Outside The Eight

We are back! Here we have episode 12 of Outside the 8 with the Resilient Annie Cook. Annie is from Towson, Maryland, played lacrosse at McDonogh High School, and went on to be on of the first class of recruits to play at Campbell University. Annie reached out to me wanting to share her story of experiencing a career ending head injury after having too many concussions on the field. Concussions in lacrosse are not uncommon, I had two minor ones in my playing career, and with the nature of the sport, they are at times unpreventable. At this point girls and women’s lacrosse rules only require the eye wear goggles, although there is a push toward more helmet based headgear that could help with reducing the number of concussions players experience. Annie describes the journey she went through dealing with chronic symptoms, the decision to no longer compete, and how she still managed to graduate on time and be a part of the team. Her story is inspiring and her resilience has led her to live life fully and share the message of playing every game like it's your last with the girl's that she coaches. For more on this episode visit Laxallstars.com.Let me know what you think, you can email cassie@laxallstars.com and RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE (you can do this on Soundcloud or the podcast app on your phone). FEATURING:Host: Cassie BrunelleGuest: Annie Cook, Campbell University 2016, youth coach with Fire Lacrosse and Santa Monica DragonsMUSIC: "Relaxx" by Benny Salz

We are BACK with episode eleven of Outside the 8, this time with the confident and crazy cool Carly Reed. A DC native, Carly loved lacrosse from a young age and worked hard for her role on the UNC Tarheels women's lacrosse team. She was a national champion in 2016, and just this past year earned a WPLL championship with the New England Command. More importantly, she's making a name for herself in both the sports and fashion world with the launch of her athlete exclusive apparel company, On the Line. We talk about this and all things lacrosse related on this episode. Thanks for listening!On this episode we talk about:1. What is means to be an "influencer" in this digital age, as long as you're using your platform for good!2. Carly's journey to UNC and how she stayed focused amidst the academic and social transition into college.3. Winning a NCAA National Championship and what it meant for her and her teammates. 4. Carly is honest about some of the difficulties that come with success, the expectations and pressure and how she learned to come back stronger than ever. 5. We discuss the importance of giving back to the sport, and creating opportunities for youth to embrace the game.6. How did Carly decide to start her own company and more importantly, how does she do it? It's pretty amazing.7. We talk all about On the Line, where it's going and how YOU can join. Check out their website for more details and to sign up.8. Carly shares her experience with the WPLL and what it means to be a professional lacrosse player.Carly's bubbles with joy and a go getter attitude, and she's got some great one liners. She's confident because she has worked hard to build a business, continues to test herself athletically, and stays disciplined. I appreciated her coming to record with me spontaneously, and for being open to sharing so many things about her experiences. I think many can relate to some of the challenges that come with the transitions she discusses...you know, that post grad feeling of "what am I doing with my life!?" Check her out on Instagram @carlmecrazy for a dose of cute fashion and tough workouts.Let me know what you think, you can email cassie@laxallstars.com and RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE (you can do this on Soundcloud or the podcast app on your phone). For more:FEATURING:Host: Cassie BrunelleGuest: Carly Reed, UNC '16, Founder of On the Line Apparel, WPLL New England CommandMUSIC: "Relaxx" by Benny Salz

TEN! Episode 10 of Outside the 8 has arrived. This time with the Great Ashley Gersuk Murphy. Ashley is from upstate New York, went to Northwestern in 2001, and was a part of the first team to win a National Championship at Northwestern. She briefly worked for a media agency post-college, but was given the opportunity to build a career in lacrosse, eventually partnering with George Leveille to establish Summit Lacrosse Ventures, the operation behind Lake Placid Lacrosse and tournaments and events across the country.On this episode we talk about:1. How Ashley grew up playing boys lacrosse because she wanted to, and made it happen! And then eventually found her way into the goal playing women's lacrosse.2. The resurrection of Northwestern University's lacrosse program with Ashley as a freshman captain.3. We learn how sports and business intersect in Ashley's role as CEO.4. We highlight the legendary Lake Placid lacrosse tournament, which is entering its 30th year in August 2019. 5. Ashley describes all the incredible tournaments and events put on by Summit Lacrosse Ventures.6. What it means to Ashley to be a leader and boss, and how sports have instilled confidence and a "get it done" attitude. 7. How lacrosse, specifically the women's game, has changed for the better and why it's important to keep it FUN.8. Positive growth of the game and business within the lacrosse industry. Ashley is confident, strong, unapologetic, and a leader. I admire her for being fearless, preferring to play boys lacrosse at a young age and not caring what anybody thought. She's a legend, a role model, and a boss at the office and in life. All these things make her GREAT, and I'm so glad we were able to learn from her and share the important work of Summit Lacrosse Ventures. Big thanks to Ashley and her team and thank YOU for listening. Let me know what you think, you can email cassie@laxallstars.com and RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE (you can do this on Soundcloud or the podcast app on your phone). For more: FEATURING:Host: Cassie BrunelleGuest: Ashley Gersuk Murphy, CEO Summit Lacrosse VenturesMUSIC: "Relaxx" by Benny Salz

Hello there! Here we are with episode 9, and it is sounding oh so fine!This week we have Lyndsey Muñoz (Stanford 2014). She's here to talk about her extensive lacrosse experience, the mental game and what it takes to be a goalie, and all the things she is doing now to GROW THE GAME! Lyndsey shares her personal journey of staying positive, refinding her love of the game, and the importance of being honest and open with the girls she coaches. She also comes up with some killer workouts, some great nutrition hacks, and tips on how she stays disciplined while running hill sprints. Lyndsey runs LM Lax Training, coaches at Westlake High School and with Fire Lacrosse in Los Angeles. This episode definitely goes inside AND outside the 8, and we are so here for it.Enjoy the episode and for more information and links to some of the things we talk about in this episode visit: https://laxallstars.com/lyndsey-munoz-outside-the-eight-ep-9/Host: Cassie BrunelleGuest: Lyndsey MuńozMusic: "Relaxx" by Benny Salz

We have made it to number 8!Welcome back to Outside the 8. This week we have the Fierce Tanner Guarino. We had the chance to sit down with Tanner during a recent trip to Boston. She has a lot to share about her lacrosse experience, going to UMass, building her club program, Gold Star Lacrosse, and playing in the inaugural season of the WPLL with the New England Command. I peppered Tanner with all sorts of questions and she was a sport answering them all. I appreciated her making the trek to make this episode happen, and look forward to the next time we can connect!Here are some highlights from the episode:1. Tanner and I discuss how we found lacrosse after focusing on basketball during elementary days.2. We talk about her experience at UMass, playing in every single game of her college career. 3. Tanner and her sister-in-law Kristen Igoe have played together for many years and are now developing their own club in Massachusetts, Gold Star Lacrosse.4. We talk about the benefits of playing multiple sports, and how specialization is happening at a much younger age. 5. Tanner explains her experience with the WPLL and what it means to her to still be playing. 6. We gush over our love for our niece/nephews and what we want to see for the sport as they get older. 7. Tanner gives her two cents about playing with mesh and the rules changes and how she wants to see lacrosse evolve.8. Finally, I end this podcast with highlighting recent lacrosse related news including thoughts on the PLL, the Fall WPLL Draft, KO17, and all the other great podcasts available through LAS.As always, thanks for listening. Rate, Review and Subscribe. Check out LaxAllStars for more podcasts and stay tuned for future episodes!Host: Cassie BrunelleGuest: Tanner Guarino (UMass 2014, New England Command)Music: "Relaxx" by Benny Salz

Here we are again, did you think we would stop? Nope, just getting started. This is a "mini" episode with current UMass Midfielder/Attacker Cassidy Doster (#16). She's in the midst of senior year fall ball, but when we recorded this episode Cassidy was wrapping up an epic summer in California. Coaching, living the lax dream, and counting down the days until her return to the west coast, Cassidy gives us a taste of current life as a D1 laxer and what her team is hungry for in the year ahead.On this episode we talk about:1. Why California is so great! And Cassidy's take on west coast lax (hint: it's legit).2. The impact lacrosse has had on her, both as an athlete and where it's taken her in life.3. The importance of taking risks and having a lot of fun, but also being safe, where helmets, kids! Oh, we also mention helmets for women's lacrosse.4. Getting recruited from a small town.5. NCAA tournament appearances and a devastating loss to the University of Richmond.6. How her teammates keep each other in check.7. Those dreaded fitness tests every fall.8. Her post grad hopes of a life in California becoming closer to a reality.Grateful to Cass for her energy, love of the game, and for sharing the same nickname. We'll def be cheering #16 this Spring!We want to hear from MORE current women's lacrosse players from any level. If you are interested in an interview, drop me a note. Give your team a shout out and share your story, don't be shy. You can email cassie@laxallstars.com. Then tell your friends and and RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE (you can do this on Soundcloud or the podcast app on your phone). For more: laxallstars.com/outside-the-eight…osse-podcast-ep-6FEATURING:Host, Cassie BrunelleGuest: Cassidy Doster (UMass 2019)More: https://laxallstars.com/cassidy-doster-outside-the-eight-ep-6/MUSIC: "Relaxx" by Benny Salz

Hey Hey! Here it is, the second half of the conversation with the amazing, fearless, dare I say tenacious Trenna Hill. On this Part Deux of the episode we dive into Trenna's time playing at Syracuse, Native American culture, how women's lacrosse fits into all of that, and finally Trenna's film debut!If you haven't listened to Part 1 with Trenna, I highly suggest you do that first before you press play. On this episode we talk about:1. Why going to Syracuse was important to her2. Playing at Syracuse for legendary Gary Gait3. What's next for Native American girls and sports4. Education in the Native American culture5. The intersectionality of identity Trenna has experienced6. Why her Masters in Higher Education is so important7. How she decided to uproot and head to California8. How she ended up in a feature film about lacrosse!Trenna grew up in upstate New York, played at Syracuse (2014), played in the 2007 and 2013 world cup with the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) National team. She recently completed her Master's in High Education at Syracuse and packed her bags to move out west. Along with coaching with Defy Athletics and other club team's when she has time, she is the head coach for both UCLA women's lacrosse and Palos Verdes High School.Let me know what you think, you can email cassie@laxallstars.com and RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE (you can do this on Soundcloud or the podcast app on your phone). For more: laxallstars.com/outside-the-eight…osse-podcast-ep-5FEATURING:Host, Cassie BrunelleGuest: Trenna Hill (Syracuse 2014)MUSIC: "Relaxx" by Benny Salz

We are baa-acck! With another juicy episode of Outside the Eight. This is Part 1 of a two episodes with the amazing, fearless, dare I say tenacious Trenna Hill. Prepare to get schooled on a few things including what it means to grow up playing lacrosse as a Native American girl, a breakdown of the Creator's Game, persevering through a lot of tough stuff, and creating avenues for future generations of female lacrosse players. The conversation with Trenna was so good we had to break it into two. On this episode we talk about:1. Growing up on Onondaga Reservation2. What the Creator's Game is all about3. Picking up a (non wooden) lacrosse stick as a young girl4. Experiencing ridicule and bullying just by doing something you love5. The intersectionality a half Native American half Non Native woman experiences6. The pronunciation of some words that are tough to say7. A brief history of both men and women's lacrosse8. Why you should stay tuned for next week's Part 2 of the conversation!Trenna grew up in upstate New York, played at Syracuse (2014), played in the 2007 and 2013 world cup with the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) National team. She recently completed her Master's in High Education at Syracuse and packed her bags to move out west. Along with coaching with Defy Athletics and other club team's when she has time, she is the head coach for both UCLA women's lacrosse and Palos Verdes High School.Let me know what you think, you can email cassie@laxallstars.com and RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE (you can do this on Soundcloud or the podcast app on your phone). For more: laxallstars.com/outside-the-eight-womens-lacrosse-podcast-ep-4FEATURING:Host, Cassie BrunelleGuest: Trenna Hill (Syracuse 2014)For a full run down visit: Future guests include WPLL Players, current and former college players, and coaches, and other game growers!Music provided by Argofox:Ampyx & Inova - All I Wantyoutu.be/slmHZro6w54