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Kimberly didn’t start running until she was 27 -- she's now 30. In her 2019 debut race, the World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai, she came away with a silver and bronze medal in the 200m and 100m. She's seeking to compete on the Danish Para Track and Field Team in Tokyo. When Kimberly was eight-years old she was in a bus crash that changed her life and how she approaches everything she does. This episode explores the world of running prosthetics, Kimberly's love of adventure, and her experiences of loss and grief. NOTE: This episode contains themes that some people may find upsetting, including descriptions of depression and suicide. Thank you to Producer Michelle Poulin for her terrific efforts spearing this episode! Experts interviewed include Keith Antoine, Ken Endo, and Dr. Katherine Shear. Audio clip from Women's 100m T64 Final | Dubai 2019 YouTube.

Zahra Nemati is arguably Iran's most popular female athlete. While she grew up competing in taekwondo, after a car accident left her legs paralyzed, she decided to pick up a bow and arrow at the age of 21. Zahra’s physical disability allows her to qualify for the Paralympics, but she also was also the first to beat out many able-bodied athletes to additionally qualify for the Iranian Olympic team. In this episode, Zahra shares what it’s like to compete in both the Olympics and Paralympics, and discusses what gives her hope. Experts interviewed include Mr. Behzad Pakzad, Zahra’s coach, Ms. Maryam Shokouhil, Director International Affairs, Iranian Paralympic Committee, Nahid Siamdoust, Assistant Professor in Women's studies and Anthropology of Religion at the Harvard Divinity School, and Mark Gearan, Director, Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics.

Paralympic 100M bronze medalist and World Championship silver medalist, Kym Crosby has 'limited sight, limitless dreams.' Kym is legally blind, but she hasn't let that stand in the way of anything she sets her mind to, including becoming one of the world's fastest women. As half-Jamaican, she identifies as bi-racial, but the world has rarely viewed her that way because she has albinism. In this episode we explore Kym's experience as a black woman with limited sight and albinism, and her marriage to fellow US Track & Field Paralympian, Erik Hightower. Serious power couple alert! Experts interviewed including her Erik Hightower (Husband, Two time Paralympian), and Ero Ikponwosa (Independent Expert on the human rights of people with albinism, United Nations). Audio clips from 'Challenged Athletes Live Q&A with Bob Babbitt: Episode Sixty Seven | Kym Crosby Hightower and Erik Hightower', The Orion's "Mini Profile | Blind Sprinter Kym Crosby", 7 New's coverage of SpotMyUV

While most know Danish Olympic Rower, Ida Jacobsen for her prowess on the water, she's also a political science junkie and cheese expert (much to the chagrin of her boyfriend, Samir). Ida decided she was going to compete in the Olympics shortly after her first time rowing 12 years ago. Therefore, the current postponement of the Tokyo Games really made Ida question her identity and sources of motivation. This episode explores how Ida has dealt with the postponement of the Olympic Games, and offers tips for all listeners on how we can more effectively adapt in this uncertain time. Experts interviewed include Nancy Lieberman (1980 USA Basketball Olympic Team Member that did not compete because of USA boycott; Silver Medalist, 1976 Games), Samir (Ida's boyfriend), Mette (Ida's mother), Anne Larsen (Danish National Teammate), Emmy-Lou Nicolaï (Cheese expert), and Dr. Kimberlyn Leary (Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School; Associate Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School; Associate Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard School of Public Health). Audio clip from 'Olympics - 1980 Moscow - US Athletes In Crisis - Carter Boycotts imasportsphile.com'

Katarina grew up on the island of Newfoundland, so at an early age, her parents, Leonard and Lisa thought that it was important she learn to swim. 20 years later, Roxon brought home her first medal, a gold in the 100-m breaststroke in Canadian record time during the 2016 Paralympics. This episode dives into Katarina's family dynamic including her relationship with her father (who is also her coach), her decision to compete for Team Canada instead of Team India, and her commitment to living a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Experts interviewed include Katarina's father and coach, Leonard Roxon, mother, Lisa Roxon, sister, Miranda Roxon, Canadian Paralympic Committee CEO, Karen O'Neill, and yoga instructor and activist, Seane Corn. Audio clips from: 'How to Get the PERFECT BODY' YouTube video, Allure's 'Girls Ages 6-18 Talk About Body Image YouTube video, How Seane Corne Leads with Love YouTube video, and Yoga Journal's 'Behind the Scenes with Seane Corn'.

2019 Women's Afrobasket MVP, Ezinne Kalu plays for the reigning African champions, Nigeria's D'Tigress. While most know Ezinne for her talent on the court, she's also jumped headfirst into the world of entrepreneurship; she's launched her own cosmetics company, Kalu Kosmetics, and an organization empowering young girls who want to play basketball, the Kalu Team Heat. This episode explores Ezinne's entrepreneurial drive and commitment to uplift the Black community, as well as the connection between bias and entrepreneurship. Experts interviewed include Ezinne's father, Mr. Kalu, teammate and coach, Ndidi Madu, Founder and CEO, wovoyage, Rashmi Chadha, and Harvard Business School Assistant Professor, Dr. Laura Huang. Audio clip from Fiba's 'Kalu saves Nigeria in the last seconds! - 2016 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament'

Nicky is a middle blocker on the USA's Sitting Volleyball team, and a Rio Paralympic gold medalist. She is an Afro Latina and an outspoken advocate for the Black Lives Matter movement, spearheading conversations about race on her team and via social media. This episode explores Nicky's experience playing volleyball without a hand, but focuses on her conscious decision to advocate for racial justice, providing listeners with suggestions for how they can help. Experts interviewed include former teammate Kari (Miller) Ortiz, Amherst College Professor, Dr. Solsiree del Moral, and Black Voters Matter, Co-Founder, LaTosha Brown. Audio clips from: -https://time.com/5847967/george-floyd-protests-trump/ -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue6CovRPa48 -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxhPcUzgeDw

Lea Davison is a 2X Olympic Mountain Biker and 2016 World Championship silver medalist looking to qualify for her 3rd Olympics. Lea is unabashedly herself in all ways, including being open about her sexuality: Lea is gay. This episode takes a dive into some of Lea's professional cycling highlights, her co-founding of Little Bellas with sister, Sabra (a mountain biking/mentorship nonprofit for girls), and her decision to be open about her sexuality, which is something her sponsor Garneau, actively supports. Experts interviewed include Sabra Davison, Andy Bishop, Frazier Blair, Marie-Andree Vezina and Dr. Susan Cahn. Audio clip of Megan Rapino from ABC 30's LGBTQ athletes speak out proudly about what it means to be out in the world of pro sport. Audio clip of Gareth Thomas via ODN News' article, Rugby star Gareth Thomas reveals he's gay. Audio clip of Layshia Clarendon from her 6/22/17 Instagram post.

Manasi Joshi is India's current Para-badminton World Champion and BBC India's Sportswoman of the year. One day on her way to work, a truck ran into Manasi; hours dragged on before she received treatment, and her leg eventually needed to be amputated. In this episode, Manasi talks about losing her leg, how badminton was a crucial part of her rehabilitation process and her passion for disability rights. Her sister, Nupur shares her take on her sister. Experts interviewed include Sharon Springer, Ariella Barker, and Candace Cable.

Sanda is a Syrian refugee, living in the Netherlands with her husband (who is also her coach) and their three children. She’s a current International Olympic Committee (IOC) Refugee Athlete Scholarship-Holder, the elite group amongst which the 2021 Refugee Team will be selected. This episode spotlights what it means to be refugee, how Sanda copes with her situation, and what going to the Games (hopefully!) will mean to her. Experts interviewed include Renée Wolforth, Jackdar Mohammad, and Anne-Sophie Thilo.

Becky is on the US Women's National Soccer Team and has been the rock of the back line for the last 8 years. She's an Olympic gold medalist and has played in both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, won the 2015 and 2019 World Cup championships, and recently became the US Women's National Team Players Association President. Alongside teammates Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan and former teammate, Hope Solo, she brought forth a pay discrimination lawsuit against US Soccer. In this episode, Becky and her boyfriend, Zola discuss her experience as an elite female athlete and their take on Judge Klausner's recent ruling on the pay equity and conditions lawsuit. Experts interviewed include Dr. David Berri, Dr. Jeni Klugman, and Dr. Laurie Essig. Audio clip from Just Not Sports, Ep. 77: USWNT's Becky Sauerbrunn Loves Sci-Fi & Fantasy (3:57-4:11)

Flame Bearers actively celebrates the current generation of women Olympians and Paralympians seeking to go to Tokyo. We have real conversations about what it means to be amongst the best female athletes in the world, and discuss the untold stories not caught on camera including the difficult daily tradeoffs and tensions many feel about their aging bodies, careers, and interests in having children to name a few but also the unheard positive stories about deeper connections and solidarity. Individuals whose voices are included in order of appearance: Jessica Long, Lea Davison, Eliza Stone, Leonard Roxon, Sanda Aldass, Becky Sauerbrunn, Naya Tapper, Ida Jacobsen, Deja Young, Nicky Nieves, and Katarina Roxon.