Mackenzie Brown is one of the top female Olympic recurve archers in the world. Rising as high as No. 3 in World Archery's rankings of female recurve archers, Brown represented the United States at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil She's also the two-time defending champion in the Women's Recurve Division of the annual Lancaster Archery Classic.
We caught up with Brown recently at the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) National Tournament in Louisville, Ky. Brown was introduced to archery through the NASP program at her school in Texas when she was growing up, so she attended this year's national tournament to sign autographs and pose for photos with thousands of fans.
Brown sat down and talked with us about a wide array of topics, offering unique and riveting insight into what it's like - and what it takes - to be one of the best athletes in a sport in order to represent your nation at the Olympics.
In this podcast, you will learn:
- Brown's initial NASP coach didn't think she'd go too far in archery.
- How NASP helped her develop a love for archery.
- Archery actually wasn't the sport Brown originally hoped would take her to the Olympics.
- How seriously Brown takes the notion that she is a role model to young people.
- Her view of her performance in the Olympics, where she finished in 19th place.
- Which member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Brown hung out with in Rio - but didn't recognize.
- An idea of the sacrifices it takes to be an Olympic athlete.