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Mirin Fader doesn’t just write sports stories — she writes human stories.
As a New York Times bestselling author and senior NBA writer for The Athletic, she’s known for compassion, depth, and unforgettable storytelling. Her book Giannis became a bestseller, and her highly anticipated new book on Larry Bird is coming soon.

But before she became one of today’s most respected sports journalists, Mirin was a young girl who dreamed of playing in the WNBA. An unexpected injury in college changed everything — forcing her to rebuild, reimagine, and rediscover her purpose. That path led her to sports journalism… and ultimately to her calling.

In this episode of Unstoppable Podcast, we talk about:
• How losing basketball opened the door to writing
• How she fell in love with sports journalism
• The power of empathy when covering athletes
• Her encouraging words for young women in sports and journalism
• And how she’s approaching her upcoming Larry Bird project

Mirin’s journey is courageous, intentional, and absolutely unstoppable.

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About Mirin (link)

Giannis: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP (book link)

Dream: The Life and Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon (book link)

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In this episode of Unstoppable, Olympic and professional volleyball player Angela Rock joins Lori for a candid, refreshing conversation about the real path of an athlete — the highs, the setbacks, and the determination that carries you forward.

Angela’s story is striking: during her time at San Diego State, she was briefly cut from the volleyball team, yet ultimately rose to become an Olympian and one of the most accomplished pro beach-volleyball players, with 27 tournament wins across multiple tours. Her honesty about the ups and downs offers a rare look inside the mindset of someone who refused to quit.

In this conversation, Angela shares:
    •    The moments that tested her — and the moments that shaped her
    •    How early disappointments became motivation
    •    What long-term competitive life really feels like
    •    Her passion for helping young athletes grow with confidence and clarity

This episode gives listeners an intimate inside look at the mind of a world-class athlete — not just the triumphs, but the truth behind them.

True to the Unstoppable style, the episode begins with a fully sound-designed, dramatic opening story that pulls listeners into the world before the interview even begins

Angela Rock's Book (Link)

Cal Poly (Link)

Cal Poly Beach Volleyball (Link)

#womeninsports #volleyball #olympics #unstoppablepodcast #angelarock #calpoly #calpolyvolleyball

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She shocked the world when she knocked out Ronda Rousey — but behind every legendary fighter is a coach who sees what no one else can.

In this episode of Unstoppable, host Lori Lewis sits down with Mike Winkeljohn, the longtime coach of UFC champion Holly Holm, to explore what it really takes to build greatness — from the first day in the gym to the bright lights of the Octagon.

Winkeljohn opens up about the mindset that fuels champions, the balance between discipline and compassion, and how his gym, Jackson Wink MMA, has become one of the most respected training grounds in the world.

Along the way, we uncover the human side of fighting — mentorship, resilience, and the moments that define a legacy.

Plus, watch for Heather Winkeljohn’s upcoming podcast, She Fights, a powerful new series about women overcoming trauma and reclaiming their strength.

Jackson Wink Gym (Website)

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In 1926, Trudy Ederle dove into the cold, churning water determined to do what many said no woman could — and she didn’t just finish, she made history. Trudy became the first woman to swim the English Channel, smashing the men’s record by nearly two hours.

When the wind howled and the waves rose, someone from her support boat shouted for her to quit, to get out of the water. Her response has echoed through history:

“What for?”

In this episode, we explore Trudy’s extraordinary journey — not just the swim, but the grit, defiance, and quiet revolution it sparked. Joining me is acclaimed author Glenn Stout, whose book Young Woman and the Sea, inspired the Disney film of the same name. Glenn is a master storyteller — warm, deeply knowledgeable, and inspiring!

 Why listen:
    •    A gripping, immersive opening that puts you right in the Channel with Trudy.
    •    Insights from Glenn on the real woman behind the legend.
    •    A reminder that courage isn’t loud — it just keeps swimming.

This is more than a sports story. It’s a story about refusing to be stopped.

Glenn Stout (website)

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Coach LaTanya Sheffield — Head Women’s Track & Field Coach for the Paris 2024 U.S. Olympic Team and Director of Track & Field at Long Beach State — opens up about what it takes to compete and coach at the highest level. From her behind-the-scenes insights on the Paris Games to her reflections on guiding young athletes, Sheffield’s wisdom is a masterclass in resilience, excellence, and the unstoppable spirit of sport. 

Long Beach State Athletics (Website)

LaTanya Sheffield - Long Beach State (Website)

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Imagine it’s the fourth quarter of the 2023 state championship game. The Orange Coast College Pirates—once a team that could barely field a roster—are battling for the title. Their fearless young leader, Coach Sammy, has turned a ragtag group of overlooked players into believers. In those final moments, grit and heart carry them to victory, rewriting what was possible for women’s basketball at OCC.

In this episode of Unstoppable, Coach Sammy shares her journey: from taking over a struggling program, to building a culture of resilience and family, to cutting down the net as state champions. Her story is about more than basketball—it’s about leadership, perseverance, and the power of women redefining the game.

Coach Sammy’s unstoppable spirit is proof that sometimes the greatest victories come from those who were never supposed to win. 

Orange Coast College - Website

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Toni Stone: The First Woman of the Negro Leagues (with Ruth Naomi Floyd) 

Toni Stone wasn’t just breaking barriers—she was rewriting the story of baseball. As the first woman to play professional baseball in the Negro Leagues, she faced skepticism, challenges, and even legends like Satchel Paige. And through it all, she never lost her love for the game.

This episode of Unstoppable opens with a powerful, dramatic retelling of Toni’s journey onto the field—one that captures the grit, resilience, and courage she carried with every swing.

I’m joined by special guest Ruth Naomi Floyd, an acclaimed vocalist, composer, and historian whose insights bring Toni’s story into sharper focus. Together, we reflect on Toni’s incredible perseverance, her lasting impact, and the inspiration she continues to give to generations who dare to dream.

 Listen now and celebrate the unstoppable spirit of Toni Stone—because history isn’t just made, it’s lived.

Ruth Naomi Floyd's website.

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In this episode of Unstoppable, we tell the groundbreaking story of Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon, breaking barriers in sports. Lori is joined by Chicago author William Bike to explore this historic moment, dive deeper into the impact of Title IX, and uncover the rich, evolving history of women’s sports. 

Ok. And we do spend a few minutes talking about my Chicago Cubs. 😉

Join us for an inspiring conversation that shines a light on resilience, perseverance! 

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We meet Heather Winkeljohn, a trailblazer in the world of adaptive MMA. As the President of IncredAble and co-owner of JacksonWink MMA Academy, Heather shares her inspiring story of empowering youth and teens with environmental, physical, and cognitive challenges through the benefits of Mixed Martial Arts. Get ready to be moved by her passion and dedication to creating opportunities for all athletes to thrive. Tune in for an immersive storytelling experience that will leave you feeling motivated and inspired!

IncredAble Adaptive MMA (link)

Jackson Wink Gym (link)

Smart Girl Women's Self-defense (link)

#AdaptiveMMA #IncredAble #WomenInSports #ImmersiveStorytelling #Inspiration #mma #jacksonwink #hollyholm #UnstoppablePodcast 

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This episode is all about trailblazers! We'll dive into the incredible story of Billie Jean King and the impact of Title IX, with a dramatic opening story and a conversation with Coach Ray Scott, the 1974 NBA Coach of the Year - a trailblazer himself as the first African-American to win this prestigious award.

You'll gain insights into the intersection of sports and culture, and be inspired by the determination and resilience of these two remarkable individuals.

#UnstoppablePodcast #WomenInSports #Inspiration #Trailblazers #NBA #tennis #billiejeanking

Check out Coach Ray Scott's book on Amazon (here)

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