Light & Shadow

Host Maya Washington brings inspirational sports stories out of the shadows and into the light. In this episode, we meet 100-Mile Race Expert and Ultra Runner Susan Donnelly. As an Ultra Runner who's crushed multiple 200-Mile and over 100, 100-Mile races, Susan has a powerful mindset that inspires her and her running clients to achieve goals that most could never imagine completing in their lifetime. We take a look at the ways Susan has redefined what culture, and a less than supportive coach in high school, said was possible for her. Susan has used a holistic approach to the sport she loves while living her best life, 100 miles at a time. 

Host Maya Washington brings inspirational sports stories out of the shadows and into the light. In this episode, Deborah Riley Draper discusses her NAACP Image Awards nominated documentary  and book (Simon & Schuster) by the same name, Olympic Pride, American Prejudice, which explore the experiences of 18 African American Olympians who defied Jim Crow and Adolf Hitler to win hearts and medals at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. Set against the strained and turbulent atmosphere of a racially divided America, which was torn between boycotting Hitler’s Olympics or participating in the Third Reich’s grandest affair, the works follow 16 men and two women before, during and after their heroic turn at the Summer Olympic Games in Berlin. 

Host Maya Washington brings inspirational sports stories out of the shadows and into the light. In this time-sensitive episode, Jerrod Klein (Msgt USAF Veteran, Retired) offers practical tips and vital information for at-home safety and security during civil unrest in your community and the COVID-19 pandemic. Jerrod generously shares knowledge from his 23-years serving with the United States Air Force as a Security Forces Manager that will make all the difference for you and your family. He has deployed 10 times, with three deployments in support of Operation Allied Force in Kosovo, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. 

Host Maya Washington brings inspirational sports stories out of the shadows and into the light. In this episode, Super Bowl Champion and Author Bennie Fowler talks about his journey and the influential people who've inspired him along the way. In the spirit of Mother's Day, Bennie shares some of the wisdom his mother Teresa Gueyser, and friend Karen Sadler, the mother of his late teammate Michael Sadler, imprinted on his personal life and career.

In this episode, professional sports photographer Hannah Foslien shares how her passion for photography and appreciation for high performance athleticism collide in her award-winning images. Inspired by photographer Berenice Abbott's quote, "'I'm not a nice girl. I'm a photographer," Hannah is leading the way with pride in who she is through stunning photojournalism in professional baseball, basketball, football, soccer and beyond.

In this inaugural episode, Vikings and College Football Legend Gene Washington discusses his journey from the segregated south to MSU and later the NFL. Learn a little more about Gene's journey and how he's staying positive and inspired during shelter-in-place.