep pushing forward when life hits hard. This conversation is raw, inspiring, honest, and exactly what No Permission Needed is about.

Leading with Purpose in Sports ft. Coach Patty Medina

This week on No Permission Needed, Brandee J sits down with Coach Patty Medina — Associate Athletics Director of Student-Athlete Development & Inclusive Excellence at American University — for a powerful conversation on leadership, representation, and building real impact in sports. Born in Mexico and immigrating to the United States at age 9, Patty’s journey is one of resilience, purpose, and breaking barriers. With over 17 years in higher education and athletics, she’s leading initiatives that focus on student-athlete development, career readiness, inclusive excellence, and enhancing the game-day experience. As the founder of Latinx En Athletics and the Hooper Mentality Foundation, Patty is creating pathways for Latinos and Latinas in sports while advocating for mental health, leadership, and long-term success beyond the game. In this episode, we dive into: • Building leadership within student-athletes • Creating access and representation in sports • The importance of mental health and career development • What it takes to lead with purpose and intention This is more than a conversation , it’s a blueprint for impact. Tap in. Listen now. And remember , you don’t need permission to lead.

No Permission Needed: Media, Access & Women Changing the Game

In this episode of No Permission Needed, we sit down with Dee Loves Sports, a media personality who’s actively shaping the conversation across sports culture. From the WNBA to women’s soccer to football, we dive into how media is evolving, the importance of visibility, and what it really takes to create access in an industry that hasn’t always made space for women. This conversation goes beyond the game — it’s about influence, storytelling, and the power of showing up and owning your voice. If you care about where sports media is headed and who’s leading that change… this episode is for you.  No Permission Needed — where we don’t wait for opportunities, we create them

From Denver to Cali War: How Tamara Taylor Is Rewriting What's Possible for Women in Football

What does it take for a woman to step onto a tackle football field — and never look back? In this episode, we sit down with the unstoppable Tamara Taylor, aka TT2STRONG, a 6-year WFA veteran, two-time All-American, and championship ring holder who plays for the Cali War. Tamara didn't grow up dreaming of football — she took it on as a personal challenge and turned it into a full-blown identity. From her debut with the Mile High Blaze in 2021 to winning a D2 championship, to lining up on both sides of the ball as an offensive lineman and a dominant defensive force, her story is one of grit, self-discovery, and refusing to be boxed in. In this conversation, we get into: * What made Tamara say yes to tackle football when most people said it wasn't for women * How she earned her D2 championship ring under Coach Rob and what that victory meant * What it feels like to be selected All-American — and how she continues to level up * The role confidence and community play in keeping women in the sport * What she wants young girls watching from the sidelines to know about their own strength Whether you're a football fan or not, Tamara's energy and story will have you rethinking the barriers you've accepted in your own life. Hit play. Get inspired. Break something open.

Underrated to Unstoppable: Women’s Rugby with Bryt Felder-Brown

Women’s rugby is one of the most underrated sports in the U.S. but that’s quickly changing. In this episode of No Permission Needed, Bryt Felder-Brown of the San Diego Surfers Rugby team joins the conversation to break down the reality of women’s rugby, from how the game is played to the powerful community behind it. We dive into the history and growth of the sport, the challenges women’s rugby continues to face, and why it deserves more visibility, support, and respect. This episode isn’t just about rugby—it’s about opportunity, representation, and the impact of women showing up in spaces that have been overlooked for far too long. Women’s rugby is rising. And this is just the beginning.