Swimming Against the Current (w/ Riley Gaines)

In The Booth with Shawn Booth

When Riley Gaines—a name synonymous with dedication and a powerful voice in women's athletics—stepped into our studio, we knew we were about to uncover layers of her story that resonate beyond the pool's edge. As a former elite swimmer for the University of Kentucky (12x All American), Riley has navigated the turbulent waters of competitive sports and emerged as a champion for equality, diving headfirst into the complex debate over transgender athletes in women's events. Our conversation takes you through her exceptional journey, where personal achievements and hard-fought battles intertwine with the broader struggle for fairness in sports.
Riley has made waves for speaking out after tying UPenn’s Lia Thomas, a biological male swimmer on the women’s team, at the 2022 NCAA Division 1 Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships. After Riley directly experienced competing against a man in women’s sports, being forced without warning or consent to undress before the fully intact male, and subjected to discrimination by the NCAA, she became one of the most powerful voices to speak out against the injustice, challenging the rules of the NCAA, USA Swimming, International Olympic Committee (IOC), and other governing bodies.

Riley now works for the leading women’s organization making real and lasting change, legally defining ‘woman,’ protecting Title IX, and defending women’s rights to single-sex spaces and equal opportunities. She has traveled the country speaking and has testified before the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and countless state legislatures.
Join us for a powerful narrative that illustrates the relentless pursuit of equality, the resilience of the human spirit, and Riley Gaines's unwavering commitment to 'Swimming Against the Current.