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.
Direct Elimination Podcast
Unplanned Episodes 1: The World Fencing League Can Change Everything...
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The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts.
After an unplanned hiatus, Ari and Stephen return to Direct Elimination with a commitment to authenticity, consistency, and real conversations about fencing. From their original failed league project to witnessing history at the World Cups, this episode marks a fresh start for the podcast that refuses to take itself too seriously.
In this episode, you'll discover:
• Why Ari and Stephen took a break from posting and what they're doing differently in 2026 to stay consistent
• The truth about their original professional fencing league concept and why they're celebrating someone else making it happen
• Stephen's firsthand experience competing at the Fujairah World Cup and the realities of tournament life in the Middle East
• How underdogs like Elijah Imrek and Conrad Kongstad are proving that traditional fencing powerhouses don't have a monopoly on medals anymore
Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart are the hosts of Direct Elimination, competitive fencers, and passionate advocates for growing the sport beyond its traditional boundaries. Their combined perspective as athletes, content creators, and former league organizers gives unique insight into where fencing is headed.
If you're a fencer looking for honest conversations about the sport without the corporate polish, hit subscribe and join us every week. Drop a comment telling us what tournament results surprised you most or what you want us to cover next!
⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Welcome Back: 2026 Goals & Hiatus Explanation
00:04:09 Being More Authentic & Dropping Formality
00:06:13 Original League Project & World Fencing League
00:14:23 Stephen's Fujairah World Cup Recap
00:28:10 Reconnecting Through Fencing
00:32:13 Tournament Recap: Elijah's Breakthrough & Kong Stad's Medal
00:42:00 The Evolution of Fencing Technique
00:49:45 Dubai Chocolate & Content Plans
💬 QUOTES
"How freaking cool is it that there is money being poured from outside of fencing into fencing, and not through the traditional NGBs or Federations?"
"you don't have to come from the traditional fencing countries. The powers that be are constantly shifting and everyone has a chance."
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Theme song written and performed by Colin Campbell
🔗 Connect with Colin
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campbelltunes/?hl=en
Thank you for listening!
🔗 Connect with Us
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: https://link.me/directeliminationpodcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directeliminationpodcast/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@directeliminationpodcast
📺 Subscribe for more episodes: youtube.com/@directeliminationpodcast
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