*You can watch this episode of Flame Bearers: UNEDITED on YouTube via the Flame Bearers channel if you would like to tune in with visuals*

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In this episode of Flame Bearers: UNEDITED, we sit down with Babalwa Latsha, the first professional woman XV rugby player in Africa, to hear her story of breaking barriers, embracing identity, and advocating for women in sports.

From her early days discovering rugby in South Africa to dominating as a pro in the Premier 15s league, Babalwa talks about how rugby gave her freedom and empowered her to find her voice. Throughout, Babalwa talks about how "it’s not about what my body looks like, but what my body can do for me."

She shares about the growth of women’s rugby in South Africa and how she’s witnessed the sport evolve as THE FIRST pro woman rugby athlete to a growing movement. Her vision for the future of women’s sports? "I want a world with packed stadiums, where women’s sports are fully professionalized, and athletes can make a good living without needing a nine-to-five job."

Babalwa also offers this advice to her younger self—"Find your voice, and once you do, be unapologetically yourself." She also encourages listeners to embrace bravery in all its forms: "Being brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared. It’s a process of understanding how far you’ve come and how much more you can do."

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Flame Bearers is a multi media movement, illuminating the unsung stories of elite women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video, and live events and have worked with over 250 Olympians and Paralympians from 55 countries and counting.

For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @flamebearers

Follow us -

Instagram - / flamebearers

Facebook - / flamebearerspodcast

Linkedin - / flame-bearers

Tiktok- / flame_bearers

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OUR WEBSITE - https://flamebearers.com/

As we step into 2025, we wanted to pause and reflect on some of the incredible conversations we had in 2024. This episode celebrates some of our favorite moments, featuring powerful stories and insights from remarkable athletes. Here are just a few highlights:

Caster Semenya, 2x Olympic champ and 3x World champ, reflects on her role as an advocate for women in sports: "It's about time we, as women, decide what is right for us. If women are respected, given opportunities, and treated equally, I will finally feel peace."

Marine Fatoumatta Camara, Mali's first-ever female Olympic boxer shares the challenges of representing an African nation: "Competing for Mali is harder than people realize—lack of funding, political issues, and constant underestimation make every win even more rewarding."

Anastasia Pagonis, 2x Paralympian, describes the freedom swimming gives her: "In the pool, I feel like a mermaid—it's the one place where my disability doesn't hold me back."

Bryony Page, Olympic trampoline champion, opens up about overcoming fear in her sport: "Fear brings focus. Instead of dwelling on what could go wrong, I learned to focus on what will make me perform well."

Instead of releasing a new interview this week, we wanted to pause and reflect on some of the incredible conversations we've had in 2024. This episode celebrates some of our favorite moments from interviews this past year, including snippets from our full conversations with each of these athletes.

To name a few, you'll hear from:

-Kokona Hiraki, World Champion skateboarder, talks about her love for the evolving nature of skateboarding and its inclusive spirit: “Once you master one trick, there’s a new one to try. It keeps evolving. Skateboarding is just really fun, and there’s no age limit.”

-Gia Trevisan, Italian Olympic sprinter, recounts how a transition from soccer led her to embrace the 400 meters despite its challenges: “I didn’t love the 400 meters. It’s probably the worst race, but it’s always better when it’s over.”

-Farida Osman, Egyptian Olympic swimmer shares her journey to coping with expectations and pressure: “I realized I need to work with a sports psychologist to cope with expectations and pressure.”

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*You can watch this episode of Flame Bearers: UNEDITED on YouTube via the Flame Bearers channel if you would like to tune in with visuals*

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“Never give up. Any opportunity can come up, and you need to grasp it.”

This mantra fuels Husnah Kukundakwe, a 17-year-old, 2x Paralympian from Uganda. In a culture where “most people like me, who are born with a disability, are seen as curses to the family...some are just killed right on the spot,” Husnah has defied every expectation.

She made history as the first Ugandan swimmer to qualify for the Paralympics on merit and became the youngest athlete across all sports at the Tokyo Paralympics. She continues to smash African records and is ranked among the top 10 swimmers in Uganda (including able-bodied athletes). That said, her journey hasn’t been without setbacks. “I was swapped out of a swim race as a kid because I wasn’t seen as good enough—but I came back to prove them all wrong,” she shares. And prove them wrong she did—sweeping the medals against able-bodied athletes. For Husnah, swimming is more than a sport; it’s a source of strength and self-discovery. “It helped me stop hiding my hand and gave me the confidence to embrace who I am.”

Now, Husnah is determined to create opportunities for others. When not competing, she's working to launch the Husnah Kukundakwe Disability Sports Foundation, aimed at supporting young athletes with disabilities in Uganda. “I wouldn’t want anyone to lose hope because of something like finances,” she explains. “Everyone deserves a chance to try.”

In this episode, Husnah shares her record-breaking achievements, her experiences challenging cultural misconceptions about disability, and her bold vision for Uganda’s para-sports future. She also offers inspiring advice: “Ignore the negativity, believe in yourself, and find something you love that makes you feel free.”

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Flame Bearers: UNEDITED, a new video and podcast series celebrates the journeys of elite women athletes from around the world at all phases of their journeys: seeking their first international qualifications, at the pinnacle of their careers, and after retirement. In this largely UNEDITED series, we'll meet more athletes than ever before, all at various stages of their paths. This series is different not only because we're broadening who we're featuring, but how we're doing so. In the spirit of bringing you MORE STORIES, the tradeoff is fewer bells + whistles (i.e. animations & fancy sound effects than we normally include in our productions). We think it's worth the trade off so we can elevate more women doing incredible work -- we'd love to hear your thoughts.

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Flame Bearers is a multi media movement, illuminating the unsung stories of elite women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events and have worked with over 250 Olympians and Paralympians from 55 countries and counting.

For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @flamebearers

Follow us -

Instagram - / flamebearers

Facebook - / flamebearerspodcast

Linkedin - / flame-bearers

Tiktok- / flame_bearers

X- / flame_bearers

OUR WEBSITE - https://flamebearers.com/

“Your body isn’t broken—it just works differently now.”

That’s how Dana Mathewson—3x Team USA Wheelchair Paralympian, and Wimbledon champ—views her body today, but that wasn't always her perspective. At the age of 10, Dana developed a rare auto-immune condition. When most girls are desperately trying to fit in with their peers, Dana was forced to reimagine her identity and future. She shares, “I was 10 years old, and suddenly, the thing everyone noticed about me was my wheelchair. I felt like I had to be prettier, funnier—just more—to compensate for what I thought was a huge defect.”

Reflecting on this period, Dana mentions, "sports taught me to see my body as something to celebrate, not to hide." Wheelchair tennis helped her rebuild confidence and overcome self-doubt,, ultimately propelling her to the highest levels of competition on the global stage. "Although my body doesn’t work the same way it used to, that doesn’t mean it’s broken. It just means I’ve found a new way to make it work for me—and it does."

Dana also opens up about her decision to retire after over a decade in the sport, saying, “I realized I wanted to spend more time with my family and my new husband—there was more to life than constant travel and training.” She remains deeply connected to the game, transitioning into commentary and consulting roles, where she plans to bring her firsthand insights to a wider audience. We can't wait to tune in!

Throughout, Dana discusses the challenges of breaking down misconceptions about Paralympic sports, the importance of representation, and her hopes for para-sports leading into LA 2028. Plus, she offers advice for anyone navigating life’s challenges: lean into what makes you unique, find community, and don’t be afraid to redefine success. “The outlets are out there, and others are searching for you just as much as you’re searching for them,” she says.

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We heard you loud & clear: you want more athlete's stories, so we responded. Flame Bearers: UNEDITED, a new video and podcast series celebrates the journeys of elite women athletes from around the world at all phases of their journeys: seeking their first international qualifications, at the pinnacle of their careers, and after retirement. In this largely UNEDITED series, we'll meet more athletes than ever before, all at various stages of their paths. This series is different not only because we're broadening who we're featuring, but how we're doing so. In the spirit of bringing you MORE STORIES, the tradeoff is fewer bells + whistles (i.e. animations & fancy sound effects than we normally include in our productions). We think it's worth the trade off so we can elevate more women doing incredible work -- we'd love to hear your thoughts.

------

Flame Bearers is a multi media movement, illuminating the unsung stories of elite women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events and have worked with over 250 Olympians and Paralympians from 55 countries and counting.

For more videos about elite women athletes, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVnEbCOeOvNlK6Bocw9ZSdA?sub_confirmation=1

Follow us -

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/flamebearers/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FlameBearersPodcast

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/flame-bearers/

Tiktok- https://www.tiktok.com/@flame_bearers

X- https://twitter.com/flame_bearers

OUR WEBSITE - https://flamebearers.com/

“What we do is sometimes the least interesting thing about us.”

That’s how Julie-Anne Staehli—an Olympian from Canada and pro runner with Team New Balance Boston—sees it. With over a decade of experience competing at the highest levels, Julie-Anne has learned that while competing is a big part of her, it's what she does, not who she is.

In this episode, Julie-Anne opens up about her journey, from growing up playing every sport imaginable to finding her stride as an endurance athlete. She shares how resilience, grit, and her “stubborn determination” helped her navigate the ups and downs of elite competition.

Julie-Anne also dives into the importance of joy and balance, guided by her coach’s mantra: “Healthy, happy, and then running fast.” She talks about avoiding burnout, embracing the unique paths that bring athletes to the start line, and the lessons she’s learned about leadership and authenticity. Plus, she offers advice for anyone chasing big goals: stay present, enjoy the ride, and don’t take it all too seriously.

Photo credit: Heather MacEachern-Tarasick

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We heard you loud & clear: you want more athlete's stories, so we responded. Flame Bearers: UNEDITED, a new video and podcast series celebrates the journeys of elite women athletes from around the world at all phases of their journeys: seeking their first international qualifications, at the pinnacle of their careers, and after retirement. In this largely UNEDITED series, we'll meet more athletes than ever before, all at various stages of their paths. This series is different not only because we're broadening who we're featuring, but how we're doing so. In the spirit of bringing you MORE STORIES, the tradeoff is fewer bells + whistles (i.e. animations & fancy sound effects than we normally include in our productions). We think it's worth the trade off so we can elevate more women doing incredible work -- we'd love to hear your thoughts.

"If you have the chance to be the best in the world at something, even for the fourth time, you should probably take it." Caryn Davies, a 3x Olympic medalist, shares her extraordinary journey of ambition, resilience, and self-discovery in this unfiltered conversation.

Caryn, who competed in three Olympic Games—Athens (2004), Beijing (2008), and London (2012)—amassed an impressive record: a silver medal in Athens and back-to-back gold medals in Beijing and London as part of the U.S. Women’s Eight. She reflects on her initial decision to retire after London, only to feel drawn back to rowing years later, inspired by her enduring love for the sport and the possibility of a fourth Olympic appearance in Tokyo.

Her return, however, was anything but straightforward. She recounts the struggles of reintegrating with a younger team, battling a significant injury, and ultimately being cut from the Tokyo squad. Despite not making the final team, Caryn explains how she redefined success: "Even though I didn’t make it to the Olympic Games... I had won something more important than a gold medal: the respect and love of my teammates."

In this conversation Caryn shares about her learnings from the most challenging moments, including the power of vulnerability, the importance of seeking feedback, and the delicate balance of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation. She also offers unique insights into what it means to embody the Olympic ideals of excellence, respect, and joy in effort: "A true Olympian honors not just excellence but also friendship and respect, even amidst fierce competition."

Caryn takes us behind the scenes of her life as an elite rower and shares how the lessons from her Olympic journey now guide her in her career as a lawyer. She shares how "being a normal person [not an elite athlete] is really hard." This conversation is a testament to the idea that greatness isn't just measured by medals but by the impact you leave on those around you.

Charlie Guest, is a 2x Olympic skier, psych student, and an advocate for gender equity in sports. After breaking her back in 2014, Charlie went on to become the first British woman to ever win an Alpine European Cup (2019) and later went on to rack up 3 titles. Charlie opens up about her passion for skiing and the systemic inequalities she’s encountered. Specifically, Charlie recounts the infuriating disparities in media coverage during last year's Junior Alpine World Championships championship, where men’s races were given priority while women’s events were ignored. "It wasn’t an accident. It was a choice," she shares. She highlights how these decisions have ripple effects, impacting sponsorships, visibility, and future opportunities for women athletes.

The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as Charlie reflects on her realization that even training methods were not designed for women. “None of the training we were doing was designed for us, and it broke me—physically and emotionally."

Yet, this story isn’t just about challenges—it’s about hope and action. Charlie emphasizes the power of speaking up: “If you use your voice, it gives others the courage to use theirs. That’s where real change begins.”

In this episode, we sprint into the life of Jodie Williams, a 3x Olympian from Great Britain, beginning with her early days as an unstoppable young athlete. Jodie recalls her first taste of victory, winning races at school sports days and even being pitted against older boys in a heptathlon when “no one could beat me.” That moment fueled a drive that would guide her to track and field, where she quickly became a standout.

That said, her journey to the Olympics wasn’t without setbacks. She reflects on the heartbreak of missing the London Olympics due to a torn hamstring and feeling overwhelmed in her first Olympic experience in Rio. But by Tokyo, she had found a new mindset: “I just looked up... there was no crowd, but I felt at peace. I thought, 'Wow, I’ve done it.'”

Jodie opens up about the highs and lows of pursuing her dream, describing how fear has been ever-present: “Fear is a huge part of it… if you're dreaming that big, there’s going to be a lot of fear involved. That’s part of the journey.” Learning to manage her inner dialogue, she says, has been essential, as she’s worked to “make friends” with her inner critic and celebrate each small victory. Jodie shares how wherever you are in your journey, she wants you to stop to congratulate yourself today. "Say, 'Good job for getting out of bed, for getting dressed,' because sometimes, that’s the biggest achievement of the day."

Beyond her athletic career, Jodie founded the Listen Journal, a platform for women to share their stories authentically. She’s also found a passion for coffee, seeing it as a way to build community and raise awareness around its history.

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Flame Bearers is a multi-platform media movement illuminating the stories of our world's best women athletes. We tell stories via video, podcast, and live events, centering her story in her words.

For more videos about elite women in sport, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @flamebearers

Follow us -

Instagram - / flamebearers

Facebook - / flamebearerspodcast

Linkedin - / flame-bearers

Tiktok- / flame_bearers

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OUR WEBSITE - https://flamebearers.com/

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Celina Toth traded in her gymnastics leotard for her swimsuit at age 12, where she quickly rose up the ranks, and consistently maintained her spot on the Canadian National Team since 2008. "I was the oldest diver to ever qualify for their first Olympics in Canada at 28...a testament to my character, that I was never giving up." A 4x World Cup Finalist and CAN Fund recipient, Celina made quite the splash in the world of diving, and did so on her terms, calling the shots for herself. Her motivation? "Every time I step on that platform, I'm diving for the little girl who was told she wasn’t good enough."

And it hasn't been easy. Throughout her career, she's battled toxic training environments, body shaming, and abusive coaches. She shares, "I was told I was too fat, that I’d never get the scores I deserved because of the way I looked...but I made it anyway." In today's conversation, Celina opens up about her decision to retire from competitive sport and in traditional Celina-fashion, is doing it her way: "I’m leaving the sport on my terms, doing it for myself, after standing up to every ‘no’ and every doubter along the way."

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Flame Bearers is a global storytelling platform, illuminating the unsung stories of resilient women Olympians & Paralympians that inspire people to drive change for themselves, in their connections with others, and their communities.

For more videos about elite women in sport, subscribe to our YouTube channel ► / @flamebearers

Follow us -

Instagram - / flamebearers

Facebook - / flamebearerspodcast

Linkedin - / flame-bearers

Tiktok- / flame_bearers

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OUR WEBSITE - https://flamebearers.com/

Leave a comment and tell us what you liked in the video.

If you like the content, subscribe to our channel!