Champion This

Ep. 11: Olivia Ho: The Give & Grow - Crafting Meaningful Experiences for Young Women Through Sport

Join hosts Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens in an engaging conversation with Olivia Ho from Give and Grow. Discover how Olivia's journey from healthcare worker to entrepreneur led her to empower young girls through sports and mentorship. From creating custom planters for NBA teams to inspiring intergenerational growth, Olivia's story showcases the importance of representation and authenticity in leadership. Hear about her impactful workshops that combine lessons from basketball and plant metaphors to nurture creativity and self-discovery. Tune in to champion change and growth with Olivia Ho on Champion This.
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Olivia Ho is the founder of Give and Grow, an organization dedicated to positively impacting the next generation of young girls and women through sports, wellness workshops, and mentorship. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Olivia transitioned from a career in healthcare to become an entrepreneur in 2020. With over 14 years of experience in youth sports, she has established partnerships with various NBA teams, Nike, Adidas, and Foot Locker, among others.
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Email: info@thegiveandgrow.com 
 

Ep. 10: Hannah O'Flynn: D1 Athlete to Content Creator - A Mission To Amplify Women in Sport

Join hosts Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens in a riveting conversation with the ever-inspiring Hannah O'Flynn, as they delve into her incredible journey from Ivy League athlete to video producer and influencer championing women in sports. Discover Hannah's transition to owning her own business, the power of sports media in promoting gender equality, and her impactful project celebrating women trailblazers in sports. Listen as she shares insights on navigating the competitive sports media arena and her unwavering dedication to empowering women through storytelling and creativity. Tune in for a dose of inspiration and empowerment.
 
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Hannah O'Flynn is a multifaceted professional with a rich background in sports, media, and content creation. As a former Ivy League athlete at Dartmouth and seasoned video producer at ESPN and the NBA, Hannah has established herself as a prominent figure in the sports media industry. With a passion for storytelling and empowering women through sports, she has successfully built a robust social media platform with over 130k followers. Hannah's work extends beyond the confines of traditional roles, as she continues to advocate for gender equality and uplift women in the world of sports.
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Ep. 09: Charlie Cancino: Mexican National Team to Spurs MC - Driving Impact Through Sports & Media

Join hosts, Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens, as they dive into a captivating conversation with multi-talented MC and TV host, Charlie Cancino. Discover his journey from playing for the Mexican national basketball team to hosting major events like the Oscars while advocating for social responsibility and positive change. Learn how faith guides his path and the impact he's making through the NBA Academy. Get inspired by his empowering message on unlocking full potential and the power of listening and taking action. 
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Charlie Cancino is a seasoned emcee and TV radio host from Mexico with over 13 years of experience in the industry. He has worked with major brands and sports leagues such as the NBA, the NFL, Formula One, and Tennis. Charlie is also a TEDx speaker and has delivered over 300 conferences in eight countries. As a commercial voiceover artist for 22 international brands, Charlie is known for using his platform to inspire positive change and promote social responsibility.
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Ep. 08: Audi Crooks: Small Town Star to NCAA Record Breaker - A Legacy Of Light

Discover the inspiring journey of Audi Crooks, the breakout star from Iowa State who set the NCAA on fire with her record-breaking performances. From her humble beginnings in a small town to making a mark in women's basketball, Audi shares insights on overcoming challenges, staying grounded, and using her platform for positive impact. With a focus on faith, community, and staying true to oneself, Audi's story is a beacon of light and resilience. Join Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens as they dive into Audi's remarkable career and the legacy she's crafting in this captivating episode.
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Audi Crooks, a standout basketball player and former Cyclone, made a significant impact in the NCAA with her record-breaking performance during the tournament. As a freshman, she set a single-game scoring record and earned titles such as Iowa State Player of the Year and Miss Iowa Basketball. Audi's passion for basketball was instilled at a young age by her parents who played the sport as well. With a focus on giving back to the community, she volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club and is dedicated to using her platform to create positive change.
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REFERENCES: 
• Audi's Merch Line -  Threads Algona
• The Happiness Project
• SALT Company
• Boys & Girls Club
 
 

Ep. 07: Chelsie Hill & The Rollettes: Empowering Women with Disabilities Through Dance

In an electrifying episode of "Champion This," Chelsie Hill, founder of the Roulettes, shares her journey from a life-altering spinal cord injury to pioneering the largest wheelchair dance team. Her engrossing narrative encompasses empowerment, representation, and community impact. Discover how her vision led to groundbreaking initiatives like the Rollette's Experience and Boundless Babes mentorship program. Join Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens as they delve into the awe-inspiring world of disability representation and female empowerment with the exceptional Chelsie Hill.
 
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Chelsie Hill is a professional dancer, community leader, content creator, influencer, wife, mother, and serial entrepreneur. She is the founder of Roulettes, a Los Angeles-based wheelchair dance team committed to promoting education, disability representation, and female empowerment. Additionally, Chelsie founded the Roulettes Experience, the largest women's empowerment weekend for women and children with disabilities, and the Boundless Talent Showcase, a competition for talents of all genders and disabilities.
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REFERENCES:
The Rollettes Website
Chelsie's Website
World of Dance Performance
 
 

Ep. 06: Nick Ansom: Hoop Bus & Venice Ball League Founder - Spreading Love Through Hoops

In this episode of Champion This, Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens host Nick Ansom, aka Nico Naismith, discussing his journey as a basketball enthusiast and community leader. Nico shares his experiences founding the Venice Ball League and the Hoop Bus, emphasizing the impact of streetball culture on community engagement. From his humble beginnings to launching collaborative projects with Puma, Nico's story is rooted in a passion for basketball and a mission to inspire others through the game.
Nico's reflections on his childhood in France, his transformative journey to Los Angeles, and the evolution of the Hoop Bus provide insights into the power of basketball as a vehicle for social change. As he discusses the global expansion of the Hoop Bus to the Philippines and France, listeners gain a glimpse into his visionary approach to spreading love through the universal language of basketball.
 
ABOUT NICO:
Nico Ansom, also known as Nico Naismith, is a streetball legend, basketball architect, and community activist. Founder of the Venice Ball League and creative director of the Hoop Bus, Niko has been instrumental in using basketball to create positive change in communities for the past 28 years. With a passion for the game and a vision for empowerment, he has curated a platform that unites diverse talents and styles of play, fueling dreams and connections through basketball.
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REFERENCES:
The Hoop Bus
Venice Beach League
 
 

Ep. 05: Brent Suter & Lew Blaustein: An MLB Pitcher's Role of Climate Advocacy in Partnership with EcoAthletes

In this episode, hosts Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens interview Brent Suter and Lew Blaustein, two individuals who are using their platforms to champion climate action and environmentalism. Brent, an MLB pitcher, shares his journey from studying environmental science at Harvard to becoming an advocate for sustainability in the sports industry. Lew, the founder of EcoAthletes, discusses the mission of his organization and how athletes can play a crucial role in influencing culture and driving positive change. The conversation delves into their personal experiences, the challenges they face, and the importance of staying hopeful and solutions-oriented in the fight against climate change.
 
About Our Guests: 
Brent Suter is an MLB pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds. He has played in the majors for eight years with teams including the Brewers and the Rockies. Brent is not only an accomplished athlete, but also an environmental activist and author. He holds a degree in environmental science and public policy from Harvard University. Brent is passionate about using his platform to advocate for climate action and has been involved in various initiatives to promote sustainability.
Lew Blaustein is the founder of EcoAthletes, an organization dedicated to inspiring and equipping athletes to speak out on climate change. Lew is also the host and CEO of the Greensports Blog and the president of LBS Green Solutions. He holds an MBA from NYU and a bachelor's degree from Rutgers University. Lou is committed to leveraging the influence of athletes to drive positive change in the fight against climate change.
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References:
Greensports Blog: greensportsblog.com
 
 

Ep. 04: Napheesa Collier: A Basketball Journey from UCONN to Motherhood in the WNBA

In this episode of "Champion This", Napheesa Collier joins the podcast to discuss her journey as a basketball player, from discovering her passion for the sport to becoming a professional athlete. She shares stories from her time at UCONN, playing under legendary coach Geno Auriemma, and the challenges she faced as a rookie in the WNBA. Collier also talks about the growth of women's basketball and the need for more exposure and support for the sport. Additionally, she discusses her role as a mother and how it has changed her perspective on basketball and life.
 
About Napheesa: 
Napheesa Collier is a professional basketball player and captain of the Minnesota Lynx. She has achieved numerous accolades in the WNBA, including Rookie of the Year, three-time WNBA All-Star, and First Team All-WNBA. Collier is also a member of Team USA Basketball and won a gold medal in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She played college basketball at the University of Connecticut and is known for her exceptional skills on the court.
 
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References:
Unrivaled League
Minnesota Lynx