On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Kellie Matthew, a Special Olympics USA athlete, who competed in Alpine skiing at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025. Kellie, who has been a part of Special Olympics since she was just 9 years old, shares her incredible journey from Coral Springs, Florida, to the international stage. We dive into her experiences, challenges, and the lessons she’s learned through the Special Olympics program.
Kellie discusses what it means to represent Special Olympics USA on the world stage, and we hear about her passion for alpine skiing, her training process, and her memorable moments—especially her proudest accomplishment of winning two gold medals. She also opens up about the personal obstacles she’s overcome with the help of Special Olympics, the value of trying new things, and how she manages to balance her hobbies, work, and athletic commitments.
Tune in as Kellie shares her inspiration for joining Special Olympics, the life lessons she’s gained, and her advice for others looking to follow in her footsteps. She also talks about the importance of giving back to her community and how her job at Park Summit Retirement Facility has helped her grow both personally and athletically.
From singing to volunteering, Kellie’s journey is a testament to perseverance, passion, and the power of community. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with one of Special Olympics’ brightest stars as she competing in Turin for Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025!
Episode Highlights:
Kellie’s journey with Special Olympics since the age of 9
Representing Team USA at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025
Training for Alpine skiing and overcoming challenges
Winning two gold medals at the World Winter Games
Life lessons learned through Special Olympics
Balancing hobbies, work, and athletic training
Volunteering and giving back to the community
Goals for the future and advice for young athletes
Special Chronicles celebrates the voices of people with disabilities, and this episode is no exception. Join us for a conversation full of heart, motivation, and inspiration.
Episode 768 ShowNotes & Links:
Watch Full Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iHOzNSdGDXI
Enjoyed this episode? Tune in to our Special Chronicles Podcast Series "A Recap of Turin2025" to hear more stories from the World Winter Games! Follow Now on https://specialchronicles.com/Turin2025
Watch Recap of Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIHbm7j-AXsVNDkcqICXeEgjeugXpfOuS&si=xfoWV8jdaQf1PcFO
Get involved in the Special Olympics Movement: https://www.specialolympics.org/get-involved?locale=en
Connect with Special Olympics USA: https://www.specialolympicsusa.org
Meet The Turin 2025 Team: https://www.specialolympicsusa.org/meet-the-team/turin-2025?locale=en
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About the Podcast Host:
Daniel Smrokowski is a columnist and the founder and host of the award-winning podcast, Special Chronicles, which has released over 750 episodes in over 15 years.