Sports & Forks with Kelly Senyei Kelly Senyei

In this episode, host Kelly Senyei sits down with the multi-talented Katie Austin and daughter of fitness icon Denise Austin. Katie is not just continuing the family legacy; she's carving her own path in the wellness world.



Katie opens up about her journey, diving into her experiences prepping for her upcoming wedding, discussing her personalized app's bridal series that emphasizes confidence over crash diets. Katie's passion for cooking shines through as she recalls fond family memories in the kitchen, her simple yet creative culinary approach and the possibility of a collaborative cookbook with her mother.



Listeners will get a taste of Katie's fitness philosophy, which mixes strength and HIIT over her mother's era of workouts, highlighting the shift in her training from competitive college athlete to an advocate for mental health through fitness.

From her sustainable eating habits to her engaging stories about the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit community and her wedding cake Pinterest finds, this episode is a delightful blend of sports insight and culinary conversation.



Timestamped Overview:

00:00 Intro

05:38 Aging made me change my eating habits.

06:57 Woman travels and cooks for family early.

10:42 Struggling to follow in famous mom's footsteps.

15:07 Eating based on body signals, not rules.

17:53 Wedding fitness program includes dance cardio, posture.

20:07 Flexible family-style dining with varied options.

22:32 Cake cutting ceremony with Italian style desserts.

26:43 Friends discussing changes in lifestyle and priorities.

30:04 Mantra: You are greater than your thoughts.

Today we’re joined by figure skating icon and Olympic gold medalist, Tara Lipinski. Tara's incredible journey began when she skated her way into the hearts of millions by winning gold at just 15 years old, making her the youngest to achieve the feat in the history of Olympic figure skating. Through the years, Tara has pivoted from the ice to the broadcast booth, where she and Johnny Weir provide engaging and educational commentary on the sport.



In this episode, Tara opens up to Kelly about her deep connection with food, from her favorite pizza dip recipe and go-to lunch order, to her evolving palate and culinary adventures in New York City (with reference to a particular confection we all know and love: Levain Cookies). They touch on how Tara avoided the negative pressures of body image in figure skating and how her diet has changed, especially during her 5-year fertility journey to becoming a mother. 



They also take a closer look at how Tara has championed infertility awareness by fostering open conversations about infertility and pregnancy loss. Tara shares the joy and gratitude she now experiences as a new mother, drawing parallels between the emotional relief of her daughter's birth and her Olympic triumphs.



Tara's infectious enthusiasm for trying new foods, her tips for introducing diverse cuisines to children, her role as a host on Food Network, plus her passion for cake flavors and baking (sans walnuts in her chocolate chip cookies!) are all on the menu in this episode of Sports & Forks. 



Timestamped Overview:

00:00 Intro

04:05 Olympic Figure Skating from young age

10:50 Focused on diet for fertility, now balanced.

16:29 Tara’s infertility journey 

21:15 Authentic friendship creates a fun sports broadcast family.

27:40 New York expanded Tara’s basic food preferences.

35:58 Blank canvas for endless flavor possibilities.

36:37 Quick Fire Challenge with Tara Lipinski

Today, we pop the cork with Channing Frye, NBA champion and a maestro in the art of winemaking. Channing isn't just a titan on the basketball court; off the court, he's been passionately cultivating his own winery, Chosen Family Wines, while forging a legacy beyond his athletic prowess. 



Residing near the lush vineyards of Oregon with his wife and four children, Channing has embraced the family-friendly nature of his environment to grow not just grapes, but the very essence of community and connection through wine.



In this episode, our host Kelly Senyei uncorks conversation topics flowing from the pairing of exquisite wines with surprisingly ordinary foods (think pizza and popcorn) to the nuances of winemaking. Channing reveals how a simple airplane flight tradition with The Cleveland Cavaliers grew into a symphony of stemware and storytelling among teammates.



They discuss the underrepresentation of Black-owned wineries in the U.S. and the challenges Channing faces in a competitive industry saturated with hefty marketing budgets. Channing opens up about his Chardonnay Rosé and his adventures in shifting public perception of athlete-owned wine brands, including a nod to his famous friends, Kevin Love (his business partner) and Lebron James, who himself has grown a strong passion for all things vino. 



From elucidating his simple "red, brown and green" wine descriptions to a quick-fire challenge that pairs dream foods with pinot noir, Channing shares a coach's life motto that resonates through his journey in winemaking: focus on your responsibilities, not on excuses.



Pour yourself a glass and settle in for a rich blend of sports stories and vineyard victories with Channing Frye on Sports & Forks.



https://www.chosenfamilywines.com/ 



Timestamped Overview:

00:00 Intro

05:09 Inspired by Gregg Popovich, alcohol evolution.

11:08 Affordable wines for a diverse group.

15:00 Describing wine using red, brown and green.

18:56 Creating logo, glass, cork, operations, winemaker, marketing.

20:38 Questions about wine sales, production and business.

23:54 Encourage trying smaller producers and different varietals.

28:14 Unexpected wine choices with food bring happiness.

31:26 Demystifying wine, gathering juice, earning trust.

35:06 White label is simpler, like hot cross buns.

38:35 Sports & Forks Quick Fire Challenge

In this inaugural episode of Sports & Forks, host Kelly Senyei sits down with legendary NFL quarterback Drew Brees to explore the fascinating intersection of sports, food and entrepreneurship. Drew Brees, esteemed for his illustrious career as the former quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, takes us through his compelling journey beyond the gridiron and into the world of business, particularly his foray into the spirits industry post-retirement.
Kelly and Drew kick off the conversation with a trip down memory lane to their college football experiences and the connections they've made to Wisconsin. The dialogue soon shifts to the deliciously complex world of coffee liqueurs—a particular point of intrigue for Brees—where they revel in the aromas and flavors of these spirits. They discuss Drew’s favorite brand, State Line Coffee Liqueur, and its recognition in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
They also discuss Brees’ dietary restrictions playing a significant role in his NFL career, and he openly discusses his experience managing these restrictions and how he's reintroduced certain foods post-retirement, from gluten to dairy to nuts. 

Sports & Forks is coming soon. Subscribe to hear the first episode as soon as it's published.