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
Olympic Fencing Champion Lauren Scruggs: Breaking Barriers & Balancing Life | Direct Elimination Ep. 13
🎙️ EPISODE 13 -- LAUREN SCRUGGS INTERVIEW
The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts.
Join Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart for an inspiring conversation with Lauren Scruggs, the first Black American woman to win an individual Olympic fencing medal. From her focused beginnings to making history at the Olympics, Lauren shares her incredible journey of breaking barriers while maintaining her identity beyond the sport.
You'll hear:
• The unique dynamics of being coached by her stepfather Sean McClain
• Her philosophy on compartmentalizing fencing and maintaining identity beyond sport
• The coaching dynamics of working with stepfather Sean McClain and managing dual relationships
• What it means to be a trailblazer and the responsibility that comes with representation
• How she overcame financial barriers in an expensive sport through determination
• Balancing a career in wealth management with Olympic-level athletic training
• The crucial role of support systems like Peter Westbrook Foundation and sponsors
• Her quality-over-quantity training approach developed through financial constraints and efficient time use
Lauren's story demonstrates that success in elite fencing isn't just about talent—it's about smart training, life balance, and staying true to yourself while breaking new ground. Her insights on compartmentalization and avoiding the trap of defining yourself solely as an athlete offer valuable lessons for any competitive fencer or athlete.
Don't miss this authentic discussion with one of America's most inspiring Olympic athletes who proves that being yourself is something worth celebrating.
⏱ Chapters
00:00:00 – Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:03:30 – Origin Story - How Lauren Started Fencing
00:07:00 – Coaching Relationship with Stepfather Sean
00:10:30 – Life Balance and Identity Outside Fencing
00:15:30 – The All-In Moment and Competitive Drive
00:20:30 – Why Fencing - What Drew Her to the Sport
00:28:00 – College Experience at Harvard
00:32:00 – Being a Trailblazer and First Achievements
00:36:30 – Overcoming Financial Barriers and Setbacks
00:43:00 – Professional Career in Wealth Management
00:47:00 – Future Goals and Dreams
00:49:30 – Empire United and Peter Westbrook Foundation
00:54:00 – Sponsorship and Support Systems
01:01:00 – One-Light Answers Rapid Fire
đź’¬ Quotes
* "I definitely don't define myself as just a fencer. I have other things going for me"
* "If you're going to do something, you're gonna do it well and try to be the best"
* "You have to have your own life aside from the sport. I think for young athletes, it's like super important"
* "I think something just clicked, like I was lucky to find a sport that just really aligned with me"
The Peter Westbrook Foundation addresses social, physical, academic, and health barriers by leveraging the unique sport of fencing to offer structured physical activity, academic support, and world class coach-mentors to help underrepresented youth excel. Link in podcast description
Website: https://www.peterwestbrook.org/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterwestbrookfoundation/
Donate: https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?id=1&name=E355212
Thank you for listening!
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