Podcast appearances and mentions of sam squiers

This year's Olympics has been phenomenal for women in sport. Paris 2024 also set a milestone as the first Olympics to achieve full gender parity on the field of play. But these achievements have been overshadowed by the abuse levelled at two female boxers who both clinched their first olympic medals over unfounded speculation about their sex. One of the boxers, Imane Khelif, has spoken out several times in the face of it all. The saga is fuelled by a current moral panic about ‘fairness' in women's sport – but it's also part of a long and insidious history of scrutinising the bodies of female athletes, especially the successful ones. Today, Fox Sports News presenter and women's sports advocate Sam Squiers on why female bodies remain one of the main objects of regulation by sports committees. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Fox Sports News presenter and women's sports advocate, Sam Squiers.

I sat down with Sam Squiers, award winning sports presenter and ambassador for the Miracle Babies Foundation to discuss her premature journey. Her daughter Immi was born at 32 weeks. We chat about:

For the first time ever, Australia has reached the final four of a World Cup. Tonight, the Matildas face some familiar foes when they go up against England in Sydney. Many in the Matildas squad play club football in England, and in some cases they'll be going toe-to-toe with their club teammates. So, will close knowledge and home advantage give Australia the edge to defeat the European champions? Today, Fox Sports News presenter and women's sports advocate Sam Squiers, on the battle ahead for the Matildas. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Fox Sports News presenter and women's sports advocate, Sam Squiers

Sam Squiers enters some unfamiliar territory as she sits down with Supercars drive turned sex worker Renee Gracie.Renee discusses competing against boys at a very young age (6:30), and what led to her meteoric rise, from go-carts to driving a Porsche on the professional racing circuit (11:15).She outlines the journey she took with Simona De Silvestro, spearheading an all-female Supercars team (17:45), and is circumspect when it comes to those David Reynolds' 'Pussy Wagon' comments (28:32). Supercars didn't bring any financial security, but OnlyFans did, and Renee is very open when it comes to her career switch (44.35), even outlining just how lucrative it's been (50:15). She also says her new-found financial freedom has become a barrier to a possible return to competitive racing (72:00).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam Squiers chats with Rebecca Sowden about the 'Correct the Internet' campaign that is trying to fix the gendered bias that we've inadvertently caused on the World Wide Web. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rugby league star Julia Robinson has been a lightning rod for public opinion in her short but illustrious rugby league career so far. She sat down with Sam Squiers to explain how she found the sport quite late in life and what it's like having an army lifer for a mum (5:42)! Julia then explains how she was caught in a social media firestorm simply because she has some very useful muscles (21:16). When you get such vocal support from Sally Pearson and Libby Trickett you know you're doing something special and the #showyourmuslces campaign (26:03) that ensued showed how a storm of positivity can sometimes erupt from the most unlikely places.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam Squiers welcomes tennis commentator Adam Peacock to On Her Mind to break down the age old debate about women playing three sets as opposed to five at Grand Slam tournaments, and how it relates to equal pay. They add some nuance to the debate and wonder how five sets might work in the women's game, and whether tennis fans and players would actually want it to happen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Opals star Cayla George might be the most open woman Sam Squiers has ever spoken to! No topic is off-limits and she goes into great detail on her relationship with Liz Cambage as well as the embarrassingly bad bodysuits from the last Olympics. It's a story no one has heard before! Cayla talks about leaving home and going to the AIS as a 15 year old (7:11), starting out in the green and gold and why she decided to forgo college in the US, despite plenty of offers (14:05). The new mum talks about being a mother and professional athlete and opens up about her fertility journey (20:56) and the unique experience of Torres Strait Island custom adoption, which resulted in her being gifted her baby daughter Pearl (25:20). She then tells a shocking and hilarious story about the Opals' bodysuits in Tokyo and just how much they revealed! (48:40) plus why she's no longer friends with Liz Cambage (52:25).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alyssa Healy was the very first guest on the 'On Her Game' podcast and we've re-published this episode from 2020 to go alongside a brand new conversation Sam just had, celebrating a very busy three years. Enjoy both, as Alyssa brings her unique spin on her life on and off the cricket field. Losing her sister as a teenager gave Australian cricketer Alyssa Healy a valuable sense of perspective on life. Alyssa joins host & sports journalist Sam Squiers to discuss what she learned by growing up playing with boys, the impact of losing her sister as a teenager and how she's seen women's cricket change over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam Squiers welcomes Alyssa Healy back, three years after she appeared on the pilot episode of On Her Game.The Aussie skipper, keeper and star batter gives some behind the scenes recollections of her record-breaking World Cup performance on home soil (4:12), including Meg Lanning's Katy Perry fan-girl moment (7:08). She fends off any talk of retirement, and why FOMO means it'll be a long time yet before she hangs up the pads. Healy discusses what's needed to take women's cricket to even loftier heights (16:06) and what her future holds (20:05) as well as the all-important Steely Cup standings plus a new feature question - what would Alyssa broadcast on a billboard!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam Squiers and LiSTNR news editor Amy Goggins reveal their Top 5 moments for women in sport in 2022. And no break for Sam, she's back next week with a return appearance from her first ever guest!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam Squiers welcomes in LiSTNR News editor Amy Goggins to discuss the best moments in women's sport in 2022.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam Squiers sits down with Matildas star Chloe Logarzo, who travelled an unconventional path to becoming a regular - and then a star - in the national setup.  Chloe walks us through her meteoric rise, before falling prey to what she called a horrendous attitude (8:28), which cost her a spot at the 2015 World Cup and derailed her career.  She then explains how a football prodigy ends up as a full-time landscaper (13:15), and then how she found her way back to playing all around the world (15:41), and finding her way to Olympics and World Cups. The Matildas veteran describes why injury has been a blessing (24:30), and her thoughts on how far women's football has come in her long career, and what it needs to keep growing in Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Sam Squiers sits down with Sarah Olle to discuss the AFLW's ambitious scheduling in 2022 - staging two complete seasons in one calendar year - and any knock-on effects it created. This conversation also delves into how this decision created challenges for other female leagues like the WBBL and the W-league. Could the NRLW learn from the way the AFLW has mixed things up and has the clogged sporting calendar started to impact traditional Summer fixtures like Test Cricket?    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karen Lunn is among a small group of women who have paved the way for Aussie women golfers in the 21st century, winning major European tour events across a 26 year career. Karen spoke to Sam Squiers about growing up in the country, and the advantages that came with that (2:10), bypassing city life in Australia and heading straight to Europe (11:37) to pursue her golfing dream. She spoke about how excited it was to be able to support her sister's professional golfing aspirations (18:40), her own meteoric success and then her ability to tournaments 26 years apart (22:45). Sam pays tribute to Karen's contribution to women's golf in Australia (33:19) and she, in turn, shines a lot on the efforts of Alan Gillott in putting women's golf on the map in Australia (43:20). Finally, they discuss what golf needs to do to reverse the trend of losing a younger and female audience to the sport (52:00).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We interrupt our regular transmission for an urgent discussion of the NRLW Collective Bargaining Agreement, which is being negotiated between the NRL and the Rugby League Players Association as we speak. Sam Squiers welcomes Channel 7 sports journo Katie Brown to break it all down. Schedule, sponsorship, minimum wage and pregnancy policy are all on the table - and a whole lot more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam Squiers isn't afraid to open up and discuss taboo topics and for this episode she is joined by veteran radio journalist Amy Goggins to dig into Wimbledon's decision to finally scrap the mandatory white undergarments policy. They discuss the absurdity of the rule in the first place and then branch out to discuss the continued use of white uniforms in football, rugby, rugby league, netball and cricket and the implications this has on female athletes at all levels of competition. Yes this episode includes a frank conversation about women's periods and how that affects what they wear and how they feel while wearing it!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1975 Australia was represented at football's Asia Cup by a pioneering and enterprising group of women. These women have never been recognised with caps and this team is not considered a 'Matildas' team. Nearly 50 years later this group is fighting to be recognised, and Sam Squiers and Selina Steele take up the cause and explain their case.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With peroxide blonde hair and signature oakley sunglasses Kathy Watt took Australia by storm in the 1990s and 2000s. She's still the only Aussie to win road cycling gold at the Olympics and in this candid interview she tells Sam Squiers how proud she was to achieve what her late father couldn't. Kathy speaks about her early training years, in the same stable as a very young Cadel Evans, and admits to a very poor choice of clothing for her first ever cycling race (9:23). She explains why a local bike shop came to her rescue at the Barcelona Olympics, when Australia team officials turned her away (28:06) and opens up on the years of bullying she had to overcome just to compete in the sport she loves. Finally, she explains how she managed to come back and win silver at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, at 40 years of age (48:33) as well as he passion for photography, that has allowed her to stay connected to cycling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this debut episode, Sam Squiers delves deep into the biggest issues facing women in sport. This week Sam looks into the sponsorship saga that has enveloped Netball Australia. Journalist Selina Steele has been right in the middle of the story, and she brings insight to the topic, from the environmental concerns surrounding Hancock Prospecting, to the impact a deal might have on Indigenous communities and players. Sam and Selina also question the responsibilities of all athletes and sporting administrations when it comes to striking deals across elite sport.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Basketball superstar Lauren Jackson tells Sam Squiers what it was like to come back and play at a World Cup at 41 years of age, six years after retiring! (2:29). Jackson has insisted publicly that the tournament was a one-off return to international competition, but she hints at the possibility of another – for Paris 2024 (11:44). She also goes into details about her relationship with Liz Cambage (24:22), her life-changing professional stint playing in Russia (51:04) and why she needed a girdle and g-string to play in the Opals' iconic bodysuits (1:02:39). Lauren opens up on her awkwardness as a teenager, how she struggled to make representative teams and how she coped with home sickness when she was drafted number one overall in the WNBA Draft (1:07:44). And don't miss bonus content that includes her top five Aussie basketballers of all time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former ironwoman and world record breaker Bonnie Hancock tells Sam Squiers about sharks circling her and giant crocodiles stalking her ski paddle, on an incredible voyage circumnavigating Australia (51:12). Before she risked life and limb on that insane quest, Bonnie details her life growing up on the north coast of NSW (1:35), meteoric success in ironwoman competition (8:37) as well as battling body image issues that took years to shake (18:23). And if you've ever wondered why someone would turn their life upside down and paddle themselves around the biggest island on the planet (33:28) you've come to the right place!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Commonwealth gold medallist Rochelle Gilmore tells Sam Squiers what it was like growing up with ultimate freedom to do as she pleased (2.42), and how that helped shape the athlete she became. The champion cyclist discusses getting scouted in her early teens (9:40) and moving to Europe when she was just 16, and opens up about the death of her great friend Amy Gillett (17.33). She talks about breaking the 'Bridesmaid' hoodoo and finally getting her hands on gold (23:20), as well as the pioneering work she's done for women's cycling. Finally, she goes into incredible detail about planning to climb Mount Everest, and the dangers she's already faced (43:30).  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Sam Squiers hand selects five of the best stories of resilience in the face of extreme adversity. And every story is different. Jana Pittman talks about her battles with the media (1:16), Hayley Raso opens up about her horrific injury (12:35) and Casey Dellacqua discusses the body shaming that nearly derailed her career (27:49). Georgia Baker talks about dealing with grief (36:35) and Bronte Campbell chronicles her fight against chronic pain (45:56).  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelsey-Lee Barber tells Sam Squiers what it was like winning two gold medals in two parts of the world in the space of three weeks - with Covid in between! The newly crowned World and Commonwealth Games Champion discusses her early life, coming to Australia right before the Sydney Olympics (2:03) and the moment she realised her own ambitions to be a professional athlete (9:23). She also discusses embarrassment at her first Commonwealth Games (12:24), how her coach became her husband (27:55) and how she overcome the yips (31:55).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karina Brown tells Sam Squiers how she came to record the hit song (1:01), 'She's got confidence', with Jess Harlen and what it's like playing a game and performing on stage at the same time! Karina also explains the impact of having so many female hero athletes bursting on to the scene as well as the NRLW's lofty aims for expansion (10:55). She also gets a surprise message from a very important person in her life (17:15) and has a very instructive message for her younger self.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part A, outspoken NRLW star Karina Brown speaks to Sam Squiers about her life in rugby league. As a young girl she had to convince teachers to let her play with the boys (4:50), as a young woman she had to find a league that would let her tackle other women and now she's trying to make the world a more inclusive place. Karina is also a proud gay Queensland woman who opens up about THAT kiss in 2018, when she embraced her then-NSW-girlfriend on the field after a State of Origin clash (28:19). If that wasn't enough, she also address the Manly boycott saga and doesn't pull any punches! (38:25). Part B will be available on Saturday, August 6.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Would you accept a billion dollars to play golf? A new competition funded by Saudi Arabia called LIV Golf is turning the usually staid and boring game of on its head. Saudi money is funding a new golf tournament around the world, and it's ruffling feathers in the established corridors of the sport like the USPGA and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club. The new tournament LIV is offering hundreds of millions of dollars to secure players from other tours, and many are accepting. In this episode, we're joined by Sam Squiers from Fox Sports News who also hosts LiSTNR's On Her Game and The Sport podcasts. We learn what is LIV - and what is sports washing? Today's Headlines: - Three dead in Queensland shooting- Japan condemns Chinese military exercise- Shortages of popular drugs- Breonna Taylor: four officers charged- Adelaide Crows players consider class action over camp 'disgrace' Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back page stories, front page analysis. The Sport is a new weekly podcast from Schwartz Media and LiSTNR. Hosted by Sam Squiers and Martin McKenzie-Murray, it is a fast-paced, smart take on the key sports story every week. Launching Wednesday, August 10. Subscribe now for free.

Sandy Brondello is an icon of Australian basketball. First as a player and then a successful coach, she was a key contributor to the Opals' golden era and now leads the national side as well as the New York Liberty in the WNBA.  In this episode, Sandy speaks with host Sam Squiers about: Her childhood on a farm in remote North Queensland Successes and failures in a glittering career playing in the green and gold The controversy surrounding former Opals star Liz Cambage Juggling motherhood with elite sport Lauren Jackson's remarkable return to competitive basketball Brittney Griner's imprisonment in Russia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A routine training ride the week before her first professional Ironman changed Lauren Parker's life forever. When Lauren's tyres burst, she flew off her bike and into a guard rail at 45km/h. She was told she had 0% - 1% chance of walking again and had to learn to transition to life and sport in a wheelchair. In this episode, Lauren speaks with with host Sam Squiers about: Her childhood as a competitive swimmer and triathlete Managing an eating disorder throughout her teen years The accident that saw her become a paraplegic Competing at the Commonwealth Games 9 months after her accident The differences between able-bodied and para triathlon The chronic nerve pain which has followed her every day since her accident Winning silver at the Tokyo Paralympics by less than a second And returning to Ironman racing and Kona If you liked this episode, you should check out our episodes with wheelchair racers Madison de Rozario, Ella Sabljak & Louise Sauvage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Passionate is an understatement for how Melbourne Vixens co-captain and Diamonds player, Kate Moloney, feels about her beloved sport of netball. But passion isn't always enough, and being left off the start list for Commonwealth Games team and World Cups team was still a bitter pill for Kate to swallow. In this episode, Kate speaks with with host Sam Squiers about: Progressing through the netball pathway and becoming teammates with women who inspired her What she learned working with young people in a juvenile detention centre Being selected for the Melbourne Vixens and why she's stuck with the team for so long Captaining the Vixens from premiers to bottom of the ladder Getting the call to play in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham  Her thoughts on the infamous Suncorp Super Netball super shot And what she would change if she was the CEO of netball for a day If you liked this episode, you should check out our episodes with netballers Sam Wallace, Ash Brazill, Laura Geitz, Jemma Mi Mi and Melbourne Vixens CEO Rosie King. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"You should become a model". It's a comment Kaye Scott has heard more than once throughout her amateur boxing career. But Kaye proved the doubters wrong by competing in the 2014 & 2018 Commonwealth Games, winning a silver medal at the 2016 Women's World Championships and moving from the amateurs to the pros this year. Kaye sits down with host Sam Squiers to share about: How she went from doing boxercise at her local gym to competing on the world stage Being part of the first women's fight after female boxing was decriminalised in NSW in 2009 Why men are challenged by women's boxing and how she responds to their comments The Amateur Boxing Associations' rule to mandate all female boxers to wear skirts (and then being told that she was distracting judges by wearing a skirt) Competing at the 2014 & 2018 Commonwealth Games and preparing the upcoming games in Birmingham  The decision to go pro And why she hates people commenting on her age See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Driving through the desert at 200km/h isn't a sport for the faint hearted. Molly Taylor swapped equestrian for rally car driving as a teenager, and since then she has become the World Champion, Australian Champion, European Ladies Champion an d British Ladies' Champion in the sport, she won the 2021 Extreme-E Championship and finished the iconic Dakar Rally, racing 8000km through the Saudi Arabian desert, earlier this year. Molly sits down with host Sam Squiers to discuss: Learning from her Mum, Coral, who was a four-time Australian champion co-driver What rally car driving actually involves and the complex language shared between driver and co-driver The challenges of competing in Europe in the early days Getting the call to compete in the Extreme E Championship from former Formula One World Champion, Nico Rosberg, and how it felt to take out the win The reality of competing in the Dakar Rally for 14 days in the desert And the profound impact she's having on young girls getting into the sport and her peer and close friend Harry Bates If you liked this episode, you should check out our episode with eventer Jade Findlay. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mianne Bagger was the first openly transgender woman to play competitive golf in Australia. She successfully lobbied major golf tours around the world to allow transgender women to play, paving the way for herself and other trans women to compete in the sport. Mianne joins host Sam Squiers to discuss: Coming to terms with her gender as a teenager and the inner turmoil that pushed her to transition The impact transitioning had on her game Competing in the Women's Australian Open and the European Ladies Tour The acceptance of trans women in sport And how she reflects on the changes she's made to the lives of other transgender people, in and out of sport If you liked this episode, you should check out our episode with golfer Karrie Webb. This episode touches on depression and suicide. If you're looking for support for yourself or someone you know, please contact: Lifeline on 13 11 14 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A meteoric rise to fame gave retired Hockeyroo, Anna Flanagan, even further to fall. Anna first represented Australia when she was 17 and she had 50 caps to her name by the time she competed in the London Olympics when she was only 20. But behind the scenes, Anna was battling with eating disorders and addiction to alcohol. Anna joins host Sam Squiers to discuss: Growing up with undiagnosed ADHD How she made a name for herself in a team sport and attracted sponsorship from Red Bull and Nike Her struggle with restriction and bulimia and why no one noticed she was losing weight How her drinking spiralled from a few weekends of partying to getting a DUI and being forced to leave hockey Getting sober Becoming a role model for other women in recovery If you liked this episode, you should check out our episode with hockey player Georgia Wilson. If you're looking for support for yourself or someone you know, please contact: The Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673 Lifeline on 13 11 14 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Riding the professional cycling circuit through some of the most picturesque places in the world looks like a dream life. But the reality of pay inequality and being taken seriously as a female athlete is far less glamorous. Tiffany joins host Sam Squiers to discuss: The talent ID program that got her into cycling in high school Why she can still have a successful race even if she's not on the podium The growth of women's cycling and the upcoming women's Tour de France Meeting her partner, Finnish F1 driver Valtteri Bottas, how she started designing helmets for him and why it's not uncommon to see him on the side of the road handing out water bottles to her teammates  If you liked this episode, you should check out our episode with cyclist Georgia Baker. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Superstar of Australian swimming, Bronte Campbell, dreamed of being an Olympic champion since she was 7 years old. Bronte made the national Dolphins team when she was 17 and has retained her place for the past ten years and three Olympics.  In that time, Bronte has won gold at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, World Championships and Pan Pacific Championships and at the Tokyo Games she was part of the team that broke the women's 4x100m freestyle record. Bronte joins host Sam Squiers to discuss growing up in Malawi before relocating to Brisbane as a 7-year-old, what she's learned from growing up with her younger brother Hamish who has cerebral palsy, the constant comparison to her older sister Cate, overcoming chronic pain to swim a career-best at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the culture of swimming in light of the recent review into the sport. If you liked this episode, you should check out our episodes with swimmers Ellie Cole, Emily Seebohm and Shayna Jack. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before Tallisha Harden represented Australia in three sports, she was a self-confessed book nerd who played in the school brass band and was better at ten pin bowling than ball sports. Growing up, Tallisha suffered from chronic middle ear infections which meant she stayed on the sidelines of most sports. But she was tall, so when a teacher picked her out to join the local volleyball team, Tallisha said yes, unknowingly starting her career in sport. Tallisha represented Australia in volleyball and Rugby 7's before switching to rugby league where she's at the top of her game as a Jillaroo and Brisbane Bronco in the NRLW. Tallisha joins host Sam Squiers to discuss growing up in Woodridge in Brisbane's Logan area, how she educated herself about her Indigenous culture, her passion for speech pathology and what she wants the future to look like for the NRLW. If you liked this episode, you should check out our episodes with beach volleyball player Taliqua Clancy, rugby league players Hannah Southwell, Tiana Penitani, Ali Brigginshaw and Rugby 7's player Ellia Green, Chloe Dalton & Charlotte Caslick. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When officials told Alex Blackwell that being gay created an "image problem" for her sport, she refused to hide or back down. Instead, by standing up as a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Alex has changed the game for women in sport. On the field Alex set the record for the most number of games played by an Australian woman, which was only recently surpassed by Ellyse Perry. She is an Ashes and World Cup winning captain and the inaugural captain of the Sydney Thunder WBBL side. Alex joins host Sam Squiers to discuss growing up idolising cricket legend Belinda Clarke before ending up as her teammate, the changes she's seen cricket go through in its attitude towards female and LGBTQIA+ players and whether being gay held her back from leadership positions. If you liked this episode, you should check out our episodes with cricketers Ash Gardener, Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sliding head first down an ice track at speeds of up to 140km/h is just part of the job for Winter Olympian Jackie Narracott. Over the past decade, Jackie has self-funded over $90,000 to train and compete in skeleton. The result? She just became the first Australian to win a World Cup gold medal in any sliding sport. Growing up, Jackie dreamed of being an Olympian. Her uncle Paul was the first Australian to compete at the Summer and Winter Olympic Games and Jackie was committed to following in his footsteps in athletics. But a chance meeting at a training session led Jackie into winter sports instead. Jackie joins host Sam Squiers days before the Beijing Games to discuss why she swapped the athletics track for bobsled and bobsled for skeleton, recovering from the concussion that made her question her future in the sport and how she's made a career for herself without consistent funding or a coach.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to compete at the Winter Olympics nine months after having a stroke? For Ski Cross athlete Sami Kennedy Sim, it took consistent hard work, determination and unwavering belief that she would regain her strength and fitness in spite of experts telling her it wasn't possible. Sami grew up learning to ski in the NSW Snowy Mountains. She transitioned from alpine skiing to Ski Cross when she was 19 before competing at the 2014 Sochi Games and the 2018 PyeongChang Games. In between the two Games, and still in her early 20's, Sami suffered a stroke which forced her off the snow for months. In this episode, Sami joins host Sam Squiers from Canada, to discuss the challenges of being a winter athlete in the sunburnt country, the reality of chasing winter around the world, how a routine procedure on her knee triggered a stroke and her preparation for the 2022 Beijing Games. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Louise Sauvage didn't grow up with Paralympic ambitions but she has been breaking records and challenging stereotypes in Australian sport since she made her first international team at 16 years old. Louise grew up swimming and playing basketball but it's on the track where she made a name for herself. She took home 9 Paralympic Gold medals, won the Boston Marathon 4 times, she was inducted of the International Paralympic Hall of Fame and was awarded legend status in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. Louise joins host Sam Squiers to discuss moving from shorter race distances into the marathon, retiring and transitioning to life as a coach, coaching Madison de Rozario to victory in the Tokyo Games and challenging airlines to become more accessible for wheelchair users. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Growing up with a cleft lip and palate has given Richmond player, Jess Hosking, the strength and resilience to not only stand up for herself but empower others on their own cleft journeys. Around 700 babies are born with clefts in Australia each year, but Jess didn't know anyone else with a cleft when she was growing up. Now Jess has become the role model she was missing when she was a kid, using her platform to educate others about this common but rarely discussed birth condition. Jess joins host Sam Squiers to share the story of her cleft journey including multiple surgeries and bullying, spending the first year of AFLW on the sideline with an ACL injury, moving from Carlton to Richmond to play with her twin sister Sarah and her advocacy with charities CleftPALS and Interplast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Proving her innocence against claims she took performance enhancing drugs has been one of the toughest fights of Shayna Jack's career. But now that she's back in the pool, Shayna is ready to do whatever it takes to reach the top again. Shayna Jack is a Commonwealth Games gold medallist but in 2019, at the peak of her career, Shayna's world came crashing down when a banned substance was found in a routine drug test. Shayna spent the next two and a half years and over $100,000 proving her innocence before she was finally allowed to swim again this year.  Shayna joins host Sam Squiers to discuss winning gold in a star-studded relay team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, training with legendary coach Dean Boxall, the lengths she went to to prove her innocence and her resolve to reach the peak of her swimming career again in spite of the years she spent out of the pool. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you balance a career as a professional athlete and your own desire to become a mum? Matildas and Brisbane Roar player Katrina Gorry wanted both and now she's successfully navigating returning to sport with her newborn daughter. Katrina Gorry joined the W League as a teenager. Since then she's played for teams in Japan, Norway and the United States and she was part of the Matildas team for the Rio Olympics. But the international sporting life has also taken its toll on Katrina, leaving her exhausted and battling an eating disorder. Katrina joins host Sam Squiers to discuss supporting, and being supported by, her younger brother with Down Syndrome, Dylan, the growth of the Matildas, overcoming her eating disorder through pregnancy and her decision to become a single mum to her daughter Harper. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever thought...maybe I'm naturally gifted at a sport but I just haven't found the right one? That's the incredible story of Olympian Sinéad Diver. Sinéad ran her first marathon in 2014 in a time that qualified her for the Beijing World Championships. Since then she has placed 5th at the New York Marathon, set the course record for the Melbourne Marathon and finished 10th at the Tokyo Games earlier this year. But Irish-born Sinead didn't pick up competitive running until her 30's after having two kids. Sinéad joins host Sam Squiers to discuss being discouraged from playing sport as a kid in Ireland, realising she was a skilled runner, challenging misconceptions about her age and setting her sights on the Paris Games and the Australian record. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After winning gold at the Rio Olympics, Charlotte Caslick became a household name overnight. She was on the cover of Vogue (twice!), her Instagram exploded and at one point she was trending higher than Usain Bolt.  Charlotte joins host Sam Squiers to discuss the ongoing battle for equality between the men's and women's sides, the disappointment of losing to Fiji in the quarter finals of the Tokyo Games compared to the thrill of winning gold at Rio and living on a farm and raising cattle with her partner Lewis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a two-time Olympian, two-time World Champion and four-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Jana Pittman dominated athletics throughout the 2000's. In 2014 Jana swapped the athletics track for the bobsleigh track to become the first Australian woman to compete in both the Summer and Winter Olympics. But her career was also plagued with injury and unrelenting criticism from the media. Jana joins host Sam Squiers to discuss the tag of "Drama Jana" which followed Jana throughout her career, the fictional rivalry between Jana and teammate Tamsyn Lewis (now Manou), returning to athletics after the birth of her first kid and transitioning to life as a doctor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Training through injury, body shaming and delayed puberty were just some of the challenges that faced retired gymnast Stephanie Moorhouse throughout her career from the age of 4 to 18. At the height of her career, Steph would train up to 40 hours per week which saw her win a gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, a bronze medal at the 2003 World Championships and compete at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Steph joins host Sam Squiers to discuss the demands on young gymnasts who peak in their teen years, transitioning to life after elite sport and her response to the Australian Human Rights Commission report into gymnastics which revealed a culture of abuse, misconduct and bullying. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.