What does it take to chase Olympic dreams while carrying the weight of your identity on your back?

In this episode of Schmoozing Time, I sit down with Jared Firestone — a four-time national champion in skeleton and future Olympian — to talk about what it means to be more than just an athlete. From sprinting in South Florida to sliding headfirst down icy tracks around the world, Jared’s journey is one of grit, purpose, and Jewish pride. We dive into how a mini stroke rerouted his life, how he balances law and elite sport, and why representing Israel means everything to him. He also shares the vision behind his nonprofit, Advancing Jewish Athletics, and offers powerful advice to young Jews looking to break barriers of their own.

Jared Firestone is a World Cup skeleton athlete representing Israel and a licensed attorney in Florida and New York. After surviving a mini stroke during law school, he discovered the sport of skeleton and has since become a four-time national champion, earning Israel’s first-ever gold medal in an Olympic-discipline sliding sport. He is also the co-founder of Advancing Jewish Athletics, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Jewish athletes and promoting Israel and Jewish pride on the global stage.

HELP JARED GET TO THE OLYMPICS: https://jewishjet.com/ 

Summary: 

00:00 Introduction to the Jewish Jet

02:41 Jared Firestone's Journey to Skeleton

05:50 Balancing Law and Athletics

11:56 Overcoming Health Challenges

16:16 The Mission of Representing Israel

23:29 Advancing Jewish Athletics Foundation

30:44 Inspiring the Next Generation