Flame Bearers

 In this episode of Making It To Milan, Dani Aravich chats with Brittany Hudak, a Canadian Paralympic cross-country skier and biathlete representing Canada, as she prepares for her third Paralympic Games. A two-time Paralympic bronze medalist, Brittany reflects on discovering para sport at 18 after being recruited by a 10-time Paralympian in a Canadian Tire store, and how learning to ski later in life shaped her resilience. She opens up about qualifying for Sochi 2014 after just two years in the sport, evolving into a podium contender by PyeongChang and Beijing, and shifting her focus from medal expectations to process-driven performance in Milano Cortina. Brittany also shares the added layers of being a para athlete—from equipment adaptations to accessibility barriers—and the importance of community, character, and celebrating competitors across nations. 

In this episode of Making It To Milan, co-host Dani Aravich speaks with Polina Rozkova, a Latvian Paralympian who competes in wheelchair fencing and wheelchair curling for Latvia. Polina Rozkova traces her athletic roots back to swimming at age three and shares how she discovered fencing during rehabilitation after her 2009 injury. She reflects on representing Latvia at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and returning to the stage for Beijing 2022, detailing the pressure and pride of competing for her country. Polina also speaks candidly about accessibility barriers in Latvia, financial strain, and training without professional funding. Looking ahead, she explains the debut of mixed doubles wheelchair curling in Milano Cortina and the possibility of making history. Throughout her journey, she credits her late mother, her friend Diana, and her rescue cat Archibald for keeping her grounded.

 In this episode of Making It To Milan, co-host Ashley Cain speaks with Aline Rocha, a Brazilian Paralympian who competes in both the Winter and Summer Paralympic Games. Representing Brazil as a sitting skier in cross-country and biathlon, and as a wheelchair racer on the track, Aline is a soon-to-be five-time Paralympian. She reflects on beginning wheelchair racing in 2010 after being introduced to Paralympic sport by her husband and coach, Fernando, competing at Rio 2016, and becoming Brazil’s first woman to compete at a Winter Paralympic Games in 2018 after learning to ski in Sweden. Aline shares the realities of training for snow in a tropical country, balancing two elite disciplines, leaning on psychological preparation to manage pressure, and setting her focus on a long-awaited Paralympic medal in Milano Cortina. 

In this episode of Making It To Milan, co-host Dani Aravich sits down with Natalie Wilkie, a Canadian Paralympic cross-country skier and multi-time medalist representing Canada. Natalie shares how she first entered sport after losing her left hand in a childhood accident and how cross-country skiing became a space where she could compete at the highest level. She reflects on balancing expectations as a proven medal contender while continuing to evolve technically and physically within the sport. Natalie also opens up about the role her mom, Karin, has played throughout her journey—from early mornings and logistical support to steady encouragement during high-pressure moments. Together, they discuss resilience, perspective, and what it takes to stay grounded through multiple Paralympic cycles as Natalie prepares for Milano Cortina.

In this episode of Making It to Milan, Dani Aravich sits down with Carina Edlinger, a Paralympic biathlete representing the Czech Republic. A Paralympic champion and six-time world champion, Carina reflects on her journey from competing for Austria to changing nationality and navigating the complex approval process that now allows her to race biathlon, but not cross-country skiing, in Milano Cortina. She opens up about the mental toll of that decision, the challenge of forming a new relationship with a guide in a different language, and the frustration of shooting under pressure. Karina also shares what it means to compete with a visual impairment, confront misconceptions about disability, lean on her support system—including her psychologist, lawyers, and guide dog—and chase both a clean shooting performance and the chance to sing the Czech anthem in Italy.

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.