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Behind the Blocks

Behind the Blocks

By: Chris Stafford
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 Behind the Blocks is a swimming podcast, hosted by multi-Olympic medalist Kaitlin Sandeno. The first series launched in May 2020 featured exclusive interviews with some of the best swimmers in the US.Chris Stafford Water Sports
Episodes
  • Ella Eastin: A Record-Breaking Journey of Resilience & Reinvention

    Ella Eastin: A Record-Breaking Journey of Resilience & Reinvention
    Sep 9 2021
    Dive into an inspiring biographical interview with Ella Eastin, a record-breaking American swimmer whose determination, grace, and resilience have shaped her legacy in the pool and beyond. In this compelling episode, Ella shares her journey from early promise to becoming one of the most decorated collegiate swimmers of her generation. Listeners go behind the scenes of her rise through USA Swimming, her incredible NCAA performances, and the obstacles that tested her strength—including health challenges that dramatically redirected her competitive path. Hear how Ella navigated victory, adversity, identity, and transformation while redefining success both inside and outside the lanes. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, student, parent, or someone who loves stories of grit and passion, Ella’s thoughtful reflections illuminate what it means to pursue big dreams with heart. We explore her training mindset, the emotional landscape of competing at an elite level, the value of support systems, and how she continues to evolve as a leader, mentor, and advocate for athlete well-being. This intimate conversation reveals the person behind the records—grounded, reflective, and dedicated to empowering others through honesty and authenticity. Join us for a deep, motivating journey into the life of a champion whose story continues to inspire.

    Keywords:
    Ella Eastin, swimming podcast, biography interview, NCAA swimming, Stanford swimming, USA Swimming, record-breaking swimmer, athlete resilience, sports mindset, high-performance training, Olympic hopeful, athlete mental health, women in sports, college athletics, Ella Eastin interview, athlete wellness, sports storytelling, inspirational athletes, sports biography, personal growth, competitive swimming journey, podcast interview swimmers, elite athlete stories, health challenges athletes.

    I"t has been a true pleasure to watch our next guest blossom, mature, and leave her mark in the sport. Kaitlin first met Ella Eastin when she was just nine years old and she has played a small part of her massive career. Ella was special, both in the pool and out, from a very young age, and is not done yet. She broke numerous national age group and high school records and began her record-breaking college career at Stanford in 2015. She was a member of three Pac-12 and NCAA championship teams, 12 time national champion and first woman to win four NCAA titles in the 400 IM. Ella is a 20 time All-American, 2018 NCAA Championships Swimmer of the Meet, four American and NCAA records and a long list of other accolades." Kaitlin Sandeno

    Women Unscripted (formerly WiSP Sports) founded in 2012, has more than 1700 episodes from around the world of women’s sport and the arts. We have covered every sport and all the issues around women in sport. We have interviewed hundreds of athletes and several of them have hosted our shows over the years. Subscribe and download Women Unscripted for free access to our extensive archive library.
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    49 mins
  • How Natalie Hinds Built Her Legacy: Triumph, Grit & Heart

    How Natalie Hinds Built Her Legacy: Triumph, Grit & Heart
    Sep 9 2021
    In this inspiring biographical interview, we sit down with Natalie Hinds—known by many as A Born Champion—to explore the defining moments, personal challenges, and powerful mindset that shaped her journey. From her earliest inspirations to the milestones that propelled her forward, Natalie shares a candid look into her life as an elite competitor, visionary, and role model. Listeners will discover how Natalie built resilience through both triumph and adversity, carving a path of excellence while staying grounded in authenticity and personal growth. Her story highlights the importance of discipline, faith, mentorship, and community, as well as the power of believing in your unique purpose. Whether you are an athlete, creator, entrepreneur, coach, or someone seeking motivation, this conversation is filled with empowering insights on perseverance, mental strength, balancing identity with ambition, and celebrating the victories—big and small—that define a life well lived. Tune in to hear:
    • How Natalie developed a champion’s mindset
    • Her early life influences and breakthrough moments
    • Lessons from competing at the highest levels
    • How she navigates pressure, expectation, and change
    • The people and experiences that shaped her personal and professional growth
    • What drives her purpose beyond winning
    This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to redefine success and discover what it truly means to be born a champion.

    Keywords:
    Natalie Hinds, A Born Champion, athlete interview, sports biography, inspirational podcast, champion mindset, perseverance, mental strength, personal growth, athlete story, motivational story, excellence, elite athlete, success journey, purpose and passion, overcoming adversity, competitive career, athletic inspiration, life lessons, interviews with athletes, biography podcast, personal transformation, inspiring leaders, sports success, resilience, motivation, high performance mindset, role models, success stories, champion narrative.

    "As a Midland, Texas native, Natalie Hinds was CollegeSwimming.com’s No. 1 recruit out of the Lone Star State in 2012. She then went on to become an All-American sprinter at the University of Florida on multiple occasions. As a Florida freshman, Natalie finished 3rd in the 100-yard free at NCAA's. She was named the SEC Female Freshman of the Year after finishing top eight in all her events. Natalie continued a successful college career having been a 20-Time All-American, 3x SEC champ, 3x SEC academic Honor roll selection and First team All-SEC. She qualified for Olympic trials in 2012 and 2016. Natalie trains with the post-grad group at UGA. She qualified to compete at the 2020 Summer Olympics in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay as part of the 2020 U.S. Olympic swimming team, placing 4th at the US Olympic Team Trials. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Natalie won a bronze medal in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay, swimming in both the prelims and the finals." Kaitlin Sandeno

    Women Unscripted (formerly WiSP Sports founded in 2012) )has more than 1700 episodes from around the world of women’s sport and the arts. We have covered every sport and all the issues around women in sport. We have interviewed hundreds of athletes and several of them have hosted our shows over the years.Subscribe and download Women Unscripted for free access to our extensive archive library.
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    51 mins
  • Amanda Beard: The Making of a Four-Time Olympian

    Amanda Beard: The Making of a Four-Time Olympian
    Sep 9 2021
    Dive into an inspiring and deeply personal conversation with four-time Olympian, world champion, and gold medalist Amanda Beard, whose journey from teen swimming star to mental-health advocate continues to inspire athletes and fans around the world. In this biographical interview, Amanda reflects on her early rise to becoming one of America’s most celebrated swimmers—bursting onto the international stage at just 14 years old—and the emotional, psychological, and competitive pressures that came with global fame. Amanda shares intimate stories about training at the highest level, navigating the expectations of elite performance, and redefining her identity beyond medals and records. She opens up about the challenges of body image, anxiety, and the realities no one sees behind Olympic glory. Today, as a speaker, mother, entrepreneur, and advocate, Amanda continues to support athletes in embracing authenticity, mental well-being, and self-acceptance. Listeners will hear how Amanda transformed obstacles into purpose, what she learned from competing in four Olympic Games (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008), and how her journey shaped her career both in and out of the pool. Whether you’re a swimmer, sports enthusiast, or someone seeking a story of perseverance and personal growth, this episode offers a powerful look into the strength of vulnerability and the courage to evolve. Tune in for a rich, honest conversation about greatness, resilience, and life after the podium.

    ✅ Keywords (SEO):
    Amanda Beard interview, Olympic swimmer, four-time Olympian, Olympic gold medalist, USA Swimming, women in sports, athlete mental health, sports psychology, swimming podcast, Amanda Beard biography, competitive sports stories, Olympic Games story, swimmer mindset, athlete advocacy, performance pressure, body image in sports, inspirational athletes, Olympic history, elite training, personal growth, mental-health awareness, athlete success stories, overcoming adversity

    "Amanda Beard was just 14 years-old when she qualified for her first Olympic Games and walked away as the second youngest swimmer in history to medal with one gold and two silvers. That was just the beginning to a very successful career, in the pool and out. She went on to make the next three Olympic games, competing in a total of four Olympics where she earned seven Olympic medals (two gold, four silver, one bronze). She has collected a total of twenty-one medals in major international competitions, a former World and American recorder holder, NCAA champ, received the American Swimmer of the Year Award not once, but twice, eight U.S. National Titles and served as Team USA's Olympic Swim Team Captain twice. Not only did she shine in the water, she graced the pages of countless sports and lifestyle magazine as a model, brand representative also as a nonprofit advisor. Nowadays Amanda is a mother of two, wife, motivational speaker, businesswoman and author of New York Times Bestseller In the Water They Can't See You Cry, and is co-founder of Beard Swim Co" Kaitlin Sandeno

    Women Unscripted (formerly WiSP Sports) founded in 2012, has more than 1700 episodes from around the world of women’s sport and the arts. We have covered every sport and all the issues around women in sport. We have interviewed hundreds of athletes and several of them have hosted our shows over the years. Subscribe and download Women Unscripted for free access to our extensive archive library.
    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
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