The Olympics conjure the image of single-mindedness, of an athlete's individual effort to improve, culminating in a medal whose ribbon only fits one. However, the Olympic pursuit is anything but. The reality is that those lofty goals are reached from atop a mountain of support and accomplishment from family, both blood and chosen. From the front stoop to the podium step, gold at the Games is a decidedly family affair.

Hear how canoe slalom contender Jess Fox and her nine “paddling” family members stay afloat in all their trophies. Listen to how marrying a fellow high jumper has allowed Ty Butts and Roderick Townsend to raise the bar. Get insight into Olympic support systems and pressures from experts Tim Layden and Mike Gervais. Ahmed Fareed tells the story, and incredible history, of the Montano Fencing Dynasty.

Join host Lauren Shehadi for Season 2 of NBC Sports’ The Podium.