Bridie O’Donnell, Head of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation, joins us in this episode of the All Torque podcast to talk about her career as a cyclist; the advances, problems and opportunities in the space of women in sport in Australia; and her memoir on her life as a pro cyclist.

Bridie is a medical doctor who has a passion for sports and pursued careers in rowing, triathlon and cycling. She is a 2016 world-record breaker who has set a mark in the Women's UCI Hour Record Book. She is also the author of “Life and Death: A Cycling Memoir” which is her story of triumph and hard work to achieve her dreams.

In this episode we cover: 

Bridie’s journey from practising her profession as a doctor and as a national rower,  to becoming a pro cyclist.

How her background as a medical doctor helped in her pro cycling career.

Physical and psychological differences in her sports in relation to her mindset.

Exciting things about the Victorian government providing funding for women in sport to encourage greater participation.

Problems and barriers in sport for women.

The participation of women in the coaching and management of sport in Australia and other countries.

The opportunities that Bridie sees evolving and her thoughts on the support of other states for prioritizing funding.

The story behind what prompted her to write her Book “Life and Death: A Cycling Memoir”

Links

Bridie O’Donnel Twitter

Bridie O’Donnel LinkedIn

Life and Death: A Cycling Memoir

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In this episode, we are joined by Mandy Napier of Mindset for Success as she shares her story of how mindset coaching has positively changed and improved her sporting journey. She gives us tips on how to change our mindset and apply these learnings in our lives.

Mandy is a Mindset and Performance Coach, Professional Speaker, Trainer, Author, Founder of ‘The Winning Edge Formula,’ and Creator of Get Breakthrough Results Program, a brand new 9-week online group program.  She coaches high achieving driven professionals and individuals and empowers people to clear their hurdles, reprogram their minds and perform at their best; ultimately to live a richer, healthier and happier lives, personally and professionally.

In this episode we cover: 

The story of how she started doing triathlons and 2 years later, representing Australia at the first World’s Long Course Triathlon in Nice, France.

Her experience at the race in Kona, Hawaii and how she pushed herself to finish it despite the hurdles she went through.

How our mindset can affect the way we feel.

Mandy’s journey from living in the UK, working and then travelling to different countries and settling down in Australia to marry and start training for triathlons.

The power of the subconscious mind.

Mandy gives us 4 key things we can do to change our mindset and examples of how we can apply these in our life.

2 of the most interesting things that Mandy has seen in her travels.

The effect that a funny or happy mindset can do to help transform feelings of fear.

The importance of having a goal, purpose, and focus.

Links

Mindset for Success Website

Mindset for Success Facebook

Mandy Napier Twitter

Mandy Napier LinkedIn

Mandy Napier YouTube

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In this episode, Jake Edwards tells us his challenging but inspiring story of being a football athlete to founding his not for profit organization, Outside the Locker Room. He also shares tips on how to help others who are experiencing mental illness, their app, their upcoming projects and tips and advice for listeners.

‘Outside The Locker Room’ is dedicated to supporting sporting clubs, schools and workplaces for their welfare and education requirements across Australia. Outside the Locker Room focuses on areas such as mental health, drugs, alcohol, gambling and domestic violence. Their program educates and brings awareness to these topics. Their passion is to not only educate but provide a safe, secure and private welfare platform for individuals to access 24/7 in a time of need.

In this episode we cover: 

His inspiring story of why he started Outside The Locker Room

The common denominator of people who experience spiralling down.

Tips and advice for listeners or friends of listeners who may be in a compromised position in terms of helping someone who they think might have a mental illness or themselves, personally.

His plans for coming to New South Wales.

The offerings of the Outside The Locker Room App

Plans for Outside the Locker Room programs

Requirements for being a Community Ambassador for Outside the Locker Room.

Jake shares an inspiring story on how one of his programs had a huge and positive impact on one of the athletes.

Their recent partnership with Cycling Victoria and a video series that’s about to be launched in the next few weeks called “Two Wheels to Listen”

Links

Jake Edwards LinkedIn

Jake Edwards Instagram

Outside the Locker Room Website

Outside the Locker Room Instagram

Outside the Locker Room Facebook

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In this episode, Hannah Macdougall shares her impressive story of being an elite paralympian athlete representing Australia in various games and championships for both swimming and cycling. She has won numerous medals from Silver to Gold in several games for both sports. Hannah’s extensive experience and background as an athlete has allowed her to become a role model, ambassador, advocate and many more for different organizations

She holds a PhD in Athlete Well-Being, she is a Community Engagement Advisor with Victoria State Emergency Services, and her goal is to assist communities and people to achieve their highest potential.

In this episode we cover: 

Hannah’s story starting with how she started to swim competitively and then shifting to cycling.

What made her switch from swimming to cycling.

Something people don’t know about Hannah.

Her preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.

What she would have done differently knowing what she knows now.

Hannah’s advice to young athletes today.

A funny story about her experience while public speaking in schools.

How she is managing her work-life balance.

Links

Hannah Macdougall Website

Hannah Macdougall Facebook

Hannah Macdougall Twitter

Hannah Macdougall Instagram

Hannah Macdougall LinkedIn

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Richard Colman, a wheelchair athlete born with Spina Bifida shares his journey with us as an athlete and coach. He is currently working with the National Disability Insurance Agency NDIA). He has competed for Australia in the T53 Category in various games and championships worldwide such as the World Athletics Championships in France, the Paralympic Games in Athens, and the London Paralympic Games to name a few where he has won medals from bronze and silver to gold.

In this episode we cover: 

Richard’s story of his disability and how he started to get involved with sports.

What is the T53 Category?

His story on being the first person in a wheelchair to umpire an AFL match for the Geelong Football League in 2007 and how he travelled the Death Road in Bolivia using his racing wheelchair in 2014.

His coaching and mentoring stint.

Richard’s goals and dreams for people with disabilities.

The workshop he runs for the NDIA.

His goals for himself.

Richard’s words of wisdom for listeners.

Links

Richard Colman Website

Richard Colman Facebook

Richard Colman Twitter

Richard Colman YouTube

Richard Colman Instagram

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Vanessa Alford joins us as we talk about her story on exercise addiction, the effects it had on her and her health, and how she overcame it. Vanessa is the author of the book “Fit Not Healthy”, a former elite marathon runner, an experienced physiotherapist, public speaker, researcher and clinical manager, with an extensive background in the health and wellness industry.In this episode we cover: 

Vanessa’s story about how she entered Physiotherapy, became an elite athlete and what she’s doing today.

Her comments on what Psychologist and Director of Body Matters Sarah McMahon said about exercise addiction: “Exercise addiction is not well understood. Fellow athletes and those looking to shape up often romanticize exercise addiction as motivation and moral strength.”

The pressure she experienced with running and the effects it had on her health.

The neurological symptoms she had and her turning point to change the state she was in at that point in her life.

Her recommendations for athletes today based on her own experiences.

Why she feels that she wasn’t really happy when she looks back at her running career.

Vanessa shares stories of how addicted she was and how running controlled her life.

Her future plans.

Links

Fit Not Healthy Facebook Page

Vanessa Alford Instagram

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In this episode, Brian Smith from Africa Roar, Walk in the Wild exclusive tours in South Africa joins us as we talk about his interesting story on competing in triathlons in his early 40s, transitioning from a corporate job and starting his company Africa Roar, and managing his Type 1 Diabetes while doing both sports and travel.In this episode we cover: 

His journey from working for a large company to starting a new business venture and also becoming an older athlete.

His memorable experience during one of his Ironman races.

Discovering and managing his case of Type 1 Diabetes.

Effects of workout intensity and endurance efforts on his insulin levels.

The story of his transition from corporate to starting African Roar.

Managing diabetes while travelling and changing his diet.

Brian shares a funny story from one of his African holidays.

Links

Africa Roar Website

Africa Roar Facebook

Africa Roar Instagram

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we are joined by Paul O’Brien, Director of Leadership Matters, a company that develops and implements leadership strategies, training programs and general interventions for organisations. Paul specialises in leadership development interventions, coaching and public motivational speaking. Pedals, Paddles and Potholes is the title of his first book that he is launching in March.In this episode we cover: 

His journey from childhood, the biggest life challenges that he has experienced, leadership management, and writing his first book.

What his book Pedals, Paddles and Potholes is all about.

The 7 Elements model.

Elite athletes needing help with mental health issues.

Paul shares his thoughts about the question, “how well do people know us?”

Cycling as a way to bridge connections, friendships and releasing sharing.

An inspiring story shared by Paul.

Links

Leadership Matters Website

Tickets to the Pedals, Paddles and Potholes Book Launch on March 17

Paul O’Brien LinkedIn

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In this episode, we are joined by Toby Keegan, Race Director at Iron Man as we talk about his journey to working for Iron Man and the 3-day Velothon Sunshine Coast cycling event happening in July 2019.

Toby has had an extensive background in events, management and coaching in the industry of cycling. He has also worked with numerous companies like Whistler’s Bike Guide, Whistler Blackcomb, 99 Bikes, Ride to Conquer Cancer and SBR Triathlon before working for the prestigious Iron Man.In this episode we cover: 

How Toby's love for cycling has taken him from Canada to Australia, working for different companies and initiatives in the cycling industry and eventually for Iron Man.

Toby shares more about the 3-day Velothon Sunshine Coast cycling event happening in July.

The course races that participants should expect in the one-day and three-day Velo.

What it takes to organise a multi-day event.

The inspiration for the Velo atmosphere during race days.

Who are the target racers of the Velo?

Toby shares his stories about cycling.

Links

Velo Sunshine Coast

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In this episode, we are joined by Ben Grove, a Senior Project Manager from Pure Projects Consultancy and an Ambassador for the World Bicycle Relief (WBR)Charity Organisation. We talk about the WBR and how it has impacted the lives of so many individuals in Africa and what we can expect to see from them moving forward.

In this episode we cover:

The story of how Ben started cycling to now being an Ambassador for World Bicycle Relief.

The start of World Bicycle Relief.

Ben shares statistics and touching stories on how the Buffalo Bike is bringing change in Africa.

How Ben sees the change of massively impacting so much more individuals with the Buffalo Bike and the WBR.

Things to look forward to with Ben and the World Bicycle Relief.

Information about The Chop race on Zwift which Ben started.

Funny stories shared by Ben.

 

Links

World Bicycle Relief

Ben’s Fundraising Page

Velothon - Receive a Special with your entry for the  Velothon entry code - GOVELOTHON2019 this gives a 5% discount along with ability to track the outreach of these promotional endeavors.

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