Dear Listeners,
I often stumble about what to write in these newsletters because my inclination is to simply say, this is my favorite episode!, which is true because every episode is my favorite episode but it's not super enlightening. What's also true is that my role as producer gives me an intimate experience during the editing process. I spend hours and hours listening to the recordings of these incredible athletes. Their words awe me and motivate me to do more, be smarter, and, as Dagmara says this week, be in it.
My hope is that guests' words inspire and enliven you as well.
Let me know. I'd love to hear your impressions.
This week's guest, sabre fencer Dagmara Wozniak is a two time Olympian – London in 2012 and Rio in 2016, where she won a team bronze medal. She's also 2018 Pan Am Championship gold medalist and 2015 Pan Am Games Gold Medalist. Between training sessions she visits schools to share her stories and talk about body positivity and determination.
Dagmara recently had surgery, recovered-rehabbed for five months, and is now back training and competing to make the Tokyo2020 Olympic Team. I find injury to be rough, but Dagmara is upbeat even while admitting low moments. Find out how she managed to take advantage of the down time to improve her fencing. It involved only a bit of Netflix. (She reveals a favorite documentary, which she's watched multiple times.)
We hear about recovery, training, working within her current ability as she gains strength, some training tools, and how she passes along what she's learned as an athlete.
For listeners who are also artists, Dagmara compares competing to exhibiting so make sure to catch that.
HOT TAKES
☄️"Obviously winning definitely feels good, but winning well feels good. I don’t want to win because everyone else is subpar or not feeling well or everybody has the flu. I want to be the winner because I’ve outsmarted you and I was the better person that day."
☄️"For me performance is more appealing than the aesthetics."
IF YOU LIKE THIS EPISODE, TRY THESE:
🎤 Ep 14 Katie Nageotte, Pole vaulting, body image, +. Listen Here.
🎤 Ep 47 Laelae Amituanai & Hannah Hall, Rugby is for all body types. Listen Here.
🎤 Ep 63 Nam, Immigrant parents. Listen Here.
I'M READING (WATCHING) NOW
✶ The Cyclist's Alliance, cycling union for female cyclists, received a prestigious Rapha Foundation grant of $75,000 to help deliver a new seven-point plan to revolutionize the compensation and culture of professional women’s cycling. Hear from Iris Slappendel, Founder & Executive Director in Episode 42.
✶ More ill fitting gear stories: "When Harling started, women's gear was so bad that she had to hunt in her husband's clothes - not very comfortable". Turkey Calling Contest
✶ #HERESPROOF