Question: Considering everything that's going on in the world as it relates to women, how much more do you think it is to champion a show with this message?

MJ Acosta-Ruiz: We talk about representation multiple times a day, all day, every day. And I think now, especially, to have the platform and make this accessible and available to an entire new generation of women who are just in the thick of it, and families who are trying to support their young athletes, I think it has never been more crucial -- especially with the rise of the attention on women's sports because we, of course, know how huge it has been for a very long time.

The hosts with Diana Flores

Question: Season 1 touched on topics such as depression, identity, and prescription drugs. What can viewers expect of Season 2?

Joy Taylor: It’s a lot of different stories that came up very organically, some that we knew a little bit about and got to learn more, and some that really surprised us entirely. There are themes of motherhood, money management, brand management, of being a multifaceted person, body positivity, domestic abuse, depression, and suicide. We're going to racism, hair discrimination -- all of it. There are so many different aspects of the human experience that we have to discuss in the show. And then, obviously, from a sports standpoint, overcoming injuries, pushing through coaches not believing in you, having your family be your backbone through various changes throughout your career. Getting opportunities to access the same facilities that men have access to.

MJ practicing with MMA fighters

Question: Considering the show spotlights stories of different female athletes on an international scale, what is the selection process? How are they measured?

MJ Acosta-Ruiz: I don't think there was a metric. I think it was about the individual and the story and the impact that they had. I think one of the reasons we both got into this field was because everyone has a story. And within sports, it’s so much more than just Xs and Os, and what you see on a game day or at a match. So, the stories were really the impetus for where we wanted to go for each thing. There was a lot of pre-interviewing, and there was a lot of finding out the deeper layers of each athlete, and beyond that each human, how much they really wanted to share, and how much important it was for them to share their journey as well. It was really nuanced in the way that we selected people, but it certainly wasn't like a criteria checklist. It was more about what do they have to say, how deeply it resonated with us, and how do we feel it will resonate with the audience.

Joy Taylor with Flau'jae Johnson

Question: With your unique sports backgrounds, are there any athletes that you looked up to while growing up that propelled your respective career paths now?

Joy Taylor: Yeah, Flo Jo was my life inspiration growing up. I ran track and played basketball from a very young age, like fourth or fifth grade. So, Flo Jo was definitely my style inspiration, my swag inspiration, my confidence inspiration. Also, Sheryl Swoopes was definitely an inspiration for me being a Hooper. I just thought it was the coolest thing ever that the WNBA existed, and that she was as dominant and as cool as she was. Obviously, a lot of male athletes inspired me as well, but just for the sake of this conversation, we'll give the women their flowers.

MJ Acosta-Ruiz: My dad played professional basketball back in the Dominican Republic, so most of my childhood was spent, when we moved to New York, at the courts with him, inside the gym, just like all around basketball. His goal for me was to pick up a ball and play. I just never ended up growing as tall as him, but he had the foresight to put women in front of me that I could try and emulate. And so, being in New York, Lisa Leslie was a big part of that. We would watch those games, and he made sure that I could see her, in hopes that I could be like her one day. And so I think that's exactly what this show does. It just opens up a whole floodgate of other athletes that people can see themselves represented in.

The hosts at Angel City FC's match

Question: With the overall messaging of the show, such as highlighting the narratives of female athletes and the challenges they face in the sports industry, what is one takeaway that you hope viewers can learn from this season?

Joy Taylor: I hope that viewers take away that these are multifaceted people. That women deal with so many things in society, so many challenges, so many roadblocks. And in spite of all that, they are dedicated athletes; they are at the top of their sports. They are otherworldly talented but also work on their crafts in spite of all of those things. And they also have incredible stories, and they're fun, and interesting, and funny, and cool, and flawed. And all the things that we all are, and they’re so fun to root for. That's what sports is, it’s the stories and the memories that you have following these athletes.

Joy Taylor: That is what really changes how you get passionate about sports. You feel a connection to this other person's story. So, I hope that people truly fall in love with the athletes and all of the things that they bring to the table and their stories, and then follow them like that's the point. Go follow their journey. Go root for their team. Go watch them compete, and you can feel a part of that journey as well, like that's what sports is.

MJ Acosta-Ruiz: I hope that people realize that many things can be true at once. You don't just have to be this, or just have to be that. We are multi-hyphenates, just in our own daily lives. And I think all of the women that we spoke to so beautifully portrayed that unapologetically about all of the different parts of their personalities, of their athleticism, and of their humanity. So, I think that it's really reassuring for us to remember it doesn't come easy, but you can make a choice for yourself to be more than one thing, and you don't have to stay in this box. But yeah, all of the women we spoke to immediately after we're like, “Can we go to brunch? Can we just, like, hang out?”

If you want to know nothing about the episodes at all, skip this section. Provided by Fuse TV, this episode guide includes general episode descriptions.

World Flag Football Champion Diana Flores (Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at 9pm ET): An athlete goes from being the only girl on her team, to an ambassador for the NFL. She'll discuss the opportunities that allowed her and the sport of flag football to reach new heights.

Combate Global's Lucero Acosta and Melissa Amaya (Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 9pm ET): Two MMA fighters from Combate Global let their defenses down and open up about their personal lives and the incredible support that female fighters receive from this league.

Angel City FC's Sydney Leroux, Ali Riley & Kennedy Fuller (Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 9pm ET): An all-access pass to the women-run, pro women's sport's team impacting the future of their sport well beyond the pitch.

Rapper and College Basketball Sensation Flau'jae Johnson (Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 9pm ET): Reaching one's full potential with one of the highest earning college basketball players.

Wimbledon Champion Taylor Townsend (Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 9pm ET): A world class tennis player discusses the hard-hitting subjects of body image and pregnancy for professional athletes.

Olympic Gymnast Emma Malabuyo (Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 9pm ET): A gymnast heading to the 2024 Olympics talks about the impact of the coach/athlete relationship.