On the second episode of our podcast, Olympic Dreams: San Diego to Tokyo, we chat with Alise and Sam Willoughby about the extreme sport of BMX racing and their inspirational journey overcoming personal tragedy.
As two of the sport’s most well-known personalities living under the same roof, the Willoughbys are BMX royalty.
Steven Luke NBC 7Alise and Sam Willoughby along the BMX track at Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center
Alise Willoughby, who took silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics, is the top-ranked BMX racer in the world heading into the Tokyo Olympics.
But, after a freak training accident left her husband and two-time Olympian, Sam Willoughby paralyzed, the couple has forged a new relationship — Sam is now Alise’s coach.
In a rare, extended conversation about Sam’s accident, recovery, and life after paralysis, the Willoughbys open up about their remarkable journey through tragedy and triumph.
Together as husband and wife, Olympian and coach, this BMX power couple is laser-focused on Tokyo and ready to write the next chapter of their amazing story.
Listen to Episode 2:
Listen/Subscribe to NBC 7’s Olympic Dreams: San Diego to Tokyo podcast wherever you enjoy listening to podcasts. On each episode, NBC 7 News Today anchor Steven Luke will sit down with athletes in their prime, each with their sights set on one thing: representing Team USA in Tokyo this summer. How will they achieve their Olympic dreams?