THE ED MYLETT SHOW: Standing Your Ground—A Story of Perseverance with Sage Steele

Date: March 3, 2026
Guest: Sage Steele (Broadcaster, Former ESPN Anchor)
Main Theme: Resilience and Integrity Under Pressure—Persevering through adversity, standing up for personal beliefs amidst public and professional challenges.

Episode Overview

In this powerful and candid conversation, Ed Mylett talks with Sage Steele about her tumultuous experiences at ESPN during the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, the costs of speaking her truth, and her journey of personal conviction, loss, and ultimate renewal. The episode explores what it means to stand your ground, the backlash of public dissent, and healing from life's upheavals—offering lessons in faith, courage, and authenticity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Inciting Incident: ESPN and the COVID Vaccine Mandate

• The Mandate (03:03):
  Sage recounts facing Disney’s (ESPN’s parent company) mandate in September 2021, requiring all employees to be vaccinated or lose their jobs.
  • "We are deep in COVID, and I am working for the Walt Disney Company…they had mandated that we all be fully vaccinated by September 30, 2021, or we would all lose our jobs, be fired." – Sage [03:12]
• Inner Turmoil & Reluctant Compliance (05:08):
  Despite deep concerns and research, Sage complied because she was the sole provider for her children post-divorce.
  • "At the end of the day, I took the shot. And still haven’t fully forgiven myself for it, for caving. But I was afraid." − Sage [05:08]
• Moment of Change (07:00–08:18):
  Sage describes tearfully receiving the vaccine, a moment that triggered lasting anger and a profound sense of loss of agency over her own body.
  • "She put it in my arm, and...I felt something change in me at that moment. I changed." – Sage [07:56]

2. Speaking Out and Facing Consequences

• Vulnerable Honesty on a Podcast (08:18–10:18):
  Sage discussed her vaccine experience on Jay Cutler’s podcast, sharing her view that mandates were wrong—even as she complied.
  • "I think it’s sick and wrong for any company to require their employee to do anything to their bodies..." – Sage [09:13]
• Repercussions at ESPN (11:07–15:06):
  • Suspension, public apology, assignments stripped—even as her comments were not on ESPN programming. Sage focused on the hypocrisy and double standard at play.
  • "I was made to publicly apologize...let’s make her apologize and we’re going to crush her and then we’ll let her back someday." – Sage [11:54]
• Decision to Take Legal Action (14:28):
  Encouraged by silent supporters and recognizing her responsibility to others fearful of speaking out, Sage sued Disney for their inconsistent enforcement.
  • "I thought, this isn’t actually just about me...I am here for a reason. For these other people who are whispering to me, thank you." – Sage [14:52]

3. Surviving Personal and Public Armageddon

• The Storm of Hate & Recovery (16:39–21:58):
  • Sage describes being isolated, receiving threats, and hitting her lowest point—physically ill and emotionally wrecked.
  • Support came from her parents: "My mom and dad have picked me up at times when I didn’t think I deserved it..." – Sage [20:06]
  • Her retired Army dad’s advice: "Are they gonna win this? Are you gonna let them do this to you? Are you gonna stand up?" – Sage [20:41]
• Compartmentalizing to Perform (21:58):
  Sage reflects on returning to work amidst hostility and how she compartmentalized pain to carry on.
  • "I became a much better actress than I thought, so I would pass that along, too..." – Sage [21:54]
• Teachable Moments for Her Children (23:48–25:55):
  • Her son’s words became a turning point:
    "Mom, it’s about time you stood up for yourself." – Sage’s son [24:13]
  • Sage realized the lesson she was truly passing on: authenticity and courage over self-silencing.

4. On Free Speech, Division, and Healing

• Ed’s Reflection on Cultural Division (25:55–26:38):
  • "What the heck happened to us as a culture?" – Ed [25:55]
  • Both reflect on the rise of public polarization and loss of civil discourse.
• Sage on Freedom & Fear (26:40–29:02):
  • She remembers walking in fear after expressing her views, avoiding eye contact in airports, believing she was hated.
  • "I don’t want anyone else to ever feel that way...But I got out of it, again, by the grace of God." – Sage [28:28]

5. Letting Go of the Need for Approval

• Sage and Ed Discuss Surrender (29:04–32:22):
  • Both talk candidly about the difficulty pleasers have in relinquishing control of others’ opinions.
  • "I cannot control what you think of me...So if you don’t like me, I gotta let go of that." – Sage [29:29]
• Sage’s Family Background: The True Foundation (32:22–39:56):
  • Sage tells the previously untold story of her interracial parents’ marriage, her father’s decision to extend grace through years of rejection, and ultimate family reconciliation.
  • "He began writing letters...Once a month to my mom’s parents...They needed to know that I was taking care of their daughter." – Sage (quoting her father) [34:34]
  • The “harder right” vs. “easier wrong” from the West Point Cadet Prayer becomes the moral center of the story.

6. Winning Isn’t What You Expect

• The Aftermath and New Beginnings (53:19–56:29):
  • Settlement brought tears, not relief. Sage felt lost at first: "Did it have to come to this? And now what the hell am I going to do with my life?" – Sage [53:36]
  • Offers came unexpectedly—Bill Maher gave her a show on his network, then she launched her own, relying on a very small team including her supportive new husband.

7. Faith, Surrender, and Unexpected Grace

• Sage’s Personal Renewal and Remarriage (56:29–61:05):
  • After prayers for guidance, Sage met her future husband in a serendipitous, deeply gratifying way—marking a new season of fulfillment, purpose, and restored family.
  • "All those things brought me to this beautiful new life. So take a chance on yourself. Believe you’re gonna get back up and don’t take so long to talk to God about it." – Sage [61:05]

8. Embracing Mistakes: Humanizing Public Personas

• Addressing Public Mistakes (45:37–52:29):
  • Both Ed and Sage share stories of “viral” on-air blunders, underscoring the value of humility and humor.
  • "If you can’t laugh at yourself…for public consumption, you’re in the wrong business." – Sage [51:23]
  • Sage clarifies the viral “Joe Rogan” mix-up with Dana White, urging others to show their humanness.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Cost of Compromise:
  "I took the shot...and still haven’t fully forgiven myself for it, for caving. But I was afraid." – Sage [05:08]

• On Speaking Up:
  "I was one of a handful of conservatives there who had been so fearful of speaking up and were silenced. So I thought, this isn’t actually just about me." – Sage [14:52]

• On Resilience:
  "I learned a lot about myself during that time. That I am a lot tougher than I ever dreamt." – Sage [21:59]

• A Turning Point with Her Son:
  "Mom, it’s about time you stood up for yourself." – Sage’s son [24:13]

• On Grace and Family (Her Father’s “Harder Right”):
  "Help me to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong." – Sage (quoting her father/West Point prayer) [35:35]

• On Victory and Moving Forward:
  "Even if I lost, I would have won because my kids saw that their mom was like, enough. No more." – Sage [25:15]

• On Renewal after Pain:
  "All those things brought me to this beautiful new life. So take a chance on yourself. Believe you’re gonna get back up and don’t take so long to talk to God about it." – Sage [61:04]

Important Timestamps

• [03:03] – Sage explains the ESPN vaccine mandate.
• [08:18] – The emotional vaccine experience and aftermath.
• [11:07] – Suspension and public apology at ESPN.
• [14:52] – Deciding to stand for more than herself by suing for the principle.
• [16:39–21:58] – Coping with hate, threats, and lowest personal moments.
• [24:13] – Son’s affirmation: “It’s about time you stood up for yourself.”
• [29:29] – On letting go of fear of being disliked.
• [32:22–39:56] – Story of her father’s forgiveness and family reconciliation.
• [53:19] – Settling the lawsuit and choosing a new direction.
• [56:29] – Meeting her new husband and embracing an unexpected future.
• [45:44–52:29] – Embracing public mistakes with humor: “Joe Rogan” vs. Dana White.

Sage’s Takeaways for Listeners

• Give up control and ask for help—faith and surrender are powerful tools in uncertainty.
• Find the courage to stand your ground, even if it means short-term pain or backlash.
• "You’re going to go through it, but you still have to function. Figure out ways to put it in the back…go back and deal with it." – Sage [21:54]
• Don’t let the fear of being disliked keep you silent.
• "Beautiful things come from the ashes...take a chance on yourself." – Sage [61:04]

Where to Find Sage Steele

• The Sage Steele Show: YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
• Instagram, Facebook, and Patreon: Sage mentions she is learning to be herself on socials and welcomes support and connection.

Final Word

This episode is a masterclass in personal integrity, vulnerability, and perseverance. Sage’s willingness to speak out, endure, and ultimately reinvent herself offers both inspiration and practical wisdom for anyone facing their own crucible moment. Her father’s lesson—“choosing the harder right”—echoes throughout, as does her faith that the worst moments often lead to the greatest breakthroughs.