Vanessa Fraser isn’t just a fast runner, she’s also a savvy strategist who’s taken control of her own career. From going pro without an agent to juggling corporate work between training blocks, Vanessa shares what it means to be both a competitor, and a career architect.

Teenage girls are often the creators of the most influential slang, and cultural trends, yet in sports, their voices are mostly absent from the dominant narrative. In this episode i'm joined by author, and cultural critic Soraya Chemaly to explore how the language we use in and around sports reflects deeper systems of power.

We unpack how phrases like “you throw like a girl” or “she’s too emotional” don’t just describe performance, they shape it. From sports commentary to playground taunts, we ask: What happens when the default language of sport centers maleness? And what could the game sound like if we made space for the linguistic innovation and authorship of girls?

With more money flowing into athletics than ever before, today’s athletes are navigating a space where impact and influence are key to success, but the support to manage it doesn’t always keep up. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Briana Nelson, co-founder of B3 Consulting & Management Agency, to dive into how she’s reimagining what it means to give back in sports.

38 episodes in, it’s time to rewind. Today’s bonus episode is about the spark that started Unexpected Curves, how it’s evolved, and where it's going.

Ten years ago, Emily Infeld won bronze in the 10,000 meters at the World Championships in Beijing. A breakout moment and a historic podium finish for American women’s distance running.

In this anniversary episode, Emily looks back on that moment and the years that led to it: the injuries, the pressure, and the complex feelings that came with crossing the finish line ahead of expectations.

One of the wildest moments in track and field history unfolded at the 2016 Olympics during the women’s 4x100m relay. From baton fumbles and lane chaos to lost spikes and late-night second chances, Olympic gold medalist English Gardner takes us behind the scenes to relive the race that nearly unraveled, but ultimately made history.

For decades, the mile has been a proving ground in distance running, but its legacy has mostly been written by men. The four-minute mile? Iconic. But when Diane Leather became the first woman to break five minutes, the world barely noticed. Women’s records have never carried the same cultural weight. That’s where Sharada Maddox comes in. As co-founder and race director of the Crenshaw Mile, she’s not just organizing a race—she’s asserting a women’s place in the legacy of the mile and making sure Crenshaw is part of the story.

Achieving your dreams can be just as terrifying as not chasing them at all. In this episode I'm joined by Olympic gold medalist and World Champion Courtney Okolo to talk about what happens after you reach the pinnacle of your sport. We discuss the transition from dreaming to achieving—and then to redefining what comes next.

Spoiler alert! Success isn’t just about reaching a goal—it’s about continuously growing, learning, and being open to new possibilities. Courtney’s journey reflects the reality that even after achieving greatness, there’s always more to discover about yourself.

All roads lead to the 800 meters.

Success in sports—and in life—often comes down to making the right choices. But how do you know what’s truly right for you? For middle-distance star Sage Hurta-Klecker, the right path is guided by what excites her. In a sport where speculation runs wild and every great performance sparks talk of untapped potential in other events, Sage has learned to tune out the noise and trust her instincts to compete in the 800m. In this episode, we explore the power of discernment: how standing up for yourself, and resisting outside expectations can help you find the path you're meant to take

In 2024, Olympic silver medalist Courtney Frerichs was just weeks away from competing for her third Olympic team when an ACL tear shattered her plans. Women experience ACL injuries at significantly higher rates than men, yet research on female athletes remains limited. In this episode, Courtney shares the emotional highs and lows of recovery, and how shifting her mindset to “dreaming small” has helped pave the way for a big comeback