In this episode of Making It to Milan, co-host Dani Aravich sits down with Brenna Huckaby, a Paralympic snowboarder representing Team USA, to talk about her road to the Milano Cortina Paralympic Games. Brenna shares how she went from growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana as a gymnast to being diagnosed with osteosarcoma at 14, undergoing an above-the-knee amputation, and discovering snowboarding on a rehabilitation ski trip in Utah. She opens up about moving across the country at 17 to pursue the sport, qualifying for her first Paralympics at 22, and the legal fight she led to ensure her classification category could compete in Beijing. Brenna reflects on motherhood between Games, managing PMDD and ADHD, navigating prosthetic fit while gaining strength, and embracing her role as a veteran leader on Team USA as she prepares for Milan. She’s joined by a very special guest, her 9 year-old daughter, who shares how she can’t wait to cheer for her mom in Milan.

Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi joins co-host Ashley Cain for a conversation on a historic career in figure skating, decades of preparation, and what it takes to stay in it through heartbreak and doubt. Kristi shares how she began skating through physical therapy as a child, and her journey balancing school, family and training to become the first-ever Asian American to win a gold medal in a Winter Olympic competition. Her former coach Christy Ness joins to reflect on Kristi's training and legacy and on the current state of diversity and representation in women's sports. Kristi also shares her decision to start Always Dream, an organization working to ensure children have access to high-quality books in the home environment and extensive family engagement support.

Liu Jiayu joins co-host Ashley Cain to talk through what it means to return for a fifth Olympic run in snowboard halfpipe for China after stepping away from the sport. Jiayu shares how retirement plans shifted toward a comeback, fueled by honest conversations with sponsors and encouragement from her godmother, plus a renewed focus on being “chilled” and present in Milan. She breaks down how she turns her brain on and off on the mountain, uses music and visualization before dropping in, and navigates the hidden grind of injuries, rehab, and the emotional ups and downs of chasing progression. Coach Benjamin “Benny” Bright joins to reflect on working together, Jiayu’s resilience, and their shared emphasis on gratitude, enjoyment, and love for the journey.

Ice dancer Hannah Lim joins co-host Ashley Cain to talk about representing South Korea on the road to the 2026 Olympics in Milan. Hannah shares how she first stepped on the ice at four in Richmond Hill in Toronto, Ontario, skated in free skate until she was 14, then found her home in ice dance after trying the Argentine tango and leaning into the artistic side of skating. She explains how a club connection brought her to Montreal, where she teamed up with partner Ye, and why their disciplined routine still includes days when it’s hard to show up—moments where her partner and coaches keep her grounded. From the pride of hearing Korea’s anthem and seeing the flag raised to a pre-competition hug that syncs their breathing, Hannah describes the details that carry them forward, plus her reminder to women athletes that it doesn’t have to be “blood and sweat and tears” to improve.

In this episode, Mia Clerc: Live Without Regrets, Mia (Madagascar, alpine skiing) looks ahead to Milano Cortina 2026 with a focus on patience, joy, and staying present. She shares with co-host Dani Aravich how returning from a 2021 injury reshaped her training mindset, and what it takes to keep confidence when pressure and performance anxiety hit. Mia also explains the reality of racing for a small nation, from limited equipment to piecing together support through family and sponsors, while still following her dreams. She talks about grounding routines before competition, leaning on loved ones from afar, and the pride of representing Madagascar on the Winter Games stage. Mia illustrates resilience with intention, leaving us with reminders to take chances and trust the long process.

In this episode, Amber Glenn: I’m Done Comparing Myself, Amber Glenn (United States, figure skating) speaks with co-host Ashley Cain on how she steadies herself for Milan by staying consistent, keeping doubts in their place, and focusing on the moment in front of her. She reflects on the pressure and expectations that come with being an Olympian, and why treating the Games like any other competition helps her skate with confidence. Amber also breaks down the craft of choosing music, balancing crowd connection with technical demands, and protecting the joy of performing. With her sister Brooke in her corner, she aims to soak up the Olympic experience by relying on trust, perseverance, and the support surrounding her.

In this episode, Sabrina Simader: Opening the Closed Door, Sabrina Wanjiku Simader (Kenya, alpine skiing) reflects on the joy and pressure of carrying a first for her country, from becoming Kenya’s first woman Winter Olympian to racing in spaces where she rarely sees her nation represented. She shares how her stepdad’s ski lift first put her on the mountain, why her mom’s steady belief keeps her going, and what it takes to manage the “learning days” that never make the highlight reel. Sabrina opens up about the hardest decision of her career: stepping back after years of fighting for support, then trusting that setting boundaries can open new doors. As she waits to learn whether backing arrives in time for Milano Cortina, she stays committed to one message: go all in for your dreams, even when the world says no.

In this episode, Hilary Knight: There's a Place for Everyone in Sport, US ice hockey player Hilary Knight reflects with co-host Ashley Cain on a career defined by longevity, leadership, and change. She shares what it takes to stay patient across five Olympic cycles, the unseen sacrifices behind team success, and why winning gold is as much about collective trust as performance. Hilary also speaks candidly about coming out while competing at the highest level, the responsibility of visibility, and the importance of creating space for LGBTQ+ athletes in sport. From learning the game alongside her family to becoming a role model she once searched for, this episode centers resilience, identity, and the power of showing up fully as yourself, on and off the ice.

In this episode, Olivia Smart: Believe in the Journey, Olivia Smart (Spain, ice dance) opens up about chasing her second Olympic Games with deeper gratitude after time away from competition. She breaks down the mental side of elite sport, from overthinking and “inner demons” to learning how to manage nerves that get louder the more you care. Olivia shares what it means to make history for Spanish ice dance, helping earn multiple Olympic spots for her country, and why competing at Europeans in her hometown of Sheffield feels like a full-circle moment. She also reflects on partnership, communication, and the accelerated work of building trust with skate partner Tim Dieck, plus the everyday support that keeps her grounded off the ice. It’s a story of resilience, presence, and purpose as she skates toward Milano Cortina.

In this episode, Julia Kern (cross-country skiing) shares what it takes to stay steady through five-month winters on the road, from finding joy in the routine to rolling with the punches when things go sideways. Co-host Dani Aravich connects the Olympic and Paralympic paths, reflecting on pressure, performance, and what it means to race on the same Italian courses two weeks apart. Doro Kern, Julia Kern’s mother, adds the long-view perspective on competition, resilience, and learning how to lose, then come back stronger. Together, they show how preparation is physical and mental, and how support systems, tradition, and perspective turn uncertainty into confidence.