Rising Phoenix: What Does It Take?

Persephonica and Harder Than You Think•shows.acast.com

What does it really take to become an elite Paralympian? To be the strongest, the fastest, the most fearless - to not just defy expectations, but shatter them entirely.

In this new podcast, Paralympic silver medallist Matt “The Armless Archer” Stutzman and Olympic legend Michael Johnson interview 8 incredible Paralympians as they prepare for this summer’s Paralympic Games. This is a chance for listeners to get to know the elite athletes going for the medals, to invest in their journeys, and to understand what it really takes to be an elite Paralympian, all whilst capturing the excitement and spirit of the Paralympic Games.

Brought to you by the creators of Emmy Award winning Rising Phoenix. Supported by global partners Procter & Gamble - the makers of Oral-B, Pampers and Gillette Venus - and adidas.

The podcast’s soundtrack is titled “Rising Phoenix” - Written by Daniel Pemberton, Keith Jones, Toni Hickman and George Doman. Performed by Daniel Pemberton, Toni Hickman, georgetragic, and Keith Jones. Published by Alika’s Publishing, Doman Development, Moncur Street Music Limited, administered by peermusic (UK) Ltd.

This is a Persephonica production in partnership with Harder Than You Think. It is part of the Acast Creator network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Episodes

Live in Paris with Ezra Frech on how it feels to win gold, his mission to normalize disability at scale and how the Paralympics will change the world.

Star Paralympian and Angel City Sports co-founder, Ezra Frech, sat down for a special live show bonus episode in Paris with Matt “The Armless Archer” Stutzman and legendary Olympian Michael Johnson. This week, both Ezra and Matt won their first gold medals at the Paralympic Games. They reflect on their experiences and describe how it feels to join the “gold medalist" club alongside Michael. Looking to the future, Michael emphasises the power of storytelling in building awareness and promoting Pa...

Sep 12, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 9

Ludivine Munos on life as a Paralympian, working for Paris 2024 and preparing Paris for a home Games

Twenty eight years on from representing France at the Atlanta Paralympics, Ludivine Munos (nee Loiseau) is giving her all to ensure the first Paralympics ever to take place in her country is a huge success. One of France’s most decorated Paralympic athletes, Ludivine is bringing the skill and determination she displayed in the pool to her role as a senior member of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee. She talks to Matt “The Armless Archer” Stutzman and Olympic legend Michael Johnson about the wo...

Aug 28, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 8

Lauren Steadman on switching sports, taking breaks and the psychology of elite athletes

Lauren Steadman was just 15 years old when she first competed as a para swimmer at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics; but despite her talent and dedication she went home empty handed. An experience she repeated in London in 2012. Lauren talks to fellow Paralympian Matt Stutzman and legendary Olympian Michael Johnson about her decision to switch to Para Triathlon and the triumph that soon followed. But what happens to an athlete once they win the Paralympic gold medal they’ve worked all their lives to...

Aug 27, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 7

Hunter Woodhall on succeeding in business, on social media and on blades.

Paralympic track and field star Hunter Woodhall joins legendary sprinter Michael Johnson for an inspiring conversation about their shared experiences in the 400m. Alongside fellow Paralympian Matt Stutzman, Hunter delves into the meticulous process of perfecting their gear, the mindset required to excel at the highest level and the unique challenges of competing on blades. As the first double amputee to earn a Division 1 athletics scholarship at a top US university, Hunter shares his journey of ...

Aug 26, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Anastasia Pagonis on finding freedom through swimming, Radar and the positive side of social media

Paralympic star and Queen of the pool Anastasia Pagonis lost her sight at the age of 14, sending her into a spiral of despair. She talks openly to Matt “The Armless Archer” Stutzman and Olympic legend Michael Johnson about her struggles with mental health and how swimming offered her a freedom and sense of control she lacked on dry land. The twenty-year-old from Long Island explains how her “partner in crime”, her beloved guide dog Radar has helped boost her confidence and how she aims to raise ...

Aug 23, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Birgit Skarstein on gratitude, extreme training and going Die Hard!

Paralympic Rower and cross-country skier Birgit Skarstein takes a break from her punishing two sport training regime to talk to the Armless Archer, Matt Stutzman, and track and field legend Michael Johnson. Learn how Birgit’s “gratitude list” helped her to stay positive despite a severe spinal cord injury and made her determined to grasp every opportunity that comes her way. Birgit describes falling in love with para sport during a trip to watch the London 2012 Paralympics and deciding to become...

Aug 21, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Gustavo Fernández on ableism, unequal prize money and defining your own limits

Gustavo Fernández has won just about every major trophy in wheelchair tennis, but there is one that eludes him - a Paralympic medal. He takes a break from his packed schedule to talk to Paralympic silver medallist Matt “The Armless Archer” Stutzman and legendary Olympian Michael Johnson about his determination to medal at this summer’s Paralympics. Gustavo talks about growing up in Argentina, a country working toward giving disabled people better opportunities. We hear about his route into sport...

Aug 19, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Gaël Rivière on competing in a home games, his passion for football and hopes for legacy

Blind footballer Gaël Rivière joins Paralympic silver medallist Matt Stutzman, “The Armless Archer”, and Olympic track legend Michael Johnson in the studio to talk about playing the beautiful game when you can’t see the ball. Gaël learned to play soccer with his friends on Reunion Island by putting the ball in a plastic bag so he could hear it. These days he plays with a special sounding ball which Matt and Michael get to hear and try out for themselves. In 2012, Gaël was part of Les Bleus silve...

Aug 16, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Kadeena Cox on mindset, medals and the need for speed

Kadeena Cox regularly strikes gold in both Para Athletics and Para Cycling but what does it take to succeed in not one, but TWO sports? She joins Paralympic silver medallist Matt “The Armless Archer” Stutzman and legendary Olympian Michael Johnson to share just how she reached the top of two very different Paralympic sports Kadeena’s athletic career began in able-bodied sport, but a stroke followed by an MS diagnosis put an end to that. Our hosts learn how grit and determination resulted in Kade...

Aug 14, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Introducing… Rising Phoenix: What Does it Take?

What exactly does it take to become an elite Paralympian? Paralympic silver medallist Matt “The Armless Archer” Stutzman and track and field legend Michael Johnson know what it takes to succeed at the highest level. They chat about their new podcast Rising Phoenix: What Does It Take? and what to expect from the Paralympic Games this summer. Across eight episodes, these sporting friends will meet some of the most talented Paralympians in the world. They’ll ask “what it takes” to make it at the hi...

Aug 09, 2024•18 min

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