Best Day Ever W/ Kara and Rudy

Ep 17 - Maggie Malone-Hardin's Best Day Ever

Maggie Malone-Hardin is one of the most accomplished javelin throwers in American history. She is a three-time Olympian, World Championship finalist, NCAA champion, and the second-best American of all time. Over more than a decade at the highest level, Maggie has overcome countless setbacks and moments of adversity to become one of the most respected athletes in the sport. Maggie joins hosts Rudy Winkler and Kara Winger on this week's episode to reflect on her journey as an athlete. They discuss the ingredients of Maggie's best day, trade stories from their experiences at the World Championships and Olympic Games, and explore how to find the magic in the sport, even after years of competing at the highest level. As one of the greatest Javelin throwers in American history, what day will Maggie Malone-Hardin say is her Best Day Ever? Best Day ever is supported in part by Munti Coffee. Use code "BestDayEver" to et 10% off your first order at MuntiCoffee.com.

Ep 16 - Brooke Anderson's Best Day Ever

Brooke Andersen is one of the most prolific hammer throwers the United States has ever produced. The 2022 World Champion, Brooke made history in Eugene by delivering a stunning 78.96m final throw to claim gold on American soil. A 2021 Olympian, two-time US Champion (2022, 2023), and the owner of an 80.17m personal best that ranks her among the top four women in the all-time history of the event, Brooke has established herself as one of the greatest throwers of her generation. But Brooke's path has been as challenging as it has been decorated. A shoulder injury derailed her defense of the world title in Budapest in 2023, and the road back has tested her in ways that go far beyond the circle. More recently, Brooke has been navigating the effects of vertigo, a condition that would sideline most athletes entirely, let alone ones who spin at full speed with a four-kilogram implement. That she continues to compete and train at a high level under those circumstances says everything about who she is. Her journey is a reminder that the scoreboard rarely tells the whole story. With a career defined by both breathtaking highs and hard-fought battles, what will Brooke Andersen say is her Best Day Ever? Best Day Ever is brought to you, in part, by Munti Coffee. Use code BestDayEver to get 10% off your first order at MuntiCoffee.com.

Ep 15 - Payton Otterdahl's Best Day Ever

Payton Otterdahl is one of the top shot putters in the world and one of the most consistent competitors of his generation. A two-time Olympian and World Championship finalist, Payton has spent years establishing himself among the elite in one of the deepest eras the event has ever seen. Payton burst onto the elite scene while attending North Dakota State University, where he broke through the 21-meter barrier for the first time (remarkably, it was also the first time he had ever thrown over 20 meters). In the years since, he has never had a season best below 21 meters and has steadily climbed the all-time rankings. Today, his personal best of 22.59m ranks him 13th on the all-time world list. Payton's journey has not always been easy. After tearing his hip labrum and undergoing surgery in 2022, he battled his way back to qualify for the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, where he finished 5th in the world. He is currently working through elbow injuries that have delayed the start of his 2026 season, adding yet another challenge to a career defined by resilience and perseverance. As one of the greatest shot putters of all time, and one of the chillest dudes on the circuit, what day will Payton Otterdahl say is his Best Day Ever? This episode is brought to you in part by Munti Coffee. Use code "BestDayEver" at MuntiCoffee.com to get 10% off your first order.

Ep 14 - Jill Camarena-Williams' Best Day Ever

Jill Camarena-Williams' is one of the greatest shot putters in history. She took a stellar career at Stanford long past her collegiate days to make statements across the globe both indoor and outdoor. As a two-time Olympian (Beijing 2008 finalist) and a medalist at the NACAC championships, Pan-Am games, indoor world championships, and outdoor world championships, Jill pushed the American women’s shot put standard forward. An early female spinner, Jill broke Ramona Pagel’s 1987 indoor national record and tied her outdoor national record in 2011. Jill won the first outdoor World Championships medal ever in the women's shot put with bronze medal at the 2011 Daegu World Championships (later upgraded to a silver). With stellar indoor and outdoor performances over a long and consistent career, a return to high level competition after the birth of her daughter, and so many moments in between, what will this now-collegiate and USATF national team coach say is her best day ever?Best Day Ever is brought to you in part by Munti Coffee. Use code "Bestdayever" for 10% off your first order at munticoffee.com.

Ep 13 - Kim Kreiner's Best Day Ever

Kim Kreiner’s stellar and US-dominant javelin career spanned a change in the implement in 1999, and took her from Ohio to across the whole world. She broke the American Record nine times throughout her 2x Olympic, Pan American Games-winning, and globally successful career (we chat about how tough it can be to perform on different continents, and she sure did). With a PB of 64.19m that still sits at #5 on the all-time U.S. list and a lot of other stuff that matters in life, too, what is Kim’s best day ever?This episode is brought to you in part by Munti Coffee. Use code "BestDayEver" to get 10% off your first order at MuntiCoffee.com.