The Leap | Athlete Stories
The Leap | Athlete Stories
The one story only they can tell. The Leap sits down with college athletes and coaches, going past the box score to the moment everything changed — unedited and unaired until now, in their own words. New interviews weekly on YouTube @theleapmediaco.
Grant Gurtin
PodcastAI
PodcastAI

Hadley Husisian on Olympic Fencing, Balancing Princeton, and Future Aspirations

S1 E45 • Aug 7, 2026 • 48 mins

Hadley Husisian discusses her transition from Taekwondo to fencing, early influences, and her decision to pursue fencing, highlighting the importance of enjoyment and her Olympic dreams. She shares her experience of taking a gap year for Olympic qualification, the anticlimactic moment of qualifying, and life post-Olympics. Hadley reflects on the challenges of the Olympic Village, handling high-stress competitions, and balancing academics with sports. She talks about returning to school, focusing on the present, and the value of a team atmosphere. Hadley offers advice to young athletes on taking incremental steps toward big goals.

Key Points

  • Hadley Husisian was inspired to start fencing after watching an episode of iCarly, demonstrating the unexpected ways media can influence life choices.
  • Despite not coming from an athletic background, Hadley's dedication and hard work led her to become an Olympian, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and finding joy in the process, not just the results.
  • Balancing fencing with academics at Princeton, Hadley found that having a well-rounded life improved her performance in both areas, highlighting the benefits of maintaining multiple interests and responsibilities.
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