Flame Bearers: Breaking the Mold

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 ► / @‌flamebearers Follow 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!