Crossing the Line Radio

Track cyclist Anna Meares chats to Rupert Guinness about her incredible career, her decision to retire, and how she has managed life after sport so far.

Kate Leeming is an explorer and adventurer who has cycled a distance of more than two times around the world at the Equator. She is also a Real Tennis professional at the Royal Melbourne Tennis club who has won five Australian Open single titles in the sport. But as Kate tells us as she talks with Rupert Guinness on Crossing the Line Radio, her life of adventure and sport not been all about the highs. As with many elite athletes, there have the lows as well; and in Kate's case, from her battle with injuries and surgery, the hazards of riding in world re-known hot spots to the challenge of adapting back to life back at home after an expedition, and coping with depression.

One of Australia's greatest track cyclists, Gary Neiwand, opens up to Rupert Guinness about his darkest days struggling with life post-sport.

Rupert Guinness chats to Head of Victoria's Office for Women Sport and Recreation Dr Bridie O'Donnell. From the challenges facing women in sport today, to Bridie's tell-all book about her turbulent times as an elite athlete, don't miss this latest episode of Crossing the Line Radio.

Sydney Swan's player Dean Towers chats to Rupert about the psychology of an AFL player, including how he maintains focus on game day, how players can help teammates with mental health issues, and how he balances life with elite sport(hint: pet fish and home-brewed beer play a part!)

Former Wallaby and Waratah Dean Mumm chats to Rupert Guinness about his life after sport, including his incredible trek to the North Pole to raise money for Borne, a research foundation for premature babies that is tragically close to his heart.

Former Wallaby Adam Freier is now head of marketing and digital at Australian Rugby Union. Adam and Rupert speak candidly about a raft of issues surrounding athlete wellbeing, including mental health, life after sport, and the responsibility athletes have on social media (as well as the merits of Rupert's Hawaiian shirt!)

Victoria Trost swam competitively all through college, combining her love of the water with her passion for health and science. Victoria talks to Gearoid about the US collegiate system and how her degree helped her be a better swimmer, and vice versa.

In February 2018, triple Olympian Louise Bawden announced her retirement from international beach volleyball competition at the age of 36. Louise's career spanned more than 20 years, including three Olympics (Sydney 2000 - Indoor Volleyball, 2012 London and 2016 Rio - Beach Volleyball) and an incredible 91 World Tour events and 397 World Tour matches in beach volleyball. Louise chats to Rupert and CTL founder Gearoid Towey about her sporting identity, dedication to volleyball and the difficult decision to retire.

Australian Mel Hoskins is nine months into her new life out of elite sport, in which she was a track and road cyclist. Mel, 26, speaks candidly with Rupert Guinness for Crossing the Line Radio about the challenges she has faced leading up to and since her retirement on May 2, 2017. Mel also speaks about the systems she put place to help go forward; hoping other athletes can also learn from her experiences.

Athlete addiction specialist Chris Mordue talks to Rupert Guinness about how we can help people struggling with addiction by normalising the way we talk about our own mental health.

Rupert spoke to athlete transition specialist Rick Cotgreave before the third Ashes Test at the WACA in Perth in December 2017, where Australia secured a series win. Among many things, Rick reveals that he used to be England captain Joe Root's school PE teacher. He provides some interesting insights into Root, from his controversial decision to bowl first in the second Test in Adelaide, to where he and England go to from here psychologically. Rick also talks about those in the England team who may be on the brink of retirement after the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne - where Rick hopes to catch up with Root - and the fifth and final Test in Sydney.

Mike McKay was part of one of Australia's most marketable sports teams - the Oarsome Foursome. The crew won gold at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games in the coxless four; world championship gold in the same boat in 1990 and 1991, and another world championships the coxed four in 1998. Mike also raced in the 2000 Olympic Games silver medal winning eight and 2004 Olympic bronze medal winning eight. Mike chats to Rupert about finding the balance between life and sport and the infamous Goulburn Valley fruit ads.

Mike Pyke has transitioned out of multiple sports. He played ice hockey, basketball and soccer at school in Canada, before switching to rugby union and making the Canadian national team. After more than 20 appearances, including the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Mike switched to the AFL. He played 110 games for the Sydney Swans before hanging up his boots for good. He chats to Rupert about the skills he learned that helped him excel post-sport, and how nothing will ever quite match a sunny Saturday afternoon game!

Former National Rugby League player Dan Conn still finds it hard to admit he is an addict. Dan retired in 2011 aged 25, after a neck injury required him to have a spinal fusion. By then, he was already addicted to painkillers. Now wellness director for the Collective Wellness Group, Dan hopes recounting his story can help others to avoid the pathway to potential self-destruction he followed. He chats to Rupert about how he recognised and eventually overcame his addiction. Image: Kate Zarifeh

Kath Koschel is an elite cricketer who has overcome some incredible personal challenges. Kath speaks candidly to Rupert about her life, career and how she overcame catastrophic injuries and mental and emotional anguish. She describes how she used these challenges to develop an outlook that helps her be the inspiring individual she is today. Kath is the founder of the Kindness Factory and ends the podcast with some great advice for current athletes.