Jesse Grupper: Helping climbers with disabilities reach new heights

Sarah Adam, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, is attempting to become the first woman to ever represent Team USA at a Paralympics in wheelchair rugby, a sport so violent it is nicknamed “murderball.” Watch the video version of this episode HERE.Hear from:Sarah AdamDr. Kerri Morgan (Sarah’s mentor and Paralympic wheelchair track medalist)

Paralympic sprinter Nick Mayhugh shares the lessons he learned from his grandfather Bill Mayhugh, a popular radio host, and his grandmother Shirley Culpeper Mayhugh, a performer who was signed by the same agency that represented Marilyn Monroe. Watch the video version of this episode HERE.Hear from:Nick MayhughScott Mayhugh (Nick’s father)

Jennifer Lozano, nicknamed “the Troublemaker,” started boxing after experiencing bullying, racism and cartel violence splitting her time between Mexico and the border town of Laredo, Texas. Watch the video version of this episode HERE.Hear from:Jennifer LozanoYadhira Lozano (Jennifer’s mother)

Jesse Grupper, a climber who studied engineering at Tufts and Harvard, designs devices to help children with disabilities participate in climbing. Watch the video version of this episode HERE.Hear from:Jesse GrupperJonathan Grupper (Jesse’s father)Randi Goldberg (NJ Rock Gym)Andrew Chow (Former Peak Potential coach)

Kelly Cheng, who has been open about her mental health challenges, started a mentorship program to help the next generation of beach volleyball players prioritize their mental health. Watch the video version of this episode HERE.Hear from:Kelly ChengJordan Cheng (Kelly’s husband and coach)Grace Hong (USC beach volleyball and Kelly’s mentee)

Olympic silver medalist Jordan Chiles explains how the landscape has changed for women of color since she first started doing gymnastics — and what she’s doing to help with Brown Girls Do Gymnastics. Watch the video version of this episode HERE.Hear from:Jordan ChilesMargzetta Frazier (UCLA Gymnastics)Coach Derrin Moore (Founder, Brown Girls Do Gymnastics)

Lydia Jacoby, who unexpectedly became an Olympic champion as a 17-year-old swimmer from Alaska, opens up about her battle with post-Olympic depression. Watch the video version of this episode HERE.Hear from:Lydia JacobyMissy Franklin (6-time Olympic medalist)Carol Capitani (Texas women’s swimming and diving head coach)Dr. Michael Gervais (Psychologist and founder of Finding Mastery)

My New Favorite Olympian will introduce you to some of Team USA's most inspiring athletes and the causes they champion. New episodes hosted by 12-time Olympic medalist Natalie Coughlin and NBC's Zena Keita will drop June 12. And don't miss My New Favorite Paralympian beginning August 14! Watch the video version of the trailer HERE.

As a bonus treat for our listeners, we're flipping the tables and having My New Favorite Futbolista host (and World Cup champion) Meghan Klingenberg answer questions from Andy Slavitt, the host of In the Bubble. Klingenberg discusses leading the charge along with other members of the USWNT to secure equal pay for all women competing in international sporting events, plus shares her thoughts on this year's World Cup, explains why it makes sense to invest in women’s sports and reveals how you can support women’s soccer year-round.

How will Team USA handle the adversity they are facing at the Women’s World Cup? Olympic and World Cup champion Lauren Holiday discusses with soccer content creator Megan Reyes in this bonus episode of My New Favorite Futbolista recorded in front of a live audience at a Women’s World Cup watch party presented by our partners On Her Turf, TOGETHXR, Telemundo and Peacock.Watch the episode HERE.