Player's Own Voice

 
 

Player's Own Voice

Host Anastasia Bucsis, Two-time Canadian Olympic speedskater, brings her unique backstory to funny, friendly conversations with high performance athletes. No formulaic jock talk here...these are buddies who understand each other, and help us do the same.

Updated: Weekly
Download episodes from this podcast for: 3 years

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Rosie MacLennan on the rebound

Rosie Maclennan is the only person to have won back to back Olympic gold medals in Trampoline. The way she sees it, that's history. You can't change history, can't take it away, no matter what you do in the future. So when it comes to Maclennan's approach to Tokyo 2020, call it a threepeat if you want, but that won't change her plan of attack: to be the best she has ever been on trampoline. Which is not to say that Rosie makes light of her legacy. Maclennan is proud of the fact that a whole generation of young athletes joined the sport because of the example she set. She tells host Anastasia Bucsis about her work with Right to Play, The Gist, and other female sport initiatives. The involvement goes well beyond lending her name to good causes. Maclennan recently earned a masters degree, focusing on Athlete's rights and responsibilities, and she ploughs into the work with serious purpose. Maclennan is also extremely persuasive on the matter of physical literacy in Canada's schools. She's at the peak of her game, in every sense… The concussion-like injury of several years ago is no longer a problem and a recent foot fracture is healing nicely. Rosie has written about her recovery from injury for CBC Sports' Player's Own Voice essay series.

Download Rosie MacLennan on the rebound
[mp3 file: runs 00:35:05]


Sheldon Kennedy skating with a purpose

When Battle of the Blades contestants throw it down on the rink, they are not chasing personal riches. They are in it for their favourite charitable cause, which sounds like a perfect summary of Sheldon Kennedy's life work. The former NHL player, who is strapping on toe picks for the first time for BOTB, is quick to say his life and career was permanently scarred by the sexual abuse he suffered as a youth. Before Sheldon, nobody talked about coaches as predators. And, in fact, the silence surrounding the issue nearly killed him. But Sheldon Kennedy has changed the world, and his own life story, by advocating for victims and training more than one and a half million sport volunteers and workers to end the abuse. How's he doing now? Well, he's a new farmer and a new father and he's having fun on the new skates. Host Anastasia Bucsis checks in with that rare hockey legend whose greatest work is happening off the ice.

Download Sheldon Kennedy skating with a purpose
[mp3 file: runs 00:33:09]


Messing with Keegan

Keegan Messing is serious about having fun. His goal is Olympic gold in figure skating, but that doesn't stop him from dreaming up a new Olympic contest. His idea is three kinds of skaters — speed, hockey, and figures — all duking it out in tests of overall skating supremacy. Unlikely, but fun idea, right? He is no stranger to unlikely plans. Born in rural Alaska, in a home with no running water, a young Keegan watched a DVD of Canadian figure skating great Elvis Stojko and knew that a men's singles Olympic gold medal was exactly what he wanted. He quickly figured out that Team Canada was going to be his best way to get there and having a Canadian mother opened the eligibility door. Like many Alaskans, the 27-year-old is at home in the outdoors. He can fix his own cars and dirt bikes with the best of them. His career makes him a jet-setter, but his heart sings when he's way off the grid. What sets Messing apart is the power he brings to performance on the ice. Coming up in the Patrick Chan years, Keegan's intense strength and jumping ability almost feels like a throwback to a previous era. He is in the driver's seat now as Canada's top male skater. Working hard and having fun every step of the way.

Download Messing with Keegan
[mp3 file: runs 00:39:12]


Why the Peloton smells so nice, or how to make peace with pain. Michael Woods on POV podcast

There are contradictions in most athlete's careers, but Canadian professional bike racer Michael Woods embodies a doozy. In the last year, he has posted career highlight results in the world's biggest races, even as he was battling injury and personal tragedy at home. Grand Tour racing is famously a sport whose athletes embrace suffering, but even so, Woods has found a way to harness setbacks and managed to train and race even harder through them. He gained the respect of thousands of racing fans, along with a lot of sympathetic winces with his performance at this year's Tour de France. He tells host, Anastasia Bucsis, that he picked up some of his mental techniques from Wayne Gretzky. He describes literal out of body experiences that he has had while winning some of the most gruelling mountain races in the world. Certainly a lot of years of punishing practice in the saddle and on the running track went into the mix as well. Those early years as a super elite track runner set Woods apart in other ways. For most of the peloton- winning a Tour de France is the dream …but as an early career runner- it's Olympic glory that fuels the fire for Michael Woods. Barring disaster- he has already marked a big X on his calendar for Tokyo in 2020. Oh- and about that nice smelling Peloton? Cologne. Plenty of it splashed around, especially on the Giro D'Italia. Who knew?

Download Why the Peloton smells so nice, or how to make peace with pain. Michael Woods on POV podcast
[mp3 file: runs 00:34:44]


Sam Edney slides into the future

Four time Olympian Sam Edney is Canada's best-ever male luger. He recently peeled off his speed suit for the last time, and is about to begin a new sporting career, as high performance manager for the national team. This week, even before doping concerns swirled around Canada's canoeing hopes, host Anastasia Bucsis and Sam Edney sat down to talk about how Russian doping had such a dismaying effect on Edney's peak competing years. His doping rollercoaster began with a disappointing fourth place team finish in Sochi. Three years later, temporary redemption came with the announcement that due to positive results on the Russian team, Canada would become bronze winners after all. The sucker punch was delivered mere days before the Pyeongchang winter Olympics, when that decision was reversed. The Canadian luge team strongly felt that they had been cheated of the same medal twice! But whatever else the eve-of-competition setback did to the team mindset, Edney and his teammates regrouped and raced to a Silver medal at the 2018 Olympics. Now, the new High Performance manager can look ahead. His focus is on development, of the new luge track in Calgary, and the new crop of Canadian hopefuls.

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[mp3 file: runs 00:35:10]


A league on the line with Rebecca Johnston

Rebecca Johnston is eyeing a fourth trip to the Olympics. She has already helped deliver two golds and a silver medal. She has lived the experience from within as the pro game patiently built over the last ten years — but she has never seen a setback quite like the collapse of the CWHL. Host Anastasia Bucsis takes time with the all-star forward to talk about establishing one permanent, professional, equitable league. Having high quality refs, skate sharpeners on site, and some kind of broadcast schedule would be a nice bonus. As one of the premier players in hockey, Sudbury's Johnston has no shortage of ideas about the game's needs. As she sees it, away from the Olympics, and the Clarkson Cup, the women's game is played out in media silence. It is too easy to ignore what we cannot see or hear.

Download A league on the line with Rebecca Johnston
[mp3 file: runs 00:24:35]


Freestyling with Erica Wiebe

Erica Wiebe, Canadian Olympic wrestling champion, discusses the oddly isolating experience of stepping atop the podium, her newfound role as mentor to a generation of young women in the world's oldest sport, and her surprising reasons for avoiding a WWE career, despite the paycheque, her obvious fitness for the work, and an outsized personality that would seem to be tailor made for the theatrical ring.

Download Freestyling with Erica Wiebe
[mp3 file: runs 00:33:30]


Cassie Campbell-Pascall reflects on her storied career

Cassie Campbell-Pascall has earned many milestones in Canadian sport. As Captain of Team Canada, she helped deliver some of the sweetest wins in national hockey history. She went on to make broadcast history as the first woman to do colour commentary for Hockey Night in Canada. Her career in the broadcast booth, like her time on the ice, is a story of big wins earned through hard work- and the occasional flash of lumber in the corners as required. Cassie sits down with host Anastasia Bucsis for a sweeping talk about the good ole hockey game, of course, but also about the challenges all women’s team sports face today. In Hockey, as in Soccer and Rugby, Canadian women are competing at the highest levels in the world- and so what are the steps that need to be taken to get their fan base, their money, their infrastructure, their leagues, fully on par with the men? The conversation goes deep into the one topic that is seemingly unavoidable in women’s team sports- which is that legendary, ornery, take-no-prisoners rivalry that fuels Canadian-American tilts. Campbell has a deeply funny but nuanced take on the grudge. It defined her time in the sport, and she admits it still bugs her badly when Americans win, but 13 years out of the game, she can socialise with her former foes now, but still. Ultimately, in a conversation that all athletes can relate to, Campbell-Pascall shares insights about the delicate business of retiring from sport and finding your way in the long second act of working life.

Download Cassie Campbell-Pascall reflects on her storied career
[mp3 file: runs 00:42:16]


Patrick Anderson is back in business

When he started playing wheelchair basketball, they called Patrick Anderson the Michael Jordan of his game. Mid career, that label changed to the Lebron of the wheelchair sport. He's back with the team at the Pan Am games, trying to qualify for the Tokyo Paralympics this July… so do we call him the Kawhi Leonard of his sport now? Host Anastasia Bucsis asks Anderson about the burden of being an inspiration. How to respond to being recognized as the greatest of all time in his sport? As you might expect from a true champion- he deflects that with a great deal of finesse. For one thing- Anderson is not convinced that inspiration isn't a dirty word. With the injuries some paralympians have overcome- he is acutely aware that he risks being applauded just for getting out of bed. The trick for Patrick Anderson is in trying to play the sport like it's an art form. Devising and demonstrating a perfect play, competing at the highest possible level…that's where the athletic and the aesthetic can meet. Getting there is still what keeps Anderson motivated, gold medal after gold medal later. All paralympians have interesting back stories. Patrick Anderson fascinates for a dozen reasons. He's 39 now, playing for the record books again after five years away. His thoughts on returning to the game at its highest level? The challenge is not that he's getting older, it's that the entire sport has become much more competitive, harder, stronger and faster than it was even five years ago. As Anderson sees it, that is an excellent problem to have.

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[mp3 file: runs 00:38:44]


Brooke Henderson's Family Business

Brooke Henderson is the most successful golfer in Canadian history. She's just 21 years old, but she has already won more majors than any other Canadian- an incredible nine tour victories to her credit since 2016. And despite the overwhelming attention that is always showered on star athletes, she is a remarkably poised and level-headed young woman. Anastasia Bucsis' guest on Player's Own Voice podcast this week attributes her composure to being surrounded by family to an unusual degree. Her dad is her coach, and her sister Brittany (a pro golfer in her own right) has been alongside her as caddy for all her biggest wins.

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[mp3 file: runs 00:23:03]


Kaillie Humphries kicking butt and taking numbers

It's probably not an exaggeration to say that Canada has never had another athlete like Kaillie Humphries. The three time Olympian Bobsledder isn’t just a game-changing competitor, and ground breaking female pilot, she’s also a magnetic presence for fan fascination. Almost every aspect of her career and personal life attracts notice. Kaillie joins Host Anastasia Bucsis to talk about all the things that keep her at the top of sliding sports fans attention. First of all, there’s her relationship with brakeman Heather Moyse. They were not racing together at Pyeong Chang in 2018, but the partnership obviously still occupies a great deal of her introspection time. Kaillie calls brakeman-pilot relations ‘arranged marriages’ a description which works on many levels. Sled mates may be very different types, and love is not essential, but they are yoked together, and bonded in a common purpose. All has not been cool runnings for Humphries post 2018 Olympics, either. She slipped into a significant depression during the off season, which she is really only recently clawing her way out of. Humphries links the down turn to a harassment claim that she has launched against her sport federation. Humphries is always thoughtful about the matter of representation — as a fierce female in a traditionally all masculine sport. Sometimes she lets her tats do the talking, and when all else fails, there’s always, as she says, good old kicking ass and taking numbers on the track.

Download Kaillie Humphries kicking butt and taking numbers
[mp3 file: runs 00:32:21]


The life unbalanced with Ghislaine Landry

Some early adversity is clearly a good thing, at least when it comes to Rugby. Ghislaine Landry, who is now the leading point scorer in world series history, was told time and again that she would never play international rugby. 'Too small', the experts told her. So much for the experts. Union and Sevens, Landry is one of the world's most dominant forces on the rugby pitch, compact stature and all. In this week's episode, Ghislaine joins host Anastasia Bucsis to celebrate the rugby player's victories and explores the idea that in sport, nothing comes for free. Beyond the constant demands of training and practise and international competition, how is a member of a centralised team even supposed to see family, let along achieve that mythical life balance? For Landry, it's about finding room for two loves: love of sport and love of family. And the silver lining? Time off is that much sweeter when there is so little of it in a regular season.

Download The life unbalanced with Ghislaine Landry
[mp3 file: runs 00:30:42]


Watching the World Cup with Diana Matheson

A history-creating guest. Midfielder Diana Matheson's stoppage time goal against France at the London Olympics in 2012 gave Canada a bronze medal. She backed that up with a second Olympic bronze at Rio. Matheson has more than 200 Caps with the Canadian National team. Four World Cups. Three Olympics. Team Canada since 2003. She plays professionally for the Utah Royals...and along the way she also picked up an economics degree from Princeton. There's a good news - bad news story in Diana Matheson's 2019 FIFA campaign. The bad news is, a foot injury has sidelined her for the duration of the tournament. The positive spin on that is she's freed up to provide expert colour commentary on the tournament, and help give viewers insights on Team Canada's mindset, throughout the World Cup.

Download Watching the World Cup with Diana Matheson
[mp3 file: runs 00:26:59]


Tessa Virtue's ever-changing career

She’s half of Canada’s greatest Ice Dancing duo — the most decorated figure skaters in Olympic history — but just because Tessa Virtue is gliding into a dazzling professional career, doesn't mean she has forgotten the highs and lows of Olympic competition. Nowadays, when she and skating partner Scott Moir and the cream of figure skating aren’t performing to packed houses, Tessa has advocacy work and endorsements and campaign partnerships; almost too many to name. Listen as Tessa and host Anastasia Bucsis discuss her greatest Olympic memories, her relationship with Moir, and the future of her ever-changing career.

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[mp3 file: runs 00:33:06]


Brian Burke's Perseverance

Very few people can touch Brian Burke’s resume. The Hockey Night analyst was president of Hockey for the Calgary Flames, ran the Leafs, was GM for the Ducks, the Canucks, and Hartford Whalers. He led the U-S men’s team that took home a silver medal from the 2010 Olympics. Brian Burke is also a kind and charitable man with a hellacious temper. On this week’s POV podcast, Brian joins host Anastasia Bucsis to talk about the highs and lows of his career, the importance of advocacy, and his unwavering perseverance.

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[mp3 file: runs 00:36:48]


Joannie Rochette on skating her way to med school

Figure skating can open a lot of career doors - but becoming a doctor? Olympic figure skater, Joannie Rochette, soon to be Doctor Rochette, says it's an easy fit. All those long, lonely hours of focus and practise set her up perfectly for the long lonely hours of studying in med school. On this week's POV, host Anastasia Bucsis and Joannie look back on the skater's glorious career - 2010 Olympic bronze, World silver medalist, Four Continents silver, Grand Prix Final bronze, six-time Canadian champion, and the moment that had Canadians holding their breath - when Joannie skated in Vancouver 2010, only a couple of days after her mother's fatal heart attack.

Download Joannie Rochette on skating her way to med school
[mp3 file: runs 00:32:11]


Alexandre Despatie and youthful confidence

At only 15 years old, Alexandre Despatie took his first Olympic dive at the 2000 Games in Sydney. He placed fourth against some of the world's best, but when his excitement was met with media disappointment over a 'missed podium', Alexandre discovered that measuring up to his own standards was the most important thing. The lesson stuck with Alexandre as he went on to win two Olympic silver medals, become a nine time Commonwealth Game champion, and a 37 time Canadian National champion. Listen as he and POV host Anastasia Bucsis discuss avoiding the pitfalls of early success, overcoming disappointment, and knowing when to hang up the towel.

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[mp3 file: runs 00:39:24]


John Fennell's CAN-AM perspective

John Fennell has made some tough choices during his career. The Luge athlete is a citizen of both Canada and the United States, and he has competed and trained for both nations. John has unique perspective on the differences between Canadian and American sport culture. He opens up to POV host Anastasia Bucsis about owning his life decisions, and the importance of not letting singular moments of success or failure define a career.

Download John Fennell's CAN-AM perspective
[mp3 file: runs 00:32:57]


Benoit Huot Retires

For some athletes, the decision to retire comes fairly quickly - but this was not the case for Benoit Huot. In fact, the famed Paralympic swimmer has been thinking about hanging up his towel for ten years. On this week's Player's Own Voice, Benoit opens up about his long and decorated career in which he won 20 Paralympic medals, was named a Member of the Order of Canada, as well as made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec. Listen as he and POV host, Anastasia Bucsis discuss retirement, how Benoit stayed motivated throughout his storied career, and the continuing growth of the Paralympic movement.

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[mp3 file: runs 00:27:37]


Mark Tewksbury on progress and problems in Olympic movement

It's been 25 years since Mark Tewksbury won gold at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, but the Calgary born swimmer remains at the heart of the Canadian Olympic movement today. His work as a public speaker and writer have inspired countless athletes, and Mark's voice has been a powerful addition to several athletes' causes, including Olympic reform and advocating for the rights of LGBTQ athletes. Listen as he and POV host Anastasia Bucsis discuss advocacy, LGBTQ visibility in sport, and the future of the Olympic movement.

Download Mark Tewksbury on progress and problems in Olympic movement
[mp3 file: runs 00:25:24]


Caroline Ouellette on the future of women's hockey

Caroline Ouellette's hockey career is beyond impressive. The Montreal athlete is one of the very few in history to bring home gold medals from four consecutive Olympic games. Caroline's love of the sport extends far beyond her playing years - she coaches and mentors, and runs a network of hockey camps with fellow player Marie-Philip Poulin. Caroline shares her vision for the future of women's hockey with POV host Anastasia Bucsis, and she also describes how it felt to watch her teammates face off against the USA in Pyeong Chang, while sharing a couch with her partner - former team USA player, Julie Chu.

Download Caroline Ouellette on the future of women's hockey
[mp3 file: runs 00:22:55]


The best of Player's Own Voice

Player's Own Voice began with a simple goal- to interview world class athletes as human first, and athlete second. With the help of our growing base of listeners, this goal has been a resounding success. And as a thank you, we've compiled some of our favourite moments from the show so far, and included a few clips of what's to come in 2019!

Download The best of Player's Own Voice
[mp3 file: runs 00:24:12]


Cindy Klassen on her Record Breaking Career

She is undoubtedly one of the greatest athletes to come out of Canada. She's also notoriously shy around the media. Join Players Own Voice host, Anastasia Bucsis, and the Queen of Speed, Cindy Klassen, as they candidly hash-out an extraordinary career, through giggles, and an intimacy that is only found when old teammates reunite... over a piece of chocolate cake.

Download Cindy Klassen on her Record Breaking Career
[mp3 file: runs 00:25:06]


Paige Lawrence on her rodeo roots

Even though figure skater Paige Lawrence competed at the Olympic level, she has never forgotten the lessons she learned growing up in a rodeo family in rural Saskatchewan. Among these lessons are her formidable work ethic, her resourcefulness, and her motto- 'safety third'. Listen as she joins host Anastasia Bucsis to discuss her difficult decision to retire, the importance of giving back to her small town community, and the artistry of figure skating.

Download Paige Lawrence on her rodeo roots
[mp3 file: runs 00:22:07]


Desiree 'The Destroyer' Scott opens up as the 2019 World Cup approaches

Desiree Scott is a two time Olympic bronze medalist, Zumba instructor, self-proclaimed "hopeless romantic", and yet, her nickname is "the destroyer". Desiree is undeniably one of the most physical players in the world of soccer, which helped her bring two Olympic bronze medals back to her hometown of Winnipeg. Although Desiree is fierce, she swears she leaves it on the field, and has a laugh when discussing her contrasting dispositions. There are layers to this Canadian midfielder, and Player's Own Voice host, Anastasia Bucsis, peels them back in this light and refreshing conversation.

Download Desiree 'The Destroyer' Scott opens up as the 2019 World Cup approaches
[mp3 file: runs 00:24:54]


Curling up with Kaitlyn Lawes

Kaitlyn Lawes - Canada's first ever back to back Olympic curling champion - has become a world leading athlete in the sport. The two-time Olympic gold medallist won in Sochi 2014 with teammate Jennifer Jones, and won again in the sport's Mixed-Doubles debut in PyeongChang 2018 alongside John Morris. Listen as Kaitlyn and POV host, Anastasia Bucsis chat about The Olympics, their shared love of the ice, and some of the best players in the sport of curling.

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[mp3 file: runs 00:30:38]


Jesse Lumsden on meaning and legacy

Jesse Lumsden's career has spanned the NFL, CFL, and three Olympic Bobsled campaigns. When people talk about being a pure athlete - he's what they mean. So it is kind of amazing to learn that one of Canada's most respected sportsmen, has been denied Super bowls, Grey cups, Vanier cups, and Olympic hardware. Does missing those big ticket team wins haunt him? Absolutely. But Lumsden points out - the absence of a victory does not mean the presence of a failure. As an athlete, his conscience is clean as can be. He has given himself every possible preparation and opportunity to succeed. If that sounds like he's saying the medals are not as important as the process of getting there... well, he probably is.

Download Jesse Lumsden on meaning and legacy
[mp3 file: runs 00:27:25]


Silken Laumann on the importance of mental health in sport

Despite having retired from competition over 20 years ago, Olympic rower Silken Laumann remains a major voice in the world of sport. Since retiring, Silken has advocated for a greater focus on mental health amongst athletes. Listen as Silken and POV host Anastasia Bucsis have a frank and honest conversation about their own struggles, and discuss why it's so hard for athletes to talk about mental health.

Download Silken Laumann on the importance of mental health in sport
[mp3 file: runs 00:30:20]


Kaitlyn Weaver on turning setbacks into successes

Kaitlyn Weaver is one of Canada's most celebrated figure skaters. But the three time world champion, two time Canadian champion, and two time Olympian's road to success hasn't always been a smooth ride. Kaitlyn and her partner, Andrew Poje, missed being on the Canadian Figure Skating Team Event that won gold at PyeongChang - but turned the disappointment around almost immediately with killer performances at the worlds. Listen as Kaitlyn opens up about the highs and lows of her career, how she finds motivation in the setbacks, and what Canada has come to mean for the American born skater.

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[mp3 file: runs 00:22:33]


Jillian Saulnier makes history

Jillian Saulnier - alongside her teammate Blayre Turnbull - became the first two women from Nova Scotia to play Olympic hockey, bringing home a silver medal at the 2018 winter games in PyeongChang. In this week's episode of POV, Jillian opens up about the humbling nature of her Olympic journey, what her medal means to her, and how a mix of "adrenaline and tape" allowed her to remain on the ice despite a torn MCL.

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[mp3 file: runs 00:19:58]


Georgia Simmerling triple threat

Alpine skiing, skicross, and track cycling - Vancouver's own Georgia Simmerling has mastered them all. She is the first Canadian to compete in three different Olympic sports at three separate Olympic Games. But Georgia's story goes deeper than just being a multi-sport talent. She has bounced back from medieval injuries, including broken legs, a broken back, and a bit-off tongue! Listen as Georgia opens up about her seemingly never ending recovery, and what keeps her returning to sport and competition.

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[mp3 file: runs 00:28:16]


The once and future Patrick Chan

Patrick Chan- the figure skater whose athleticism and artistry defined a generation, talks about how his mindset made all the difference in his performances. 'Sports makes you live in the moment' is just one of the lessons Patrick says that his career has drummed into him. Bonus content: He and Anastasia also share a laugh about the time he did an axel wearing Anastasia's mum's dull old hockey skates.

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[mp3 file: runs 00:23:33]


The Greggs- How success runs in the family

Dr Randy Gregg, Captain of Hockey's Team Canada, met olympian speed skater Kathy Vogt at the Lake Placid games. Together they have raised three more incredible athletes, and coached countless others to Olympian heights. So what are the secrets to nurturing a genetic gift...and raising kids to be the best- and best adjusted- athletes they can be? This family has done everything right. Nobody's preaching here, but there's wisdom that any parent could use.

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[mp3 file: runs 00:21:08]


Julie Chu's Can-Am hockey household

The former captain of Team USA, Julie Chu has an unbelievable four olympic campaigns under her belt. Despite the ferocious rivalry between Canada and USA - Chu and Montreal's Caroline Oullette have a daughter together, and an agreement to compartmentalize that one international grudge. Chu shares wise perspective on the women's game, and its winning fight for fair treatment and compensation.

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[mp3 file: runs 00:30:51]


Stephanie Labbe lays it on the line

One of Canada's greatest net keepers won't let penalties or politics pass her without a fight. Labbe had the chops for the premiere development league but got barred by a men-only ruling. So the Canadian national player moved to the top Swedish pro league, where she's thriving, thanks. Want to know her secret strategy for world cup 2019 and the Tokyo Olympics? It's right her.

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[mp3 file: runs 00:27:20]


Richmond Champion's wildest ride

In a sport where money is literally the measure of success, this rodeo star's life changed the instant he won a cool million bucks in a single day's competition. The young bareback rider suddenly had to cope with expectations and pressures to perform like never before. Meantime- Rodeo itself is in transition. Sorta like golf, it has suddenly become the arena of very fit athletes, and more and more sponsor dollars are sloshing around. But if wild horses can't throw Richmond off...neither should physical trainers and accountants. He and Anastasia talk about the rodeo life, career cowboys and the slippery allure of a Texas accent.

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[mp3 file: runs 00:20:06]


Gilmore Junio, Speedskater, on making big bold choices... and living with them.

His speed on the Oval ought to be enough for everyone, but Gilmore Junio's big choices are what sets him apart for Canadian fans. He seemed to embody everything good about the Olympian ideal in 2014, when Junio elected to give up his own qualifying spot to teammate Denny Morrison, in order that his friend could race for a medal. More recently, Junio's decision to take his training to Norway after years of working in the Canadian system raised eyebrows too. Gil's fine with that. The question now is what bold choices does the future hold?

Download Gilmore Junio, Speedskater, on making big bold choices... and living with them.
[mp3 file: runs 00:25:13]


Eric Radford, Figure skater, breaking ice for the next generation

The Gold medal winner had no idea he was the first openly gay man to take top honours at a Winter Olympics. Eric takes Anastasia back to his early teen years in Northern Ontario, and his puzzlement: why was he being bullied at the rink? He just wanted to excel at his sport! Quiet determination was his method then, and it still serves him well today.

Download Eric Radford, Figure skater, breaking ice for the next generation
[mp3 file: runs 00:25:51]


Ben Hebert on small team chemistry

Olympian lead curler Ben Hebert takes a back seat to none when it comes to speaking his mind. Sure, that chirpy tendency will get him kicked out of beer league hockey games, but it also makes him a hilariously honest friend. Ben and Anastasia have a meeting of the minds on the subject of competing at the highest level, and being driven athletes who also need to find a place off the ice in regular society.

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[mp3 file: runs 00:36:09]


Tessa Bonhomme with an inside take on the greatest rivalry in modern hockey.

Tessa Bonhomme has killed at every sport she ever played, but hockey is where she shone brightest. A pro in the CWHL and a national team defense player, Bonhomme helped Canada win Gold over the USA. Her on-ice arsenal includes a knack for chirping, and that wit serves her well talking and reporting hockey at TSN. Tessa and Anastasia huddle to talk about life inside the crazy intense competition of Canada-USA women's hockey. There are layers within layers of rivalry between those two teams, and we peel back a few of them today.

Download Tessa Bonhomme with an inside take on the greatest rivalry in modern hockey.
[mp3 file: runs 00:27:56]


Chris Mosier, groundbreaking American Trans athlete

The first openly Transgender athlete on a U.S. national team- Chris Mosier is a duathlete, triathlete and role model for a generation of LGBTQ2S competitors. He and Anastasia explore questions of gender equality, and steroid use- issues that are testing sport governing bodies come to the fore in Chris' career. And his perspective on male privelege should give everyone pause for thought.

Download Chris Mosier, groundbreaking American Trans athlete
[mp3 file: runs 00:23:43]


Scott Moir on romantic and performance partnerships

As Scott puts it, being in a relationship with an Olympian is not so peachy. The winningest figure skater in Canadian History manages yet another delicate dance in this conversation... Scott recounts, among other things, how he negotiated relationships in his personal life at the same time that he was being judged for the performance of a relationship on the ice with Tessa Virtue. He's genuinely funny in the way he describes things, but Scott's situation makes you think.

Download Scott Moir on romantic and performance partnerships
[mp3 file: runs 00:29:34]


Trailer

Anastasia Bucsis, host of Player's Own Voice podcast, tees up a quick selection of excerpts from her chats with figure skater Scott Moir, Hockey player and broadcaster Tessa Bonhomme, and curling lead Ben Hebert.

Download Trailer
[mp3 file: runs 00:04:46]