Podcast Summary: The Daily Show: Ears Edition

Episode: TDS Time Machine | Conversations with Olympians

Date: February 18, 2026
Host: Comedy Central / Trevor Noah
Guests: Lindsey Vonn, Gabby Thomas, Allyson Felix, Misty May-Treanor, Megan Rapinoe

Episode Overview

This special “TDS Time Machine” episode features interviews with some of the most decorated recent Olympians, delving into their journeys, personal challenges, and ventures beyond sport. Trevor Noah and the News Team explore the stories behind the medals—with humor and heartfelt dialogue—providing listeners with inspiration and insight into the lives and legacies of these world-class athletes.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Lindsey Vonn: Life on and off the Slopes

[02:50–09:39]

• Early Ambition & Family Support:

  • Trevor Noah is amazed by Vonn’s meticulous Olympic ten-year plan, starting at age nine after meeting skier Picabo Street.
  • Quote (03:39): “We printed out calendars, we had highlighters. It was like a whole thing.” — Lindsey Vonn
  • Vonn credits her racer dad for helping break down the milestones needed to reach the US Ski Team. The family relocated from Minnesota to Colorado to further her training.

• Coping with Fear & Mental Health:

  • Despite skiing at 85 mph with apparent fearlessness, Vonn admits:
    • Quote (05:48): “Skiing was, like, the most simple thing in my life…the easiest thing. Everything else was hard, and skiing was, like, my sanctuary.” — Lindsey Vonn
  • She candidly discusses openly sharing her depression, bucking the stigma that could harm athletes’ careers.

• Crashes & Resilience:

  • Vonn jokes about enduring countless crashes:
    • Quote (05:58): “We don’t have enough, you know, hours in the show…” — Lindsey Vonn
  • She explains the risk is integral to skiing's excitement.

• Mentorship & Retirement:

  • Vonn mentors younger athletes and will be commentating at the upcoming Winter Olympics.
  • On retirement:
    • The initial transition was hard, as everything she loved “was no longer possible.”
    • Now throws herself into business, especially venture capital, for new challenges.

• Pre-race Rituals:

  • Trevor Noah teases Vonn about her pre-race spitting habit (09:09):
    • Quote: “I don’t know. I think that’s just something that I naturally did. But I guess it, like, boosts testosterone.” — Lindsey Vonn

2. Gabby Thomas: Sprinting to Gold and Giving Back

[11:01–18:55]

• Paris 2024 Triumph:

  • Three gold medals: 200m sprint, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay.
  • Thomas describes crossing the finish line:
    • Quote (12:37): “When I got into the starting blocks, I had already won the race. I had believed that I was an Olympic champion.” — Gabby Thomas

• Impact of Family:

  • Raised by a single mom who went from waitress to endowed professorship at the University of Michigan.
  • Quote (13:55): “She told me…I had a light in me and that I was going to shine very brightly, and that it was my purpose to do so and give it back to the world.” — Gabby Thomas

• Science Meets Sport:

  • Harvard grad (neurobiology) with a master's in public health.
  • Applies her neurobiology background to recovery, training, and understanding the importance of sleep and neuroplasticity.

• Health Advocacy:

  • Volunteers at a free clinic in Texas for uninsured individuals, focusing on racial health disparities.
  • Quote (16:54): “There are just so many things that we can do better... It’s a simple concept, right? We could increase funding for it and people can have access to healthcare so easily.” — Gabby Thomas

• Life After Olympics:

  • Looking forward to returning to “normal life” in Austin, celebrating quietly, and then perhaps a vacation.

3. Allyson Felix: Legacy, Motherhood, and Entrepreneurial Drive

[20:59–25:34]

• Record-Breaking Career:

  • Seven Olympic golds, 11 total Olympic medals, 20 World Championship medals over five Olympics (2004–2020).
  • Quote (22:28): “In high school, they called me chicken legs. I was just concerned with making friends... But I had no idea or even really aspirations to take it this far.” — Allyson Felix

• Representation & Empowering Women:

  • Reflects on Black women’s experience in track (hairstyles, visibility).
  • Strongly addresses motherhood:
    • Quote (23:42): “It’s so hard... The thing about it is just not being supported… Everyone wants the glory moment... but they don’t want to support you through that.” — Allyson Felix

• Nike Split & Founding Seiche:

  • Left Nike over maternal protections, founded her own women’s footwear company tailored specifically for women's biomechanics.
  • Quote (24:34): “Shoes haven’t been made for women... Our shoes are built off the mold and off the function of the woman’s body.” — Allyson Felix

• Gratitude and Sisterhood:

  • Receives heartfelt acknowledgment from the host for her advocacy and achievements.
  • Quote (25:06): “Women looking out for women.” — Host

4. Misty May-Treanor: The Joy of Competition and Paying It Forward

[25:46–32:10]

• Beach Volleyball Icon:

  • Three-time Olympic gold medalist, known for her successful partnership with Kerri Walsh Jennings.

• Women’s Impact in Olympics:

  • Credits Title IX and previous generations for opportunity and growth in women’s sports participation and success.
  • Quote (28:10): “I wouldn’t be doing what I, you know, I am unless the women before me kind of gave us that foundation.” — Misty May-Treanor

• Olympic Life & Village Stories:

  • Shares humorous anecdotes about Olympic Village life, the wild post-event parties, and media focusing on athlete bodies rather than achievements.
  • Discusses the infamous village “condom shortage” with comedic flair.

• Retirement and New Passions:

  • Transitioned focus to family and a campaign on allergy awareness (Ditch the Drip).
  • Passion for mentoring the next generation and working with kids.

• Memorable Moment (31:56):

  • “It’s about getting that next generation, which is why the female athletes did so well. It’s about getting that next generation, paying it forward a little bit, doing the right thing.” — Misty May-Treanor

5. Megan Rapinoe: Activism, Equal Pay, and Persevering in Divided Times

[33:38–39:02]

• Soccer & Activism:

  • Two-time World Cup champion, Olympic gold medalist, known for outspoken advocacy—especially on pay equity.
  • Quote (35:35): “If the NBA is getting a billion dollars of investment, the WNBA is getting…even $100 million… One business is going to be more successful… So by the time we get to the game, we’ve been under-invested in…” — Megan Rapinoe

• Inspiring Others to Fight:

  • Shares how her own family members were inspired to fight for equal pay after her public efforts.
  • Quote (36:47): “To know that we’ve inspired or at least made people think down to every single level is the biggest win I think we could have.” — Megan Rapinoe

• Family Divides over Politics:

  • Discusses how her father’s Trump support created family rifts, and the importance of open dialogue.
  • Quote (38:11): “We can’t just not talk to each other. It’s obviously a tough time for everyone right now… but there’s much more to it that I think we need to dig into and have more conversation with. Just as family, as friends, as a nation...” — Megan Rapinoe

• Book Release & Looking Forward:

  • Trevor Noah jokes her memoir “One Life” should be called “Many Lives.”
  • Noah encourages listeners to read her memoir for a full picture of Rapinoe’s experience.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lindsey Vonn:
  • “Skiing was, like, the most simple thing in my life, the easiest thing. Everything else was hard, and skiing was, like, my sanctuary.” [05:48]
• Gabby Thomas:
  • “She told me… I had a light in me and that I was going to shine very brightly, and that it was my purpose to do so and give it back to the world.” [13:55]
• Allyson Felix:
  • “Shoes haven’t been made for women… Our shoes are built off the mold and off the function of the woman’s body.” [24:34]
• Misty May-Treanor:
  • “It’s about getting that next generation, which is why the female athletes did so well. It’s about getting that next generation, paying it forward a little bit, doing the right thing.” [31:56]
• Megan Rapinoe:
  • “To know that we’ve inspired or at least made people think down to every single level is the biggest win I think we could have.” [36:47]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Lindsey Vonn Interview: [02:50–09:39]
• Gabby Thomas Interview: [11:01–18:55]
• Allyson Felix Interview: [20:59–25:34]
• Misty May-Treanor Interview: [25:46–32:10]
• Megan Rapinoe Interview: [33:38–39:02]

Tone & Atmosphere

The tone is humorous, celebratory, inquisitive, and supportive—Trevor Noah and the guests blend candid storytelling with laughter and mutual respect. The Olympians speak authentically about struggles, transitions, empowerment, and giving back—offering inspiration in and out of sports.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a dynamic homage to the power, vulnerability, and legacy of elite athletes, especially women who’ve changed their sports and the world around them. It’s full of unforgettable anecdotes, honest reflections, and the kind of wisdom that speaks to all listeners—whether or not you’ve ever watched the Olympics.