Dying To Ask

Should Team USA Ditch the Olympic Trials Process?

Team USA will rely on an Olympic Trials process to pick most of its 2024 Summer Olympic Team. But for how much longer?

Some worry it's not sustainable to stage "mini-Olympics" in host cities to select athletes due to rising costs and expectations.

Freelance writer Erin Strout raises the issue in her most recent article for Outside Online where she investigated whether the popular US Olympic Marathon Trials needs a reboot.

You can read the article here.

Americans love Olympic Trials. They're exciting and showcase the depth of underdog talent like marathon record breaker Fiona O'Keeffe. It's like a mini-Olympics with only Americans taking part to determine who will represent Team USA at an Olympics.

But the downside of the Trials process is that they're money losers for a lot of cities.

Most countries rely on selection committees to pick Olympic teams. Would a selection committee have picked Fiona O'Keeffe to represent her country in marathon? Probably not.

On this Dying to Ask:

• Arguments for and against the Olympic Trials process
• What a recent US Olympic Marathon race organizer told Erin about the cost of hosting a Trials and why he says his city couldn't do it again
• Who pays for what at an Olympic Trials? The answer may surprise you

FIVE WITH FITZ: Fiona O'Keeffe

Check out FIVE WITH FITZ with Olympic marathoner Fiona O'Keeffe.  

Five rapid fire questions with Team USA's speediest female marathoner. 

MEET THE TEAM: Mike "Domi" Domalaog

If the Olympics gave out a medal for fan geekdom, Mike "Domi" Domalaog would get gold every time.

Domi, as he's known around KCRA 3 and the Hearst Olympic Team, is an encyclopedia of all things Citius, Altius, Fortius, Communiter. (That's the Olympic motto: Faster, Higher, Stronger-Together if you were not blessed with FOUR YEARS of high school Latin as I was.)

In our first MEET THE TEAM episode, I'll explain how the Hearst Olympic Team works and the long history Domi and I have of traipsing the world chasing athletes, telling stories, and testing the limits of sleep deprivation.

Paris will be Domi's 11th Olympic trip. His work history goes back to the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games. But, his love of the Olympics started decades ago as a kid growing up in Salinas, CA.

Domi is one of the smartest people I know and his recall for athletes and their achievements is equal parts impressive and frightening. He's a member of the prestigious Emmy Awards "Silver Circle," awarded for 25+ years in television news. And, he's been a photographer at KCRA for 38 years.

In this Dying to Ask:

• How Domi became an Olympic reporter
• The responsibility he feels telling young athletes' stories
• What he's looking forward to the most in Paris

 

Road to Paris Olympic Trailer

Season 11 of the Dying to Ask podcast is here and it's giving us Emily in Paris vibes.

We're heading to the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics!

In our Season 11 trailer, Deirdre Fitzpatrick has a look at what to expect over the next few months as we highlight athletes, coaches and all those behind the scenes who support Team USA.

Second Acts and Taylor Swift With NFL legend Steve Young

From touchdowns to acquisitions — NFL legend Steve Young's second act may be more exhausting than his former career.

Young was a quarterback for 15 seasons, primarily with the San Francisco 49ers.

He's a two-time MVP (1992/1994), and he's a three-time Super Bowl winner.

But Young says he started working on his post-retirement plans long before he left the game.

He earned his law degree from BYU while playing for the 49ers and now runs HGGC, a successful private equity firm in the Bay Area.

Young spent years downplaying his football past in his new career. But he has fully embraced the magic and nuance of his two worlds.

In 2016, Young published his memoir, "QB: My Life Behind the Spiral."

Young is married and the father of four children, two boys and two girls.

His daughters have shown the greatest interest in playing football.

On this Dying to Ask:

• Advice on crafting a second act
• How the future Olympic sport of flag football created an incredible bond between father and daughters
• And Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. Steve Young has thoughts. The empathy he has for Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes

3 Ways Going Outside Improves Your Health

Feeling blah? Head outside. Mother Nature may be the ultimate mood booster.

Science has long backed the health benefits of the great outdoors.

Spending time outdoors impacts your physical and emotional health. Going outside can fight depression and lower blood pressure.

Feel cranky after a long day indoors at school or work? A 10 minutes walk outside soaking in some sun can radically change how you feel and ultimately perform.

Can't think?

Go outside.

Feeling down?

Go outside.

Can't sleep?

Go outside.

You get the idea.

On this Dying to Ask:

• The viral video from Finland prompting more interest in the health benefits of spending time outside.
• The vitamin you'll increase naturally by soaking up some sun.
• And the link between your eyes, age, sun and sleep.

3 Ways To OWN 2024

New year, new you? Why not?

The calendar change is a great time for a habit refresh.

This week I'm sharing three things I'm doing this year to capture the spirit of a fresh start while also reflecting on the people who enriched my 2023.

Ready to kick your year into gear?

Mentioned during this episode:

Get motivated with entrepreneur Jesse Itzler.

Plan your 24 in 24 with happiness expert Gretchen Rubin.

Clear the digital clutter with tech expert Jennifer Jolly.

On this Dying to Ask:

• Why you need to sit down and write some good old-fashioned letters in January
• How to craft a 24 in 24 list
• And the easiest way to clear digital clutter

 

 

Other places to listen

CLICK HERE to listen on iTunes
CLICK HERE to listen on Stitcher

 

 

4 Ways To Take A Brain Break

Overwhelmed this holiday season? Try a brain break.

It's my secret to doing all the things and trying to be in the moment while I'm doing them.

A brain break is the act of giving yourself a mental time out. That mental rest can boost your mood, increase productivity and make life more enjoyable.

In this episode, we'll identify how to spot your noggin needs a break. (It's not as obvious as you think.)

And, we'll go through a 4 step plan to perfect a brain break. It's a great practice to work on over the holidays.

Also in this episode, we'll review this year's top 10 Dying to Ask episodes.

Mentioned in this episode:

Stolen Focus: Why you can't Focus and How Think Deeply Again

Eat Pray Love and get creative with Elizabeth Gilbert

Should you get in on the giant water bottle trend?

The power of the happily ever after with Brenda Novak

The big benefits of little luxuries

Find Scholarship Money With Bold.org

What do Terry Crews, Dwyane Wade and MMA star Cat Zingano have in common? They're giving away money on bold.org.

The site is a go-to for college students to win scholarship money to pay for school.

Dror Liebenthal is bold.org's founder and CEO. The site's goal is to match people and organizations who want to give away scholarship money with students who need cash for college.

It's often difficult for students to find opportunities. But, Dror found it can be just as difficult to give money away!

Dror says, "Often you were spending as much or more to manage the scholarship as you were awarding in the scholarship itself, and what we allow on our platform is allow anybody in any company to easily create a scholarship in minutes with the confidence that 100% of your tax deductible donations going to go towards deserving scholarship winners."

The site has drawn attention (and cash) from companies, individuals and celebrities.

Worried about paying for college? Listen to this one and make sure to tell us if you or any of your family members win a scholarship!

On this Dying to Ask:

• Find out how bold.org's founder came up with the idea.
• Why it's difficult logistically to give away scholarship money.
• How the algorithm matches students with opportunities
• Learn about some of the more random scholarships on the site
• And see what drives celebrities like Terry Crews and Dwyane Wade to pay it forward through scholarships

How NOT To Catch A Cold With ’Hamilton’ Star Darnell Abraham

Sick of being sick? A "Hamilton" musical star won't miss his shot when it comes to boosting immunity.

Darnell Abraham is starring in the international touring show as George Washington.

Abraham may play a founding father but he also doubles as a wellness guru when it comes to health. He's sharing the health hacks that keep him on stage night after night.

It starts with the basics.

Eat well, exercise and get sleep.

But there are immunity boosters he swears by including a near-daily drink he doesn't really like but feels has made him healthier.

"Immune health begins in the gut and kombucha, it's packed with probiotics, prebiotics depending on what type of kombucha that you get, and I have actually found it to be really helpful. I drink it like every other day," Abraham said. 

He travels with a medicine bag of herbs, teas, and vitamins and he's basically spilling it out so we can make it through the cold and flu season too.

He even has a photo tip to minimize exposure to germs without missing those Instagram moments.

On this Dying to Ask:

• How Abraham made the decision to accept the offer to tour internationally with "Hamilton."
• A performer hack to stop a sore throat quickly
• Two appliances he swears keep his airways clear
• Why he will never use your pen
• The bougie throat lozenge Abraham says is worth every penny