Dani Aravich: No One Could Tell Me No

In this episode, Olivia Smart: Believe in the Journey, Olivia Smart (Spain, ice dance) opens up about chasing her second Olympic Games with deeper gratitude after time away from competition. She breaks down the mental side of elite sport, from overthinking and “inner demons” to learning how to manage nerves that get louder the more you care. Olivia shares what it means to make history for Spanish ice dance, helping earn multiple Olympic spots for her country, and why competing at Europeans in her hometown of Sheffield feels like a full-circle moment. She also reflects on partnership, communication, and the accelerated work of building trust with skate partner Tim Dieck, plus the everyday support that keeps her grounded off the ice. It’s a story of resilience, presence, and purpose as she skates toward Milano Cortina.

In this episode, Julia Kern (cross-country skiing) shares what it takes to stay steady through five-month winters on the road, from finding joy in the routine to rolling with the punches when things go sideways. Co-host Dani Aravich connects the Olympic and Paralympic paths, reflecting on pressure, performance, and what it means to race on the same Italian courses two weeks apart. Doro Kern, Julia Kern’s mother, adds the long-view perspective on competition, resilience, and learning how to lose, then come back stronger. Together, they show how preparation is physical and mental, and how support systems, tradition, and perspective turn uncertainty into confidence.

In our first episode, meet our incredible athlete co-hosts: Dani Aravich, a Paralympic biathlete and Nordic skier and the cofounder of Culxtured, and Ashley Cain, Olympian and 2X US Champion in pairs skating. Dani is also training for her 3rd Paralympics, and has a unique perspective on training for the Games while also working to uplift athletes’ stories. From her unconventional path from Division I running to parabiathlon and para Nordic skiing, Dani shares the challenges of mastering a highly technical sport, balancing elite training with work and life, and learning when to fully commit to one dream. Together, Dani and Ashley reflect on hard choices, support systems, and the power of owning your own journey as a woman athlete—all while looking ahead to Milan with grit, gratitude, and a little wine. Flame Bearers is a women’s sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events.

After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for visibility in sports you’ve never even seen on TV. And yet, across all these differences, certain themes echo again and again.That’s what this new Best Of series is all about: spotlighting both the range of experiences and the threads that connect them. We’ve pulled together the most powerful moments across years of conversations, including:✨ Best Advice to Younger Selves — from “give yourself grace to be a beginner” to “don’t dim your light for anyone.” ✨ Best Stories of Resilience — tales of athletes coming back from devastating injuries, near-misses, and moments when the world doubted them most. ✨ Best Moments of Role Modelship — athletes lifting the next generation, mentoring teammates, and carrying entire communities with them to the world stage. ✨ Best Stories of Identity & Joy — how athletes embrace who they are on and off the field, from glitter on the track to pride in their heritage. and many more!You’ll hear voices as different as the sports they represent, yet together, they reveal what it really takes to rise to the top. This isn’t just one story. It’s hundreds woven together. And this is just the beginning.In this episode, Joy in Motion, Marta Pen Freitas (Portugal, track and field) shares how running opens doors and why she’s building playful movement spaces for underprivileged kids. Chelsea Edghill (Guyana, table tennis) reflects on reconnecting with the freedom she felt as a young athlete, on and off the court. Fran Brown (Great Britain, Paralympic cycling) describes a spinal cord injury, the community that pulls her back into sport, and the surprise moments that make training feel alive again. Kokona Hiraki (Japan, skateboarding) explains why style, creativity, and satisfaction matter more than medals. Kayla Sanchez (Canada and Philippines, swimming) talks about honoring family and finding pride in identity. Together, they show how joy sustains perseverance and helps you keep choosing sport.Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events.For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @flamebearersFollow us - Instagram - / flamebearers Facebook - / flamebearerspodcast Linkedin - / flame-bearers Tiktok - / flame_bearers X - / flame_bearers Our Website - https://flamebearers.com/Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video. If you like the content, subscribe to our channel!

After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for visibility in sports you’ve never even seen on TV. And yet, across all these differences, certain themes echo again and again.That’s what this new Best Of series is all about: spotlighting both the range of experiences and the threads that connect them. We’ve pulled together the most powerful moments across years of conversations, including:✨ Best Advice to Younger Selves — from “give yourself grace to be a beginner” to “don’t dim your light for anyone.”✨ Best Stories of Resilience — tales of athletes coming back from devastating injuries, near-misses, and moments when the world doubted them most.✨ Best Moments of Role Modelship — athletes lifting the next generation, mentoring teammates, and carrying entire communities with them to the world stage.✨ Best Stories of Identity & Joy — how athletes embrace who they are on and off the field, from glitter on the track to pride in their heritage.and many more!You’ll hear voices as different as the sports they represent, yet together, they reveal what it really takes to rise to the top. This isn’t just one story. It’s hundreds woven together. And this is just the beginning.In this episode, Best Of: Maé, we celebrate French 2X Olympic Figure Skater Maé-Bérénice Méité, the co-host of Flame Bearers Season 4: Pathways to Paris. Through the series, Maé guided athlete guest conversations with compassion and insight. Here, we look at several special moments with her: She speaks with Marie-Devine Kwame, French track cyclist and 2022 world champion, on how creativity and business ventures help her stay balanced while preparing for Paris. Alejandra Aybar, Paralympic swimmer from the Dominican Republic, describes discovering the water after injury and finding purpose through global sport development. Farida Osman, Egyptian swimmer aiming for her fourth Olympics, offers her approach to longevity and mental reset. Asma Nyang, Senegalese judoka and two-time Olympian, speaks about sustaining joy in sport and advocating for women’s visibility across Africa. Together, these stories illustrate how Maé approaches athlete conversations with heart and passion. Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events.For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @‌flamebearersFollow us -Instagram - / flamebearersFacebook - / flamebearerspodcastLinkedin - / flame-bearersTiktok - / flame_bearersX - / flame_bearersOur Website - https://flamebearers.com/Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video.If you like the content, subscribe to our channel!Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events.For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @‌flamebearersFollow us -Instagram - / flamebearersFacebook - / flamebearerspodcastLinkedin - / flame-bearersTiktok - / flame_bearersX - / flame_bearersOur Website - https://flamebearers.com/Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video.If you like the content, subscribe to our channel!

After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for visibility in sports you’ve never even seen on TV. And yet, across all these differences, certain themes echo again and again.That’s what this new Best Of series is all about: spotlighting both the range of experiences and the threads that connect them. We’ve pulled together the most powerful moments across years of conversations, including:✨ Best Advice to Younger Selves — from “give yourself grace to be a beginner” to “don’t dim your light for anyone.” ✨ Best Stories of Resilience — tales of athletes coming back from devastating injuries, near-misses, and moments when the world doubted them most. ✨ Best Moments of Role Modelship — athletes lifting the next generation, mentoring teammates, and carrying entire communities with them to the world stage. ✨ Best Stories of Identity & Joy — how athletes embrace who they are on and off the field, from glitter on the track to pride in their heritage.…and many more!You’ll hear voices as different as the sports they represent, yet together, they reveal what it really takes to rise to the top. This isn’t just one story. It’s hundreds woven together. And this is just the beginning.In this episode, Reframing the Impossible, Kimberley Alkemade (Netherlands, para athletics) shares a profound moment of connection with her late mother after winning gold in the same country where she lost her leg. Dana Mathewson (USA, wheelchair tennis) opens up about the deep self-consciousness she faced after acquiring a disability as a child and how sport became her path to freedom and self-acceptance. Ashley Dyce (USA, para powerlifting) recounts the moment she discovered the Paralympics on TV and decided to change her life, eventually choosing powerlifting over track to pursue strength. Angelina Lanza (France, para athletics) advocates for equal visibility, pay, and the freedom for female athletes to wear what makes them feel confident and perform their best. Mansi Joshi (India, para badminton) challenges media narratives, urging for coverage that focuses on athletic achievement rather than disability and inspiration porn.Together, these athletes redefine what is possible, moving beyond limitations and societal expectations to claim their space as fierce competitors and powerful advocates.Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events.For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @‌flamebearersFollow us: Instagram - / flamebearers Facebook - / flamebearerspodcast Linkedin - / flame-bearers Tiktok - / flame_bearers X - / flame_bearers Our Website - https://flamebearers.com/💬 Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video. 📺 If you like the content, subscribe to our channel!

After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for visibility in sports you’ve never even seen on TV. And yet, across all these differences, certain themes echo again and again.That’s what this new Best Of series is all about: spotlighting both the range of experiences and the threads that connect them. We’ve pulled together the most powerful moments across years of conversations, including:✨ Best Advice to Younger Selves — from “give yourself grace to be a beginner” to “don’t dim your light for anyone.”✨ Best Stories of Resilience — tales of athletes coming back from devastating injuries, near-misses, and moments when the world doubted them most.✨ Best Moments of Role Modelship — athletes lifting the next generation, mentoring teammates, and carrying entire communities with them to the world stage.✨ Best Stories of Identity & Joy — how athletes embrace who they are on and off the field, from glitter on the track to pride in their heritage.and many more!You’ll hear voices as different as the sports they represent, yet together, they reveal what it really takes to rise to the top. This isn’t just one story. It’s hundreds woven together. And this is just the beginning.In this episode, Breaking The Mold, Alexandria Glaudé of Team USA wrestling shares how she pushes for greater access and support for women in a historically male space. Natoya Goule-Toppin of Jamaica, an 800 meter specialist, calls for equal pay and expanded visibility for women’s sports. Nina Ligon, a former Olympic eventer for Thailand, reflects on reconnecting with her heritage and growing opportunity for future riders. Claire Taggart of the United Kingdom explains how boccia’s women’s classification opens new competitive pathways. Assmaa Niang of France, a decorated judoka, speaks to the need for stronger women-to-women support to build real visibility. Shelly Looney, a two-time Olympic medalist in ice hockey, describes becoming the role model she never had. Asia Hogan-Rochester of Canada’s rugby sevens team shares how expanding access can reshape who feels welcome in sport. Catarina Guimarães of Team USA CP soccer recounts breaking barriers and finding her place on the world stage. Together they show what it means to challenge norms and build a more inclusive sports landscape.Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events.For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @‌flamebearersFollow us –Instagram – / flamebearersFacebook – / flamebearerspodcastLinkedin – / flame-bearersTiktok – / flame_bearersX – / flame_bearersOur Website – https://flamebearers.com/Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video.If you like the content, subscribe to our channel!

After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for visibility in sports you’ve never even seen on TV. And yet, across all these differences, certain themes echo again and again.That’s what this new Best Of series is all about: spotlighting both the range of experiences and the threads that connect them. We’ve pulled together the most powerful moments across years of conversations, including:✨ Best Advice to Younger Selves — from “give yourself grace to be a beginner” to “don’t dim your light for anyone.”✨ Best Stories of Resilience — tales of athletes coming back from devastating injuries, near-misses, and moments when the world doubted them most.✨ Best Moments of Role Modelship — athletes lifting the next generation, mentoring teammates, and carrying entire communities with them to the world stage.✨ Best Stories of Identity & Joy — how athletes embrace who they are on and off the field, from glitter on the track to pride in their heritage.…and many more!You’ll hear voices as different as the sports they represent, yet together, they reveal what it really takes to rise to the top. This isn’t just one story. It’s hundreds woven together. And this is just the beginning.In this episode, Greatness in Motion, Kimberly Alkemade (Netherlands, para-athletics) explains how shifting between prosthetic blade sponsors—from Ottobock to Xiborg to Össur—mirrors her growth as an athlete and her fight against the financial barriers facing para-sport. Fran Brown (Great Britain, paracycling) shares how defining her own path turned “can’t” into world titles and Paralympic medals. Caryn Davies (USA, rowing) reflects on embodying Olympic values—excellence, friendship, respect—and how she applies them beyond sport in her law career. Marzieh Hamidi (Afghanistan, taekwondo), now training in France for the Refugee Olympic Team, speaks about resilience, displacement, and representing Afghan women denied that freedom. Each story redefines greatness not as perfection or power, but as persistence, adaptation, and motion toward something bigger than self.Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events.For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @‌flamebearersFollow us:Instagram - / flamebearersFacebook - / flamebearerspodcastLinkedIn - / flame-bearersTikTok - / flame_bearersX - / flame_bearersOur Website - https://flamebearers.com/Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video.If you like the content, subscribe to our channel!

After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for visibility in sports you’ve never even seen on TV. And yet, across all these differences, certain themes echo again and again.That’s what this new Best Of series is all about: spotlighting both the range of experiences and the threads that connect them. We’ve pulled together the most powerful moments across years of conversations, including:✨ Best Advice to Younger Selves — from “give yourself grace to be a beginner” to “don’t dim your light for anyone.”✨ Best Stories of Resilience — tales of athletes coming back from devastating injuries, near-misses, and moments when the world doubted them most.✨ Best Moments of Role Modelship — athletes lifting the next generation, mentoring teammates, and carrying entire communities with them to the world stage.✨ Best Stories of Identity & Joy — how athletes embrace who they are on and off the field, from glitter on the track to pride in their heritage.…and many more!You’ll hear voices as different as the sports they represent, yet together, they reveal what it really takes to rise to the top. This isn’t just one story. It’s hundreds woven together. And this is just the beginning.In this episode, Role Models V1, Ariana Ramsey (United States, rugby) shares how she uses social media to bring visibility to women’s rugby and redefine what “rough” looks like for girls in sport. Jackie Dubrovich (United States, fencing) reflects on being a role model even through losses and helping younger teammates grow. Manasi Joshi (India, para badminton) talks about transforming personal struggle into inspiration for others with disabilities. Shelly Looney (United States, ice hockey) describes building a stronger pipeline for girls to see themselves in the game. Asma Nyang (Senegal, judo) urges women to become the fan base women’s sports need. Marzia Hamidi (Afghanistan, taekwondo) tells her story of escaping Taliban rule to keep her Olympic dream alive. Marta Pen Freitas (Portugal, track and field) calls for women to take leadership roles in sport governance.Together, these athletes redefine what it means to be a role model — through resilience, visibility, and purpose.Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events.For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @flamebearersFollow usInstagram - / flamebearersFacebook - / flamebearerspodcastLinkedin - / flame-bearersTiktok - / flame_bearersX - / flame_bearersOur Website - https://flamebearers.com/Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video.If you like the content, subscribe to our channel!

After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for visibility in sports you’ve never even seen on TV. And yet, across all these differences, certain themes echo again and again.That’s what this new Best Of series is all about: spotlighting both the range of experiences and the threads that connect them. We’ve pulled together the most powerful moments across years of conversations, including:✨ Best Advice to Younger Selves — from “give yourself grace to be a beginner” to “don’t dim your light for anyone.”✨ Best Stories of Resilience — tales of athletes coming back from devastating injuries, near-misses, and moments when the world doubted them most.✨ Best Moments of Role Modelship — athletes lifting the next generation, mentoring teammates, and carrying entire communities with them to the world stage.✨ Best Stories of Identity & Joy — how athletes embrace who they are on and off the field, from glitter on the track to pride in their heritage.and many more!You’ll hear voices as different as the sports they represent, yet together, they reveal what it really takes to rise to the top. This isn’t just one story. It’s hundreds woven together. And this is just the beginning.In this episode, With a Little Help, Cynthia Appiah (Canada, bobsleigh pilot) shares how her coaches guided her through her toughest season back to the podium. Asia Hogan Rochester (Canada, rugby sevens) reflects on rebuilding team culture, healing from injuries, and rising to Olympic silver. Natoya Ghoul Toppin (Jamaica, 800m) draws strength from her faith to overcome fear and rebuild confidence. Marine Fatoumatta Camara (Mali, boxing) tells of choosing to represent Mali and becoming the country’s first female boxing medalist. Husnah Kukundakwe (Uganda, paraswimming) recalls qualifying through lockdown determination with her mom and coach. Giancarla Trevisan (Italy, 400m) shares how training partners and patience led her from injury to a personal best. Fran Brown (Great Britain, para cycling) describes how friendship and opportunity reignited her path to elite sport. Together, their stories show how belief, mentorship, and community transform self-doubt into collective strength.Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events.For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @‌flamebearersFollow us -Instagram - / flamebearersFacebook - / flamebearerspodcastLinkedin - / flame-bearersTiktok - / flame_bearersX - / flame_bearersOur Website - https://flamebearers.com/Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video.If you like the content, subscribe to our channel!