Hidden Champions

Mark Arendz: Setting the Bar in Para Nordic Skiing

Mark Arendz is an athlete whose dedication, consistency, and hunger for excellence have made him one of the most decorated para Nordic skiers in history. With 12 Paralympic medals, 26 World Championship medals, and five overall World Cup Crystal Globes, Mark’s career reflects not just longevity, but an unmatched level of mastery in both cross-country skiing and biathlon. In this episode, we dive into what sets Mark Arendz apart: his relentless pursuit of perfection, his passion for classic technique, and the drive that keeps him at the top of his sport more than two decades after his World Cup debut. Mark shares insights into how he stays competitive against the best in the world, how he continuously refines every aspect of his performance, and why competing for Team Canada alongside both seasoned teammates and rising stars keeps the sport fresh and exciting. 🎧 SUBSCRIBE TO “HIDDEN CHAMPIONS” ON: * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3J1vBOZpMrnhcFAltSyxtp [https://open.spotify.com/show/3J1vBOZpMrnhcFAltSyxtp] * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1870046273 [https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1870046273] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FISparasnowsports [https://www.youtube.com/@FISparasnowsports] * RSS-Feed: https://fis-hidden-champions.podigee.io/feed/mp3 [https://fis-hidden-champions.podigee.io/feed/mp3] 🤳🏼 FOLLOW US: * Para Snowsports account: https://www.instagram.com/parasnowsports/ [https://www.instagram.com/parasnowsports/] * Dani Aravich: https://www.instagram.com/theonearmdan [https://www.instagram.com/theonearmdan] * Mark Arendz: https://www.instagram.com/markarendz [https://www.instagram.com/markarendz] Hidden Champions is a FIS original production by FIS - International Ski and Snowboard Federation in cooperation with Maniac Studios [https://www.maniacstudios.com/].

Vilde Nilsen: Why Para Sport Needs More Spotlight

Vilde Nilsen is one of the most dominant para-cross-country skiers in the world. With 12 world titles, three Paralympic medals, and five overall World Cup victories, Vilde’s journey is nothing short of incredible. In this episode she shares how a chance moment watching the Paralympic opening ceremony introduced her to para sport, resulting in her becoming one of the best in the world. From growing up in a sports-loving Norwegian family and facing a rare illness,, to becoming a leader on the international stage, Vilde’s story captures resilience, and the drive to push boundaries. Tune in as Vilde discusses the unique hurdles para athletes face, her preparations for the upcoming Paralympic Games, and why increased visibility and media coverage for parasport is so crucial - both for current competitors and young athletes dreaming big. 🎧 SUBSCRIBE TO “HIDDEN CHAMPIONS” ON: * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3J1vBOZpMrnhcFAltSyxtp [https://open.spotify.com/show/3J1vBOZpMrnhcFAltSyxtp] * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1870046273 [https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1870046273] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FISparasnowsports [https://www.youtube.com/@FISparasnowsports] * RSS-Feed: https://fis-hidden-champions.podigee.io/feed/mp3 [https://fis-hidden-champions.podigee.io/feed/mp3] 🤳🏼 FOLLOW US: * Para Snowsports account: https://www.instagram.com/parasnowsports/ [https://www.instagram.com/parasnowsports/] * Dani Aravich: https://www.instagram.com/theonearmdan [https://www.instagram.com/theonearmdan] * Vilde Nilsen: https://www.instagram.com/vildenilsen_ [https://www.instagram.com/vildenilsen_] Hidden Champions is a FIS original production by FIS - International Ski and Snowboard Federation in cooperation with Maniac Studios [https://www.maniacstudios.com/].

Kate Delson: Stoked for the Paralympics

Kate Delson is a 15-time World Cup medalist, World Championship medalist, and one of the rising stars of U.S. Para Snowboard. And that’s despite the fact that she only competed in her first international Paralympic race in 2024. In this episode, host Dani Aravich chats with Kate about her journey from learning to snowboard as a kid with a disability in Mammoth Lakes, California, to qualifying for her first Paralympic Games. Kate shares what it's like to switch from park riding to racing at the international level, how she trains year-round, and the excitement of representing Team USA on the world stage. 🎧 SUBSCRIBE TO “HIDDEN CHAMPIONS” ON: * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3J1vBOZpMrnhcFAltSyxtp [https://open.spotify.com/show/3J1vBOZpMrnhcFAltSyxtp] * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1870046273 [https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1870046273] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FISparasnowsports [https://www.youtube.com/@FISparasnowsports] * RSS-Feed: https://fis-hidden-champions.podigee.io/feed/mp3 [https://fis-hidden-champions.podigee.io/feed/mp3] 🤳🏼 FOLLOW US: * Para Snowsports account: https://www.instagram.com/parasnowsports/ [https://www.instagram.com/parasnowsports/] * Dani Aravich: https://www.instagram.com/theonearmdan [https://www.instagram.com/theonearmdan] * Kate Delson: https://www.instagram.com/k8gr8123 [https://www.instagram.com/k8gr8123] Hidden Champions is a FIS original production by FIS - International Ski and Snowboard Federation in cooperation with Maniac Studios [https://www.maniacstudios.com/].

Oscar Burnham: The Power of Paralympic Dreams

Oscar Burnham is one of the world’s top standing male skiers on the Para Alpine World Cup circuit - and his journey is as remarkable as his results. In this episode of Hidden Champions, host Dani Aravich sits down with Oscar Burnham, who was born in Italy, competes for Team France, and grew up carving turns in the French Alps. With six World Cup medals and a World Championships podium to his name, Oscar opens up about his life on the road, the thrill of racing at home, and the tight-knit friendships that shape the sport. But Oscar Burnham’s story goes even deeper: after a life-altering accident as a teen, he re-learned his sport and discovered the power and opportunity of the Paralympic movement - with inspiration from legendary athletes before him. This episode is an honest, uplifting look at how Oscar turned adversity into achievement, what motivates him on and off the slopes, and why visibility and representation in para sport matter more than ever. 🎧 SUBSCRIBE TO “HIDDEN CHAMPIONS” ON: * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3J1vBOZpMrnhcFAltSyxtp [https://open.spotify.com/show/3J1vBOZpMrnhcFAltSyxtp] * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1870046273 [https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1870046273] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FISparasnowsports [https://www.youtube.com/@FISparasnowsports] * RSS-Feed: https://fis-hidden-champions.podigee.io/feed/mp3 [https://fis-hidden-champions.podigee.io/feed/mp3] 🤳🏼 FOLLOW US: * Para Snowsports account: https://www.instagram.com/parasnowsports/ [https://www.instagram.com/parasnowsports/] * Dani Aravich: https://www.instagram.com/theonearmdan [https://www.instagram.com/theonearmdan] * Oscar Burnham: https://www.instagram.com/burnhamoscar [https://www.instagram.com/burnhamoscar] Hidden Champions is a FIS original production by FIS - International Ski and Snowboard Federation in cooperation with Maniac Studios [https://www.maniacstudios.com/].

Ebba Årsjö: Embracing Paralympic Pride on the Alpine Slopes

Ebba Årsjö is one of the brightest stars in para alpine skiing, and in this episode of Hidden Champions, we get to know the story behind the medals. Host Dani Aravich sits down with Ebba Årsjö to explore her journey from learning to ski at age six to becoming a three-time medalist on the world’s biggest stage in Beijing. Together, they candidly discuss what it took for Ebba Årsjö to transition from able-bodied competitions to the world of parasport, the emotional challenges of embracing her identity as a para athlete, and how she’s turned adversity into empowerment. Ebba opens up about the demanding life of a professional skier, balancing different alpine disciplines, and finding new motivation ahead of the Milan Paralympics - all while advocating for the visibility and inclusion of athletes with disabilities. Tune in to hear how Ebba Årsjö is redefining athleticism, pursuing gold, and inspiring the next generation to believe in what’s possible, no matter the obstacles. 🎧 SUBSCRIBE TO “HIDDEN CHAMPIONS” ON: * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3J1vBOZpMrnhcFAltSyxtp [https://open.spotify.com/show/3J1vBOZpMrnhcFAltSyxtp] * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1870046273 [https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1870046273] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FISparasnowsports [https://www.youtube.com/@FISparasnowsports] * RSS-Feed: https://fis-hidden-champions.podigee.io/feed/mp3 [https://fis-hidden-champions.podigee.io/feed/mp3] 🤳🏼 FOLLOW US: * Para Snowsports account: https://www.instagram.com/parasnowsports/ [https://www.instagram.com/parasnowsports/] * Dani Aravich: https://www.instagram.com/theonearmdan [https://www.instagram.com/theonearmdan] * Ebba Årsjö: https://www.instagram.com/ebbaarsjo [https://www.instagram.com/ebbaarsjo] Hidden Champions is a FIS original production by FIS - International Ski and Snowboard Federation in cooperation with Maniac Studios [https://www.maniacstudios.com/].