Women Are Players Too

The Brand is Female
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Professional women's sports are having a groundbreaking moment in Canada, with history being made across hockey, basketball, and soccer. The launch of the PWHL has ushered in a new era for women's hockey, while the WNBA's expansion to Toronto signals the growing appetite for women's basketball at the highest level. At the same time, the Northern Super League (NSL) is set to transform women's soccer in the country. These milestones mark a seismic shift, breaking long-standing glass ceilings in the sports industry. To capture this moment, we have created a podcast that dives deep into the stories behind these game-changing developments. Through bi-weekly conversations with the women on the ice, the court, and the field—as well as the executives, investors, and decision-makers behind the scenes—we will document the challenges, triumphs, and pivotal moments that are shaping the future of professional women's sports in Canada. This podcast is presented by GoodLife Fitness.

Episodes

  1. 11/28/2025

    Lara Murphy: Women's Soccer Is Having a Moment — Wild FC's CEO on Making Calgary Part of It

    In this episode of Women Are Players Too, we sit down with Lara Murphy — CEO of Calgary's only female-run commercial construction firm and newly named CEO (and co-founder) of Calgary Wild FC, one of six founding clubs in Canada's brand-new professional league, Northern Super League (NSL). The NSL's inaugural 2025 season has already shattered expectations: over 275,000 tickets sold nationwide, with the league ranking among the top five in the world for women's pro soccer attendance. Northern Super League Home openers in major cities drew 14,000+ fans, while Calgary Wild's first home game welcomed 8,552 supporters, a powerful sign of appetite for women's sport from coast to coast. In our conversation, Lara reflects on what soccer has meant to her personally — from playing youth ball in New Brunswick to representing her province at the first women's soccer Canada Games in 1993, to playing university-level soccer with Mount Allison. She shares why stepping into pro-team leadership feels like a "full-circle moment," and how Calgary Wild aims to deliver more than just games: they're building a community, offering real opportunities for players, and showing what it means to invest in women's sport on and off the pitch. If you care about women leading in business and sport — about breaking ground for a new generation of players, fans, and leaders — this episode is for you. Thank you to GoodLife Fitness for supporting WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO. Because every woman deserves to train like she belongs. Find a club near you and start a free trial today!

    39 min

  2. 11/13/2025

    Kim Lavender: How Women Train — and Thrive — Has Changed

    For more than three decades, Kim Lavender has been shaping the fitness experience for Canadians — first as an athlete and personal trainer, and now as the head of Group Experience at GoodLife Fitness. Kim's story began on the playing field in the 1980s, when girls in sport were often told they didn't belong. She played on boys' teams, faced pushback and harassment, and kept showing up anyway. That same determination carried her into another male-dominated space — the fitness industry — where she became a trailblazer for women in movement and training. In this conversation, Kim talks about how women's relationship to training has evolved — from shrinking and shaping to building strength, confidence, and community. We also explore what it means to create spaces where women of all ages and abilities can truly belong. From athlete to trainer to leader, Kim's story is about persistence, purpose, and the power of redefining what fitness means for women today. Thank you to GoodLife Fitness for supporting WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO. Because every woman deserves to train like she belongs. Find a club near you and start a free trial today! WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO is produced by The Brand is Female. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn!

    40 min

  3. 10/23/2025

    Candice Combdon: Mindset and Muscle

    Candice Combdon's story is one of transformation — from uncertainty to confidence, from "wallflower" to warrior. A Team Ontario wheelchair tennis athlete who represented Canada at the 2023 World Team Cup qualifiers in Mexico, Candice lives with spina bifida and uses both a day chair and a sport chair while training in adaptive fitness and competing at an elite level. She just completed the Toronto Half Marathon in her chair — proving that athleticism and determination take many forms. Off the court, Candice is a Fitness Advisor at GoodLife Fitness, helping others discover their own strength through movement and community. She's also the founder of From Wallflower to Warrior, a motivational speaking and advocacy platform where she shares her journey and speaks on topics like disability inclusion in the workplace, adaptive fitness, LGBTQ+ visibility, and overcoming adversity. In this episode, Candice opens up about finding her voice through sport, the importance of representation in fitness and athletics, and what it truly means to rewrite your own story. Her journey is a reminder that resilience is built one challenge at a time — and that the greatest victories often happen far beyond the scoreboard. Thank you to GoodLife Fitness for supporting WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO. Because every woman deserves to train like she belongs. Find a club near you and start a free trial today! WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO is produced by The Brand is Female. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn!

    24 min

  4. 08/14/2025

    Emerance Maschmeyer & Genevieve Lacasse: Power partners in women's hockey

    In this re-aired conversation from the PWHL's first season (it's a good one!), host Eva Hartling sits down with two standout figures in women's hockey—PWHL Ottawa Charge goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer and former Team Canada goaltender turned PWHL front-office leader Genevieve Lacasse. Both Olympic gold medalists, Emerance and Genevieve share their journeys from elite competition to shaping the future of the sport. They reflect on the significance of the PWHL's historic debut, the progress it represents for women in professional sports, and the ways their shared passion for hockey fuels both their careers and their relationship. From the thrill of championship wins to the behind-the-scenes work of building a new league, this episode is a celebration of perseverance, purpose, and the power of partnership. Thank you to GoodLife Fitness for supporting WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO. Because every woman deserves to train like she belongs. Find a club near you and start a free trial today! WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO is produced by The Brand is Female. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn!

    47 min

  5. 07/31/2025

    Manon Rheaume: The first woman in the NHL

    In this episode of WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO, host Eva Hartling shares a special conversation originally recorded for THE BRAND IS FEMALE podcast with hockey trailblazer Manon Rhéaume—the first and only woman to play in an NHL game, who now works for the LA Kings. From breaking barriers with the Tampa Bay Lightning to taking part in the Olympics and mentoring the next generation of players, Manon has spent her entire career rewriting the rules of the game. She opens up about the pressure of being "the first," the state of women's hockey today, and what gives her hope as she watches the PWHL take shape. Manon also reflects on her work with young athletes, the importance of visibility, and the power of creating space—not just for women to play, but to lead. This is a must-listen for anyone who believes in the future of women's sports. Thank you to GoodLife Fitness for supporting WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO. Because every woman deserves to train like she belongs. Find a club near you and start a free trial today! WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO is produced by The Brand is Female. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn!

    37 min

  6. 07/17/2025

    Emma Maltais: Building the Future of Women's Hockey

    Host Eva Hartling sits down with Emma Maltais, forward for PWHL's Toronto Sceptres—and one of the standout players from the league's historic first two seasons. Recorded just after the inaugural season wrapped last year, this conversation captures a pivotal moment in women's hockey—when the Professional Women's Hockey League was still a bold new experiment, and athletes like Emma were helping bring it to life. A former standout at Ohio State and Team Canada regular, Emma quickly became known for her speed, tenacity, and playmaking instincts. Now a core part of the Toronto Sceptres lineup, she played all 30 games of the 2024–25 season and made a major impact in the playoffs with four points in four games. In our conversation, Emma reflects on what it meant to be part of the league's launch, how she's grown in her role since, and the ways PWHL players are building something bigger than themselves. She talks about the support from fans, the responsibility of representing the next generation, and the pride she takes in helping shape a pro league that finally feels equal to the talent on the ice. Whether you're new to women's hockey or a longtime fan, Emma's story offers a powerful look at the momentum behind the game—and what it takes to lead that charge. Thank you to GoodLife Fitness for supporting WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO. Because every woman deserves to train like she belongs. Find a club near you and start a free trial today! WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO is produced by The Brand is Female. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn!

    32 min

  7. 07/03/2025

    Annie Larouche: Working Towards Equity in Women's Soccer

    In this episode, host Eva Hartling sits down with Annie Larouche, President of Montreal's new women's soccer club in the inaugural season of the Northern Super League (NSL). With a career spanning close to three decades in professional sports, Annie is one of the rare women to have held leadership roles in multiple major franchises in Quebec, including the Alouettes and the Alliance de Montréal. Now, she's helping launch a new era for women's soccer in Canada. From her early days as a cheerleader to becoming a respected executive and advocate for equity in sport, Annie's journey is a powerful example of building leadership from the ground up. Since accepting the role with the NSL franchise in 2024, she's been focused on shaping a team—and a culture—that reflects the needs and ambitions of today's women athletes. In our conversation, Annie opens up about the lack of role models when she started out, the misconceptions she had to overcome, and the emotional weight of building something that will outlast her own career. She shares what it means to design a team specifically for women, how fans are part of the movement, and why it was important to build the first stadium dedicated to a women's pro team in Canada. Whether you're in the stands or behind the scenes, Annie's story is a testament to vision, perseverance, and the power of doing things differently. Thank you to GoodLife Fitness for supporting WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO. Because every woman deserves to train like she belongs. Find a club near you and start a free trial today! WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO is produced by The Brand is Female. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn!

    41 min

  8. 06/05/2025

    Nikayla Small: Hometown Hero in the Northern Super League

    In this episode, host Eva Hartling sits down with one of Canada's brightest young soccer talents: Nikayla Small, a dynamic midfielder for AFC Toronto in the inaugural season of the Northern Super League (NSL). Born and raised in Pickering, Ontario, Nikayla's journey has taken her from local pitches to international stages, and now back home, where she's making history in Canada's first professional women's soccer league. A former captain of Canada's U-20 Women's National Team and standout at Wake Forest University, Nikayla brings a wealth of experience and passion to the field. Since signing with AFC Toronto in January 2025, she's quickly become a key playmaker, leading the league in assists and earning recognition as one of the NSL's top performers. In our conversation, Nikayla shares her excitement about playing professionally in front of family and friends, the significance of the NSL for young Canadian athletes, and her aspirations for the future of women's soccer in Canada. She reflects on the challenges and triumphs of her journey, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and passion in achieving one's goals. Whether you're a longtime soccer fan or new to the sport, Nikayla's story offers inspiration and insight into the evolving landscape of women's soccer in Canada. Tune in to hear her perspective on making history, building community, and the joy of playing the game she loves. Thank you to GoodLife Fitness for supporting WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO. Because every woman deserves to train like she belongs. Find a club near you and start a free trial today! WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO is produced by The Brand is Female. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn!

    28 min

  9. 05/22/2025

    Karell Emard: Chasing Change in Women's Hockey

    In this episode of WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO, host Eva Hartling sits down with Karell Émard — former pro hockey player, coach, analyst, and PWHL agent who's now officially Chief, Athlete Strategy & Innovation with Collective Pivot — to talk about her incredible journey through the game and her ongoing impact on the future of women's hockey. From playing on boys' teams as a kid, to captaining St. Lawrence University, to winning the Clarkson Cup with Les Canadiennes de Montréal, Karell has worn just about every hat in the hockey world. After helping lead the charge with the PWHPA (pre-PWHL), she's now advocating for athletes as an agent and using her voice in sports media as an analyst for RDS. We talk about what it's taken to push for progress in a sport that's been slow to change — and how Karell is helping ensure the next generation of women in hockey is better supported. Plus, we dive into the power of marketing and brand partnerships in women's sports, and how these opportunities can truly change athletes' lives. In this episode, we talk about: Her early days in the game and why she never saw limits Stepping away from the ice to coach — and what brought her back Being a player-leader during the formation of the PWHPA Her role as a PWHL agent and advocate for players How brands and marketing can be game-changers for athletes What still needs to change in the game Karell isn't just part of women's hockey history — she's helping shape its future. Thank you to GoodLife Fitness for supporting WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO. Because every woman deserves to train like she belongs. Find a club near you and start a free trial today! WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO is produced by The Brand is Female. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn!

    43 min

  10. 05/08/2025

    Jessica Campbell: Breaking the ice in the NHL

    Welcome to the first episode of WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO, the podcast that's all about the women who aren't just playing the game in pro sports in Canada – they're changing it. In this inaugural episode, host Eva Hartling sits down with Jessica Campbell, a true history-maker in hockey. In July 2024, Jessica shattered one of the toughest glass ceilings in sports, becoming an assistant coach for the Seattle Kraken and making history as the first woman to coach behind the bench in an NHL game by the fall. From coaching internationally in Sweden to becoming the first woman to stand behind the bench at the men's World Championships with Team Germany, Jessica's journey is packed with groundbreaking moments. She's not just coaching – she's changing the game and inspiring the next generation of leaders. In this episode, Jessica shares what it took to break through the barriers in professional men's hockey, the mindset it takes to lead at the highest level, and why she's just getting started. Tune in for a conversation that's as inspiring as it is game-changing. Highlights from this episode: How Jessica redefined what's possible for women in hockey The lessons she's learned from breaking barriers in a male-dominated sport The power of leadership, mentorship, and resilience Why she believes the game – and the world – needs more women like her Thank you to GoodLife Fitness for supporting WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO. Because every woman deserves to train like she belongs. Find a club near you and start a free trial today! WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO is produced by The Brand is Female. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn!

    39 min
  11. Welcome to Women Are Players Too

    Season 1, Episode 1 Trailer

    Welcome to Women Are Players Too

    Professional women's sports in Canada are on the rise, and WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO is here to capture this historic moment. From the PWHL's groundbreaking debut to the WNBA's expansion to Toronto and the Northern Super League's impact on women's soccer, this podcast dives into the stories behind these game-changing milestones. Join host Eva Hartling for bi-weekly conversations with the athletes, coaches, and industry leaders who are rewriting the playbook and breaking barriers in sports. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the triumphs, challenges, and pivotal moments that are shaping the future of women's sports in Canada. Subscribe now and be part of this movement – because when women play, the whole game changes. This season of WOMEN ARE PLAYERS TOO is powered by GoodLife Fitness.

    2 min

Trailer

About

Professional women's sports are having a groundbreaking moment in Canada, with history being made across hockey, basketball, and soccer. The launch of the PWHL has ushered in a new era for women's hockey, while the WNBA's expansion to Toronto signals the growing appetite for women's basketball at the highest level. At the same time, the Northern Super League (NSL) is set to transform women's soccer in the country. These milestones mark a seismic shift, breaking long-standing glass ceilings in the sports industry. To capture this moment, we have created a podcast that dives deep into the stories behind these game-changing developments. Through bi-weekly conversations with the women on the ice, the court, and the field—as well as the executives, investors, and decision-makers behind the scenes—we will document the challenges, triumphs, and pivotal moments that are shaping the future of professional women's sports in Canada. This podcast is presented by GoodLife Fitness.

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