One-on-One with Wan & Only Sports Podcast

Chris Kocher plays for New York PONY an elite-level club men’s team. With PONY, Chris won a national title in 2018, and came in 3rd in 2019. Chris is a 3-time member of Ultiworld’s All-Club Men’s 1st team winning it from 2017 to 2019. In 2019, Chris was the 2nd runner up for Men’s Club POTY and in 2018 he was named 2nd runner up for Men’s Club OPOTY. Prior to PONY, Chris played a year with Truckstop and his college ultimate at George Washington University. On the world’s stage, Chris has represented the US 4 times including on the 2017 World Games team that won Gold. He was set to part of the US men’s team for the 2020 WUGC that has been cancelled. Chris played for Sydney Colony at the World Ultimate Club Championships in 2018 that won a silver medal in the open division.

In this interview, Chris shares his journey from Paideia HS to New York Pony and we get to hear about what led him to move to Australia to play for Colony during the 2018 World Ultimate Club Championships. We also do a deep dive into the mindset of an elite level player, what it takes to grow and get better, and we learn about the switch in mentality for the New York PoNY program.

Segment #1: Chris’s journey (3:36)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (41:05)

Segment #3: Chris’s memorable games (47:17)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (54:30)

Chris’s social media contacts: Instagram (@ckocher3)

Jimmy Lepert’s YouTube channel: (https://www.youtube.com/user/dropjimnotgym)

Robyn Fennig is a handler who has played for college, club, professional, and national teams during her 14-year career. At the club level, Robyn has played for Minneapolis Drag N’ Thrust, Alpha Cobra Squadron, Midwest RevoLOUtion, Madison Heist, DC Scandal, and Yaka (out of France). She played for Madison Heist from 2012 to 2018 making the national championships every year of her tenure there with their best finish being 7th in 2016. Robyn won two French national championships with YAKA and a bronze medal at European Ultimate Club Finals. Her club career has come with many awards including Ultiworld’s 2013 and 2014 Women’s club division 2nd team, 2018 1stteam all club and female offensive POTY, and was named 2019 club women’s POTY and 1st team all club.

She played her college career with University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire Sol being named a 3-time all-region player, and with University of Iowa Saucy Nancy where she was named 1st team all-region and Callahan runner-up, finishing 5th at the USA ultimate college championships. On the world’s stage, Robyn won a gold medal with Drag N’ Thurst at the 2014 WUCC, a gold medal at the 2016 WUGC with the mixed team, a 2017 beach world’s title with the women’s masters team, and she played with Yaka at the 2018 WUCC.

In this interview, Robyn shares what led her to start ultimate, and her experiences as an elite level club player and as the president of the USA Ultimate Board of Directors. We learn about what led Robyn to play for Scandal in 2019, and we discuss what has contributed to the growth and parity in the women’s club game.

Segment #1: Robyn’s journey (5:59)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (48:00)

Segment #3: Robyn’s memorable games (56:21)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (1:01:25)

Ella is an ultimate player and pro disc golfer who has played for the University of Oregon Fugue, Portland Schwa, a women’s club team, and two Team USA U-24 women’s teams. She played on Fugue from 2015 to 2019 and was a captain from 2017 to 2019. With Fugue, she won a championship in 2015, finished 3rdin 2016, and finished 5th in 2017 and 2018 making Nationals in every year of her college career. With Portland Schwa, Ella helped the team finish 3rdat the 2019 USA Ultimate National Championships taking down #2 seed Molly Brown in the quarterfinals leading them to their best finish at nationals. She has made the national championship every year of her club career. With Team USA, she has won two gold medals with the U-24 women’s team in both 2018 in Australia and 2019 in Germany. Ella has now become a professional disc golf player and has even secured a sponsorship with Discmania.

In this interview, Ella shares about her college career and the importance of mental resilience, and we discuss her transition into professional disc golf. We reflect on Schwa’s quarterfinal upset over Denver Molly Brown at the 2019 USA Ultimate National Championships, and we discuss the main differences between professional disc golf and competitive ultimate.

Segment #1: Ella’s journey (3:41)

Segment #2: Daily life in disc golf(29:50)

Segment #3: Ella’s memorable games (44:04)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (48:56)

Ella’s social media contacts: Instagram (@onethrowella), & Twitter (@bagelpowered)

2019 USA Ultimate National Championships Women’s Quarterfinal Denver Molly Brown vs Portland Schwa: (https://video.ultiworld.com/club-championships-2019-women-s-mixed-men-s/videos/10-schwa-vs-2-molly-brown-w-quarter-2019-club-championships)

Antoine Davis is set to play for the Atlanta Hustle of the AUDL and Atlanta Chain Lightning in 2021. He has played for San Francisco Revolver and multiple AUDL teams including the San Francisco Flame throwers, San Jose Spiders and DC Breeze and was an AUDL all-star in 2019. He played with Revolver from 2017 to 2019 and was a practice player in 2016. With Revolver, he won a national championship in 2017 and a world club championship in 2018. He was also named Ultiworld’s 2018 Club Male Breakout player of the year. He played his college ultimate with Virginia Tech Burn. Prior to playing with Revolver, he played with Washington DC Ambiguous Grey leading them to two national championships in 2015 and 2016 with their best finish being 6th in 2016. Antoine is a coach for GamePoint Performance, a life coach, and currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

In this interview, we learn about Antoine’s journey to elite-level club ultimate with Revolver, and he gives great advice for growing not only in ultimate but in life. We learn about the goals and motivation Antoine has for ultimate, and we go back into the archives and talk about the 2018 World Ultimate Club Championships where Revolver took home Gold.

Segment #1: Antoine’s journey (3:23)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (28:23)

Segment #3: Antoine’s memorable games as a player (38:46)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (45:03)

Antoine’s social media contacts: Instagram (@antoinedaviscoach), Email (@ad80davis@gmail.com) & YouTube (@AntoineDavis)

2017 USA Ultimate National Championships Open Final San Francisco Revolver vs Austin Doublewide: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJm2Kj-Kapc)

2018 World Ultimate Club Championships Open Final San Francisco Revolver vs Sydney Colony: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aiel7O_iQio)

Sadie Jezierski was a 2019 Callahan award finalist, 1st Team All-American and 2019 Ultiworld D1 College player of the year 2nd runner-up who has played for The Ohio State University Fever. With Fever, Sadie has made the USA Ultimate College National Championships every year of her college career including a 3rd place finish in 2019. On the international stage, Sadie has represented the USA twice and was selected to be a member of the USA National Women’s team for the 2020 WUGC that has been cancelled. At the club level, Sadie has played for Columbus Cocktails, a club mixed team who played at the 2018 USA Ultimate National Championships, and Nashville ‘Shine a select flight club mixed team. Sadie is a co-owner and co-founder of the Columbus Pride who plays in the Premier Ultimate League.

In the interview, Sadie talks about her college career, and she gives some tips on how to become an elite thrower. Sadie also talks about her national team experience, and why she has decided to play in the mixed division so far in her club career.

Segment #1: Sadie’s journey (3:07)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (34:34)

Segment #3: Sadie’s memorable games as a player (39:45)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (43:59)

Sadie’s social media contacts: Instagram (@sadiejezerski), & Twitter (@sadiejezerski)

Sadie Jezierski Callahan video: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whYkmthSqyY)

Von Alanguilan is a player for Chicago Machine and the Chicago Union of the AUDL. He was Ultiworld’s 2018 Club Defensive Player of The Year and won the 2020 USA Ultimate Peter Farricker Spirit award. With Machine, Von came 2nd in 2019 at the USA Ultimate National Championships and 3rd at the 2015 USA Ultimate National Championships. He has played for Machine and the Union since 2014.

In the interview, Von shares his club experience starting with Chicago Haymaker before his time with Machine, and we get insight into how to play defense from an elite defender. Von shares about the iconic final and block at the 2019 USA Ultimate National Championships, and we talk Chicago sports.

Segment #1: Von’s journey (3:13)

Von’s defense tips (25:39)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (41:59)

Segment #3: Von’s memorable games as a player (46:49)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (51:10)

Jean “Khyrrah” Tuvilla is a Filipino ultimate player who has represented the Philippines at 5 world tournaments. At the club level she has played for Black Widows, a club women’s team, Mulatto Pilipinas a mixed team, and the Boracay Pirates, a well-known beach mixed team. She was on the Asian-Oceanic tour that had female all-stars from the Asian Oceanic region play against top women’s club ultimate teams in North America.

In this interview, we talk about Filipino ultimate, her time on the Asia-Oceanic Tour, and we discuss balancing ultimate with other life goals. Jean also shares the accomplishment of representing her country with her club team, Mulatto Pilipinas.

Segment #1: Jean’s journey (3:11)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (29:35)

Segment #3: Jean’s memorable games as a commentator and player (36:00)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (39:56)

Jean’s social media contacts: Instagram (@Jean_khyrrah_tuvilla), YouTube (@KhyrrahTuvilla) and Facebook (@khyrrahtuvilla)

2018 World Ultimate Club Championships Mulatto Pilipinas (PHI) vs Banana Cutters (CAN):

**Editor’s Note: Mild swearing in this episode**

Liam Grant is an Irish ultimate player, host of the Ultiworld Eurozone podcast, tournament director and ultimate commentator who is known for coining the phrase “buttery biscuit.” Liam was the captain of the Irish mixed team at the 2016 WUGC and he won a silver medal with the Irish team at the ECBU in 2013. As a tournament director, Liam has overseen many tournaments including the Galway Open, the Irish Ultimate College championships, and he helped lead the Siege of Limerick, Ireland’s biggest ultimate event. He has commentated many ultimate tournaments including the World U23 Ultimate Championships in 2015 and 2019, the European Ultimate Championships in 2015 and 2019, and the World Ultimate Club Championships in 2018.

In this interview, Liam shares about his playing career, his experience as a tournament director, his role on the WFDF board, and how he got into commentating. We learn about what got Liam into ultimate, and he shares some engaging stories from his time as a commentator and player.

Segment #1: Liam’s journey (4:07)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (31:50)

Segment #3: Liam’s memorable games as a commentator and player (43:05)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (57:26)

Liam’s social media contacts: Instagram (@Liamgranty) and Facebook (@Liam Grant)

Liam Grant commentary highlights:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EAehKR4m7c)

Liam as a player:

Arielle Nelson has played for Boston Slow White and for the Team USA’s U24 women’s national team that won gold in 2019. In 2020, Arielle was on Denver Molly Brown who focused their season on activism and equity efforts in their local community. With Slow White, Ari made it to the semifinals of the USA Ultimate National Championships in 2017 and won a silver medal at the World Ultimate Club Championships in 2018. She has played for the Northeastern Valkyries from 2016 to 2020 making it to the D1 College Championships in 2019. She is going to play with the Northeastern Huskies for the 2020-2021 season. Ari founded the website, Time for the Ultimate Talk which hopes to start the conversation about mental health in the ultimate community.

In this interview, hear Ari share her experiences making an elite level mixed team as an 18-year-old, her mental health journey, and the new website she has helped launch that is focused on helping the ultimate community talk about mental health. We also talk about the Boston mixed ultimate scene and the different stereotypes that exist in ultimate.

Segment #1:Ari’s journey (3:46)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (34:02)

Segment #3: Ari’s memorable games as a player (51:15)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (54:20)

Brett is a national and world champion with both the U.S and Australia who has had a long successful career playing for many teams along the way. At the club level, Brett has played for Ring of Fire, Denver Johnny Bravo, Chicago Machine, and Pittsburgh Temper. He made it to the semifinals of the USA Ultimate National Championships 4 times (once with Machine and three times with Ring of Fire) and he won a national championship with Denver Johnny Bravo in 2014. With the American Ultimate Disc League, he has played for the DC Breeze, Chicago Wildfire and Indianapolis Alleycats being named All-AUDL 1st team in 2015 and All-AUDL 2nd team in 2014. With Team USA, Brett has been to 3 beach world championships winning gold each time and has been to the World games in 2013. In 2016, he helped the mixed team win a gold medal at the WUGC.

In this interview, Brett talks about his long ultimate career and his early experiences playing in Australia, the reasons why he plays ultimate, and what led him to play with the different teams he has played for.

Segment #1:Brett’s journey (4:11)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (48:20)

Segment #3: Brett’s memorable games as a player (51:53)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (55:53)

Anne Worth was the 2020 Callahan award winner and 2019 Premier Ultimate League breakout player of the year who plays for Raleigh Phoenix and the Raleigh Radiance of the PUL.

In college, Anne played for UNC Pleiades from 2015-2019 helping the program become one of the top teams in the college women’s division. She was named Ultiworld’s 2019 D1 OPOTY, 1st team All American and Atlantic Coast 1st team all-region player in 2019. Anne won a gold medal with Team USA U24 mixed in 2019 and was selected to be a member of the Women’s national team for the 2020 WUGC.

In this interview, hear Anne share her college experience and the positive culture on her team as well as the next stages of her life where she has to balance ultimate with career aspirations. Anne gives some great advice based on her experiences, and she discusses the various goals she wants to accomplish in the sport.

Segment #1:Anne’s journey (3:14)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (29:43)

Segment #3: Anne’s memorable games as a player (35:35)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (39:37)

Anne’s social media contacts: Instagram (@buddyanne22)

Nicholas Whitlock at only 21 years old has been a member of Team Zealand 3 times and was selected to be a member of Team Zealand’s mixed team for the 2020 World Ultimate and Guts Championships that have been postponed. He has represented the U20 open team twice, once in 2016 and as a captain in 2018 and played for the U24 open team in 2019. He has played for Auckland-based open team Groot for 5 years before switching over to play for the Wellington Wildcats in 2021. With his university team, Auckland University Ultimate Club, Nicholas has won two university national championships.

In this interview, hear Nicholas share his experience starting with the national program as a 15-year-old and what ultimate is like in New Zealand. We talk about what has led him to become the player he is today, the goals he has as a player and the hopes he has for the growth of the sport in New Zealand.

Segment #1: Nicholas’s journey (4:10)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (27:46)

Segment #3: Nicholas’s memorable games as a player (39:37)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (47:41)

Nicholas’s social media contacts: Instagram (@nicholasw.8)

YouTube channel created by Nicholas: (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb-ZMDz1wtC6LHjZVqH_d3g)

Nicholas’s hammer featured on Ultiworld: (https://www.facebook.com/Ultiworld/videos/384258959531555)

PC: Photo on left (Mr. Whitlock) & Photo on right (39 Photographs)

Shanye Crawford is a 17 year veteran of ultimate who has played for Atlanta Bucket, Atlanta Soul of the Premier Ultimate League, Atlanta Ozone, and the Color of Ultimate tour. She also started her own company Disc/Diversity where she serves as an equity consultant for college, club and professional ultimate teams.

In this interview, hear Shanye reflect on her career and the work she is doing with Disc/Diversity including the upcoming Con10tent tour. Shanye does a great job of storytelling in this episode telling stories of triumph and trial in her ultimate career and the events that led her to start Disc/Diversity.

Segment #1: Shanye’s journey (3:38)

Segment #2: Daily life running Disc/Diversity (43:16)

Segment #3: Shanye’s memorable games as a player (49:59)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (56:17)

Disc/Diversity’s social media contacts: Instagram (@disc_diversity), Facebook (@disc.diversity), Twitter (@discover_diversity) and Website (discoverdiversity.org)

**Editor’s Note: Mild swearing in this episode**

Nathan Kolakovic is known in the ultimate world for his photography and cinematic ultimate highlight videos as NKolakovic. Nathan has filmed every major ultimate tournament since 2017 and had one of his videos go viral amassing over 4 million views on Unilad’s Facebook page. In this interview, Nathan shares some interesting stories on how he filmed and took photos of his first ultimate tournament and his journey into quitting his full-time job and being able to work full-time capturing the best moments in our sport. We do a deep dive into what three make or break events almost derailed his filming career, and we discuss some of the people that have had a positive influence on his life as a photographer and videographer.

Segment #1: Nathans’s journey (3:19)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (30:47)

Segment #3: Nathans’s memorable games as a player (38:25)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (42:40)

Nathans’s social media contacts: Instagram (@Nkolakovic, @Nathankolakovic_photography, @kolakovic_captures), @Facebook (NKolakovic) and YouTube (@NKolakovic)

2016 Douglas Bowl Highlights on Unilad:

(https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2226991667323880)

2015 CUC Junior Finals Highlights:

Dena Elimelech played for the University of San Diego Dragon Coalition, San Diego Wildfire, and the USA U-24 ultimate team. With UCSD, she has won a national championship in 2019 while capturing Ultiworld’s 2019 D-1 Women’s Player of the Year. She was named the 2ndrunner-up for Ultiworld’s 2018 D-1 Women’s Offensive Player of the Year and is a two-time All-American. Dena has also played with San Diego Wildfire where she helped the team make the quarterfinals in 2018 while finishing in the pre-quarters in 2019. She was able to represent Team USA at the World U24 Ultimate Championships in Germany in 2019 winning a gold medal.

In this interview, Dena shares about the rise of the UCSD program and the beginnings of her ultimate career as well as the amazing ending to her college career when she won a national championship. We also get to learn about the team’s culture, the special heat training they did to prepare for nationals, and advice from Dena on how to prepare mentally for tryouts.

Segment #1: Dena’s journey (3:23)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (27:14)

Segment #3: Dena’s memorable games as a player (34:34)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (41:58)

Dena’s social media contacts: Instagram (@denaeli27)

2019 USA Ultimate College Championships Women’s Final Dartmouth Ultimate Club vs UCSD Dragon Coalition

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEHfb-Nt8f8)

Dena’s College Highlights:

**Editor's Note: Mild swearing in this episode**

Toly Vasilyev is a multi-time Russian and Canadian national champion representing both Team Canada and Team Russia in various world tournaments as well as playing for Toronto GOAT and Toronto Rush. Toly has won 6 Russian national championships with Jupiter and Shadows and two Canadian Ultimate Championships with Toronto GOAT. With Team Russia, he won a mixed championship at the 2019 European Championships of Beach Ultimate. With Team Canada, he won a world championship at the 2008 World Ultimate and Guts Championships defeating Team USA in the gold medal game in Vancouver. Toly has done multiple projects in the ultimate world including starting a lifestyle clothing brand (Flatball Collective) and the Disc One 4 One project which has brought ultimate to 2,400 kids in Russia and Ukraine.

In this interview, hear Toly share about his beginning in ultimate in Russia and his move to Canada where we learn about some opportunities and stories he has playing for Toronto GOAT and Team Canada. Toly also shares some practical tips including how to get more hand blocks and we learn about Toly’s various projects including Flatball Collective and the Disc One 4 One project.

Segment #1: Toly’s journey (3:49)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (31:35)

Segment #3: Toly’s memorable games as a player (42:10)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (47:29)

Toly’s social media contacts: Instagram (@toll18)

Flatball Collective social media contacts: Instagram (@flatballcollective) & Website (flatballcollective.com)

Disc One 4 One Project: (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/disc-one4one#/)

2008 World Ultimate and Guts Championships Open Final Team Canada vs Team USA:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHmTo9Ybp3o&ab_channel=DISCHighlights)

2017 Canadian Ultimate Championships Open Final GOAT vs Winnipeg General Strike:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5zYxK7g3rM&ab_channel=UltimateCanada)

Photos: (photo on left) (Brian MacKenzie) (photo on right) (Focus Ultimate)

Inês Bringel is a member of Portgual’s mixed team, a player-coach for Ultimate Frisbee Algarve, and a two-time EuroStars tour participant. She was runner-up for Ultiworld’s 2019 European Female Defensive Player of the Year and runner-up for Ultiworld’s 2018 European Mixed Breakout Player of the Year. She has represented Portugal 6 times internationally including helping Portugal achieve a 4th place finish at the European Championships of Beach Ultimate in 2015 and at the World Championships of Beach Ultimate in 2011 and 2015. Inês has also played for Cosmic Girls out of Russia helping them come in second at the 2019 European Ultimate Club Finals.

In this interview, Inês shares about the success of Portugal beach ultimate and its increasing growth in the grass game. She also shares her experience on the EuroStars Tour and the opportunity to grow and play against strong competition. We also have a chance to talk about the adjustment she had to make coming from high-level swimming over to ultimate and the desire she has to grow women’s ultimate in Portugal.

Segment #1: Inês’s journey (3:19)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (28:10)

Segment #3: Inês’s memorable games as a player (34:28)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (39:42)

Inês’s social media contacts: Instagram (@inesbringel) and Facebook (@ines.bringel)

2019 European Championships of Beach Ultimate Mixed Bronze Medal game Great Britain vs Portugal:

Dina Dumanskaia is a captain of the Russian women’s club team Cosmic Girls, a Russian national team athlete, and two-time EuroStars tour participant, . Dina has represented Russia 4 times internationally including winning a gold medal at the World Championships of Beach Ultimate in 2017 and a gold medal at the European Championships of Beach Ultimate in 2019. She was on the mixed team that won a bronze medal at the European Ultimate Championships in 2019. With Cosmic Girls, she finished 2nd at the 2019 European Ultimate Club Finals.

In this interview, Dina shares about how she got inspired to play ultimate through a Seattle Sockeye camp in Moscow, and her growth and experiences on the Russian national team. We also discuss how she is preparing for the return of ultimate, and we do a trip down memory lane by reflecting on the EuroStars tour and her favourite cities to play in.

Segment #1: Dina’s journey (3:31)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (30:03)

Segment #3: Dina’s memorable games as a player (36:38)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (41:57)

Dina’s social media contacts: Instagram (@dumanskaiadina), and Facebook (@dina.dumanskaya)

Davide Morri is a player-coach for CUSB La Fotta, the defending European club champions and the head coach of the U24 Team Italy teams since 2013. As the coach of the U24 open team, he has helped Italy win a silver medal in 2018 and a bronze medal in 2019. He has played for Italy’s open team 4 times at the World Ultimate and Guts Championships and won the MVP award in the open division in 2012. Davide is also the technical director of the CUSB program including the defending women’s European club champions, CUSB Shout.

In this interview, Davide talks about the rise and growth of the Italian junior’s ultimate program and his experience as the coach and technical director for the CUSB program. We had a chance to discuss coaching tactics and we did a deep dive into the memorable final between Italy and USA at the World U24 Ultimate Championships in 2018 where Italy had a halftime lead on USA.

Segment #1: Davide’s journey (3:56)

Italy vs USA U24 2018 Open Final (15:26)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (35:30)

Segment #3: Davide’s memorable games as a player (43:44)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (53:09)

Erin Daly has been a fixture in the Canadian ultimate scene representing Canada at the World Championships of Beach Ultimate in 2015, and 2017, playing with Banana Cutters (Vancouver B.C) at the World Ultimate Club Championships in 2018, and winning a Canadian Ultimate Championships Silver Medal in the mixed division in 2019. Erin was selected to be a member of the Team Canada mixed team that was set to compete at the 2020 World Ultimate and Guts Championships that was postponed due to COVID-19.

In this interview, Erin shares about capitalizing on the various playing opportunities she has received from all over Canada, which has helped her reach her goal of being on the national team. Along with the opportunities, Erin discusses the challenges of being away from other ultimate hotbeds and fitting into different ultimate teams and systems. We also have an opportunity to talk about what ultimate is like on the East Coast and the growth of youth ultimate in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Segment #1: Erin’s journey (2:53)

Making her first national team (11:43)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (32:23)

Segment #3: Erin’s memorable games (38:50)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (47:09)

Erin’s social media contacts: Instagram (@Erindaly24)

Calvin Lin is the coach for the University of Texas at Austin men’s ultimate team TUFF. He has been the coach for TUFF since 1996 leading the program to College Nationals 13 times, finishing 3rd in 2009 and 5th a total of seven times. TUFF has won their region 9 times and Calvin has been named South-Central Region Coach of the Year twice and South Region Coach of the Year once. Along with coaching, Calvin played for the first Seattle Sockeye team as well as the Houston Houndz and Austin Doublewide. He has won 2 USA Ultimate Master’s Championships, 1 Great Grandmasters Championship, and one World Ultimate Club Championship.

In this interview, Calvin shares about his early playing days playing with the team in Seattle that would eventually become Sockeye and his experience on the first Austin Doublewide team. Hear about Calvin’s daily life as a coach and professor at UT at Austin and his coaching philosophy and tactics. We get a chance to learn about Calvin’s experience as a coach by doing a deep dive into how he led Texas TUFF to a come from behind victory in their 2008 regional final to make college nationals.

Segment #1: Calvin’s journey (3:19)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (35:55)

Segment #3: Calvin’s memorable games (2008 regional final) (44:31)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (52:12)

Calvin’s social media contacts: Email (lin@cs.utexas.edu)

Texas TUFF’s social media contacts: Instagram (@texasmensultimate), Twitter (@texas_tuff), Facebook (@TexasUltimate) and Website (https://texasultimatefrisbee.weebly.com/)

Sarah Melvin was Ultiworld’s 2019 European Female Player of the Year and has appeared in the 2018 and 2019 EuroStars tour. She currently plays for Dublin Gravity, a women’s club team and was slated to be a captain on the Ireland women’s team for the now rescheduled 2020 World Ultimate & Guts Championships. In this interview, Sarah talks about her journey through the Ireland national team program and her awesome experience on the EuroStars Tour. We also have an opportunity to discuss the training and coaches that helped her develop into the player she is today.

Segment #1: Sarah’s journey (2:27)

EuroStars Tour (15:18)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (22:35)

Segment #3: Sarah’s memorable games (27:45)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (38:03)

Sarah’s social media contacts: Instagram (@Sarahmelvin43)

Gabe Hernández plays for Austin Doublewide, a men’s club team and the Dallas Roughnecks of the American Ultimate Disc League. In college, he played with Stanford Bloodthirsty where he was named All-American twice and All-Region four times. He won the Callahan award in 2018 which is given to the most valuable player in D1 college ultimate. In this interview, Gabe talks about how he went from never playing ultimate until his freshman year in college to captaining his sophomore year and eventually winning a Callahan award as a senior with Stanford University. We go back and discuss the memorable game where he led Stanford to victory in the game-to-go to nationals on a torn ACL.

Segment #1: Gabe’s journey (2:55)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (22:50)

Segment #3: Gabe’s memorable games (29:29)

Discussing the 2018 Game-to-Go (32:00)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (44:32)

Charlie Eisenhood is the founder, owner, and editor-in-chief of Ultiworld, the largest media company dedicated to the sport of ultimate. In this interview, Charlie shares his story of playing ultimate in high school and college and what led him to founding Ultiworld. Get a behind the scenes look at the beginnings and growth of the largest media company dedicated to ultimate and what it’s like covering a major tournament like the USA Ultimate National Championships.

Segment #1: Charlie’s journey (2:25)

Segment #2: Daily life working in ultimate (33:42)

Segment #3: Charlie’s memorable games and tournaments (43:25)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (49:53)

Charlie Eisenhood’s social media contacts: Twitter (@ceisenhood), Instagram (@Ceisenhood), & Facebook (@Charlie Eisenhood)

Ultiworld’s social media contacts: Twitter (@ultiworld), Instagram (@ultiworld), Facebook (@ultiworld), & Website (Ultiworld.com)

Alison Fischer is a coach for Québec Iris and Team Canada. In this interview, Alison shares about her journey from playing into coaching, and the unique story of how she played her first ultimate game. We also go into a deep dive about her coaching philosophy, what led to the team culture for Iris, and the challenges of running a provincial team.

Segment #1: Alison’s journey (2:58)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (27:58)

Segment #3: Alison’s memorable games as a player (40:00)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (45:25)

Québec Iris social media contacts: Facebook (@iris ultimate) and Instagram (iris_ultimate)

Iris in the Canadian Ultimate Championship Finals:

Jonathan “Goose” Helton is a two-time AUDL MVP and plays for the men’s club team the SoCal Condors and the San Diego Growlers of the AUDL. He is also the strength and conditioning coach and CEO of GamePoint Performance. In this interview, Goose talks about his training regimen and we take a look back on his successful club and AUDL career and discuss the great Machine-Ring of Fire rivalry he has been a part of. Goose also gives his perspective on getting better and the outlook you need to get prepared for ultimate when it comes back.

Segment #1: Goose’s journey (3:22)

Segment #2: Daily life in ultimate (29:52)

Segment #3: Goose’s memorable games (40:55)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (50:37)

Goose’s social media contacts: Instagram (@goose00helton), & Twitter (@goose00helton)

Evan Lepler is known as the “voice of ultimate” commentating in every USA Ultimate National Championship and USA Ultimate College Championship since 2013 and every AUDL Game of the Week and Championship Weekend since 2014. Hear about how Evan got into commentating, some fun stories of his ultimate playing days, and the first ESPNU broadcast of the USA Ultimate College Championships in 2013. We take a trip down memory lane and reminisce on his favourite games he has been a part of as a commentator.

Segment #1: Evan’s journey (2:28)

Segment #2: Daily life as a commentator (25:30)

Segment #3: Memorable games as an ultimate commentator (39:45)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (49:40)

Chris Ruder is the founder and CEO of Spikeball Inc In this interview, Chris shares about how he started the company, the different steps he took to build the culture at Spikeball Inc., and what life is like as an entrepreneur in the sport world. Hear about what attracted Chris to the game of Roundnet and get some advice for creating your own startup business.

Segment #1: Chris’s journey (2:16)

Segment #2: Daily life as the CEO of Spikeball Inc (26:35)

Segment #3: Misconceptions about Spikeball Inc and the sport of Roundnet (41:45)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (48:52)

Chris’s social media contacts: Twitter (@spikeballchris)

Spikeball Inc social media contacts: Facebook (@Spikeball), Twitter (@Spikeball), Instagram (@Spikeball), & Website (Spikeball.com)

David Yu is the lead hockey analyst for Sportlogiq. In this interview, David shares about his career change from pursuing his PhD in evolutionary biology of vision into hockey analytics. We explore some basics about hockey analytics and what he sees are some upcoming trends in the industry.

Segment #1: David’s journey (2:18)

Segment #2: Daily life as a lead hockey analyst (21:32)

Segment #3: Misconceptions about hockey analytics (32:13)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (39:55)

David’s social media contacts: Twitter (@yuorme)

Editor's warning: There is some mild swearing in this episode. No adult topics are explored or discussed in this episode.

Kevin Underhill is a communication manager for Field Hockey Canada. In this interview, Kevin shares about his interest in the power of storytelling in sport and what life is like working in Canadian amateur sport. Hear about his experience as a communications manager for a national sport governing body during the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenge of putting out content in these unprecedented times.

Segment #1: Kevin’s journey (2:30)

Segment #2: Daily life as a communications manager (18:41)

Segment #3: Misconceptions about being a communications manager (33:06)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (38:55)

Kevin’s social media contacts: Facebook (@Kevin Underhill),

Field Hockey Canada social media contacts: Facebook (@Field Hockey Canada), Instagram (@fieldhockeycan), Twitter (@fieldhockeycan), and Website (fieldhockey.ca)

** Send me an email if you would like to contact me for Kevin’s email (theo.wan6@gmail.com)

Helen Stoumbos is a former Team Canada Women’s Soccer player. She was on the national team for 8 years and represented Canada at the 1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She holds the distinction of scoring Canada’s first ever World Cup goal. Hear about her experience on the national team and her thoughts on the growth of women’s soccer. She also will share about the importance of the power of mind in both sport and life.

Segment #1: Helen’s journey (2:35)

Segment #2: Daily life on the national team (28:07)

Women’s World Cup and first Canadian goal experience (34:42)

Segment #3: Misconceptions about being on the national team (44:30)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (55:20)

Helen’s social media contacts:  Facebook (@HelenStoumbos9)

Vannessa Varga is an account executive for Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment. In this interview, Vannessa talks about the work she does on the customer service side for season ticket members with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors and Toronto FC, and the importance of networking and putting yourself out there.  She shares about the different steps she took in her journey to get to her position as an account executive with MLSE.

Segment #1: Vannessa’s journey (2:19)

Segment #2: Daily life as an account executive (15:40)

Segment #3: Misconceptions about being an account executive for MLSE (26:36)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (32:02)

Vannessa’s social media contacts: Instagram (@vannessavarga), LinkedIn (@Vannessa Varga)

Justin Serresse is the general manager and head coach of the Wilfred Laurier Golden Hawks Men’s Basketball Team. Hear about his journey to become the head coach at Laurier and what recruiting and day-to-day operations looks like for a varsity basketball team. Justin shares some advice for pursuing your passion and dispels some misconceptions about being a head coach/general member of a varsity basketball program.

Segment #1: Justin’s journey (2:30)

Segment #2: Daily life as a varsity basketball coach/general manager (24:32)

Segment #3: Misconceptions about being a varsity basketball coach/general manager (44:17)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (52:27)

Justin Serresse’s social media contacts: Instagram (@coach_serresse)

Laurier Men’s Basketball social media contacts: Instagram (@wlu_mbball) & Twitter (@WLU_Mbball)

Bryce Foster is an attacker for the Team Canada Men’s Sitting Volleyball Team. Hear about his journey onto the national team and the opportunities he has had to share about his experiences as a para-athlete with youth and schools. Bryce shares how he stays motivated to train and get better and the unique experience he had at the Parapan American Championships in Lima, Peru.

Segment #1: Bryce’s journey (2:19)

Segment #2: Daily life as a student and national team member (12:41)

Segment #3: Misconceptions about sitting volleyball and being a para-athlete (22:07)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (32:18)

Bryce Foster’s social media contacts: Instagram (@bryce.foster23)

Team Canada Men’s Sitting Volleyball Team social media contacts: Instagram (@sittingcanucks), Facebook (@sittingcanucks)

Harry Potvin is a swimmer for the University of Guelph Gryphons and is the founder of the Mental Corner. Hear about Harry’s mental health journey as a varsity athlete and the opportunities he has had to share his story. In this interview, Harry discusses some of the misconceptions people have about mental health and sports and the inspiration he received to talk to other athletes about mental health on his own Youtube channel, the Mental Corner.

Segment #1: Harry’s journey (2:24)

Segment #2: Daily life as a varsity swimmer and as a content creator (23:42)

Segment #3: Misconceptions about swimming and mental health in sports (35:30)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (45:03)

Mike Haddock is the founder and head coach of Haddock Sport Performance. Hear about Mike’s journey from the general fitness industry into becoming the strength and conditioning coach for elite level club and national level ultimate teams. In this interview, Mike shares about what life is like both at home and on the road with multiple club ultimate teams and what HSP focuses on when training their athletes.

Segment #1: Mike’s journey (2:40)

Segment #2: Daily life at HSP (16:42)

Segment #3: Misconceptions about training for ultimate and the fitness industry (32:50)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (41:22)

Haddock Sport Performance social media contacts: Instagram (@haddocksportperformance), and website (haddocksportperformance.ca)

Othniel Spence is a former basketball player for Simon Fraser University which competes in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in NCAA Division II basketball. In this interview, Othniel shares about how his faith impacts the way he plays his sport. Hear about his journey from high school to collegiate basketball and what daily looks like for a NCAA Division II basketball player.

Segment #1: Othniel’s journey (2:41)

Segment #2: Daily life as a varsity basketball player (15:10)

Segment #3: Misconceptions about being a varsity athlete and NCAA Division II basketball player (28:34)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (37:26)

Alina Dormann is a former University of Toronto volleyball player and current member of Team Canada’s beach volleyball team. In this interview, she shares about her journey into the sport of volleyball and her transition from the indoor game to the beach. Hear about her many individual and team accomplishments at the University of Toronto and the positive team culture that has led to their success.

Segment #1: Alina’s journey (2:22)

Segment #2: Daily life as a varsity volleyball player and national team member (13:42)

National Championship experience (20:57)

Segment #3: Misconceptions about the sport of volleyball and being on a national team (26:55)

Segment #4: Rapid Fire questions (35:50)

Alina’s social media contacts: Instagram (@alinadormann)

Ashwin Patel is the mental skills coach for the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League and the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League. In this interview, Ashwin shares about his journey into the sports psychology and mental skills world, and what daily life is like as a mental skills coach for two hockey teams. Hear an example of a technique he uses to help athletes reach peak mental performance and how sport has created a strong bond with his family.

Segment #1: Ashwin’s journey (2:06)

Segment #2: Daily life as a mental skills coach (19:18)

Segment #3: Misconceptions about the mental skills/sports psychology profession (34:03)

Segment #4: Rapid Fire questions (42:20)

Theo Warren was a rower for the Boston University varsity rowing team. In this interview, Theo shares how he got into the sport of rowing and the recruiting process for varsity rowing. Hear about the training regimen needed to compete at the university level and his amazing experience at the famous Henley Royal Regatta in England.

Segment #1: Theo’s journey (3:50)

Segment #2: Daily life as a varsity rower (18:20)

Segment #3: Misconceptions about being a varsity athlete (34:00)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (39:15)

Experience at the famous Henley Royal Regatta in England (41:10)

Orion Edwards is a brakeman for the Team Canada bobsleigh team. In this interview, Orion shares about his personal journey from varsity football to pursuing the sport of bobsleigh. Hear what daily life and competition looks like for a national team athlete and the potential misconceptions people have about the sport of bobsleigh.

Segment #1: Orion’s journey (2:26)

Segment #2: Daily life as a national team athlete (12:18)

Segment #3: Misconceptions about the sport of bobsleigh (25:40)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (32:12)

Orion’s social media contacts: Instagram (@o___eddy7)

Bobsleigh Canada media contacts: Instagram (@bobsleighcanskeleton), Facebook (Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton)

Andrew Masters is a goalie for the University of Guelph Gryphons men’s hockey team. In this interview, Andrew shares about his journey from junior hockey where he was cut from 22 organizations. Hear a story of perseverance and mental fortitude that culminates in him winning a conference championship and a Queen’s Cup MVP award.

Segment #1: Andrew’s journey (2:07)

Segment #2: Daily life as a varsity hockey player (10:55)

Segment #3: Misconceptions about being a varsity athlete (26:55)

Segment #4: Rapid fire questions (37:44)

Andrew’s social media contacts: Twitter (@AndrewMasters30), Instagram (@AndrewMasters95, @gryphgoalienation)