Why Kareem Maddox left his dream job at 30 to pursue another dream—representing Team USA in 3x3 basketball at the Tokyo Olympics—and what he’s going to do now that his Olympic dream didn’t work out. Plus, find out how athletes fund their Olympic dreams.

Hear from:

Kareem Maddox

Iman Zaki (Kareem’s mom) and Kareem's younger brother Jay

Sara Nics (Kareem’s Podcast Producer at Universal Content Productions)

Lauryn Williams (Olympic champion and certified financial planner at Worth Winning)

Chris Smith (Olympics reporter for Sports Business Journal)

Also listen to The Greatness, Kareem Maddox's new podcast

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Olympic dreams are no slam dunk

Wondering who you should you root for at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics? Get to know Team USA’s most inspiring athletes and the causes they champion. Season 7: My New Favorite Olympian and My New Favorite Paralympian hosted by 12-time Olympic medalist Natalie Coughlin Season 6: My New Favorite Futbolista hosted by World Cup champion Meghan Klingenberg in English and Janelly Farías Spanish Season 5: My New Favorite Futbolista hosted by soccer legend Juan Pablo Ángel in English and Spanish Season 4: My New Favorite Olympian hosted by Apolo Ohno, Team USA's most decorated Winter Olympian Season 3: My New Favorite Olympian hosted by Olympic trailblazer Ibtihaj Muhammad Season 2: Sports Uncovered hosted by Michele Tafoya Season 1: Sports Uncovered hosted by Mike Tirico Named "Best Sports Podcast" at the Cynopsis Sports Media Awards and the WEBBY Signal Awards Presented by the storytellers at NBC and Telemundo

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Philosophy

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As a bonus treat for our listeners, we're flipping the tables and having My New Favorite Futbolista host (and World Cup champion) Meghan Klingenberg answer questions from Andy Slavitt, the host of In the Bubble. Klingenberg discusses leading the charge along with other members of the USWNT to secure equal pay for all women competing in international sporting events, plus shares her thoughts on this year's World Cup, explains why it makes sense to invest in women’s sports and reveals how you can support women’s soccer year-round.

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Meghan Klingenberg: Now is the time to invest in female athletes

How will Team USA handle the adversity they are facing at the Women’s World Cup? Olympic and World Cup champion Lauren Holiday discusses with soccer content creator Megan Reyes in this bonus episode of My New Favorite Futbolista recorded in front of a live audience at a Women’s World Cup watch party presented by our partners On Her Turf, TOGETHXR, Telemundo and Peacock.

Watch the episode HERE.

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Lauren Holiday on Team USA’s World Cup mindset

Sophia Smith, the reigning NWSL MVP, has become an advocate for student-athlete mental health after losing her best friend and Stanford teammate Katie Meyer to suicide.

 

Hear from:

Sophia Smith

Michael Wilson (Sophia’s boyfriend and Arizona Cardinals WR)

Dr. Robin Scholefield (Associate Director of Clinical and Sport Psychology Services, USC)

Victoria Garrick (Mental health advocate and host of Real Pod)

 

Episode reporter:

Abbey Fernández (NBC and Telemundo Bay Area)

 

Read more about Sophia's story on NBC Bay Area, On Her Turf, TODAY and The Equalizer. Watch the episode HERE.

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How Team USA phenom Sophia Smith strengthens her mental health

18-year-old Colombian forward Linda Caicedo, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer when she was just 15, is now one of the sport’s most electric goal scorers.

 

Hear from:

Linda Caicedo

Herlinda Alegría (Linda’s mother)

Diego Vasquez (Linda’s former coach)

Rafael Murillo (Linda’s former coach and lifelong mentor -president of Club Real Juanchito)

 

Episode reporter:

Jesús Quiñonez (NBC and Telemundo Boston)

Watch the episode HERE.

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How teenage phenom Linda Caicedo overcame ovarian cancer

Naomi Girma, the first player of Ethiopian descent on the U.S. Women’s National Team, hopes to make it easier for first-generation Americans to succeed.

 

Hear from:

Naomi Girma

Seble Demissie (Naomi’s mother)

Girma Aweke (Naomi’s father)

 

Episode reporter:

Darnay Tripp (NBC San Diego)

Rigo Villalobos (Telemundo San Diego)

Read more about Naomi's story on NBC Bay Area, The Equalizer and On Her Turf.

Watch the episode HERE.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Olympic dreams are no slam dunk

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