Athletes After Hours with Gracie Kramer
Athletes After Hours goes beyond highlight reels and stat lines to uncover the real stories that shape athletes. Through raw, honest conversations with current and former athletes, the podcast explores identity, pressure, triumph, and transition. Hosted by Gracie Kramer, an NCAA Champion and 3x All-American gymnast, the show reveals the human side of sports long after the lights go out.
Episodes
Gracie & TJ DeFalco on Volleyball, Sacrificing for Success, & the Road to LA 2028
This week on Athletes After Hours, I'm sitting down with professional volleyball player and Olympian TJ DeFalco to talk about his journey from a young kid chasing a dream to becoming one of the biggest names in professional volleyball. TJ opens up about making the decision to move away from his family at a young age to pursue volleyball in California, getting recruited by one of the top collegiate
Gracie & Keirstin Roose on Softball, Competing with Diabetes, & Life without Sport
This week, I'm sitting down with professional softball player Keirstin Roose for a conversation about everything that happens beyond the field. We talk about growing up as a strong female athlete, navigating body image and the pressure to look a certain way, learning how to properly fuel your body, and handling the mental pressure that comes with competing at such a high level. Keirstin also opens
Gracie & Seth Wilmoth on 13 Marathons in 13 Days, Ultra-Endurance, & Chasing the Impossible
What does it take to run 13 marathons in 13 days, swim the Catalina Channel for nearly 10 hours straight in shark infested waters, and still be searching for the next big challenge? This week, I sit down with endurance athlete and former collegiate pole vaulter Seth Wilmoth to talk about what drives him to keep testing his limits. Seth takes us inside his Gold Rush challenge, where he ran 13 marat
Gracie & JT Marcinkowski on Pro Soccer, Suffering a Injuries, & the Pressures of Goalkeeping
What does it really take to handle the pressure of being the last line of defense? This week, I sit down with LA Galaxy goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski for an honest conversation about the highs and lows of life in professional soccer. We talk about the pressure that comes with competing at the highest level, stepping into the legacy of the LA Galaxy, and carrying the weight of a position where one mis
Gracie & Peng Peng Lee on UCLA Gymnastics, Entering New Chapters, & Chasing Big Dreams | Ep 29
What happens when the sport that shaped your entire life suddenly ends, and you have to figure out who you are without it? This week on Athletes After Hours, I'm sitting down with former Canadian national team gymnast, UCLA legend, and now pop artist Peng Peng Lee. We talk about her journey from representing Canada on the international stage and serving as honorary captain of the 2012 Canadian Oly
Gracie & Sally Cohen on Pro Longboarding, Brutal Accidents, & Challenging Comebacks
What does it really take to chase a life in professional surfing, and what happens when one moment threatens to take it all away? This week on Athletes After Hours, I'm sitting down with professional longboarder Sally Cohen to talk about growing up on the North Shore of Oahu, finding her place in the surf world, and everything that comes with pursuing the sport she loves at the highest level. S
Gracie Kramer on Career Highs, Dating Lows, & Everything in Between
Brand trips, a major career first, a big life change, and a few dating disasters… somehow, that's only scratching the surface of the last few months. It's been a minute since we've done a solo episode, and we have A LOT to catch up on. In this solo episode of Athletes After Hours, I'm taking you behind the scenes of what life has actually looked like lately. From going to multiple World Cup games
Gracie & Will Blackmon on Pro Football, Winning a Super Bowl, & Surviving the NFL
With football season right around the corner, I thought it'd be fun to bring an NFL player on the podcast to find out what it's really like to play professional football in the NFL... and Will Blackmon definitely didn't hold back. After spending 12 years in the NFL and winning a Super Bowl, Will knows firsthand that life in the league isn't always as glamorous as it looks. In this episode of Athl
Gracie & Savi Simo on Pro Beach Volleyball, Battling Anxiety, & Paying to Play
In this episode of Athletes After Hours, I sit down with professional beach volleyball player and collegiate national champion Savi Simo for an honest look at what it really takes to compete at the highest level. Savi opens up about her struggles with mental health, competing in both indoor and beach volleyball at UCLA, the pressure and stress that came with competing for a championship program, a
Gracie & Miss Val on UCLA Gymnastics, Competitive Greatness, & Leaving the Sport Behind
In this episode of Athletes After Hours, I sit down with legendary former UCLA Gymnastics head coach, Pac-12 Coach of the Century, and keynote speaker Valorie Kondos Field, better known to so many of us as Miss Val. This conversation is especially meaningful to me because Miss Val wasn't just one of the most influential coaches in college gymnastics, she was my coach at UCLA. She played such a sig
Gracie & Piper Gilles on Olympic Ice Dancing, Battling Cancer, & Winning Bronze
What does it really take to chase perfection in one of the world's most judged sports? This week, I'm joined by Olympic bronze medalist, 3x Olympian, 5x Canadian National Champion, and World Championship medalist Piper Gilles for an incredibly honest conversation about the highs and lows of elite ice dancing. We talk about the pressure of performing a sport where every tiny detail is scrutinized,
Gracie & Chris Cullen on Baseball, Building Identity, & "I Get To"
This week's episode of Athletes After Hours features keynote speaker, former minor league baseball player, and author Chris Cullen for a conversation that goes far beyond the game. After seeing his lifelong dream of playing professional baseball come to an unexpected end, Chris was forced to confront one of the hardest questions every athlete eventually faces: Who am I without my sport? Together,
Gracie & Katelyn Rosen on UCLA Gymnastics, Bouncing Back, & Big Sister Advice
There are some conversations that just feel like looking in a mirror, and this was one of them. This week, I'm joined by UCLA gymnast Katelyn Rosen, someone I lovingly call my mini me. We dive into what it's really like to compete at the highest level of collegiate gymnastics, navigate the pressure that comes with wearing the UCLA leotard, and fight your way back through the mental struggles that
Gracie & Heath Pearce on the World Cup, Professional Soccer, & Life After Sport
Former U.S. Men's National Team defender, 2010 FIFA World Cup veteran, MLS Cup champion, and one of soccer's most recognizable broadcasters, Heath Pearce joins me for an honest conversation about life on and off the pitch. With the FIFA World Cup in full swing, Heath shares his perspective on what makes this tournament so special, the moments fans don't always get to see, and what it's really like
Gracie & Tisha Alyn on Professional Golf, Girlhood, & Growing a Business
Tisha Alyn joins me on Athletes After Hours for an honest conversation about embracing change, navigating life's unexpected twists, and what it looks like to keep showing up for yourself through every season. From growing a business to moving through a very public breakup, Tisha shares the lessons she's learned about resilience, friendship, and building a life that feels true to who you are. A for
Gracie & Victoria Garrick Browne on D1 Volleyball, Mental Health, & Perfectionism
Former Division I USC volleyball player, TEDx speaker, and mental health advocate Victoria Garrick Browne joins me for a conversation every athlete and every woman needs to hear. After turning her own struggles with perfectionism, anxiety, and body image into a mission to help others, Victoria founded The Hidden Opponent and has become one of the leading voices changing the conversation around men
Gracie & Alysha Newman on Pole Vaulting, Getting Banned, & Dating as an Athlete
Olympic bronze medalist, Canadian record holder, and three time Olympian Alysha Newman joins me for one of the most honest conversations we've had on Athletes After Hours. We talk about the incredible high of finally standing on an Olympic podium after years of setbacks, heartbreak, and self-doubt, as well as the mental blocks that once left her questioning whether she'd ever reach her full potent
Gracie & Her Dad on Sports Medicine, Preventing Injury, & Doing Surgery on His Daughter
This week's episode of Athletes After Hours is a special one because I'm sitting down with someone who has shaped nearly every part of my journey: my dad. As an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine professional who has worked with some of the world's top athletes through organizations like the World Surf League, he's spent his career helping people get back to doing what they love. But beyond th
Gracie & Rachel Entrekin on Running 250 Miles, Breaking Records, & Proving Women Can Do Anything
In this episode of Athletes After Hours, I am so honored to sit down with ultrarunner and physical therapist Rachel Entrekin fresh off one of the most remarkable performances in endurance sports history. Rachel opens up about what it was really like to run 250 miles across the Arizona desert, endure extreme sleep deprivation, battle through unimaginable physical and mental challenges, and ultimate
Gracie & Kamila Tan on Beach Volleyball, Body Image, & Healing
From competing at the highest levels of beach volleyball to navigating the intense pressures that come with being an athlete, today's conversation with Kamila Tan goes far beyond the game itself. We talk about her journey through collegiate and professional beach volleyball, the injuries and setbacks that tested her resilience, and what it really takes to keep showing up when things don't go accor
Gracie & Pua Hall on UCLA Gymnastics, Getting Recruited, & Taking Risks
In this episode of Athletes After Hours, I sit down with former UCLA gymnast and NCAA National Champion, Pua Hall to talk about the transition out of elite athletics and what it really means to rediscover yourself after sport. As a former elite gymnast who helped lead UCLA to a national championship, Pua knows firsthand the pressure, intensity, and emotional ups and downs that come with competing
Gracie & Jess Evans on Fighting, Extreme Abuse, & Overcoming Hardship
In this episode of Athletes After Hours, I sit down with professional fighter Jess Evans to talk about the adversity she's faced throughout her life — surviving an abusive relationship, navigating unimaginable family loss, suffering a stroke, and somehow continuing to show up for life with the most beautiful energy and positive mindset. This conversation is raw, emotional, inspiring, and deeply hu
Gracie & Her Mom on Raising an Athlete, Sacrifice, & Motherhood
In this special Mother's Day episode of Athletes After Hours, I sit down with the woman who gave me everything… my mom. This conversation is deeply emotional for me because somewhere along the way, the woman who raised me became my very best friend. We're more connected now than we've ever been, and looking back on everything we've walked through together feels incredibly full circle. We talk abou
Gracie & Michael Andrew on Olympic Swimming, Redefining Success, & the Road to 2028
In this episode of Athletes After Hours, I sit down with Michael Andrew to talk all things swimming, identity, and what it really means to chase greatness at the highest level. We get into the heartbreak of missing the Olympics by a tenth of a second, the mental resilience it takes to come back from moments like that, and how he's learned to separate who he is from what he does in the pool. Michae
Gracie & Taylor Mei on Fitness, Hate Comments, & The Pressure to Be Perfect
In today's episode of Athletes After Hours, I sit down with Taylor Mei (Little T Fitness) to talk all things fitness influencing, social media, and bodybuilding. We get into what it actually takes to grow in the competitive industry that is fitness and the pressure that comes with it. Taylor shares her experience navigating toxic body image culture and how it's impacted how she approaches fitness.
Gracie & Ali Riley on Pro Soccer, Captain Mentality, & New Identities
In this episode of Athletes After Hours, I sit down with Ali Riley for a conversation that goes far beyond the pitch. We dive into the mindset that's helped her compete at the highest level for over a decade, while leading with grace, resilience, and purpose. Ali opens up about identity beyond sport, the pressure that comes with representing your country, and what it takes to keep evolving through
Gracie & Miles Chamley-Watson on Olympic Fencing, Being Different, & Launching a League
In this episode of Athletes After Hours, I sit down with fencing icon Miles Chamley-Watson for a conversation that goes far beyond the arena. We dive into the mindset that's made him one of the most electrifying athletes in the sport, and how he's transformed the sport of fencing into both an art form and a lifestyle. Miles opens up about using fencing as his outlet, the thing that grounds him, fu
Gracie & Dani Ramirez on Artistic Swimming, Anxiety Underwater, & Redefining the "Athletic Body"
In today's episode of Athletes After Hours, I sit down with Olympic artistic swimmer, Dani Ramirez! Her insightful wisdom, unique perspective, and refreshing take on how we define the "athletic body" makes this episode so incredibly powerful. We cover topics like surviving in toxic training environments, leading her team to another Olympics, and developing her identity outside of the pool. While a
Gracie & John John Florence on Pro Surfing, Hitting Pause on the WSL Tour & Chasing the Next Best Wave
In today's episode, I sit down with a true legend in the surfing world, John John Florence. We go beyond the surface, diving into the importance of building an identity outside of sport, growing his brand, Florence Marine X, and navigating fatherhood while traveling the world. John John gives an honest, eye-opening look at what life is really like as one of the best surfers on the planet—sharing s
Gracie and Nikita Ducarroz on BMX riding, Living with Anxiety, and the Reality of Extreme Sport
In today's episode, I sit down with Olympic BMX rider, Nikita Ducarroz to go beyond BMX and find out the truth behind what it's really like being a professional extreme sport athlete. Nikita opens up about living with debilitating anxiety, being a trailblazer for females in BMX, and competing on some of the world's biggest stages while experiencing panic attacks behind the scenes. This episode is
Gracie Kramer on College Gymnastics, Building Confidence, & Launching Athletes After Hours
In today's episode, I sit down for my first ever solo episode !! For the very first time, I open up about my childhood, the challenges I faced throughout my gymnastics career, navigating loss and heartbreak, and what it's really like "girl bossing" while finding balance. I also share the story behind finally taking the leap and launching Athletes After Hours. Even if you've followed my journey si
Gracie & Annie Kunz on the Olympic Heptathlon, Injuries, & Life After Sport
In today's episode, I sit down with Olympic heptathlete and division 1 soccer player, Annie Kunz, to chat all things athletics. From juggling two sports at the collegiate level, dealing with a career-ending injury, finding the silver lining in a devastating loss, and now managing life after retirement, Annie shares her most vulnerable moments of her career. This episode will leave you smiling, in
Gracie & Molly Carlson on Pro Cliff Diving, Toxic Beauty Standards, & Extreme Bravery
In this powerful first episode, I sit down with Red Bull Cliff Diver, Molly Carlson, for an honest conversation about the unseen pressures that come with competing at the most extreme level of sport. We discuss toxic beauty standards, struggling with body image, managing our mental health while girl bossing, and handling the weight of expectations in elite sport. It's a vulnerable, real discussion
