After nearly 400 conversations with Olympians, Paralympians, and trailblazing women athletes from 55 countries, one thing is clear: no two stories are alike. Some athletes train with world-class facilities, others without basic equipment. Some are household names, others are fighting for visibility in sports you’ve never even seen on TV. And yet, across all these differences, certain themes echo again and again.

That’s what this new Best Of series is all about: spotlighting both the range of experiences and the threads that connect them. We’ve pulled together the most powerful moments across years of conversations, including:

✨ Best Advice to Younger Selves — from “give yourself grace to be a beginner” to “don’t dim your light for anyone.”
✨ Best Stories of Resilience — tales of athletes coming back from devastating injuries, near-misses, and moments when the world doubted them most.
✨ Best Moments of Role Modelship — athletes lifting the next generation, mentoring teammates, and carrying entire communities with them to the world stage.
✨ Best Stories of Identity & Joy — how athletes embrace who they are on and off the field, from glitter on the track to pride in their heritage.
…and many more!

You’ll hear voices as different as the sports they represent, yet together, they reveal what it really takes to rise to the top. This isn’t just one story. It’s hundreds woven together. And this is just the beginning.

In this episode, Role Models V1, Ariana Ramsey (United States, rugby) shares how she uses social media to bring visibility to women’s rugby and redefine what “rough” looks like for girls in sport. Jackie Dubrovich (United States, fencing) reflects on being a role model even through losses and helping younger teammates grow. Manasi Joshi (India, para badminton) talks about transforming personal struggle into inspiration for others with disabilities. Shelly Looney (United States, ice hockey) describes building a stronger pipeline for girls to see themselves in the game. Asma Nyang (Senegal, judo) urges women to become the fan base women’s sports need. Marzia Hamidi (Afghanistan, taekwondo) tells her story of escaping Taliban rule to keep her Olympic dream alive. Marta Pen Freitas (Portugal, track and field) calls for women to take leadership roles in sport governance.

Together, these athletes redefine what it means to be a role model — through resilience, visibility, and purpose.

Flame Bearers is a women's sports storytelling studio, illuminating the unsung stories of exceptional women athletes from around the world. We tell stories via podcast, video and live events.

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