Raven Saunders Interview

08/19/20 • 51 min

The show starts off with all of Raven's accolades showing just how dominant of an athlete she is (0:29). TJ and Raven discuss the 2016 Rio Olympics: what the transition was like from competing against collegiate athletes to the best in the world (1:42), what the feeling was like when she first stepped into the stadium to compete (2:33), her favorite memories from the Olympics (3:08) and how difficult it was to have to wait to compete until the second half of the Olympic Games (4:15). TJ asks Raven what it is like to have a day named after her (5:19). She then talks about why she went back to compete collegiately post Olympics instead of going pro (6:39), what she took back to college with her from her experience at the Olympics (7:43) and what it was like watching her USA teammate, Michelle Carter, win gold (8:55). TJ and Raven then discuss her battle with depression (11:01). She talks about reaching out to an old therapist as a last ditch effort (14:12), why people experiencing depression feel the need to hide their depression (15:55), how hard it was to admit she needed help (17:12), her daily battle with depression (18:55), her advice to others (20:44), and her work with the group Well Beings and the impact it has had on her (22:24). They discuss her 80-pound weight loss and the difference it has made in her training (25:24). TJ asks Raven how she got the nickname "Hulk" (28:34). They talk about her high school career including: her basketball dreams and how those switched to track and field dreams (29:35) and the impact her high school coach had on her (30:56). Raven discusses the impact the postponement of the Olympics due to COVID has had on her mentally (32:46), what the mood was like around the Olympic Training Center when COVID hit (33:49), the physical impact it has had on her training (34:58) and the impact it has had on college student-athletes (37:01). Raven talks about her expectations for the upcoming season (38:36), her coaching experience down in Southern California (39:59), and going back to school to finish her degree (40:56). TJ and Raven breakdown the event of shot put. Raven gives her takes on the most difficult part about the event (42:50) and the what would be the biggest surprise to fans about shot put (43:43). TJ also asks Raven about her strength levels after her weight loss (44:29), what her favorite event to watch is (46:10) how much she considers herself a showman while competing (47:24), and her interests outside of track and field (48:32). Lastly, TJ asks Raven what she wants her legacy to be (49:59).

Previous Episode

Oregon Track and Field Interview

TJ explains the new format of this episode (0:06) and then introduces the athletes (2:13). Lexi talks about how the team found out that the Indoor NCAA Track and Field Championships were going to be cancelled due to COVID-19 (3:12) and what the scene was like at the track (4:20). Carmela talks about what kind of hope the team was still holding out that there would be an outdoor season (5:33). Max describes what went through his mind and what the day was like when he found out his senior year had been cancelled (6:24). Carmela talks about what went into her decision coming back for another senior year and not returning home to Spain (8:15). Max also talks about his decision to put life on hold and come back for his 6th year (10:05). TJ asks Lexi what that says about the culture of the team that these seniors are deciding to come back for another year (11:59) and what it means to be part of the first Oregon team to compete in the new Hayward Field (12:58). TJ talks with Max about what it means to hear that Head Coach Robert Johnson will not let the public in to see the stadium until it is revealed to the entire team (14:14). Carmela talks about what it means to know the stadium was designed specifically for the Oregon student-athletes needs (16:07), and Lexi talks about what having all these new team areas in the stadium will do for team chemistry (17:43). Max talks about what it was like for the team to get to sign one of the beams on the stadium (18:37). Lastly, Lexi, Carmela and Max each share what they are most excited about for the new stadium (20:13). TJ wraps up the episode at the end (22:28).

Next Episode

Season 2 Finale Special Edition: Theo Robertson Interview

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).