Hanging With Champions goes International for the first time as NBC Sports broadcaster Patrick Kinas hangs out with two-time Canadian Olympic speed skater Ivanie Blondin. In Part 1 of a two-part podcast, Blondin discusses the recent ISU decision to delay the start to the upcoming World Cup season, along with the difficulties of executing a bubble-type environment this season in speed skating. Blondin then talks in detail about the funding & income hardships many in her sport are enduring amidst the pandemic. Then Blondin opens up about her bouts of mental health challenges after PyeongChang and during the pandemic. The episode concludes as Blondin relives her career renaissance during the past World Cup season and her breakout performance defeating two sport legends during the same weekend in Nur-Sultan.