Champion This
Welcome to ”Champion This” - the podcast dedicated to sharing the incredible stories of athletes and entertainers who are using their platforms to create positive change in the world. Join us as we sit down with these purpose-driven champions to explore their personal journeys, uncover the driving force behind their actions, and discover the meaningful ways they extend their impact beyond their respective arenas.Our mission is clear: to inspire our listeners to find their own purpose and become catalysts for hope and inspiration within their communities. Tune in to ”Champion This” and be inspired to make a difference alongside these remarkable individuals.
Episodes
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Former NASA astronaut Steve Smith joins Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens to share his incredible journey of resilience and determination. From overcoming medical disqualifications to completing four space shuttle missions, Steve discusses the challenges, triumphs, and life-changing lessons from his time in space. He explores the importance of STEM education, balancing personal and professional life, and future space exploration. Tune in for insight into space missions, teamwork, and the power of perseverance.
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Steve Smith is a retired NASA astronaut renowned for his significant contributions to space exploration. A graduate of Stanford University, Steve completed 4 space shuttle missions, conducted seven spacewalks, and spent over 49 hours outside of a spacecraft. He has played a pivotal role in the repair and maintenance of the Hubble Space Telescope. Beyond his work with NASA, Steve is a passionate advocate for STEM education and a former national champion in water polo. He continues to inspire future generations through public speaking and his involvement with the Positive Coaching Alliance.
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Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
In this episode of Champion This, hosts Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens engage in an inspiring conversation with Adrianne Ross, touching on her multi-faceted career journey from professional basketball to entrepreneurship. Adrianne highlights the importance of staying true to oneself and finding purpose in every room you walk into, drawing insights from her basketball career and her role as a stylist and creative consultant. This engaging discussion reveals how she integrates her love for fashion with philanthropic efforts and how she continues to influence young athletes both on and off the court.
She also discusses her early passion for basketball, rooted in a family with a strong sports background. Despite not being drafted into the WNBA, Adrianne's perseverance led her to a fulfilling professional career overseas. Transitioning to her post-basketball career, Adrianne shared heartfelt stories about starting her own style consulting company, Studio 33, inspired by her mother's wisdom and her own
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Adrianne Ross is a former WNBA player and overseas professional basketball player who has transitioned into a successful entrepreneur. An alumna of Texas Christian University (TCU) and an inductee into the TCU Hall of Fame in 2018, Adrianne has played for the San Antonio Silver Stars and the Las Vegas Aces. Today, she is the CEO and Creative Director of Style by Studio 33 and an Adidas global partner and stylist. In addition to her fashion endeavors, she is the founder of A-Train Basketball, where she mentors and coaches young athletes.
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Tuesday Sep 10, 2024
Tuesday Sep 10, 2024
In this episode of "Champion This," hosts, Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens sit down with the multifaceted Cam Van. Cam’s journey, ranging from his accidental start in track and field to founding Couro, a platform supporting athletes with exclusive training content, is profoundly inspiring. He shares how perseverance through injuries and a strong mental game contributed to his sustained success. Cam's commitment to leveraging his skills to benefit the athletic community, including his involvement with build.org, emphasizes his dedication to creating impactful change.
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Cam Van is a professional track and field athlete, All-American at Claremont McKenna College, co-founder and CEO of Couro, and a practicing attorney. He has a rich history of athletic and academic achievements, including being a UC Davis School of Law alum. Outside of his professional commitments, Cam is deeply involved with Build.org as a board member and volunteer, and is also an avid scuba diver and dog dad to his Great Dane.
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Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Join Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens as they dive into the inspiring journey of Kasra Mehdipournejad, an Olympic refugee Taekwondo athlete who escaped from Iran to find asylum in Germany. Hear about Kasra's challenges, the support of his wife, Parisa Farshidi, his unique perspective as a refugee athlete, and his dedication to advocating for human rights in Iran. Listen to how Kasra found his footing in Taekwondo in a new country and ultimately represented the refugee team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Kasra Mehdipournejad is an accomplished professional Taekwondo athlete and a member of the 2024 Paris Olympic Refugee Team. Originally hailing from Iran, Kasra fled to Germany in 2017, driven by a quest for safety and freedom. His remarkable journey in Taekwondo has earned him gold medals at the Dutch and Belgium Opens in 2018, and multiple podium finishes in 2019. Notably, Kasra had the honor of being the flag bearer for the Olympic Refugee Team at the 2024 Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony. Alongside his wife Parisa Farshidi, a two-time champion of the Asia World Championships for Taekwondo, Kasra continues to advocate for human rights and freedom in Iran.
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Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
Fraser Grut, founder of the 10,000 Dreams project, joins Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens to discuss the power of dreams in building community and fostering change. From interviewing world leaders, celebrities like Ashton Kutcher and Tony Hawk, to everyday people, Grut collects and shares diverse dreams. Discover the lessons learned from these encounters, the importance of authentic dreams, and advice for embracing your passion. This episode delves into the heart of what drives us and how understanding our dreams can shape a better world.
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Fraser Grut: Fraser Grut is the visionary founder of the "10,000 Dreams Project," a mission dedicated to capturing and sharing the dreams of 10,000 unique individuals. Since its inception, the project has recorded over 2,000 dreams, including those from high-profile personalities like prime ministers and celebrities, to the everyday dreams of ordinary people. Based in New Zealand, Fraser's passion for this project stems from his deep-rooted desire to connect, inspire, and promote a sense of community through shared aspirations. Fraser's background as a filmmaker shapes the perspective and quality of the dream recordings, making each one a compelling narrative.
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Tuesday Aug 13, 2024
Ep. 14: Reflecting on Season 1: Inspiring Stories of Athletes and Entertainers
Tuesday Aug 13, 2024
Tuesday Aug 13, 2024
Season 1 ends with a bang on Champion this podcast! Join Chelsea Poppens and Brianna Salvatore Dueck as they reflect on the impactful stories shared by remarkable athletes and entertainers, such as Matt Scott, Julia Scholes, Audie Crooks, and more. Discover insights on faith, climate action, gender equity, and overcoming challenges. Get ready for season two with exciting guests lined up, including Olympians and Paralympians. Don't miss out on the inspiring conversations that will leave you motivated to champion good in the world.
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References:
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Tuesday Jul 30, 2024
Tuesday Jul 30, 2024
In this engaging episode of "Champion This Podcast," hosts Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens welcome pro beach volleyball player, Julia Scoles. She shares her inspiring journey from overcoming concussions to finding faith and purpose in her career. Julia discusses her transition to professional volleyball, Olympic aspirations, and the transformative power of faith. Additionally, she reflects on marriage to Team USA handball athlete Drew Donlin, highlighting how faith and teamwork strengthen their relationship.
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Julia Scoles is a professional beach volleyball player and a member of Team USA. With an impressive list of accomplishments, including being the 2022 AVP Rookie of the Year and the 2023 AVP Most Improved Player, Julia has had a remarkable career. Starting from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and transitioning to beach volleyball at the University of Hawaii before finishing her graduate studies at USC, Julia is a dedicated athlete with a passion for mentorship and giving back to the next generation of athletes. Recently married to Drew Donlin, also a Team USA handball athlete, Julia's journey is filled with determination and success.
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Tuesday Jul 16, 2024
Ep. 12: Isaiah Weatherspoon: Inspiring Youth Through Art & Music
Tuesday Jul 16, 2024
Tuesday Jul 16, 2024
In this engaging episode of "Champion This Podcast," hosts Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens welcome Isaiah Weatherspoon, a professional drummer and music producer. Isaiah shares his inspiring journey into music, highlighting his early exposure to gospel music and his passion for the drums. He discusses his experience at the Berkeley College of Music, where he discovered the diverse opportunities available to musicians beyond performance. Isaiah delves into his transition into music production and shares valuable insights into being a professional musician, including memorable performances with iconic artists like Sister Sledge and Justin Timberlake. Through his children's music coloring books, Isaiah aims to empower youth and promote music education in the community, emphasizing the importance of pursuing one's passion.
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Isaiah Weatherspoon is a professional drummer, music producer, and graduate of the prestigious Berkeley College of Music. With a passion for music stemming from his early childhood in a musical household, Isaiah has cultivated his talent in drumming and music production. He is also an author of two children's music coloring books – Music is Cool and Music is Cool, Too. As a content creator and a recent nominee as a voting member of the Recording Academy, Isaiah is dedicated to using his platform to create positive change in the world through music.
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