Game Changers: Incredible Stories of Resilience in Sports

Linda Martindale
  • 5.0 (52)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

The Game Changers Podcast includes conversations with athletes and coaches exploring the triumphs and tribulations in sports.  We uncover the untold stories of glory and defeat and how it defined our guests' journeys.  From overcoming setbacks to achieving extraordinary feats, each show will bring the listener inspiring tales of resilience that extends beyond the scoreboard.  Whether it's a comeback from injury, a stunning victory or the lessons learned in defeat, Game Changers is your front row seat to the indomitable human spirit in the arena of sports and performance.

  1. Apr 26

    Double Amputee - Seven Summits. Author Hari Budha Magar S3 - Episode 32

    I genuinely cannot imagine a more powerful, jaw-dropping, perspective-shifting way to have a Finale of Season 3.  Today’s guest doesn’t just inspire you—he completely resets what you believe is possible. Hari Budha Magar’s story begins in a remote village in Nepal, where he walked 45 minutes to school barefoot, He eventually joins the British after beating out hundreds of candidates and flies to the UK for training. You can image what it was like to get on that plane having never flown before and actually never even using a fork or knife. But it’s what happened next that makes his story almost impossible to comprehend. While serving in Afghanistan, Hari was hit by a roadside bomb and lost both of his legs above the knee. What followed was not immediate triumph. It was darkness. Rock bottom. Numbing the pain. Questioning whether life was worth living at all. And then—everything changed. Because Hari didn’t just choose to keep living… he chose to live in a way that would challenge the limits of human potential itself. He set out on a mission not just to rebuild his life, but to redefine how the world sees disability. He threw himself into adaptive sport—relentlessly, fearlessly—taking on challenges most able-bodied people wouldn’t dare attempt. And then, in 2023, he did something that had never been done before. He became the first double above-the-knee amputee to summit Mount Everest. Let that sink in. Not hike. Not climb in ideal conditions. He crawled—step by brutal step—through one of the harshest environments on earth to stand on top of the world. Hari’s story is not just about mountains. It’s about identity, resilience, courage, and the refusal to accept limits—especially the ones society tries to place on us. He is living proof that the greatest barriers we face are often not physical… they’re the ones we believe. This conversation will stay with you. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Game Changers. We hope you found inspiration and motivation in the stories of resilience and adversity shared by our incredible guests. Remember, no matter what challenges you face, your ability to overcome them lies within. Stay resilient and keep pushing forward towards your goals. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with others who may benefit from these powerful stories.

    1h 14m

  2. Apr 19

    Sports Reporter and Cancer Survivor Laura Behnke S3 - Episode 31

    This week, I’m joined by Laura Behnke—who spent 16 years as a TV sports anchor and reporter with ABC7 New York, ESPN, NBC Sports in the Bay Area and others, telling the biggest stories in sports.   But today, she’s telling a different kind of story—her own—and it’s making people stop and think.  If you’ve seen her Instagram, you know Laura doesn’t just share—she challenges perspectives. Her latest post increased her IG followers by 130,000 and provoked more than 700 comments!  Through honesty and vulnerability, she’s creating conversations that push people to reflect on what really matters.  After stepping away from TV in 2017, she leaned into more authentic storytelling, launching The Life Actually Company. Then in 2022, everything changed—she was diagnosed with stage 3B rectal cancer at just 42, with a seven-month-old daughter at home.  What’s powerful is this—she didn’t just face that fight, she’s bringing others along with her, helping people see strength, perspective, and themselves a little differently. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Game Changers. We hope you found inspiration and motivation in the stories of resilience and adversity shared by our incredible guests. Remember, no matter what challenges you face, your ability to overcome them lies within. Stay resilient and keep pushing forward towards your goals. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with others who may benefit from these powerful stories.

    1h 6m

  3. Apr 12

    MLS and Bolivian Soccer Player Efrain Morales S3 - Episode 30

    Excited to welcome Efraín Morales to the Game Changers podcast. Efraín is one of the rising young defenders in Major League Soccer, currently playing center back for CF Montréal and building a reputation as a fearless competitor with global roots. Born in Georgia to a Puerto Rican mother and Bolivian father, he came up through the Atlanta United FC, signing a Homegrown contract at just 16 years old and quickly making his mark in the professional ranks. Now continuing his MLS career in Montréal, Morales has also stepped onto the international stage—making his senior debut for the Bolivia national team during a 2024 FIFA World Cup qualifying match. Morales is a player whose story—and ceiling—are just getting started. Listen in as he talks about growing up in professional football. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Game Changers. We hope you found inspiration and motivation in the stories of resilience and adversity shared by our incredible guests. Remember, no matter what challenges you face, your ability to overcome them lies within. Stay resilient and keep pushing forward towards your goals. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with others who may benefit from these powerful stories.

    38 min

  4. Mar 29

    Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, MMA and former King of the Cage Alberto Crane S3 - Episode 29

    Today’s guest is someone who truly understands what it means to go all in—both in sport and in life. Alberto Crane is a former Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion, mixed martial arts fighter and a sixth-degree black belt who competed at the highest levels of combat sports, including the UFC. But his story is about far more than what happened on the mat and inside the cage. At just 18 years old, Alberto made a bold decision that would shape the rest of his life—he left everything behind and moved to Brazil to train in Jiu-Jitsu, immersing himself in the culture and discipline of the sport. That leap of faith helped build a career defined by resilience, grit, and a relentless commitment to improvement. But Alberto’s toughest fight didn’t happen in the cage. In 2012, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a life-altering disease that forced him to rethink everything—from how he trains to how he lives each day. Instead of letting it define him, Alberto leaned into the same mindset that made him a champion: discipline, adaptability, and refusing to quit. Now he’s sharing the lessons from his extraordinary journey in his new book, All In: Lessons on and Off the Mat.  Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Game Changers. We hope you found inspiration and motivation in the stories of resilience and adversity shared by our incredible guests. Remember, no matter what challenges you face, your ability to overcome them lies within. Stay resilient and keep pushing forward towards your goals. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with others who may benefit from these powerful stories.

    48 min

  5. Mar 22

    College Beach Volleyball Player Hania Taduran S3 - Episode 28

    I’m excited to welcome Hania Taduran to the podcast — not only is she an exceptional athlete, but a powerful advocate creating real change beyond the game. Hania began her beach volleyball career at Palos Verdes High School before competing at the Division I level at the University of the Pacific and later Florida International University. Her journey hasn’t been easy. After losing both her father and later her therapist to suicide, Hania faced profound personal challenges that deeply shaped her perspective on mental health and resilience. Despite those hardships, she emerged as a strong leader on the sand at Pacific — earning preseason all-conference honors, the team’s Most Offensive Player award, and being named a captain by the end of her freshman year. While still competing, she founded Breaking Barriers, a space where athletes could share their stories openly and safely.  She has now grown Breaking Barriers into a full advocacy organization dedicated to raising awareness about mental health in sports and empowering athletes to speak up and support one another. Hania’s story is one of courage, leadership, and purpose — and I’m honored to welcome her today. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Game Changers. We hope you found inspiration and motivation in the stories of resilience and adversity shared by our incredible guests. Remember, no matter what challenges you face, your ability to overcome them lies within. Stay resilient and keep pushing forward towards your goals. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with others who may benefit from these powerful stories.

    45 min

  6. Mar 15

    Race Around the World for Wishes Bill Murphy S3 - Episode 27

    I’m excited to talk to Bill Murphy this week, a man whose definition of endurance goes far beyond most peoples’ finish line. Bill has taken on some of the toughest challenges imaginable, including his incredible “Run the World for Wishes” mission—running seven marathons on seven continents in seven days to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation!!  Read that sentence again, in case you missed it. Bill is a marathoner, ultrarunner, and Ironman finisher—but he proudly describes himself as a “back of the pack” runner. For Bill, racing has never been about the time on the clock. It’s about enjoying the journey. And what a journey it’s been. Beyond the miles, Bill is also an author and speaker, sharing powerful lessons on resilience, mindset, and perseverance in his book Thriving in the Storm: 9 Principles to Help You Overcome Any Adversity. His story isn’t about chasing finish lines. It’s about choosing to keep going when things get hard—and using personal challenges to create impact for others. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Game Changers. We hope you found inspiration and motivation in the stories of resilience and adversity shared by our incredible guests. Remember, no matter what challenges you face, your ability to overcome them lies within. Stay resilient and keep pushing forward towards your goals. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with others who may benefit from these powerful stories.

    52 min

  7. Mar 8

    Cara Stawicki World Champion Rower and Performance Coach S3 - Episode 26

    How do you go from a college walk-on who had never rowed before to standing on the podium hearing the national anthem at the World Rowing Championships? This week on the Game Changers podcast, I talk with Cara Stawicki, and her story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to chase something big. Cara started rowing later than most elite athletes — but that didn’t stop her from reaching the very top of the sport. In 2019, racing for Team USA with her partner, she won gold at the World Rowing Championships in the Lightweight Women’s Pair, fulfilling a childhood dream. Over the course of her career, Cara earned a place on the U.S. Senior National Team in 2017, 2019, and 2022, competing at the highest level for her country. Today, Cara is a certified high-performance coach and founder of Be Brave High Performance, where she helps athletes, coaches, and leaders develop the same qualities that carried her to the top — mental grit, pressure management, and unwavering self-belief. Her journey proves something every athlete needs to hear: Your starting point doesn’t determine your ceiling.  Don’t miss this episode. It’s full of lessons on resilience, courage, and what it really takes to perform when it matters most.   Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Game Changers. We hope you found inspiration and motivation in the stories of resilience and adversity shared by our incredible guests. Remember, no matter what challenges you face, your ability to overcome them lies within. Stay resilient and keep pushing forward towards your goals. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with others who may benefit from these powerful stories.

    46 min

  8. Mar 1

    BC Football, Personal Trainer and The Cave Founder, John Damon S3 - Episode 25

    We are going for a ride today because my guest has so many stories and is a powerful example of how the lessons learned through sport can shape a life far beyond the game. John Damon is a former Boston College football player from Abington, Massachusetts, who planned to play both baseball and football—but instead competed during one of the toughest football eras in BC history. As a defensive lineman under legendary head coach Tom Coughlin, John learned toughness, discipline, and accountability, all while navigating serious challenges at home that forced him to grow up fast. Under Coach Coughlin, details mattered—preparation, effort, and doing things the right way every single day. After football, John carried that same grit into the fitness world, training Hollywood stars, Fortune 500 executives, and former professional athletes, while designing innovative gym spaces. He believes deeply in leading with love and creating a safe space where people can become their best selves. Today, John is a highly respected trainer with decades of experience transforming not just bodies, but confidence, habits, and mindset. His work has been featured in Men’s Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Men’s Journal, Shape, US Weekly, the Boston Globe, LA Times, and E! News. He’s also the founder of The Cave, a private training and recovery sanctuary in Charlotte, North Carolina. John Damon is proof that the game never really ends—it just evolves.  Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Game Changers. We hope you found inspiration and motivation in the stories of resilience and adversity shared by our incredible guests. Remember, no matter what challenges you face, your ability to overcome them lies within. Stay resilient and keep pushing forward towards your goals. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with others who may benefit from these powerful stories.

    1h 23m
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About

The Game Changers Podcast includes conversations with athletes and coaches exploring the triumphs and tribulations in sports.  We uncover the untold stories of glory and defeat and how it defined our guests' journeys.  From overcoming setbacks to achieving extraordinary feats, each show will bring the listener inspiring tales of resilience that extends beyond the scoreboard.  Whether it's a comeback from injury, a stunning victory or the lessons learned in defeat, Game Changers is your front row seat to the indomitable human spirit in the arena of sports and performance.

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