Accents in Sports: A Breakaway English Podcast

Ashley Shoemaker
  • 5.0 (3)
  • LANGUAGE LEARNING

A Sports-focused English-learning podcast for sports professionals, athletes and fans featuring real conversations with native and non-native speaking athletes, coaches, and other people in sports from around the world, along with strategies and tips to help you improve your communication skills in English for sports..

  1. 10/31/2025

    Race Day Preparation: Essential Phrases for Triathletes, Cyclists & Runners

    Prepare for race day like a pro- and improve your English at the same time! In this episode of Accents in Sports, Ashley guides runners, triathletes, and cyclists through race day preparation, including athlete check-in, timing chips, gear bags, course recon, and race nutrition prep. Learn the essential sports English vocabulary and phrases to describe your pre-race routine, boost your confidence in English, and speak like a seasoned athlete. Become a member of "The Huddle" for access to *free* transcripts, episode activity sheets, bonus content and more!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How will this episode help you improve your English? ✅ Authentic Language – Learn the real phrases athletes use before races ✅ Real context + Vocabulary – Understand words in action, not isolation ✅ Confidence & Connection – Feel more fluent when speaking in English and talking about your sport and routine Follow Breakaway English for more strategies to improve your communication in English for international and high-performance sports: 📰 Newsletter: The Huddle – weekly tips, stories, and bonuses 🔗 Website: www.breakawayenglish.com 📸 Instagram: @breakawayenglish

    10 min

  2. 07/16/2025

    English Phrasal Verbs #2 - Expressions for Performance & Competition

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a member of "The Huddle" for access to *free* transcripts, episode activity sheets, bonus content and more!⁠⁠⁠⁠ In this practical and engaging episode of Accents in Sports, Ashley continues her series on phrasal verbs used in sports—and today, it’s all about expressions we use for performance and pressure during competitions.  You’ll learn three powerful and natural phrasal verbs in English that athletes, coaches, sports pros and fans can use every day in sports. With clear examples, guided practice, and model sentences, this episode is perfect for improving your fluency and sounding more natural in conversations. How will this episode help you improve your English? ✅ Real Conversation – Learn how phrasal verbs work in real situations ✅ Guided Speaking – Practice with model answers to boost fluency ✅ Confidence Building – Understand and use expressions you’ll hear in sports and daily life Follow Breakaway English for more on strategies to improve your communication skills in English in international and high performance sports enviro: 📰 Newsletter: ⁠⁠The Huddle⁠⁠ (tips, strategies, and bonuses every week) 🔗 Website: ⁠www.breakawayenglish.com⁠ 📸 Instagram: ⁠@breakawayenglish⁠

    13 min

  3. 07/01/2025

    Interview w/ Holly Zimmermann. From the Sahara Desert to the Polar Circle: Ultra Racing, Resilience & Adventures in the Extremes

    In this episode of Accents in Sports, Ashley Shoemaker speaks with Holly Zimmermann- ultra-endurance runner, adventurer, author, and coach who has raced across deserts, mountains, and embraced discomfort in the most extreme environments on Earth. They explore the role of mindset, cultural experiences while racing internationally, and how even the best-trained runners can struggle without self-belief. Holly shares personal stories, coaching insights, and what must go in the race pack (hint: not peanut butter!). Plus, they play "Finish the Phrase" and "Pack or Pass," two fun games packed with sports English expressions. ⁠⁠⁠Become a member of "The Huddle" to unlock instant access to free transcripts, episode activity sheets, bonus content and more!⁠⁠⁠ 🌍 Connect with Holly Zimmermann Website: hollyzimmermann.com Instagram: @holly.zimmermann Books: Ultra Marathon Mom, Running Everest — Available onlineCoaching: Reach out via her website for personalized run coaching (beginner to ultra) Follow Breakaway English for more on sports, language, and confidence in English: 🔗 Website: www.breakawayenglish.com 📸 Instagram: @breakawayenglish 📰 Newsletter: The Huddle (tips, strategies, and bonuses every week)

    34 min

  4. 06/02/2025

    Guess That Athlete: Legends of Sports History

    ⁠⁠⁠Become a member of "The Huddle": Free transcripts, episode activity sheets, bonus content and more!⁠⁠⁠ In this fun and interactive episode of Accents in Sports, Ashley kicks off a brand new series—Guess That Athlete! And for the inaugural episode, we're talking about the GOATs of 20th century sports! 🐐 You'll hear short clues about legendary sports figures and try to guess who they are. From slam dunks to world records, each athlete’s story is packed with powerful vocabulary and inspiring moments. What will you learn in this episode? Descriptive adjectives – Like graceful, bold, and powerfulPast simple verbs – Used to talk about each athlete’s achievements How will this episode help you improve your English? Vocabulary in Context – Hear new words in real situations Listening Practice – Improve comprehension with past tense stories Confidence Boost – Train your ear with natural, unscripted English Ready to play? Let’s see how many athletes you can guess! 🏅 Follow Breakaway English for more on sports, language, and confidence in English: 📰 Newsletter: ⁠⁠The Huddle ⁠⁠– Get tips + resources in your inbox every week!🔗 Website: ⁠www.breakawayenglish.com⁠📸 Instagram: ⁠@breakawayenglish⁠

    15 min

  5. 04/25/2025

    Sports Idioms in English - #1

    ⁠⁠Become a member of "The Huddle": Free transcripts, episode activity sheets, bonus content and more!⁠⁠ In this short solo episode of Accents in Sports, Ashley breaks down three common sports idioms in English and how they apply both in competitions and in daily situations. Whether you’re watching a game, prepping for a big challenge, or just trying to understand native speakers better, these phrases will boost your vocabulary and confidence. What will you learn in this episode? 💨 Get a second wind – When energy comes back just when you need it 🥊 Throw in the towel – The moment you decide to give up ⏱️ Down to the wire – A race or decision that’s incredibly close How will this episode help you improve your English? Idioms in Context – Hear how you can use these phrases in your daily life Listening Comprehension – Train your ear with natural spoken EnglishVocabulary Boost – Learn how to use these expressions in your own conversations Follow Breakaway English for more on sports, language, and confidence in English: 📰 Newsletter: ⁠The Huddle ⁠– Get tips + resources in your inbox every week! 🔗 Website: www.breakawayenglish.com 📸 Instagram: @breakawayenglish

    8 min

  6. 04/11/2025

    English Phrasal Verbs in Sports #1

    ⁠⁠Become a member of "The Huddle": Free transcripts, episode activity sheets, bonus content and more!⁠⁠ In this first episode of my brand-new series on phrasal verbs in sports, we're diving into three essential expressions every athlete, coach, and sports fan should know: work out, warm up, and cool down. You'll learn: What phrasal verbs are How and when to use them in sports contexts Simple grammar tips (intransitive vs. transitive, separable vs. inseparable) And how these verbs can help you sound more natural when you speak Plus, stay tuned for our "Train the Brain" segment where you’ll practice using each phrase in your own context! 🧠 Download the FREE PDF worksheet: Practice exercises, grammar tips, and prompts to help you go from passive to active learning. 👉 📄 Download the worksheet here 📄 Download the transcript here. 📬 Sign up for my newsletter The Huddle: Get weekly strategies, vocabulary, and lessons straight to your inbox to help you speak more confidently in sports settings. 👉 Join The Huddle here 💡 Listener Challenge: What’s YOUR favorite phrasal verb or sports expression? Comment on this episode, or send me a voice note or a message on Instagram—I’d love to hear it and maybe feature it in an upcoming episode! Follow Breakaway English for more on sports, language, and confidence in English: 📰 Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠The Huddle ⁠⁠⁠– Get tips + resources in your inbox every week! 🔗 Website: ⁠⁠www.breakawayenglish.com⁠⁠ 📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠@breakawayenglish

    16 min

  7. 02/21/2025

    Team Communication in Sports (Part 1): 5 Essential Game-Time Phrases in English

    ⁠⁠Become a member of "The Huddle": Free transcripts, episode activity sheets, bonus content and more!⁠⁠ Great teams don’t just play together- they communicate together. Whether you’re calling plays, responding to a coach, or giving a quick instruction to a teammate, clear and confident English can be the difference between winning and losing. In this episode, we’re diving into five essential phrases that will help you think faster, speak clearly, and react quickly in English in high-pressure moments in sports. Plus, I’ll share key strategies to improve your game-time communication to help build better trust on your sports teams and with your coaches. This is Part 1 of a two-part series on team communication in sports. Next time, we’ll focus on building strong relationships off the field through confident English. Let’s get started! What you’ll learn: How communicating effectively in English can build better relationships on sports teams and between coaches and athletes Follow Breakaway English for more on sports, language, and confidence in English: 📰 Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠The Huddle ⁠⁠⁠– Get tips + resources in your inbox every week! 🔗 Website: ⁠⁠www.breakawayenglish.com⁠⁠ 📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠@breakawayenglish

    11 min

  8. 01/08/2025

    Interview w/ Bill Prentice: Epic Adventures on the Water in the Outrigger Canoe

    ⁠⁠Become a member of "The Huddle": Free transcripts, episode activity sheets, bonus content and more!⁠⁠ In this episode, Ashley Shoemaker is joined by Bill Prentice, a seasoned dragon boat racer and outrigger canoeist who is passionate about continuing to compete and test his limits both in competitions and personal adventures throughout his life.  Bill is from Zimbabwe, and now lives on the California coast where you can find him in the ocean paddling in his OC1 to prepare for his epic adventures and competitions.  What will you learn about in this episode? Outrigger Canoeing: Learn some phrases and terms related to paddling in an outrigger canoe and other terms related to water sports. How will this episode help you improve your English Listening Comprehension: Improve your ability to follow and understand real, natural conversations and get exposure to different accents in English. Vocabulary: Learn new expressions and words related to being outdoors, doing water sports, paddling and boat terminology, and storytelling. Follow Breakaway English for more on sports, language, and confidence in English: 📰 Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠The Huddle ⁠⁠⁠– Get tips + resources in your inbox every week! 🔗 Website: ⁠⁠www.breakawayenglish.com⁠⁠ 📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠@breakawayenglish

    43 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A Sports-focused English-learning podcast for sports professionals, athletes and fans featuring real conversations with native and non-native speaking athletes, coaches, and other people in sports from around the world, along with strategies and tips to help you improve your communication skills in English for sports..

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