Beyond The Uniform with TJ Brassil

TJ kicks off the episodes by talking about some of Theo's accolades (:30). Theo talks about his transition to coaching after injuries ended his playing career (1:16) and how difficult that was to accept (3:18). TJ and Theo discuss Theo's election into the De La Salle High School Hall of Fame (6:34). Theo explains how he realized he wanted to become a coach while he was working for the Pac-12 Conference (9:17) and what his introduction was like to the administrative side of athletics when he went back to Cal (11:51). He talks about what his biggest takeaways were from his initial days coaching at Cal (13:26) and how he landed his first role with the Golden State Warriors (14:54). TJ asks what exactly Player Development entails in the NBA (17:54) and how you can develop a veteran (19:40). TJ then asks if playing with the team at practice makes up for not having an opportunity to play in the NBA (22:03). Theo explains what an NBA practice day is like for the players (23:56), for himself (27:25) and what scouting in the NBA is like (29:57). They discuss Theo joining Luke Walton's staff on the Lakers (32:22), what that experience was like (35:30) and why he left after just one year (37:25). He then talks about his experience going back to coach at Cal for a year (39:52) and his time coaching with Team USA basketball (41:40). TJ shares a story about Steve Kerr and Jeff Van Gundy and gets Theo's reaction to it (44:05). Theo talks about getting a second opportunity with the Warriors (46:19), the biggest difference in his current role from his old one (48:09) and what it is like working with rookies instead of veterans (50:40). TJ and Theo talk about the development of Eric Paschall (53:14) and how Theo's approach to the year changed with the Warriors having to play their rookies more than expected (56:25). TJ asks what Theo's role will look like next year (59:10), what kind of input he has on the roster (1:00:40) and what it is like being in the new Chase arena (1:02:05). They revisit Theo's college days and he talks about his interests outside of basketball at Cal (1:04:34). Theo explains what his role is on the Board of Directors for the Big C Society at Cal (1:06:13). Lastly, he discusses his future goals (1:07:57).

TJ and Kyra discuss the race where she broke the collegiate record (1:15) and at what point the magnitude of her accomplishment finally hit her (7:52). She also opens up about the behind the scenes struggles from that year (10:36) and how she overcame them (12:08). Kyra discusses how she is approaching the 2021 Olympic trials (14:18) and the growth she has seen in herself since the 2016 trials (16:07). TJ asks her what she has to do differently this time around to make it to Tokyo (17:41) and how waiting an extra year has affected her mentally and physically (19:17). They talk about Kyra's father, Thomas Jefferson, being an Olympian and how that motivated her (22:22), what kind of expectations that has put on her (23:10) and any stories her dad has told her from his Olympic experiences (24:40). Kyra tells TJ what it means to her to represent the USA on the track (26:47). TJ asks Kyra about when she started in track (28:40) and what her parents, both accomplished track athletes, were like during her career as she grew up (30:09). Kyra discusses how close she came to choosing swimming over track (32:24) and when she realized she had a bright future in track and field (34:50). TJ asks why she ended up choosing to run for Florida (36:33). They breakdown what is was like to go pro. Kyra talks about the mentality switch upon turning pro (40:46), how long the transition took (42:21), when she saw herself as an equal (43:26), what it's like being a professional runner (45:29) and the pressure individual sport athletes, like track and field, have on them compared to athletes in team sport athletes (48:06). She discusses her Kyra Cares Foundation (49:24), how her foundation gets its message across (51:03) and when she realized she can make a difference with her personal brand (52:53). Kyra also discusses what she does in her down time (54:34). Lastly, TJ asks about Kyra's goals for the 2021 Olympic Trials (56:11).

TJ talks with Marybeth about how her first indoor season went as a professional runner (:47) and what steps she now takes to shift her focus for a delayed Olympic Trials (1:41). She talks about the choice she made at a young age to focus on track over her budding soccer career (2:24). They discuss why Marybeth ended up choosing Oregon (3:23), why she had to step away from track (4:38), how difficult that decision was (5:48) and why she ended up leaving the University of Oregon (6:44). Marybeth opens up about being a victim in an abusive relationship (8:45). TJ talks with Marybeth about if she sought help, or would have even accepted help (9:21), why she blamed herself (11:00), the hardest part of admitting the truth to herself (12:20), why it is so hard to remove yourself from a situation like that (13:35), what her rock bottom was (15:39), how difficult it was to recover from that situation (16:37), and how she began to recover (17:43). She discusses what revitalized her love for track (18:45). TJ asks Marybeth what role her husband played in her comeback (19:52) and the importance of a support system when recovering from something traumatic (21:23). He also asks how the newlywed life is going (22:07), and there is a surprise appearance from their dog, Benny (22:28). Marybeth talks about what it will be like for her to eventually return to Eugene for the Olympic Trials (23:47). Lastly, she gives advice to others who may be going through the same battle she went through (24:46).

TJ talks with Raevyn about her world silver medal (:20), being honored at an Oregon football game and announcing the starters (11:25), what she does in her down time (14:15), her interest in art and goal to have her work in the MOMA(15:45), how important her personal style is when she is on the track (20:41), proudest moment in her track career (23:10), what made the triple crown team so special at Oregon (26:30), what attracted her to track and field (29:16), and what she expects the new Hayward Field to be like (31:19)

TJ asks Anita for the reasons behind the name change of Synchronized Swimming to Artistic Swimming (1:06). Anita breaks down the sport and explains the different events in Artistic Swimming (2:46), if they can hear the music underwater (5:27) and what kind of cues they use while performing (6:35). She also talks about what it was like to train John Legend in Artistic Swimming (9:14). They discuss why Anita chose to pursue Synchronized Swimming (11:42), Anita's relationship with her mom in the sport of Synchronized Swimming (13:51) and what it was like to move across the country on her own, in high school, to join the USA Senior National Team (16:25). Anita talks about what it was like to make her first Olympic Team (18:17), her grandfather's involvement with the "Miracle on Ice" in the 1980 Winter Olympics (19:48) and the moment when it hit her that she was at the Olympic Games (21:08). TJ asks Anita why placing 9th in Rio was such a huge accomplishment (23:52), what separates the top few teams in the world from the others (25:34), how the US can get back on the podium for the first time since 2004 (27:07), and why this may be the first US team that qualifies for the Olympics since 2008 (28:38). Anita explains what it is like being the veteran on the National Team at 23 years old (30:42), what their training consists of (32:09), how her training differs from other teammates with all of her various roles (33:58), what training consists of outside of the water (36:33) and the battle wounds that are suffered at practice (38:28). TJ and Anita talk about how she trains to hold her breath for her performances (39:55) and how long Anita can hold her breath for (41:27). Anita talks about how COVID-19 has altered her training (42:22), her team's Zoom calls with the rest of the world (44:47), how she has stayed leading her team via social distance (45:41), what the message from her team's sport psychologist has been during quarantine (46:56) and potential benefits quarantine has had on her training (48:09). TJ addresses rumors about her potential retirement post Tokyo (49:17) and they discuss why some athletes retire at such a young age in Artistic Swimming (50:35). Anita talks about what some of her superstitions are going into competitions (52:06) and why she yawns before every competition (53:23). TJ asks about Anita's interests outside of Artistic Swimming (54:43), why she decided to be a RISE mentor and what that involves (56:03) and finally, what the biggest misconception is about Artistic Swimming (57:40).