x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Flame Bearers: Making It To Milan

Ashley Cain & Dani Aravich

Flame Bearers is a women"s sports storytelling studio. We tell stories via video production, podcasts, and live events and have supported just shy of 400 world-class athletes from 52 countries.In a landscape where 85% of coverage is dedicated to men and the remaining 15% often highlights a narrow segment of women athletes, we broaden the lens to highlight diverse voices. Why? Because we’re here to inspire the next generation of athletes, centering their stories on their terms. Our mission is to

sports personal journals

All Episodes

8:47

Best Advice To Younger Self

Flame Bearers: Making It To Milan ·

2025/08/27

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

en-us

27:28

UNEDITED: Be A Beginner Again

Flame Bearers: Making It To Milan ·

2025/06/18

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

en-us

21:26

UNEDITED: You Are Going To Crash. Often.

Flame Bearers: Making It To Milan ·

2025/06/11

“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

en-us

UNEDITED: I Chose NOT To Decide

Flame Bearers: Making It To Milan ·

2025/06/04

“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

en-us

15:52

UNEDITED: The Only Competition Is You

Flame Bearers: Making It To Milan ·

2025/05/28

“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

en-us

24:01

UNEDITED: Faith Pulled Me Through

Flame Bearers: Making It To Milan ·

2025/05/21

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,

en-us

23:13

UNEDITED: It's You Against The World

Flame Bearers: Making It To Milan ·

2025/05/14

“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

en-us

22:47

UNEDITED: Let Women Be Competitors

Flame Bearers: Making It To Milan ·

2025/05/07

“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

en-us

27:33

UNEDITED: Girl, You Made It

Flame Bearers: Making It To Milan ·

2025/04/30

“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,

en-us

19:37

UNEDITED: Life Gets Better. So Much Better

Flame Bearers: Making It To Milan ·

2025/04/23

“Don’t wait for perfect timing. Just start.”That’s the mindset Ashley Dyce lives by—and it’s what’s fueled her journey from discovering the Paralympics through a TV commercial to becoming a Team USA Para Powerlifter. Born and raised in Covina, California, Ashley is preparing for LA 2028—her hometown Games. “I’ve had one competition in the U.S. in eight years. This time, my whole community gets to come cheer me on. That means everything.” Off the platform, Ashley’s a certified

en-us

17:08

UNEDITED: You're Not Alone

Flame Bearers: Making It To Milan ·

2025/04/16

“They call me the Queen of Blades because I’ve won medals on three different blades.”Kimberly Alkemade isn’t just fast—she’s transformative. From surviving a traumatic bus accident in France to standing on top of the podium in the same country decades later, Kimberly has rewritten her story of loss into one of power, healing, and purpose. “The sky turned orange,” she recalls of her golden moment at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Paris. “That’s the moment I’ll

en-us

14:24

UNEDITED: Vouch For Yourself

Flame Bearers: Making It To Milan ·

2025/04/09

“Why am I doing this? Who am I doing this for?”Olympic swimmer Kayla Sanchez asks the question that every elite athlete eventually faces—and answers it with heart. After winning medals for Team Canada at Tokyo 2020, Kayla made the bold move to represent the Philippines, honoring her roots and deepening her connection to family, identity, and purpose. For Kayla, swimming for the Philippines isn’t just a career decision—it’s a personal one. “Both my parents are Filipino,” she

en-us

16:39

UNEDITED: Own Your Differences

Flame Bearers: Making It To Milan ·

2025/04/02

“I would tell my younger self: don’t let people tell you your worth…you’re the only one in your body—you know best.”Angélina Lanza is a 2x European champion, World Championship medalist, and 3x Paralympic finalist in track and field for France. In today's conversation, Angélina talks about the highs and lows of her athletic career, including ongoing injuries, losing her mother just before the Tokyo Games, and the everyday challenges of being a woman in para sport. “I had an injury

en-us

20:51

UNEDITED: Chin Up, Sparkle On

Flame Bearers: Making It To Milan ·

2025/03/26

"We won in Paris by winning every day."For Asia Hogan-Rochester, rugby wasn’t part of the plan — until it became their world. The Toronto native went from going to gym class in jeans to standing on the Olympic podium, silver medal in hand. Asia shares how growing up, "I wasn't an athlete. My sport was yapping." But, at 17, Asia picked up a rugby ball. Their friend's older sister (now teammate), Charity Williams, had returned to high school with an Olympic medal and as Asia

en-us

22:57

UNEDITED: It's On You

Flame Bearers: Making It To Milan ·

2025/03/19

“I’m the player’s eyes. I’m the player’s mind. If I mess up, I mess up the whole game.”For Ritah Asiimwe, there are no excuses—it's go-time. A Ugandan Paralympian, African Para-Badminton Champion, line judge, and unstoppable single mom, Ritah is writing her own rules. When not competing herself, she’s called the lines for the world’s top eight players on the biggest stages, standing tall with confidence and nerves of steel. “Every point matters. They’re fighting for everything,

en-us

27:58

UNEDITED: Can't & Won't Are Just Words

Flame Bearers: Making It To Milan ·

2025/03/12

"Can't and won't are just words. Nobody can predict what you will be able to do tomorrow. You write your own story."Fran Brown is not here to be your inspiration—she’s here to win. A Paralympic cyclist, physiotherapist, and former Para Climbing World Champ, Fran refuses to let anyone else define her journey. From a childhood spent scaling cliffs in Cornwall to an accident that reshaped her path, she’s written her own story on her own terms. After a spinal cord injury changed her

en-us

22:48

UNEDITED: Do Something That Scares You

Flame Bearers: Making It To Milan ·

2025/03/05

"If it scares you, it’s probably worth doing."For Lara Dallman-Weiss, taking the leap—both on and off the water—has shaped her into the elite athlete she is today. A two-time Olympic sailor who grew up in Minnesota and now calls Miami home, Lara’s journey to the Games wasn’t always straightforward. From playing basketball and track in her youth to making the bold decision to move across the country for college sailing, she's continuously chosen courage over comfort. In this

en-us

21:28

UNEDITED: I Dress For Little Girls, Not Men

Flame Bearers: Making It To Milan ·

2025/02/26

"No one said that being powerful and being feminine were exclusive. You can be both."For Catarina Guimarães, breaking barriers isn’t just a goal—it’s a way of life. A Paralympian for Team USA, Cerebral Palsy Soccer World Cup MVP, and published author, she’s proving that strength and style can coexist. Whether she’s dominating on the track, competing on the soccer field, or adding glitter to her race-day look, Catarina refuses to be put in a box. Born with cerebral palsy,

en-us

9:56

UNEDITED: Not a Participation Event

Flame Bearers: Making It To Milan ·

2025/02/19

“People sometimes say the Paralympics is just a participation event—but that’s not true.” Tamsin Colley made history as Australia’s youngest-ever track and field Paralympian, competing in the 200m at the Rio 2016 Games. She’s also a dedicated Cerebral Palsy Footballer, balancing multiple sports while advocating for greater inclusion in competition. But Tamsin’s journey hasn’t been without obstacles. From being excluded in school due to assumptions about her disability to falling

en-us

13:29

UNEDITED: I Never Dreamed I'd Be An Athlete

Flame Bearers: Making It To Milan ·

2025/02/12

“I never dreamed I would be an athlete. If you had asked me, I would have absolutely said no.”For Shannon Rowbury, running wasn’t part of the plan—until it became clear she had a knack for it. A 3x Olympian and Olympic bronze medalist in the 1500m, she spent decades pushing her limits on the track. But what happens when the race ends? In this episode, Shannon shares the emotional transition from elite competition to life after the clock stops. After retiring in 2021, she faced an

en-us

165 results

Similar Podcasts

Keeping Karlsson Fantasy Hockey Podcast

Elan Dubrofsky and Brian Kom

Daily Fantasy Sports by Ship It Nation

Ship It Nation

Fantasy Football Today

CBS Sports, Fantasy Football, FFT, NFL,...

Bring The Pain

Heat00veride

ESPN SportsCenter Update

ESPN