Best Functional Tennis Podcasts (2025)

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Jesper De Jong's linear progression continues 28:33

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11d ago28:33

28:33

This week I’m joined once again by Dutch ATP player Jesper de Jong, who has continued his steady rise on the professional circuit. Since our last chat, Jesper has broken into the top 100, reached his first ATP final at the Swedish Open, and played a key role for the Netherlands in Davis Cup. We talk about what feels different now that he’s inside t…

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Chiropractic Care, Brain Health, and the Glymphatic System 8:24

3d ago8:24

8:24

The Glymphatic System is the brain's newly discovered waste clearance system. It acts like a highly specialized lymphatic system for the central nervous system, flushing out toxins and metabolic waste, including proteins like amyloid-beta, which are associated with Alzheimer's disease. The glymphatic system is most active during sleep and is powere…

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Unlocking Your Emotional Energy for Peak Performance 26:34

15d ago26:34

26:34

In this episode of Charge Forward Coaching, host James Blasco speaks with Dr. Jarrod Spencer, a leading sports psychologist, about the critical role of emotional energy and mental toughness in performance. They discuss the importance of understanding emotional energy, the necessity of rest and recovery, and the shift in mental health awareness post…

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Neuropathy@CoreHealth Clarity Before Care: Thermal Imaging & Nerve Sensitivity Explained 8:31

21d ago8:31

8:31

If peripheral neuropathy feels confusing, start with data, not guesses. Two painless tests can change the conversation. First, Thermal Imaging—a quick scan that maps skin temperature patterns to give clues about blood flow. Second, a Nerve Sensitivity Test—simple checks of light touch and vibration to see how well nerves are signaling. These aren’t…

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“Djokovic Match Showed Me the Level” Jaime Faria 37:11

23d ago37:11

37:11

This week on the Functional Tennis Podcast I’m joined once again by Portuguese player Jaime Faria, who continues to make strides on the ATP Tour. Since our last chat, Jaime has broken into the top 100, won two Challenger titles, and battled through Grand Slam qualifying winning 11 of his last 12 matches and even sneaking into the US Open as a lucky…

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Tom Gutteridge Part 2 34:45

23d ago34:45

34:45

Iva Jovic has just won her first WTA Tour title at the age of 17. The USA player is now ranked at 35 in the world after winning the Guadalajara Open Akron at 500 level. Her coach Tom Gutteridge is back on the pod to talk about her incredible week, which included a few days of illness. Tom tells us about her champion mindset and incredible ability t…

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Don’t Wait: The Hidden Costs of Delaying Neuropathy Care 9:11

29d ago9:11

9:11

Neuropathyct.com 1) Symptoms usually creep forward More numbness, burning, pins-and-needles, and sensitivity changes over time. (NINDS) 2) Sleep gets hammered Neuropathic pain commonly disrupts sleep, which then worsens pain perception the next day. (ScienceDirect, PMC) 3) Balance confidence drops; fall risk rises Loss of sensation and vibration se…

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Mental Toughness in Sales and Sports: Eric Konovalov on Athlete Mindsets and Performance 29:40

29d ago29:40

29:40

In this episode of Charge Forward Coaching, host James Blasco and guest Eric Konovalov, Founder of The Goal Guide, discuss the intricate relationship between sales and sports, emphasizing the importance of mindset, emotional management, and routines in achieving success. They explore how personal experiences shape both an athlete and a salesperson'…

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“Every Tennis Parent’s Journey Is Different” with Garry Cahill 50:14

1M ago50:14

50:14

This week on the Functional Tennis Podcast, I’m joined once again by Garry Cahill, one of Ireland’s most respected coaches, former Davis Cup captain, and Performance Director at Tennis Ireland. In this episode, Garry dives into the realities of tennis parenting and why every family’s journey is unique. He explains why no two kids are the same, why …

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Mark Warburton on Mental Toughness: Playbook for Elite Athletes and Leaders 26:15

1M ago26:15

26:15

In this conversation, Mark Warbuton, a distinguished soccer coach and sporting director, discusses the importance of focusing on player development over winning in youth sports. He emphasizes the need for quality coaching and challenges to build mental toughness in young athletes. Mark shares insights into build two professional teams with Sporting…

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Mark 'Sharky' Draper 1:07:21

2M ago1:07:21

1:07:21

Mark 'Sharky' Draper is the latest coach on DOAPTC. Draper is the coach of Rinky Hijikata and Adam Walton and tells us all about his association with the Aussies; how he got into coaching; why he thinks Sinner and Alcaraz have separated themselves; and the way he thinks tennis is heading. It's a great chat with a fabulous coach so please, enjoy! Ho…

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Behind the Headlines: Ken Willis on Athletes, Pressure, and Mental Toughness 35:49

2M ago35:49

35:49

In this episode of the Charge Forward Coaching Podcast, host James Blasco sits down with veteran sports journalist Ken Willis, whose decades-long career includes writing for USA Today, Yahoo Sports, Golfweek, and the Daytona Beach News-Journal. With a front-row seat to some of the most intense moments in sports, Ken offers a rare perspective on men…

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Darien CT-Neuropathy@CoreHealth-Why the PMRF Matters in Neuropathy 16:18

2M ago16:18

16:18

Peripheral Neuropathy doesn’t just cause numbness and burning in the feet — it often leads to serious balance problems and an increased risk of dangerous falls. At Neuropathy@CoreHealth, Dr. Brian McKay uses advanced neurological rehabilitation techniques targeting the Pontomedullary Reticular Formation (PMRF) in the brainstem. The PMRF plays a vit…

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Neuropathy@CoreHealth- CIPN Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy 13:50

2M ago13:50

13:50

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) represents a significant and increasingly prevalent complication arising from modern cancer therapies, directly affecting the peripheral nervous system. As advancements in oncology lead to improved patient survival and extended treatment durations, the clinical burden of CIPN continues to escalate, …

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Building People, Not Just Players. John Williams, coach of world no.1 Doubles Taylor Townsend 56:50

2M ago56:50

56:50

This week on the Functional Tennis Podcast I’m joined by John Williams, coach and mentor to world number 1 doubles player Taylor Townsend. John’s approach to coaching is anything but conventional. He doesn’t just build tennis players, he builds characters. In this chat we talk about the characteristics he looks for in players, how his outside-the-b…

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Sally Appleton 49:47

2M ago49:47

49:47

Sally Appleton is the mother of Emily Appleton who plays on both the WTA and ITF circuit. Emily has career-high ranking of world No. 348 in singles and No. 78 in doubles and reached the second round in the doubles at Wimbledon n 2024 - one of the highlights. There are plenty of lowlights too and a whole lot of difficult moments in a varied life whi…

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Competitive Edge: Developing Mental Toughness in Elite Tennis with Milena Volkova 32:29

2M ago32:29

32:29

Unlock the mental edge in tennis with insights from elite coach Milena Volkova. Learn how top tennis players develop unshakeable focus and resilience under pressure. In this episode of Charge Forward Coaching, host James Blasco is joined by renowned tennis coach Milena Volkova to unpack the crucial role of mental toughness in tennis. From junior de…

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Going All In Changed Everything for Wheelchair Champ Charlie Cooper 33:27

3M ago33:27

33:27

In this episode, I chat with 17-year-old American wheelchair tennis player Charlie Cooper, a rising star who’s already claimed 2 junior wheelchair singles Grand Slam titles. Born with spina bifida, Charlie’s journey into tennis started with local clinics and has now taken him to the top levels of junior competition. He shares how making the decisio…

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Building Unshakeable Confidence: The Athlete's Guide to Mental Mastery 11:33

3M ago11:33

11:33

Unpack the power of true confidence in sports and competition with James Blasco. In this episode, James explores how genuine self-belief is built through experience, feedback, and recovery—not just positive self-talk. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or driven professional, you'll discover practical strategies to boost your mental game and perform…

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Indrek Tustit 55:39

3M ago55:39

55:39

Indrek Tustit is a physiotherapist and fitness coach - and today the Estonian speaks to DOAPTC about his professional relationship with Canadian tennis player Dennis Shapovalov, who has just won the Los Cabos title in Mexico. Indrek has worked with High Jumpers, Shot Putters, Javelin throwers, discus throwers, and tennis players, including Shapo, K…

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Mastering the Pressure Gap: Mental Toughness for Athletes 11:48

3M ago11:48

11:48

In this episode of the Charge Forward Coaching Podcast, host James Blasco tackles the "pressure gap"—a common challenge faced by athletes as they transition from confident practice sessions to anxiety-filled game days. Blasco, a Certified Mental Toughness and Resilience Coach and Certified Neuroscience Coach, unpacks the psychology behind this phen…

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Fueling Your Mental Edge: The Science of Sports Nutrition for Peak Performance with Collier Madaleno 25:40

3M ago25:40

25:40

Deep dive into the world of sports nutrition with Collier Madaleno, a renowned expert in athletic performance nutrition and the Sales and Service Executive at Red Card Athletics, a fueling and meal management platform designed specifically for college athletic departments and professional sports teams. From fueling strategies that sharpen mental fo…

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Brain Training: Harnessing Predictive Processing for Mental Toughness 8:59

3M ago8:59

8:59

Unlock the Power of Your Mind: Predictive Processing for Peak Performance James Blasco explores the fascinating concept of predictive processing and its profound impact on mental toughness and confidence in this eye-opening episode of the Charge Forward Coaching Podcast. Drawing insights from Lisa Feldman Barrett's "Seven and a Half Lessons about t…

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College Champ Starting Her Pro Journey, Dasha Vidmanova Ep260 24:18

3M ago24:18

24:18

🎙️ This week on the Functional Tennis Podcast, I’m joined by Dasha Vidmanova, the former US College #1 player and 2024 NCAA singles, doubles, and team champion. Born in Moscow and raised in Prague, Dasha’s journey through tennis has been anything but linear. From nearly walking away from the sport to becoming a dominant force in college tennis, she…

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Claudio Pistolesi 1:03:06

3M ago1:03:06

1:03:06

On the latest edition of DOAPTC, host Candy Reid speaks to Claudio Pistolesi, a former Italian pro tennis player, turned excellent coach! The former World No. 71 has worked with the likes of Robin Soderling, Daniela Hantuchova and Monica Seles, amongst many, many others, and he knows literally everyone in the world of tennis! Claudio reveals the se…

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The Mental Edge: Transforming Inner Chatter into Performance Fuel 11:15

4M ago11:15

11:15

Is your inner voice helping you win — or holding you back? 🧠⚡ In this episode of Charge Forward Coaching, host James Blasco explores powerful strategies to manage your inner chatter and build elite-level mental toughness — inspired by insights from Chatter by Ethan Kross. Blasco focuses on two game-changing tools: environment and rituals. ✔️ Learn …

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Fasting Your Way to a Healthier Gut: Unlocking the Power of GLP-1 & GLP-2 9:11

4M ago9:11

9:11

Have you heard about intermittent fasting? Its not just a weight loss trend anymore. Its also great for boosting your bodys natural hormones, like GLP-1 and GLP-2. These important gut peptides help manage appetite, control blood sugar, and repair the digestive tract. GLP-1 helps your body release insulin, slows down how quickly your stomach empties…

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Manny Diaz 51:14

4M ago51:14

51:14

Manny Diaz is a University of Georgia legend. He coached the Bulldogs to four NCAA championships, in 1999, 2001, 2007, when John Isner led the team, and 2008 Manny joins host Candy Reid on DOAPTC to talk about the challenges, the successes, and everything in between. It's a great conversation with someone who has simply seen it all! Hosted on Acast…

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“I Didn’t Think I’d Go Pro” Aleks Kovacevic ATP #77 43:47

4M ago43:47

43:47

This week on the Functional Tennis Podcast, I’m joined by American ATP player Aleks Kovacevic, currently ranked #77 ATP Aleks takes us through his surprising journey to the pro tour, from not thinking he’d ever go pro to finding belief during college and climbing the ATP rankings, including a big win over world #5 Andrey Rublev. He opens up about l…

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Mindset Matters: Cultivating Mental Toughness in Young Athletes with Cat Lutz 30:13

4M ago30:13

30:13

Master mental performance with Cat Lutz of IMG Academy. Discover how to build focus, manage emotions, and set goals that elevate athletic success—essential strategies for high performers and young athletes. This episode of Charge Forward Coaching features Cat Lutz, Head of Mental Performance at IMG Academy. Cat discusses the importance of mental pe…

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Roland-Garros-day-15 47:43

4M ago47:43

47:43

Roland Garros is over for another year and what a way to end! A magnificent men's final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz went the distance and was won by the defending champion, who played a blockbuster tie-breaker to seal the come-from-behind victory. Host Candy Reid is joined by Mark Gellard and David Sammel, who are two of the best coach…

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Roland-Garros-day-14 31:42

4M ago31:42

31:42

Host Candy Reid is joined by accomplished coach Vlado Platenik and WTA player Christina McHale to discuss Women's final day and Coco Gauff's 2nd Major Singles Title. The 21-year-old came from a set down to beat Arnya Sabalenka in a roller-coaster match, which saw the Belarussian hit 67 unforced errors. The trio also discuss the girls' final, won by…

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Roland-Garros-day-13 18:49

4M ago18:49

18:49

Host Candy Reid and Coach Justin Sherring discuss day 13 at Roland Garros 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Roland-Garros-day-12 43:39

4M ago43:39

43:39

RG live host Candy Reid is joined by Broadcaster Nick McCarvel and Serbian Journalist Vuk Brajovic on Day 12 of RG 2025. The trio discuss Novak Djokovic's terrific run to the SF, following a come-from-behind 4-set win over Alexander Zverev. Novak faces Sinner next - who has only lost one match in 2025; while the other SF sees defending champion Car…

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Roland-Garros-day-11 50:54

4M ago50:54

50:54

Mark Gellard joins Candy Reid to talk about the results on Day 11 of RG 2025 - should Musetti have been disqualified; do the women have a point and should be playing evening matches on Chatrier; and can anyone beat world number one Jannik Sinner (or even take a set off him)? The duo discuss all the big topics and there's even a guest appearance fro…

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Spotting Tennis’s Next Star with Clinton Coleman from IMG Tennis 1:18:18

4M ago1:18:18

1:18:18

In this episode, I speak with Clinton Coleman, Senior Scout at IMG Tennis, who helped discover and guide some of the sport’s brightest young talents, including Nick Kyrgios, Alexander Eala, Mirra Andreeva at 11. Clinton shares what he really looks for in juniors, why mindset often matters more than strokes, and how parents can either help or hinder…

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Master Time Management: Harnessing Beginnings, Midpoints, and Endings 16:41

4M ago16:41

16:41

Time management can make or break your success. Learn how to harness the power of beginnings, midpoints, and endings to achieve your goals faster. In this episode of Charge Forward Coaching, Mental Toughness and Resilience Coach James Blasco explores the intricate relationship between time and goal achievement. Discover how understanding and levera…

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Roland-Garros-day-10 1:14:24

4M ago1:14:24

1:14:24

RG Live Host Candy Reid is joined by Bryan Shelton (father and coach of player Ben) and top doubles coach Dan Kiernan on Day 10 of RG 2025. The trio discuss Ben Shelton's terrific clay court season, which included a R16 run and close 4-set defeat by defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. Bryan gives insight into a great Clay Major for the USA players a…

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Roland-Garros-day-9 43:47

4M ago43:47

43:47

Haresh Ramchandani and Mitch Michals join RG Live host Candy Reid to talk about the remaining round of 16 matches at Roland Garros. There were two huge upsets - one on the men's side as Alexander (don't call him Sascha) Bublik, beat Jack Draper and one on the women's as WC Lois Boisson got the better of Jessica Pegula. The trio break all the result…

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Roland Garros Day 8 55:23

4M ago55:23

55:23

Mark Gellard and Olga Savchuk join host Candy Reid on RG Live this Sunday to talk about what happened on Day 8 of the Clay Court Major. Savchuk has coached Elina Svitolina and explains the 30-yo's incredible hunger for success and busy schedule with her work in Ukraine. The discussion includes why the US players are all doing so well on the women's…

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Alex Dulgheru 1:14:23

4M ago1:14:23

1:14:23

On this edition of DOAPTC, Former top 30 WTA player and current broadcaster, Alex Dulgheru, joins the pod, to talk about her impressive career; the coaches who helped her along the way and what they did; and how she got the better of one opponent from 1-5 down in the third. She also recounts a funny (and very painful) story where she took another p…

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Roland Garros Day 7 1:07:35

4M ago1:07:35

1:07:35

Day 7 on RG Live features John Williams and Craig Boynton on DOAPTC. John, coach of twice Major doubles champion Taylor Townsend, and Craig, former coach of Hubi Hurkacz, Jim Courier and Mardy Fish (amongst others) chat with Candy Reid in a fascinating 1 hour of match recap and look ahead to Sunday's matches. The trio discuss Joao Fonseca running o…

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Roland Garros Day 6 1:03:26

4M ago1:03:26

1:03:26

RG Live on DOAPTC looks at Friday's Day 6 results as host Candy Reid is joined by experienced Coach Vlado Platenik and twice Major Champion Vania King. The trio discuss mental health breaks in tennis after Amanda Anisimova continued her return to the top of the game with a straight sets win over Clara Tauson. It's a wide-ranging chat which includes…

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Roland Garros Day 5 46:59

4M ago46:59

46:59

Day 5 of RG consisted of the last match of Richard Gasquet's career - the 38yo Frenchman, who started playing at RG in 2002, was beaten by top seed Jannik Sinner. Mark Gellard and Candy Reid discuss Gasquet's career; how tennis is really hard; how to prepare for retirement; and what brings some players back to the game. The duo also look ahead to a…

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Roland Garros Day 4 1:06:27

5M ago1:06:27

1:06:27

RG LIVE day 4 sees host Candy Reid joined by USA player Christina McHale (a former WTA top 40 player and 2012 third round at RG), and GB's Emily Appleton, who has just made her RG debut, The trio discuss the latest results including defeats to Ruud, Tsitsipas and Vekic and wins for Swiatek, Rybakina and Qinwen. The chat includes Coco forgetting her…

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Supercharge Your Daily Schedule: Proven Strategies for Focus and Flow 14:50

4M ago14:50

14:50

Ever wonder how elite athletes seem to do more, recover faster, and stay locked in — all within the same 24 hours you have? Learn how to maximize your productivity with proven time management strategies, optimize your daily schedule based on natural energy rhythms. Mental Toughness Coach James Blasco draws insights from scientific research and infl…

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Roland Garros Day 3 1:15:58

5M ago1:15:58

1:15:58

Coco forgets her racquets; Novak wins in straight sets and Joao Fonseca beats Hurkacz in 3 - an eventful day at Roland Garros - and Candy is joined by the former coach of Maria Sharapova and current coach of Ashlyn Krueger, Mike Joyce, plus top Serbian tennis journalist, Vuk Brajovic, to break it all down and have a few laughs a long the way! RG Li…

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Roland Garros Day 2 1:01:51

5M ago1:01:51

1:01:51

Special guests today are Dan Kiernan, a top doubles coach and LSU Alum, and University of Georgia Head Coach for 36 years, Manny Diaz. Along with host Candy Reid, the trio discuss Emma Navarro's 0,1 defeat, the best chance of victory of the USA players and a whole lot more, including whether Stan Wawrinka, the 2015 Champ, will play RG again after l…

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Wimbledon Champion 48:46

5M ago48:46

48:46

He's the current Wimbledon and Australian Open Champion - and he also has a fear of flying! Meet GB's Henry Patten, who talks to DOAPTC about his time in US College, how he teamed up with his current doubles partner and why the relationship works so well! Henry also recounts some funny moments, including on the stairs in Monte Carlo and who he'd ta…

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Roland Garros Day 1 55:36

5M ago55:36

55:36

Day 1 of RG 2025 is in the books - and it was a day dominated by Rafa Nadal, who was back on the court in which he made his own. Experts Brett Philips and Steph Myles got emotional, as did everyone else watching proceedings. Candy breaks down the results with Steph and Brett and looks ahead to Day 2! Join us at 9pm Paris time everyday during Roland…