Marysol talks with Denae Benites, the sixth overall WPBL draft pick for the Heights, about her breakout start, her path from Nevada baseball fields to fire school and EMT work, and what it means to finally play women’s professional baseball. They discuss competition, friendship, social media, women’s sports, and Denae’s hopes for the future of the league.

Chapters

00:00 — Meet Denae Benites: WPBL breakout star

02:37 — The first season, life in Springfield, and the Heights’ championship goals

06:01 — Friendship and competition with Ashton Lansdell

07:52 — From EMT training back to professional baseball

09:23 — Growing up with baseball and becoming Nevada’s first varsity high school baseball player

15:19 — Showing up fully for women’s sports

17:04 — A’ja Wilson, the Aces, and custom cleats

19:18 — Supporting women’s sports while handling online hate

22:02 — Social media, confidence, and finding her voice

27:35 — Life off the field: recovery, food, family, and Las Vegas

33:22 — The future of women’s professional baseball

37:54 — “Women are here and we’re here to stay”

38:30 — Walk-up songs, Bad Bunny, and the Heights’ New York chant

In this episode, Marysol sits down with Olympic gold medalist, entrepreneur, mother, and storyteller Kerri Walsh Jennings for a candid conversation about identity, growth, faith, and the realities of life after elite competition. Kerri opens up about the “circus” of her everyday life, balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship, and her work in women’s sports, while reflecting on the moments that shaped her path.They talk about the powerful partnership she built with Misty May-Treanor, how trust and personal accountability helped sustain one of the most iconic duos in sports history, and why volleyball became a vehicle for personal development as much as athletic success. Kerri also shares honest insight into the emotional and physical transition after retirement, including what it means to listen to her body, heal without shortcuts, and redefine strength in this stage of life.The conversation moves into women’s sports, media scrutiny, and the responsibility of protecting young female athletes. Kerri offers a clear perspective on social media, camera guidelines, and the importance of preserving focus, dignity, and safety. She also speaks openly about faith, explaining how spirituality grounds her through challenges and gives her a sense of peace and resilience. Later, Kerri reflects on entrepreneurship, explaining that building businesses has been one of the hardest transitions because it requires patience, flexibility, and comfort with uncertainty. She shares what she looks for in business partners, why she values honesty and emotional control, and how she stays grounded in the day-to-day work of building something meaningful.The episode closes with a playful lightning round that reveals Kerri's humor, competitive spirit, and lifelong love of sports, family, and winning with purpose.

Key Takeaways

• Kerri's success comes from presence, trust, and deep personal accountability.
• Elite sports partnerships require honesty, vulnerability, and shared vision.
• Retirement can be a profound healing journey, not just an ending.
• Young athletes should value process over applause.
• Faith, family, and discipline remain central to Carrie’s life and leadership.

Notable Themes

• Women in sports
• Aging and identity
• Entrepreneurship
• Faith and spirituality
• Leadership and resilience
• Motherhood and family
• The business of women’s sports

Memorable Moments

• Kerri describing her life as “a real-life circus”
• The story of being a ball girl at Stanford and realizing her path
• Her honest take on healing after retirement
• Her perspective on protecting young female athletes
• Her advice to young women not to live for likes or applause

Key Topics:

• Alexa's background and how she started wrestling in seventh grade
• The challenges and routines of wrestling tournaments
• The importance of camaraderie in wrestling development
• The mental toughness required for wrestling success, from anticipation to perseverance
• The growth of girls' wrestling
• Balancing wrestling with school
• Female representation in wrestling
• Goals at Fargo and her message to young girls considering wrestling as a sport

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction: Celebrating Alexa Nunez, Bronx wrestler heading to Fargo
02:22 - Connection challenges: Tips for better internet during interviews
04:13 - A day in the life of a wrestler: Practice, travel, and tournament routines
06:52 - Preparing for a wrestling match: Techniques, warm-ups, and psychological prep
10:33 - What a typical match looks like: Rounds, duration, and intensity
13:22 - The mental aspect of wrestling: Emotional resilience and team support
16:07 - Alexa's first trip to Fargo: Expectations and hopes
17:29 - Reflecting on achievements and future aspirations in wrestling
19:20 - Favorite subjects and hobbies: English and the Hunger Games
20:15 - Alexa's musical preferences: Country music and favorite artists
21:13 - Daily routines and favorite athletes inspiring her journey
22:08 - Superstitions and rituals before matches: Shaking hands and calming routines
23:07 - Comfort and concerns about wrestling singlets: Uniform insights
24:29 - The importance of girls' and women's wrestling: Breaking stereotypes and inspiring future generations

Resources & Links

• Helen Maroulis - Olympic Gold Medalist
• Amit Elor - Olympic Gold & World Gold Medalist
• LUCHA Wrestling Club
• Fargo Wrestling Tournament

This episode celebrates the dedication and resilience of young women in sports, highlighting how wrestling can empower athletes both physically and mentally. Alexa's story encourages anyone interested in sports to pursue her passion with commitment and confidence.