Rising Phoenix: What Does It Take?
By Rising Phoenix
From his garage in Iowa, Paralympic gold medallist and “Armless Archer” Matt Stutzman has open, unguarded conversations with some of the Paralympic Winter Games’ most remarkable athletes and ambassadors — one athlete to another — about what it really takes to get to the Games.
As the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games approach, Paralympic gold medallist Matt Stutzman returns for a second series of What Does It Take? Matt sits down with Paralympic winter athletes and Milano Cortina 2026 ambassadors to hear first-hand what it takes to do what they do and their hopes and aspirations for Milano Cortina 2026, taking place on the 50 year anniversary of the Paralympic Winter Games.
This is a chance for listeners to get to know the elite athletes going for the medals, to invest in their journeys, and to understand what it really takes to be an elite athlete, all whilst capturing the excitement and spirit of the Paralympic Winter Games. By getting to know these athletes, the series offers a rare look at the people behind the performances and their journeys to the world stage.
Produced by the creators of the Emmy Award-winning Rising Phoenix, in official partnership with Milano Cortina 2026 and supported by Procter & Gamble, a worldwide Paralympic partner.
This is a Harder Than You Think production.
Host: Matt Stutzman
Producers: Calum Campbell and Vanessa Wheeler
Video Editor: Nic Woinilowicz
Audio Post Production: String and Tins
Sound Editor: Culum Simpson
Remote Recording Engineer: George Hinson
Audio Producer: Esi Jonuzi
Executive Producers: Greg Nugent and Barnaby Spurrier
The podcast’s soundtrack is titled “Rising Phoenix” - written by Daniel Pemberton, Keith Jones, Toni Hickman and George Doman. Performed by Daniel Pemberton, Toni Hickman, georgetragic, and Keith Jones. Published by Alika’s Publishing, Doman Development, Moncur Street Music Limited, administered by peermusic (UK) Ltd.
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