Apolo Ohno is the most decorated American Winter Olympian in history with eight Olympic medals across three Games– a title he has held onto for over 15 years. But behind the victories is a complex story shaped by rebellion, self-doubt, relentless discipline, and a father who refused to let him quit.

In our finale episode of Forging Gold, Apolo joins host Rennae Stubbs to revisit the defining moments behind his career: the 3:30 a.m. training sessions with a flashlight duct-taped to his helmet, the controversy surrounding his first Olympic gold, and an intensity he brought to his sport that scared his competitors.

Listen as he opens up about how reconnecting with the pure joy of skating changed everything when it mattered most– and why he ultimately felt he had to walk away from the sport he’d loved for so long.

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Becky Hammon is one of the best basketball coaches in the world– full stop. The Las Vegas Aces head coach has built a modern dynasty, won multiple titles, and earned a reputation as one of the sharpest, toughest, and most respected minds in the game.

In this episode of Forging Gold, Becky joins host Rennae Stubbs to break down what great coaching actually looks like. She shares how to earn trust, challenge elite players, manage pressure, and keep a championship team hungry year after year. From going undrafted as a player to becoming a history-making coach, Becky’s story is proof that greatness comes to those willing to outwork every obstacle in their path.

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Hilary Knight wasn’t always a goal scorer. In fact, she couldn’t even lift the puck off the ice– until a coach bet her a Big Gulp she could hit a soda can off the top of the net. Years later, she’s a five-time Olympian, world champion, and one of the most dominant forces in women’s hockey. 

In this episode of Forging Gold, host Rennae Stubbs sits down with Hilary Knight to talk about the moments that shaped her path to greatness. From playing on the boys’ team as a kid, to the impact that a training week has on her mind and body, to the sting of the 2014 Sochi loss and what it taught her about leadership. Listen in as Hilary takes us inside the mindset of an elite competitor, as she shares the habits, superstitions, and discipline that keep her at the top of her game. 

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Katie Ledecky is one of the most dominant athletes of her generation– a record-breaking force in the water and tied as the most decorated female swimmer of all time. But what actually goes into staying on top for more than a decade? On this episode of Forging Gold, Katie opens up about the system behind her success: the foundation, training, mindset, and even the rivalries that push her to excel in every race. From her famous “galloping kick” to the mental tricks that keep her focused lap after lap, she shares what it really takes to stay at the top. Listen in as Rennae and Katie dive into her proudest achievements, toughest challenges, and how she stays fired up to keep getting better—even when she’s already a champion.

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You probably know the name Allyson Felix– most decorated track athlete of all time, hero in the fight for maternal protections, and the woman who took on one of sport’s biggest brands to change the conversation around pay and power. But what did it cost her to get there?

In this episode, Rennae speaks with Allyson about the race that hurt the most, the Nike showdown that made headlines, the grief she didn’t expect after retiring, and the fight for equity that continues even after stepping away from the podium.

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Gus Kenworthy was already a freestyle skiing legend when he changed the landscape of the sport entirely. Coming out publicly in 2015, he became the first openly gay athlete in action sports– a moment that didn’t slow him down, but sharpened his edge.

Now, more than a decade later, host Rennae Stubbs sits down with Gus to reflect on a career defined by boldness, fearlessness, and authenticity, and how being fully himself became a kind of superpower. From his early days on the slopes to a real-life Heated Rivalry storyline, Gus unpacks the lessons, setbacks, and drive that shaped him– and what’s behind his more recent decision to come out (of retirement this time).

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Join former pro tennis player Rennae Stubbs as she takes you inside the world of elite athletics– beyond the trophies and highlight reels, into the moments that build a career. From career-defining wins to moments of reinvention, these are the sacrifices that turn hard work into gold.

Listen to Forging Gold: The Making of a Champion every other week, starting March 12th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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