Victory Laps With Sarah Wassner Flynn

Victoria Anderson is a woman of many titles: Nuclear engineer, triathlete, synchonized swimming coach, and chocolate lover. And recently, this 40-year-old from Washington, D.C. also became one of the first people in the country to receive the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine through a clinical trial back in October. On this episode, I talk to Victoria about her decision to enter a trial when we really didn't know much about the vaccine, as well as the stressful time she endured at the start of the pandemic when her parents were virtually trapped on a cruise ship that had active cases of COVID aboard, a story she helped make global news. Later, we dive into Anderson's involvement in synchronized swimming and much more, including her love of chocolate.  Link to Triple Hot Chocolate Recipe: https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/triple-hot-chocolate/16799/ More about Victoria's Parents Cruise Ship Ordeal: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2020/04/03/holland-america-cruise-ship-nightmare-florida-coronavirus-covid/5110933002/ https://www.wave3.com/2020/04/03/ohio-couple-shares-ups-downs-days-confined-cruise-ship/

Josh Hageman is someone I’ve known for a few years through the local triathlon community. He’s a multidimensional person: He’s a father and a husband, a dog dad, an athlete, a model and commercial actor and even has a side hustle making and selling artisanal marshmallows. What always stands out to me about Josh is that he is truly a choose-your-own adventure kind of guy: He has come up with some epic athletic endeavors simply because he wants to push his own limits and break his own boundaries. A lot of what he has done, including a recent 43-mile jaunt around a local track, which we’ll get into, are totally on his own and done with little to no fanfare. It’s that kind of self-starter attitude and spirit I think we can all adopt as we march into 2021 with still no guarantee that life will be back to "normal." So why not make our own fun? Josh certainly has. Here, he chats about some of those adventures as well as what drives him to do it all. I hope you enjoy.

Just in the nick of time before the holidays, I had a chance to sit down (via Zoom) with the one and only Matt Wilpers. Matt topped my "dream guest" list when I first started this podcast, so you know I was excited for this one (I tried my best not to fangirl too hard). In this conversation, we chat about how Matt made the decision to forego medical school to work with Peloton, how the company and his position have evolved over the years, we chat about his personalized approach to coaching, what it's really like leading a class alone in a studio with thousands of people at home watching, and so much more. We close out with some holiday hotseat questions, where Matt leaves us with the sweetest Christmas wish for all of his athletes. This is my gift to you, Victory Laps listeners...enjoy! 

If 2020 went the way Karissa Schweizer had anticipated it may go, the 24-year-old may be an Olympian by now. After all, the professional runner and member of the Bowerman Track Club was primed to dominate the outdoor track scene after setting an American Record in the 3,000m on the indoor track in February just weeks before the pandemic shut everything down and completely altered the sports world. Undeterred, Karissa and her teammates pivoted and managed to pull of some phenomenal racing despite not having actual races. Over the summer, the Bowerman Track Club put on a series of time trial events where teammates raced one another in key distance events, smashing PRs in the process. In one of those time trials, Karissa and her teammate Shelby Houlihan both dipped under the 5,000-meter American Record mark, with Shelby untimately taking the win--and the record--in 14:23. Karissa's 14:26 was a resounding statement of her fitness level and her potential to be one of the world's best in the distance events on the track.  In this conversation, we talk about how 2020 went from the season that wasn't to the season that surprised Karissa the most, as well as how her life has changed since stepping into the shoes of a professional athlete including her approach to nutrition. And, she shares one big thing she did recently that even her coach doesn't know about. Thanks to Karissa for joining me on Victory Laps! 

Earlier this month, 21-year-old Chris Nikic made history by becoming the first person with Down Syndrome to complete the grueling Ironman triathlon event, entering the Guinness Book of World Records for that accomplishment along the way. Nikic's tale was the feel good story we all needed: An example of hard work, big dreams, and plenty of passion. I had a chance to catch up with Nikic and talk in length with his guide, Dan Grieb, who worked with him for several months, up to 8 hours a day, to get Chris ready for the big day. The journey wasn't easy, and on race day, Chris and Dan faced numerous challenges (spoiler alert: Red ants were involved!), but after 16 hours and 49 minutes, Chris indeed heard the magical words: You are an Ironman. This was one of the most special interviews I've done, and it was a surprise to talk to Chris as I had only lined up Dan. Give it a listen and you will be sure to be inspired. Follow Chris on instagram: @chrisnikic Follow Dan on instagram: @dgrieb

Fresh off the race of her lifetime, Clarice Lorenzini breaks down Ironman Florida, where she qualified for her pro card by placing 2nd overall among all amateur women in 9 hours and 44 minutes. Not only that, she posted the 3rd fastest run split among *all* women, including the pros with a 3:07 marathon split, which was a 23-minute PR. This was a redemption of sorts as Clarice's last race was a huge personal disappointment, and because of the pandemic, she was forced to wait over a year to compete again. Clarice discusses how she stayed focused on the big picture over the last mine months despite not knowing when her next race would be, as well as what has kept her motivated throughout all of the uncertainty. And, of course, she describes the race itself and how it all went down. I am so excited for Clarice and her future as a pro triathlete. It's going to be so bright! Follow Clarice on instagram @claricelorenzini. 

🚨New episode alert!🚨 Dropping this one today because I know we are looking for distractions from the news...and the stress eating...so here you go. An hour of convo with the chillest, nicest, most humble guy, Nat Smitobol. I met Nat in 2016 at the Rev3 Summit and the first thing I noticed about him were his awesome shoes and outfit. The second thing I noticed was how amazingly sweet he was. Neither has changed in the years since: He's still the same, stylish, kind, positive guy. I chose to chat with him at a time when we all need some of Nat's upbeat vibe, and I also wanted him to share how he stays so positive, even when he's gutting it out in a ultrarace (he runs upwards of all 200-mile races and crazy-long triathlons).  Nat talks about just that, as well as his sources of motivation; he gets candid with his quickfire answers, and tells us just what it is like to run for four hours in an inflatable T-Rex costume (AKA Revasurus Rex). Be sure to listen all the way to the end for that.  You can follow Nat on instagram @lobotims_tan.

Ultrarunners Kristen Serafin and Erin Kelman are a pandemic success story: faced with whether to quarantine together or stay apart in the spring, they chose to go all in. And not only has their relationship grown during this time, so has their mileage. They have done some epic runs together, including a series of ultramarathons as they criss-crossed the country last month. A few weeks ago, they completed the ultimate bucket list adventure of Rim2Rim2Rim...that's crossing the Grand Canyon *both* ways. Kristen and Erin talk about that epic ultrarun, the challenges they faced, and how they managed to grow even closer as a result. This couple is as kind as they are accomplished, and their sweet story will inspire.

Today’s guest is Kristin (Goett) Jenny (kristinjenny207 on Instagram), an accomplished long distance triathlete and writer. World Mental Health Day was observed on October 10 as a way to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health, so this could not come at a better time. Because in this conversation, Kristin opens up about her struggles with both anxiety and OCD, which, as she will share, almost ruined her passion for triathlon and derailed her personal life, too. Fortunately, Kristin has found the right plan to treat her issues and is consistently working through them. And while she’s comfortable talking about her struggles today, that was not always the case. Now, Kristin hopes to break the stigma of mental health challenges and make people feel less alone. I am honored Kristin chose to share this brave story with all of you because it is so, so important to hear for anyone who has struggled or is struggling with anxiety. 

Dr. Bill Begg, the vice president of medical affairs and head of the ER at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, NY, is one my most fascinating guests to date. A 14-time Ironman, Bill is passionate about triathlon and manages to race several times a year despite his demanding schedule in the ER. Recently, he's been serving on the frontline of the pandemic, which we discuss, and we also chat about two heroic efforts outside of the hospital when he saved two people in two different races he was participating in. Bill is extremely devoted to his family and does not hide his emotion about his love for them, which is especially heartwarming and relatable for us all right now.