The Other 3 Years | The Olympian Journey Podcast

In this raw and vulnerable episode, Kristi checks in with us now that the Olympic Games have concluded. She reflects on her own performance and how she is processing a disappointing outcome. She also shows her resilience - although she may not know what the future holds, she doesn’t stay knocked down for long. In her final episode, she signs off with hope. Don’t miss this inspiring and heartfelt e...

While Kristi’s away at the Olympics, we kick off this episode with a conversation between producer Christine O’Donnell and world rowing commentator Colleen Saville about Kristi’s races in Paris. Then we dive into her interview with Rudy Winkler, American track and field athlete who competes in the hammer throw and weight throw. Rudy is the current American Record Holder in the hammer toss with a d...

It’s go time! Kristi answers some of our burning pre-Olympics questions as she heads to Paris for the Summer 2024 Games where she is competing in the women’s double sculls. Some questions get deep (has being on Team USA made her more of a patriot?), some…not so much (is she going to try a chocolate chip cookie croissant?). She tells about how visualization and meditation help her get ready for her...

In our last episode before the Olympics begin, Kristi talks to Team USA Field Hockey player Ally Hammel. Ally tells us about the fascinating ways field hockey is always evolving, the differences and similarities between its sister sport on the ice, and how it transforms from high school to collegiate and international levels. Having competed everywhere from India to Chile, Ally shares what it soun...

This week Kristi chats with two of her old friends, Ben Weatherwax and Michael Fairley, lightweight Harvard Rowing and Saratoga alumni who just won their race at IRAs.  The guys take us back to the beginning of their rowing careers (in fourth grade!) to high school rowing (including winning Nationals) and through their unconventional roads to Harvard.  We hear about how they helped turn their less...

Get ready to get pumped up! In this week’s energetic episode, host Kristi Wagner chats with Mary Whipple, the former Team USA coxswain for the Women’s 8, 2x Olympian with two gold and one silver medal, 5x world champion, and current coach and commentator. Mary tells Kristi about how she came to love coxing after first being disappointed at not being selected as a rower, how not buying into limitat...

This week we have the impressive Olivia Reeves, a Team USA Olympic Weightlifter in the Paris 2024 Games, gold medal winner at the 2024 IWF Championships and 2023 Pan Am Championships, and US women’s record holder. Since Olympic Weightlifting is a new topic for us on the podcast, Olivia explains how the sport works and what a training routine and competition look like. She also tells us about how g...

Happy Father’s Day! As promised, Kristi sits down with one of her biggest champions: her self-proclaimed “Rowing Dad,” Steve Wagner. The father-daughter duo talk about Steve’s unique ability to help Kristi through difficult and disappointing events, his best and worst memories of her rowing career (so far), how he supported her in making the leap to full-time athlete, and what it feels like to wat...

You’re in for quadruple the fun this week as host Kristi Wagner interviews the Team USA women’s 4x rowers: Lauren O’Connor, Teal Cohen, Grace Joyce and Emily Delleman. The ladies share with us how they prepped for their Olympic qualifying race (which they won), how it feels for all four of them to be going to their first Olympics, and the importance of celebrating the little wins along with the bi...

Meet the unstoppable Molly Reckford, Kristi’s fellow Team USA rower (and successful financial analyst) about her unconventional journey to becoming a two-time Olympian in the women’s lightweight doubles competition. She talks about her struggle to be taken seriously and given a chance as a rower, and how she overcame those hurdles with determination and seizing opportunities. We also hear about ho...

Fresh off her gold medal win (!!!), Kristi answers your questions about the rowing World Cup 2. She tells us about how she handles pre-race nerves, manages attitudes and expectations in high pressure situations, and reveals whether or not she was actually smiling during the race. Celebrate Kristi’s win with us in this episode - but winning the women’s double at the World Cup is just a prelude to h...

This week Kristi chats with elite athlete Skyler Samuelson. Skyler was a Division I rower at Columbia and Stanford Universities and is now a Team USA athlete as a guide for a visually impaired cyclist. She's won medals at the World Championships twice and is a two time Parapan American champion. Skyler talks to Kristi about how she went from rowing to cycling, the rewards and challenges of tandem...

This week, Kristi chats with two of her fellow members of the US Rowing Team, Men’s Pair rowers Oliver Bub & Billy Bender. The guys tell us about what drew them to Dartmouth College, where they met - Oliver is a 2020 graduate of Dartmouth and Billy is currently a student there set to graduate in 2025. We also hear about how they got into rowing, the day they found out they were going to the Olympi...

Happy Mother’s Day! In this episode, we’re celebrating with - who else? - Kristi’s mother Patti Wagner. They discuss Patti’s goals and guiding principles in raising her kids, the value of letting them choose their own interests and hobbies, and how exercise can keep a family close. You’ll also find out where Kristi gets her penchant for pre-dawn workouts, why she was never allowed to go to sleepov...

You have to see it to be it. This week host Kristi Wagner welcomes Jayna Hefford, five time gold medalist from the Canadian Women’s Hockey team and the current SVP of Hockey Operations for the Professional Women’s Hockey League. Jayna talks us through her impressive career, and the passion that’s fueled it, including her time at the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association and her Dream Gap...

Wave the white flag! In this episode, join host Kristi Wagner for a lively chat with champion rower Megan Lee. Megan is a student and athlete at Cambridge University in the UK, whose rowing team just triumphed over the Oxford team in the 78th Women’s Boat Race in London. Megan gives us the play by play of the race itself, including a near collision with the other boat, and the longest four minutes...

What does it take to transition from a dedicated athlete to a high-performance coach? Kristi is joined by former competitive rower and now coach, Steve Whelpley. After a 19 year career that included three national teams, Steve made a major career transition and is now the head coach of the Craftsbury Green Racing Project. Steve tells us about his journey as an athlete and what inspired him to make...

What does it feel like to be going to the Olympics - again? This week’s episode of "The Other 3 Years" is a conversation with Kristi and her boyfriend, returning guest Ian Accomando. The couple dives into how Kristi really feels about making the 2024 Olympic rowing team, what’s changed - and what hasn’t- about her training and mindset the second time around, and, of course, her favorite bagel sand...

Join host Kristi Wagner as she sits down with Sophia Vitas, a remarkable athlete who shares her journey to making the Olympic rowing team for the United States. From early mornings on the water to representing her country on the world stage, Sophia's story is about determination, resilience, and the pursuit of greatness. Don't miss this inspiring conversation about the relentless pursuit of athlet...

Our host Kristi Wagner is going to the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics!! Tune in as she dishes out the news and her reaction. Guest Sara Hendershot joins Kristi. Sara’s illustrious career saw her achieve a remarkable fourth place finish in the women's pair at the 2012 Olympics in London. In this insightful conversation, Sara sheds light on the various pathways to Olympic qualification in the world of r...

We are sliding into the journey of Ben Wanger, who represented Team Israel in baseball at the Tokyo Olympics. Ben shares his unique path, which is marked by dedication, resilience, and adaptability. With a journey spanning three different colleges, each specializing in baseball, Ben's story unfolds amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He provides insights into the sacrifices and triumph...

Get ready for a heart-to-heart as Kristi sits down with her brother, Joe Wagner. From childhood antics to navigating life's twists, join these siblings on a journey through their shared past. They laugh as they reminisce about growing up together and discover the unbreakable bond that held them tight, especially when Kristi took the spotlight at the Tokyo Olympics. Hear Joe's story and how their c...

Kristi and ARION teammate Katy talk about Katy’s unconventional journey into rowing, how she keeps advancing, and the parallels she sees between her first sporting love of hockey and rowing. Kristi also shares a funny story about their coach Eric Catalano, also known as Cat. Katy started rowing as a club athlete when she began college at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), she then joined ARIO...

Kristi dives into her top picks across various categories, from mouthwatering food choices to must-have rowing gear. She’s covering food, clothing, cultural spheres, favorite books, television shows, and music. We’re even finding out what underwear and socks are essential! Do you need a recommendation for mindfulness? Kristi has her favorite app for that. Tune in to discover Kristi's eclectic mix...

Considered the greatest diver in history, Greg Louganis is the only male to win gold medals on both 3 meter springboard and 10 meter platform in consecutive Olympic Games. In this episode, Greg dives deep into the waters of his athletic career, discussing the highs and lows that come with pursuing excellence in the world of sports and beyond. Greg Louganis shares his remarkable journey, shedding l...