Direct Elimination Podcast
Where champions take off the mask.
Hosted by elite fencers Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart, Direct Elimination brings you raw, honest conversations with top performers in sports, business and life. Each episode dives deep into what it really takes to pursue your passion with purpose.
No fluff. Just the moments, mindsets, and choices that shape a life in pursuit of something bigger.
Direct Elimination Podcast
Justin Yoo on Fencing, Finance & Fighting Through Failure | Direct Elimination Ep. 2
🎙️ EPISODE 2 – JUSTIN YOO INTERVIEW
In this episode of Direct Elimination, Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart welcome their first official guest: Justin Yoo — one of the most accomplished U.S. fencers of his generation, a standout on Team USA, a Wharton graduate, a finance professional, and someone who has lived a double life balancing high-performance sport with a demanding career.
Justin’s story spans more than medals. From violin to tennis to fencing, from cadet and junior world championships to the senior international stage, and from late nights in Excel to early mornings on strip, Justin has learned what it means to commit fully — and to find joy in the fight.
You’ll hear:
Justin’s origin story in fencing, including his time in the legendary LA “G-Unit” training crew.
His all-in moment — and why, in truth, fencing is a series of recommitments.
The experience of competing at seven World Championships, and why Tbilisi, Georgia stood out.
How he balances a career in finance with training at the New York Athletic Club.
His philosophy on motivation vs. purpose, and why gratitude keeps him grounded.
Why fencing is moving into a new era of creativity and improvisation.
Stories of feeding stray dogs in Georgia, hitting friends in practice, and training with U.S. greats.
This is more than a fencing interview. It’s about balancing ambition, identity, and purpose — and about why someone chooses to keep fighting even when life makes it hard.
⏱ Timestamps
00:00 – Intro & Episode setup
02:00 – Introducing Justin Yoo
04:00 – World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia
10:00 – Team USA growth and culture
14:00 – Career-best season: beating world champions
20:00 – Rituals, presence, and mindset shifts
25:00 – Justin’s fencing origin story
32:00 – Training in LA with the “G-Unit”
37:00 – NCAA years at UPenn
43:00 – Transition to NYC: finance + fencing
50:00 – Coaching influences and training philosophy
1:00:00 – Rapid Fire: hardest bout, favorite Excel function, all-time favorite fencers
1:03:00 – Closing thoughts & outro
đź’¬ Key Quotes
“Progress isn’t linear — in fencing or in life.”
“If you’re willing to fight as hard as you can, the result doesn’t matter as much.”
“You can either get through it, or you can get better.”
“Gratitude is the most powerful motivator.”
Thank you for listening!
đź”— Connect with Us
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