Direct Elimination Podcast

🎙️ EPISODE 16 – KHALIL THOMPSON INTERVIEW The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. Olympic fencer Khalil Thompson shares his raw, unfiltered journey from struggling with depression and living in his sister's shadow to finding his own identity through sport. This powerful conversation explores the mental health challenges elite athletes face, the pressure of Olympic dreams, and how fencing...

🎙️ EPISODE 15 -- DARYL HOMER INTERVIEW The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. Olympic silver medalist Daryl Homer reveals the untold story behind his rise from a curious five-year-old in the Bronx to Team USA's fencing podium in Rio. This isn't just another athlete success story – it's a masterclass in long-term planning, identity, and overcoming career-ending setbacks. You&ap...

🎙️ EPISODE 14 -- SAM IMREK INTERVIEW The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. Team USA fencer Sam Imrek's journey from Star Wars-obsessed kid to elite athlete proves that unconventional paths often lead to extraordinary results. In this episode, Sam opens up about developing his unique fencing style, handling criticism from doubters, and the mental resilience that fuels his comeback menta...

🎙️ EPISODE 13 -- LAUREN SCRUGGS INTERVIEW The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. Join Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart for an inspiring conversation with Lauren Scruggs , the first Black American woman to win an individual Olympic fencing medal. From her focused beginnings to making history at the Olympics, Lauren shares her incredible journey of breaking barriers while maintaining her identity...

🎙️ EPISODE 12 – GRANT WILLIAMS INTERVIEW The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode of Direct Elimination , hosts Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart sit down with Grant Williams — a U.S. Men’s Épée National Team fencer, 2x Olympic alternate, and full-time consultant — to talk about balance, commitment, and chasing purpose inside and outside of sport. Grant shares what it means to be a...

🎙️ EPISODE 11 – CAMILLE SIMMONS The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. Hosts Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart sit down with Camille Simmons — junior national champion and NCAA Division 1 Athlete turned professional sports photographer — to trace how a fencer’s mindset translates to Professional Photography and high-stakes creative work. From first picking up a camera to shooting the Houston Tex...

🎙️ EPISODE 10 – MAIA CHAMBERLAIN INTERVIEW In this episode of Direct Elimination , hosts Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart sit down with Maia Chamberlain — Olympian, U.S. Women’s Sabre National Team member, National and Pan-American Champion, and the first Prieur athlete outside of the hosts to appear on the podcast. Maia shares what it means to go all-in — in competition, training, and life. She open...

🎙️ EPISODE 9 – BEN ATKINS INTERVIEW The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode of Direct Elimination , hosts Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart sit down with Ben Atkins — one of the most accomplished U.S. collegiate fencers of his generation and a rare athlete to achieve championship success in both foil and épée. After his NCAA titles at Columbia University, Ben went on to an equally...

🎙️ EPISODE 8 – NICK ITKIN INTERVIEW In this special episode of Direct Elimination , hosts Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart sit down with one of the brightest stars in world fencing: Nick Itkin — Olympic bronze medalist, World Champion, NCAA Champion, and a name that has redefined what American foil can be. Nick’s story is one of ambition, resilience, and relentless pursuit of growth. From dominating...

🎙️ EPISODE 7 – FARES FERJANI INTERVIEW The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode of Direct Elimination , hosts Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart welcome Fares Ferjani — Tunisian sabre fencer, Olympian, and one of the most inspiring voices in African fencing. Fares’ journey is rooted in family, identity, and pride. Coming from a fencing family in Tunisia, he quickly rose through the...

EPISODE 6 – TRISTAN SZAPARY INTERVIEW The Fencing Podcast of all Fencing Podcasts In this episode of Direct Elimination , hosts Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart sit down with épée fencer Tristan Szapary — a rising American talent known for his relentless work ethic, mental focus, and ability to balance ambition with joy. Tristan’s fencing journey began in Pennsylvania, training at Fencing Academy of...

🎙️ EPISODE 5 – ANNE CEBULA INTERVIEW In this inspiring episode of Direct Elimination , hosts Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart sit down with Anne Cebula — Olympian, NCAA Champion, and the first Barnard student-athlete ever to win an NCAA title in any sport . Anne’s story is one of grit, resilience, and joy. Unlike many fencers who start at a young age, Anne didn’t pick up a blade until high school — y...

🎙️ EPISODE 4 – ELI DERSHWITZ INTERVIEW In this episode of Direct Elimination, Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart sit down with one of the greatest American fencers of all time: Eli Dershwitz. Eli’s resume is staggering — World Champion, 3x Olympian, 2x NCAA Champion, Pan-American Champion, and Grand Prix Champion — but what makes this conversation special is the balance of results and reflection. Eli o...

🎙️ EPISODE 3 – BRYCE LOUIE INTERVIEW In this episode of Direct Elimination, Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart welcome their first foil guest — rising U.S. fencing star Bryce Louie. Bryce has quickly become one of the most exciting figures in American fencing. A 2024 NCAA Champion, a World Cup silver medalist, and a 2025 World Championship team silver medalist, Bryce has already accomplished what many...

🎙️ EPISODE 2 – JUSTIN YOO INTERVIEW In this episode of Direct Elimination, Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart welcome their first official guest: Justin Yoo — one of the most accomplished U.S. fencers of his generation, a standout on Team USA, a Wharton graduate, a finance professional, and someone who has lived a double life balancing high-performance sport with a demanding career. Justin’s story span...

Welcome to the very first episode of the Direct Elimination Podcast — where two lifelong fencers and friends, Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart, sit down to talk about the stories, setbacks, and motivations that define not just athletes, but anyone chasing purpose. 🎙️ In this debut, Ari and Stephen get vulnerable and real: Their fencing origin stories — from Lancaster, California parks & rec progr...