World Fencing League debuts, but is it fencing's future or just hype? We break down Miles Chambley-Watson, blade tracking tech & bold predictions.

The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts.

In this episode, you'll discover:
- Why Miles Chamley-Watson is both the perfect and most controversial choice as the face of the World Fencing League, and what his various sponsorships says about fencing's mainstream potential.
- How Dentsu's blade tracking technology works, what it means for spectators trying to understand the sport of fencing, and why it could have implications far beyond fencing
- Why Lee Kiefer, arguably the greatest U.S. fencer of all time, has received almost zero marketing ahead of this debut, and what that says about the league's storytelling woes
- Full match-by-match predictions for Team Blade vs Team Shield across all six bouts, plus an honest verdict on whether the World Fencing League can actually move the needle for the sport

This episode covers the World Fencing League's debut event from every angle: the format, the athletes, the tech, the missed opportunities, and the genuine hope that this could be a transformative moment for professional fencing.

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:50 Miles-Chamley Watson
00:07:07 Early Impressions
00:08:24 Breaking Down the ormat
00:10:32 Dentsu Explained
00:11:33 Good or Bad Strategy?
00:15:05 Marketing Failures
00:23:05 Scheduling
00:26:04 Dragging Fencing Into the Future
00:30:35 Match Predictions
00:33:52 Building Legitimacy
00:37:04 Final Verdict

💬 BEST QUOTES
"I grew up absolutely idolizing this guy [Miles]. He is one of, if not the most recognizable fencer in the world, really trailblazing in terms of sponsorships."
"Lee Kiefer is arguably on the Mount Rushmore for women's foil all time. She's an incredibly. Rushmore. Incredibly accomplished athlete, incredible representative of the sport, the best U.S. fencer of all time, full stop. And there's been barely any marketing about her."
"This is one of the really exciting things about this event. It's an attempt to drag fencing into the future. The FIE has had many opportunities and has continued to fall short on them."
"How cool is it that fencing is going to be live on streaming platforms everywhere, outside of the Olympics? And it's not going to be a blurry YouTube feed that USA fencing is putting out."

World Fencing League
Website: https://worldfencingleague.org/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldfencingleague

Theme song written and performed by Colin Campbell
🔗 Connect with Colin
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campbelltunes/?hl=en

Thank you for listening!

🔗 Connect with Us

🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: https://link.me/directeliminationpodcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directeliminationpodcast/ 

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@directeliminationpodcast
📺 Subscribe for more episodes: youtube.com/@directeliminationpodcast

Prieur USA

Website: https://www.prieurusa.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prieur_usa/

Edge Spray

Website: https://www.edgespray.com/ALL-IN
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edgespray/?hl=en

Mohamed El-Sayed has emerged from young underdog to the #1 Ranked Men's Epee Fencer in the World. He explains the "One Man Job" mindset that he credits this success to.

The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts.

In this episode, you'll discover:
• How Mohamed El-Sayed cleared his furniture, trained alone for 8–9 months during COVID, and emerged as Egypt's national number one — the turning point that launched everything
• Why Mohamed says he's genuinely in love with every part of the process — visa struggles, solo travel, and all — and how that mindset keeps him performing at the top
• The psychology behind the "Super Mo" alter ego, where it came from, and why having a competition identity changed everything for him mentally

Mohamed El-Sayed is a Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medalist and current World #1 in men's epee fencing, all at the young age of 23 and a promising future ahead of him. 

What part of Mohamed's story hit hardest for you — the COVID training grind, the solo travel with no support, or the Super Mo mindset? Drop it in the comments below.

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Introduction & Mohamed's Athletic Background
00:09:57 Covid Lockdown: The Career Turning Point
00:15:34 Dad as Coach: Family Dynamics & the El-Sayed Fencing Dynasty
00:26:31 Moving to NYC Alone & Building the One Man Formula
00:43:48 The Visa Struggle Nobody Talks About
00:52:43 Tokyo Olympics: Losing and Knowing It's Only a Matter of Time
01:01:07 Balance, Faith, and Finding Your Own Formula
01:17:44 The Origin of Super Mo

💬 BEST QUOTES
"I just didn't want to go, oh, like I'm an Olympian, you know, at 18 years old. No. I wanted to actually actually do something."
"I have the plan. I do the work. And when I went to the Olympic Games, you know, it all pays off."
"I know my worth. I know it might take time. Three years, four years, but I know I'll be there, you know? So I'm just putting in the work, work, work."
"I'm in love with the process. I'm really, really enjoying what's happening. The training, my competitions, my visa process, my travels. I'm enjoying it. I really live in the present and I'm enjoying it. I'm thankful."

Theme song written and performed by Colin Campbell

🔗 Connect with Colin
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campbelltunes/?hl=en

🔗 Connect with Mo
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_supermooo/

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iamsupermooo

Thank you for listening!

🔗 Connect with Us

🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: https://link.me/directeliminationpodcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directeliminationpodcast/ 

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@directeliminationpodcast
📺 Subscribe for more episodes: youtube.com/@directeliminationpodcast

Prieur USA

Website: https://www.prieurusa.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prieur_usa/

Edge Spray

Website: https://www.edgespray.com/ALL-IN
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edgespray/?hl=en

Jackie Dubrovich won Olympic gold with USA fencing in Paris 2024 — then walked away. What happens when the dream is done?

The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts.

In this episode, you'll discover:
• How Jackie balanced a full-time corporate 9-to-5 with elite Olympic training — and why she says she couldn't physically do it again at 31
• What it's really like to be coached by your husband, share an Olympic gold medal moment with him, and still come home to the same person that night
• The paralyzing fear Jackie felt at her final individual Olympic event and how she willed herself through it on pure determination
• What identity after sport actually feels like — the aimlessness, the adrenaline gap, and the unglamorous realities of building Polaris Fencing Center from the ground up

Jackie Dubrovich is a two-time Olympian and Olympic gold medalist with the US Women's Foil Team at Paris 2024, one of the most decorated American fencers of her generation. Since retiring, she has channeled her competitive drive into opening Polaris Fencing Center in New Jersey, where she now coaches the next generation of fencers.

What's the hardest part of life after competing at the highest level — losing the sport itself, or losing the person you were inside it? Tell us in the comments.

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:20 Growing Up in New Jersey
00:08:28 The Grind
00:11:18 Husband & Coach Dynamic
00:20:53 The Pressure of a Final Olympics
00:25:26 Opening Polaris Fencing Center
00:35:37 What She Misses Most
00:37:57 Life After Sport
00:43:10 Lessons from the Podcast
00:45:12 One Light Answers
00:50:02 Closing Thoughts & Shoutout to Polaris Fencing Center

💬 BEST QUOTES
"My whole life was work like a 9 to 5 and then train in the evenings, compete on the weekends, train on the weekends that I'm not competing."
"It was it was a really beautiful, meaningful moment. And then to be able to hug him afterwards."
"I was just willing myself to the finish line. I knew that this was it, I just had nothing else to give."
"There is no other way to kind of replicate in my day to day life, the adrenaline that fencing gave me."

Theme song written and performed by Colin Campbell

🔗 Connect with Colin
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campbelltunes/?hl=en

🔗 Connect with Jackie
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackiedubrovich/

🤺Polaris Fencing Center: https://www.polarisfencing.com/

Thank you for listening!

🔗 Connect with Us

🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: https://link.me/directeliminationpodcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directeliminationpodcast/ 

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@directeliminationpodcast
📺 Subscribe for more episodes: youtube.com/@directeliminationpodcast

Prieur USA

Website: https://www.prieurusa.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prieur_usa/

Edge Spray

Website: https://www.edgespray.com/ALL-IN
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edgespray/?hl=en

We competed at the Astana Epee World Cup in Kazakhstan — and Team USA beat Olympic champion Hungary. Full recap inside.

The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts.

In this episode, you'll discover:
• What it's actually like to compete at an international epee World Cup in Kazakhstan — the culture, the food, and the competition floor
• How Team USA Men's Epee finished sixth and pulled off a landmark overtime win over Olympic champion Hungary, signaling real program growth on the world stage
• A deep tactical breakdown of ego vs. simplicity in fencing strategy — and why sticking to the simplest path to victory is harder than it sounds
• How epee is evolving globally, becoming faster and more physical, and what that means for competitors trying to keep up

Ari and Stephen are active competitors on the international fencing circuit who combine firsthand competitive experience with honest, unfiltered analysis — the kind of breakdown you won't find anywhere else in the fencing content space.

Did you think Team USA had a legitimate shot at beating Hungary going into that match — or does a win like that still surprise you?

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Intro: Back From Kazakhstan & Why We Missed Last Episode
00:03:51 Vlogging the World Cup
00:07:02 Pool Round Breakdown
00:19:31 Between Rounds: Kazakhstan Venue, Energy, and Team USA Vibe
00:26:49 Fencing Strategy Deep Dive: Defensive Play, Ego, and Winning Formulas
00:41:47 Kazakh Food, Horse Meat, and Smuggling Salami Home
00:45:03 Individual Event Shoutouts
00:49:25 Team Event Recap: USA Beats Olympic Champions Hungary in Overtime
00:53:29 USA Women's Epee Team Dominance
00:59:22 Fencing Content and Upcoming Episodes

💬 BEST QUOTES
"I hadn't felt this type of happiness to compete in such a long time."
"At the competitions, you have to be the Rubik's Cube, and you also have to be the impenetrable wall. You have to be all these things."
"This was the first time that I think the teams around the world looked at us and saw that we might be improving, and it was really, really awesome to see as an athlete, as a teammate and as someone who's, you know, really supporting this program in our in our growing stages."

Theme song written and performed by Colin Campbell

🔗 Connect with Colin

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campbelltunes/?hl=en

Thank you for listening!

🔗 Connect with Us

🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: https://link.me/directeliminationpodcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directeliminationpodcast/ 

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@directeliminationpodcast
📺 Subscribe for more episodes: youtube.com/@directeliminationpodcast

Prieur USA

Website: https://www.prieurusa.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prieur_usa/

Edge Spray

Website: https://www.edgespray.com/ALL-IN
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edgespray/?hl=en

Olympic fencer Soren Thompson tore his hamstring so badly he could barely walk—then self-coached his way back to the 2012 Games. His unconventional philosophy changed how he approached elite performance.

The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts.

In this episode, you'll discover:
• How Soren became the first American to reach Olympic top 8 in men's epee since 1956—despite growing up in San Diego with limited resources
• The complete hamstring rupture that was initially misdiagnosed and nearly ended his career, requiring years of daily maintenance
• His radical self-coaching experiment: developing tactical hypotheses, challenging fencing dogma, and rethinking the sport from first principles while working full-time
• The philosophy of athlete ownership: why elite performers must become their own coaches and think independently rather than blindly following instructions
• Team fencing mastery: understanding your specific role in each encounter, passing scores strategically, and prioritizing collective discipline over individual glory

Soren Thompson competed in the 2004 and 2012 Olympics in men's epee, becoming one of the most decorated American epeeists in history. His journey from San Diego outsider to two-time Olympian represents an unconventional path built on independent thinking, relentless experimentation, and mental resilience.

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:51 San Diego Beginnings: The Unlikely Fencer
00:29:17 First Olympics 2004: Making History
00:46:00 Career-Ending Injury and Dark Period
00:48:00 The Self-Coaching Experiment
00:53:20 Philosophy of Self-Coaching and Independent Thinking
01:04:06 Career Longevity: Multiple Olympic Cycles and Comebacks
01:17:08 Team Fencing Mastery: Roles, Strategy, and Success
01:33:29 Rapid Fire: Favorite Fencers, Cities, and Sean Studs

MYO - click here

Modern physical therapy to futureproof your body. Through 1:1 expert care, they use full-body awareness and proactive insights to intercept injury, reduce pain, and improve your every day.

Use promo code "DIRECTMYO100" for $100 off your first session.

Theme song written and performed by Colin Campbell

🔗 Connect with Colin

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campbelltunes/?hl=en

Thank you for listening!

🔗 Connect with Us

🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: https://link.me/directeliminationpodcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directeliminationpodcast/ 

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@directeliminationpodcast
📺 Subscribe for more episodes: youtube.com/@directeliminationpodcast

Prieur USA

Website: https://www.prieurusa.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prieur_usa/

Edge Spray

Website: https://www.edgespray.com/ALL-IN
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edgespray/?hl=en

Romain Cannone went from Olympic alternate to Olympic gold in Tokyo. He reveals the flow state & fencing culture that made it possible, and why he walked away at his peak. The untold American-French story.

The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How straddling American and French fencing systems created the perfect Olympic champion
• What a true flow state feels like in competition—seeing opponents in slow motion and becoming immune to mind games
• Why the French training center culture (living, eating, training together daily) was essential to his gold medal

Romain Cannone made history as the Tokyo Olympic gold medalist in men's épée, representing France after a unique journey that began in the American fencing system. His underdog-to-hero story spans two continents, two training philosophies, and the mental warfare of elite competition. After three years of post-Olympic dominance, he made the brave decision to step away from elite competition to prioritize mental health and family.

What would you choose: continuing to dominate at the highest level or walking away for your mental health and happiness? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:03:22 Origin Story
00:12:05 The French Training System and Team Culture
00:17:20 Earning Respect on the French Team
00:33:00 Tokyo Olympics Journey
00:48:33 The Flow State - Fencing Without Fear
00:55:35 Winning the Game
01:00:28 Three Years of Dominance
01:06:11 Choosing Happiness
01:09:39 Coaching and Giving Back
01:13:38 One Light Answers

💬 BEST QUOTES
"If I didn't start in the US, I wouldn't have been Olympic champion. Just as if I stayed in the US and not gone to France, I wouldn't have won the Olympics."
"when you're at the Olympics, each second is pure happiness. So you try to fence as long as you can because sitting in a room, you know, getting water or whatever, that's not what you train your whole life for. You train your whole life to just move and fence with the opponents."

MYO - click here

Modern physical therapy to futureproof your body. Through 1:1 expert care, they use full-body awareness and proactive insights to intercept injury, reduce pain, and improve your every day.

Use promo code "DIRECTMYO100" for $100 off your first session.

🔗 Connect with Romain

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romaincannone/

Theme song written and performed by Colin Campbell

🔗 Connect with Colin

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campbelltunes/?hl=en

Thank you for listening!

🔗 Connect with Us

🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: https://link.me/directeliminationpodcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directeliminationpodcast/ 

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@directeliminationpodcast
📺 Subscribe for more episodes: youtube.com/@directeliminationpodcast

Prieur USA

Website: https://www.prieurusa.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prieur_usa/

Edge Spray

Website: https://www.edgespray.com/ALL-IN
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edgespray/?hl=en

What does it cost to become USA's #1 fencer? Dylan Nollner reveals the sacrifices, mental training, and why he walked away at his peak performance.

The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts.

In this episode, you'll discover:
• How transcendental meditation and Coach Aladar Kogler's pillars create flow states in sport, and specifically fencing
• Why retiring at #1 in the USA made more sense than pursuing Olympic dreams
• The hidden costs of competitive fencing: missed weddings, delayed careers, and personal sacrifices
• How balancing work and training actually can improve athletic performance instead of hurting it

Dylan Nollner is a former elite épée fencer who reached #1 in the USA rankings and trained under legendary coach Aladar Kogler. Now coaching and creating content to break down gatekeeping in fencing, Dylan shares the mental game strategies and life lessons many athletes never talk about publicly.

Have you ever walked away from something you were great at? What made you decide it was time? Drop your story in the comments.

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Introduction: Dylan Nollner's Journey
00:03:30 Getting Started: From Utah to Elite Fencing
00:12:00 Training with Aladar Kogler
00:17:59 The Mental Game: Meditation and Flow States
00:23:44 Retirement: Walking Away as #1
00:32:35 Hating Competition but Loving Fencing
00:34:44 Coaching Philosophy
00:39:02 Breaking Down Gatekeeping Through Content Creation
00:46:05 Balancing Work and Athletic Passion
00:51:47 One Light Answers - Rapid Fire

💬 BEST QUOTES
-- "I just didn't want to look back ten years after after retiring and wish I had tried harder."
-- "you can feel the cost of giving so much to any endeavor as you go through it."
-- "it is an opportunity for mastery. Right? And if I give 100% to this thing, how good can I be?"
-- "If you are all in on fencing, you have every egg in that basket, and so when a tournament goes poorly, you are going to judge yourself twice as hard."

MYO - click here

Modern physical therapy to futureproof your body. Through 1:1 expert care, they use full-body awareness and proactive insights to intercept injury, reduce pain, and improve your every day.

Use promo code "DIRECTMYO100" for $100 off your first session.

🔗 Connect with Dylan

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstintention/

Theme song written and performed by Colin Campbell

🔗 Connect with Colin

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campbelltunes/?hl=en

Thank you for listening!

🔗 Connect with Us

🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: https://link.me/directeliminationpodcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directeliminationpodcast/ 

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@directeliminationpodcast
📺 Subscribe for more episodes: youtube.com/@directeliminationpodcast

Prieur USA

Website: https://www.prieurusa.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prieur_usa/

Edge Spray

Website: https://www.edgespray.com/ALL-IN
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edgespray/?hl=en

Stephen and Ari finally faced each other in direct elimination at NAC Cincinnati. We break down the match, mental prep challenges, and youth sports parenting.

The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts.

In this episode, you'll discover:
• The moment Stephen and Ari finally fenced each other in competition and how they approached the mental game of facing a close friend
• Why focus and mental preparation can make or break your tournament performance, even against familiar opponents
• The intense parenting dynamics in youth fencing and how to add value as a parent without adding pressure
• How the US men's epee domestic circuit is becoming more competitive with fewer upsets and what it means for the fencing community

Stephen Ewart and Ari Simmons are teammates, podcast co-hosts, and competitive fencers who bring authentic insights from inside the US men's epee circuit. They finally matched up at the February 2026 NAC, but did it deliver what the direct elimination fans have been anticipating?

What's your take on parental involvement in youth sports? Have you witnessed situations that crossed the line, or do you have examples of parents who got it right? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Introduction & NAC Overview
00:02:53 The Stephen vs. Ari Direct Elimination Matchup
00:05:37 Fencing Teammate Mindset
00:08:04 Focus and Preparation Challenges
00:12:36 Podcast Community Engagement
00:26:18 The Coffee Shop Parenting Story
00:34:05 Pressure, Investment & Family Dynamics
00:38:58 Process vs. Results in Parenting
00:44:56 Tournament Results Across Weapons
00:50:00 Clinics & Community Outreach
00:52:56 Closing & Theme Song

💬 BEST QUOTES
"honestly, the feeling of not rising to the occasion. I felt that you were you were more assertive. And I was constantly on the reactive side of things."
"I truly believe from the bottom of my heart that anybody can be good at this."
"What value my adding to the situation, and is there a better way for me to communicate what I'm trying to communicate?"

MYO - click here

Modern physical therapy to futureproof your body. Through 1:1 expert care, they use full-body awareness and proactive insights to intercept injury, reduce pain, and improve your every day. 

Use promo code "DIRECTMYO100" for $100 off your first session.

Theme song written and performed by Colin Campbell

🔗 Connect with Colin

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campbelltunes/?hl=en

Thank you for listening!

🔗 Connect with Us

🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: https://link.me/directeliminationpodcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directeliminationpodcast/ 

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@directeliminationpodcast
📺 Subscribe for more episodes: youtube.com/@directeliminationpodcast

Prieur USA

Website: https://www.prieurusa.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prieur_usa/

Edge Spray

Website: https://www.edgespray.com/ALL-IN
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edgespray/?hl=en

The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts.

After an unplanned hiatus, Ari and Stephen return to Direct Elimination with a commitment to authenticity, consistency, and real conversations about fencing. From their original failed league project to witnessing history at the World Cups, this episode marks a fresh start for the podcast that refuses to take itself too seriously.

In this episode, you'll discover:
• Why Ari and Stephen took a break from posting and what they're doing differently in 2026 to stay consistent
• The truth about their original professional fencing league concept and why they're celebrating someone else making it happen
• Stephen's firsthand experience competing at the Fujairah World Cup and the realities of tournament life in the Middle East
• How underdogs like Elijah Imrek and Conrad Kongstad are proving that traditional fencing powerhouses don't have a monopoly on medals anymore

Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart are the hosts of Direct Elimination, competitive fencers, and passionate advocates for growing the sport beyond its traditional boundaries. Their combined perspective as athletes, content creators, and former league organizers gives unique insight into where fencing is headed.

If you're a fencer looking for honest conversations about the sport without the corporate polish, hit subscribe and join us every week. Drop a comment telling us what tournament results surprised you most or what you want us to cover next!

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Welcome Back: 2026 Goals & Hiatus Explanation
00:04:09 Being More Authentic & Dropping Formality
00:06:13 Original League Project & World Fencing League
00:14:23 Stephen's Fujairah World Cup Recap
00:28:10 Reconnecting Through Fencing
00:32:13 Tournament Recap: Elijah's Breakthrough & Kong Stad's Medal
00:42:00 The Evolution of Fencing Technique
00:49:45 Dubai Chocolate & Content Plans

💬 QUOTES
"How freaking cool is it that there is money being poured from outside of fencing into fencing, and not through the traditional NGBs or Federations?"

"you don't have to come from the traditional fencing countries. The powers that be are constantly shifting and everyone has a chance."

MYO - click here

Modern physical therapy to futureproof your body. Through 1:1 expert care, they use full-body awareness and proactive insights to intercept injury, reduce pain, and improve your every day. 

Use promo code "DIRECTMYO100" for $100 off your first session.

Theme song written and performed by Colin Campbell

🔗 Connect with Colin

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campbelltunes/?hl=en

Thank you for listening!

🔗 Connect with Us

🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: https://link.me/directeliminationpodcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directeliminationpodcast/ 

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@directeliminationpodcast
📺 Subscribe for more episodes: youtube.com/@directeliminationpodcast

Prieur USA

Website: https://www.prieurusa.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prieur_usa/

Edge Spray

Website: https://www.edgespray.com/ALL-IN
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edgespray/?hl=en

Em Beihold went viral but struggled with deep depression. The NCAA All-American fencer turned full-time artist reveals how imposter syndrome follows you—even at the top.

🎙️ EPISODE 23 | EM BEIHOLD

The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts.

In this episode, you'll discover:
• How imposter syndrome manifests differently in fencing vs. music careers—and why success doesn't eliminate self-doubt
• The critical importance of balance: why Em credits having both fencing and music for her mental health and perspective
• The reality behind viral success in 2022—stress, identity crisis, and feeling perceived without knowing yourself
• How confidence transfers between completely different domains and why getting good at one thing enables mastery in another

Em Beihold is an NCAA All-American fencer who competed at UCSD and a breakthrough music artist whose songs have garnered millions of streams. She's uniquely positioned to speak on high-performance mindset, mental health, and finding fulfillment beyond outcomes.

What's one area of your life where you've experienced imposter syndrome even while succeeding? Drop a comment below—Em's story might help you reframe it.

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:06:11 Imposter Syndrome in Fencing and Music
00:13:37 College Fencing Journey at UCSD
00:21:20 The Reality Behind Viral Success in 2022
00:27:58 Life on Tour and Being Perceived
00:37:52 The Creative Process and Working with Narcissists
00:42:04 Delusion vs Reality in Performance
00:52:56 Impact of Fame on Relationships
01:03:00 Finding Fulfillment in the Process
01:06:44 One Light Answers

💬 QUOTES

"I'd fence girls who were A's and literally be winning and then think to myself like they're an A, like, why am I winning? And then I'd psych myself out and. Lose."

"I think I had some really deep depression because I think that was tied with my worth."

"this album could flop and I'd still be so proud of it. And I feel like at peace with myself to be able to say that"

"if you're just yourself and you're not trying to pretend to be someone else, then you're already winning, right?"

MYO - click here

Modern physical therapy to futureproof your body. Through 1:1 expert care, they use full-body awareness and proactive insights to intercept injury, reduce pain, and improve your every day. 

Use promo code "DIRECTMYO100" for $100 off your first session.

Theme song written and performed by Colin Campbell

🔗 Connect with Colin

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campbelltunes/?hl=en

Thank you for listening!

🔗 Connect with Us

🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: https://link.me/directeliminationpodcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directeliminationpodcast/ 

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@directeliminationpodcast
📺 Subscribe for more episodes: youtube.com/@directeliminationpodcast

Prieur USA

Website: https://www.prieurusa.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prieur_usa/

Edge Spray

Website: https://www.edgespray.com/ALL-IN
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edgespray/?hl=en