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
Latest Episodes
USA Fencing CEO Phil Andrews on Growing Fencing in America: NCAA Programs, Marketing Push & the Road to LA 2028 | Direct Elimination Ep. 34
USA Fencing's CEO, Phil Andrews, reveals influencer and K-pop deals, a sport-saving radio campaign & what the sport's growth strategy is as we approach the LA 2028 Olympic Games. This episode will surprise you.The Fencing Podcast of...
Jerry Simmons on How to Raise a World Champion Fencer | Direct Elimination: Special Father's Day Edition
What does it actually take to raise a World Champion fencer? Jerry Simmons reveals the parenting philosophy no one talks about.The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts.In this episode, you'll discover:• Why Jerry and his ...
The Fencer Who Wrote Our Theme Song: Colin Campbell | Direct Elimination Ep. 33
Colin Campbell wrote the Direct Elimination theme song on sticky notes during construction breaks — and he's a Notre Dame fencing champion.The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts.In this episode, you'll discover:• How Co...
Our Wildest Fencing Season Yet — End of Season Recap
The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts.Ari beat Olympic and world champion Masaru Yamada at the MedellínFencing World Cup, Stephen and the New York Athletic Club won the Senior National Team Championship, and somehow we still sq...
NCAA Fencing Champion & Paris Olympian Elizabeth Tartakovsky on Women's Saber Fencing, Harvard & Finding Joy Again | Direct Elimination Ep. 32
Paris Olympian Elizabeth Tartakovsky opens up about women's saber fencing, chasing the Olympics, and what comes after the dream.The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts.In this episode, you'll discover:• How Elizabeth Tar...
