To The Mountaintop is a social-emotional podcast series where professional athletes raised in San Diego share their journeys. From the mountains they climbed, to the valleys they walked, they provide the fuel to inspire San Diego students as they ascend, as they soar, as they struggle, as they dream and as they grit their way to the mountaintop.
To help capture the heart, soul, fears and challenges of the athletes, To The Mountaintop is co-hosted by students from the alma mater of each athlete! A generation or more apart, we learn from the student and the athlete what it took and what it takes to power through life built upon a solid foundation, and able to grow, scaffold and soar through the boulders and inclement weather life will bring on the way to the mountaintop.
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Jasmine’s journey took her from homelessness to success on the basketball court. Jasmine is the epitome of strength, grit, resilience and the power of purpose, faith and focus.
As a professional tennis player, Walter reached a career high ranking of 226 in the world. Walter is the fifth of nine children born into a Filipino American family from San Diego. Growing up he was a leading player on the junior circuit, ranked top in the country for the 16s, ahead of his peer John McEnroe. On the professional tour he reached a career high ranking of 226 in the world and as a doubles player he made the round of 16 at the 1981 Wimbledon Championships.
Marita is an American former tennis player and San Diego native who was active during the 1970s and early 1980s.
Marita enjoyed success at the US Open, the French Open and Wimbledon, reaching a ranking of 14th in the world at one point in her career.
After playing several years of professional soccer, Coco volunteered for the U.S. Army and is currently a 2nd Lieutenant in the fabled 82nd Airborne Division. Born in Ramona, California, Coco attended Cathedral Catholic High School where she was a four-year letter winner and was named to the All-CIF First Team.
Tony Gwynn Jr. is a former professional baseball outfielder having played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Philadelphia Phillies. The son of Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, he works as a broadcaster for the Padres’ radio and television network.
As the third most accurate placekicker in NFL history at the time of his retirement, Rolf Benirschke had an illustrious 10-year career with the San Diego Chargers.