Confessions of an Elite Athlete with Midge Purce

Vox Media Podcast Network
Vox Media Podcast Network
  • 4.4 (37)
  • Sports
  • Biweekly

What does it really take to be elite? Midge Purce is a champion on the field, but she's also a Harvard graduate with a degree in psychology. In Confessions of an Elite Athlete, Midge sits down with the best athletes in the world to explore their mindset and unseen battles on the path to greatness. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

  1. 3d ago

    CC Sabathia on Crash Diets, Marrying Smart & Choosing Family Over Baseball

    Midge Purce sits down with World Series champion, Cy Young Award winner, and New York Yankees legend CC Sabathia. CC opens up about his journey from the inner city to Monument Park at Yankee Stadium, mastering emotional regulation on the mound, and what it really took to lead championship clubhouses in New York. CC also shares how he navigated public scrutiny surrounding his body and performance, the life-changing impact of accepting influence from his wife Amber, and his decision to step away from baseball to enter rehab. Plus, he breaks down the power of positive self-talk, stripping away external triggers, and the importance of choosing family over the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  2. Oct 21

    Colleen Quigley: From Modeling to the Olympics to HYROX

    In this episode of Confessions of An Elite Athlete, host Midge Purce sits down with Olympic steeplechaser, former Wilhelmina model, and HYROX athlete Colleen Quigley. Colleen opens up about her fear of failure, navigating the high-pressure worlds of modeling and track, and the common mental and physical challenges athletes face with food, body image, and recovery. Colleen also shares how she overcame burnout by shifting her mindset, breaking down her transition into hybrid fitness competitions, and discussing how technology and tracking impact modern performance. Plus, she details her mission to reshape women’s sports through her self-founded, athlete-led collective, Meridia. Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Olympic Steeplechaser & Model Colleen Quigley 00:57 How Fearing Failure Accidental Led Colleen to Running  02:36 What Is the Steeplechase? (Obstacles, Water Pits & Mind Games)  06:14 The Mental Strategy to Push Through Extreme Pain  07:56 Is Competitive Drive a Blessing or an Achilles' Heel?  09:29 Social Media vs. Real Life as a Professional Athlete  11:50 Balancing High-Fashion Modeling with High School  14:19 Choosing Track Over International Modeling  15:09 The Harsh Truth About Body Image & Food in Women's Sports  18:54 How Caloric Deficits and Overtraining Cause Severe Injuries  22:44 Breaking the Delusion: How Female Athletes Can Fuel Properly  24:36 The Bizarre New Performance Tech (Bicarb & Broccoli Shots)  26:50 Sweat Testing & Overcoming Muscle Cramps 28:41 Does Performance Tracking & Wearable Tech Hold Athletes Back?  31:12 Why Elite Athletes Need Coaches Who Hold Them Back 32:12 Peace Over Podiums: Can You Be Elite Without Suffering?  36:04 What Is HYROX? (The Hybrid Fitness Craze)  39:17 How HYROX Celebrates Strong, Muscular Female Bodies  44:25 Building Meridia: Reshaping the Business of Women’s Sports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  3. Oct 13

    Justin Tuck on Starting Over and Financial Literacy

    Midge Purce sits down with two-time Super Bowl champion, two-time All-Pro defensive end, and Goldman Sachs Managing Director Justin Tuck. Justin opens up about transitioning out of the NFL and starting over from scratch in a new career. Justin shares how he strategically leveraged winning Super Bowls to cold-call billionaires and learn about business. He breaks down his path from the football field to Wharton MBA graduate, offering essential advice to anyone who is ready to start over. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction & The Reality of Transitioning 01:35 - Welcome Justin Tuck: From Super Bowls to Goldman Sachs 02:42 - Preparing for the End of an NFL Career 05:12 - Cultivating Curiosity & Exploring New Fields 06:51 - Why Finance? Addressing Representation & Financial Education 08:59 - Exploring Real Estate, Media, and Learning from Mentors 11:37 - Capitalizing on Success & The New York "Halo Effect" 13:38 - Deep Waters: Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable 15:36 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 18:00 - Grounding Yourself: Never Be the Smartest Person in the Room 20:06 - Developing Resilience and Learning Through Failure 22:42 - Stealing Skills: Watching Film to Gain an Edge 25:35 - Applying Football Film Study to Wealth Management 27:30 - Paying It Forward & Networking with Purpose 29:35 - Creative Networking: How Justin Reached Suite Owners at MetLife 32:06 - Networking Advice for Non-Pro Athletes 35:10 - Building Genuine Relationships Before Pitching Business 37:55 - Patience vs. Urgency in Deal-Making 41:17 - Confidence, Effort, and Knowing Your Worth 44:01 - Knowing When It’s Time to Move On 46:11 - Advice for Career Transitions: Humble Yourself & Listen Loudly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  4. Sep 15

    USMNT Goalkeeper Matt Freese on Playing in the World Cup & The Minds of Elite Goalies

    In this episode of Confessions of An Elite Athlete, Midge Purce sits down with USMNT goalkeeper Matt Freese for an inside look at what it takes to perform on soccer's biggest stage. From finding out he was starting at the World Cup, to mastering penalty kick mind games and maintaining  focus, Matt breaks down the mental and physical demands of elite goalkeeping. Matt shares his unique daily and pre-game routines, including meditation, staying present under intense pressure, and why you have to be a little "weird" to stand between the posts. Plus, he dives into team dynamics and life off the pitch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  5. Sep 1

    The Doctor Who Holds Elite Athletes' Careers in His Hands

    On this episode of Confessions of an Elite Athlete, Midge Purce sits down with her own surgeon, Dr. Riley Williams—Chief of Sports Medicine at HSS and Medical Director for the Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty, and New York Red Bulls. Known across professional sports as "Mr. ACL," Dr. Williams performs nearly 600 surgeries a year, among which are world-class athletes. Together, they discuss why ACL tears are surging among female athletes, and what is the riskiest thing an athlete can do after an ACL surgery. They also break down the truth behind playing on turf versus grass, the risks of early youth sports specialization, and a definitive tier ranking of the absolute worst lower-limb injuries. They also discuss the question on everyone’s mind: is it possible to prevent these injuries?   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  6. Aug 18

    Ali Truwit Lost Her Leg to a Shark—16 Months Later She Was on a Paralympic Podium

    Two days after Ali Truwit graduated from Yale University, she was attacked by a shark, fought it off and won. She lost her foot and part of her leg, yet still, somehow, swam 75 yards back to her boat. Just sixteen months later she was standing on a Paralympic podium in Paris with two silver medals. In this episode, Midge Purce sits down with Ali to discuss her path from trauma, to radical self-acceptance, to the Paralympic podium. They dive deep into how our minds can be the biggest barrier to accomplishment, overcoming negative brain loops with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and why we are all far stronger than we think. Ali and Midge also talk about how they met at Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show in Miami, overcoming body dissatisfaction, and why Ali is embracing a multi-hyphenate identify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  7. Aug 4

    Performance Expert Explains How To Reach Your Flow State

    What if the moments when everything clicks—when time disappears, focus sharpens, and your best work seems to happen effortlessly—are actually governed by a set of biological rules? Steven Kotler has spent decades studying flow, the altered state of consciousness shared by elite athletes, entrepreneurs, artists, military operators, and high performers across every field. According to Steven, flow isn't a rare gift reserved for extraordinary people. It's a trainable skill built into human biology. In this episode of Confessions of an Elite Athlete, Steven breaks down the neuroscience behind flow, why it dramatically improves performance, and how everyday habits—from constant notifications to cluttered workspaces—can quietly destroy your ability to access it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  8. Jul 21

    The Most Controversial Moments of the World Cup, with Ali Krieger and Charlie Davies

    We are LIVE from Fanatics Fest for a special episode of Confessions of an Elite Athlete. Midge Purce sits down with US Soccer legends Ali Krieger (Two-Time World Cup Champion, NWSL Champion & ESPN Pundit) and Charlie Davies (Former USMNT Player & CBS Sports Pundit) to talk about the best and most controversial moments of World Cup 2026. Ali and Charlie give their expert takes on the harsh realities of VAR, which red cards they thought were fair, and what goes through a player's head when they get a red card. All three weigh in on Folarin Balogun’s Red Card and President Trump’s intervention, Cape Verde’s Lopez Cabral’s stunning goal and precedent-setting celebration, the unmatched greatness of Lionel Messi, and Erling Haaland’s off-field personality and supernatural presence on the field. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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What does it really take to be elite? Midge Purce is a champion on the field, but she's also a Harvard graduate with a degree in psychology. In Confessions of an Elite Athlete, Midge sits down with the best athletes in the world to explore their mindset and unseen battles on the path to greatness. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

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