Mina Bakhshi is a young Afghan woman who, in the summer of 2021, had just finished high school and was preparing to start university while pursuing her athletic interests in soccer and climbing. Her life was abruptly turned upside down the day Kabul fell. But with the help of Ascend Athletics, a nonprofit focusing on the empowerment of Afghan girls through climbing and leadership training, Mina was able to summon the courage to escape, start a new life for herself, and help others who remain behind.

In this episode…

When the Taliban took over Mina Bakhshi’s province, her dreams were crushed. But with all odds against her, Mina found a way to flee to safety and now works to empower others with similar challenges. How did Mina do it?

In the summer of 2021, Mina made a life-changing decision. With the support of Ascend Athletics, she found a way out. Mina had to pack up her belongings in just five minutes, leave her family behind, and take a bus to a Northern province. After a long and uncertain journey, Mina settled in North Carolina and now serves as a translator for other Afghan refugees. Her message to those left behind? There is light after darkness — you just have to stay strong.

Inspired by Mina’s story of strength and perseverance, host Meredith Syms submitted this episode to The New York Times’ fifth annual podcast contest. Among submissions from over 1,600 students, Mina’s powerful story stood out, and Meredith’s episode was deemed a winner.

In this New York Times award-winning episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms sits down with Afghan refugee, Mina Bakhshi, to share her story of hope and bravery. Mina talks about the risk she took after Kabul fell, the organizations that helped her flee to safety, and her hopes for those left behind in Afghanistan.