2 time Olympic Gold Medalist, Michele Smith drops in on the podcast! We get into a fun conversation about all the happenings behind ESPN's softball coverage. We find out how much happens before, during, and after a game as well as all the moving parts we don't usually get to see when we are watching a game. She talks about how much prep work goes into a telecast and what goes on behind the scenes to make it look and sound so good!

Michele talks about her time playing in Japan. A 16 year professional career where she won a remarkable 8 leagues championships and 8 league MVP awards. The game of softball is that of perseverance and hard work. The Japanese culture is the same. When you put the two together, you get an explosive, high level atmosphere surrounding the game. As we learn how far the game has come internationally, we also see how far we have to go to get the game to so many more countries.

For here in the states, the game is thriving. In large part to ESPN's coverage of College Softball. Michele Smith is a huge part of that! Her knowledge of the game coupled with her dedication to learn more, sheds a little light into the professional she is. She has always worked a little harder, worked a little longer, and had an undeniable work ethic.

After her freshman year at Oklahoma State University, Michele Smith endured a horrific accident where she lost the use of her left her arm, her pitch arm. She was throw from a vehicle and smashed her elbow so bad that a piece of her elbow broke off. After being told the chances of her pitching again, much less playing again were very slim... she went to work. Rehabing her arm, whirlpool visit after whirlpool visit, she made it back. In the most Michele way, she made it back stronger than ever. Her fastball picked up 3mph in velocity and she had a new way of thinking!

PreHab! Instead of waiting to rehab an injury, Michele went to work on preventing further injury. She is a huge believer in proper warm up and injury prevention! Understanding the body and listening to her body, Michele has taught so many why and how to take care of your body before and after competition.

Michele is the true GOAT! There is a lot of people you may think of when you think of the USA Softball, one thing that will always remain true...Michele Smith is on that list no matter who you talk to.

~The LEGEND of Michele Smith~

Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist (1996, 2000)
Three-time World Champion (1994, 1998, 2002)
Two-time Pan American Gold Medalist (1995, 1999)
Member of the National Softball Hall of Fame
Earned ASA All-American honors 10 times
Four-time Bertha Tickey Award winner

2000: Gold medalist at Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia
1999: Gold medalist at Pan American Games and Canada Cup
- Posted 4-0 record with a 0.00 ERA and 46 strikeouts (Pan Am)
1998: Gold medalist at ISF World Championships
- Went 2-0 with 0.00 ERA and 36 strikeouts
1997: Silver medalist at Superball in Columbus, Ga.
1996: Gold medalist at Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia
- Went 2-0 with 1.50 ERA and 23 strikeouts
- Hit .211 with two RBI and three runs scored
1995: Gold medalist at Pan American Games and Superball in Columbus, Ga.
- Went 3-0 with a .36 ERA; hit .426 with three in-the-park home runs, 14 RBI and five runs scored (Pan Am)
1994: Gold medalist at ISF World Championships
- Went 2-0 with 0.00 ERA and 26 strikeouts
1993: Gold medalist at Intercontinental Cup in Holland
1992: Gold medalist at Women's World Challenger Cup

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