What Does It Take? Podcast Returns for Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
The hit sports podcast What Does It Take? has officially launched a brand-new season dedicated to Winter Paralympians, marking a major cultural moment ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.
The series, produced by Rising Phoenix in collaboration with the Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee, shifts its spotlight to winter sport athletes as the Paralympic Winter Games celebrate their historic 50th anniversary.
With elite athletes, raw conversations, and global storytelling, Season 2 is not just a podcast — it is a front-row seat to resilience, sacrifice, and preparation at the highest level of sport.
A Timely Launch Ahead of the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
The new season premiered on 3 March 2026, strategically launching just days before the Paralympic Winter Games officially begin in Italy. This timing amplifies the excitement surrounding the Games while offering fans a deeper look at the athletes beyond competition.
The Winter Paralympics this year carry added significance:
Celebrating 50 years of Paralympic Winter sport
Hosted across iconic venues in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo
Featuring the world’s top adaptive winter athletes
Marking a generational shift in visibility and inclusion in sport
By focusing entirely on Winter Paralympians, the podcast embraces a new chapter in Paralympic storytelling.
Matt Stutzman Returns as Host for Season Two
At the heart of the series is Matt Stutzman — widely known around the world as The Armless Archer.
A Paralympic champion and world record holder, Stutzman previously co-hosted the podcast’s inaugural season alongside Olympic legend Michael Johnson in the lead-up to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
This season, Stutzman takes the lead as solo host, bringing:
First-hand Paralympic experience
Authentic understanding of athlete pressure
A unique motivational voice
Deep empathy for adaptive athletes
Speaking about his return, Stutzman shared his enthusiasm for reconnecting with audiences and diving into winter sport narratives. As someone who has lived the Paralympic journey himself, he understands the emotional gravity of preparing for the Games.
His role is not simply that of interviewer — it is that of a fellow competitor exploring the mental and physical demands of elite sport.
Inside Season Two: Winter Athletes Take Center Stage
Season 2 consists of 10 powerful episodes, each featuring one leading Winter Paralympian. The conversations explore:
The psychology of elite performance
Injury and recovery journeys
Training through adversity
National pride and representation
The mental build-up to Milano Cortina 2026
Unlike highlight reels or competition footage, this format prioritizes vulnerability and depth.
Athletes join remotely from around the world, offering international perspectives and diverse sporting backgrounds.
Star-Studded Line-Up of Winter Paralympians
The guest list for the new season reflects the global nature of the Paralympic movement. Featured athletes include:
Team USA Para Ice Hockey Player
Jack Wallace
Italian Para Alpine Ski Champion
Giacomo Bertagnolli
Italian Swimmer and Games Ambassador
Simone Barlaam
Italian Para Ice Hockey Vice-Captain
Andrea Macrì
Norwegian Wheelchair Curler
Mia Larsen Sveberg
US Cross-Country Skiing Talent
Sydney Peterson
Each episode offers a candid look at how these athletes prepare mentally and physically for one of the biggest stages in adaptive sport.
A Platform Expanding the Paralympic Narrative
The series is distributed through:
Rising Phoenix channels
International Paralympic Committee platforms
Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee digital media
In addition to audio episodes, the production includes:
Video podcast versions
Social-first content snippets
Behind-the-scenes clips
Athlete highlight reels
This multi-platform approach is designed to boost global engagement and make Paralympic storytelling more accessible than ever before.
Why This Season Matters More Than Ever
This year’s Winter Games mark five decades since the inaugural Winter Paralympics — a milestone that underscores how far adaptive sport has come.
Key themes explored in the podcast include:
1. Resilience in High-Performance Sport
Elite winter training environments present unique challenges, from freezing temperatures to injury risk.
2. Representation and Visibility
Winter Paralympians often receive less media exposure compared to summer athletes. This series helps bridge that gap.
3. Mental Health and Elite Preparation
The mental load of preparing for global competition is discussed candidly, offering audiences insight rarely shared publicly.
4. Human Stories Behind the Medals
Beyond podium finishes lie stories of sacrifice, family support, and unwavering determination.
Voices Behind the Production
The creative team sees this season as a milestone.
Calum Campbell, Director of Development at Harder Than You Think, highlighted that focusing on Winter Paralympians represents a significant step forward for the production company.
Meanwhile, Livia Draghi, Head of Audio-Visual Productions at the Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee, emphasized that the series delivers authentic insight into the heart of the Paralympic movement — showcasing talent, humanity, and relentless determination.
Backed by a Global Brand
The new season is supported by global partner Procter & Gamble, continuing its long-standing involvement in empowering athlete stories and inclusive storytelling initiatives.
Corporate backing ensures global reach while maintaining the series’ athlete-first narrative.
The Bigger Picture: Media Evolution in Paralympic Sport
The launch of Season 2 reflects a broader shift in sports media consumption:
With the Winter Games underway, the podcast arrives at a crucial moment — when global attention is focused on Milan and Cortina.
What Listeners Can Expect Over the Coming Weeks
Episodes will roll out weekly in the lead-up to and during the Games, creating sustained engagement throughout the Paralympic season.
Listeners can expect:
Deep personal reflections
Behind-the-scenes preparation insights
Cultural perspectives from different countries
Honest discussions about setbacks and triumphs
Motivation that extends beyond sport
Final Word: A Winter of Inspiration Begins
As the Paralympic Winter Games celebrate 50 years of progress and achievement, What Does It Take? returns as more than a podcast. It becomes a companion to the Games — a storytelling bridge between athletes and fans.
With Matt Stutzman leading heartfelt conversations and a world-class lineup of Winter Paralympians sharing their journeys, Season 2 promises to inspire audiences worldwide.
The series is now available across major streaming platforms, with video and social content released across official channels.
