Career Clarity with Athletes: A 2ndwind Podcast with Ryan Gonsalves

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Matthew Lloyd, former Australian Olympic cyclist and King of Mountains winner at the Giro d'Italia, shares his powerful journey of transition after career-ending injuries led to addiction and ultimately transformation.

In this episode, we chat about how he:
• Found freedom and joy in cycling from childhood, exploring nature with his brother
• Shifted from triathlon to cycling when coaches noticed his exceptional cycling talent despite poor swimming skills
• Became Australian national champion in 2008 and represented Australia at Beijing Olympics
• Won the prestigious King of Mountains classification at 2010 Giro d'Italia, becoming the first Australian to do so
• Suffered multiple injuries including brain trauma that began a downward spiral in his career
• Survived a catastrophic hit-and-run accident in 2014 that left him with fractured skull, broken spine, and brain injury
• Struggled with identity loss, substance use issues and mental health challenges during decade-long rehabilitation
• Found healing through vulnerability and accepting support after hitting rock bottom
• Now works as a mentor helping others navigate transitions using his lived experience
• Believes the greatest growth comes from finding meaning in hardship and embracing challenges

Loved the episode? Drop us a review & share your biggest takeaway!


Ready to explore your own second act after sport? Connect with Ryan Gonsalves and the 2NDWind Academy to discover how your athletic experience can become your professional advantage here: www.2ndwind.io 

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From hiding handwritten goals under her mattress at age 12 to representing England in netball and later Jamaica in rugby, Danielle shares the defining moments that shaped her unique approach to achievement. She vividly recounts the emotional journey of childhood trials that became her catalyst for success—a painful rejection that transformed into an unwavering determination to prove herself worthy in everything she attempted.

In this epsiode, we talk about: 

- Juggling multiple roles including netball at high level, rugby for Jamaica in both sevens and fifteens, and three separate businesses
- Creating a personal goal-setting system at age 12, writing goals and hiding them under her mattress as promises to herself
- Using the skills learned in sports—resilience, leadership, communication—to succeed in business environments
- Overcoming rejection in netball trials and using that experience as motivation to prove doubters wrong
- Transitioning from netball to rugby later in life and representing Jamaica internationally
- Building businesses based on her skills rather than accepting full-time employment to maintain flexibility
- Developing a formula for success: ability (continuous learning) multiplied by effort (doing the extras) multiplied by attitude
- Finding purpose in sharing her experiences through motivational speaking and coaching workshops

Loved the episode? Drop us a review & share your biggest takeaway!

Ready to explore your own second act after sport? Connect with Ryan Gonsalves and the 2NDWind Academy to discover how your athletic experience can become your professional advantage here: www.2ndwind.io 

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Jimmy Gavin’s path took him from crushing self-doubt and a life-changing health diagnosis in high school to seven seasons of pro basketball across Europe, through a humbling tech-sales gig, and now into a leadership role directing sports initiatives. Along the way, he discovered that raw honesty, relentless hustle, and a tight-knit support crew can flip every “end” into the start of something even bigger. 

In this episode, we talk about:

- Ego vs. Teammate: Why Jimmy’s drive to build himself up sometimes clashed with coaches and peers, and how he learned leadership by first becoming a follower

- Early Adversity: How Crohn’s diagnosis and a family tragedy wiped out his high-school basketball dreams, then sparked a comeback that led him to JUCO, Division I, and NBA workouts

- Pro Life Abroad: Rookie jitters in Lithuania, adapting to European training (yes, judo at dawn), and finding his true role by leaning into his strengths

- End of the Court: Health complications that forced him to hang up his sneakers, and the therapeutic 50,000-word manuscript he penned to capture that “roar of the crowd” feeling

- Tech Sales Wake-Up Call: What it’s like to swap the hardwood for CRM dashboards, discover you’re not great at it, and question your sense of self all over again

- Friends as Coaches: How three brothers who trained alongside him helped Jimmy rediscover his passion, with one impromptu coaching gig reigniting his energy and sense of purpose

- New Venture: From late-night book drafts to joining Goldfinch Capital as Director of Sport Initiatives, and why relationships, responsiveness, and being the best follower can unlock unexpected doors

- Career-Transition Advice: The single most practical tip Jimmy offers young athletes, show up, stay responsive (yes, reply to that coach’s text), and treat every next thing as the most important thing you have

💎 GOLDEN NUGGET:

"Give it everything you’ve got, even if you’re ‘the least qualified person in the room’—that irrational belief will at least get you through the door.” 

Loved the episode? Drop us a review & share your biggest takeaway!

Ready to explore your own second act after sport? Connect with Ryan Gonsalves and the 2NDWind Academy to discover how your athletic experience can become your professional advantage here: www.2ndwind.io 

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In this episode Ryan sits down with Lexi Chambers, an adaptive athlete who has shattered expectations and set multiple world records—all while using a standard NHS wheelchair. After a below-the-knee amputation due to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Lexi refused to let disability define her. Instead, she turned to endurance sports, becoming the first person to wheel from John O’Groats to Land’s End (1,500km) in an everyday wheelchair. Now, she’s preparing for 10 ultramarathons in 10 days (50km/day) and an even bigger challenge: wheeling coast-to-coast across the USA (5,000km) in 2027.

Lexi shares her journey of resilience, how sport became her therapy, and her mission to inspire others to embrace movement—no matter their circumstances.

What You’ll Hear

- Lexi’s life-changing CRPS diagnosis, amputation, and why she refused to hang up her athletic dreams

- How a kitchen “test spin” led to her first world record and eventually wheeling John O’Groats → Land’s End in a standard NHS chair

- The surprising role of extreme training as pain therapy and mental escape

- Balancing a punishing training schedule, gruelling winds, and 4 am starts—plus the “test weeks” that make or break prep

- Building and motivating a novice event-planning crew to pull off “impossible” challenges

- Lessons learned fundraising hundreds of thousands, nailing keynote speeches, and embracing vulnerability on stage

- Upcoming feats: 10×50 km ultramarathons in 10 days for Rugby World Cup charity, then a 5 000 km coast-to-coast across the U.S.

- Lexi’s simple message to anyone doubting themselves: you never know what you can do until you try

Ready to rethink your limits? Tune in and get inspired to take that first (or next) rotation.

💎 Memorable Quotes:

• "The NHS told me I’d ‘grow into’ my wheelchair. I decided to prove them wrong."
• "Pain is my constant companion, but it doesn’t get to dictate my life."
• "Nobody believed a standard wheelchair could do these distances. Now they know it can."
• "If you wait for the ‘perfect’ conditions, you’ll never start. Just go."

Need career clarity? 

Connect with Ryan Gonsalves and the 2NDWind Academy to discover how your athletic experience can become your professional advantage here: www.2ndwind.io

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What happens when an 8-year-old’s Olympic dream doesn’t pan out? For Jess, a former elite taekwondo and boxing athlete, it meant reinventing herself—twice—while battling concussions, identity crises, and the harsh realities of transitioning out of sports.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

- How a diagnosis of low muscle tone led her to taekwondo, and why she became the kid opponents feared
- The brutal truth about combat sports: why concussions in taekwondo went unchecked for years
- Her shocking career pivot: from taekwondo to boxing (and why she almost became the first Aussie to compete in both at the highest level)
- Why she traded kicks for contracts: how a law degree became her backup plan (and turned into a passion)
- The loneliness of elite sports: missing friendships, "normal" uni life, and why athletes struggle post-retirement
- Her new mission: building "Next," a platform helping athletes navigate life after sports

💎 GOLDEN NUGGET:
"It’s okay to grieve your sport. It’s a loss. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise." – Jess

WHO SHOULD LISTEN?
✔ Athletes thinking about life after sports
✔ Anyone facing a major career pivot
✔ Coaches/parents supporting young competitors
✔ Fans of underdog stories & personal reinvention

Loved the episode? Drop us a review & share your biggest takeaway!

Ready to explore your own second act after sport? Connect with Ryan Gonsalves and the 2NDWind Academy to discover how your athletic experience can become your professional advantage here: www.2ndwind.io 

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In today's episode, we dive deep into the real psychology behind career transitions, decision-making, and finding your true path after sport — and why it’s way less logical and way more emotional than you think.

We are joined by Gavin Freeman, a sports psychologist, MBA lecturer, and corporate strategist who shares fascinating stories from working with elite athletes, Olympic teams, and CEOs leading thousands. Together, we uncover why so many people struggle with change — and the surprising skills you already have to make smoother, smarter career moves.

Inside this conversation:

- Why it's not just what you’re good at — it's how it makes you feel that matters

- How to recognize when a chapter is closing (even if your emotions resist it)

- The "Superstar CV" exercise that helps you rebuild confidence and clarity after leaving sport or any major career

- Why hindsight makes everything look seamless (and why you shouldn't trust it too soon)

- What business leaders, athletes, and everyday professionals really have in common

- How to reframe failure, motivation, and risk so you thrive in your next career move

- A sneak peek into the next episode: Making life-changing decisions under pressure, with no time and incomplete information

Loved the episode? Drop us a review & share your biggest takeaway!

Ready to explore your own second act after sport? Connect with Ryan Gonsalves and the 2NDWind Academy to discover how your athletic experience can become your professional advantage here: www.2ndwind.io 

Some more about Gavin

He is a fully registered psychologist with experience in the sporting and corporate worlds. 

He has held a directorship within a large consulting company and was the head of HR internally. His  20 years of experience in human capital consulting have been with blue-chip Australian and International organisations across numerous industries, including banking, construction, mining, telecommunication and government.  

Gavin consults across Australia and Asia to CEO, Executives, Managers and  Elite Coaches  delivering a variety of experiential Crisis Management Workshops, Change Leadership Consulting, Strategic workshop facilitation,  Executive Coaching, and Team Building experiences. As a psychologist his insights bring an understanding of human behaviour, and how to best create a high performing culture.

His first book, “The Business Olympian” released in June 2008 captures the mental toughness lessons learned from elite athletes and how these skills can be easily transferred into the corporate world.

His second book, released in 2016 “Just stop Motivating Me” explores the complexity of motivation and examines how a motivational continuum explains not just our motivations but the behaviours associated with them. His third and possibly final book “Don’t let me die in economy class: how the ordinary become extraordinary” was released in Feb 2025, explores how ordinary people went onto to do extraordinary things. 

He  can usually be heard on one of the business radio  and TV shows across Australia.

Gavin was the team psychologist for the Winter Olympic team in Turin 2006 and the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games. He was also the Team Psychologist for the Olympic Archery Team in Sydney 2000. At the professional level, he has worked with various athletes from the best sporting leagues around the world, including the NBA, WNBA, and PGA. Additionally, he was the Psychologist for a Team at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

Website www.gavinfreeman.com.au

Amazon books -  https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B00KXIR0WK

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Greg's journey isn't your typical athlete-to-executive story. This is about what happens when you walk away from elite sport cold turkey (for 10 years), then suddenly find yourself pulled back in – while building a career, starting a family, and even stepping into a boxing ring.

In this episode, we get raw about:

• That moment a 24-hour bus ride revealed his untapped swimming potential
• Why he took a demolition job after retiring from international competition
• The $35,000 mindset shift he wished he'd had earlier
• How getting knocked out in business (figuratively) prepared him for getting in the ring (literally)
• Why "perfect practice makes perfect" applies to spreadsheets just as much as sprints

Key Moments You Can't Miss:

1. The Unconventional Comeback

• Why returning to elite swimming at 35 with three kids was harder (and more rewarding) than his first career
• How shaving 0.6 seconds became an obsession – and what that teaches us about incremental business growth

2. Career Transition Truth Bombs

• "I didn't want to be 28 trying to start a career" – the harsh reality of post-sport timing
• His biggest regret? Not leveraging his athletic network sooner (and how to avoid this mistake)

3. The Anchor Words That Changed Everything
Discover the 3-word performance framework Greg uses for:

• Racing 100m butterfly
• Leading multi-million dollar deals
• Parenting three kids under 10

4. When the Goggles Come Off For Good
Why COVID wasn't actually what ended his second swimming career – it was something far more relatable

Why This Hits Different:

This isn't another "transferable skills" lecture. It's the unfiltered story of an athlete who:
➜ Walked away completely (twice)
➜ Found success in finance without playing the "former swimmer" card
➜ Proves high performance isn't about constant grind – it's about strategic comebacks

"The pool taught me that failure isn't falling short – it's not showing up prepared. That lesson alone built my entire career."

Listen Now If:

• You've ever felt "too old" to pivot
• You're struggling to translate competitive fire into career fuel
• You want proof that work-life balance IS possible for type-A personalities

Ready to explore your own second act after sport? Connect with Ryan Gonsalves and the 2NDWind Academy to discover how your athletic experience can become your professional advantage here: www.2ndwind.io 

Tag us @2ndwind.academy with your biggest takeaway!

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Aleisha’s journey from elite synchronized figure skating to founding a rockstar media company is inspiring, and a masterclass in translating athletic discipline into business success. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, we dive into the gritty reality of career transition: the identity crises, the $35,000 gamble that changed everything, and why "trust the process" isn't just a sports cliché, it's the secret to outlasting 98% of startups. If you've ever felt lost after a major life pivot, or wondered how to turn your competitive edge into career fuel, this episode is your playbook.

Topics Covered:

1️⃣ The Athlete’s Dilemma

• Why retirement feels like "losing your identity overnight"
• How Aleisha’s small-town grit got her to World Championships (and why it matters in business)

2️⃣ The $35,000 Wake-Up Call

• Taking out a high-interest loan without telling a soul
• Why she chose mentorship over a "safe" corporate path

3️⃣ The Relentless Iteration Mindset

• Post-competition debriefs → business growth frameworks
• "Your ego wants to celebrate—excellence demands you dissect every flaw"

4️⃣ The 3-Door Career Crossroads

• Comfortable job vs. agency role vs. entrepreneurship
• How she knew it was time to bet on herself (again)

5️⃣ The Uncomfortable Truth About Success

• Why entrepreneurship is 95% grind, 5% glory (just like elite sport)
• How to fall in love with the daily process, not just the wins

6️⃣ Your New Performance Playbook

• Pre-transition planning: "Start before you’re desperate"
• Why every professional needs a "coach" (yes, even you)

Ready to explore your own second act after sport? Connect with Ryan Gonsalves and the 2NDWind Academy to discover how your athletic experience can become your professional advantage here: www.2ndwind.io 

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What happens when the roar of the crowd fades and the Olympic dream becomes a memory? For Rachel Lewis, the transition from elite athlete to "what’s next?" wasn’t just a career shift—it was an identity crisis, a financial struggle, and ultimately, a mission to change the game for future athletes.

In this raw and inspiring conversation, Rachel opens up about:

• Writing "Olympic volleyball player" in her yearbook at 15—before she even knew how to play the sport.
• Training with boys, living in fire stations, and riding bikes to fundraise—just to keep her Olympic dream alive.
• The brutal reality of professional sports vs. elite competition—and why she felt like a "commodity" in Europe’s leagues.
• The moment her team "ceased to exist" after London 2012—and how she grappled with losing her purpose overnight.
• Hiding behind a "cape" in her post-sport career—why she buried her Olympic past to fit into corporate life.
• Her mission today—helping athletes avoid the pitfalls she faced by building fulfilling lives beyond the podium.

This isn’t just a sports story. It’s about reinvention, resilience, and the uncomfortable truth: most athletes aren’t prepared for life after the final whistle.

🎧 Why You Should Listen:

• If you’ve ever felt lost after a major life change—Rachel’s journey from "Who am I now?" to empowerment is a masterclass in self-discovery.
• For athletes (or anyone) fearing transition—her hard-won advice on planning, curiosity, and asking for help is gold.
• Behind-the-scenes of elite sport—the untold sacrifices, the politics of funding, and what really happens when the uniforms are packed away.
• A wake-up call for the sports industry—why Rachel is fighting to fix a "broken system" that leaves athletes adrift.

 Where to Find Rachel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-lewis-972257162/

Ready to explore your own second act after sport? Connect with Ryan Gonsalves and the 2NDWind Academy to discover how your athletic experience can become your professional advantage here: www.2ndwind.io 

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In today's episode, Ryan sits down with Marnie—a former dual international athlete (representing England in both netball and touch rugby), mum of two, and entrepreneur who’s revolutionizing early-years sports education and AI adoption in business.

Marnie’s story is one of relentless determination, adaptability, and learning to thrive in multiple arenas—whether on the pitch, in the boardroom, or at home with her young family. From her early days as a self-described "B-team player" in Australia to captaining England teams and launching her own business, Marnie shares how she’s navigated career transitions, motherhood, and the evolving world of AI—all while keeping her love for sport alive.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Adaptability
   • Marnie’s journey from a "B-team" athlete to an international competitor was fueled by her ability to play multiple roles—something she now instills in the athletes she coaches.
   • "Your team is only as strong as the player in their weakest role. Versatility wins games—and careers."
2. When Passion Meets Entrepreneurship
   • Frustrated by the limitations of teaching PE in the UK, Marnie quit her job mid-career to launch Sporty Minis, now impacting 3,000+ kids weekly with early-years sports education.
   • "I lacked purpose as a PE teacher. Starting my own business wasn’t just about freedom—it was about making real impact."
3. AI: The Game-Changer for Busy Professionals
   • Marnie’s top AI tools for efficiency:
     • Otter.ai (meeting notes)
     • Claude (copywriting)
     • Custom GPTs (train AI to sound like you)
   • "AI isn’t a trend—it’s the future. Adopt a growth mindset or get left behind."
4. Athlete Mindset in Business
   • From fearing competition to empowering her team: "Now, my favorite part of leadership is watching others excel—even if they’re better than me."
   • Why her businesses grow faster when she’s not micromanaging: "Sometimes, the bottleneck is you."
5. The Emotional Side of Sport & Transition
   • Post-motherhood, returning to elite sport was her toughest challenge—mentally, physically, and emotionally.
   • Why she still plays (and coaches) at 40+: "Putting on that jersey? It’s the one time I feel purely me—not ‘Mum’ or ‘CEO.’"
6. Advice for Athletes Juggling Careers
   • "Reflect on your strengths. Every skill you’ve honed in sport—discipline, teamwork, resilience—translates to business. The only failure is not trying."

Ready to explore your own second act after sport? Connect with Ryan Gonsalves and the 2NDWind Academy to discover how your athletic experience can become your professional advantage here: www.2ndwind.io