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The Swing Of Things

Athlete Mental Health

Season 1, Ep. 9

Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, and Michael Phelps are among the growing number of sports stars opening up about their struggles with mental health and the pressures of elite sport. Amanda Kraus explores the topic of mental health and how best to support our athletes. Joining the conversation is Li Li Leung and Kate Johnson. Leung is the Chief Executive Officer of USA Gymnastics. A former competitive gymnast-turned-business woman, she returned to her sport after a successful stint as the Vice President for Global Partnerships at the NBA. Kate Johnson is the Integrated Marketing Director of Sports, Media and Entertainment at Google. A former USRowing world champion and Athens 2004 Olympic silver medalist Kate knows firsthand the challenges faced by athletes transitioning into the workplace.

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  • 5. The Boys in the Boat

    29:45
    The American rowing podcast produced by Row360. In this episode Amanda Kraus speaks with New York Times bestselling author, Daniel James Brown, who wrote The Boys in the Boat which has been adapted for the silver screen by Hollywood superstar George Clooney. It is an inspirational true story of Joe Rantz and the Depression-era University of Washington crew, who overcame many obstacles to race for the United States and take a shot at the Olympic Gold medal at Hitler’s 1936 Games in Berlin.
  • 4. The American Way

    31:17
    The American rowing podcast produced by Row360. In this episode Amanda Kraus and Chief High Performance Officer Josy Verdonkschot take a deep dive into USRowing’s high performance plan. Row360 editors Ben Tufnell and Tom Ransley review the 2023 World Rowing Championships, and there’s an update from Jesse Foglia, the Head Coach of USRowing’s Princeton Training Center. Enjoy the show. Be sure to subscribe to this rowing podcast and don't miss the upcoming episodes.
  • 3. Digging into DEI

    25:43
    The rowing podcast by USRowing! Amanda Kraus speaks with USRowing’s Chief Community Engagement Officer Jennie Trayes and Kirsten Feldman who co-chaired USRowing's DEI committee. Also in the episode Row360 editors Ben Tufnell and Tom Ransley, discuss the 2023 World Rowing Championships, and USRowing Chief High Performance Officer Josy Verdonkschot gives his take too. Enjoy the show, and please send in any rowing questions and non-rowing questions via the new mailbag. Be sure to subscribe and don't miss the upcoming episodes.
  • 2. Under the hood of USRowing

    26:13
    The rowing podcast by USRowing! Podcast host Amanda Kraus takes a look under the hood of USRowing and speaks with USRowing’s Rich Cacioppo and Chris Furlow. This episode features an exclusive update from the editors of Row360, Ben Tufnell and Tom Ransley, who reveal the latest and greatest stories from across the pond. And USRowing Chief High Performance Officer Josy Verdonkschot reveals the next big thing for the USA rowing team. Enjoy the show, and please send in any rowing questions and non-rowing questions via the new mailbag. Be sure to subscribe and don't miss the upcoming episodes.
  • 1. The Future of USRowing

    33:28
    Amanda Kraus speaks with Arbor Rising co-founder Sammy Politziner, who helped guide the creation of the USRowing strategic plan. They discuss what lies ahead for USRowing and the reasons behind USRowing’s newly launched strategic plan. This debut episode of season two features an all-new rowing segment presented by Row360 editors Ben Tufnell and Tom Ransley, and introduces a regular slot for USRowing Chief High Performance Officer Josy Verdonkschot. Enjoy the show, and please send in any rowing questions and non-rowing questions via the new mailbag. Be sure to subscribe and don't miss the upcoming episodes.
  • Season 2 Trailer

    00:51
    Amanda Kraus introduces Season 2 of The Swing of Things with Amanda Kraus of USRowing. The pre-launch teaser hints at the all-new rowing news, rowing column, and rowing segments, and reveals a regular slot for USRowing Chief High Performance Officer Josy Verdonkschot. Be sure to send in any rowing questions and non-rowing questions via the new mailbag. Be sure to subscribe and don't miss the upcoming episodes.
  • 21. Wild Cousin

    23:36
    Amanda Kraus speaks with USRowing Beach Sprint medallists Chris Bak and Morgan Hummel. Beach Sprints are an exciting and entirely new format likely to debut as an Olympic sport in LA 2028. It is the fast growing wild cousin of traditional, flatwater rowing. At Saundersfoot, Wales, last October, Chris won the USA’s first ever Beach Sprints gold medal, in the men’s solo. And together with Morgan won a bronze medal in the mixed coxed quad.
  • 20. Best served cold

    33:59
    Amanda Kraus catches up with USA LW2x Tokyo 2020 Olympians Michelle Sechser and Molly Reckford in the wake of their silver-medal-winning performance at the 2022 World Rowing Championships in Racice, Czech Republic. Talking tactics, emotional intelligence, and decks; the conversation meanders from the upcoming Golden Oars awards night in New York City (Sechser has been voted Female Athlete of the Year by her teammates) to the unfinished business of Tokyo and Paris. Listen now to discover the impact of a badly timed bagel comment, pothole-filler coaching, and how Broadridge Financial Solutions are helping the Olympians evolve.
  • 19. Athletes on walk-ons

    25:54
    The second of two episodes focusing on walk-ons. Amanda Kraus speaks with three athletes to get their take on walk-ons. Amanda is joined by Tokyo 2020 Paralympic silver medallist Dani Hansen; Clemson Tiger Eleonor Wright; and current USRowing men's quad sculler Kevin Cardno. Find out who loves a grilled blueberry muffin; who finished "dead last" in their freshman year; and whose mum was a secret two-time national championship winner.