APOLO'S INTERVIEW ON KCTS TV- JULY 19, 2008

[musicalmom]

I was able to transcribe sections of Apolo's interview tonight on KCTS -TV.
Thought you might like to read what I recorded but wasn't sure where to post it so I started a new thread. Others might have more to add or reactions to report. If this is in the wrong place, please move it. The interviewer was Enrique Cerna & video was provided by KOMO TV in Seattle. There are more comments and reports from others at apolojulianne.com under news. I'll post this in sections. Here is the first:

I've more or less summarized the questions & tried to get his answers as closely as possible.
I didn't transcribe the first few sections because it was pretty much information we've heard before or read in his book The Journey. But here are the sections that preceded my transcript...pretty much well covered by Olympia under Apolo news on the site apolojulianne.com

I. What Was it like in your first Olympics in Salt Lake City?
II. How Did Your Journey begin?
III. The Rebellious Teenager
IV. Figuring It All Out
V. Anything is Possible (the relationship with Yuki & its impact on Apolo)
VI. Dancing with Apolo
VII. The Next Olympics
VII. The Future Road

I'll post my notes from the last two in separate sections.

[musicalmom]

I should mention that the interviewer was Enrique Cerna & he was very encouraging with Apolo. Video clips were provided by KOMO TV in Seattle and were mostly from footage we've seen before both of skating & DWTS and some snaps with Yuki & Apolo.

VI. DANCING WITH APOLO

Question: When were you more scared? at the starting line at your first Olympics or your first dance on DWTS?

APOLO: Well, there's a little bit of fear before my Olympic events which is natural. I anticipate that.
With the show, almost before every single dance I forgot every single thing, didn't know what dance or what steps were coming......
On the ice , I knew what I was doing, was more in control, and had muscle memory to count on..
With dancing, I had to do things I'd never done before, wear tight costumes, etc. (see earlier posters description of his comments)

Question: Was it a good experience?
APOLO :It was one of the best experiences of my life.

Question/comment: Well , you did win it.
APOLO: Winning wasn't the ...well I wanted to make it to the finals and say I can dance in front of millions of people. When I first started, I didn't know what I was getting into....how hard, the hours involved, how engaged I'd be interactively with the show. It turned out that 3 months were solely dedicated to the show. It was intense, really intense.

Question: Didn't your athletic background help?

APOLO: Well, we trained very hard. But the physical aspect wasn't as important as performing on stage.
Physically, I wasn't very tired but mentally I was.. it took lots of energy to perform everynight in front of millions and put on a show. I have new respect for ballroom dancers and for performers on stage and in front of camera because it's just exhausting!

[musicalmom]

VII. The FUTURE ROAD

Question/Comments: You've lived several lifetimes in the last 10 or 12 years in what you've managed to do. Where is the future road ahead of you?

APOLO: Well, I'm gonna be 26 soon and I'm pushing for my next Olympic games. After the Olympic games theres an avenue ( did he mean avalanche)of possibilities which is out there. I feel like I have lived several lifetimes and done many things that many kids don't get a chance to do. It's unbelievable.
I look forward to a lot of new goals outside of sport that I'd like to accomplish, both in the community and on a national level in all aspects of whatever business venture or form of entertainment I'd like to go into.
These ( opportunities) have become open to me because of my success in the Olympic games and because of that "funny dancing show".
It's interesting to me how life works. Sometimes you give your all and nothing becomes of it or
sometimes you giveyour all and maybe a door opens. That's the mystery of life..just to keep carrying the struggle forward no matter what that struggle is.

Question: You're away from home alot. Do you miss Seattle?
APOLO: Seattle always will be home. It's the most beautiful place that I love dearly. Someday, I'll be able to come and settle here. It's the most beautiful place to live in my heart. I love people here & sometimes even the traffic and the rain. (smile & chuckle)


Sorry,I missed one...after the section about he and Yuki where they discussed his Dad's belief for him that anything is possible if you want it badly enough and put everything you have toward it, the interviewer discussed the 2010 Olympics...
Question: What does it take to be an Olympic Athlete? In 2006 I interviewed you and you weren't sure you'd go for another Olympics. Now, You're going to go for it. Not long ago, you won the World Championship. What's life like for you now?

APOLO: Well, since 2006 Olympic games it's been a whirlwind. I did a post media tour, then took time off to ask ,"Do I still want to keep pursing this goal or if not, what's next? " Much as I did in that cabin, I took time to go inside and I came to the realization that I still have a passion for short track speed skating, for in my life , the Olympic Spirit and Olympianism is in my blood. I'm still young enough, gifted enuf, & talented enuf to lead a new generation of younger s.t. speed skaters to the Olympic games In Vancouver in 2010. I hope we'll be successful!

I guess that's about it for my notes. Hopefully, the whole interview will show up on you tube and you'll be able to see and hear for yourself.

[musicalmom]

My Impressions:
Apolo seemed very relaxed and somehow, more mature than in other interviews. He's looking great, seems quite calm and self assured as usual and although he was retelling his very familiar story, he came across as sincere and still very grateful for the opportunities he's both had and made for himself. He didn't give any clues as to what particular other goals he has other than to someday return to settle in Seattle.
It was wonderful to both see and hear him again. He's quite eloquent, but does tend to mumble in the middle of his sentences sometimes. His charm and good humor make up for it though. I always enjoy hearing him express his philosophy of life.
That's it for me...I'm falling asleep.
Hope you enjoy.
Musical Mom

[number1fan]

thank you for taking the time to do this my dear mm!

[musicalmom]

You're welcome number1fan. I've been away for awhile and wanted to contribute something as a way of saying "Hello" again to my friends on this board. Glad you enjoyed it. I didn't even try to transcribe it all but I have it on tape and could do more sections eventually. I'm down with flu and must get back to bed soon. I tried to do the sections that had the newest info or questions. I imagine the interview will eventually be posted on youtube. I think sections are available on KCTS site.
Isn't it great to hear from Apolo again? I've missed him. Looking forward to the world cup in Vancouver in October. Hope he comes cause I'm going to my first live competition, let alone world championship!
It's good to be back here.
Love,
Musical Mom

[musicalmom]

Hi All,
Just checked out KCTS site for video clips of interview and found one entitled FINAL GAMES, that I somehow missed on my own taped version of the show. It's worth checking out.
www.kcts9.org/video/apolo-anton-ohno-the-final-games
Don't know if they edited it or if my tape ran out...I"ll check it tomorrow.
MusicalMom

[jennaceeta25]

thank you, thank you, thank you, mm!

You must have worked so hard on that. I appreaciate it!
He's so modest when he talks. So mature.

[mtnme]

Thanks Musicalmom for transcribing that, and while sick even! ( I hope Apolo made you feel better! LOL)

We'll see you in Vancouver!!!!!

[musicalmom]

Mntme,
Are you coming to Vancouver for the World Cup? You said we...are there others coming from this board?
I'm so looking forward to watching a meet in person rather than on the computer by numbers or after the fact. The World Championship was an obstacle course with Chinese soap operas & commercials to wade thru and wait out! I also look forward to meeting some of the board posters in person. How fun to have someone to share it with. I can hardly wait. I'm buying tickets as a birthday present to myself but I know no one in Vancouver who shares my fascination with all things Apolo.
Musical Mom

[A.O.Freak]

Jul 19, 2008 23:49:33 GMT -5 musicalmom said:

Mntme,
Are you coming to Vancouver for the World Cup? You said we...are there others coming from this board?
I'm so looking forward to watching a meet in person rather than on the computer by numbers or after the fact. The World Championship was an obstacle course with Chinese soap operas & commercials to wade thru and wait out! I also look forward to meeting some of the board posters in person. How fun to have someone to share it with. I can hardly wait. I'm buying tickets as a birthday present to myself but I know no one in Vancouver who shares my fascination with all things Apolo.
Musical Mom

I know exactly how you feel Musicalmom.I'm gonna try my best to go see Apolo in SLC(if he competes)Oct17-19.And that same weekend is my b-day..and that would be an awesome bday gift for me Im just as excited as you

[jennaceeta25]

Jul 20, 2008 9:58:04 GMT -5 A.O.Freak said:

Jul 19, 2008 23:49:33 GMT -5 musicalmom said:

Mntme,
Are you coming to Vancouver for the World Cup? You said we...are there others coming from this board?
I'm so looking forward to watching a meet in person rather than on the computer by numbers or after the fact. The World Championship was an obstacle course with Chinese soap operas & commercials to wade thru and wait out! I also look forward to meeting some of the board posters in person. How fun to have someone to share it with. I can hardly wait. I'm buying tickets as a birthday present to myself but I know no one in Vancouver who shares my fascination with all things Apolo.
Musical Mom

I know exactly how you feel Musicalmom.I'm gonna try my best to go see Apolo in SLC(if he competes)Oct17-19.And that same weekend is my b-day..and that would be an awesome bday gift for me Im just as excited as you

You should totally go, Is!
It'll be a great birthday gift for ya.

[lilyover76]

Jul 19, 2008 3:02:47 GMT -5 musicalmom said:

You're welcome number1fan. I've been away for awhile and wanted to contribute something as a way of saying "Hello" again to my friends on this board. Glad you enjoyed it. I didn't even try to transcribe it all but I have it on tape and could do more sections eventually. I'm down with flu and must get back to bed soon. I tried to do the sections that had the newest info or questions. I imagine the interview will eventually be posted on youtube. I think sections are available on KCTS site.
Isn't it great to hear from Apolo again? I've missed him. Looking forward to the world cup in Vancouver in October. Hope he comes cause I'm going to my first live competition, let alone world championship!
It's good to be back here.
Love,
Musical Mom

Musical Mom - Thanks so much for your posts of Apolo's interview! What a trooper you are... doing this while being ill! ;D (I've been gone for the past 4 days and just came to this thread this morning.)

My hubby and I will be going to Vancouver for WC 2!

[mtnme]

Jul 19, 2008 23:49:33 GMT -5 musicalmom said:

Mntme,
Are you coming to Vancouver for the World Cup? You said we...are there others coming from this board?
I'm so looking forward to watching a meet in person rather than on the computer by numbers or after the fact. The World Championship was an obstacle course with Chinese soap operas & commercials to wade thru and wait out! I also look forward to meeting some of the board posters in person. How fun to have someone to share it with. I can hardly wait. I'm buying tickets as a birthday present to myself but I know no one in Vancouver who shares my fascination with all things Apolo.
Musical Mom

Yes Musical Mom,
Lori, JL, Debbief and I will be at WC1 and 2 for sure, in addition to several other members who will be at one or the other, so we would love to meet up with you.
...and Yes, seeing it live is certainly a far cry from watching a flashing computer screen! LOL
You deserve to treat yourself to such a wonderful birthday present! ;D

Keep in touch and we'll hammer out the details as we get closer to the events.

[christi]

Thanks musicalmom for the transcripts. It is always nice to hear about his life through his own words. ;D