Kendall Ellis Interview

TJ and Ato talk about the famous Oakley glasses Ato debuted 20 years ago at the Sydney Olympics (0:38). Ato talks about his career in television including: his decision to go into TV (3:21), if he was more nervous for his first Olympic race or broadcast (6:01), his favorite race to call (8:35), his favorite event to watch (10:50) and his time broadcasting NASCAR (12:30). TJ asks Ato about some of his interests outside of Track and Field including: his time in politics (16:15), his work with Homes for Hope (18:02) and his induction into the Institute for Caribbean Studies Wall of Fame (20:35). Ato talks about what it is like to now be a coach (21:56) and what it was like to run with the hopes of an entire country all on him (24:17). TJ asks for Ato's take on his prediction of when Usain Bolt's World Record will be broken (28:10) and they discuss Christian Coleman's current two-year ban from Track and Field (31:36). Lastly, TJ asks Ato what impact he hopes he's had (34:28).  

TJ lists some highlights of Ato's impressive resume (:53). Ato talks about his favorite moment in his running career (1:47) and what it was like running as the veteran on the Trinidad and Tobago team near the end of his career (4:07). He then tells the story of how a psychic played into his races in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (5:52). TJ asks Ato why he decided to make a life long career out of track and field (10:17). Next they discuss the misconception that any fast athlete in the NFL has world class speed and could make an Olympic team. Ato describes what he considers "world class speed" (12:39) and why there is this misconception about NFL athletes (15:36). TJ asks Ato how this attention, even though it may be misguided, affects track and field (17:33) and what kind of effect someone like Tyreek Hill running in the Olympic Trials would have on the sport of Track and Field (21:34). They refocus on Ato's life as he talks about how the street he grew up on was named after him (23:55). TJ asks about the difficulty of moving to a different country at the age of 14 (26:19). Ato discusses how his track career began (28:56), a story about causing himself to be left off of a relay team for the Penn Relays in high school (31:14) and why he went to a junior college before attending UCLA despite being highly recruited (33:33). Lastly, Ato talks about how he got the nickname of Golden Boldon at a young age (35:35). 

TJ kicks off the episodes by talking about some of Theo's accolades (:30). Theo talks about his transition to coaching after injuries ended his playing career (1:16) and how difficult that was to accept (3:18). TJ and Theo discuss Theo's election into the De La Salle High School Hall of Fame (6:34). Theo explains how he realized he wanted to become a coach while he was working for the Pac-12 Conference (9:17) and what his introduction was like to the administrative side of athletics when he went back to Cal (11:51). He talks about what his biggest takeaways were from his initial days coaching at Cal (13:26) and how he landed his first role with the Golden State Warriors (14:54). TJ asks what exactly Player Development entails in the NBA (17:54) and how you can develop a veteran (19:40). TJ then asks if playing with the team at practice makes up for not having an opportunity to play in the NBA (22:03). Theo explains what an NBA practice day is like for the players (23:56), for himself (27:25) and what scouting in the NBA is like (29:57). They discuss Theo joining Luke Walton's staff on the Lakers (32:22), what that experience was like (35:30) and why he left after just one year (37:25). He then talks about his experience going back to coach at Cal for a year (39:52) and his time coaching with Team USA basketball (41:40). TJ shares a story about Steve Kerr and Jeff Van Gundy and gets Theo's reaction to it (44:05). Theo talks about getting a second opportunity with the Warriors (46:19), the biggest difference in his current role from his old one (48:09) and what it is like working with rookies instead of veterans (50:40). TJ and Theo talk about the development of Eric Paschall (53:14) and how Theo's approach to the year changed with the Warriors having to play their rookies more than expected (56:25). TJ asks what Theo's role will look like next year (59:10), what kind of input he has on the roster (1:00:40) and what it is like being in the new Chase arena (1:02:05). They revisit Theo's college days and he talks about his interests outside of basketball at Cal (1:04:34). Theo explains what his role is on the Board of Directors for the Big C Society at Cal (1:06:13). Lastly, he discusses his future goals (1:07:57). 

The show starts off with all of Raven's accolades showing just how dominant of an athlete she is (0:29). TJ and Raven discuss the 2016 Rio Olympics: what the transition was like from competing against collegiate athletes to the best in the world (1:42), what the feeling was like when she first stepped into the stadium to compete (2:33), her favorite memories from the Olympics (3:08) and how difficult it was to have to wait to compete until the second half of the Olympic Games (4:15). TJ asks Raven what it is like to have a day named after her (5:19). She then talks about why she went back to compete collegiately post Olympics instead of going pro (6:39), what she took back to college with her from her experience at the Olympics (7:43) and what it was like watching her USA teammate, Michelle Carter, win gold (8:55). TJ and Raven then discuss her battle with depression (11:01). She talks about reaching out to an old therapist as a last ditch effort (14:12), why people experiencing depression feel the need to hide their depression (15:55), how hard it was to admit she needed help (17:12), her daily battle with depression (18:55), her advice to others (20:44), and her work with the group Well Beings and the impact it has had on her (22:24). They discuss her 80-pound weight loss and the difference it has made in her training (25:24). TJ asks Raven how she got the nickname "Hulk" (28:34). They talk about her high school career including: her basketball dreams and how those switched to track and field dreams (29:35) and the impact her high school coach had on her (30:56). Raven discusses the impact the postponement of the Olympics due to COVID has had on her mentally (32:46), what the mood was like around the Olympic Training Center when COVID hit (33:49), the physical impact it has had on her training (34:58) and the impact it has had on college student-athletes (37:01). Raven talks about her expectations for the upcoming season (38:36), her coaching experience down in Southern California (39:59), and going back to school to finish her degree (40:56). TJ and Raven breakdown the event of shot put. Raven gives her takes on the most difficult part about the event (42:50) and the what would be the biggest surprise to fans about shot put (43:43). TJ also asks Raven about her strength levels after her weight loss (44:29), what her favorite event to watch is (46:10) how much she considers herself a showman while competing (47:24), and her interests outside of track and field (48:32). Lastly, TJ asks Raven what she wants her legacy to be (49:59). 

TJ explains the new format of this episode (0:06) and then introduces the athletes (2:13). Lexi talks about how the team found out that the Indoor NCAA Track and Field Championships were going to be cancelled due to COVID-19 (3:12) and what the scene was like at the track (4:20). Carmela talks about what kind of hope the team was still holding out that there would be an outdoor season (5:33). Max describes what went through his mind and what the day was like when he found out his senior year had been cancelled (6:24). Carmela talks about what went into her decision coming back for another senior year and not returning home to Spain (8:15). Max also talks about his decision to put life on hold and come back for his 6th year (10:05). TJ asks Lexi what that says about the culture of the team that these seniors are deciding to come back for another year (11:59) and what it means to be part of the first Oregon team to compete in the new Hayward Field (12:58). TJ talks with Max about what it means to hear that Head Coach Robert Johnson will not let the public in to see the stadium until it is revealed to the entire team (14:14). Carmela talks about what it means to know the stadium was designed specifically for the Oregon student-athletes needs (16:07), and Lexi talks about what having all these new team areas in the stadium will do for team chemistry (17:43). Max talks about what it was like for the team to get to sign one of the beams on the stadium (18:37). Lastly, Lexi, Carmela and Max each share what they are most excited about for the new stadium (20:13). TJ wraps up the episode at the end (22:28). 

TJ and Kyra discuss the race where she broke the collegiate record (1:15) and at what point the magnitude of her accomplishment finally hit her (7:52). She also opens up about the behind the scenes struggles from that year (10:36) and how she overcame them (12:08). Kyra discusses how she is approaching the 2021 Olympic trials (14:18) and the growth she has seen in herself since the 2016 trials (16:07). TJ asks her what she has to do differently this time around to make it to Tokyo (17:41) and how waiting an extra year has affected her mentally and physically (19:17). They talk about Kyra's father, Thomas Jefferson, being an Olympian and how that motivated her (22:22), what kind of expectations that has put on her (23:10) and any stories her dad has told her from his Olympic experiences (24:40). Kyra tells TJ what it means to her to represent the USA on the track (26:47). TJ asks Kyra about when she started in track (28:40) and what her parents, both accomplished track athletes, were like during her career as she grew up (30:09). Kyra discusses how close she came to choosing swimming over track (32:24) and when she realized she had a bright future in track and field (34:50). TJ asks why she ended up choosing to run for Florida (36:33). They breakdown what is was like to go pro. Kyra talks about the mentality switch upon turning pro (40:46), how long the transition took (42:21), when she saw herself as an equal (43:26), what it's like being a professional runner (45:29) and the pressure individual sport athletes, like track and field, have on them compared to athletes in team sport athletes (48:06). She discusses her Kyra Cares Foundation (49:24), how her foundation gets its message across (51:03) and when she realized she can make a difference with her personal brand (52:53). Kyra also discusses what she does in her down time (54:34). Lastly, TJ asks about Kyra's goals for the 2021 Olympic Trials (56:11).

TJ lists off some of Christian's accomplishments and talks with him about what moments from his career stand out to him (1:38). They discuss how he takes care of his knees with all of the pounding that occurs in triple jumping (2:45). Christian explains how difficult it was to change his technique in the prime of his career (4:18). He also discusses why Florida is so dominant in jumping (6:19). TJ asks Christian what the dynamic is between himself and his long time teammate and competitor, Will Claye(8:10), and how they interact during meets (9:48). Christian explains why the first time he ever jumped in a meet at the University of Florida's home track was in 2019, despite going to school there (10:50). He also talks about his expectations for competing in the new Hayward Field (14:30). TJ asks Christian why he put such an emphasis on finishing his college degree after leaving Florida (15:43), and Christian explains how hard that was while being a professional athlete (17:25). He also describes his reaction when he found out his event was cut from the Diamond League (17:25). TJ and Christian discuss the Athletics Association (21:44) including : the goal (24:49), the effect they have been able to have (26:43), the outside reaction to it (29:00), how COVID has created more dialogue opportunities around the Association (30:48) and his hope for the Association long term (32:50). TJ asks about how COVID has affected his training (34:11), what Christian's mindset is going into yet another Olympic trials (35:26) and how he trains his mind to be at a peak performance level (36:56). Christian breaks down a little track and field as he discusses what his style is to start his jump (38:19), which event has the most style (39:51) and what his favorite field event to watch is (41:39). TJ asks Christian how he got into jumping (42:57) and what the transition was like for him when he moved to England in 2013(44:26). Christian discusses his involvement with the group Classroom Champions (47:20) and what his interests are outside of track and field (49:03). Lastly, TJ talks with Christian about how much longer he sees himself jumping for (50:22), and what it will take to break the World Record (51:34).   

TJ asks Anita for the reasons behind the name change of Synchronized Swimming to Artistic Swimming (1:06). Anita breaks down the sport and explains the different events in Artistic Swimming (2:46), if they can hear the music underwater (5:27) and what kind of cues they use while performing (6:35). She also talks about what it was like to train John Legend in Artistic Swimming (9:14). They discuss why Anita chose to pursue Synchronized Swimming (11:42), Anita's relationship with her mom in the sport of Synchronized Swimming (13:51) and what it was like to move across the country on her own, in high school, to join the USA Senior National Team (16:25). Anita talks about what it was like to make her first Olympic Team (18:17), her grandfather's involvement with the "Miracle on Ice" in the 1980 Winter Olympics (19:48) and the moment when it hit her that she was at the Olympic Games (21:08). TJ asks Anita why placing 9th in Rio was such a huge accomplishment (23:52), what separates the top few teams in the world from the others (25:34), how the US can get back on the podium for the first time since 2004 (27:07), and why this may be the first US team that qualifies for the Olympics since 2008 (28:38). Anita explains what it is like being the veteran on the National Team at 23 years old (30:42), what their training consists of (32:09), how her training differs from other teammates with all of her various roles (33:58), what training consists of outside of the water (36:33) and the battle wounds that are suffered at practice (38:28). TJ and Anita talk about how she trains to hold her breath for her performances (39:55) and how long Anita can hold her breath for (41:27). Anita talks about how COVID-19 has altered her training (42:22), her team's Zoom calls with the rest of the world (44:47), how she has stayed leading her team via social distance (45:41), what the message from her team's sport psychologist has been during quarantine (46:56) and potential benefits quarantine has had on her training (48:09). TJ addresses rumors about her potential retirement post Tokyo (49:17) and they discuss why some athletes retire at such a young age in Artistic Swimming (50:35). Anita talks about what some of her superstitions are going into competitions (52:06) and why she yawns before every competition (53:23). TJ asks about Anita's interests outside of Artistic Swimming (54:43), why she decided to be a RISE mentor and what that involves (56:03) and finally, what the biggest misconception is about Artistic Swimming (57:40). 

TJ asks Shamier why she decided to be a 400 meter hurdler (1:50) and how she got started in that event (2:26). She explains what the last 100 meters of that race is like (3:52), what her strategy is going into her races (4:47) and what is going through her mind on the home stretch of a race (5:44). Shamier talks about when she realized she could be successful in track and field (6:12) and what it was that brought her to the sport at a young age (7:00). TJ asks if she ever thought of leaving track for another sport (7:52) and about her initial hesitation of running track for her high school (9:04). They talk about why Shamier decided to leave college early (10:46) and what has led to some of the struggles she has had a professional runner (12:22). TJ asks about what kind of changes she needs to make to make the Olympic team for Tokyo (13:28), what kind of confidence she has now being a veteran (14:04) and what added pressure she may feel going into the Olympic Trials (15:08). Shamier shares how her training has been effected by COVID (15:52), how she found out the season was cancelled (16:35) and how she has been able to stay in shape in quarantine (17:52). TJ asks Shamier what kind of changes she has seen in herself as her career has progressed (20:26) and what kind of advice she would give to younger athletes (21:48). She talks about what the relationship is like with her fellow competitors on and off the track (23:27). Shamier discusses what she has gotten to do and see while traveling to meets all around the world (26:23), how traveling has expanded her taste in various foods (28:17) and what she does in her downtime (29:03). TJ and Shamier talk about why the US is so good at hurdling (30:47) and the story behind her trademark bow (31:51). Lastly, after having so much success at the old Hayward Field, Shamier tells what her expectations of the new Hayward Field are (35:17). 

TJ starts off the show listing off Ryan's numerous accolades (1:21) and getting his thoughts on his accomplishments thus far in his career (2:18). Ryan talks about what it was like breaking a world record (4:00), swimming with his idol, Michael Phelps (7:37), their friendship since Rio (8:47) and what his mindset was going into the relay where he broke the world record. That relay also happened to be Michael Phelps' last Olympic race ever (10:08). TJ asks what kind of leader Michael was (13:10) and how that leadership role will be filled in his absence (16:30). Ryan tells his favorite stories from the Rio Olympics (17:59) and how he learned to deal with curveballs thrown at him during the 2016 Olympic Games (22:01). He also talks about his pre-race superstitions (24:47) and what the Olympics are like for athletes after they are done competing (26:04). TJ asks why Ryan decided to go back to Cal for his senior year after the 2016 Olympics (27:40) and what he learned entering 2016 from his Cal teammates who had previously been to an Olympics (29:30). Ryan discusses the difficulties he has had replicating similar success post Rio Olympics (31:57) and the changes he needs to make entering the Tokyo Olympics (33:29). TJ asks Ryan what motivates him, and Ryan shares some interesting stories about his motivations (34:48). They also discuss the COVID-19 pandemic including: how COVID has effected his training and mentality (39:12), what kinds of changes he has made in his training (40:40) and the mental health of other Olympians during quarantine (45:29). TJ asks Ryan about what kind of pressure he feels going into the next Olympic Games (47:13) and the meaning behind a quote from Ryan on inspiring others (51:19). Ryan talks about being a Goldfish Swim School Ambassador (52:50) and being a part of the International Swim League (54:13). TJ and Ryan revisit a question he was asked years ago about describing himself in 3 words (56:00) and discuss his interest in the financial world (56:56). TJ asks about the role faith has played in Ryan's career (59:15). Lastly, Ryan talks about what he hopes his impact has been on the world (1:00:46).