🎙️ EPISODE 13 -- LAUREN SCRUGGS INTERVIEW The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. Join Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart for an inspiring conversation with Lauren Scruggs, the first Black American woman to win an individual Olympic fencing medal. From her focused beginnings to making history at the Olympics, Lauren shares her incredible journey of breaking barriers while maintaining her identity beyond the sport. You'll hear: • The unique dynamics of being coached by her stepfather Se...

🎙️ EPISODE 12 – GRANT WILLIAMS INTERVIEW The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode of Direct Elimination, hosts Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart sit down with Grant Williams — a U.S. Men’s Épée National Team fencer, 2x Olympic alternate, and full-time consultant — to talk about balance, commitment, and chasing purpose inside and outside of sport. Grant shares what it means to be all in: from early days fencing in Seattle to training and working in New York City, to handling th...

🎙️ EPISODE 11 – CAMILLE SIMMONS The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. Hosts Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart sit down with Camille Simmons — junior national champion and NCAA Division 1 Athlete turned professional sports photographer — to trace how a fencer’s mindset translates to Professional Photography and high-stakes creative work. From first picking up a camera to shooting the Houston Texans, Camille walks through the habits, resilience, and anticipation skills that fencing built — ...

🎙️ EPISODE 10 – MAIA CHAMBERLAIN INTERVIEW In this episode of Direct Elimination, hosts Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart sit down with Maia Chamberlain — Olympian, U.S. Women’s Sabre National Team member, National and Pan-American Champion, and the first Prieur athlete outside of the hosts to appear on the podcast. Maia shares what it means to go all-in — in competition, training, and life. She opens up about the moments that shaped her journey from a kid fencing in the Bay Area to competing on...

🎙️ EPISODE 9 – BEN ATKINS INTERVIEW The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode of Direct Elimination, hosts Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart sit down with Ben Atkins — one of the most accomplished U.S. collegiate fencers of his generation and a rare athlete to achieve championship success in both foil and épée. After his NCAA titles at Columbia University, Ben went on to an equally impactful professional career in real estate investment, while staying deeply connected to fencin...

🎙️ EPISODE 8 – NICK ITKIN INTERVIEW In this special episode of Direct Elimination, hosts Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart sit down with one of the brightest stars in world fencing: Nick Itkin — Olympic bronze medalist, World Champion, NCAA Champion, and a name that has redefined what American foil can be. Nick’s story is one of ambition, resilience, and relentless pursuit of growth. From dominating the NCAA circuit with Notre Dame, to climbing World Cup podiums, to standing on the Olympic stage...

🎙️ EPISODE 7 – FARES FERJANI INTERVIEW The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts. In this episode of Direct Elimination, hosts Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart welcome Fares Ferjani — Tunisian sabre fencer, Olympian, and one of the most inspiring voices in African fencing. Fares’ journey is rooted in family, identity, and pride. Coming from a fencing family in Tunisia, he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming an Olympian and one of the faces of African fencing on the world stage. His stor...

EPISODE 6 – TRISTAN SZAPARY INTERVIEW The Fencing Podcast of all Fencing Podcasts In this episode of Direct Elimination, hosts Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart sit down with épée fencer Tristan Szapary — a rising American talent known for his relentless work ethic, mental focus, and ability to balance ambition with joy. Tristan’s fencing journey began in Pennsylvania, training at Fencing Academy of Philadelphia and later competing at the highest levels of NCAA fencing with Princeton. As a member...

🎙️ EPISODE 5 – ANNE CEBULA INTERVIEW In this inspiring episode of Direct Elimination, hosts Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart sit down with Anne Cebula — Olympian, NCAA Champion, and the first Barnard student-athlete ever to win an NCAA title in any sport. Anne’s story is one of grit, resilience, and joy. Unlike many fencers who start at a young age, Anne didn’t pick up a blade until high school — yet within just five years she was competing internationally and representing Team USA at the highe...

🎙️ EPISODE 4 – ELI DERSHWITZ INTERVIEW In this episode of Direct Elimination, Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart sit down with one of the greatest American fencers of all time: Eli Dershwitz. Eli’s resume is staggering — World Champion, 3x Olympian, 2x NCAA Champion, Pan-American Champion, and Grand Prix Champion — but what makes this conversation special is the balance of results and reflection. Eli opens up about his career highs, his Olympic heartbreaks, and his next chapter as he takes over h...

🎙️ EPISODE 3 – BRYCE LOUIE INTERVIEW In this episode of Direct Elimination, Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart welcome their first foil guest — rising U.S. fencing star Bryce Louie. Bryce has quickly become one of the most exciting figures in American fencing. A 2024 NCAA Champion, a World Cup silver medalist, and a 2025 World Championship team silver medalist, Bryce has already accomplished what many dream of before even finishing college. But beyond the medals, Bryce has built a reputation as o...

🎙️ EPISODE 2 – JUSTIN YOO INTERVIEW In this episode of Direct Elimination, Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart welcome their first official guest: Justin Yoo — one of the most accomplished U.S. fencers of his generation, a standout on Team USA, a Wharton graduate, a finance professional, and someone who has lived a double life balancing high-performance sport with a demanding career. Justin’s story spans more than medals. From violin to tennis to fencing, from cadet and junior world championships ...

Welcome to the very first episode of the Direct Elimination Podcast — where two lifelong fencers and friends, Ari Simmons and Stephen Ewart, sit down to talk about the stories, setbacks, and motivations that define not just athletes, but anyone chasing purpose. 🎙️ In this debut, Ari and Stephen get vulnerable and real: Their fencing origin stories — from Lancaster, California parks & rec programs to Houston’s Alliance Fencing Academy. The first time they actually met (spoiler: it invol...