Flame Bearers: UNEDITED

After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for visibility in sports you’ve never even seen on TV. And yet, across all these differences, certain themes echo again and again. That’s what this new Best Of series is all about: spotlighting both the range of experiences and the threads that connect them. We’ve pulled together the most powerful moments across years of conversations, including: ✨ Best Advice to Younger Selves — from “give yourself grace to be a beginner” to “don’t dim your light for anyone.” ✨ Best Stories of Resilience — tales of athletes coming back from devastating injuries, near-misses, and moments when the world doubted them most. ✨ Best Moments of Role Modelship — athletes lifting the next generation, mentoring teammates, and carrying entire communities with them to the world stage. ✨ Best Stories of Identity & Joy — how athletes embrace who they are on and off the field, from glitter on the track to pride in their heritage. and many more! You’ll hear voices as different as the sports they represent, yet together, they reveal what it really takes to rise to the top. This isn’t just one story. It’s hundreds woven together. And this is just the beginning. In this episode, Breaking The Mold, Alexandria Glaudé of Team USA wrestling shares how she pushes for greater access and support for women in a historically male space. Natoya Goule-Toppin of Jamaica, an 800 meter specialist, calls for equal pay and expanded visibility for women’s sports. Nina Ligon, a former Olympic eventer for Thailand, reflects on reconnecting with her heritage and growing opportunity for future riders. Claire Taggart of the United Kingdom explains how boccia’s women’s classification opens new competitive pathways. Assmaa Niang of France, a decorated judoka, speaks to the need for stronger women-to-women support to build real visibility. Shelly Looney, a two-time Olympic medalist in ice hockey, describes becoming the role model she never had. Asia Hogan-Rochester of Canada’s rugby sevens team shares how expanding access can reshape who feels welcome in sport. Catarina Guimarães of Team USA CP soccer recounts breaking barriers and finding her place on the world stage. Together they show what it means to challenge norms and build a more inclusive sports landscape. Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events. For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @‌flamebearers Follow us – Instagram – / flamebearers Facebook – / flamebearerspodcast Linkedin – / flame-bearers Tiktok – / flame_bearers X – / flame_bearers Our Website – https://flamebearers.com/ Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video. If you like the content, subscribe to our channel!

After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for visibility in sports you’ve never even seen on TV. And yet, across all these differences, certain themes echo again and again. That’s what this new Best Of series is all about: spotlighting both the range of experiences and the threads that connect them. We’ve pulled together the most powerful moments across years of conversations, including: ✨ Best Advice to Younger Selves — from “give yourself grace to be a beginner” to “don’t dim your light for anyone.” ✨ Best Stories of Resilience — tales of athletes coming back from devastating injuries, near-misses, and moments when the world doubted them most. ✨ Best Moments of Role Modelship — athletes lifting the next generation, mentoring teammates, and carrying entire communities with them to the world stage. ✨ Best Stories of Identity & Joy — how athletes embrace who they are on and off the field, from glitter on the track to pride in their heritage. …and many more! You’ll hear voices as different as the sports they represent, yet together, they reveal what it really takes to rise to the top. This isn’t just one story. It’s hundreds woven together. And this is just the beginning. In this episode, Greatness in Motion, Kimberly Alkemade (Netherlands, para-athletics) explains how shifting between prosthetic blade sponsors—from Ottobock to Xiborg to Össur—mirrors her growth as an athlete and her fight against the financial barriers facing para-sport. Fran Brown (Great Britain, paracycling) shares how defining her own path turned “can’t” into world titles and Paralympic medals. Caryn Davies (USA, rowing) reflects on embodying Olympic values—excellence, friendship, respect—and how she applies them beyond sport in her law career. Mazia Hamidi (Afghanistan, taekwondo), now training in France for the Refugee Olympic Team, speaks about resilience, displacement, and representing Afghan women denied that freedom. Each story redefines greatness not as perfection or power, but as persistence, adaptation, and motion toward something bigger than self. Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events. For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @‌flamebearers Follow us: Instagram - / flamebearers Facebook - / flamebearerspodcast LinkedIn - / flame-bearers TikTok - / flame_bearers X - / flame_bearers Our Website - https://flamebearers.com/ Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video. If you like the content, subscribe to our channel!

After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for visibility in sports you’ve never even seen on TV. And yet, across all these differences, certain themes echo again and again. That’s what this new Best Of series is all about: spotlighting both the range of experiences and the threads that connect them. We’ve pulled together the most powerful moments across years of conversations, including: ✨ Best Advice to Younger Selves — from “give yourself grace to be a beginner” to “don’t dim your light for anyone.” ✨ Best Stories of Resilience — tales of athletes coming back from devastating injuries, near-misses, and moments when the world doubted them most. ✨ Best Moments of Role Modelship — athletes lifting the next generation, mentoring teammates, and carrying entire communities with them to the world stage. ✨ Best Stories of Identity & Joy — how athletes embrace who they are on and off the field, from glitter on the track to pride in their heritage. …and many more! You’ll hear voices as different as the sports they represent, yet together, they reveal what it really takes to rise to the top. This isn’t just one story. It’s hundreds woven together. And this is just the beginning. In this episode, Role Models V1, Ariana Ramsey (United States, rugby) shares how she uses social media to bring visibility to women’s rugby and redefine what “rough” looks like for girls in sport. Jackie Dubrovich (United States, fencing) reflects on being a role model even through losses and helping younger teammates grow. Manasi Joshi (India, para badminton) talks about transforming personal struggle into inspiration for others with disabilities. Shelly Looney (United States, ice hockey) describes building a stronger pipeline for girls to see themselves in the game. Asma Nyang (Senegal, judo) urges women to become the fan base women’s sports need. Marzia Hamidi (Afghanistan, taekwondo) tells her story of escaping Taliban rule to keep her Olympic dream alive. Marta Pen Freitas (Portugal, track and field) calls for women to take leadership roles in sport governance. Together, these athletes redefine what it means to be a role model — through resilience, visibility, and purpose. Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events. For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @flamebearers Follow us Instagram - / flamebearers Facebook - / flamebearerspodcast Linkedin - / flame-bearers Tiktok - / flame_bearers X - / flame_bearers Our Website - https://flamebearers.com/ Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video. If you like the content, subscribe to our channel!

After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for visibility in sports you’ve never even seen on TV. And yet, across all these differences, certain themes echo again and again. That’s what this new Best Of series is all about: spotlighting both the range of experiences and the threads that connect them. We’ve pulled together the most powerful moments across years of conversations, including: ✨ Best Advice to Younger Selves — from “give yourself grace to be a beginner” to “don’t dim your light for anyone.” ✨ Best Stories of Resilience — tales of athletes coming back from devastating injuries, near-misses, and moments when the world doubted them most. ✨ Best Moments of Role Modelship — athletes lifting the next generation, mentoring teammates, and carrying entire communities with them to the world stage. ✨ Best Stories of Identity & Joy — how athletes embrace who they are on and off the field, from glitter on the track to pride in their heritage. and many more! You’ll hear voices as different as the sports they represent, yet together, they reveal what it really takes to rise to the top. This isn’t just one story. It’s hundreds woven together. And this is just the beginning. In this episode, With a Little Help, Cynthia Appiah (Canada, bobsleigh pilot) shares how her coaches guided her through her toughest season back to the podium. Asia Hogan Rochester (Canada, rugby sevens) reflects on rebuilding team culture, healing from injuries, and rising to Olympic silver. Natoya Ghoul Toppin (Jamaica, 800m) draws strength from her faith to overcome fear and rebuild confidence. Marine Fatoumatta Camara (Mali, boxing) tells of choosing to represent Mali and becoming the country’s first female boxing medalist. Husnah Kukundakwe (Uganda, paraswimming) recalls qualifying through lockdown determination with her mom and coach. Giancarla Trevisan (Italy, 400m) shares how training partners and patience led her from injury to a personal best. Fran Brown (Great Britain, para cycling) describes how friendship and opportunity reignited her path to elite sport. Together, their stories show how belief, mentorship, and community transform self-doubt into collective strength. Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events. For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @‌flamebearers Follow us - Instagram - / flamebearers Facebook - / flamebearerspodcast Linkedin - / flame-bearers Tiktok - / flame_bearers X - / flame_bearers Our Website - https://flamebearers.com/ Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video. If you like the content, subscribe to our channel!

After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for visibility in sports you’ve never even seen on TV. And yet, across all these differences, certain themes echo again and again. That’s what this new Best Of series is all about: spotlighting both the range of experiences and the threads that connect them. We’ve pulled together the most powerful moments across years of conversations, including: ✨ Best Advice to Younger Selves — from “give yourself grace to be a beginner” to “don’t dim your light for anyone.” ✨ Best Stories of Resilience — tales of athletes coming back from devastating injuries, near-misses, and moments when the world doubted them most. You’ll hear voices as different as the sports they represent, yet together, they reveal what it really takes to rise to the top. This isn’t just one story. It’s hundreds woven together. And this is just the beginning. 🎧 In this episode: Young Talent Kokona Hiraki (Japan, skateboarding) shares the joy of progression and skateboarding’s artistry beyond contests. Lauren Scruggs (USA, foil fencing) reflects on sibling-fueled beginnings and channeling fierce role models. Taylor Winnett (Paralympic swimming) recounts injury, discovering para sport, and choosing the pool over a paycheck. Regina Salmons (USA, rowing) explores body changes, belonging, and valuing feel over aesthetics. Farida Osman (Egypt, swimming) explains longevity through seasonal resets to avoid burnout. Jackie Dubrovich (USA, foil fencing) celebrates creativity, adaptability, and real-time problem solving. Bryony Page (Great Britain, trampoline) details retraining mind and body to move through fear. These voices frame talent as curiosity guided by resilience and rest—and offer listeners practical ways to nurture it. Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events. For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @‌flamebearers Follow us - Instagram - / flamebearers Facebook - / flamebearerspodcast Linkedin - / flame-bearers Tiktok - / flame_bearers X - / flame_bearers Our Website - https://flamebearers.com/ 💬 Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video. 📺 If you like the content, subscribe to our channel! Flame Bearers: Pathways to Paris is a finalist for the 5th Annual Anthem Awards! We’re in the running in three categories: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Human and Civil Rights, AND the Anthem Community Voice Award. This award is determined entirely by public support. Voting ends October 30, so please vote today and share with your networks! Link to vote: https://celebrate.anthemawards.com/PublicVoting#/2025/diversity-equity-inclusion-belonging/awareness-categories/

After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for visibility in sports you’ve never even seen on TV. And yet, across all these differences, certain themes echo again and again. That’s what this new Best Of series is all about: spotlighting both the range of experiences and the threads that connect them. We’ve pulled together the most powerful moments across years of conversations, including: ✨ Best Advice to Younger Selves — from “give yourself grace to be a beginner” to “don’t dim your light for anyone.” ✨ Best Stories of Resilience — tales of athletes coming back from devastating injuries, near-misses, and moments when the world doubted them most. ✨ Best Moments of Role Modelship — athletes lifting the next generation, mentoring teammates, and carrying entire communities with them to the world stage. ✨ Best Stories of Identity & Joy — how athletes embrace who they are on and off the field, from glitter on the track to pride in their heritage. and many more! You’ll hear voices as different as the sports they represent, yet together, they reveal what it really takes to rise to the top. This isn’t just one story. It’s hundreds woven together. And this is just the beginning. In this episode, Going the Distance, Natoya Goule-Toppin (Jamaica, 800m) shares her relentless fight through illness and injury to return stronger on the track. Caster Semenya (South Africa, 800m) reflects on reclaiming power and self-love after years of scrutiny and legal battles. Anna Jurt (Switzerland, modern pentathlon) finds joy in the process, learning resilience through failure and persistence. Husnah Kukundakwa (Uganda, paraswimming) opens up about how swimming helped her embrace her identity and confidence despite discrimination. Shannon Rowbury (USA, 1500m) explains how lessons from Olympic competition fuel her work mentoring others in performance and mindset. Together, these women redefine endurance—not just as physical stamina, but as faith, identity, and the will to keep showing up. Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events. For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @‌flamebearers Follow us - Instagram - / flamebearers Facebook - / flamebearerspodcast Linkedin - / flame-bearers Tiktok - / flame_bearers X - / flame_bearers Our Website - https://flamebearers.com Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video. If you like the content, subscribe to our channel! Flame Bearers: Pathways to Paris is a finalist for the 5th Annual Anthem Awards! We’re in the running in three categories: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Human and Civil Rights, AND the Anthem Community Voice Award. That last one is where you come in. This award is determined entirely by public support. Voting ends October 30, so please vote today and share with your networks!

After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for visibility in sports you’ve never even seen on TV. And yet, across all these differences, certain themes echo again and again. That’s what this new Best Of series is all about: spotlighting both the range of experiences and the threads that connect them. We’ve pulled together the most powerful moments across years of conversations, including: ✨ Best Advice to Younger Selves — from “give yourself grace to be a beginner” to “don’t dim your light for anyone.” ✨ Best Stories of Resilience — tales of athletes coming back from devastating injuries, near-misses, and moments when the world doubted them most. ✨ Best Moments of Role Modelship — athletes lifting the next generation, mentoring teammates, and carrying entire communities with them to the world stage. ✨ Best Stories of Identity & Joy — how athletes embrace who they are on and off the field, from glitter on the track to pride in their heritage. and many more! You’ll hear voices as different as the sports they represent, yet together, they reveal what it really takes to rise to the top. This isn’t just one story. It’s hundreds woven together. And this is just the beginning. In this episode, UE Hispanic Edition, we celebrate Latina pride, identity, and heritage through the voices of three extraordinary athletes. Julimar Ávila (Honduras, swimming) shares how family roots and long hours at the pool shaped her love for the water and her pride in representing Honduras on the Olympic stage. Lavonne Idlette (Dominican Republic, track and field) reflects on her journey from Hampton University to the 2012 Olympics and the unbreakable bond she found with her mother’s homeland. Alejandra Aybar (Dominican Republic, Paralympic swimming) speaks about resilience, respect, and breaking misconceptions around Paralympic athletes. As we close out Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the athletes who proudly represent their heritage — honoring their voices, their journeys, and the cultures that shaped them. Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events. For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @flamebearers Follow us - Instagram - / flamebearers Facebook - / flamebearerspodcast Linkedin - / flame-bearers Tiktok - / flame_bearers X - / flame_bearers Our Website - https://flamebearers.com/ Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video. If you like the content, subscribe to our channel!

After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for visibility in sports you’ve never even seen on TV. And yet, across all these differences, certain themes echo again and again. That’s what this new Best Of series is all about—spotlighting both the range of experiences and the threads that connect them. We’ve pulled together the most powerful moments across years of conversations, including: ✨ Best Advice to Younger Selves — from “give yourself grace to be a beginner” to “don’t dim your light for anyone.” ✨ Best Stories of Resilience — tales of athletes coming back from devastating injuries, near-misses, and moments when the world doubted them most. ✨ Best Moments of Role Modelship — athletes lifting the next generation, mentoring teammates, and carrying entire communities with them to the world stage. ✨ Best Stories of Identity & Joy — how athletes embrace who they are on and off the field, from glitter on the track to pride in their heritage. and many more! You’ll hear voices as different as the sports they represent, yet together, they reveal what it really takes to rise to the top. This isn’t just one story. It’s hundreds woven together. And this is just the beginning. In this episode, Resilience and Perserverence, athletes open up about what it costs to keep going and how they rebuild when everything says stop. Canadian bobsleigh pilot Cynthia Appiah shares how the sport helped her find her voice and the confidence to stand up for herself. U.S. wheelchair tennis star Dana Mathewson describes a childhood diagnosis, initial resistance to adaptive sport, and the moment tennis finally clicked. Olympic trampolinist Bryony Page talks about fear, losing confidence, and the practical tools that brought her back to big skills. Chelsea Edghill, table tennis Olympian from Guyana, pushes back on the “it looks easy” myth and explains how mindfulness keeps her centered. Jamaican middle-distance runner Natoya Goule-Toppin recounts a car accident, a lingering nerve issue, and racing her way back to 1:55 form. Malian-French boxer Marine Fatoumata revisits burnout and abuse, then finding a coach and team that respected her and saved her career. And French figure skater Maé-Bérénice Méité remembers an Achilles rupture that ended an Olympic qualifier and how she rediscovered joy by making skating a game again. Together, these stories show resilience as a practice: setting boundaries, seeking support, and choosing to try again. Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events. For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @flamebearers Follow us - Instagram - / flamebearers Facebook - / flamebearerspodcast Linkedin - / flame-bearers Tiktok - / flame_bearers X - / flame_bearers Our Website - https://flamebearers.com/ Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video. If you like the content, subscribe to our channel!

After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for visibility in sports you’ve never even seen on TV. And yet, across all these differences, certain themes echo again and again. That’s what this new Best Of series is all about—spotlighting both the range of experiences and the threads that connect them. We’ve pulled together the most powerful moments across years of conversations, including: ✨ Best Advice to Younger Selves — from “give yourself grace to be a beginner” to “don’t dim your light for anyone.” ✨ Best Stories of Resilience — tales of athletes coming back from devastating injuries, near-misses, and moments when the world doubted them most. ✨ Best Moments of Role Modelship — athletes lifting the next generation, mentoring teammates, and carrying entire communities with them to the world stage. ✨ Best Stories of Identity & Joy — how athletes embrace who they are on and off the field, from glitter on the track to pride in their heritage. and many more! You’ll hear voices as different as the sports they represent, yet together, they reveal what it really takes to rise to the top. This isn’t just one story. It’s hundreds woven together. And this is just the beginning. In this episode we explore how elite women athletes define who they are in the face of pressure, expectation, and change. You’ll hear Afghan taekwondo champion Marzia Hamidi confront what it meant to lose, and reclaim, her identity when the Taliban banned women from sport. Fran Brown, British Paralympic cyclist, pushes back on “inspiration porn” to assert her professionalism and agency. Asia Hogan-Rochester, Olympic silver medalist with Canada Rugby Sevens, celebrates individuality, glitter, mismatched cleats and all, as fuel for confidence. And Catarina Guimarães (Team USA) shows that power and femininity aren’t opposites, reminding young girls they can love bows and sparkle and still be absolute beasts on the field. Together, these stories reveal identity as both a fight and a freedom, something you own, protect, and proudly bring to the world. Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events. For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @flamebearers Follow us - Instagram - / flamebearers Facebook - / flamebearerspodcast Linkedin - / flame-bearers Tiktok- / flame_bearers X- / flame_bearers Our Website - https://flamebearers.com/ Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video. If you like the content, subscribe to our channel!

After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for visibility in sports you’ve never even seen on TV. And yet, across all these differences, certain themes echo again and again. That’s what this new Best Of series is all about—spotlighting both the range of experiences and the threads that connect them. We’ve pulled together the most powerful moments across years of conversations, including: ✨ Best Advice to Younger Selves — from “give yourself grace to be a beginner” to “don’t dim your light for anyone.” ✨ Best Stories of Resilience — tales of athletes coming back from devastating injuries, near-misses, and moments when the world doubted them most. ✨ Best Moments of Role Modelship — athletes lifting the next generation, mentoring teammates, and carrying entire communities with them to the world stage. ✨ Best Stories of Identity & Joy — how athletes embrace who they are on and off the field, from glitter on the track to pride in their heritage. and many more! You’ll hear voices as different as the sports they represent, yet together, they reveal what it really takes to rise to the top. This isn’t just one story. It’s hundreds woven together. And this is just the beginning. In this episode — My Identity (Part 1) — we explore who athletes are beyond medals and headlines. Two-time Olympic champion Caster Semenya says “take me as I am” and challenges narrow ideas of womanhood in sport. Three-time Olympian Shannon Rowbury opens up about the identity shift after stepping away from competition, how she “meditates through movement,” and the power of running community (including her time supporting the San Francisco State team). Claire Taggart, a boccia athlete from Northern Ireland competing for the United Kingdom, reflects on being multifaceted — a woman and a disabled elite athlete — and on boccia’s post-Tokyo move to gendered events giving women new space to shine. This is identity in motion: honest, layered, and unapologetically real. Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events. For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @flamebearers Follow us - Instagram - / flamebearers Facebook - / flamebearerspodcast Linkedin - / flame-bearers Tiktok- / flame_bearers X- / flame_bearers Our Website - https://flamebearers.com/ Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video. If you like the content, subscribe to our channel!

After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for visibility in sports you’ve never even seen on TV. And yet, across all these differences, certain themes echo again and again. That’s what this new Best Of series is all about—spotlighting both the range of experiences and the threads that connect them. We’ve pulled together the most powerful moments across years of conversations, including: ✨ Best Advice to Younger Selves — from “give yourself grace to be a beginner” to “don’t dim your light for anyone.” ✨ Best Stories of Resilience — tales of athletes coming back from devastating injuries, near-misses, and moments when the world doubted them most. ✨ Best Moments of Role Modelship — athletes lifting the next generation, mentoring teammates, and carrying entire communities with them to the world stage. ✨ Best Stories of Identity & Joy — how athletes embrace who they are on and off the field, from glitter on the track to pride in their heritage. and many more! You’ll hear voices as different as the sports they represent, yet together, they reveal what it really takes to rise to the top. This isn’t just one story. It’s hundreds woven together. And this is just the beginning. In this episode, we continue our global journey through the voices of women athletes sharing heartfelt advice they wish they could give their younger selves. You’ll hear from Olympic Refugee Canoist, Saman Soltani on choosing joy amid hardship, Indian swimmer Chahat Arora on overcoming criticism, and U.S. Paralympian Catarina Guimarães on how setbacks shape strength and more! This episode is a powerful reminder that while every athlete’s journey is unique, the lessons they’ve learned can be applied by all. ------- Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events. For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @flamebearers Follow us - Instagram - / flamebearers Facebook - / flamebearerspodcast Linkedin - / flame-bearers Tiktok- / flame_bearers X- / flame_bearers Our Website - https://flamebearers.com/

After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for visibility in sports you’ve never even seen on TV. And yet, across all these differences, certain themes echo again and again. That’s what this new Best Of series is all about—spotlighting both the range of experiences and the threads that connect them. We’ve pulled together the most powerful moments across years of conversations, including: ✨ Best Advice to Younger Selves — from “give yourself grace to be a beginner” to “don’t dim your light for anyone.” ✨ Best Stories of Resilience — tales of athletes coming back from devastating injuries, near-misses, and moments when the world doubted them most. ✨ Best Moments of Role Modelship — athletes lifting the next generation, mentoring teammates, and carrying entire communities with them to the world stage. ✨ Best Stories of Identity & Joy — how athletes embrace who they are on and off the field, from glitter on the track to pride in their heritage. and many more! You’ll hear voices as different as the sports they represent, yet together, they reveal what it really takes to rise to the top. This isn’t just one story. It’s hundreds woven together. And this is just the beginning. ------- Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events. For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @flamebearers Follow us - Instagram - / flamebearers Facebook - / flamebearerspodcast Linkedin - / flame-bearers Tiktok- / flame_bearers X- / flame_bearers Our Website - https://flamebearers.com/ Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video. If you like the content, subscribe to our channel! ------

Olympian, designer, entrepreneur, and new mom—Nina Ligon wears many hats, and she’s learned not to box herself into just one. As Thailand’s first female equestrian to compete at the Olympics, Nina broke barriers at the London 2012 Games in the sport of Three-Day Eventing. But when the competition ended, her real journey was just beginning. “I didn’t want to define myself as the horse girl anymore,” she shares. “I wanted to discover who I was beyond that.” In this deeply personal conversation, Nina opens up about what came next—from stepping away from sport cold turkey to diving into Stanford’s design labs, launching a career at Headspace, earning her MBA from Yale, and ultimately founding her own company, Generation Sport. Rooted in her own frustrations as a young athlete who never felt like uniforms were made for her body, Nina is now on a mission to build better sportswear with and for girls and women. “Young female athletes are under so much scrutiny in a way they’ve never been before. We’re here to support them.” She shares the challenges of letting go of an identity that once defined her, the emotional pull of starting over, and what it means to lead as a new mom and business owner. “Being an entrepreneur gives me the flexibility to spend time with my son—but it also means the pressure stops with me.” Nina’s message to fellow athletes in transition? “Let go of the need to be great right away. Be a beginner again. Be curious. That’s where everything starts.” — Flame Bearers is a multimedia movement, illuminating the unsung stories of elite women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events and have worked with over 270 Olympians and Paralympians from 55 countries and counting. For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @flamebearers Follow us — Instagram: / flamebearers Facebook: / flamebearerspodcast LinkedIn: / flame-bearers TikTok: / flame_bearers X: / flame_bearers OUR WEBSITE: https://flamebearers.com/ Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video. If you like the content, do subscribe to our channel!

“You have to come to accept that you’re going to crash—and you’re going to crash a lot.” For Canadian bobsleigh pilot Cynthia Appiah, pushing limits isn’t a metaphor—it’s daily reality. From Olympic heartbreak to recently coming in Fourth at World Championship, Cynthia’s journey has been defined by grit, reinvention, and resilience. Originally a hammer thrower and shot putter at York University, Cynthia didn’t see herself going beyond collegiate track. But everything changed one summer when the Ontario bobsleigh team hosted open tryouts—right on her campus. “I was already here. I might as well try it out,” she remembers. The testing included sprints, jumps, lifts, and medicine ball tosses. Athletes who hit 600 points were invited to continue—and Cynthia did. “That pretty much got the ball rolling to where I’m at now.” But it hasn’t been smooth. When she was named an alternate just two weeks before the 2018 Olympics, she was crushed. “I basically paused my life...to put every single ounce of strength, every dollar, blood, sweat, and tears into this.” The decision devastated her—but it also lit a new fire. She transitioned to pilot, took the wheel, and found her voice: “I will always credit bobsleigh with me finding who I am as a person and finding my voice.” Today, she’s a pioneer in women’s monobob—an event leveling the playing field with standardized equipment—and she’s fourth in the world going into the next Olympics. In this episode, Cynthia shares what it takes to stay in the game: managing brutal financial barriers, crashing (literally), and keeping the faith when doors slam shut. Her advice to up-and-comers? “Really tap into your network. You don’t know who might be the door that opens for you.” And to her younger self? “I wish I knew how to use my voice sooner and be more comfortable in my skin.” This is a raw and powerful conversation about failure, comeback, and why Cynthia refuses to let the sport—or the system—define her. Photo credit: Sportsnet.com -------- Flame Bearers is a multimedia movement, illuminating the unsung stories of elite women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video, and live events and have worked with over 350 exceptional women athletes from 55 countries and counting. For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► /@flamebearers Follow us - Instagram - /flamebearers Facebook - /flamebearerspodcast LinkedIn - /flame-bearers TikTok - /flame_bearers X - /flame_bearers Our Website- https://flamebearers.com/ Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video. If you like the content, subscribe to our channel!

“I chose not to decide—and that led me here.” Growing up on a small Swiss farm with nine siblings, Anna Jurt learned early that resilience wasn’t optional—it was survival. Now, at just 23, she’s a European Vice Champion and a Paris 2024 Olympiqn in one of the most grueling and misunderstood sports: Modern Pentathlon. In this conversation, Anna opens up about her unconventional path—from exchanging her mom’s prized cow for a “unicorn” pony to finding her calling in a sport that demands mastery of five disciplines. “It’s not about the results. It’s about loving the process.” With a new format shaking up her sport and her own setbacks on the road to Paris, Anna shares what it really takes to push through failure, adapt, and thrive under pressure. Her advice? “Be patient. Put in the work. Even if it’s not the outcome you expect, something good will come.” Whether you’re an athlete or just navigating life’s obstacles, Anna’s story will have you rethinking how you measure success—and resilience. -------- Flame Bearers is a multimedia movement, illuminating the unsung stories of elite women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events and have worked with over 270 Olympians and Paralympians from 55 countries and counting. For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► /@flamebearers Follow us - Instagram - /flamebearers Facebook - /flamebearerspodcast LinkedIn - /flame-bearers TikTok - /flame_bearers X - /flame_bearers Our Website- https://flamebearers.com/

“I’ve realized that the only competition I really have is myself.” At just 18 years old, Amy Thompson is already rewriting the narrative of what it means to be an elite athlete. A British F41 shot putter gunning for the LA 2028 Paralympics, Amy is more than a powerhouse on the field—she’s a fierce advocate, scientist-in-training, and pianist who refuses to be put in a box. She shares, “People with dwarfism are often boxed in just as they're seen as being incapable...Anyone with dwarfism has equal opportunity... to be whoever they want to be and do whatever they want to do.” Amy first discovered para sport through the Dwarf Sports Association at age 8 and won gold at her first international competition in Italy by 15. But the journey hasn’t been easy. After losing her coach to cancer, she found a new calling: biomedical science, with aspirations to study oncology. “It was quite difficult, because he was the one that brought me to my first ever international competition...but I know I can move on.” In this episode, Amy opens up about battling media misrepresentation, reclaiming language around disability, and why young athletes should stop comparing themselves to others. “You’ve always got to know that they’re not going to affect you as much as you can affect yourself.” From underfunded competitions to under-covered sports, Amy wants the world to stop underestimating para athletes. Her call to action? “Do your research. Learn about the athlete. We work just as hard—if not harder—than anyone else.” --------- Flame Bearers is a multi media movement, illuminating the unsung stories of elite women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events and have worked with over 350 Olympians and Paralympians from 55 countries and counting. For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @flamebearers Follow us - Instagram - / flamebearers Facebook - / flamebearerspodcast Linkedin - / flame-bearers Tiktok - / flame_bearers X - / flame_bearers Our Website- https://flamebearers.com/

To watch this episode, tune in on the Flame Bearers YouTube Channel -------------------------- “Even if I fail, I’m loved and I have purpose.” That’s the mindset that carried Team USA wrestler Alexandria Glaudé through two years of injury, three surgeries, and a massive comeback not many saw coming. From losing her father at age seven to being cut from her high school basketball team, Alexandria’s path to wrestling was anything but traditional. “Fine, if I get cut from basketball, I’ll join wrestling,” she joked with friends—never thinking she’d actually be cut. The next day, she was. And the rest? “The choice was made for me,” she laughs. In this interview, Alexandria takes us behind the scenes of her stunning US Open victory, what it took to get back to competition, and the unshakable faith that fuels her. “Wrestling is just a tool God gave me to connect with people,” she reflects. She shares how her injury became an unexpected gift, helping her grow spiritually and personally: “If I’m going to be in alignment with God’s plan, that doesn’t always mean I’m going to get what I want.” She also gets real about body image, content creation, and what beauty means on her terms. “I used to think I was too big,” she says. “But once I saw what my body could do, I knew I was made this way on purpose.” Now balancing elite training and a growing digital platform (without a manager), Alexandria is blazing her own path. “I had a Trader Joe’s application up,” she chuckles, “but I decided to treat social media like a job.” Her call to action? Simple and powerful: “Go to a women’s wrestling tournament. Show up. Cheer. See what we’re about.” Photo provided by Alexandria — Flame Bearers is a multimedia movement, illuminating the unsung stories of elite women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events and have worked with over 270 Olympians and Paralympians from 55 countries and counting. For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► /@flamebearers Follow us - Instagram - /flamebearers Facebook - /flamebearerspodcast LinkedIn - /flame-bearers TikTok - /flame_bearers X - /flame_bearers Our Website - https://flamebearers.com/ If you like the content, subscribe to our channel! Flame Bearers is actively looking for partners, so if you'd like to work together, please fill out the contact form at Flamebearers.com

“Self-confidence is key. You’ve just got to focus on yourself.” Lauren Scruggs isn’t just making history—she’s rewriting it. A two-time Olympic medalist and the first Black American woman to win an individual fencing medal, Lauren's journey has never followed the script. Raised by a single mom, often the only Black girl on the fencing strip, and now a Harvard senior studying philosophy and finance, she shares, "I didn’t plan to make history, but now I get to be that person someone else looks up to.” In this UNEDITED conversations, Lauren opens up about competing in a predominantly white, wealthy sport and the mindset her mom instilled in her early on: “It’s you against the world.” She shares the confidence it took to navigate elite fencing circuits, her belief in the power of representation, and how the Peter Westbrook Foundation is helping create space for more kids who look like her. Her recommendation? “Self-confidence is key. You’ve just got to focus on yourself" and at times you may have to "Be a little selfish... put your headphones on." From crushing Olympic goals to preparing for a career in finance, Lauren’s thinking big—and giving back. “Unfortunately, money is what you need to do things—and if I can help people understand that system, I will.” Whether it’s mentoring kids on Saturdays or dreaming of expanding access to fencing, her mission is clear: push forward and bring others with you. Her advice for younger Lauren—and for all of us? “Just keep going.” Photo provided by Lauren Scruggs citing Augusto Bizzi. --------- Flame Bearers is a multi media movement, illuminating the unsung stories of elite women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events and have worked with over 270 Olympians and Paralympians from 55 countries and counting. For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► /@flamebearers Follow us - Instagram - /flamebearers Facebook - /flamebearerspodcast LinkedIn - /flame-bearers TikTok - /flame_bearers X - /flame_bearers Our Website - https://flamebearers.com/

“I was always a nerd who just happened to be fast.” LaVonne Idlette didn’t fit the mold—and she never tried to. While most Olympians are laser focused on podiums, LaVonne was balancing elite track training and law school, sprinting toward the London 2012 Games with a briefcase in hand. Today, she’s a lawyer, entrepreneur, and unapologetic powerhouse helping fellow athletes become the CEOs of their own lives. In this episode of Flame Bearers: UNEDITED LaVonne gets real about everything from training behind a moving car (yes, that happened) to building affordable housing and rewriting what legacy means. Her message? Own your power—on and off the track. “Your financial advisor works for you,” she says. “You're the boss here.” Now the author of The Hidden Wealth Code (details below), LaVonne is teaching athletes how to protect their privacy, preserve their assets, and lead with purpose. Her real-life “asset protection games” turn financial planning into an interactive playbook—especially for athletes who’ve been taught to stay in their lane instead of run their empire. And when it comes to women in sport? She’s not sugarcoating it. “We don’t all have to hug it out,” she says. “Let women be fierce. Let them be rivals. That’s what builds fandom.” Her advice? “Fail forward. And if it won’t matter in five years, give it five minutes—then move.” Whether she’s challenging financial norms or calling out double standards in women’s sports, LaVonne is redefining what strength, strategy, and self-worth look like. Pre-order LaVonne's book here: https://hiddenwealthcodebook.com/ -------- Flame Bearers is a multimedia movement, illuminating the unsung stories of elite women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events and have worked with over 270 Olympians and Paralympians from 55 countries and counting. For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► /@flamebearers Follow us – Instagram – /flamebearers Facebook – /flamebearerspodcast LinkedIn – /flame-bearers TikTok – /flame_bearers X – /flame_bearers Our Website – https://flamebearers.com/

“I want them to see Natoya Goule in a different way…not just the runner, but the woman, the warrior, the believer.” Jamaican middle-distance star, Natoya Goule has long been known for her speed and tenacity on the track. A three-time Olympian and ADIDAS ambassador, she’s one of the fastest women in the world over 800 meters. But as Natoya reveals in this intimate conversation, her real power lies not just in her stride—but in her spirit. From growing up in Manchester Jamaica, competing in school sports days with her older brother to representing her country on the biggest stages in sport, Natoya’s journey has been anything but what she expected. "I didn't even know about the Olympics," and then Veronica Campbell came on the scene, and changed everything. She opens up about hidden injuries, a terrifying car accident, and the relentless pressure of proving herself year after year. “People don’t see the behind-the-scenes,” she says. “They see the race, not the fight it took to get there.” Faith is her foundation. “God gave me my talent and He gets me through everything. When I wanted to give up, He gave me purpose.” Whether it’s running through pain, building a global Bible study group with fellow athletes like Nicola McDermott, or advocating for equal pay in women’s sports, Natoya’s strength goes far beyond the track. In this conversation, she speaks openly about the power of representation, the tradeoffs she’s made for sport, and the beauty of building a life with someone who shares her Olympic dreams—her husband. Her hope? That people see her—and all women athletes—for their full selves. “We’re not just out here to look pretty. We’re powerful. We’re worthy. And we’re here to stay.” Photos provided by Natoya with her approval to use. ------- Flame Bearers is a multimedia movement, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video, and live events and have worked with over 300 Olympians and Paralympians from 55 countries and counting. For more videos about exceptional women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► /@flamebearers Follow us: Instagram - /flamebearers Facebook - /flamebearerspodcast LinkedIn - /flame-bearers TikTok - /flame_bearers X - /flame_bearers Our Website - https://flamebearers.com/