Good as Gold with Sarah Hughes

Sarah Hughes

"Behind every gold medal is a story worth telling." Hosted by Olympic champion Sarah Hughes, Good as Gold features intimate, inspiring conversations with the world's greatest athletes — Olympic gold medalists. Each episode explores the untold journey behind the medal: training, setbacks, triumphs, and the lasting legacy of sport. With warmth, humor, and insider perspective, Sarah connects with fellow champions across every discipline, uncovering the human side of Olympic excellence. Perfect for sports fans, aspiring athletes, and anyone chasing greatness — this is the ultimate Olympic storytelling podcast.

Episodes

  1. Balancing Act - Carly Patterson

    10/14/2025

    Balancing Act - Carly Patterson

    In this episode of Good As Gold, host Sarah Hughes, the 2002 Olympic figure skating champion, sits down with Carly Patterson, the iconic American gymnast who won the all-around gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics at just 16 years old. Carly shares her inspiring journey from discovering gymnastics at a cousin's birthday party to overcoming injuries and achieving Olympic glory. She discusses the pressures of competing on the world stage, the impact of her victories on future generations of American gymnasts, and how she applies the lessons learned from gymnastics to her current roles as a mother, motivational speaker, and leader in her sport. Tune in to hear about Carly's experiences, the importance of mindset, and the joys and challenges of parenting three young children. Don't miss this in-depth and inspiring conversation!   00:00 Balancing Act - Carly Patterson 01:00 Casual Conversation and Background 01:43 Olympic Journey and Experiences 04:29 Medal Memories and Display 07:50 Pre-Competition Routine and Superstitions 10:01 Spectator Experiences at the Olympics 18:06 Gymnastics Beginnings and Training 24:21 Rise to Prominence and Olympic Preparation 30:41 The Broken Elbow: A Setback Before Worlds 31:21 Competing with an Injury: The Worlds Experience 32:30 Post-Worlds Surgery and Recovery 36:17 The Road to the Olympics: Trials and Tribulations 39:51 The Olympic Experience: Competing in Athens 54:47 Life After Gymnastics: Parenting and New Challenges 58:01 Reflecting on Legacy and Future Aspirations 01:05:40 Final Thoughts and Farewell

    1h 6m
  2. Row and Behold - Caryn Davies

    09/30/2025

    Row and Behold - Caryn Davies

    In this episode of Good As Gold, host Sarah Hughes interviews Caryn Davies, a three-time Olympic medalist and one of rowing's most decorated athletes. Caryn shares her incredible journey encompassing not only her Olympic successes, including two gold medals, but also her academic achievements from Harvard, Columbia Law School, and Oxford. They discuss the discipline and teamwork integral to rowing and Caryn's experience balancing an elite sports career with academic pursuits. Caryn also reflects on her attempts to return to Olympic competition, the challenges of reintegrating into the training team, and the invaluable lessons she learned about focus, community, and personal growth. Touching on her role as President of the US Olympic and Paralympic Alumni Association, Caryn emphasizes the importance of community and supporting former athletes. The episode includes candid conversations about the highs and lows of elite competition, the significance of team dynamics, and Caryn's commitment to self-improvement and helping others.   00:00 Caryn Davies - Row and Behold 00:52 Discussing Olympic Journey and Medals 03:27 Pre-Competition Routines and Warmups 05:58 Memorable Olympic Moments 08:05 Getting into Rowing 10:44 A Day in the Life of a Rower 13:55 Returning to Competitive Rowing 22:46 Challenges and Team Dynamics 33:49 Reflections on Olympic Selection and Stroke Seat 41:20 The Olympic Experience vs. Other Competitions 43:20 Winning the Olympic Gold Medal 43:57 The Reality of Winning a Gold Medal 45:20 Marketability and Sponsorship in Rowing 45:20 Considering Competing for Great Britain 45:20 The Torch or Tin Game 53:42 The Challenges of Big Law 01:04:35 Parenting and Life Lessons 01:04:35 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

    1h 8m
  3. Thrown For a Loop - Meagan Duhamel

    09/23/2025

    Thrown For a Loop - Meagan Duhamel

    In this episode of Good as Gold, host Sarah Hughes, Olympic champion in figure skating, talks with Meagan Duhamel, a Canadian figure skating legend. Meagan shares insight into her illustrious career, including her superstitions, the heartbreak of the Sochi Olympics, and her redemption in Pyeongchang. She discusses balancing motherhood and coaching, staying injury-free, and her thoughts on pair skating's technical demands. The conversation also touches on Meagan's experiences with reality TV, her views on the evolution of figure skating, and the importance of adaptability in both sports and life. With candid stories of resilience, perseverance, and both professional and personal growth, this episode offers an in-depth look at the journey behind achieving Olympic dreams.     00:00 Thrown for a Loop - Meagan Duhamel 00:51 Introduction and Greetings 01:02 Olympic Journey and Inspirations 03:15 Pre-Competition Rituals and Superstitions 05:37 Memories and Reflections on Medals 07:16 Family and Skating Legacy 11:50 Early Skating Days and Inspirations 13:58 Transition to Pairs Skating 16:14 Training and Competing at Elite Levels 17:08 Olympic Experiences and Turning Points 20:52 2014 Sochi Olympics and Lessons Learned 23:11 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics and Achievements 36:57 Torch or Tin: Fun Segment 38:56 Battle of the Blades Experience 43:32 Staying Injury-Free as an Athlete 46:19 Raising the Next Generation of Skaters 49:25 The Evolution of Figure Skating 52:57 Traveling and Competing with Kids 58:28 The Future of Skating Competitions 01:13:16 Building a Skating Community 01:14:57 Final Thoughts and Goodbyes

    1h 11m
  4. Rowdy Behavior - Rowdy Gaines

    09/16/2025

    Rowdy Behavior - Rowdy Gaines

    In this episode of Good As Gold, host Sarah Hughes, the 2002 Olympic champion in figure skating, delves into the inspiring journey of Rowdy Gaines. Despite being cut from five different sports, Rowdy rose to become an Olympic champion swimmer. He shares memories from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, his passion for drowning prevention, and his work to ensure every child learns to swim. Rowdy reflects on the importance of storytelling in sports, the dedication required for Olympic success, and his experiences calling events at multiple Olympic Games. The episode also touches on the significance of parental support in children's sports, the evolution of athlete mental health awareness, and the importance of swimming lessons for child safety.   00:00 Rowdy Gaines - Rowdy Behavior 01:57 Olympic Memories and Fan Moments 02:46 Discussing the Winter and Summer Olympics 04:14 Rowdy's warmup 05:11 Gold Medals and Olympic Experiences 06:50 Pre-Competition Routines and Superstitions 07:55 Swimming and Skating as Lifelong Passions 08:23 Commentating and Broadcasting Career 12:23 US Dominance in Swimming 27:44 Personal Journey into Swimming 34:48 Struggles in High School Swimming 35:39 First Coach and Early Training 37:11 College Swimming and the 1980 Boycott 39:39 1984 Olympics and Winning Gold 43:16 Challenges and Changes in Swimming 45:42 Supporting Current Swimmers and Future Plans 57:20 Drowning Prevention and Swim Lessons 01:04:34 Fun and Reflections on Swimming 01:11:55 Final Thoughts and Farewell

    1h 13m

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

"Behind every gold medal is a story worth telling." Hosted by Olympic champion Sarah Hughes, Good as Gold features intimate, inspiring conversations with the world's greatest athletes — Olympic gold medalists. Each episode explores the untold journey behind the medal: training, setbacks, triumphs, and the lasting legacy of sport. With warmth, humor, and insider perspective, Sarah connects with fellow champions across every discipline, uncovering the human side of Olympic excellence. Perfect for sports fans, aspiring athletes, and anyone chasing greatness — this is the ultimate Olympic storytelling podcast.