Sydney Peterson spent 6 years knowing something didn’t feel quite right, but without a full understanding of why. At the age of 19 she was diagnosed with dystonia, which changed her life.

Incredibly, soon after, Sydney shocked the world at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games by winning multiple medals, marking a breakout moment early in her Paralympic career.

But Sydney is not just a great athlete. While training and preparing for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, Sydney is also working in a neuroscience lab in Utah, studying for a PhD. Balancing her training with life in the lab has been no easy feat.

Joining us from Soldier Hollow — one of the venues set to host the Utah 2034 Paralympic Winter Games — she talks to Matt about how she balances elite sport with her work and studies, what it takes to compete at the highest level, and what she’s most looking forward to as she enters the final weeks leading up to the Games.

Produced by the creators of the Emmy Award-winning Rising Phoenix, in official partnership with Milano Cortina 2026 and supported by Procter & Gamble, a worldwide Paralympic partner.

This is a Harder Than You Think production.

Host: Matt Stutzman

Producers: Calum Campbell and Vanessa Wheeler

Video Editor: Nic Woinilowicz

Audio Post Production: String and Tins

Sound Editor: Culum Simpson

Remote Recording Engineer: George Hinson

Audio Producer: Esi Jonuzi

Executive Producers: Greg Nugent and Barnaby Spurrier

The podcast’s soundtrack is titled “Rising Phoenix” - Written by Daniel Pemberton, Keith Jones, Toni Hickman and George Doman. Performed by Daniel Pemberton, Toni Hickman, georgetragic, and Keith Jones. Published by Alika’s Publishing, Doman Development, Moncur Street Music Limited, administered by peermusic (UK) Ltd.

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