Off The Podium - An Olympics Podcast · Ben Waterworth, Colin Hilding & Jarrod Loobeek

Epiosde 531 - Chris Fogt & Azaria Hill Interview

·1 hr 18 min·5 clips

Chris Fogt chokes up describing how his Olympic medal made every brutal workout and deployment worth it.

This episode features host Ben Waterworth interviewing triple Olympian and silver medalist Chris Fogt and rising brakeman Azaria Hill from USA Bobsleigh. Both athletes are active members of the U.S. Army's World Class Athlete Program, which supports their training. Chris Fogt now serves as a coach, helping to develop new talent like Hill. Chris Fogt explains that bobsledders are typically recruited from track and field due to the need for speed and power. He was approached in 2008 and made his first Olympic team just two years later for the 2010 Vancouver Games. Azaria Hill was recruited by her former college teammate, Keisha Love, after her own track career was interrupted. Hill attended a rookie camp and rapidly progressed to the World Cup team. Fogt describes his first bobsled run as a violent, disorienting experience that initially made him question his decision. Hill also found her first run on the bumpy Lake Placid track unnerving, but a smoother track in Europe changed her perspective. Both athletes compete as brakemen, a role Fogt chose because becoming a pilot requires a longer time commitment. Hill notes that many pilots start as brakemen to learn the sled's dynamics. The U.S. Army program provides athletes with a steady income, nutritionists, and physical therapy, allowing them to focus entirely on training. Fogt believes Hill's basic training, which included sleeping outdoors and forgoing showers, built mental toughness that benefits her on the bobsled circuit. He recalls young soldiers often challenging him to races after learning he was an Olympian. Fogt originally won a bronze medal at the 2014 Sochi Games, which was later upgraded to silver after the disqualification of a Russian sled. He received the new medal by mail after sending the bronze back, a process he found anticlimactic. His pilot, Steven Holcomb, had passed away before the upgrade ceremony, which was attended by Holcomb's family. Fogt considers the medal moment the peak of his career, reflecting on sacrifices like his deployment to Iraq. The tone is conversational and informal, with a focus on personal stories and career trajectories. The host interjects humor, such as joking about not trying to steal Fogt's medal. Listeners interested in Olympic sports, athlete career transitions, or the intersection of military service and elite athletics would enjoy this episode. Those seeking deep technical analysis of bobsledding might find the content too personal or anecdotal.

As heard by us

USA Bobsleigh, Army service, and a podium chase keep this interview moving.

USA Bobsleigh carries the hook, but the episode keeps coming back to the mix of experience and the push toward Milano Cortina. Chris Faux and Azaria Hill talk about what it takes to keep a program moving, with Army service, coaching, and competition all feeding the same drive.

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Why you'd press play

You want a Team USA bobsleigh interview with Army grit and a podium chase.

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