Welcome to Forging Gold: The Making of a Champion

Join former pro tennis player Rennae Stubbs as she takes you inside the world of elite athletics– beyond the trophies and highlight reels, into the moments that build a career. From career-defining wins to moments of reinvention, these are the sacrifices that turn hard work into gold.

Listen to Forging Gold: The Making of a Champion every other week, starting March 12th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
When you're standing on a podium, the world thinks it's
seeing your big defining moment, crowd roaring, metal shining, cameras flashing.
What we don't see are the mornings that started before
anyone else was awake.

Speaker 2 (00:15):
It's really the quiet work that nobody sees, and it's
not glorified.

Speaker 1 (00:18):
It's not glamorous the injuries you push through because stopping
wasn't an option.

Speaker 2 (00:23):
If you do take a slam, if you have a
bad crash, you have to manage that.

Speaker 1 (00:27):
But you can't really fall behind for the moment you
thought I'm done because the win that's just the highlight.
What I'm really interested in is the story behind it.

Speaker 2 (00:39):
Hi.

Speaker 1 (00:39):
I'm Renee Stubbs, former professional tennis player doubles world number one,
and this is Forging Gold, a new podcast from Ruby
Studio by iHeartMedia. On this show, we sit down with
elite athletes like track icon Allison Felix.

Speaker 2 (00:53):
I remember just looking up at the scoreboard and seeing
my name, you know, in the second position, and feeling
like crumpling to the ground.

Speaker 1 (01:03):
And freestyle skiing trailblazer Gus Kenworthy.

Speaker 2 (01:06):
I feel like I have unfinished business and I want
to walk with my head health high, knowing that I
gave it everything.

Speaker 1 (01:10):
People whose names you might recognize, whose headlines you've definitely read,
and whose stories you think you know. We'll explore what
it really takes to perform at the highest level. We'll
talk about career defining moments, sure, the winds, but also
the real setbacks that shape success. Because getting the gold
doesn't happen in an instant. It's forged day by day
until it's ready to shine. Forging gold Drops every other

(01:33):
week starting March twelfth. Be sure to follow and subscribe
so you'll never miss an episode. Listen on iHeartRadio, app,
Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.