Same Team

It's a very special episode of Same Team as I welcome...my mom! We discuss her childhood, what it was like raising me, when she started thinking about my sexuality, the challenge of dealing with it on her own and the freedom she's found in having a gay son.

Same Team has a new home! Listen for information on the exciting changes to the podcast, where to find it now and plans for the future! Thank you so much for all of the support!

In 2005, Kirk Walker was heralded as the first Division 1 collegiate coach to publicly come out as LGBTQ. Now, as an assistant softball coach at UCLA, he balances a life of coaching and activism. We talk about growing up in Los Angeles in the 70's, living a closeted life for the first part of his professional career, what led to his decision to come out as a gay man and why fostering a supportive group for LGBTQ people in sports has become his passion.

Former professional hockey player Brock McGillis talks about his journey to becoming the first openly gay professional player in the sport, the homophobic culture that runs hockey locker rooms, why leagues like the NHL aren't doing enough to advance LGBTQ support and how he's transitioned into a life of activism and education.

Former NFL lineman Ryan O'Callaghan talks about living life in the closet for his entire playing career, battling suicidal ideologies, the decision to come out as a gay man in 2017, the support he's found from Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his new book "My Life On The Line: How The NFL Damn Near Killed Me and Ended Up Saving My Life."

Last month, Amherst College defensive back Avery Saffold came out as a gay man. With his eyes on the future while holding an appreciation for his past, he discusses growing up on the South Side of Chicago, being a two-sport athlete at a Catholic high school, the journey to embracing his sexuality and how he has used his voice to influence those around him.

Two weeks ago, Sportsnet broadcaster Scott MacArthur came out as a gay man in a raw, emotional seven-minute-long video. He talks about the journey to this moment, the lessons he's learned along the way and why living life authentically has become his guiding force.

U.S. and NCAA champion gymnast Eddie Penev talks about being born in Bulgaria, transitioning to a life in the States, coming out to teammates as a student-athlete at Stanford and how he manages to maintain focus with his eyes set on the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

In 2014, as a kicker at Willamette University, Conner Mertens became the first collegiate football player to come out as LGBTQ. He talks about wrestling with his religious background, the process of accepting his sexuality, the impact his story had on those closet to him and why living a life of activism and advocacy has become his mission.

Former collegiate basketball player Haley Videckis and her girlfriend Layana White sued Pepperdine University for anti-gay discrimination, blazing a trail for LGBTQ athletes' rights. Videckis talks about the difficulty of that journey, the life she was forced to forfeit and why activism is now at the forefront of her mission.

BBC reporter and commentator Jack Murley talks about growing up in Cornwall, the path to finding himself through his work and the strength he finds in being an openly gay man in his field of work...all before totally geeking out on professional wrestling.

Former Team USA gymnast Josh Dixon talks about his unique family upbringing, coming out during his time at Stanford, competing at the Olympic Trials, how he learned to bounce back from professional setback and why he's decided to pivot into a life of politics and social activism.

Tadd Fujikawa, the first openly gay male professional golfer, talks about being the youngest person to ever compete at the US Open at the age of 15, how mental health struggles have impacted his life and career, why he chose to come out on Instagram last year and what it's like living as a gay man in the deep South.

Strongman competitor Rob Kearney talks about being openly gay in a hyper masculine sport, how he came to find out he could lift really heavy things, the recent controversy surrounding drug use in the sport and why he and his new husband have chosen to be so public with their relationship.

Team USA ice dancer Joe Johnson talks about his unique childhood in Colorado, his journey to the national stage, becoming the first openly LGBTQ dance team with partner Karina Manta, how being honest about his sexuality allowed him to live his most authentic life and why the concept of visibility is so vitally important.

Former collegiate swimmer Alec Reitzel discusses his religious upbringing in rural North Carolina, how a career-ending injury helped him out of the closet, the trip to Europe that changed his life and how he came to propose to his boyfriend at an improv show in Chicago.

Professional wrestler Anthony Bowens talks about the prominence of LGBTQ talent on the independent wrestling scene, how he transitioned from coming out as bisexual to coming out as gay earlier this year, why getting to WWE is still the goal and the power he finds in being so open and public in his relationship with his boyfriend.

Nick McCarvel, a journalist who covers everything from tennis to figure skating, talks about growing up in a religious family in Montana, how he got into journalism, the lack of openly gay men's tennis players on tour, what it's like covering the Olympics and how straight allies may hold the keys for unlocking acceptance for LGBTQ athletes.

Peter Lovins, director of legal affairs for the Columbus Blue Jackets, talks about growing up as a gay Mormon in Alaska, the professional journey that took him across the country, what it means to be a lawyer for a professional sports team and why the Blue Jackets once had a mascot that looked like a penis.

Former professional soccer player Matt Pacifici came out to the world via an Instagram post featuring a photo of he and his boyfriend. Pacifici talks about the process behind that decision, the career-ending injury that led him to this moment and why he doesn't apologize for doing things his own way.

Fred Rosser (aka Darren Young), the first openly gay wrestler in WWE, talks about his journey to come out of the closet, the reaction from his fellow wrestlers in the locker room, how Vince McMahon responded, the transition he made after being let go by the company and his plan to get back in the ring full-time in 2019.

David Palumbo, executive board member of the You Can Play Project, talks about the genesis of the organization, working with the National Hockey League and other professional sports leagues, the influence of straight allies and all the work that's still to be done.

Former Butler University linebacker Xavier Colvin talks about growing up with a dad in the NFL, coming out of the closet in front of his entire team, the support he found from his coaching staff and teammates and why he's made the decision to move on from his life in football.

Eric Radford, three-time Olympic medalist and two-time world champion in figure skating, talks about his wild adolescence as an athlete in Canada, the decision to come out at the peak of his career, how his two Olympic experiences dramatically contrasted each other and why his professional focus has shifted to winning an Oscar.

Derrick Gordon, the first openly gay male Division I college basketball player, talks about his personal coming out journey, the struggle of being accepted by his teammates, finding his place in the world of collegiate athletics and why his sights are now set on Hollywood.

Eric Lueshen, former openly gay kicker at the University of Nebraska, talks about his experience as a Husker, the program's decision to hire homophobe Ron Brown as director of player development and the work he's doing now to make sure athletic departments are more welcoming and accessible to LGBTQ athletes.

Tony Paul from the Detroit News talks about his decision to come out on live television, his time at Michigan State and the culture of sports journalism in Detroit. Plus, I yell at him about the Emmys and Friday Night Lights!

Jake Atlas talks about his meteoric rise in the world of professional wrestling, being openly gay in the sport, a crushing injury that nearly derailed his career, appearing on CBS' "Undercover Boss" with Stephanie McMahon and plans he has for the future of his career.

Matt Lichenstadter discusses his decision to come out as bisexual, the specific challenges of his journey, LGBTQ representation in the media and what it was like growing up as a Jacksonville Jaguars fan in Philadelphia.

Landon Foster⁩, four-year punter at the University of Kentucky, talks about the decision to come out after his collegiate career, locker room culture, growing up in the South and his big plans for the future.

During part 2 of the discussion with Mike Parrow, he expands upon his career as a gay professional wrestler, why more opportunities for LGBTQ wrestlers don't exist, WWE's place in the modern wrestling landscape and, perhaps most importantly, his upcoming wedding!

During part 1 of the discussion with professional wrestler Parrow, he talks about being gay during the sport's current renaissance, how starting as a collegiate football player influenced his career and the responsibility he feels to impact and influence a younger generation. Part 2 drops later this week!

Jessica Platt, the first transgender player in the Canadian Women's Hockey League, talks about her upbringing, the personal journey to finding her true self, being a trailblazer for LGBTQ sports rights and the work that needs to be done moving forward. Platt plays for the Toronto Furies in the CMHL.

Alex Reimer, radio personality and writer for WEEI in Boston, joins the show to talk about his ascent through the ranks, appearing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as a kid, sports culture in Boston and his notorious suspension for calling Tom Brady's daughter an "annoying little pissant" on air.

Cyd Zeigler, co-founder of Outsports.com, joins Same Team for its inaugural episode. Cyd talks about growing up, the creation of Outsports