The Real Cost of Chasing Gold: Shane Fisher and the Mission of American Paragons

In this episode of Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact, Bret Schanzenbach sits down with Shane Fisher, founder of the American Paragons Foundation, to talk about Shane’s remarkable athletic journey and the mission he’s now pursuing to support Team USA athletes.Shane shares how a lifelong obsession with the Olympics led him from youth sports to tennis, then into track and field, the decathlon, and ultimately the USA bobsled team. Along the way, he experienced firsthand the financial strain that many elite athletes face while training and competing at the highest level.The conversation explores the often-overlooked reality of Olympic and Paralympic athletes: many earn very little, shoulder major training expenses, and must balance demanding schedules with work and financial uncertainty. Shane explains how those experiences inspired him to launch American Paragons Foundation, an organization focused on helping Team USA athletes build careers, find financial stability, access mentorship, secure flexible employment, gain media exposure, and connect with supportive communities.It’s a powerful conversation about performance, identity, sacrifice, and building better systems for the athletes who represent the United States on the world stage. Did this episode have a special impact on you? Share how it impacted youCarlsbad Podcast Social Links:LinkedInInstagramFacebookXYouTubeSponsor: This show is sponsored and produced by DifMix Productions. To learn more about starting your own podcast, visit www.DifMix.com/podcasting