Joy 101: Ezra Frech

"Since I was a little kid, I just felt like I was put on this earth to do everything I can to change the way the world sees disability. And growing up, I didn't have a ton of disability representation in the mainstream media to look to and be inspired by. There was some, and it was on Dancing with the Stars. And now I get to continue that legacy."     -Ezra Frech Experience the full conversation on the "Joy 101 podcast with Hoda Kotb" wherever you listen to podcasts. For more information, please visit us at www.joy101.com/podcast https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.joy101.com%2Fpodcast&data=05%7C02%7CBrianBurton%40iheartmedia.com%7C31e7e646cc9e4ffce44108df3c5bdbb7%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639296037368109807%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Sb0Lrv8nncRxOf8S9xfh1HmlCm4LsZ8zUZnGLLWzhPY%3D&reserved=0 See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Speaker names marked ? are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.

• 0:10Hoda Kotb?

  Okay, if you watch Dancing with the Stars, you are going to be so happy with this podcast. And if you have never watched Dancing with the Stars, you're going to fall in love with the person I'm about to tell you about, okay? He is a Paralympian. He won two gold medals in Paris. He is on Dancing with the Stars and is phenomenal. And more than all of that, this man is on a mission. He has a purpose. He wants to change the way people look at those with disabilities. And when you meet him, you're going to say, God, I want to be friends with this guy. Oh, gosh, he's so inspiring.

• 0:54Hoda Kotb?

  He's got all the things. His name is Ezra Frech. He is exploding on the scene. He has amassed a huge fan base because of Dancing with the Stars, but even without that, I would imagine he'd have a huge fan base. He will inspire, enlighten. If you are a parent, you will listen to this young man and he will tell you about the way he was parented, a way that he was raised up to give him confidence and to give him all of the things that make him the incredible individual that he is. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Ezra Freck.

• 1:35Speaker 01

  This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed Human.

• 1:39Hoda Kotb?

  Joy 101 with Hoda Kotb is presented by CVS. The holidays are already busy enough, so I'm all for anything that makes them feel a little bit easier. CVS can help you check off more of your list in one stop, from the things you need to the little extras that make the season feel special. And with hundreds of stocking stuffers under $5, you can find something fun for just about everyone. Plus, extra care members can save even more while they shop. So this holiday season, take one thing off your plate and let CVS help you get a little more done. Visit your local CVS pharmacy, sponsored by CVS. The holidays have a way of reminding us that it really is the little things that mean the most.

• 2:21Hoda Kotb?

  Maybe it's something you baked with love, something you carefully picked out and packed, or maybe it's a little piece of home you're sending to someone you miss. I've sent plenty of holiday packages with the United States Postal Service over the years, and I know firsthand what you're sending is so much more than what is inside that box. This holiday season, USPS is delivering that love to more addresses in America than anybody else. Send it with love. Send it with USPS. Learn more at USPS.com/holiday. Women have a lot going on between work, family, friends, and everything else on our to-do list. We're constantly on the move, and I think we can all agree that the last thing we need

• 3:06Hoda Kotb?

  is uncomfortable shoes slowing us down. So that's where Easy Spirit comes in. They understand that women need shoes that are not only comfortable and supportive, but stylish enough to take us through all the different parts of our day. So whether you're heading to work, spending the day with family, traveling to see loved ones, or catching up with friends, you're probably spending a lot of time on your feet. And sometimes, when we're so busy taking care of everything around us, we forget about the little things that make our own lives easier, like wearing shoes that actually feel good. Easy Spirit is designed with that in mind, offering comfortable, supportive footwear that fits into our busy lives without sacrificing style.

• 3:50Hoda Kotb?

  Because we do a lot for the people we love, we deserve to take care of ourselves, too. Because feeling good on your feet can make it easier to say yes to one more outing, one more visit with a friend, or one more thing that brings you joy. Find your next pair at easyspirit.com or shop in person at Macy's. Easy Spirit, made for women who do it all. Every purchase is a financial decision, so it's worth asking, what am I getting out of this? If you're using the Chase Freedom Flex Card, you can maximize your cash back on things you need. More ways to earn, more ways to get rewarded. Sign up for the Chase Freedom Flex Card. Learn more at chase.com/getflex. This is a paid collaboration with Chase Freedom Flex.

• 4:35Hoda Kotb?

  Cards issued by JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. Subject to credit approval. Offer subject to change. Terms apply.

• 4:43Speaker 02

  This is Iris Palmer from Against All Odds with Iris Palmer. You know it's the holidays when somebody in the family starts cooking before the sun comes up. The babusas are grilling in the pan, everybody's sneaking bites, and somehow, there's always room for one more person at the table. And nothing goes better with that first holiday plate than a delicious Coca-Cola. That crisp, refreshing taste makes everything that much better. Because the best holiday traditions aren't just about what we're eating, they're about who we're sharing those moments with. So check that shopping list twice. Stock up on Coca-Cola for all your family fiestas. Edisfruta Coca-Cola.

• 5:19Hoda Kotb?

  Wait, can we just pause for one second about this moment? Like, this moment of all the moments in your lifetime when you've had some doozies, this one has got to rank up there. How are you feeling on this random day that we're sitting together?

• 5:36Speaker 03

  Yes, I mean, first off, thank you for having me. It's an honor to get to have this conversation. And yeah, I am, I'm great. I'm in a good place. I'm living the dream right now. This is a lot of fun. I never, I never could have imagined how beautiful this experience being on Dancing with the Stars would be. And so I'm just taking it in stride each day, trying to savor the moments, and it's the home stretch, the last, last four weeks.

• 6:05Hoda Kotb?

  I can't believe it. And you know what strikes me about it? First of all, you're a joyful person. Mine is Dancing with the Stars. You have that. But to watch you out there, and most people, when they're doing something that they haven't done, they don't know what they're doing, there's a weird thing that we all do. It's like when I was learning tennis, you just feel awkward. You feel like you're in flow, like I'm feeling like a whole flow with you. So what's happening with you when you're out there spinning around?

• 6:32Speaker 03

  Well, first off, thank you for saying I'm in flow. I definitely feel like I'm in flow. Sometimes you feel called to things, and when you are doing them, it feels very connected to maybe your purpose, or what you feel like you were put on this earth to do. And in some crazy way, I feel very connected to what I feel like I was put on this earth to do and hopefully change the way the world sees disability through this beautiful dance show. And I can't explain it, but I just feel at home. I'm enjoying every second of this process, and I feel very comfortable. I feel very comfortable.

• 7:14Hoda Kotb?

  Yeah, you've got that sort of warm hand on your heart vibe that is happening when watching it, and you can see it in your eyes, too. Take me back, you know, way, way back to the very beginning when you were born. Will you tell me about how your parents described that day?

• 7:35Speaker 03

  Yeah, it's, well, my disability was a surprise at birth, which, which is crazy to think about, that, that in the ultrasound didn't pick up that my left side had some sort of disability. And so, you know, when disability is a surprise at birth, they want to make sure everything else is okay, that it's only physical. My major organs were all right, everything else was okay. But it was jarring, and for first-time parents who didn't know what to expect, who didn't understand the world of Paralympic and adaptive sport, they didn't know necessarily what their son was going to be capable of, all of these thoughts rushing through their mind, what is his life going to look like? Will he play sports? Will he find happiness? Will he find a girlfriend?

• 8:20Speaker 03

  Will he, all of these thoughts that are natural when you're giving birth to your firstborn, but let alone when they have a physical disability, that was a surprise. And so, I was born with one finger on my left hand, and I had a lower left leg that was curved up towards my waist. And then, a few years later, my parents had to make the decision ultimately to do a toe-to-hand transplant, where they amputated my left leg right at the knee, and then they took the big toe, and they put it onto my left hand. So they had to make decisions for me that were going to permanently affect my life forever, and thank God, they made the most amazing, correct, and perfect decision. But there was a lot of, a lot of stress on them in those early years.

• 8:58Hoda Kotb?

  Can we talk about that? Because I adopted a little girl nine years ago and another one seven years ago. Yay. But that, that feeling of being unsure as a parent, just in general, in life, and then to also have to be making these life and death decisions, or at least life-altering decisions. When you talk to your parents about it now, how do they reflect on the idea that a parent has to decide whether or not their child's leg should be amputated to help him? Must have been excruciating. How do you guys, how did they describe it to you?

• 9:34Speaker 03

  Yeah, it it's described to me as a lot of, a lot of chaos and a lot of stress and um, and they, it was a long journey for them to meet with the right people, to get the right opinions, to do as much research as possible. But then also, they wanted to do it before I would really remember the surgery, which was, which was, you know, sort of up against a little bit of a timeline. Um, you know, because you don't want to amputate the leg too late because then I would have lots of memories of the procedure. Doing it right around when I was three years old, I don't, I don't even remember much of, of the surgery whatsoever. Um, and so, yeah, described as a very, a very difficult time. Um, but just, of course, beyond grateful for the way that they

• 10:17Speaker 03

  approached everything because, I mean, if I didn't, I mean, it's crazy to think, but if, if that surgery hadn't happened, and I don't have the mobility I have today, I'm not the same person I am today. And now that, that decision positively impacted my life so massively.

• 10:30Hoda Kotb?

  How did your parents teach you? Because every parent teaches their child about navigating the world, whether it's in kindergarten, first grade, second grade. If a kid says X to you, do this, you're strong, all those things. What was your parents' philosophy on like how to help you navigate everything you would be going through?

• 10:50Speaker 03

  Yeah, that's a great question. My parents never, never, we never hid my disability. They never wanted me to be ashamed of who I was. They never wanted me to be ashamed of the things that made me different. If anything, that was celebrated. It was um, told to me that of everybody's different, whether we look different, we think different, we act different, mine just happens to look different. And if anything, this difference is what makes me unique and special. Um, and so I, I grew up not ashamed to wear shorts in public, to play basketball with my left hand, to just be comfortable in my skin. And my mother would always tell me, um, she would say, you walk into every room with your chin up, your chest out. You walk in

• 11:32Speaker 03

  like you own the place. You let them know you've arrived. And that was the mentality that uh, that was instilled in me as a young kid, that wherever I went, I was to walk in with confidence. I wasn't to be insecure about myself. And maybe you say, you know, when I'm on Dancing with Stars, it looks like I'm very comfortable. It's really, I'm just listening to my mom's advice my whole life and, and just putting my chin up and my chest out and taking in the moment.

• 11:57Hoda Kotb?

  That's beautiful. So you're, so kids do listen to advice. See, I didn't know that. I thought that when I tell, when I tell my kids things, I'm like, you got this. Sometimes I wonder if they hear. So on the days when sometimes friends' voices are louder than our parents, friends' voices can drown out sometimes, um, that. So what did you do when the scale seemed a little off? You were like, wait, my parents are saying one thing, but yet I walk into this place and I'm not feeling those feelings?

• 12:27Speaker 03

  Yeah, that's, that's definitely normal. And, and by no means was it like a perfect fairy tale in the sense that, you know, my, my mom says something to me, then I'm like, okay, cool. And I never felt any other emotions. Um, it was, it was more so the baseline confidence that was instilled in me throughout my childhood that, yes, there were going to be ups and downs and moments where I felt insecure and times where kids said this thing and this thing happened at school. And I, that's a part of the journey of accepting yourself, of living with a disability. Honestly, it's the journey of like any, any child in middle school, elementary school, everybody, everybody's going through something, um, and navigating these new social dynamics.

• 13:09Speaker 03

  And so I was definitely not immune to the ups and downs that the, the typical child faces, especially when they have a physical disability. But I always felt like my rock and that stabilizing force behind me, as in my family, was, was holding me down. And then additionally, I loved sports so much. I grew up obsessed with sports. And so that was an escape for me in many ways where it didn't matter what the kid said to me during camp. What mattered was when I was on the basketball court, what was I doing? Or when I was on the soccer field, what was I doing? It gave me a place to escape from that identity of always just being the kid with a disability. Because when I'm, when I'm on the basketball court, I'm just, I'm just one of the guys.

• 13:48Hoda Kotb?

  Cool. Oh, I love it. The holidays are full of those little moments when you realize you forgot the gift wrap, you need more stocking stuffers, or you just want something special to bring to a holiday gathering. And I'm all for anything that makes those moments a little easier. That's what I love about CVS. You can make one stop and check so many things off your list, from cards, gift bags, and wrapping paper, to seasonal treats and those everyday essentials you somehow always forget. They also have hundreds of stocking stuffers under $5 because sometimes those little finds are the most fun. And CVS has brands you can only find there, like Joy Word, with festive finds that bring a little extra warmth and joy to

• 14:30Hoda Kotb?

  the season. Plus, if you're an Extra Care member, you can get instant savings and earn extra bucks rewards for future visits. So whether you're planning ahead or making one last holiday run, CVS can make the season feel a little bit easier. Visit your local CVS Pharmacy, sponsored by CVS. This is Hoda Kotb. Between work, family, friends, and everything else on our to-do lists, women have a lot going on. And when we're busy taking care of everything, it's easy to forget about the little things that make our lives easier. That's where Easy Spirit comes in. They make comfortable, supportive, and stylish shoes that can take us from one part of our busy day to the next. Because feeling good on your feet can make it easier

• 15:13Hoda Kotb?

  to say yes to one more outing, one more visit with a friend, or one more thing that brings you joy. Find your next pair at easyspirit.com or shop in person at Macy's. Easy Spirit, made for women who do it all. Hey there, I'm Hoda Kotb, host of Joy 101. Operation Santa is one of my favorite things about the holiday season. Every year, the United States Postal Service collects real letters that kids write to Santa, and people like you and me can help make it happen. I got to do this with my kids, and I was able to teach them about giving back in the process. I explained that Santa needs a little help sometimes, and they loved being Santa's helpers. You read the latest letters online, and they're in a child's handwriting. Some

• 15:58Hoda Kotb?

  kids want the hot toy of the season, but some kids are asking for warm socks and clothes, basic necessities. My kids and I had so much fun shopping for these deserving kids, and USPS makes the whole thing so easy. They tell you exactly how to do it, from picking out what the child wants, to getting that package shipped and out the door to that child's house just in time for Christmas. But the part that really stays with me, it's not the shopping, it's thinking about what happens next. Somewhere out there, there's a kid who sat down and wrote that letter. They thought really hard about what to say, and then put it in the mail and hoped. And now, on some morning in December, that kid is going

• 16:42Hoda Kotb?

  to find a package at their door, a real package with their name on it, from Santa, with a little help from the USPS. They're going to open that box and find everything they asked for, the stuff they needed, and the stuff they just really, really wanted. And that's what you can put in a package, not just things, but the feeling that somebody out there cares. And USPS gets it there. Send it with love. Send it with USPS. The United States Postal Service. Learn more at USPS.com/holiday.

• 17:21Hoda Kotb?

  So did your parents ever, um, because I, you know, obviously, they want you to be you, and they also probably want to protect you in a way. Did they ever say, hey, honey, you know, you can do some things, but let's not do this or this, or you could do certain things, but let's, let's lean into others?

• 17:39Speaker 03

  Actually, the, the opposite. I was always, my parents were always, uh, always encouraging me to try everything, to, to do everything. And, and part of that, part of that, I think, has impacted my, maybe, my ability to be okay in positions that are uncomfortable or scary for whatever reason, like maybe Dancing with the Stars, where I, I'm so used to just putting myself out there, trying things, trying sports, trying this, trying that, regardless of whether or not it was, regardless of whether or not my disability was going to impact or hinder the situation in any way. Um, and so, yeah, my parents, my

• 18:21Speaker 03

  parents definitely raised me to do everything I possibly can. And there was a, you know, they always, they never wanted me to, to, to, to set limits on what they, what they thought I was capable of. And that really helped me, helped me always push through.

• 18:34Hoda Kotb?

  Let's talk sports because, first of all, how'd you fall in love with sports? What was it?

• 18:39Speaker 03

  I don't know. Oh, I just grew, uh, my first word was ball. It wasn't even mom or dad. I just, as a young kid, I just loved sports. I learned, I learned to count by twos before ones because I watched so many Laker games as a young kid over and over and over. That I literally learned to count by twos because obviously basketball goes by twos. I just, uh, once again, you feel just called to certain things. My parents sometimes say, they go, babies come pre-programmed a little bit.

• 19:05Hoda Kotb?

  Yeah.

• 19:06Speaker 03

  And so I just came pre-programmed for sport. It's for some weird reason, it just, and then I, I, and growing up, I played every sport there was, basketball, soccer, football, whatever was in season. And then eventually, eight years old, I started track and field. And then at 11 years old, I just committed myself entirely to track. But all sports, I love all, still to this day, I, I consume, watch all sports.

• 19:29Hoda Kotb?

  Now, are you a, I do it because I love the game? Are you do it, uh, do you do it and you're hyper-competitive? Is it both things? Oh, cool. Yeah.

• 19:39Speaker 03

  Both things. I love, I love my sport. I love being active. I think there's something really beautiful about movement, about moving your body, about pushing yourself in ways you didn't, you didn't maybe know was possible. And, and so I enjoy that. But then, of course, I'm, I'm just, I'm a very competitive, I'm a very competitive person. Very competitive.

• 19:59Hoda Kotb?

  I love it. So when you were in high school, track became your jam. How did you know you were good? Like, what happened in high school?

• 20:07Speaker 03

  It was actually a little bit earlier. So when I was, when I was eight years old, I went to my very first track meet. And it was an adaptive track meet. So I was competing against other people with physical disabilities there. And it was at this track meet where I broke a couple age group national records. And I remember just being like, whoa, that's really cool. And, and I, and that was sort of the first indicator that I felt like I could be good at this, that my first meet, I was like, breaking the age group record. And then I was like, wow, this is, this is really cool. And then eventually that just continued to, continue to build and build. And then I, and then I committed my life to it.

• 20:45Hoda Kotb?

  Well, I can see, uh, Tokyo, the Olympics. I mean, let's do a major fast forward. But to be at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo, that was smack in the middle of the pandemic. I know because we were there as a network. And it was unusual. It was odd. Everyone had masks on. People's families couldn't be there. It was weird. Um, tell me what it was like for you. This is your first step into the Paralympics, you know, going overseas for, for a big competition. What was it like for you?

• 21:17Speaker 03

  Yeah, my first Paralympics was, was beautiful. It was something that I had visualized and dreamt of for so long that I almost felt like nothing could, nothing could dim the light of what that moment was going to mean to me. Um, and so regardless of the fact that we had to have masks, regardless of the fact that none of my family and friends were there, regardless of the fact that there was nobody in the stadium, and it felt not like a Paralympics, it was still a really special moment for me. And from a competitive standpoint, it didn't work out the way I wanted to. I was really close to making the podium. It was like a really devastating moment for me to come so close and not make the podium. And, but once again, I'm really competitive. I'm definitely

• 22:00Speaker 03

  too hard on myself. Uh, but, but that, that, that first Paralympics was a, a lot of learnings and, and real growth. But, but looking back, I, I think of those memories very fondly.

• 22:11Hoda Kotb?

  Good. I love that. And then you were in Paris, uh, which was, in my opinion, I think, one of the best Paralympic, Olympic Games ever. It was so cool. And it was great for everybody, but especially great for you. So I, I had to re wa, re-watch the 100 meters. I was sweating through this shirt. I was sweating through this shirt, watching you run the 100 meters. Cause you were so far back in the beginning. And then all of a sudden, it was like, what, would you just tell me, what was happening in that moment?

• 22:45Speaker 03

  Yeah, absolutely. Paris was definitely a different experience than Tokyo for a variety of reasons. Um, but probably, probably will forever, forever be tied to the city of Paris and love the city of Paris. Cause you know, what, what they, when you go to a place, it's, it's, it's not so much maybe the characteristics of a city, but the, rather the memories that you make that connect you to that place. And for me, my memories in Paris are the best. But yes, that 100 meter was, I mean, I came in ranked seventh into that race, was not expected to, uh, even win a medal. And sometimes, sometimes you have a little bit of an out of body experience and you do the, the, you run the best race of your life, in the most important race of your life. And

• 23:26Speaker 03

  everybody else just had an off day. And that's sport. That is, that is sport where it doesn't matter what's been done the whole year. Doesn't matter what's been done in the weeks prior. All that matters is what happens on the day. And, um, it was, it was a very special moment. And to get to win my first gold in, in a surprise manner, like, I mean, it's cool to win, period. But then for it to be such a surprise, I mean, I'll never forget that, that feeling ever. I'm sorry I made you sweat so much.

• 23:57Hoda Kotb?

  It was, I'm sure your family was sweating too. I saw the gaggle of like 60 people in the stands.

• 24:03Speaker 03

  Yes.

• 24:04Hoda Kotb?

  I don't know what I loved more, watching you cross the finish line or watching you run up to your family and like fling yourself into their arms.

• 24:10Speaker 03

  Oh, thank you.

• 24:11Hoda Kotb?

  That, that moment was so incredibly beautiful. What was it like to finally have the people who brought you there and present when you were about to have a life-changing moment? Like, I feel like I actually got to see your life change right there.

• 24:26Speaker 03

  Uh, absolutely. Absolutely. I mean, success is not individual in any way. And my success, uh, especially is not individual. It is the product of all of the people who have believed in me, been there for me, had my back, been my village on that journey. And to get to have 70 plus family and friends fly all the way out to Paris to watch you compete. And then for you to be able to deliver and share a moment like that with them. It's, uh, it will, that, that will, that will be one of the most special moments of my life forever.

• 25:00Hoda Kotb?

  And one gold wasn't good enough. You know, why not get two? I mean, since you're in Paris and all. I mean, to have a second gold medal in the high jump, that, tell me about what it felt like when you cleared that bar.

• 25:14Speaker 03

  Yeah. I mean, I love the feeling of high jump. There's something really beautiful about flying over the bar, landing on the mat. It's like, uh, you just, you feel like you're flying, really. And so when you feel that, that, those same sensations, but the ramifications of that is that you just, you just won a gold medal. It amplifies it even more. Um, and so, yeah, it was to get, to win back to back gold medals in 24 hours. It's, uh, it's, it's, it was surreal. And it was, it was sweeter and more satisfactory and more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. And those moments and those memories will, I'll genuinely be thinking about for the rest of my life. Till I'm set, when

• 25:55Speaker 03

  I'm 70 years old, retired on the beach with my grandkids, I'll be still thinking about those memories and the feelings I had in Paris.

• 26:03Hoda Kotb?

  I love it. You have such an interesting way about you. You have such a, you're, you know, you're wise beyond your years. You have all of this crazy optimism and energy. But usually this kind of stuff, I mean, a lot of it's innate and in you and you've worked on it. But also people go through things each day. They have a, they have a rhythm that they go through during the course of their day to help cultivate that, to help not drain yourself, to help keep your cup full. So what is it you do during a, the course of a normal day that keeps you, um, feeling the way that you get to feel each day?

• 26:40Speaker 03

  Absolutely. It's, it's a couple of things. I, I really prioritize my sleep as much as I can. Um, I, I think that sleep is sort of the, the, the baseline energy, the baseline optimism. Everything becomes much more difficult without sleep. And so I prioritize my sleep a lot. And then I do, uh, a lot of meditation. I meditate every morning, sort of set the tone for, for the day, allow myself to calm my mind. Obviously you know this, but in a world where everything is so fast-paced and attention and this, and there's so much going on, being able to quiet your mind is very valuable. And then, yeah, I, I try to put things in perspective a lot of the time and

• 27:22Speaker 03

  just, and, and, and exist from a place of gratitude. I'm living a life that my 10-year-old self would dream of. I'm doing things that I, I didn't even think were possible. And I'm getting to fulfill what I feel like I was put on this earth to do. And the combination of those things keeps me in a, in a place where it doesn't matter whatever happens throughout the day. If there's a little up and down of this, this thing changes, that thing changes. At my core, I'm, I'm in such a place of gratitude and happiness. Um, and so I think the combination of those things, it's like, you know, I get to do something that I really love. I get to do it around people that I really love. And I, and I, I feel like I'm fulfilling my purpose. And that's, that means a lot to me.

• 28:03Hoda Kotb?

  I want to talk a little bit more about your purpose. You brought this up because it's so front and center in your life. Like, I feel like your life's not about you. It's weird. It's like, it is and it isn't. I mean, I know you're competitive and it's about that, but you're, you're doing something that's so much bigger than yourself. And they actually say the definition of happiness is working for a cause greater than yourself. And that's exactly what you are doing. So tell me about this purpose that you, that you keep talking about.

• 28:30Speaker 03

  Such a large percentage of the population has a physical disability. 15% uh, and some, some reports have it even higher of the global population that has a physical disability. That's a billion people globally. That's 50 million Americans that live with a physical disability. And people with physical disabilities are bullied in higher rates, less physically active, less job opportunities, depressed in higher rates. I talk to kids with disabilities all the time. All of them are bullied in school. So this is a large percentage of the population, this massive minority group, but that doesn't feel properly included in society almost. And since I was a little kid, I just felt like.

• 29:11Speaker 03

  It I felt like I was put on this earth to do everything I can to change the way the world sees disability. And growing up, I didn't have a ton of disability representation in the mainstream media to look to and be inspired by. There was some, and it was on Dancing with the Stars. And so to get to stand on on their shoulders and continue that legacy and be somebody in the mainstream media, hopefully that people with disabilities all over the country and the world can can look to and feel represented. That's really important to me. Um, but yeah, I feel I've tried my whole life to normalize disability through my sport, through track and field, through the Paralympics, and I will always continue to do so.

• 29:52Speaker 03

  But I could have never imagined that on a dance show, I would, I would be able to even in the slightest way, touch culture and change the way somebody sees disability. That that means a lot to me.

• 30:06Hoda Kotb?

  What do you, you said you talk to a lot of kids who get bullied. What do you tell them?

• 30:11Speaker 03

  Honestly, I tell, I tell them the same things my mother told me. The same lessons, the, the same words of wisdom, the walk in with your chin up, your chest out, to be proud of their disability, to not care what anybody thinks, to, to all of the same things, the tropes, the, the words of wisdom, the advice that was instilled in me that helped me feel confident as a young kid. I, I try to pass down as much of it as I can to, to other kids with disabilities.

• 30:38Hoda Kotb?

  The holidays are full of those little moments when you realize you forgot the gift wrap, you need more stocking stuffers, or you just want something special to bring to a holiday gathering. And I'm all for anything that makes those moments a little easier. That's what I love about CVS. You can make one stop and check so many things off your list, from cards, gift bags and wrapping paper, to seasonal treats and those everyday essentials you somehow always forget. They also have hundreds of stocking stuffers under $5 because sometimes those little finds are the most fun. And CVS has brands you can only find there like Joy Word with festive finds that bring a little extra warmth and joy to the season.

• 31:20Hoda Kotb?

  Plus, if you're an Extra Care member, you can get instant savings and earn extra bucks rewards for future visits. So whether you're planning ahead or making one last holiday run, CVS can make the season feel a little bit easier. Visit your local CVS pharmacy, sponsored by CVS. Women have a lot going on between work, family, friends, and everything else on our to-do list. We're constantly on the move. And I think we can all agree that the last thing we need is uncomfortable shoes slowing us down. So that's where Easy Spirit comes in. They understand that women need shoes that are not only comfortable and supportive, but stylish enough to take us through all the different parts of our day. So whether you're heading to work, spending the day with family, traveling to see loved

• 32:05Hoda Kotb?

  ones, or catching up with friends, you're probably spending a lot of time on your feet. And sometimes when we're so busy taking care of everything around us, we forget about the little things that make our own lives easier, like wearing shoes that actually feel good. Easy Spirit is designed with that in mind, offering comfortable, supportive footwear that fits into our busy lives without sacrificing style. Because we do a lot for the people we love, we deserve to take care of ourselves, too. Because feeling good on your feet can make it easier to say yes to one more outing, one more visit with a friend, or one more thing that brings you joy. Find your next pair at easy spirit dot com or shop in person at Macy's.

• 32:50Hoda Kotb?

  Easy Spirit, made for women who do it all. Hey there, I'm Hoda Kotb, host of Joy 101. Operation Santa is one of my favorite things about the holiday season. Every year, the United States Postal Service collects real letters that kids write to Santa, and people like you and me can help make it happen. I got to do this with my kids, and I was able to teach them about giving back in the process. I explained that Santa needs a little help sometimes, and they loved being Santa's helpers. You read the latest letters online, and they're in a child's handwriting. Some kids want the hot toy of the season, but some kids are asking for warm socks and clothes, basic necessities.

• 33:31Hoda Kotb?

  My kids and I had so much fun shopping for these deserving kids, and USPS makes the whole thing so easy. They tell you exactly how to do it, from picking out what the child wants to getting that package shipped and out the door to that child's house just in time for Christmas. But the part that really stays with me, it's not the shopping, it's thinking about what happens next. Somewhere out there, there's a kid who sat down and wrote that letter. They thought really hard about what to say, and then put it in the mail and hoped. And now, on some morning in December, that kid is going to find a package at their door, a real package with their name on it, from Santa, with a little help from the USPS.

• 34:15Hoda Kotb?

  They're going to open that box and find everything they asked for, the stuff they needed, and the stuff they just really, really wanted. And that's what you can put in a package, not just things, but the feeling that somebody out there cares. And USPS gets it there. Send it with love. Send it with USPS, the United States Postal Service. Learn more at USPS dot com slash holiday. Okay, so you're on a high, you're back from Paris, life is beautiful, right?

• 34:49Speaker 03

  Yes.

• 34:50Hoda Kotb?

  So tell me what happens after Paris, like what, and I want to get to dancing, but when you're on this high, and I, I talked to a lot of athletes, you know, Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, all these awesome people, yourself, and you're on this high, and then you step into life. Oh, let's go to the grocery store. You're like, wait, wait, whoa, whoa. How did you adjust to all of that stuff?

• 35:16Speaker 03

  Well, first off, for my name to even be in the same sentence as Simone Biles and Michael Phelps, let me just flag that and say thank you for saying that.

• 35:23Hoda Kotb?

  You're welcome.

• 35:24Speaker 03

  I've got a long way to go before I, I've got a long way to go before I, I consider myself anywhere in their stratosphere, but I appreciate that. Um, and yeah, it's, I mean, I came back from the Paralympics and went to school and went to USC. I, I was my freshman year of college, I was three weeks late to classes, and it was a little bit jarring to go from the high of the high, the greatest moment of my life, and then five days later, I'm sitting in, you know, I'm sitting in biology class, thinking like, what is happening right now? It was really hard. I'm not, I'm not gonna lie, it was really hard. Um, and there's just something about that, that beautiful high and adrenaline and the impact of that moment that, that is hard to ever replicate.

• 36:08Speaker 03

  And especially when you come back to normal life, it can be jarring. Luckily, I didn't have too much of the, what they call the post games blues or something like that. Things were moving so fast that I almost didn't have time to really sit with my emotions enough and, and feel sad because I went right into school, went right back to training, we went right to all this media stuff, and there was a million things going on. Um, but, but definitely, definitely just a fascinating change of pace to go from top of the world, Paralympic Games, stadium of 70,000 people, to taking notes on your laptop in, in a biology class five days later.

• 36:47Hoda Kotb?

  And what's the, like, the professional plan for you at USC? What, what's your, what was your roadmap? Like, what did you think about what was gonna happen?

• 36:55Speaker 03

  The, the roadmap was I was trying to be a regular student and take as just the regular workload, and that didn't work. And so then I went to part-time, and then even part-time started to get really difficult. And so I'm on a leave of absence right now, at least through 2028. Um, I would love to come back and finish my degree at some point, which I will. Uh, it's just about finding the time, finding the right moments, and maybe I have to extend it a little bit longer, maybe I have to, maybe I have to graduate when I'm 26 or 27 or what, I don't know. I don't know what it'll look like exactly. Um, but it's hard to be a professional athlete, have a full-time job, and also try to be a full-time student. It just, it was too much.

• 37:38Hoda Kotb?

  Yeah. Talk to me about Dancing with the Stars. So you get a phone, a phone call or whatever, email, who knows? And they say, hey, Ezra, what about this? What, tell me what your initial thoughts were.

• 37:50Speaker 03

  There was zero reservations. It was an absolute yes. It was a yes without even thinking twice. I mean, this is, I, once again, I can't explain it, but I felt called to this. I felt like, I just, it's hard to articulate, but something in me felt like I, this was a part of my store, my journey, part of my process of, of fulfilling my purpose would be through this show. And so when I, and that was like a deep feeling somewhere within me. And then once it started to bubble up and the opportunity started to become more realistic, I was just fingers crossed, hoping it works out and it did. And, and it ended up, ended up lining

• 38:32Speaker 03

  up perfectly with my track schedule, falls right in my off season, literally finished track season and it could go right into dancing. And, um, and it was just a absolute, no hesitation, no questions asked. Yes, absolutely.

• 38:45Hoda Kotb?

  Was that because you had watched some people who reminded yourself of you, um, dancing? Or what was it about the show?

• 38:53Speaker 03

  Yeah, there, there, there has been a lot of great disability representation on Dancing with the Stars, all kinds of disabilities, specifically even friends of mine like Amy Purdy, she was on the show, Daniel Durant, Noah Galloway. And so they've had a history of great disability representation. And, um, and I just, it just seemed like the most beautiful experience. And then, and then I, it's kind of, it's kind of crazy that this is that it's, it's, and sometimes it just hits me out of nowhere. It's like, oh my gosh, I'm on Dancing with Stars. What, what the heck is, what the heck is life?

• 39:25Hoda Kotb?

  You're so cute. I'm dying here. So, so let's, I want to hear about the, because we, it, it looks hard, obviously. We see videos of people sweating and doing things they've never done. Would you just walk me through what is, what's a typical training day like for you? You're an athlete, obviously. And how, tell me about what that's like for you?

• 39:46Speaker 03

  Yeah, absolutely, absolutely. Um, so interestingly enough, right now, we are very strategic about the other kinds of workouts that I'm doing. I'm not doing much on the track. I'm doing very, very little weightlifting because we're pushing our bodies so hard in the rehearsal studio. You can so easily overtrain and get yourself injured. And we're trying to be very, very careful. So the, a, a typical, basically the way it works is you have, you have big sort of four to five hour chunks of where you have the rehearsal studio to rehearse. Um, and, uh, and then you, sometimes you have some, some interviews or you meet out for lunch before and talk things through, or sometimes you have interviews that you

• 40:27Speaker 03

  have to do for the show. Um, but then you get basically a big window of the day that you just spend in the rehearsal studio, just working on this dance over and over. And the crazy thing is you put so much effort and time and love into one dance and then you do it. And then you have to literally forget that that ever happened. And you have to, you have an entirely new challenge in front of you for the next week. And so I'll do one dance and I'll start to feel good about it and then dance it. And then the next day I'm a fish out of water. I'm thinking, how the heck am I going to figure out this new dance? So it's, it's quite the roller coaster.

• 41:01Hoda Kotb?

  Tell me about Danielle. I mean, you guys have such a nice clique, such a good energy. She's a lovely human. It reads everywhere. What's your connection like?

• 41:09Speaker 03

  Yeah. Sometimes you meet people and you feel like you've known them your whole life. You feel really connected to them instantly. And that's how her and I felt. And we, we just became very close very fast. We had to face a lot of adversity in those earlier part, earlier days of rehearsing, just as we were figuring out how we're going to make this work with the prosthetic. But she is a special woman. And when you meet special human beings and they have that natural gravity about them, that, that is who she is. And she is just so talented and amazing at what she does. And separate from the show,

• 41:51Speaker 03

  separate from our friendship, I literally think of her as one of my best friends. It is a real, it is an honor to get to dance alongside somebody as, as talented and gifted as her, who has committed their whole life to this. And to get to play the smallest part in her life's journey as a dancer is very special.

• 42:10Hoda Kotb?

  By the way, your mom stole it, stole my heart, stole everything. Tell me how that came about, that your mom was going to actually be part of one of the routines?

• 42:21Speaker 03

  Yeah. So it was for dedication night. Everyone on the show got the opportunity to dedicate their dance to somebody special in their life. And I, I of course chose my mom. And, and then they get to be a part of the routine. And so Danny choreographed a really beautiful, beautiful routine. I got to have my mom be a part of the beginning and the end of it. And, uh, and, and definitely a full circle moment. My mother used to dance around the house with me as a young kid and play music. And, um, and then now 21 years later, her and I are dancing together on Dancing with the Stars.

• 42:55Hoda Kotb?

  By the way, I love her so much. And I loved how hard Danny was crying during, afterwards I was watching.

• 43:02Speaker 03

  She was really crying.

• 43:03Hoda Kotb?

  That's like, that's what love really is. That's what love is.

• 43:07Speaker 03

  Absolutely.

• 43:08Hoda Kotb?

  So Dancing with the Stars is, you have all these peaks, but I, um, and I feel like this applies to you. I always say, say that there are like great days, like it's a girl, you won the gold. She said yes. You know, you graduated. And then there are other days that are the polar opposite. He didn't make it. He got fired. He passed away. But most days are neither of those. Most days are just Wednesdays where nothing, you don't get anything great. You just live a life. So how, describe your Wednesdays for me. And I know you're in the thick of something really magical, but what would a typical Wednesday be like? And how do you find, because this podcast is called Joy 101. How do you

• 43:53Hoda Kotb?

  find joy in a day that doesn't have anything that seems on its face extra special?

• 43:59Speaker 03

  That's a great question. I think that I am somebody who needs to feel like I'm always in pursuit and always working towards something. And, and so even on those Wednesdays, even on those slower days, as long as I feel in my heart that I'm taking steps towards something that really matters to me, in whatever way, in whatever capacity, not specific to track or dancing, could be specific to relationships or life or friendships or whatever. Um, as

• 44:43Speaker 03

  long as I feel like I am moving that direction, it allows me to exist in a place of joy. I feel that in times where I've, in times where I've distanced myself from really walking towards my goals with, with strength and confidence, those are the times where I feel myself, my mental health start to fade and dip. It's when I don't feel like I'm doing enough. And part of that is because I feel this like really beautiful motivating purpose behind me. But part of that is, I think that we as humans, like whether or not that thing

• 45:25Speaker 03

  that we are in pursuit of is like, it's not necessarily a materialistic success or a career success, could literally be a family success or a personal success or a mental health success. But regardless, feeling like I am in pursuit of something that I am headed towards a destination at all times is helpful in those moments that are the in-between. Because, by the way, winning and success and beautiful moments are really motivating.

• 45:53Hoda Kotb?

  Yeah.

• 45:54Speaker 03

  And so is the failure. And so are the losses. And so are the difficult times. Um, but it's actually sometimes the middle section. How do you stay motivated then? How do you stay joyful then? How do you stay in pursuit of the things that matter to you then? That's where it becomes the hardest.

• 46:11Hoda Kotb?

  Okay. When you're having a real crappy day, how do you, what do you do? How do you get out of it?

• 46:15Speaker 03

  Hmm, movement.

• 46:17Hoda Kotb?

  Yeah.

• 46:17Speaker 03

  Honestly, when I'm having a crappy day, movement, physical activity, working out. Um, also, you know, everybody has these things, everyone has the things that they love and they enjoy those sort of like baseline energy resetters. Some people, it's going on a walk or listening to a podcast or watching their favorite show or eating a meal with their best friend, whatever it might be. And we all have a version of that. Uh, for me, it's, it's movement, it's physical activity, which is great because I do that every day. So, and a lot of it every day. So I get a lot of, a lot of opportunities to reset. Uh, but oftentimes changing our physical state can change our mental state. And so, um, definitely activity and movement.

• 47:00Hoda Kotb?

  Ezra, you are such a delight. You are such a delight. What a beautiful conversation. I'm so proud of you. And I can't wait to see what happens to you next. I have a feeling we're going to be seeing a lot of you, not just in, in this little chapter that you're in, but in the years ahead. So thank you again, my love. It's good to see.

• 47:20Speaker 03

  I appreciate. Thank you so much for having me. Thank you so much for having me. Take care. Bye.

• 47:24Hoda Kotb?

  So I'm having all the feels. Ezra Frech is an incredible kid. And the only thing I wish after this podcast is that I could sit with his mom too. And his, both of his parents, but he speaks so much about his mom. And it made me think, wow, like that's how you raise a kid. Like, you know, you know how your kids get picked on for this or that, or kids don't want to wear this or that because of what someone might say or they're embarrassed? Well, imagine the wisdom, the pearls of wisdom that Ezra's mother bestowed upon him so that when he walked into a room, his back was straight, his chin was out. He walked in there and I love how she said, you know, look, everyone's

• 48:09Hoda Kotb?

  looking at everybody for something. Because they're pretty, they get looked at. Because they have a cast on, they get looked at. Because they have blue hair, they get looked at. Like, there's a million reasons people are going to stare at you. And his mom turned it into, we all get stared at. And for him to walk in with confidence, well, mom, you did a bang up job. Wow, what a son you've raised. Thank you for sharing him with us. I so enjoyed my conversation with Ezra. The holidays are already busy enough, so I'm all for anything that makes them feel a little bit easier. CVS can help you check off more of your list in one stop. From the things you need to the little extras that make the season feel special. And with hundreds

• 48:52Hoda Kotb?

  of stocking stuffers under $5, you can find something fun for just about everyone. Plus, Extra Care members can save even more while they shop. So this holiday season, take one thing off your plate and let CVS help you get a little more done. Visit your local CVS pharmacy, sponsored by CVS. The holidays have a way of reminding us that it really is the little things that mean the most. Maybe it's something you baked with love, something you carefully picked out and packed, or maybe it's a little piece of home you're sending to someone you miss. I've sent plenty of holiday packages with the United States Postal Service over the years. And I know firsthand what you're sending is so much more than what is inside

• 49:34Hoda Kotb?

  that box. This holiday season, USPS is delivering that love to more addresses in America than anybody else. Send it with love. Send it with USPS. Learn more at USPS.com/holiday.

• 49:49Speaker 04

  When the holidays start to feel a bit repetitive, reach for Sprite Winter Spice Cranberry and put your twist on tradition. A bold cranberry and winter spice flavors fusion, Sprite Winter Spice Cranberry is a refreshing way to shake things up this sipping season. And only for a limited time. Sprite. Obey your thirst.

• 50:15Speaker 05

  The ultimate combat sports vacation is here. January 22nd through the 25th, 72 hours of non-stop action, sailing from Miami to the Bahamas. Challenge BKFC stars in basketball, work out with the champs, party with the hottest women in combat sports, the bare-knuckle bombshells. Plus, King Kai Stewart battles the cash cow Brian Durant for the world title on the pool deck. Book your amazing vacation experience now at BKFC.com. That's BKFSEA.com.

• 50:49Speaker 01

  This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed Human.