Direct Elimination Podcast

USA Fencing's CEO, Phil Andrews, reveals influencer and K-pop deals, a sport-saving radio campaign & what the sport's growth strategy is as we approach the LA 2028 Olympic Games. This episode will surprise you. The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode, you'll discover: • How USA Fencing became the ninth most mentioned brand on US radio in December (the only s...

What does it actually take to raise a World Champion fencer? Jerry Simmons reveals the parenting philosophy no one talks about. The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why Jerry and his wife never pressured their children about results, rankings, or college scholarships — and how that restraint became the foundation of their success • The hotel room me...

Colin Campbell wrote the Direct Elimination theme song on sticky notes during construction breaks — and he's a Notre Dame fencing champion. The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode, you'll discover: • How Colin wrote, performed, and produced the Direct Elimination theme song — including the bossa nova chord progression, fencing-inspired lyrics, and his stacked harmony...

The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. Ari beat Olympic and world champion Masaru Yamada at the Medellín Fencing World Cup, Stephen and the New York Athletic Club won the Senior National Team Championship, and somehow we still squeezed in three weddings, a sponsor visit, a full-reset hike in the mountains above Medellín, and a tarmac wait that almost cost us a flight to Switzerland. This is...

Paris Olympian Elizabeth Tartakovsky opens up about women's saber fencing, chasing the Olympics, and what comes after the dream. The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode, you'll discover: • How Elizabeth Tartakovsky went from getting kicked out of ballet to becoming a Paris Olympian in women's saber fencing • The mental game of defending your best-ever season whe...

Igor Gantsevich took Dynamo Fencing Club and built it into 500+ members after injuries ended his career. His family is the immigrant story driving Canadian fencing forward. The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode, you'll discover: • How Igor pivoted from a career-ending wrist injury to building one of North America's largest fencing clubs — with 500+ members, 30 full...

3-time Olympian & World Champion Kat Holmes used game theory to win. She qualified for the Olympics while surviving medical school on zero sleep. This is an elite competitor.  The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode, you'll discover: • How Kat used her Princeton thesis on Nash equilibrium to develop an overtime fencing strategy that helped anchor Team USA to the 2018...

World Fencing League finally debuted with the most eyes on fencing since Paris. We break down every match, the $10K prizes, and why the tech disappointed. The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why the WFL debut may be the biggest moment for fencing since the Paris Olympics and what it still needs to fix to become a real league • How $10,000 per match...

World Fencing League debuts, but is it fencing's future or just hype? We break down Miles Chambley-Watson, blade tracking tech & bold predictions. The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode, you'll discover: - Why Miles Chamley-Watson is both the perfect and most controversial choice as the face of the World Fencing League, and what his various sponsorships says abo...

Mohamed El-Sayed has emerged from young underdog to the #1 Ranked Men's Epee Fencer in the World. He explains the "One Man Job" mindset that he credits this success to. The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode, you'll discover: • How Mohamed El-Sayed cleared his furniture, trained alone for 8–9 months during COVID, and emerged as Egypt's national number...

Jackie Dubrovich won Olympic gold with USA fencing in Paris 2024 — then walked away. What happens when the dream is done? The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode, you'll discover: • How Jackie balanced a full-time corporate 9-to-5 with elite Olympic training — and why she says she couldn't physically do it again at 31 • What it's really like to be coached by you...

We competed at the Astana Epee World Cup in Kazakhstan — and Team USA beat Olympic champion Hungary. Full recap inside. The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode, you'll discover: • What it's actually like to compete at an international epee World Cup in Kazakhstan — the culture, the food, and the competition floor • How Team USA Men's Epee finished sixth and pull...

Olympic fencer Soren Thompson tore his hamstring so badly he could barely walk—then self-coached his way back to the 2012 Games. His unconventional philosophy changed how he approached elite performance. The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode, you'll discover: • How Soren became the first American to reach Olympic top 8 in men's epee since 1956—despite growing up in...

Romain Cannone went from Olympic alternate to Olympic gold in Tokyo. He reveals the flow state & fencing culture that made it possible, and why he walked away at his peak. The untold American-French story. The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode, you'll discover: • How straddling American and French fencing systems created the perfect Olympic champion • What a true fl...

What does it cost to become USA's #1 fencer? Dylan Nollner reveals the sacrifices, mental training, and why he walked away at his peak performance. The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode, you'll discover: • How transcendental meditation and Coach Aladar Kogler's pillars create flow states in sport, and specifically fencing • Why retiring at #1 in the USA made m...

The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. After an unplanned hiatus, Ari and Stephen return to Direct Elimination with a commitment to authenticity, consistency, and real conversations about fencing. From their original failed league project to witnessing history at the World Cups, this episode marks a fresh start for the podcast that refuses to take itself too seriously. In this episode, you&a...

Stephen and Ari finally faced each other in direct elimination at NAC Cincinnati. We break down the match, mental prep challenges, and youth sports parenting. The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode, you'll discover: • The moment Stephen and Ari finally fenced each other in competition and how they approached the mental game of facing a close friend • Why focus and mental...

Em Beihold went viral but struggled with deep depression. The NCAA All-American fencer turned full-time artist reveals how imposter syndrome follows you—even at the top. 🎙️ EPISODE 23 | EM BEIHOLD The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode, you'll discover: • How imposter syndrome manifests differently in fencing vs. music careers—and why success doesn't eliminate self-...

🎙️ EPISODE 23 | RACHEL HEY-SHIPTON The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. What if the reason you're still hurt, still compensating, or still underperforming isn't a lack of training — but a lack of the *right* care? Dr. Rachel Hey-Shipton has built a reputation among USA national team fencers and Olympians for doing something most sports PTs don't: actually understanding fenci...

🎙️ EPISODE 22 | SETH KELSEY INTERVIEW The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. What does it really take to compete at the highest level of fencing? Seth Kelsey is the best Men's Epee Fencer in USA Fencing history. The 2012 World Team Champion and Olympic 4th place finisher reveals the moment he learned what 100% commitment actually means—and shares the mental preparation that led him to t...

🎙️ EPISODE 21 | ADAM METWALLY INTERVIEW The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. What if the key to success isn't following the five-step plan, but ignoring all advice and creating an audacious version of yourself? Adam Metwally moved from Australia to NYC after one spontaneous trip, invested in a nightclub after six weeks, and built multiple income streams—all while treating his podcast...

🎙️ EPISODE 20 | KEETH SMART INTERVIEW The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. What does it take to come back from the most devastating loss of your career, with both parents gone, and claim Olympic redemption? Three-time Olympian and Olympic Silver Medalist Keeth Smart reveals the mental game, community culture, and life lessons that built a champion—and how those same skills translate direct...

🎙️ EPISODE 19 | MICHAEL AUFRICHTIG The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. What if the sport you stumbled into by accident became your life's calling? Columbia University head fencing coach Michael Aufrichtig went from choosing fencing to fit his class schedule to leading the Lions to back-to-back NCAA Championships. In this episode, he reveals the coaching philosophy that transformed Co...

🎙️ EPISODE 18 – ASMAR BILAL The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In our first episode featuring a non-fencing athlete, former Notre Dame and NFL linebacker Asmar Bilal joins Direct Elimination to share his profound journey from undrafted free agent to professional athlete to building a platform that helps others navigate life after sport. This conversation goes far beyond football, explori...

🎙️ EPISODE 17 – FEDERICO VISMARA The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. Join us for an intimate conversation with Federico Vismara, one of Italy's top epee fencers from 2019-2024, having won many international medals and achieving immense team success before finishing 5th at the Paris Olympics and retiring at 27. Federico opens up about his "short and sweet" era of dominance,...