Flame Bearers

By Founded by Jamie MittelmanSports

Flame Bearers episodes

May 10, 2023That Moment Doesn't Define Me: Noelle Lambert (USA)
Noelle Lambert grew up playing in the dirt and on the field with her older brothers, watching the Pats, Bruins, Celtics, and Red Sox. She was always active, keeping up with the boys. Flash forward to college at UMass Lowell where Noelle is playing Division 1 lacrosse, and she's in an accident that changes everything. While riding a moped, she's sideswiped by a truck and loses her leg.
Noelle's story is about what has happened since. She's most proud of how she "never let that one moment define the rest of [her] life." She relearned how to walk (and run) and got back out onto the lacrosse field, scoring a goal in her first game back. She founded Born to Run Foundation, a nonprofit providing specialized prosthetics to young adults and children who want to live a fun and fulfilling life. Her goal is to show amputees that having a disability does not mean they are incapable of playing sports and being active, and to show them that being different is something to embrace. After graduating college, she picked up a new sport (one she previously hated), competed in the Tokyo Paralympics, and set a national record in the 100M US.
Thank you to Noelle for trusting us to tell her story. Learn more about the Born to Run Foundation here.
Follow us on
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Production Team's Favorite Quote: "Do whatever you need to do in your life to be proud of yourself. You never want to just go through the motions, rather you want to give it 100%. And whatever you do you always want to find your why. Why are you doing this?"

Contributing Expert: Judy Lambert (Noelle's Mom)

Audio used from the following sources:
-CNN 'Lacrosse star loses leg and becomes a track star
-ET Canada's YouTube Channel, 'Noelle Lambert Wants To Become The First Amputee To Win 'Survivor' | SURVIVOR 43'
-KREM 2 News' YouTube Channel, ''Survivor' Season 43 premieres 09/21 on KREM 2 | CBS'
38 min
April 26, 2023 Honor Your Roots: Camila Pirelli Cubas (PRY)
Camila goes by Cami, Pirelli, or Pantera Guaraní, the Guaraní Panther; Guarani is the language, and culture of the community of people Camila belongs to, and for Camila, it's important to honor where she comes from. Today, we spotlight Paraguayan track and field star, Pantera, who holds more than a dozen gold and silver medals nationally. Her expertise is Heptathlon, a 7-event competition including the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200-meter run, long jump, javelin, and 800-meter run. All that to say, she's the real deal...and in 7 events! In our conversation she shares about her upbringing in Paraguay, mental health and body image.
Thank you to contributing expert Rio Otara (Global Programme Manager, World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts).
Media clips were used from the following sources:
-SNT Paraguay's YouTube Channel, 'Tokyo 2020: Camila Pirelli con pasaje a Japón'
-Somos Gen's YouTube Channel, 'PODEROSAS - Camila Pirelli, Atleta Olímpica Paraguaya'
-Alexander Refsum Jensenius's YouTube Channel, 'Sound Action 172 - Running on gravel'
-Prashant Bharambe's YouTube Channel 'Open air swimming pool|Sound Effect|Ambience|Exterior|Think sound effects'
-Beyond the Game's YouTube Channel 'Celeste Mucci | My Life as a Heptathlete'
-BerlinAtmospheres' YouTube Channel 'Car Crash SOUND EFFECT - Auto unfall SOUNDS'
25 min
April 12, 2023 Nicky Nieves (USA): Athlete Follow Up
The last time we heard from USA Sitting Volleyball star, Nicky Nieves, she was gearing up for the Tokyo Paralympics, hot after winning gold in Rio. We focused on her identity as an Afro Latina and Black Lives Matter (BLM). I asked her if we have made any progress since our last conversation, "I feel like people are more aware of the differences within race. They're more aware of micro aggressions because more people have spoken out. And to be honest, I think the biggest thing that could happen right now is just a continuation of allyship."
Today we discuss Nicky’s life since our last conversation in the fall of 2020: testing positive for COVID 3 days before the Paralympics, mental health, and her look forward to Paris. Nicky opens up about what it was like to watch her team win gold in Tokyo without her, and how she has fundamentally shifted who she plays for. Hint: it's now herself.
Contributing experts include Nicky's friends and teammates Sydney Satchell and Emma Schieck
19 min
April 10, 2023 Nicky Nieves: Sneak Peek
We met Nicky Nieves, USA Sitting Volleyball in Season 1. Our conversation focused on her identity as a proud Afro Latina and the Black Lives Matter movement. Today, we catch up with since our last conversation in the fall of 2020.
Nicky's full episode launches Wednesday, April 12th.
3 min
March 29, 2023 I Cycle For Hope: Masomah Alizada (IOC Refugee Team)
Masomah is the first female Olympic cyclist from Afghanistan, and getting to the Olympics hasn't just been a battle against her own skills and competitors, but also against the Taliban. In this episode, Masomah discusses her departure from Afghanistan, journey to Tokyo as part of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Refugee Team, and how she cycles for not only freedom but also for the solidarity of women everywhere. As Masomah says, she shares her story to make sure Afghan women are heard and represented.
According to Masomah, " I'm sure one day, things will change. Now it's like a dark night, but the light of day will arrive...maybe in some years or maybe in some months, but it will arrive. The rights of woman will be given back. So, we have to be hopeful. I continue to think about the women of my country and say that we will never forget you."
For our listeners who want to show support from around the world, Masomah shares that Afghan women take notice when women from other countries share their stories. "When they see that people in USA, Europe, and other countries don't forget them, it's big for the women. Even if nothing changes in action, when women of Afghanistan see that people think about them, it gives them hope."
Contributing experts include Dr. Sima Samar (Former Chair, Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission), Rukhsar Habibzai (Masomah's friend and fellow Afghan professional cyclist), and Zahra Alizada (Sister).
31 min
March 22, 2023 Sneak Peek: Masomah Alizada
Masomah is the first woman Olympic cyclist from Afghanistan. Her fight to compete and to the podium hasn't just been against her own records and competitors, but with the Taliban. Tune in next Wednesday for Masomah's full episode, in which we discuss her rise to Tokyo as part of the Olympic Refugee team, her bold escape from Afghanistan, and how she cycles for not only freedom but for the solidarity of women everywhere.
2 min
March 15, 2023 Finding Faith: Victoria Stambaugh (PRI)
Victoria considers herself a proud "Puerto Rican American." Having grown up in the Houston, Texas area. she "was considered a Latina," but then when she went to Puerto Rico, she "was seen as American." According to Victoria, for some, her personal identity falls in a bit of a "gray area."
In today's interview, we spotlight Taekwondo superstar, Victoria Stambaugh. She talks about her Puerto Rican identity, and strong faith being her guide. Victoria opens up about how she primarily identifies as a child of God and what this means to her. Massive thank you to Victoria for trusting us to elevate her story!
Contributing experts in order of appearance include George Laws Garcia (Executive Director, Puerto Rican Statehood Council) and Mrs. Stambaugh (Victoria's Mother).
Clips from the following sources are used in this production:
-World TKD YouTube's Page, "Victoria STAMBAUGH PUR - Maddison MOORE GBR"
-FOX 26 Houston YouTube's Page, "Houston-area taekwondo athlete representing Puerto Rico in the Olympics"
-JoiningAllMovement YouTube's Page, "Olympic Taekwondo Athlete | JAMCast #163 - VICTORIA STAMBAUGH"
-JR Videos' YouTube's Page, "National Anthem of Puerto Rico (ES/EN lyrics) - Himno Nacional de Puerto Rico"
19 min
March 01, 2023 Treat Me As You Did Before: Ritah Asiimwe (UGA)
Ritah lost her hand when machete and hammer-wielding thieves broke into her Grandma's house in 2005.
Today, Ritah is the African Para Badminton Champion and was one of only four Ugandan Paralympians who participated in the Tokyo Paralympics. Today she opens up about losing her hand, and how she's moved forward (including relearning how to write after becoming left-handed). Her north star? Making the best of every day. According to Ritah, "I never feel cheated because I saved so many livest." And it was very important that her that who and how she acted didn't change after the attack either. According to her close friend and classmate, Earn Madrine Nabiwemba "coming back to school with one arm, she was like, you people do not feel sorry for me. This is the same old Ritah and I'm going to do everything I've been doing before now with one arm. Don't feel sorry for me. Treat me the way you've been treating me."
Outside badminton, Ritah, like many others with disabilities, has faced employment discrimination. Ritah opens up about these employment struggles and celebrates some very exciting news! As Ritah says: "I am capable of doing anything and everything, just like any other person. That's how I am, and that's how I live." She certainly is.
At the end of Ritah's episode, she asks that we all consider a donation to help her continue working towards her dream: Paris 2024. She 's responsible for funding her own training, travel and competitions, so please consider donating to help Ritah get to the Paris Paralympics: https://bit.ly/RitahAsiimwe
Contributing experts in order of appearance include Earn Madrine Nabiwemba (Logistician and Ritah's Friend) and Coach Betty (Ritah's Badminton Coach).
Media clips from the following sources are used in this production:
-Uganda Olympic Committee's YouTube Page, "UGANDA Para-Badminton Player Ritah Asiimwe Ahead Of Her Matches At Paralympic Games"
-Badminton Africa's YouTube Page, "Know more about the African Champion and the Paralympian Ritah Asiimwe"
-Schwartz Perry & Heller LLP's YouTube Page, "What Exactly Is Disability Discrimination | Ask An Employment Lawyer"
21 min
February 28, 2023 Sneak Peek: Ritah Asiimwe
Sneak peek of our upcoming episode with Ugandan Para Badminton Champ, Rita Asiimwe. Ritah was one of 4 Ugandan Paralympians who participated in the Tokyo Paralympics. In her episode, she shares about defending her family against thieves who broke into her grandma’s home, losing her arm to these thieves who assaulted her with machetes and hammers, and how she makes the most of every day.
3 min
February 15, 2023 Covid & the Arab Women's Movement: Kenza Sossé (QAT)
23-year old Qatari track star Kenza Sossé, qualified for Tokyo, and then days before her flight to Japan, tested positive for COVID-19. After years training for the Olympics, she had watch from a room in Morocco. Her response? She "went back to training harder than ever."
In today's conversation, Kenza shares for the first time publicly about the pain of her Olympic dreams being deferred and how she has channeled her frustration into progress towards Paris. Kenza also shares about her commitment to the Arab Women's Movement and common misconceptions about the Arab world including the idea that Arab women are always "in the kitchen, taking care of the babies." Citing her two business startups and the book she wrote, she replies, "My babies are my businesses right now, my book and my sport. So if these count as my babies, then yes, I am a very typical Arab woman. "
Production team's favorite quote: "After hearing my story, every listener will be thinking of a passion or something they've always wanted to do. My last message will be to do it. To start whatever it is that comes to mind. Do not be afraid of failure."
Contributing guests include Vanessa El Jammal (Kenza's Best Friend) and Ghita Sossé (Kenza's Sister).
Clips used from the following sources:
- n beats' YouTube Channel, 'Stadium Crowd Sound Effects | One Hour | HQ'
28 min

About Flame Bearers

From the publisher's feed

Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio. We tell stories via video production, podcasts, and live events and have supported just shy of 400 world-class athletes from 52…