Episode 21: Maame Biney

Meet six Team USA athletes headed to Tokyo for the Olympics and Paralympics this summer. For the final episode of season one, Sasha revisits some of her favorite conversations with six Tokyo-bound athletes: Yul Moldauer (gymnastics), Matt Scott (wheelchair basketball), Haylie McCleney (softball), Alex Massialas (fencing), Heimana Reynolds (skateboarding) and Tyler Merren (goalball). The Olympics begin July 23, and the Paralympics open August 24. Get to know these awesome athletes and join us in cheering them on at the Tokyo Games!

Softball player Haylie McCleney joins Sasha this week. She explains what it means to be able to represent Team USA and be a part of softball's return to the Olympic Games this summer. Haylie and Sasha talk about how Haylie stays focused on her goals when faced with adversity. Haylie shares her passion for growing opportunities in women's sports both as a coach and an athlete.

Gymnast Yul Moldauer joins Sasha this week ahead of competing at 2021 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Gymnastics. Yul walks Sasha through his career - from accidentally discovering gymnastics as a child to becoming the most decorated NCAA gymnast in history. Yul shares how he found his 'why' during the pandemic and how this reinvigorated his training as he looks to qualify for his first Olympic Games this summer.

Tyler Merren, 4x Paralympian in goalball, joins Sasha this week. He shares how he found his love for the Paralympic-only sport of goalball, leading him to a nearly two decade career with the national team. Tyler also shares how sports became a guiding force as he progressively lost his vision throughout his young life. Sasha and Tyler discuss how Tyler maintains balance as an athlete, dad and business owner while training for his fourth Paralympic Games this summer. He also shares why he chose to retire after the 2016 Games and what eventually brought him back to the sport he loves.

Tianna Bartoletta, Olympic gold medalist in Track & Field, joins Sasha this week. Tianna explains the importance of mental training and how it's allowed her to unlock her full potential as a competitor. She also shares the difficult moments that inspired her to share her truth in her book, Survive & Advance.

Yeonmi Park, a human right activist, joins Sasha on this week's episode. She details her escape from North Korea at age 13. Yeonmi describes what it was like to build a new life in a western culture, eventually settling in the United States, and how she continues to fight for her people.

David Brooks, cultural commentator and best-selling author, joins Sasha this week. He shares insight into his writings on morality and his personal struggle to build a meaningful life beyond his career.

Molly Bloom joins Sasha for this week's conversation. Molly shares her story from competitive skier to running an underground high stakes poker game. Sasha and Molly talk about how being an athlete and suffering career-ending injuries shaped each of the incredible highs and lows in Molly's life. She also explains her decision to share her life story, eventually becoming the popular movie Molly's Game.

Sasha's Olympic teammate Jeremy Bloom joins her for this week's podcast. Jeremy talks about his path to the Olympic Games in skiing while playing collegiate football and eventually being drafted into the NFL. Jeremy explains how he transitioned into the tech space and coped with the loss of his identity as an athlete. He shares what he's learned about himself and embracing failure to lead him to each new phase of his adult life.