Direct Elimination Podcast
The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts.
Hosted by Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart, two elite U.S. fencers chasing Olympic dreams, Direct Elimination goes beyond the strip to uncover the stories, ups and downs that shape athletes. Each episode brings you conversations with fencers, Olympians, and sports leaders who share the mental battles, personal growth, and cultural shifts behind their journeys.
This isn’t just a fencing podcast. It’s about resilience, mindset, and purpose. Whether you’re an athlete, a fan of Olympic sports, or simply someone chasing excellence in life, you’ll find stories here that resonate.
🎙️ Topics we explore:
The mindset of world-class athletes
Failure, resilience, and comeback stories
NCAA & Olympic fencing insights
The role of social media, culture, and community in sports
Why athletes do what they do — and what keeps them fighting
📌 Subscribe for episodes that deliver real talk, laughs, and lessons — straight from the fencing strip to your headphones.
Episodes
29 episodes
Olympic Fencer Soren Thompson: Going From "Career-Ending" Injury to Self-Coaching Success | Direct Elimination Ep. 27
Olympic Champion Fencer Romain Cannone on Winning Gold and his Sudden Departure from the Sport | Direct Elimination Ep. 26
The Real Cost of Becoming an Elite Athlete: Dylan Nollner on Sacrifice & Mentality | Direct Elimination Ep. 25
Unplanned Episodes 2: We Finally Faced Each Other in Direct Elimination | Cincinnati NAC Recap & Youth Sports Parenting
Unplanned Episodes 1: The World Fencing League Can Change Everything...
NCAA All-American Fencer Em Beihold on Becoming Someone She's Proud Of | Direct Elimination Ep. 24
Fencing Injuries, Prehab & Physical Therapy for Athletes - Dr. Rachel Hey-Shipton | Direct Elimination Ep. 23
Seth Kelsey: World Champion Fencer on Going All-In, Olympic Heartbreak, and Investing in the Process | Direct Elimination Ep. 22
Building Freedom and the Leap of Faith that Changed Everything for Adam Metwally | Direct Elimination Ep. 21
Keeth Smart: From Olympic Heartbreak to Silver Medal Redemption | Direct Elimination Ep. 20
Michael Aufrichtig: From Accidental Fencer to Columbia University's Championship Coach | Direct Elimination Ep. 19
From NFL to Life After: Asmar Bilal on Identity, Purpose & Transition Out of Sport | Direct Elimination Ep. 18
Italian Fencing Olympian Federico Vismara: Give Everything You Have | Direct Elimination Ep. 17
Olympic Fencer Khalil Thompson Opens Up About Mental Health Crisis & Finding Identity | Direct Elimination Ep. 16
Olympic Silver Medalist Daryl Homer: From Podiums to Transcending the Sport | Direct Elimination Ep. 15
Fencing World Champion Sam Imrek: Unorthodox Style and Mental Resilience | Direct Elimination Ep. 14
Olympic Fencing Champion Lauren Scruggs: Breaking Barriers & Balancing Life | Direct Elimination Ep. 13
Grant Williams on Fencing, Focus & the Champion's Mindset | Direct Elimination Ep. 12
Camille Simmons: From Fencing to NFL Sidelines | Direct Elimination Ep. 11
Maia Chamberlain on Going All-In, Mindset & the Being Yourself | Direct Elimination Ep. 10
Ben Atkins on Fencing, Business Success & Purpose | Direct Elimination Ep. 9
Nick Itkin on Olympic Bronze, Self Improvement & Pushing Limits | Direct Elimination Ep. 8
Fares Ferjani on Olympic Lessons, African Pride & Fighting Spirit | Direct Elimination Ep. 7
Tristan Szapary on Mental Training, Joy in Fencing & Growth Mindset | Direct Elimination Ep. 6
Anne Cebula on Olympic Dreams, NCAA Gold & Grit in Women’s Épée | Direct Elimination Ep. 5