# @usafencing on YouTube

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://youtube.com/watch?v=MaN69haiNbE
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/35821724-usafencing-youtube
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/5734da8b28.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-10-20T10:00:26.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** USA Fencing (@USAFencing) — https://gondola.cc/USAFencing

## Caption

How do you turn early setbacks into a sustainable elite career—while helping the next generation do it better?
U.S. men’s epee fencer Ari Simmons—cadet world champion, 4x All-American at Notre Dame, coach/mentor, and co-host of The Direct Elimination Podcast—joins First to 15 to talk culture change in men’s epee, college recruiting realities, avoiding burnout with intention and process goals, and why mentorship is essential on the road to LA 2028.

Guest
Ari Simmons — U.S. Men’s Épée; Cadet World Champion; 4x All-American (Notre Dame); Coach/Mentor; Co-host, The Direct Elimination Podcast

Chapters
00:00 Intro — one-touch margins and LA 2028
01:29 Origin story: Alliance Fencing Academy to cadet world champ
06:50 Why mentorship and shared training matter
08:24 Junior success vs. senior results: bridging the gap
10:50 The Seth Kelsey effect on U.S. men’s epee
14:42 College recruiting: fit, honesty, and today’s expectations
23:12 Commitment coaches look for now
24:35 Burnout: intention, process goals, and real rest
31:00 Mentoring trends (pressure, expectations) and keeping joy
40:26 Lightning round: dream guest, cities, music, favorite videos

Quotable
“A rising tide raises all ships: when we work together, men’s epee gets better.” — Ari Simmons

About First to 15
Hosted by Bryan Wendell, First to 15 brings you conversations with the athletes, coaches, referees, and leaders shaping fencing today. Listen to the podcast by searching First to 15 USA Fencing on your favorite app.

Hashtags
#Fencing #Epee #AriSimmons #LA2028 #USAFencing #Mentorship #SportsPsych #CollegeRecruiting

## Stats

- **Views:** 126
- **Likes:** 11
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 0

## Tags

sportspsych, mentorship, la2028, usafencing, arisimmons, collegerecruiting, epee, fencing

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