Flame Bearers: Reframing the Impossible

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 ► / @‌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!