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
Fencing World Champion Sam Imrek: Unorthodox Style and Mental Resilience | Direct Elimination Ep. 14
🎙️ EPISODE 14 -- SAM IMREK INTERVIEW
The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts.
Team USA fencer Sam Imrek's journey from Star Wars-obsessed kid to elite athlete proves that unconventional paths often lead to extraordinary results. In this episode, Sam opens up about developing his unique fencing style, handling criticism from doubters, and the mental resilience that fuels his comeback mentality.
You'll hear:
• How Star Wars lightsaber play sparked Sam's fencing journey at Alliance Fencing Academy
• The origin story behind his unorthodox technique that initially drew criticism
• His powerful mindset for dealing with haters and proving doubters wrong
• Strategies for balancing D1 athletics, academics, and international competition
• The comeback mentality that keeps him fighting until the final point
• His emerging leadership role on Team USA and advice for younger fencers
• Rapid-fire insights on confidence, travel, and what drives elite performance
From treating fencing like sword fighting as an 8-year-old troublemaker to becoming a leader on the senior national team, Sam's story showcases the power of staying authentic to your style while continuously pushing to improve. His philosophy that "the bout's not over until it's over" applies far beyond the fencing strip.
Whether you're in competitive sports, facing criticism for being different, or need motivation to bounce back from setbacks, Sam's insights on mental toughness and unconventional success will inspire your journey.
⏱ Chapters
00:00:00 – Introduction & Guest Resume
00:07:00 – Origin Story & Early Fencing
00:12:00 – The All-In Moment
00:15:00 – What Sparks the Fire
00:18:00 – Unique Fencing Style Origins
00:21:00 – Handling Haters & Doubters
00:27:00 – Dreams: Past and Future
00:30:00 – Comeback Mentality
00:36:00 – Edge Product Testing Segment
00:45:00 – College Transition Advice
00:49:00 – Overcoming Setbacks
00:56:00 – Leadership on Team USA
01:02:00 – One-Light Answers Rapid Fire
đź’¬ Quotes
* "It's something that I've been doing my whole life and it's something that I'm really talented and skilled in"
* "The bout's not over until it's over"
* "There's always going to be another tournament. There's always going to be another season where you can improve"
Prieur USA
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