Beyond the Medal - Episode 8

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Transcript

SPEAKER_06 0:54

Hey everyone, this is Ed Bachico. I'm your host for the Beyond the Metal Stories of Strength and Achievement podcast. I am joined by two incredible athletes, two of my amazing friends here at Special Mission Island, and none other than Ian Shepper and a Marion Irons. Hi, guys.

SPEAKER_08 1:10

Hey, how are you doing?

SPEAKER_06 1:12

Good, good. We're in June. Yes, we uh the good weather is finally here. Uh thank goodness, right?

SPEAKER_08 1:18

Yes.

SPEAKER_06 1:19

Yeah. Have you guys been outside a lot lately? Yes, I am. Yeah. Ian, what have you been up to?

SPEAKER_08 1:24

Oh, I've been mostly going for a lot of walks and um doing stuff in my garden and stuff with this hand, actually.

SPEAKER_06 1:32

Yeah, well, we'll get back to the other hand momentarily here, but uh how the bees doing? They're good?

SPEAKER_08 1:36

Uh they're doing good.

SPEAKER_06 1:37

Yeah. For those who don't know, uh, it'd be I'd be surprised if anyone did not know this, but Ian is a beekeeper, uh, among a million other things that make him one of the most interesting people on the planet, right, Ian?

SPEAKER_04 1:50

Right.

SPEAKER_06 1:51

Marion, where what are you up to? What have you been what you been out uh side doing?

SPEAKER_02 1:55

I've been on vacation with my parents. We went to Gunkwrit, Maine.

SPEAKER_06 2:00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 2:01

And then uh when I get back, I just went back to work.

SPEAKER_06 2:05

Oh, okay. And it just so we can remind everybody at home, where do you work?

SPEAKER_02 2:09

I work at Shores Market.

SPEAKER_06 2:10

Shores Market. In Garden City. I've seen you there a couple times.

SPEAKER_02 2:14

And then the funny part that I'm gonna hit 29. I I'm gonna hit 29 years this year, and next year I hit 30 years the other.

SPEAKER_06 2:25

30 years you've been working there almost?

SPEAKER_02 2:28

I get my 29 year pin in August, and and next year I hit dirty years.

SPEAKER_06 2:34

Holy moly, Mary, that is incredible. Well, we're gonna have to do something to celebrate that next year, Mary. Hopefully that we do some big 30th anniversary party or something like that.

SPEAKER_02 2:43

That'd be cool.

SPEAKER_06 2:44

That would be cool. Very deserving, uh, might I say, by the way. Uh so uh we just wrapped up Summer Games. Yeah, did you guys have fun?

SPEAKER_08 2:52

Yes, I had a really good time.

SPEAKER_06 2:54

Oh, I'm glad I I'm so glad to hear that, Ian, because you you have the scars to prove that you're a competitor.

SPEAKER_08 3:00

Yes, I am. I'm a really good competitor.

SPEAKER_06 3:03

You're a great competitor, but so uh Mary, how what did you think of this year's Summer Games? You're a veteran. Uh we're gonna be talking to Brian Goldberger here shortly uh about his work as the volunteer director for games management team. But how what what was your experience like with this year's summer games?

SPEAKER_02 3:19

I liked it. Um it was I liked it a lot, and I I did powerlifting.

SPEAKER_06 3:24

Powerlifting, how'd you do?

SPEAKER_02 3:26

Three gold medals.

SPEAKER_06 3:27

I'm sorry, what?

SPEAKER_02 3:28

Three gold medals. Three gold medals.

SPEAKER_06 3:31

Oh my gosh, that's incredible. What was your favorite uh part of powerlifting?

SPEAKER_02 3:36

I have to say all of it.

SPEAKER_06 3:38

All of it? Okay.

SPEAKER_02 3:39

Yeah.

SPEAKER_06 3:40

Did you uh participate in the uh what what was it? There was some type of uh weightlifting exercise on Saturday, right, in the powerlifting area in Keeney?

SPEAKER_02 3:48

Yes. Yeah, it was inside.

SPEAKER_06 3:50

It was inside, but did you did you have any special guests that popped by as a part of powerlifting?

SPEAKER_02 3:55

I think the wrestlers camp.

SPEAKER_06 3:57

Who are the wrestlers?

SPEAKER_02 3:58

Um they were like not famous, but they're pretty f T, they're famous.

SPEAKER_06 4:08

The Renegade Wrestling Alliance, right?

SPEAKER_02 4:10

Yeah, the Renegade, yeah, that was cool.

SPEAKER_06 4:11

Right, right. Those guys are the best. T Phoenix, the whole crew over there, they love coming out to see the athletes. And they were actually an Olympic village. Uh Saturday with the weather didn't fully cooperate with us, but they came in and they did a big event with you guys in powerlifting. That was pretty cool.

SPEAKER_02 4:27

That was cool.

SPEAKER_06 4:28

It was cool. Uh, but check out Renegade Wrestling Alliance. You have a chance. They come out and support our athletes. They're amazing. So thank you, T Phoenix and the entire crew at RWA. Uh, Ian, I'm watching the relay. Here is the one and only masterful Ian Shepard coaching other athletes. I turned away for two seconds, I turned back. What happened?

SPEAKER_08 4:51

Well, let me tell you something. It was the last day of the of the relay race, and um so we were so we were starting, the first runner comes, he he's one of my teammates, yeah, and um he kept crossing lanes, and I tell him you gotta stay in your lane, and then he comes running fast, and I'm trying to get the baton, and then he bulls runs into me and then knocks him down. And when I drop the baton, I said to myself, Oh, we're gonna get a DQ, and and then um I just got right up, and then I I finished that race and handed the baton to the third, third runner, and and then um after that I had to deal with this hand, and it was getting all swelled up and said, I gotta go to the ER and stuff, and they took x-rays, and then then I couldn't go see the Orthopeka until that Wednesday, and they she told me I had a broken um I had a um fractured wrist, and it's and thankfully it was the same doctor who operated on my finger a coup a couple years ago.

SPEAKER_06 6:01

Well, let it be known that Special Olympics Ryland athletes are some of, if not the most competitive athletes you ever meet. And uh when I say perseverance, determination, and rigor, holy right, Mary? I mean, Ian, you anyone else falls or breaks their wrist. They're not getting back up to finish the race. You, sir, got right back up and finished the race.

SPEAKER_08 6:24

Yeah, because I was afraid I gotta get up because I didn't get I didn't want to get run over by the fourth runner.

SPEAKER_06 6:32

That was the motivation.

SPEAKER_08 6:33

Yeah, and I didn't want to get any more or worse injuries.

SPEAKER_06 6:38

Yeah, well, so so just to kind of uh you know give everybody the stage of of what uh played out here. So uh we hold uh the indoor track uh in in Macle uh and at the University of Rhode Island. Uh the relay is kind of the culmination of the track events for that day. Yeah. Ian was one of the runners and his relay team for the Sharks. They were competing, Newport uh County Sharks. Yeah. They were competing at summer games this year. And uh just it the relay is one of those events that everybody looks forward to, and it's just an amazing uh you know, part of the summer games, all of our competitions are certainly, but it was a very large crowd. Uh there was a ton of people in there and uh cheering everybody on, and you know, to have this all play out in front of that type of crowd that was so into every step of every single runner, uh, and to watch you, Ian, get up and finish the race the way you did, it really was inspiring.

SPEAKER_08 7:33

Yes.

SPEAKER_06 7:34

So thank thank you for showing us how you can you know have that type of grit and determination and really inspire others to, you know, no matter what happens, pick yourself back up and get back into the race. That was pretty amazing. Yes, yeah, good for you. Well, we're gonna talk more about summer games uh and more about USA games, by the way. You both have experiences uh on that level, the national stage, uh, with some of our friends. So, right after a short break, we're gonna bring in none other than my friend uh and Marion Ian's longtime friend, volunteer, all-around great guy, Brian Goldberger, who is the director of our games management team, who really is behind the scenes responsible for helping promulgate the summer games. And then shortly after that, we're gonna talk to Erica and Christine Allen. Erica is one of our delegates going to Minnesota to compete at the USA Games. How incredible is that, guys. Yes, that is. Yes, and your friend Kathy with me at the market. Yeah, yeah. Kathy was here a few weeks ago, actually, talking with us. So uh so listen, don't turn that dial. Make sure you stay with us here at Beyond the Metal Podcast. We'll be right back after a short break and talk to our friend Brian Goldberger all about the 2026 Summer Games. Welcome back to Beyond the Metal Stories to Strength and Achievement. I'm your host, Ed Bachico, and I'm joined by the wonderful, the amazing. We're gonna come up with a wrestler nickname. Yeah, the one and only Iron Fist Mary Irons. I like it. Love it. Uh and we, Mary, we have a friend with us uh to talk about the 2026 Summer Games. Yes. Uh none other than Brian Goldberger of the games management team. Hi, Brian. Hey, thanks for having me. What uh so we were just talking to Ian uh and Mary about their experience at Summer Games um to say that Ian has scars to show for this year.

SPEAKER_05 9:27

Oh my gosh. I didn't know that until after the fact and saw it on Facebook, the poor guy.

SPEAKER_06 9:32

Uh well, the uh we were talking about the fact that you know, we talk about our athletes being the most inspiring athletes of the world, right? But Ian literally is the definition of perseverance, rigor, and determination breaks his wrist, gets back up and finishes the race.

SPEAKER_05 9:47

Yeah, it was a resilience at its best. It's unbelievable. It's unbelievable. But not surprising for me. And knowing him for so long, um, I'm not surprised to get up and finish.

SPEAKER_06 9:57

I'm not either. Um you know, Mary and I were just you know talking a little bit off air. She herself has had some injuries and and never stopped her from participating. Uh Mary, you have to. I mean, this I don't even know what number summer games this is for you. Like how many years have you been participating?

SPEAKER_02 10:14

I really don't know.

SPEAKER_06 10:15

You lost track?

SPEAKER_02 10:16

I lost track.

SPEAKER_06 10:17

Is your wall big enough to hold all the medals?

SPEAKER_02 10:20

I think so.

SPEAKER_06 10:23

Three new gold medals.

SPEAKER_05 10:24

Well, congratulations.

SPEAKER_01 10:25

Powerlifting. Powerlifting? Yes.

SPEAKER_05 10:27

Which uh which power lifting deadlift and um deadlift and bench purpose.

SPEAKER_06 10:37

Oh, fantastic. What did what did you do you remember what you uh lifted? What was your weight?

SPEAKER_01 10:42

127, I think.

SPEAKER_06 10:45

Wow. That is I mean, that's incredible movie. That's that's awesome. Congratulations. Thank you. No surprise that you would take home three gold medals. Yeah. Uh Brian, have you finally recovered? You got some sleep? Yes.

SPEAKER_05 10:59

You know, honestly, I think it took a couple weeks to kind of decompress and get back to it, but uh, I think I think I'm finally there. Yeah. Back into uh a nice cruise.

SPEAKER_06 11:08

That's awesome. Get to see your family now.

SPEAKER_05 11:10

Yes, yes, they exist. Uh no, no. They uh they actually get to come down to the games, and my kids are getting old enough where they really get to experience it too, and and they want to stay, they want to help out. So it uh it becomes it's always been my favorite weekend of the year, and now my kids get to participate and my wife, and it's uh it's yeah, it gets gets better and better each year.

SPEAKER_06 11:30

That's awesome. Well, uh to help set the stage a little for everyone at home. So our games manager team um is really uh the one of, if not the most uh important part of summer games. And what I mean by that, so just a reminder there's only 13 staff here at Special Olympics Run Island. When you're running an event as large as the annual Summer Games, where you have 1,200 athletes coming out to compete in any one of the numerous sports and Olympic athletics that are taking part at the Summer Games, you need a group of incredibly dedicated people to step up to the plate, not just at the event, uh, but the preparation and planning that goes into that event all year long. Um and we are so thrilled that Brian Goldberger is our volunteer games management director who spends just as much time as we do here at this at the office preparing for this event and get to see it all come to you know fruition. And and and Brian, I so given all that, summer games is ended. You know, what what are you what's your thoughts? What do you what are you reflecting on and and what for you what did you take away from the weekend?

SPEAKER_05 12:36

Oh well, I mean, it was it was a lot. I mean, it was definitely one of our more challenging years with the weather, uh blowing 20, 30 miles per hour, rain coming down, again, talking about perseverance, all of our athletes, all of our volunteers, coaches, everyone got out there and you know, we dealt with it. We got almost everything done on Saturday. Um, and then Sunday came. It was a beautiful day. Um, it was it was a great experience. You know, it's always something every year is always gonna come up, present a challenge. Um, and uh yeah, we I think we were able to overcome and it turns out uh to be just a fantastic weekend overall. It really was, it really was.

SPEAKER_06 13:16

And and I and I have to say thank you on behalf of our athletes and their families, um, you and all the members of games management team, all the volunteers that that put in their you know, blood, sweat, and tears into the weekend. And by the way, I'm not kidding when I say blood, sweat and tears. It's it's uh, you know, there's you know, we're moving award stands, we're getting equipment to and from where it needs to be. Um, you know, we're we're shedding tears of joy watching athletes like Mary inspire us, yeah, and and and athletes like Ian uh you know do what they did and insurmountable feats that you you think to yourself, you break a wrist and you're still participating in the race. And uh, you know, it's just it's an incredible weekend all around. Uh what would what would you say to everyone who's listening at home or watching at home um when you made the decision to get involved at an early age um as a part of games management team and being a part of summer games experience, what would you say to someone at home learning about this for the first time and and why is it so important to get involved with an event like this?

SPEAKER_05 14:13

Um I it's just fun. It's a great time. I mean, when you talk about inclusion, this is my favorite weekend of the year because everybody is on the same page, everybody's working. So whether you're there as an athlete, a volunteer, a coach, medical staff, whomever's there, you're all trying and going towards that same um same goal. Um it is so rewarding. Um, like you mentioned, we have a huge games management team. There's 90 people that are part of that that make this all happen. And it's like getting together with 90 year friends and playing with throughout. Uh, we have a planning committee that uh actually multiple planning committees now where we have opening ceremonies, we have um our our uh Olympic Village, our competition, our volunteers. Um, they are all great friends. Sometimes they talk too virtually throughout the year. Um, and then you you know you see them and you haven't missed a beat that weekend. And then running into so many friends, athletes, volunteers, it's it's like a big reunion every year. Yeah. And it's a big uh you know competition that we all work towards in in different roles. Yeah, that's incredible. And it and it this is it's kind of personal for you, right? Because this has been a part of your family for generations. Yeah. I mean, since I was I was born, I mean, I was a kid's age when I started coming to it. My brother was uh an athlete, now he comes and volunteers, helps me. Uh my dad obviously was uh your brother Kevin. We so everybody knows Kevin, we know you're listening. I'm usually introduced as Kevin's brother. So yeah, I I can say that way. But um, yeah, no, it's uh it it's a fantastic opportunity. Awesome.

SPEAKER_06 15:50

Mary, did you realize that there's that many people working behind the scenes for summer games? You believe it? Yeah, it's pretty cool, right?

SPEAKER_05 15:59

It is, and that's planning. I mean, you know, the day the the weekend of, I mean, we're close to a thousand volunteers too. It's it's it's a lot to to get everybody there and put together.

SPEAKER_06 16:08

That you know, I'm I'm sitting here listening to you talk about it, Brian, how long you've been doing this, and you know, we were you know half joking, but it's true. Generations of Goldbergers being involved in in summer games. And Mary, you've grown up in summer games. How many years have you been doing Special Olympics? We have 30?

SPEAKER_01 16:27

I think so.

SPEAKER_05 16:29

I get the same thing, and I can't give a real answer. Like I know. You know, do I count in high school when I started? Or do I count when I was just coming as a kid?

SPEAKER_02 16:36

I started when I was little, I used to do track and things.

SPEAKER_04 16:39

Yep, yep.

SPEAKER_02 16:40

And um, and then it went I switched to like team after team. I was on uh what team it was. I I was at the um I was very little, I was doing the mile.

SPEAKER_05 16:53

More wow a mile. Wow. That's a lot. Is that the outdoor track?

SPEAKER_02 17:00

Outdoor.

SPEAKER_05 17:00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 17:01

Outdoor.

SPEAKER_05 17:01

Which is it's coming back, hopefully. So yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_06 17:04

How cool is that, right? They're gonna dedicate I mean, uh you know, we haven't had the outdoor track uh since what year, Brian, would you say? The early 2000s? Yeah, it's gotta be at least, right?

SPEAKER_02 17:15

I think so, because I I did uh my first um track event, I had to do the 800, the 200, and the mile.

SPEAKER_06 17:24

Wow. Yeah. So for so everybody at home, if you're not familiar, so we've been at the University of Rhode Island for you know well over 30 years um uh for summer games, and the track and field events used to be both outside, and the track event specifically was at the old University of Rhode Island Athletic Track. Um, so much so was it a part of the culture and fabric of the University of Rhode Island, they had a plaque dedicated commemorating the first ever opening ceremonies that took place. They have uh since saved that original plaque, and they're gonna rededicate it once the track outdoor track is completed being constructed uh next year. How cool is that? That's awesome. So we'll have to do Mary. You you you ran on that track as a youngster.

SPEAKER_02 18:06

I did that track and then um I got one of the plaques.

SPEAKER_06 18:12

You have one of the plaques. Oh, do you got a plaque from your run uh participating in the back of the day?

SPEAKER_02 18:16

Yeah, back in the day, I I still have it.

SPEAKER_06 18:18

Oh, very cool. Yeah, when we do that rededication, you'll have to bring it with you.

SPEAKER_02 18:22

Okay.

SPEAKER_06 18:22

That'd be kind of cool.

SPEAKER_02 18:23

And the belt, too.

SPEAKER_06 18:25

Uh in the belt. Brian, uh, you you know this already, but we have to share this with folks. Mary is a longtime wrestling fan, but not new age wrestling. We're talking old school wrestling, right? Yeah. Hulk Hogan, Audrey the Tis. You know, this is Brian and I's generation. Yes, yes. Yes. Uh these we like the new guys too, but the the older wrestlers are cool. So Mary, what does it what what does it mean to you to to you know learn about Ryan's involvement and so many other volunteers, you know, putting on summer games for you and your fellow athletes?

SPEAKER_02 18:56

It's it's great because you get more fun.

SPEAKER_06 19:00

Yeah. And what do you love most about summer games? Probably also What do you love most about summer games?

SPEAKER_02 19:14

I like like um I like the when they do the um part the plant, like the uh my mom wants to make a um I'll get in the potted plant every year if she wants one.

SPEAKER_05 19:28

A potted plant.

SPEAKER_02 19:29

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 19:30

I did that for the first time this year. We've always heard about how popular and how how great it is.

SPEAKER_02 19:41

Um the sun hit.

SPEAKER_05 19:42

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 19:43

Cause it grows.

SPEAKER_05 19:44

Yeah, and they give you all the instructions on how to do it. My kids did a couple of them and they were they were so nice to them. It was it was cool. And we we have 'em. They're still growing. They haven't died yet.

SPEAKER_02 19:54

I think you have to put a light on the sun hits to let it grow.

SPEAKER_06 20:00

Yep. In the windowsill.

SPEAKER_01 20:01

Yes.

SPEAKER_06 20:02

Brian, could you explain to everybody at home what we're we're talking about potted plants, but they're in Olympic Village and why is that a part of summer games?

SPEAKER_05 20:09

Yeah. So we we try and provide a bunch of activities. So when um athletes, fans, volunteers aren't doing something, you know, on the on the field or or uh um we have other activities to do. So potted plant is one of them where you actually get to take a plant um and transfer it into a pot with all the instructions how to make it and bring it back home. So it's a nice tangible uh asset you can bring and prize to have. We had a bunch of other cool stuff this year. My kids personally love there. Was a tie-dye station where that's right, you didn't make it over to there. We had a special Olympics bag and they were covered. That's cool. Yeah, and uh you know it was a success if they're covering it. And uh and we took those home. Um, and then of course we had we had Sand Art, and the king of the beads was Rocky, Richard Rossulu.

SPEAKER_02 21:00

Oh, that's cool.

SPEAKER_05 21:00

Another games manager director, you know, past games management director. Yeah, thank you. And um, so yeah, we had we had a bunch of stuff in there, a bunch of community support, cat country, channel 12. They're always there. It was so cool. It was a lot of fun. P.

SPEAKER_06 21:14

Bruins, I think, came out this year, right? Uh that that's amazing. Yeah. And so, you know, Brian, you've seen this for years, right? Uh think back to when you first got involved as a games management team volunteer, even before you're the director, and now think about where Summer Games is today. Like what when you when you stop and think about how much it's grown over the years, thanks to the incredible efforts of all those volunteers and staff over generation after generation. What what does that say to you and and what do you envision for the future for the for this event?

SPEAKER_05 21:45

Yeah, it feels like it grows every year. Um, and there's always new, you know, it changes with the times too. Um I remember a long time ago, I think when my dad was still running it, uh, we had a lot of the brown sport teens come in. Um, and they do different clinics, whether it was lacrosse or or golf um and then we we have Hasbro who's been a great supporter over the years so they always have big games that are there um it's it's always thinking about what can be next where we can kind of take advantage of that but we have I mean Rocky and and Caitlin Ethier have done an amazing job really developing um you know Olympic Village and just finding you know what else we can have.

SPEAKER_06 22:22

They had many horses this year which were wicked cool uh we've had llamas in the past I mean it's just it's the creativeness that goes into it is uh you know it's not my specialty but it's that we have the right people and the right group it's team F yeah exactly groups people behind the scenes yeah yeah that's awesome yeah I I you know I just think about even just in the last five years uh where summer games has you know has come from and where it's going it in and I I sit there around the planning table and hear our volunteers and their ideas and our and our athletes' ideas. Yeah and there's no such thing as a crazy thought or suggestion in any way shape or form. If someone's put out on the table chances are we at least gave it consideration maybe didn't have the money to pull it off but if there's a will there's a way right Mary? Yes because we said wrestlers if we went out and found wrestlers right someone said we need a dunk tank we went out and got a dunk tank. Yeah every year there's something new Mary if you what was what was it at Summer Games uh this year that you'd love to see in the future we'll start off with some some fun ideas 2027 is not that far away to start playing in early I had to say that's a tough question. Tough question you we'll we'll think about it we can come back to it. Yeah well we'll think about it and then when we have a games management team meeting we'll say Mary what do you think we should add to next year's summer games what do you think? Yeah yeah I I I for one would love to talk to all the athletes Brian and I know we do an athlete survey and get their feedback on the games that has happened but how great would it be to think about new and exciting opportunities that we can bring uh to the games for next year because there are going to be new venues yeah um because of all the construction happening at the university you know but you know and and we have unified leadership that helps us steward those conversations. You want to talk a little bit about that?

SPEAKER_05 24:23

Yeah they're always a great conduit and and I usually uh end up speaking with the leadership team um you know at one point throughout the year and I I always let them know listen you your friends your fellow athletes they're there and you get to be the representative you have a perfect conduit to us to let us know what they're thinking. So like we said no bad ideas like let's talk about it let's let's figure out what we can do um and and it's it's it's hugely important um you know the power of the many and the many brains and great ideas that are out there really help us expand. So we're always open.

SPEAKER_06 24:56

Mary, you know who helped usher in the tie-dye theme? That was your good friend Kathy. Kathy Carizona she was on the games management team meeting with Ryan and all of his colleagues to help you know bring that theme to fruition that was my um um when I did the tie dye that was my um that was my idea doing the tie dye that was um because the tie dye like back in when the 70s was it or 60s.

SPEAKER_02 25:30

You're thinking Grateful Dead aren't you yeah I know that's what you're thinking no because you because that was my idea to do the tie dye I think it's a great idea.

SPEAKER_06 25:39

I'm glad it happened look at Brian's hat he's still loving still rocking the tie-dye I got my bracelet still from summer games I got this from Airy uh in Garden City okay beautiful and it's like um gold and then a little bit of silk beautiful I love it and so and gold very cool but I got a gold because I'm the golden child I would expect nothing less well this was awesome Brian I again thank you for all that you do on behalf of the athletes of Special Olympics thank you was uh this summer games like every every summer games is memorable right there there's no no two are alike uh they all have their their moments that you just carry with you for the rest of your life and and as you said earlier um I think to summarize it's all about family and friends uh and Special Olympics really is one big family.

SPEAKER_05 26:33

Yeah no it's a privilege to do this and um appreciate like I said it's a huge support team that plan all this um so thank you for giving me the opportunity and uh thank you for having me really appreciate it. Awesome.

SPEAKER_06 26:47

Well we'll have to get your kids prepped. Yeah yeah they're next stop soon enough soon enough I'm sure well thank you Brian and thank you Mary uh to all our friends listening at home uh this was just a part of today's conversation uh our 2026 summer games but on deck if you can believe it uh is the USA Games in Minnesota where we will be sending 50 Rhode Islanders 50 delegates to go out and compete for the gold in any one of numerous sports it will be participating in including softball, powerlifting swim cornhole all on behalf of the great state of Rhode Island. We're gonna take a quick break we'll be right back after these messages to talk to one of those amazing athletes Erica Allen welcome back to Beyond the Metal podcast I'm your host Ed Pachico and I'm joined once again by my amazing co-host another amazing co-host and I don't I I'm gonna call you a superhero now yet uh Ian Shepard is here joining me again. Ian welcome back thank you Ed we just talked with uh Brian Goldberger about summer games yeah uh but there's another big event coming up uh and you have some experience with this personally right but we have one of the 50 delegates is going out to Minnesota for the 2026 USA Games competing in Swim by the way with us here today to talk about the USA Games in Minnesota. Erica can you say hi to everybody for me?

SPEAKER_03 28:17

Hi.

SPEAKER_06 28:19

Ladies and gentlemen we have Erica Allen who is competing at Swim on the national stage we could do a round of applause here at the podcast this is incredible. Uh Ian you I mean talk a little about your experience with you know being at the World Games and USA games and and and then I want to hear er Erica you gotta you know ask questions here because he's got some experience here.

SPEAKER_08 28:41

Yeah well you know um I actually went to a USA Games in um back in 2014 in New Jersey and um we played we did volleyball and we were undefeated team and we beat Connecticut and we won the gold medal and then we got to do activities every night actually and we went on like one of them was like a river cruise around New York City.

SPEAKER_06 29:08

That's awesome.

SPEAKER_08 29:09

So and then um and as you know I um I've been to a number of um world games the one I went recently was last yeah I went to to Italy to do alpine skiing and I was in the band group and that was really that's a really tough level and I couldn't medal but I won a sixth seventh and fourth place um pins at that at those games.

SPEAKER_06 29:38

Wow yeah and and Erica this is is this your just to be clear this is your first ever USA games right correctly and you've been competing in swim for how long now 20. 20 did you say I'm sorry hold on clear did you say 20 years? Yes. Holy moly and so what inspired you to apply and compete now for the USA games what what what drew you into to want to be a part of this year's games?

SPEAKER_07 30:06

So first I can help her a little bit her coach Stacy um really encouraged her uh to apply and I think she put in something for her actually um she called an OG. She's been around for a long time.

SPEAKER_06 30:19

OG I like that Erica what's an OG Erica what does that mean old goat? Yes, I love that we love that I love that well so by the way just because so no one uh thinks that we're not going to introduce our other guests here so Erica is joined by her lovely mom Christine who is a part of today's podcast Christine welcome to be on the metal thank you for having us oh absolutely and and uh Erica we've got a chance to do a couple really cool things leading up to the USA Games where did you go recently uh to promote the USA Games where we went on a train someplace where do we end up going New York New York do you remember what that was for it's for the uh stocking yeah the stock the stock exchange yeah that's cool that's great no listen most people are like the the NASDAQ closing the bell what what are you talking about so Erica um and I along with uh a couple of our other friends Steph Paladini and Tommy Palmer who is also going to USA Games uh all got a chance to go down to New York City uh to ring it ring the bell uh to close out the stock uh Nasdaq stocks uh which is just incredible right yeah did you see yourself on TV yes I did yeah and so we were in Times Square were you were you blown up on a big building in a picture?

SPEAKER_07 31:43

Yes yeah were there a lot of people watching yes yeah that was pretty cool right yeah yeah what was your what was your favorite part about the trip and no you can't say Shake Shack when we went there afterwards you can't say that I'm gonna say the train the train had you ever been on one before no not yet wow I didn't know that Christine she had never been on a train I mean we've been on you know like in New Hampshire we've gone like those kind of touristy kind of trains but not for a long trip like that.

SPEAKER_06 32:11

Oh wow that's incredible so that you so what would you put on a scale one to ten ten being the best what would you say New York was for you? I do ten you doing 10 okay no no no that's okay that's all right Christine so uh you get the phone call that Erica is going to be a part of the Rhode Island delegation to USA Games what is the first thought in your mind?

SPEAKER_07 32:35

I I thought I at first I was at work and I got the call and uh it came to my phone rather than hers. And um I thought maybe something had happened. I wasn't sure and I also coach unified sports so I thought maybe something had come up and then uh you guys told me and I just couldn't believe it. I I was like is this real is this for real she's going and uh yeah we were excited.

SPEAKER_06 32:55

That's awesome to say the least yeah yeah that and and so are you gonna be able to go out to watch Erica compete? That's incredible.

SPEAKER_07 33:02

Yeah um I'm going my sister's going I have a cousin that's going to have about 11 people that are coming to watch throughout the week so yeah that's that's amazing errigo was it what how does it make you feel to hear all these people are going to come out and watch you compete at the USA Games make you feel good?

SPEAKER_06 33:19

Yeah yeah are you excited yeah yeah what's what do you um what kind you know for I we know you do swim but what type of competitions do you participate in swimming the 50 the 50 and the other ones the 25 the 25 and uh are the one photo or relay okay and what's your best comp what's your best uh competition which one do you like the best the relay oh okay that's cool and did you did you guys do the relay at summer games and in uh practice yes how'd you guys do we didn't go we got the gold medal wow wow gold right out of the gate wow that's incredible and do you like uh did you like staying in the dorms yes yeah what was your what what was your other favorite part about summer games as we prepare for USA games time with my my friends that's great we hear that all the time from athletes they love spending time with their friends that's incredible and you're gonna make all new friends being a part of Team Rhode Island you already have right did you know a lot of the members of the team uh before you joined yes yeah did you know Charlie Kolb? Yes yeah and your other swim friends yes wait did you know them before you started I not yeah no you oh so you met okay so you met them wh when you joined Team Rhode Island?

SPEAKER_07 34:44

Yes that's great that's great and mom you've made I I've I hear all about the swim parents we're definitely a unique group of people that's great so none of us knew each other either as parents and I remember Rick saying at the beginning of this that we're all going to make really good friends and meet new people and that has definitely happened for sure. I actually have a picture that I shared with our coach Jordan and it was the beginning of swim and they were all facing like the opposite direction of the pool and she's none of them were looking at her. They ended at one of their last practices and they were all just looking up to her and they they're understanding what the terms that she was using the things that she had taught them and they were just the picture itself spoke spoke a lot.

SPEAKER_06 35:25

Oh that's great. And and just so everybody knows at home like when we talk about practice and preparation for USA games it isn't like we just started this last week. You found out Erica you found out last year that you're gonna be a part of Team Rhode Island right?

SPEAKER_04 35:40

Correct.

SPEAKER_06 35:41

And you've been practicing for the past 11 months yes September.

SPEAKER_07 35:47

Since September we started right off the bat yeah that's great.

SPEAKER_06 35:50

And you and that involves going to the pool and swimming how what what once a week at this point or uh I should say up until recently?

SPEAKER_03 35:57

Wednesday and Sundays.

SPEAKER_06 36:00

Wednesday and Sunday that's fantastic. And then on top of that um I heard this term off air we talked a little bit about it but uh dry land practice right is saying that right yes and what did what did you do there Erica? What was that what did that involve? It's uh it helps with strength yeah so you did exercises did you go to Earth Fitness or any of the other gyms to to to work out before uh practice or after practice sometimes.

SPEAKER_07 36:27

Sometimes yeah and it's we use our Y and you know on our own we do that but um our swim coach is you know affiliated with the YMCA Newport so there was somebody there who volunteered to do that that dry land training which I had never heard of before. So she they did one at Newport and one in Warwick. So very cool so there are four training days a week that they participated in awesome it was yeah awesome yeah Newport County Y is incredible absolutely incredible right and and so the sharks in right they're part of Newport County Y all all the facilities are available um what you know you guys obviously live in the Quinnick Island area um all these families coming together uh right to support one another was there a send off event recently I heard about at the Y meet and greet yeah how was that it was good yeah well a lot of people show up yeah that's cool I signed autographs you signed autographs yeah I don't think I've gotten an autograph yet I've kind of I I gotta get in line I think for one of those and it you know we're uh Christine we're getting ready to jump on the plane literally this Friday what you know what tell me what you're feeling what you're thinking oh I there's so many feelings I've had throughout this whole journey and I'm a crier so I cry a lot um but I'm just so proud I just I've watched her since a little girl she began special Olympics horseback riding I'm not sure anybody even knows that existed years ago and um from there she progressed through traditional sports to unified sports and to see this now is just like icing on a cake you know it's time for her to go and shine in front of everybody so we're very that's awesome Ian you have any advice for Erica just go out there and um have fun and that week's gonna go by quick actually and um I want to ask you um Erica what are you looking forward to for Minnesota games?

SPEAKER_03 38:27

I'm ready.

SPEAKER_08 38:28

You're ready I'm ready and I I know you do a lot mostly the same sports that I do but um what's what's your most failite one?

SPEAKER_06 38:41

I think swimming I think swimming swimming that makes sense yeah volleyball is my favorite one and um and you got to do the dry land training at the at the YMCA in Newport you did the cardio um machines upstairs yeah yeah that's where I work out uh up there too that's cool that's cool do you have uh coaches that come up and help you with the cardio equipment Erica yeah yeah coach Jordan obviously being one of them but there's other coaches that work with you guys yeah that's one um Pete Coach Pete thank you coach Pete we know you're listening thank you coach Jordan that's awesome that's awesome uh so I have to ask uh and Ian will appreciate this Erica do you like the uniforms I do yes yeah me too I love the colors I think we knocked out of the park this year with the colors what do you think yeah yeah all right all right I love it I love it uh what part of the USA games are you most looking forward to I know Ian asked you about you know where you're looking forward to but like there's the competition there's healthy athletes there's opening ceremony there's all these wonderful activities that they we started talking about actually last night at the meeting what do you think you're looking forward to the most out of all the stuff we talked about everything everything I love are you a demi lavato fan I'm just gonna say yes I'm biggest fan you're a biggest fan I was waiting for some yeah so we found something that we we could we now I know where to go what I don't so uh you have to educate me what is demi lavato's most famous song do you know heartbreak heartbreak wow that's great i'm gonna have to I'm gonna have to google it right write that down Ellie all right so what do you you think she'll play that at opening ceremonies yeah yeah yeah she is she an inspirational uh singer to you yeah yeah I've heard wonderful things she's she has she's had her own challenges in life that she's had to overcome and she's done amazing work out in the community so it's pretty exciting to know she's gonna be there on behalf of our athletes by the way of all you athletes uh mom what are you looking forward to the most I mean this is this there's gonna be so much going on I know I don't I don't I just enjoy why I I think for me and um probably my family is I watching her with her team and how they bond and support each other.

SPEAKER_07 41:12

That's been a really good something fun to watch. And I think she likes the relay and I think it's that whole camaraderie they have together and I think for us it's fun to watch and and that's I'm looking forward to that.

SPEAKER_06 41:24

Yeah that's awesome. That's awesome. Well Ian uh we're gonna be down in Minnesota but everybody at home is gonna be able to watch Erica and her teammates compete. They're gonna be live on ESPN throughout the entire week.

SPEAKER_08 41:38

And I think Disney Plus because ABC owns Disney and and um ESPN.

SPEAKER_06 41:45

You got it you hit the nail you hit the nail on the head and just so everybody at home if you're wondering how can I watch Erica compete and swim and all of her amazing delegates uh fellow delegates that are going out to be a part of opening ceremonies so forth we're gonna post at specialolympicsri.org all the information for folks to tune in all week to watch the competition and and certainly opening ceremonies as well.

SPEAKER_08 42:09

Okay and then also I know um the other way you can watch it um I think my friend Sean told me about this that there's an app that that you can download on your phone or mobile tab and then um that will tell you like everything that's going on and what's going on and stuff.

SPEAKER_06 42:28

I'm gonna hold it up to the camera here. So there's a USA Games app that you can download and actually see real time what's happening in Minnesota and all the medals that Erica is going to rack up and swim. You can see the medal count you can see when she's getting awarded it's a pretty cool interactive app Ian so good call out by you mentioning that. So again if you want to watch USA games uh you can certainly go to ESPN or Disney Plus or any one of those subscriptions. But if you're looking for detailed information visit specialolympicsri.org and we'll have all that listed for you. We'll also share on social media but sometimes the website's the easiest thing to go to or download the app just like Ian made mention of. And I'll tell I'm gonna be there Ian I'm gonna be taking pictures uh with uh all of our friends uh that are gonna be competing over the course of the week um I can't wait to see Erica in the pool that's gonna be pretty incredible uh I know we've talked about some famous people that are going out but I think you guys are the famous uh people that are gonna be a part of the games it's uh you guys are the superstars right yeah if you the if the smile can translate into vocals say a million words right I love it I love it well Erica what do you have to say to everybody at home that's you know hasn't decided if they're gonna tune in yet what what they should what what do you want to say to them? Should they tune in?

SPEAKER_03 43:54

Yes.

SPEAKER_06 43:54

Yeah why just look for me. Look for you? I love it. I love it. Mom, what you know, Christine, you, you know, you're going to have a family and friends that are going to be there. You're going to have family and friends back at home. What do you want to say to everybody that isn't a part of this movement yet? What what what does it mean to you and those family and friends?

SPEAKER_07 44:19

So I wanted to document this journey. I felt it was just so important to track from beginning to end what happened to her so she could look back on this and think what the great things that she's done. A lot of people in our community know her and our family know her just because she went to school in Westerly. She's participated in Unified Sports in Westerly. So what I did, because people were asking me lots of questions, I created something called The Road to Minnesota, and it's all about Erica and her team. Oh, that's correct. So I have a lot of people that follow it and are are watching what she's doing. She wasn't really happy in the beginning, right? When I started uh interviewing you when we were swimming. We were swimming at Yukon and it started like in the car. Um but she's gotten used to it now, right? Yes. Yes. Yeah. So anyway, um, so the people that aren't there, I can share, you know, through this little road to Minnesota and watch what she's doing. Yeah.

SPEAKER_06 45:15

That's great. Well, I can tell you're a proud mama.

SPEAKER_07 45:17

I am.

SPEAKER_06 45:18

I could it's beaming from across the room. I love it. Yeah. Love it. I love it.

SPEAKER_07 45:22

Yeah.

SPEAKER_06 45:22

Well, Erica, good luck. I'm gonna be there cheering you on along with everybody else, um uh back here in Rhode Island and in Minnesota. Uh, and and we know you're gonna do amazing. Um, you're already a champion in all of our hearts. So uh you're gonna be amazing out there in Minnesota with along with your fellow athletes that are competing. So good luck.

SPEAKER_03 45:41

Thank you.

SPEAKER_06 45:42

Yeah, and Ian, any any parting words of wisdom for Erica?

SPEAKER_08 45:46

Yeah, um, I just wanna wish you good luck and um do your best out there. And um and you're you're gonna like Ed said, you're gonna meet some athletes from um from all over the United States and mostly probably you'll be maybe meet a swimmer from either Connecticut or Massachusetts that's in the or New Hampshire or Vermont or Maine, that's in the New England region here.

SPEAKER_06 46:12

So you're gonna be able to trade pins?

SPEAKER_08 46:13

Oh yeah, trading pins. Yeah, that's the one thing I forgot to mention that you get to um trade pins and um and and then uh closing ceremonies. I think you can trade like clothing or something like that.

SPEAKER_06 46:28

If you'd like to.

SPEAKER_08 46:29

I yeah, I don't usually do that actually. That closing ceremonies. I just want to keep my clothing actually. The uniforms, trading pieces of the uniforms, just the pieces, not not the whole thing.

SPEAKER_06 46:42

Yeah, and Erica, are you a dancer? Do you like to dance? Yes, I am. Well, there is a big dance party at part of the uh USA Games. The closing ceremony is basically one big dance party.

SPEAKER_03 46:52

Awesome.

SPEAKER_06 46:53

Yeah, that's gonna be cool. I'm gonna be looking to see if you're dancing when Demi Lovato's singing too. Yeah. Well, Erica and Christine, thank you so much for joining us uh today. It's been a pleasure. Um, I know we're gonna spend a lot of time together in the coming weeks uh for the USA Games, but it's been an absolute honor uh to talk with you a little bit today. And Erica, it was a real pleasure of mine to spend time with you uh to and from New York and at and at the NASDAQ. Uh that was a pretty cool uh moment for me. And uh I know it meant a lot to you and and all of the athletes as you represent Rhode Island in in such an amazing way. So good job.

SPEAKER_07 47:30

Thank you. Yeah, she really had no idea what that was about. And on the way home, she said, Mom, that was the best on the way home. I was trying to explain what it was, you know, but I think she had to experience it to get it. So it was fun.

SPEAKER_06 47:41

Yeah, that's cool. Well, many more memories to come. Uh thank you so much. And uh, Ian, we're gonna take a brief break. Yes, uh, and we're gonna bring Mary back to close out today's show. But for everybody listening and watching at home, uh, thank you for tuning in to the Beyond the Metal podcast. Uh, we're gonna be right back. Tell me about grandma.

SPEAKER_03 47:59

She's meaning good. She's always good to me. I um you always call me a guardian angel.

SPEAKER_06 48:06

Yeah, and so you're when you go to USA Games, you're swimming on her behalf?

SPEAKER_03 48:10

Yes.

SPEAKER_06 48:11

Yeah, and what is and how important is that to you?

SPEAKER_03 48:14

Because one of my one of my movies, um, think of me and her.

SPEAKER_06 48:17

Yeah. Oh, that's awesome. That's really special. Well, I'll I'll tell you what, I know your grandmother is gonna be there um in spirit, cheering for you every step of the way, and you're gonna make her very proud.

SPEAKER_03 48:28

Yeah.

SPEAKER_06 48:28

Yeah. We'll bring back the gold for her.

SPEAKER_03 48:31

Yeah. Oh.

SPEAKER_06 48:32

Awesome. Thanks, Erica. Welcome back to the Beyond the Metal podcast. I'm your host, Ed Pachico, and I am rejoined by both Ian and Mary. Welcome back, guys. Thank you. Uh, this is a pretty exciting show. Uh, heard from Brian Goldberger and all things about the 2026 Summer Games, Mary, right? That was a pretty exciting conversation. Yes. What do you uh what do you think we could do do differently about the weather next year?

SPEAKER_02 48:58

You can't predict it. Can't predict it.

SPEAKER_06 49:01

Can you believe that Tony Petraka showed up?

SPEAKER_02 49:03

I know.

SPEAKER_06 49:04

Uh I was so I I was so taken back and laughing out loud when I saw him. I said, Man, you you have to be some really thick skinned to show up after seeing a nor'easter just drop on summer games.

SPEAKER_02 49:17

And then everything had to go inside.

SPEAKER_06 49:18

We love each other, by the way.

SPEAKER_02 49:20

Everything had to go inside.

SPEAKER_06 49:22

Yeah, that's right. We made it happen. Yeah, we did. Made it happen. And yeah, what a great conversation with Erica and Christine. I uh I could just feel the emotion uh from both of them, especially Christine, you know, seeing her daughter get ready for Minnesota.

SPEAKER_08 49:36

Yes.

SPEAKER_06 49:37

Wait, what was like for both of you, what did you know, what did it mean to you to be able to bring back those medals, where it be from USA Games or World Games, to show your families.

SPEAKER_08 49:47

I mean, it it feels really good when you bring when you bring those back that that you accomplished something over there on the other side of way on the other side of the state or outside of the state. Sure. Yeah.

SPEAKER_06 50:02

Yeah. That is pretty cool.

SPEAKER_08 50:03

Yeah, and you feel pretty good about it.

SPEAKER_06 50:05

That's awesome. Mary, you I mean, you've done some incredible things. How did it make you feel?

SPEAKER_02 50:10

Maybe feel um excited and happy and but it's a new um environment. Um compare here to there, it's like five we had to go I remember when I went to Alaska, it took three input just to get there.

SPEAKER_06 50:30

Wow.

SPEAKER_02 50:31

And then when I went to um Nagano Japan, how how long was that Ian?

SPEAKER_08 50:36

That was um that that was like fourteen hours.

SPEAKER_02 50:40

Yeah, fourteen hours.

SPEAKER_06 50:41

It's like a full day essentially. It is a full day.

SPEAKER_02 50:44

Yeah, and then when I got back, I'm like, what time is it? Maybe we could just go back to sleep.

SPEAKER_08 50:51

You're crossing the international dateline, actually. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 50:54

But at least we um I bring some blood searches on the plane, and we had a chance to watch the movies on the airplane.

SPEAKER_06 51:03

Yeah. Oh yeah, I remember those movies on the airplane that we and do you guys still talk to your friends that you made for through those experiences?

SPEAKER_08 51:10

I think so. Um well, I only talked to my friend that I went to um South Korea with. Um her name's Lindsay, she's from Massachusetts. Lindsay Black, yeah, because I remember that. Yeah, and then I and I um I still contact her, and she also went to Italy with me last year when we went to um and Mary Irons knows her um family because one time they invited me for um their house because they um invited me to eat over there.

SPEAKER_06 51:45

Wow, that's awesome. Yeah, fantastic. Well, I you know, that what I take away from this conversation really is just it really does create memories, creates lasting relationships, and the fact that you guys can share those experiences, not just with your families, but now with your fellow athletes like Erica and so many of the other delegates have never been a part of something like this. It's a pretty amazing cycle of of emotions and how this movement has grown, and you guys are just amazing leaders uh within this movement.

SPEAKER_02 52:17

I remember one time I was get um I went to Ningus Nagano, I think. Um we had a chance to ever say now sometimes yeah yeah, get out of the room uh out of the rooms and then all of a sudden she goes it's the one room, it's uh we had a chance in uh another room, and I'm like 'cause sometimes when I cry, I cry be um the I usually get like when you're up like uh uh uh in that environment, uh huh. It's like sometimes I get overtired. When they're overtired, I cry for like no reason. So and I was crying, my guys like Mary, let's go upstairs and go to sleep. I was exhausted.

SPEAKER_06 53:11

You're you guys are fierce competitors. It takes a lot uh to be a part of those competitions, right? Yeah, that's incredible. Blood, sweat, and tears, Mary. Blood, sweat and tears.

SPEAKER_02 53:20

Won like a gold medal out of eight people in my heat. Wow. And I don't think I had a chance to win that gold medal.

SPEAKER_06 53:27

That's incredible. Well, you guys are uh inspirations in your own right, uh, and I'm just so grateful that we get to do this podcast together and talk with so many of our friends about not only what they've experienced, but what they will experience going forward, like Erica, like Christine, and so many other athletes that are going to be representing Rhode Island with the pride of that hope and aspirations of bringing back the gold, right? Right. That's awesome. Well, thank you so much for tuning into this uh month's episode of the Beyond the Metal podcast. Uh, I'm your host, Ed Bochico, and once again joined by Ian Shepard and Mary Irons. Uh, if you're interested in learning uh more about the USA Games and how you can watch Team Rhode Island compete for the gold in Minnesota, visit specialolympicsri.org to learn more details and visit your local provider for ESPN or Disney Plus apps. You can also download the USA Games app right on your smart device and follow along as our athletes compete for the gold. Thank you so much for being a part of this month's episode. We hope you turn back in for the Beyond the Metal Stories of Strength and Achievement podcast next month as we share all the achievements that our athletes are going to bring home from Minnesota. Thank you so much.