Half Pipe Dreams - Kelly Clark

In this episode, hosted by 2002 Olympic figure skating champion Sarah Hughes, we dive deep into the incredible career of Kelly Clark, Olympic gold medalist in snowboarding. Kelly talks about her remarkable journey from discovering snowboarding as a child in Mount Snow, Vermont, to becoming the first American woman to win gold in snowboarding at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. She shares insightful anecdotes about her experiences in multiple Olympics, the evolution of snowboarding as a sport, and the challenges she faced along the way. Kelly also reflects on her transition from competitive snowboarding to her current life, emphasizing the importance of investing in others and the lasting influence of motherhood. Join us for this captivating conversation filled with laughter, tears, and invaluable life lessons.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

01:57 Snowboarding Career and Medals

06:52 Early Life and Snowboarding Beginnings

11:31 Olympic Journey and Achievements

22:30 Snowboarding's Evolution and Scoring Systems

26:39 Judging Criteria in Snowboarding

27:55 Personal Growth and Retirement Decision

29:58 Challenges in Sochi Olympics

33:38 Adapting to Difficult Conditions

39:18 Reflecting on Olympic Achievements

45:47 Transitioning from Competition to Retirement

50:38 Final Thoughts and Reflections

53:01 Torch or Tin: Quickfire Questions