Inside the Rings

Derek Parra's journey from roller rink beginnings to Olympic success is a story of resilience and transformation. His childhood experiences, the spark of racing, the transition to ice skating, and the road to the Olympics highlight his determination and passion for speed skating. Derek Parra's journey to Olympic gold was marked by personal and financial struggles, as well as a transformative perio...

Four-time Olympian Chris Mazdzer helped put U.S. men’s singles luge on the medal map— winning Olympic silver at PyeongChang 2018 and becoming the first non-European to medal in the event . In this episode of Inside the Rings , Chris takes us inside a sport most fans only see in 60-second bursts: the razor-thin margins, the pre-run routines, and the mental reset when everything is moving at full sp...

She was fast. She was focused. She was fearless. Bonnie Blair, one of the most decorated Olympians in U.S. history, didn’t just skate circles around the competition—she redefined what it meant to chase greatness on ice. In this episode of Inside the Rings , Bonnie reflects on a storied career that spanned five Olympic Games, earning five gold medals and one bronze . From the roar of Lillehammer to...

Before today's stars took center stage, Picabo Street was the face of American alpine skiing—fast, fearless, and fiercely unapologetic. In this Inside the Rings exclusive, she opens up about her rise to the top, the devastating injuries that nearly ended it all, and the fire that brought her back. We talk: The moment she knew she could win Olympic gold Why downhill skiing is a mental game as much...

Ski. Shoot. Lead. In this gripping episode of Inside the Rings , we sit down with Jack Gierhart, CEO of US Biathlon, to explore one of the most misunderstood Olympic sports. From his leap from US Sailing to leading America’s biathletes, Jack shares how strategy, storytelling, and high-altitude grit are transforming the trajectory of US Biathlon. Discover how athlete vlogs, mental toughness, and in...

What happens when a fearless reformer steps onto one of the oldest stages in Olympic sport? In this episode of Inside the Rings , host Jon Hawkins sits down with Phil Andrews , CEO of USA Fencing , to talk about transformation, transparency, and a bold new media deal that could reshape how America watches fencing. From athlete equity to Olympic governance, Phil shares insights from his journey acr...

🇺🇸 Olympian Chari Hawkins relives her Paris 2024 heptathlon journey 🏟️ — from the roar of Stade de France to the mental battles between events. She shares behind-the-scenes moments 🎥, the shift to marathon training 🏃‍♀️, and how her Instagram workouts inspire runners worldwide. A fun, motivating look at life after the Games! ✨ #InsideTheRings #OlympicInterviews #TrainLikeAnOlympian #Paris2024 #...

Get ready to hop back into the driver’s seat with world-champion bobsledder Kaysha Love in this high-octane episode of Inside the Rings ! 🛷💨 We’re peeling back the ice spray to revisit her jaw-dropping 2024–25 season—from heart-pounding podium finishes and technical tweaks that shaved off precious milliseconds, to the mental grit it takes to conquer setbacks on the World Cup circuit. Then, we’ll...

From the icy slopes of Nagano to the high-altitude buzz of Beijing, Tom Kelly has been the voice behind the curtain—shaping how we hear, feel, and remember the Olympic Games. In this episode, we sit down with the legendary communicator, podcaster, and longtime U.S. Ski & Snowboard media maven to uncover the stories behind the stories. Tom shares wild behind-the-scenes moments, the art of inter...

What does it mean to dream of peace through sport? In this inspiring conversation, we sit down with award-winning author and Olympic historian George Hirthler , the literary voice behind The Idealist , to explore the life and legacy of Pierre de Coubertin , founder of the modern Olympic Games. From Coubertin’s visionary belief in the power of sport to unite the world, to the untold stories behind...

What does it take to design the Olympic sport program for a host city like Los Angeles? In this episode of Inside the Rings , we sit down with Jack Smith , Senior Sport Group Manager for LA28 , to uncover the strategy, challenges, and vision behind one of the most important aspects of the Olympic and Paralympic Games: the sport lineup. From iconic events like athletics and gymnastics to youth-driv...

What defines Olympic success? It’s not just medals. In this special episode, Jon Hawkins interviews Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the USOPC, on: The “Decade of Sport” (2024–2034) The rise of mental health in elite competition Youth engagement through platforms like Roblox LA28 as the world’s largest peacetime gathering Why “the joy of effort” might be the most powerful Olympic value An inspiring, human-...

Welcome back to another exciting episode of "Inside the Rings," where we dive deep into the world of Olympic sports and the incredible athletes who inspire us all. Today, we're thrilled to have a very special guest joining us—Faye (Gulini) Thelen, a remarkable Olympian whose journey in snowboarding has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Faye's story is one of passion, perseverance, and triumph...

In this episode, we'll explore the current state of US Speedskating, delving into the strategies that are shaping the future of this thrilling sport. Ted shares his incredible career journey, offering insights into what it takes to lead and innovate in the world of speedskating. We'll also discuss the fascinating dynamics between Short-Track and Long-Track Speedskating, uncovering the unique chall...

Join us on this captivating episode of "Inside the Rings" as we sit down with basketball sensation Jimmer Fredette, fresh from his exhilarating experience at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Dive into Jimmer's remarkable transition from traditional basketball to the fast-paced world of 3x3, and discover what it truly takes to compete on the world stage. In this episode, Jimmer opens up about his jour...

Join us on Inside the Rings as we sit down with Christian Klaue , the Director of Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Global Reputation for the International Olympic Committee . With his extensive experience and deep insights into the inner workings of the Olympic movement, Christian offers a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of organizing one of the world's most prestigi...

In this episode of Inside the Rings, we delve into the remarkable journey of Noelle Pikus Pace, Olympic Silver Medalist in Skeleton for Team USA. Known for her tenacity and spirit, Noelle faced a life-altering leg injury that could have ended her career. However, with sheer determination and on her own terms, she made an extraordinary comeback to the sport she loves. Tune in as Noelle shares her i...

In this thrilling episode of Inside the Rings, we sit down with the dynamic Kaysha Love ( @kayshajlove⁠ ), a rising star in the world of USA Bobsledding. 🛷✨ Join us as Kaysha shares her journey from the track to the ice, revealing the challenges and triumphs she has faced along the way. Discover the dedication and determination it takes to excel in this high-speed sport, and gain insight into he...

🎙️ Exciting Episode Alert! 🚨 Join us on the next episode of Inside the Rings as we chat with Aron McGuire, the CEO of USA Bobsled and Skeleton! 🛷✨ Ever wondered how one gets into the thrilling world of bobsledding? Or what it takes to rise to the top of the USA Bobsledding world? 🤔 🔍 Discover Aron's incredible journey and his vision for the future of the sport. This episode is packed with ins...

Mitt Romney was the rescue artist who came in to turn around the Salt Lake City Olympic games following a scandal that shook the Olympic world. Then five months before the Games were set to begin, the world was shocked again with the terrorist attacks on 9/11. In this conversation, we sit down with Mitt Romney to talk about how he handled this pressure, how he and his team made the Salt Lake City...

In this episode, Jon sits down with Krista Parry of Visit SLC to reminisce about the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, having both worked for the Torch Relay team in various capacities.