Hidden Champions cover art

Hidden Champions

Hidden Champions

Written by: FIS
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Hosted by 2x Paralympian Dani Aravich, this podcast features the world’s top para alpine, snowboard, and cross-country skiers, diving into what makes them the best, their journeys to Milano Cortina 2026, and how para sports actually work. Tune in for real stories and behind-the-scenes insight you won’t hear anywhere else. New episodes drop weekly now through March 6, available wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧 SUBSCRIBE TO “HIDDEN CHAMPIONS” ON: - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3J1vBOZpMrnhcFAltSyxtp - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1870046273 - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FISparasnowsports - RSS-Feed: https://fis-hidden-champions.podigee.io/feed/mp3 🤳🏼 FOLLOW US: - Para Snowsports account: https://www.instagram.com/parasnowsports/ - Dani Aravich: https://www.instagram.com/theonearmdan Hidden Champions is a FIS original production by FIS - International Ski and Snowboard Federation in cooperation with Maniac Studios.FIS Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Mark Arendz: Setting the Bar in Para Nordic Skiing

    Mark Arendz: Setting the Bar in Para Nordic Skiing
    Mar 9 2026
    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 - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1870046273 - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FISparasnowsports - RSS-Feed: https://fis-hidden-champions.podigee.io/feed/mp3 🤳🏼 FOLLOW US: - Para Snowsports account: https://www.instagram.com/parasnowsports/ - Dani Aravich: https://www.instagram.com/theonearmdan - Mark Arendz: https://www.instagram.com/markarendz Hidden Champions is a FIS original production by FIS - International Ski and Snowboard Federation in cooperation with Maniac Studios.
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    45 mins
  • Vilde Nilsen: Why Para Sport Needs More Spotlight

    Vilde Nilsen: Why Para Sport Needs More Spotlight
    Mar 2 2026
    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 - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1870046273 - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FISparasnowsports - RSS-Feed: https://fis-hidden-champions.podigee.io/feed/mp3 🤳🏼 FOLLOW US: - Para Snowsports account: https://www.instagram.com/parasnowsports/ - Dani Aravich: https://www.instagram.com/theonearmdan - Vilde Nilsen: https://www.instagram.com/vildenilsen_ Hidden Champions is a FIS original production by FIS - International Ski and Snowboard Federation in cooperation with Maniac Studios.
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    42 mins
  • Kate Delson: Stoked for the Paralympics

    Kate Delson: Stoked for the Paralympics
    Feb 23 2026
    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 - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1870046273 - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FISparasnowsports - RSS-Feed: https://fis-hidden-champions.podigee.io/feed/mp3 🤳🏼 FOLLOW US: - Para Snowsports account: https://www.instagram.com/parasnowsports/ - Dani Aravich: https://www.instagram.com/theonearmdan - Kate Delson: hhttps://www.instagram.com/k8gr8123/ Hidden Champions is a FIS original production by FIS - International Ski and Snowboard Federation in cooperation with Maniac Studios.
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    38 mins
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