In an open and honest conversation, Malloy reflects on her journey from elite athlete to sports professional, sharing insights into her life at the highest level of judo and her current role contributing to the development of sport in the United States and around the world.
“The LA28 Games is probably the biggest project of my life,” she explains. Now working as a Senior Marketing Manager, Malloy has been involved in nearly every aspect of digital marketing for the Games. Her role allows her to remain deeply connected to the Olympic movement while helping bring the excitement of the Games to life on home soil.
In this episode, Malloy also takes listeners behind the scenes of the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics. From inside the organising structure, she offers a unique perspective on what it means to prepare for one of the world’s largest sporting events.
But the conversation is also a trip down memory lane. Malloy revisits her competitive years alongside lifelong friends and fellow Olympic medallists Kayla Harrison and Travis Stevens. Together they recall the demanding road to the top, sharing stories that capture both the triumphs and the tougher moments of life as elite athletes.
“When you’re an athlete, you’re thinking only about performance, recovery, training—being in the best possible shape,” Malloy explains. Yet she also highlights the importance of preparing for life beyond sport. During her career, she embraced a dual-career path, combining high-level sport with academic studies, a decision that helped her transition smoothly into her current professional role.
Malloy also discusses her involvement in initiatives that aim to give back to the global sport community. She is actively engaged with the Yoshihiro Uchida Legacy Foundation, which supports projects designed to expand access to judo and promote its educational values worldwide. Among the programmes supported is the Everest Judo Club, founded by world medallist Sabrina Filzmoser (AUT), an initiative that brings judo opportunities to young people in remote regions.
Throughout the episode, Malloy shares the motivations and experiences that shaped her remarkable career. She speaks candidly about the determination, resilience and teamwork that drove her and her teammates to reach the highest levels of international competition.
For nearly an hour, Malloy opens up about her journey, from the intensity of Olympic preparation to her new mission of helping sport grow and inspire future generations. The discussion touches on inspiration, motivation, ambition and the lasting values that judo instils in those who practise it.
Episode 7 of JudoPod offers listeners a compelling look at an athlete who continues to shape the world of sport, both on and off the tatami.
All episodes are available on Youtube, Spotify, JudoTv.com and Apple Podcasts.