Episode XV: Olympic Gold Medalist (Decathlon) Dan O'Brien - a podcast by wheretheyat

The 15th edition of Whe're They At features Olympic Gold Medalist and former World Record holder in the Decathlon, Dan O'Brien. Dan is one of the most celebrated track and field athletes in United States Olympic history. He won the Gold Medal in the Decathlon at the 1996 Summer Olympics on U.S. soil (Atlanta, Georgia). He is also a 5-time U.S. and 3-time World Champion Decathlete. On September 5, 1992, Dan came back from not qualifying for the 1992 Summer Olympics and broke the world record in decathlon with 8,891 points, his record lasted for almost SEVEN years. Now, he is a motivational speaker and coach & released his autobiography, "Clearing Hurdles: The Quest to Be The World's Greatest Athlete" in 2012. Host Nabaté Isles had the honor to speak with Dan on a plethora of topics including:                  

01:35: Where's he at and what he's up to now?                             

04:30: On training former World Series MVP, Pablo Sandoval.                               
 
06:55: The type of athletes he's training now.                             
 
08:24: With the Summer Olympics being postponed for a year, how would he have prepared for the delay if he was competing?                                  
 
11:42: Provides his thoughts on Michael Phelps stating that there are some Olympic athletes who could get into a serious depressive state while waiting for 2021.                                 
 
16:13: On Dan's upbringing as an adopted child and growing with five adopted siblings as well as his passion for sports.                             
 
22:48: Dan discusses his love for the trumpet and music.                                     
 
26:04: The inspiration behind him pursuing athletics.                               
 
29:28: Discusses his lack of direction in college.                            
 
37:55: On developing his own mindset and focus as a competitive athlete.                          
 
43:01: Takes us back to the 'Dan and Dave' Reebok campaign and his unfortunate experience at the U.S. Olympic Trials, causing him to not qualify for the 1992 Summer Olympics.                                  
59:04: On bouncing back to brake the World Record for the decathlon later in 1992.                                 
1:01:24: Reflects on winning Olympic Gold in 1996 on U.S. soil at the eventful Summer Games in Atlanta, GA.                                
 
1:12:19: His thoughts on competing in only one Olympics.                                   
 
1:16:15: Dan reflects on setting the World Record for Hopscotch in 2009.                             
 
1:18:21: His take on another American Gold medal-winning Decathlete, Bruce Jenner and his gender transformation.                                 
 
1:22:13: Can Solomon Simmons be the next American Olympic Gold medal-winning decathlete? Also, Dan reveals the names of up and coming U.S. Decathletes and Heptathletes.                                       
1:25:04: Will someone ever score 10,000 points in the decathlon?                      
 
1:26:29: Why is the current World Record holder in the Decathlon, Kevin Mayer not in the World Rankings?                  
1:28:38: SPRINT DASH segment of random questions for Dan.                              
 
1:36:59: How would Dan change the order of events for the Decathlon?                         
 
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Musical selections are from Nabaté Isles' album, 'Eclectic Excursions', available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon, Tidal, etc. Check out his website as well: www.nabateisles.com             

 

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