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Therapist, tech expert recount Olympic adventures
McCOOK, Neb. — At this week’s Buffalo Commons First Tuesday event, two professionals with roots in McCook, Nebraska, shared their unique journeys to the global stage. Monica Johnson, a licensed massage therapist, recounted her path from local practice to working with Team USA at the Paralympic Games in Paris, where she joined an elite medical team at the new High Performance Center,.
Alongside her, Brett Warren, a veteran broadcast professional, detailed his 20-year career supporting Olympic broadcasts for NBC, highlighting the evolution of technology, logistical challenges, and the $2 billion operation that brings the Olympics to millions of viewers worldwide. Both offered personal anecdotes, showcasing the dedication and adaptability required in their fields and reflecting McCook’s impact on the international sports scene.
Johnson, a licensed massage therapist originally from McCook, Nebraska, shared her inspiring journey to working with Team USA at the Paralympic Games. After gaining experience through various high-level sports assignments, including a rotation at the Olympic Training Center and supporting NCAA athletes, she was invited to join Team USA in Paris. At the Paralympics, she worked alongside a team of top medical professionals at the new High Performance Center, an advanced training facility designed to prepare athletes before entering the Olympic Village. Monica described her experience as "amazing," highlighting the inclusivity and respect within Team USA, where every member—regardless of role—felt valued. In addition to sharing stories of her work, she showcased memorabilia from Paris and offered giveaways to the audience
Warren, a longtime broadcast professional, shared insights into his two-decade career transmitting Olympic coverage for NBC. Brett and his brother Toby have supported the delivery of sports events, including the Olympics and world-class soccer, to millions of viewers. Starting in 2004, Brett’s role focused on computer networks and broadcast systems, which have evolved significantly over the years.
When NBC first covered the Olympics, around 15 hours of footage were transmitted; today, that number has reached tens of thousands, with each event available for streaming. Technological advancements and the COVID-19 pandemic have changed operations dramatically. For example, NBC now primarily broadcasts from the U.S., reducing the number of on-site staff in Paris to 1,500 from a pre-pandemic peak of 7,500. Brett explained how the cost of broadcasting the Olympics exceeds $2 billion, which NBC recoups through advertising, equating it to two weeks of Super Bowl-level viewership.
Throughout his career, Brett has witnessed the logistics of transmitting events globally, from satellite feeds to advanced fiber optics. His experiences include handling complicated setups in extreme locations, from sub-zero mountain sites to challenging setups in cities like Sochi and Beijing. He shared anecdotes about his adventures abroad, such as being the first to enter China for the 2008 Olympics, becoming an impromptu TV celebrity, and even enduring hotel rooms without basic amenities in Russia.
Brett also discussed the complex infrastructure that underpins live broadcasting, requiring massive coordination and pre-planning. This includes setting up racks of equipment months in advance, shipping them internationally, and managing feeds that involve hundreds of video signals to ensure seamless coverage across platforms like Peacock and USA Network. His work requires meticulous planning, creative problem-solving, and adaptability in some of the most demanding conditions, all to deliver the Olympics to viewers back home.