Podcasts about sparta chicks radio

Sarah Davis is a professional risk manager with a passion for risk-taking.And she's back for her 4th visit to Sparta Chicks Radio!In 2019, Sarah became the first woman to lead an expedition along the length of the Nile (and joined me on episodes 34 and 134 to share that story).Then in February, 2021 (episode 155) she returned to share details of her next epic adventure, in which she planned to swap her paddles for pedals and ride (with her friend Tara Lal) 5,000km unsupported across Australia for charity.She's back today to share how the epic adventure unfolded!

You'll meet Lauren Tischendorf on Sparta Chicks Radio this week.In 2021, Lauren because the first woman to swim around Lord Howe Island - a distance of 32.2km that she completed in 13 hours and 50 minutes. Lauren's story is captured in an award-winning documentary called "I Just Went For a Swim”.Lauren is a school teacher by day and an endurance athlete outside school hours.An ultra-marathon runner, she started focusing on her ocean swimming about 5 years ago.In that time, she's become an accomplished ocean swimmer and is the reigning 5km ocean swimming champion of NSW.And yet, an off-handed comment by another swimmer about the fact she couldn't keep up with them prompted her to ask herself what she was capable of.The result: a 32km swim around the shark-infested waters of Lord Howe Island.

A few weeks before recording this episode, Sparta Chicks Radio celebrated its 4th birthday. And there is no-one I'd rather share that celebration with than Lucy Barnard! Lucy is attempting to become the 1st woman to walk the length of the world.She set off in February 2017 from Tierra Del Fuego in Argentina to walk to Barrow, Alaska; a journey of 30,000km /20,000mi across 15 countries she anticipated would take her 5 years. Yes, years.Lucy was first on the podcast in March 2018.When I was preparing to speak to Lucy for that episode, I realised we share a unique connection; we both started our respective journeys - Lucy started walking and I published the first podcast - on the very same day in 2017.That conversation turned into our first anniversary / birthday celebration and we agreed to catch up each year for an update on her progress! This is our 4th annual episode and Lucy joins me to share how 2020 unfolded for her.

Leadership expert and outdoor adventurer, Ingrid Messner, joins me on Sparta Chicks Radio this week.An avid hiker, she has travelled to over 50 countries and most recently hiked Australia's 10 highest peaks, carrying about 18kg of gear and equipment, over the space of a week.She's come along way from the story she shares in this episode of twice having to learn to walk again. The first time after a hiking accident in 2017 (which took 11 months of recovery) and the second after contracting a viral infection in 2019.In this conversation, we discuss:* the hiking accident that resulted in needing to learn to walk again (for the first time),* the importance of being patient and persistent during your recovery from injury, especially when you don't have a timeline for recovery (and why she outsourced her patience),* why you need to be careful about who you get advice from (ie, experts or people who have the same experience), * why she says walked (pun intended) out of the experience physically and mentally better and stronger than she was before the accident, * the viral infection that forced her to learn to walk again (less than a year after returning to full strength following her accident) * the importance of having a sequence or series of goals to maintain your motivation through your recovery (and training process) and* how she has been inspired by ancient wisdom and traditional knowledge in her work and life.

Jamie Mittelman is the host of my new favourite podcast - Flame Bearers: The Women Athletes Carrying Tokyo's Torch.  The podcast celebrates the journeys of unsung women Olympians & Paralympians.And she joins me on Sparta Chicks Radio this week!We discuss: - the role sport and outdoor activities played in her family growing up,- sport as a mental health tool, - her struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) particularly during College and how it affected her love of soccer, - where the idea for the podcast came from and why it's so important,- the episodes that have left a lasting impression on her,- some of the common lessons or themes her guests have shared, and- why she feels “athletically unqualified” to host the podcast and her experience with the Imposter Complex.

Kathryn Bertine is an author, athlete, activist and filmmaker and you'll meet her on Sparta Chicks Radio this week. In 2006, Kathryn was a journalist who had been racing as a professional triathlete, when a journalism assignment with ESPN changed the trajectory of her life. The task: to be a guinea pig and see if she could qualify for the Olympic Games in a sport within 18 months. And she chose the sport of road cycling. Now, a spoiler alert: she didn't make the team - but as she writes in Stand, “something wild happened”. She “almost” did. And the “almost” changed her.“[I]t is not the victories or losses that define our paths in life but the Wonder and What Ifs that lie between”Not only did she come to fall in love with road cycling during the ESPN assignment, but she also became aware and started to question the inequities she could see in the sport. So she set 3 goals - to become a professional cyclist, to get women into the Tour de France and to quiet the demons of worthlessness in her head.She shares the stories of this — and much more in her compelling new memoir, Stand: A memoir on activism. A manual for progress. What really happens when we stand on the front lines of change. 

This week on Sparta Chicks Radio you'll meet Ally Orr. Ally brings a unique perspective to the podcast; she is both a competitive Jiu-Jitsu player and an Exercise and Sports Scientist.A talented musician growing up in regional NSW, Ally moved to Sydney at 16 to attend music school. Not long after, her then-boyfriend introduced her to strength training and weight lifting - and the rest, as they say, is history.She then found the sport of Judo before moving onto Jiu-Jitsu and has won (amongst other things) the lightweight Pan Pacific Championship and in 2021, she became  Australian Champion in the 60kg division. At about the same time she discovered her love of combat sports, Ally transferred her studies from music to Exercise and Sports Science. In this conversation Ally and I discuss:* how she transitioned from studying music to exercise and sport science,* where her love of exercise and movement came from (given that she wasn't an active or sporty kid)* what she loves about the sport of Jiu-Jitsu and the common misconceptions about it,* the personal power that grows in women when they are physically strong,* how she manages the fear of being physically hurt* the female athlete triad and why it's common in combat sports* the impact of needing to ‘cut weight' to compete in your weight division and the impact of that on body image and mental health,* whether you can maintain a healthy body image in a sport that requires you to cut or reduce your weight,* the 3 biggest misconceptions she hears that undermine women's health and performance, and* how to find ways to incorporate recovery into your busy life.

This week on Sparta Chicks Radio, I'm delighted to welcome data scientist, athlete and the Founder and CEO of Wild.ai, Helene Guillaume.Helene has combined her vast experience to found Wild.ai, an organisation dedicated to supporting active women through every phase of life.There are two things I love and admire about Helene's work. First, the brilliant Wild.ai app gives you personalised training, nutrition and sleep recommendations based on your specific physiology. And secondly, Helene has also established a research department within Wild.ai that carries out groundbreaking research on women's health (including a study currently underway about the impact of the Covid vaccines on women).Helene is a talented athlete in her own right - she has done everything from trail ultras to triathlons to ice swimming to rugby and surfing. And she's a data scientist who studied mathematics, her background was in using algorithms and AI to make smart investment decisions. She now brings her vast experience to help you understand your body and to maximise your potential.

Lucy Bloom is an award-winning leader, international keynote speaker, consultant and author. Her website says that “she uses her superpowers for writing and speaking about courage, trust, failure, change, maverick thinking, generosity and fun” -- all of which makes her the perfect guest for Sparta Chicks Radio!Lucy went from being a volunteer to the CEO and founding director of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia (Australia) that raised funds to support the extraordinary work of Dr Catherine Hamlin to treat and prevent terrible childbirth injuries in Africa.So she has a heart as big as the hot pink mohawk that she proudly rocks. She is honest, funny and open and I knew she'd be the perfect guest, even before I read her brilliant memoir ‘Get The Girls Out' (which I highly recommend).In this conversation, we discuss confidence, change, scars, bouncing back from setbacks and why she doesn't worry about what other people think.

A few weeks before recording this conversation in 2022, Sparta Chicks Radio celebrated its 5th birthday. And there is no one I'd rather share that celebration with than this week's return guest, Lucy Barnard! Lucy is attempting to become the 1st woman to walk the length of the world.She set off in February 2017 from Tierra Del Fuego in Argentina to walk to Barrow, Alaska; a journey of 30,000km /20,000mi across 15 countries that she anticipated would take about 5 years. When Lucy first joined me on the podcast in March 2018, I realised we share a unique connection; we both started our respective journeys - Lucy started walking and I published the first podcast - on the very same day in 2017.That conversation turned into our first anniversary / birthday celebration and we agreed to catch up each year for an update on her progress! Needless, the pandemic has interrupted her plans again in 2021. But that wasn't going to stop us from talking - and in fact, this could be my favourite of all our conversations! It's very different from our previous conversations. In this wide-ranging conversation, we discuss everything from what happens when you're derailed or blindsided by things outside your control to identity, goal setting, values, fear, comparison, self-reflection and the power of community.------This episode also included the announcement that I was taking a sabbatical from Sparta Chicks Radio. Since then, I made the decision to close the door on my coaching and the podcast. A bittersweet decision for me - yet there is no one I would have rather ended the podcast with than Lucy. Thanks for listening and for your support over the years,With love, Jen xx

Kate Bevilaqua returns to Sparta Chicks Radio this week!Kate is an endurance coach, triathlete, an Ultraman Triathlon World Champion and the first woman in history to win an Ultraman triathlon event overall. She shared her story in episode 3 of the podcast. However one topic we didn't explore in that conversation is that Kate is also a coach. In fact, the idea for this conversation came from one of her athletes who also happens to be one of our most popular podcast guests - ⁠Melissa Urie⁠!So this episode, Kate shares her experience as a coach and we discuss, from a coach's perspective, working with athletes towards ultra events.Even if you aren't training for an ultra-distance event, I have no doubt you'll benefit from Kate's wisdom regardless of what distance or event you are training for.  In this conversation Kate shares:* how to find the right coach,* some of the biggest mistakes athletes make when setting goals or choosing races, * the importance of having a strong ‘why' (and how to work out if your ‘why' is strong enough)* how you only need to do 85% of your program and why you shouldn't feel guilty if you don't or can't tick every box on your program* how to decide when to push through your fatigue and train versus when you should rest, * how to make sure you can fit your training around your life, * the biggest mistakes athletes make in training, and* her advice on how to handle pre-race nerves (and yes, Kate still struggles with them too after 16 years of racing as a professional!).* how to prevent spiralling mentally when things get tough on race day.

I'm delighted to welcome Dr Anita Heiss to Sparta Chicks Radio this weekAnita is a proud member of the Wiradjuri Nation of central New South Wales and one of Australia's most prolific and well-known authors. She has written 18 books including her latest novel, an epic tale called Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray (or River of Dreams).It's also the first time in Australia, a commercially published book has used a First Nations language for the title.Anita enjoys eating chocolate, running and being a 'creative disruptor'.Initially, I wanted to talk to Anita to explore her running career and how she uses running as a tool to support herself and her work. Yet the more research I did, the more I realised I wanted to speak to her about:-  awareness, history and truth-telling, - the importance of getting comfortable with being uncomfortable and - the power of using your voice, sharing your story and telling your truth.

[TW/CN: this post and episode discuss suicide]One of our most popular guests, Katee Pedicini, returns to Sparta Chicks Radio this week.Yet this is a very different conversation from our previous episodes.This time, Katee shares the story of her mental health journey over the last 20 years.In her 20s, Katee was (finally) diagnosed with a condition called Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (or PMDD).Katee describes PMDD as extreme PMS “wrapped up with anxiety, depression, sometimes psychosis and suicidality or suicidal tendencies”We begin this conversation with Katee's story. Her experience of the symptoms of PMDD, including suicidal ideation.Then we transition into a broader conversation about suicide and mental health; why suicide is often still seen as a ‘taboo' and what Katee believes needs to change to enable it to be discussed more openly, and with less shame.Finally, we step back and discuss the intersection between mental health and endurance sports.This was an extremely difficult conversation, for both of us. I'm in awe of Katee's bravery and vulnerability. If you or someone you know needs help, in Australia you can contact Lifeline 24 hours per day on 13 11 14. Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 or the Black Dog Institute.

Ultra-endurance cyclist Tiffany Winchester returns to Sparta Chicks Radio for the second part of our conversation about her race at the iconic 1,200km Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) cycling race in 2019.This time, Tiff returns to share the aftermath of the race - the physical, mental and emotional trauma it inflicted on her, the depression that followed and how she was able to recover from it and get back on her bike.This is a very different conversation from part 1.It's a very raw and vulnerable conversation and I truly appreciate Tiff's honesty in sharing her struggles after PBP, the support she received and how she found her way through.

I'm back

10 days before recording this conversation, Sparta Chicks Radio celebrated its 3rd birthday. And there is no-one I'd rather share that celebration with than Lucy Barnard!Lucy is attempting to become the 1st woman to walk the length of the world.She set off in February 2017 from Tierra Del Fuego in Argentina to walk to Barrow, Alaska; a journey of 30,000km /20,000mi across 15 countries she anticipated would take her 5 years.Yes, years!Lucy was first on the podcast in March 2018. When I was preparing to speak to Lucy for that episode, I realised we share a unique connection; we both started our respective journeys - Lucy started walking and I published the first podcast - on the very same day in 2017.That conversation turned into our first anniversary / birthday celebration and we agreed to catch up each year for an update on her progress! This is our 3rd annual episode and Lucy shares how her expedition has unfolded over the last 12 months.

Emily Duggan's story is a perfect example of why it's important to share the stories of women in sport.When Emily was a little girl, she was watching TV one weekend and came across the Supercar motor racing series here in Australia and was instantly hooked.However Emily, in that moment, also realised there were no women racing and thought it was a “boy's sport” and put it to the back of her mind (as the saying goes, “you can't be what you can't see”).Thankfully the voice that whispered to Emily that day never disappeared and as soon as she started working, she began saving for her first racing car - and hasn't looked back since.In 2016, Emily became the 1st female driver to race in the V8 Touring Car Series here in Australia and now in 2019 is racing in the Super3 series (which is the 3rd tier in the Supercar series here).And sometime soon, I know we'll see Emily line up on the start of the iconic Bathurst 1000 race (a race I've promised to watch, for the first time ever, when she does!).Emily shares her story with me on Sparta Chicks Radio this week.

Uberman is described as the world's most challenging triathlon.Consisting of 34km swim, 644km ride and 217km run, the race takes competitors from the Catalina Islands off the California coast to the trailhead at the top of Mount Whitney, the highest peak in Continental USA.Until 2019 when Melissa Urie lined up at the start, no woman had ever attempted the event.But 135 hours, 15 minutes and 55 seconds after she started, Mel became the first woman to finish the race!In the process, she also set a new swim course record, finished second overall and smashed the previous course record by 31 hours.And she returns to Sparta Chicks Radio this week to share the story!A long race requires a long conversation; Mel and I spoke for 2 hours about all-things Uberman - her preparation and training, the race itself and the aftermath.And my thanks to those in the Sparta Chicks community who offered their own questions for Mel!So I have divided this episode into two instalments.This is part 1 and part 2 will be published next (refer to episode #129.2) making this “the Month of Mel” ;)

In 2007, Bonnie Tu was the CFO of Giant Bicycles and decided to join the former Chairman who was riding the Tour of Taiwan, a 900km ride that circumnavigates Taiwan.At the time Bonnie was in her late 50s and had not ridden a bicycle since High School (and never a bike with gears!).But when Bonnie walked into a Giant Bicycles retail outlet, she was shocked to realise she couldn't find a bike or any apparel to suit her needs.The ride proved to be a "very painful experience". And 12 months later, Liv Cycling - the first comprehensive cycling brand dedicated to female cyclists - was born.Fast forward to 2019 and Bonnie is now the Chairperson of Giant Bicycles and is still incredibly driven to ensure women are empowered to participate in the sport of cycling, via everything from cutting edge components on Liv bikes through to exploring cycling clothes for Muslim women.Bonnie is a joyous, passionate woman and I am excited to welcome her to Sparta Chicks Radio this week to discuss:- her childhood growing up in Taiwan,- her earliest memory of learning to ride a bike,- how she became involved in the cycling industry in the 70s, yet only got back on the bike for herself in her late 50s (and learning to shift gears in the process),- the origins of Liv Cycling and it's commitment to build bicycles “for and by” women, and- her first triathlon at the age of 68.

Shelly Horton's High School career guidance counsellor told her she was too opinionated and warned her to tone it down. Instead, she ignored him and turned it into a career!Shelly is a journalist, TV presenter and producer and her opinions can be heard multiple times each week on Channel 9 in Australia.Shelly is also not afraid of open and honest conversations about difficult topics. So I knew she'd be the perfect guest for Sparta Chicks Radio.In this conversation, Shelly and I discuss:- the early days of her career (which started in radio) including the very personal reason she didn't explore a career in TV,- the “soul-destroying” conversation with her boss about her weight that destroyed Shelly's confidence and derailed her TV career for almost 2 years,- the goal-setting course (and the exercise she learnt at that course) that fundamentally changed her life,- the biggest myths around confidence,- her experience with the Imposter Complex,- how she deals with online trolling and public criticism, and- her experience with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and how she manages it

An elite athlete in two sports and with a PhD in athlete wellbeing, Dr Hannah MacDougall has a unique perspective on emotional, mental and physical performance and wellbeing - so I knew she'd be the perfect guest for Sparta Chicks Radio.Hannah was 9 when she set the goal to become a Paralympian.She's now a dual Paralympian, having competed in swimming at the 2004 Athens and the 2008 Beijng Paralympics.Unfortunately, Hannah suffered from burnout, fell out of love with swimming and eventually quit the sport.And that's when she discovered cycling!Since then, she's won multiple medals including Gold at both the Australian Para Cycling Championships and, more recently, World Cup events in Europe.She was also the first female amputee to compete in the “able bodied” women's time trial race at the Cycling Australia National Championships.And her next goal is to represent Australia at her 3rd Paralympics in Tokyo in 2020, this time in cycling.On top of all that, she has a PhD in Athlete Well-Being and has studied, amongst other things, the use of meditation and mindfulness, in sport and life.

A 2x Ironman finisher, Ashley Wiles' struggles with mental health and body image over the years inspired her to launch Sole Girls, an innovative empowerment program that shares, with girls aged 5 to 12, the tools they need for a confident, happy and healthy life.And she joins me on Sparta Chicks Radio this week.In this conversation, we dive into Ashley's story including:- the ‘kilometre club' at her elementary / primary school that laid the foundation for her love of being running,- how she manages her mental state if she can't run due to injury,- how she discovered triathlons (and more recently, boxing and parkour), and- why she says running saved her life.Plus we dive into broader issues, including:- the importance of role models,- the impact a lack of role models has on the number of girls who drop out of sport,- the role of sports as “playtime” for kids and adults alike,- why running (and the body awareness it creates) is fantastic for dealing with anxiety or an overactive brain (how do you get out of your head?), and- why her focus is now on finding her ‘happy pace'.

Michael Scragg is an experienced endurance athlete in his own right.After breaking his neck in a downhill mountain biking accident in the early 2000s, Michael made the switch to road cycling and ultimately into triathlons.Since finishing ‘dead last' in his first Half Ironman, Michael has gone onto finish 9 Ironman triathlons as well as multiple 24-hour mountain bike races and ultra-marathons.He is also married to 2x Sparta Chicks Radio guest and ultra-endurance athlete, Melissa Urie!(Mel was on the podcast in 2017 to share her experience at the Epic 5 and again early in 2019 to discuss competing at the Ultraman World Championships). Over the last few years, Michael's racing career has taken a backseat while Mel pursued her ultra-endurance goals, which have included Ultraman races in Canada, Australia and at the World Championships in Hawaii, the Epic 5 as well as her upcoming race at Uberman.So in this episode, Michael and I discuss what it's like to be on the flip side; how to crew for, live with, support and encourage the endurance athletes in your life.And this topic isn't complete also without discussing why it's important for the athlete in the household to be aware of the impact their sport has on the family (in ways you may not have anticipated).This is a very different conversation from the ones we'd usually have, but it is I think just as important.

How do you achieve the seemingly ‘impossible'?That's the core of my conversation with return guests Sarah Anne Evans and Pippa Lyon from the InternationElles this week on Sparta Chicks Radio.On a mission to raise the profile of women in cycling and to fight for equality in the sport, the InternationElles (alongside a French women's cycling team) rode every stage of the 2019 Tour de France - one day ahead of the men's professional race.A journey of 3,640km over 21 days with 53,000m of climbing (with just 2 rest days).Sarah Anne and Pippa joined me a few months ago on the podcast to discuss the project - including how on earth they were preparing to ride the “most mountainous route” in the 106 year history of the Tour de France!5 weeks after the ladies rode into Paris, Sarah Anne and Pippa return to Sparta Chicks Radio to share how the experience unfolded.

One of the main themes that run through many of my conversations on Sparta Chicks Radio is around the concept that “you can't be what you can't see”.This week's guest is on a mission to change what you can see - and by extension, be.Mary Konstantopoulos is a lawyer who, in her “spare time”, is the force behind the “Ladies Who” media company - or dare I say growing empire - that advocates for, and shares stories of, women in sport here in Australia.She hosts two podcasts on the ABC Grandstand radio network; Ladies Who League  (about rugby league) and Ladies Who Legspin (about cricket).Mary's passion for sport developed as a result of her desire to spend more time with her Dad who was (and remains) a passionate Parramatta Eels supporter in the National Rugby League (NRL) competition.Yet she describes in this conversation a sense of shame she sometimes feels because it never occurred to her to ask if women also played the sport.In this conversation, we discuss:- how her life has revolved around sport since she was a young child growing up with her two brothers,- why she was motivated to throw herself into all sports as a kid (despite not being very good at any of them),- what prompted her to launch the ‘Ladies Who League' blog (which at the time was about the men's competition),- the evolution of the ‘Ladies Who' media company,- her experience with the Imposter Complex,- why it's important to give yourself credit for your hard work and success, rather than attributing it to luck, and- how she deals with online trolling and public criticism.

Muay Thai may, on the surface, appear to have nothing in common with endurance sports, but you might be surprised…I was certainly was when I spoke with Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu for this week's episode of Sparta Chicks Radio.Sylvie is an American born woman living in Thailand who currently holds the record for the most number of Muay Thai fights by any Westerner - male or female - which (at the time of writing) stands at 242.And, much to my surprise, she's been a long-time listener of Sparta Chicks Radio too!Since taking up what she describes as a “beautiful sport” in New York, Sylvie and Kevin have since moved to Thailand so Sylvie can pursue the sport on a full-time basis, and chase her next goal; the World Record for the most number of professional fights. This record of 471 fights has stood since the 1920s!In the conversation, we discuss:- what she gains from listening to the podcast (given she doesn't participate in any of the sports we traditionally cover),- why she thinks Muay Thai and endurance sports have more in common than you might think,- how she discovered Muay Thai and why she describes it as a 'beautiful sport',- why she (as a woman and feminist) struggles with some of the traditions of the sport (eg, men may enter the ring by climbing over the top rope, but women must go under the bottom rope),- why it's important to "reduce the space" you give your self-doubt and focus instead on the process,- how to reframe competition (even in the context of sport) as a collaboration that brings out the best in everyone and an opportunity to practice in gratitude, and- the biggest life lesson she's learnt from her sport.

I first spoke with Michelle Lee back in July, 2017 when she shared her goal to complete the world's toughest nautical challenge; the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.A 5,300km / 2900 nautical mile solo, unassisted and self-supported ocean rowing event across the Atlantic from the Canary Islands off the coast of Spain all the way to Antigua in the Caribbean.In February 2019, Michelle achieved her goal and, in the process, became the first Australian woman to row across an ocean.Now there's one key piece of information you need to know; Michelle did not come from a rowing background.At the time she set the goal, she had never pulled an oar through the water.In fact, when Michelle pulled out of the dock at the start of the race, she had never rowed in the open ocean (all her training had been confined to inside Sydney Heads). Wow!So in this week's episode of Sparta Chicks Radio, Michelle rejoins me to share what's happened in the last 18 months since we first spoke, as well as how this incredible race unfolded for her.

How does ocean surf ski paddling figure into one woman's version of a mid-life crisis?We ask Quona Ross Atkinson on Sparta Chicks Radio this week!Quona grew up on a cattle station in North Queensland and started competing in rodeos, camp drafting and show riding from the time she was 3.An extensive career in barrel racing followed before she took up adventure racing in her 40s.Fast forward to 2019 and after just 5 years in the sport of ocean surf ski paddling, she's about to compete in the famous 52km Molokai Challenge (considered the hardest ski paddle race in the world) as well representing Australia for the first time at the age of 51 at the Ocean Racing World Championships.What's incredible about Quona's story is that she is a FIFO worker (‘fly in, fly out'), so for 2 weeks every month, she works 800km from the ocean!Plus with 2 sons and a husband who is deployed overseas for 6 months at a time, she somehow manages to find the time to chase her extraordinary goals.The secret: being truly committed to them!

At the time of recording this conversation in 2019, Sparta Chicks Radio celebrated its 2nd birthday (or anniversary).And there is no-one I'd rather share that celebration with than this week's return guest, Lucy Barnard!Lucy is attempting to become the 1st woman to walk the length of the world.She set off in February 2017 from Ushuaia, Tierra Del Fuego in Argentina to walk all the way to Barrow, Alaska; a journey of 30,000km /20,000mi across 15 countries that will take her about 5 years.Yes, years.Lucy was first on the podcast back in March, 2018 (you can find that episode here).And in preparing to speak to Lucy for that episode, I realised we share a unique connection; we both started our respective journeys - Lucy started walking and I published the first podcast - on the very same day in 2017.That conversation turned into our first anniversary/birthday celebration and we agreed to catch up for a yearly update throughout her expedition.In this episode, we cover everything that has happened during the 2nd year of Lucy's expedition, including her experience of crossing the Atacama Desert (the oldest, driest and hottest place on Earth).

3 months after finishing High School at the age of 18, Jess Fox qualified for the 2012 London Olympics.She left those Games with a Silver medal and, in hindsight, admits she felt the need to prove herself and to show that her result in London wasn't a fluke.Of course, it wasn't a fluke - in fact, it was just the start of an incredible career!A 2 x Olympic medalist (Jess won Bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics), Jess has also won 7 World Titles (and counting!) making her the most successful canoe slalom paddler - male or female - in the history of the sport.And she's on Sparta Chicks Radio this week!We discuss:- how Jess got into the sport (given she initially thought it was “uncool”)- the power of writing down your goals and seeing them on a daily basis,- why you should welcome conditions that aren't ideal in training, and- her experience with the Imposter Complex, especially after the London Olympics

Settle in and buckle up; this is a fun, deep, long and laughter filled episode of Sparta Chicks Radio.Tiffany Winchester is an ultra-endurance cyclist, with a love of doughnuts, who is currently preparing to ride the Paris-Brest-Paris; an iconic 1,200km endurance cycling event in France later this year.Tiff finished her first bike race as a child and then took a “25 year rest week” from almost all forms of exercise.It wasn't until her 30s that she started walking and “procrasta-hiking” (as she calls it) as a way to clear her head and clarify her thoughts while working on her PhD.After a brief (yet deep) love affair with trail running, Tiff was introduced to the world of cycling 3 years ago - and hated it at first!Ultimately, she has since found her ‘happy place' in the incredibly gruelling world of ultra-endurance cycling.In this conversation, Tiff and I discuss:- why she had to stop racing for mental health reasons,- why she didn't consider herself a ‘cyclist' until after her first 1,200km ride, and- the impact social media had on her perception of herself as a cyclist and how it fed her sense of feeling like an Imposter.

Recorded in 2018, this episode marked not only the 50th episode, but the first birthday of the podcast! So I thought this would be the perfect chance to share the top 10 most popular episodes of the podcast over the first season.

The tables - or microphone - is turned this week onto the host of Sparta Chicks Radio and the founder of Sparta Chicks, Jen Brown. Interviewed by Richelle Olsen (founder of Escaping Your Comfort Zone and who was our guest on the podcast during episode 40), Jen shares her childhood, her transition from law to coaching and some of the various projects under the Sparta Chicks umbrella including the book she wrote, the podcast and the upcoming event called Sparta Chicks Unleashed.We also discuss her recent surgery and broader issues around women's health and what she would say to her 13 year old self. 

Lucy was my guest on the podcast back in January, 2018 (episode 45). In that episode, Lucy shared her background; how she first started running as a way to spend time with her Dad, her first 100km race at 16 through to her victory in 2017 at the 100km Ultra Trail Australia race (also her 21st birthday).At the time of that episode, Lucy was still getting her head around the news she had secured an entry to the Western States Endurance Run (WSER); not only one of the world's most prestigious 100mi/160km races, but it would also be Lucy's first attempt at that distance.So Lucy returns to Sparta Chicks Radio in this episode recorded late in 2018 to share how the race, and 2018, unfolded for her — including why she labelled her blog post about the race ‘Show Up, Blow Up, Grow Up'.Here's a #spoileralert - Lucy finished 3rd at WSER that year; an extraordinary performance for someone so young, and racing that distance for the first time, against the best in the world.

How do you use your fear and self-doubt to get the best out of your yourself? That's the question we explore in our interview with Siri Lindley who was 2x-ranked the #1 triathlete in the world and the 2002 ITU World Champion in 2002. Since retiring, Siri has gone onto have an extraordinarily successful career as a coach and is regarded as one of the best triathlon coaches in the world.Even if you aren't interested in triathlon, I have no doubt you'll gain a lot from Siri's heart-centred approach training, racing and life.The author of Surfacing: From the Depths of Self-doubt to Winning Big and Living Fearlessly, in her book and this interview Siri talks openly about her struggles with self-doubt as an athlete and how recognising and challenging your fears is the key to getting the best out of yourself. And once you hear the story of her first triathlon, I think you'll agree that nothing is impossible with self-belief, passion and hard work. 

We all experience the voice of the Inner Critic.This week on Sparta Chicks Radio, Tara Mohr, a women's leadership and wellbeing expert, will help you not only recognise your Inner Critic but share some practical tools so you can learn to live with your fear, self-doubt and Inner Critic, but not be held back by it.Tara specialises in helping women to 'play big' which is also the title of her book, which was named by Apple's iBooks as a "best book of the year". She has been featured in the New York Times, the Today Show in the US, Harvard Business Review & Oprah.com.We spend much of this conversation dedicated to the Inner Critic.Tara also turns the tables on me and we discuss my struggles with the Inner Critic around this podcast. 

Carin and her sons have a genetic condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS). A rare condition related to the connective tissue in the body that results in many hospital visits and many stitchers and check-ups for her and her boys.This condition, together with the fact she didn't think she was “allowed to do sports” because she was “bigger than average” as a kid, meant it wasn't until Carin was in her 30s that she signed up for her first 5km fun run, with a secret goal to run the whole distance.Carin credits that race with changing her life and she's since gone on to complete multiple Half Marathons and triathlons.Carin has also shared her story, experience and insights around body image, self-doubt and dealing with critics and online trolls on her blog so I knew she would be perfect for Sparta Chicks Radio.

A new weekly podcast that will share inspiring stories coupled with practical, tried-and-tested-in-the-real-world advice from professional athletes, everyday women undertaking epic adventures to successful women from all walks of life (business and the arts). We will dive deep into real, honest and open conversations about the realities of fear, self-doubt, courage, bravery and how you still get shit done and chase your dreams when all you want to do is hide.

A few weeks ago, Sparta Chicks Radio celebrated its 5th birthday.  And there is no one I'd rather share that celebration with than this week's return guest, Lucy Barnard!  Lucy is attempting to become the 1st woman to walk the length of the world. She set off in February 2017 from Tierra Del Fuego in Argentina to walk to Barrow, Alaska; a journey of 30,000km /20,000mi across 15 countries that she anticipated would take about 5 years.  When Lucy first joined me on the podcast in March 2018, I realised we share a unique connection; we both started our respective journeys - Lucy started walking and I published the first podcast - on the very same day in 2017. That conversation turned into our first anniversary / birthday celebration and we agreed to catch up each year for an update on her progress!  Needless, the pandemic has interrupted her plans again in 2021.  But that wasn't going to stop us from talking - and in fact, this could be my favourite of all our conversations! It's very different from our previous conversations.  In this wide-ranging conversation, we discuss everything from what happens when you're derailed or blindsided by things outside your control to identity, goal setting, values, fear, comparison, self-reflection and the power of community. Get the full show notes for the episode here. — Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here  Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks  Follow Lucy on Instagram: @tanglesandtail

Today you're going to meet the awesome Gill Castle (you'll understand the significance of the ‘awesome' once you listen to this conversation! Gill describes herself as a very ordinary person and Police Officer before the birth of her son in 2011 changed her life.  His premature birth left her with traumatic injuries, the full extent of which weren't identified by doctors for 5 days. Those injuries included a fistula, a hole in the wall between her rectum and vagina that left her with faecal incontinence and needing to use a stoma bag (a colostomy bag) for the rest of her life. A very long physical and mental recovery followed. Then one day she read an article - she'll tell you about it in this conversation - that changed the trajectory of her life. And the rest, as they say, is history. Since then, she's done triathlons, scuba dived, skydived, sea kayaked and taken up ocean swimming. And now she's training for her next challenge: 5 years ago Gill couldn't swim in the ocean without opening her eyes and now she's training to swim across the English Channel! You might be tempted to call her an inspiration, but she actually hates that term. She describes herself as the most ordinary person who just had a life-changing experience that has made her appreciate everything and want to try everything.  And she will leave you wanting to do the same. Get the full show notes for the episode here. — Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here  Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks  Follow Gill on Instagram: @stoma_chameleon

Kate Bevilaqua returns to Sparta Chicks Radio this week! Kate is an endurance coach, triathlete, an Ultraman Triathlon World Champion and the first woman in history to win an Ultraman triathlon event overall.  She shared her story in episode 3 of the podcast. This time, Kate returns to discuss her experience as a coach and to share her advice for athletes preparing for ultra events. Even if you aren't training for an ultra-distance event, I have no doubt you'll benefit from Kate's wisdom regardless of what distance, or what event, you are training for.   Given it's January and most of us are thinking about or setting our goals, I thought it would be the perfect time to have this discussion. Get the full show notes for the episode here. — Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here  Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks  Follow Kate on Instagram: @katebevilaqua

Welcome to this special edition of Sparta Chicks Radio as we count down the 5 most popular episodes of 2021. The #1 most popular episode of Sparta Chicks Radio in 2021 was Selene Yeager on the Power of Cycling & Why Balance is Bullshit Selene is a professional health and fitness writer who is also the author or co-author of 6 books including ‘Rusch to Glory' about MTB champion Rebecca Rusch and the incredibly popular ‘Roar' with Dr Stacy Sims. Selene is also an extraordinary athlete in her own right. She's been a semi-professional athlete since her late 30s and has competed in everything from Hawaii Ironman to 7 day mountain bike stage races and 200 mile (that's 320km) gravel classics. And she hosts the popular podcast ‘Hit Play Not Pause” for active performance-minded women in their 40s and beyond. In this conversation, we discuss the power of cycling, the importance of storytelling and why balance is bullshit. Get the full show notes for the episode here. — Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here  Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks  Follow Selene on Instagram: @fitchick3

Welcome to this special edition of Sparta Chicks Radio as we count down the 5 most popular episodes of 2021. The #2 most popular episode of Sparta Chicks Radio in 2021 was Erin Carson on Strength, Personal Power & Writing Your Own Story Erin Carson is the strength coach to the stars of the endurance sports world. Based in Boulder, Colorado she is the co-owner & operator of Rally Sports and is the head coach for EC Fit. Her clients include the dynamic duo of Mirinda Carfrae (3 x Ironman World Champion) and  Tim O'Donnell (fastest American ever at Kona). Aside from the World Champions she coaches, Erin also coaches everyday people - like me!  I use Erin's ECFit on Demand app for my strength and conditioning program.  She's a visionary who is changing what it means to be a strong athlete and what is considered to be the best form of strength training for endurance athletes.  Get the full show notes for the episode here. — Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here  Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks  Follow Erin on Instagram: @ecfit_strength

Welcome to this special edition of Sparta Chicks Radio as we count down the 5 most popular episodes of 2021. The 3rd most popular episode of Sparta Chicks Radio in 2021 was Lucy Barnard on Year 4  of Walking the Length of the World Lucy is attempting to become the 1st woman to walk the length of the world. She set off in February 2017 from Tierra Del Fuego in Argentina to walk to Barrow, Alaska; a journey of 30,000km /20,000mi across 15 countries she anticipated would take her 5 years.  Yes, years. Lucy was first on the podcast in March 2018. And when I was preparing to speak to Lucy for that episode, I realised we share a unique connection; we both started our respective journeys - Lucy started walking and I published the first podcast - on the very same day in 2017. That conversation turned into our first anniversary / birthday celebration and we agreed to catch up each year for an update on her progress!  This is our 4th annual episode and Lucy joined me to share how 2020 unfolded for her. Get the full show notes for the episode here. — Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks  Follow Lucy on Instagram: @tanglesandtail

Welcome to this special edition of Sparta Chicks Radio as we count down the 5 most popular episodes of 2021. The #4 most popular episode of Sparta Chicks Radio in 2021 was Tara Diversi on Swimming the ‘Ice Mile'  The next time you hop in an ice bath or stick a sprained ankle into a bucket of ice water, I'm sure you'll think of this episode of the podcast with Tara Divesi. Tara is a Sports Dietitian and an Accredited Practising Dietitian and an accomplished athlete and marathon swimmer, having completed the English Channel, the Gibraltar Straight, the Rottnest Island swim and the Palm Beach to Manly swim here in Sydney (amongst many others). But the focus of this conversation is on her most recent, and coldest, challenge - becoming the first Australian woman to complete an Ice Mile.  That is swimming one mile (1.6km) in water that is 5 degrees or less.  To put that into perspective, ice baths used by athletes to help with recovery generally sit around 14 degrees. So why does a woman who lives in tropical Far North Queensland set a goal to swim a mile in ice water? Let's find out! Get the full show notes for the episode here. — Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here  Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks  Follow Tara on Instagram: @taradiversi

Welcome to this special edition of Sparta Chicks Radio as we count down the 5 most popular episodes of 2021. The 5th most popular episode of Sparta Chicks Radio in 2021 was Brooke Nolan on Confidence, Compassion & Comparison (in the Arctic)   Growing up exercise was a source of shame and embarrassment for Brooke Nolan.  It was only in her late 20s that she discovered a love of outdoor adventure. Fast forward a few years and in March 2020, Brooke found herself on the first all-female team to cross the Finnmark Plateau, which is an ice plateau in Arctic Norway. The crossing was a journey of 250km 14 days that required the team to drag sleds weighing up to 50kgs up to 20km each day in temperatures as cold as -30. Oh, did I mention? Before committing to this expedition, Brooke had never seen snow before, and certainly didn't know how to ski! Now we could have spent the entire episode talking about the expedition, but as I said, this was March 2020 and Brooke and her team were off the grid for 14 days. When they left, Covid-19 was a blip on the radar. By the time they returned, it had become a pandemic, borders were closing and it was a race to the airport to try and get a flight home, which ultimately took her over 4 months.   Get the full show notes for the episode here. — Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here  Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks  Follow Brooke on Instagram: @giveintoadventure

This week on the podcast I'm delighted to welcome Bonnie Hancock. This episode is very timely because today - December 19 - Bonnie sets out on an epic quest: to paddle her surf ski around Australia.  Her goal: to become the fastest and youngest person to do it. It's a journey of 16,000km that will take her around 6 months, along some of the most remote parts of Australia and not to mention through (in places) shark and crocodile-infested waters. Bonnie grew up in the same coastal town of Sawmill and was joining in activities at her local surf club from the time she was 5.  At the age of 17, she (and her sister Courtney) moved to the Gold Coast to train and attempt to join the professional (surf life saving) Ironwoman series here in Australia which she did, just a few months later. After competing in the professional ranks for close to a decade (and a bout of overtraining and burnout), Bonnie switched her attention to ocean ski paddling and finished the Molokai Challenge - a 52km ocean ski race between the islands of Molokai and Oahu in Hawaii, finishing fifth - in her first race in the sport. Sometime later, she read a book written by the first woman to paddle around Australia, the seed was planted and the rest, as they say, is history! Get the full show notes for the episode here. — Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks  Follow Bonnie on Instagram: @bonniehancock

Jo Lum is a Sydney-based triathlete and busy mum who has been a regular on the triathlon scene in Sydney for years. Jo and her friend Katie were originally training for Ironman Australia in 2020. That race was postponed 4 times - twice in 2020 and then twice in 2021 - before it was eventually cancelled. So Jo and Katie decided not to let their fitness go to waste and designed and completed a DIY Ironman distance event in May 2021. They swam 3.8km in a pool, then hopped on their bikes and rode 180km primarily along bike paths, before heading to their respective homes to finish their ‘race' by running 42km around their neighbourhoods. There were even race bibs, finisher's t-shirts and (to their surprise) finishers medals! I've shared this story multiple times over the last few months because it's a powerful example of two important things: focusing on what you can control and asking for help (and being willing to accept it when offered).  Get the full show notes for the episode here. — Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here  Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks  Follow Jo on Instagram: @jomumlum

Do you have a sporting aspiration however find yourself stuck! Is fear or failure or self doubt holding you back. Or do you simply just don't know where to start? In this episode of me&my health up we chat with Jen Brown who provides insight into what may be holding you back from achieving your sporting goals. Jen Brown, is a Performance & Wellbeing Expert. Jen is also Endurance Sports Coach & the founder of Sparta Chicks, an online community and coaching business that supports women who participate in endurance sports and outdoor adventures by sharing experiences, honest conversations and practical tools so they can tap into their inner strength and chase their goals and dreams with confidence.Jen started her career as a Corporate Lawyer, however now specialises in coaching women to overcome their self-doubt and achieve their sporting goals and is an author, speaker and the host of the Sparta Chicks Radio podcast.About me&my Health Up & Hostme&my Health Up seeks to enhance and enlighten the wellbeing of others. Host Anthony Hartcher is the CEO of me&my wellness which provides holistic health solutions using food is medicine, combined with a holistic, balanced, lifestyle approach. Anthony holds three bachelor degrees in Complementary Medicine; Nutrition and Dietetic Medicine; and Chemical Engineering.CreditsPodcast editing: Ivan SaldanaSupport the show

What is Imposter Complex? What is Imposter Syndrome? This week on the podcast, Debra talks to Jen Brown about self-doubt and the Imposter Complex.    EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS  How endurance sports are not just about the physical, they're also about the mindset shifts you have to make.  Sparta Chicks and how Jen is coaching and supporting women globally.  How sport is a catalyst for change in women.  Jen explains the difference between Imposter Syndrome and Imposter Complex.  The three components of the Imposter Complex.  Personality types and the Imposter Complex.  How Imposter Complex can show up in sport, life and business.  Practical tips to help you move through times when you're experiencing fear and self-doubt.  The relationship between the role of self-care and how resilient we are to fear and self-doubt.  Why it's important to be aware of the expectations and standards we set for ourselves.  How Imposter Complex has shown up in Jen's life and how she moved through it.   Jen Brown is a Speaker, Trainer and Coach who is obsessed with self-leadership and self-doubt. She works with high-performance individuals, teams and organisations (like you!) to develop deep-seated confidence in their skills and abilities, allowing people to lead, innovate and challenge the status quo whilst embracing uncertainty, frustrations and setbacks.   Drawing on her background as a former Corporate Lawyer and Endurance Sports Coach, Jen asks questions (and lots of them!) to get to the heart of why we sabotage ourselves and how to develop the clarity, focus and strategy needed to lead ourselves to stunning success.    Jen is also the host of Sparta Chicks Radio.    SHOW NOTES Get all episode show notes here: https://www.debrashepherd.com.au/debra-shepherd-podcast    CONNECT WITH JEN:   Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/spartachicks  https://www.instagram.com/spartajen    Website: https://www.spartachicks.com/     CONNECT WITH DEBRA:   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_debrashepherd   Website: https://www.debrashepherd.com.au      Before you go, don't forget to leave a review where ever you listen to your podcasts. Thank you for listening!