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DIVE Beyond Sport
By Yona Knight Wisdom & Freddie WoodwardSportsHealth & FitnessMental HealthEducationSelf-Improvement
DIVE Beyond Sport episodes
- Olympic Bobsleigh Driver Axel Brown: Cool Runnings 2 (DIVE Ep.40)
Follow us on Patreon for bonus content, extended interviews, and exclusive clips.
Patreon: patreon.com/divebeyondsportpodIn this episode, Olympic bobsleigh driver Axel Brown joins DIVE Beyond Sport to share his journey from American football to representing Trinidad and Tobago at the Winter Olympics. Axel reflects on building a bobsleigh program from scratch, the challenges of funding, recruitment, and navigating bureaucracy, and what it takes to create opportunities when the traditional path closes. He opens up about overcoming setbacks, redefining success beyond results, and the importance of representation in sport. Axel also shares his experiences as a pilot, the responsibility of keeping his teammates safe, developing leadership skills, and finding purpose beyond an athlete’s identity. A powerful conversation about perseverance, courage, identity, and creating your own path in sport and beyond.Show Notes• How Axel Brown built Trinidad and Tobago’s Olympic bobsleigh program from scratch with limited time, funding, and infrastructure.• What it means to pilot a bobsleigh while carrying responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of an entire crew.• How moving between taekwondo, American football, and bobsleigh helped Axel discover his athletic pathway later in life.• Why being humbled in Colorado taught Axel the importance of genuine hard work, preparation, and continuous improvement.• How losing his place in American football challenged Axel’s identity and forced him to reconsider his future in sport.• The complex process of creating a federation, securing funding, recruiting teammates, and qualifying for the Winter Olympics.• Why Axel believes success is about more than athletic results, medals, or finishing positions.• How representing Trinidad and Tobago changed Axel’s relationship with identity, community, culture, and belonging.• Why athletes and sports organizations need to share the stories behind the results and connect audiences with the human experience.• How learning to walk away on his own terms helped Axel reframe retirement as a privilege rather than a loss.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:25 Calm on the Start Line03:03 Most Nerve Wracking Run04:35 Pilot vs Brakeman Pressure05:40 Safety and Trust as Pilot08:02 Crashes and Risk Reality09:46 Crash Delays as Focus Fuel13:04 Rewinding to Early Sports15:16 Colorado Humbling and Gym Life17:26 Finding Bobsleigh Tryouts18:21 Motivation and Family Rewards20:37 Identity Crisis After Being Cut23:45 US College Sports vs UK27:27 Switching to Trinidad and Tobago30:09 Building a Federation From Scratch34:18 Visa Vaccine and Paperwork Chaos37:17 Agency Confidence and Redefining Success39:47 Redefining Olympic Success42:25 Joy Beyond Results43:51 Why Stories Matter47:50 Owning Your Finish49:01 Social Media Storytelling50:55 Small Nation Pressure55:04 Finding Trini Pride59:52 Retiring After Milan High01:03:38 Future of TNT Bobsleigh01:06:33 Movie Title and FarewellSubscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation.Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67pX07qo2f6AZTxOERShpn?si=95b0803ce82642a7
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divebeyondsportpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/divebeyondsportpod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divebeyondsportpod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DIVEBeyondSportPod
Follow the Guest and Hosts on Instagram:
Axel Brown: https://www.instagram.com/theaxelbrown
Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward
Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hr 16 min - American Professional Cliff Diver David Colturi: Full of Joy (DIVE Ep.39)
Follow us on Patreon for bonus content, extended interviews, and exclusive clips.
Patreon: patreon.com/divebeyondsportpodIn this episode, professional cliff diver David Colturi joins Dive Beyond Sport to share the extraordinary story of a near-fatal accident that left him with a ruptured spleen and changed his perspective on life, adversity, and gratitude. David reflects on a career spanning more than three decades in diving, why the people and memories behind the boards matter more than scores and podiums, and how athletes can avoid becoming trapped in a performance-based identity. He also opens up about facing fear, overcoming mental blocks, developing a growth mindset, and learning to turn obstacles into opportunities for growth. Beyond competition, David shares how his transition into entrepreneurship inspired the creation of the No Limits Tour, a new athlete-focused platform designed to give competitors greater ownership and a voice in shaping the future of their sport. A powerful conversation about resilience, courage, identity, personal growth, and living a life full of joy.Show Notes• How can a near-death experience transform an athlete's perspective on adversity, gratitude, and living life to the fullest.• Why the memories, relationships, and shared experiences often matter more than scores, results, and podium finishes.• How athletes can avoid becoming trapped in an identity defined solely by performance and competition.• What happens when athletes begin asking themselves who they are and what comes next beyond their sporting careers.• How can a growth mindset help athletes develop new skills and build confidence beyond the world of sport.• Why adversity, mistakes, and setbacks can become opportunities for growth when we learn to change our perspective.• How facing fear and stepping outside your comfort zone can build courage, resilience, and character.• What role journaling, self-awareness, and personal development can play in improving performance both in sport and in life.• How David Colturi is working to give athletes greater ownership, opportunities, and a voice through the No Limits Tour.• What David Colturi's journey teaches us about resilience, athlete identity, growth, fear, and building a meaningful life beyond sport.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:19 Paraglider Teaser Dive Setup04:04 Crash Attempts and Getting the Shot06:47 Spleen Injury and Hospital Emergency10:05 Recovery and Life Perspective Shift13:35 How Diving Began16:47 Love of Sport Over Scores19:32 Building the No Limits Tour21:33 Athlete Ownership and Profit Sharing24:43 Growing a League Sustainably27:47 Origin Story and Red Bull Influence29:31 Entrepreneurship and Identity Shift31:19 Balancing Ambition and Life32:24 Family Foundations33:45 Identity After College34:59 Calendars and Skills38:10 Growth Mindset Reality42:01 Adversity as Fuel44:36 Training Through Fear47:04 High Diving Psychology53:36 Journaling for Growth56:23 Olympic High Diving Push59:48 Full of Joy FinaleGuest Pick:Book: Chasing Excellence - Ben Bergeron
Link: https://link.amazon/B05bF0goy
Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation.Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67pX07qo2f6AZTxOERShpn?si=95b0803ce82642a7
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divebeyondsportpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divebeyondsportpod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divebeyondsportpod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DIVEBeyondSportPod
Follow the Guest and Hosts on Instagram:
David Colturi: https://www.instagram.com/dcolturi
Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward
Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hr 7 min - Former Olympic Diver Imre Lengyel: What a Life (DIVE Ep.38)
Follow us on Patreon for bonus content, extended interviews, and exclusive clips.
Patreon: patreon.com/divebeyondsportpodIn this episode, Imre Lengyel joins Dive Beyond Sport to share an extraordinary journey from gymnastics and diving to the Olympic Games, Cirque du Soleil, coaching, and life beyond elite sport. Imre reflects on how his identity stayed rooted in being an athlete rather than being defined by one particular discipline, and how talent transfer helped him move from gymnastics into diving and ultimately become a two-time Olympian. He opens up about the intense culture of elite sport, the impact of great coaching, and how working with a professional sports psychologist helped him overcome a mental block. Imre also shares the story of being recruited by Cirque du Soleil after the 2000 Olympics and spending around a decade performing in Las Vegas, explaining how the experience transformed his understanding of identity, success, creativity, and leadership. From learning how to make difficult decisions as a head coach to redefining success through physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing, Imre offers a powerful perspective on what happens when athletes step beyond the structured world of competition and into real life.Show Notes• How Imre Lengyel's journey from gymnastics to diving shaped his identity as an athlete and ultimately led him to the Olympic stage.• Why an athlete's identity can remain rooted in being an athlete rather than being defined by one specific sport.• How the intense culture of elite sport can shape athletes physically, mentally, and emotionally throughout their careers.• Why great coaches look beyond performance and recognize when an athlete needs psychological or personal support.• How working with a professional sports psychologist helped Imre overcome a mental block and return to training with a different mindset.• How Imre's Olympic experience challenged his perception of achievement, status, and what it really means to be an Olympian.• How joining Cirque du Soleil after the 2000 Olympics transformed Imre from an elite athlete into a professional performer.• Why transitioning from sport to entertainment requires athletes to move beyond structure, routine, and performance-based identity.• How leadership, decision-making, and responsibility became powerful lessons during Imre's career in the entertainment industry.• What Imre's journey teaches athletes about identity, transition, resilience, wellbeing, and finding success beyond medals and results.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:36 Nerves and Performance Mindset01:52 From Gymnastics to Diving05:50 Budapest Training Reality09:15 Fast Track to Olympics12:13 Talent Transfer Identity14:30 Surviving Elite Sport Culture17:35 Cirque Years and Transition21:18 Solo South America Reset24:35 Ego and Real Life Lessons27:28 Olympics Meaning and Growth31:10 Miami Culture Shock33:22 Randy Ableman Impact35:17 Randy’s Coaching Style36:26 Sports Psych Breakthrough37:47 Cirque Recruitment Story39:49 Montreal Performer Bootcamp43:56 Athlete to Performer Shift48:40 Redefining Success52:18 Wellbeing and What a Life57:33 Fixing Hungarian Diving01:01:01 Leadership Making the Call01:04:52 Final Question and WrapGuest Pick:Book: Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger
Link: https://amzn.to/4xFzOyG
Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation.Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67pX07qo2f6AZTxOERShpn?si=95b0803ce82642a7Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divebeyondsportpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divebeyondsportpod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divebeyondsportpod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DIVEBeyondSportPod
Follow the Guest and Hosts on Instagram:
Imre Lengyel: https://www.instagram.com/imimiami
Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward
Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hr 12 min - Former Premier League Footballer Paul McVeigh: Mindset (DIVE Ep.37)
Follow us on Patreon for bonus content, extended interviews, and exclusive clips.
Patreon: patreon.com/divebeyondsportpodIn this episode, former Premier League footballer and performance psychology expert Paul McVeigh joins Dive Beyond Sport to reflect on growing up in Belfast during the Troubles, becoming a professional footballer, and the mindset that helped him overcome years of rejection before establishing himself at Norwich City. Paul shares how one book at 17 changed his view of what was possible, why he began asking himself whether every decision would help him get into the first team, and how visualization and affirmations shaped both his football career andtransition into public speaking. He also discusses balancing ambition with enjoying life, building a successful speaking career from scratch, and launching Speakify to create more opportunities for speakers around the world. Paul ultimately explores why we often underestimate what we're capable of and why getting out of your own way can unlock extraordinary potential.Show Notes• How can mindset and determination help athletes keep pursuing a goal when success feels almost impossible.• What role can sport play in helping young people build direction, discipline, and a positive path in life.• How can athletes overcome years of rejection and setbacks before finally establishing themselves at the highest level.• Why setting a specific goal can change the decisions you make both on and off the pitch.• How can visualization, affirmations, and purposeful practice improve performance and build confidence.• What can athletes learn from applying the same performance principles to completely different careers.• How can developing skills through repetition and feedback help anyone become better at something they were not naturally good at.• Why is balancing ambition with personal experiences and relationshipsimportant when defining a successful life.• How can entrepreneurship create new opportunities for people who face barriers within traditional industries.• What can Paul McVeigh's journey teach us about mindset, perseverance, purposeful action, and unlocking the potential we have within us.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Welcome02:43 Growing Up in Belfast04:00 Troubles Riot Memory08:17 Football as a Lifeline11:25 Belfast After Peace13:27 Joining Spurs Young14:25 Spurs Dressing Room18:56 Leaving Spurs Finding Norwich22:33 Breakthrough at Norwich24:13 Mindset Tony Robbins25:59 All In Lifestyle Rules26:48 Studying Psychology and Balance29:08 Drinking Choices and Fatherhood32:19 Fatherhood Reflections33:17 From Football to Keynotes34:55 Learning to Speak37:17 Why Speakify Exists40:50 Confidence and Goal Setting43:20 The Events Industry Opportunity46:30 From Fear to Loving Stage50:19 Talent vs Practice Debate53:09 Chasing the Feeling55:30 Anchors and Visualization58:44 Closing Thoughts and Movie Title01:00:42 Final Vision and Wrap UpGuest Pick:Book: Legacy by James Kerr
Link: https://amzn.to/4vC4SxV
Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation.Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67pX07qo2f6AZTxOERShpn?si=95b0803ce82642a7
Need the right speaker for your next event? Discover Paul’s new
platform, Speakify—connecting you with top speakers and leading speakerbureaus from around the world.Find your speaker: https://wearespeakify.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divebeyondsportpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divebeyondsportpod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divebeyondsportpod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DIVEBeyondSportPod
Follow the Guest and Hosts on Instagram:
Paul McVeigh: https://www.instagram.com/paulmcveighofficialFreddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward
Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hr 7 min - Olympic Snowboarder Maisie Hill: I Can, I Will (DIVE Ep.36)
Follow us on Patreon for bonus content, extended interviews, and exclusive clips.
Patreon: patreon.com/divebeyondsportpodIn this episode, Olympic snowboarder Maisie Hill joins Dive Beyond Sport to share the extraordinary journey that took her from snowboarding with her dad in France to competing at the Winter Olympics. Maisie reflects on the determination that helped her break into World Cups despite limited resources, funding her career through multiple jobs, and even living in a tent at the bottom of a glacier. She opens up about a devastating crash that left her with multiple serious injuries and the long mental journey of rebuilding her confidence and relationship withfear. Maisie also discusses working with a sports psychologist, learning to focus on her own path rather than comparing herself to others, the realities of funding niche Olympic sports, and why she wants to explore the creative side of snowboarding. Her story ultimately comes back to one simple mindset: "I can, I will."Show Notes• How can unwavering belief and determination help an athlete break through when progress seems to have stalled.• What does it take to pursue an Olympic dream without the financial resources or traditional pathway available to other athletes.• How can a devastating injury change an athlete's relationship with fear, confidence, and performance.• What role does sports psychology play in rebuilding trust in your body after a serious injury.• Why is learning to focus on your own journey instead of comparing yourself to others so important in elite sport.• How can athletes use positive self-talk and small wins to build confidence under pressure.• What are the hidden financial challenges faced by athletes competing in niche Olympic sports like snowboarding.• How can taking responsibility and becoming more independent give athletes greater control over their careers.• Why can stepping away from competition create space to rediscover creativity, enjoyment, and the love of sport.• What can Maisie Hill's journey teach us about determination, resilience, independence, overcoming fear, and pursuing your own path.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:35 The Smiling Method02:35 Pushing Through Plateaus05:25 UK Beginnings to France07:36 Early Sports and School10:15 Van Life Competitions14:40 Family Racing Legacy18:06 Near Fatal Crash29:33 Rehab and Fear Return36:18 Funding and Side Jobs42:21 Solidarity Funding Surprise44:30 Athlete Support Debate45:46 Olympics Blessing Curse48:44 Off Season Reset Plans51:36 Sports Psychology Tools56:47 Olympic Pressure Sleep59:43 Big Air Night Sessions01:02:16 Slopestyle Crash Scare01:07:23 I Can I Will Mindset01:16:14 Accountability IndependenceGuest Pick:Book: The Burning Shore - Wilbur Smith
Link: https://amzn.to/3QLq2KP
Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving intoathlete stories, mindset, and motivation.Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67pX07qo2f6AZTxOERShpn?si=95b0803ce82642a7
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divebeyondsportpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divebeyondsportpod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divebeyondsportpod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DIVEBeyondSportPod
Follow the Guest and Hosts on Instagram:
Maisie Hill: https://www.instagram.com/zmaizz
Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward
Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hr 24 min - World Champion Artistic Swimmer Jacqueline Simoneau: A Life of Many Hats (DIVE Ep.35)
Follow us on Patreon for bonus content, extended interviews, and exclusive clips.
Patreon: patreon.com/divebeyondsportpod
In this episode, Olympic artistic swimmer and podiatrist Jacqueline Simoneau joins Dive Beyond Sport to reflect on pursuing two lifelong dreams, competing at three Olympic Games, and building a career in medicine alongside elite sport. Jacqueline shares how she discovered artistic swimming after competing across multiple sports, overcame physical challenges that did not naturally suit her chosen discipline, and learned to advocate for herself throughout her career. She also opens up about suffering a serious bleeding stomach ulcer as a teenager just weeks before Olympic qualification, returning from a three-yearbreak from sport, and winning a World Championship title after using visualization, preparation, and trust in her instincts. Jacqueline discusses balancing seven years of university with international competition, finding purpose beyond sport, and her work advocating for athletes and healthier training environments.Show Notes• How can an athlete pursue two lifelong dreams while navigating the demands of elite sport and education.• Why understanding that there is no linear path can help athletes navigate uncertainty and long-term goals.• How can athletes balance high-performance sport with education and prepare for a meaningful life beyond competition.• What does overcoming physical limitations and unexpected obstacles teach us about adaptability and resilience.• How can self-advocacy help athletes make better decisions about their training, recovery, and performance.• What role does intrinsic motivation and having a clear purpose play in sustaining long-term success.• How can visualization, preparation, and trust in your own abilities help athletes perform under extreme pressure.• Why athlete voices need to be represented at the decision-making tables shaping the future of sport.• How can athletes challenge overtraining culture and create healthier, smarter approaches to high-performance sport.• What can Jacqueline Simoneau's journey teach us about ambition, self-advocacy, resilience, and building an identity beyond sport.=Chapters00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:29 Choosing Artistic Swimming04:08 Multi Sport Advantage07:29 Celiac Diagnosis Spark09:13 Why Podiatry11:13 Balancing School Sport15:27 Finding Mentors Purpose19:17 Ulcer Before Qualifying24:05 Injury Stories Compared31:39 Support Systems Behind Success34:25 Doha Gold Strategy35:54 Difficulty Becomes Strategy36:39 Risky DD Jump for Finals39:32 Breath Hold Preparation45:00 Training Safety and Overload48:05 Diving Side Stories50:33 Why Athlete Representation Matters58:15 Athlete Voice in Practice59:45 Identity Beyond Sport01:07:54 Many Hats and FarewellGuest Pick:Book: Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom
Link: https://amzn.to/4dAoZEW
Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation.Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67pX07qo2f6AZTxOERShpn?si=95b0803ce82642a7
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divebeyondsportpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divebeyondsportpod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divebeyondsportpod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DIVEBeyondSportPod
Follow the Guest and Hosts on Instagram:
Jacqueline Simoneau: https://www.instagram.com/jacqueline_simoneau
Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward
Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hr 14 min - Paralympic Champion Stephen Clegg: Through the Wreckage (DIVE Ep.34)
Follow us on Patreon for bonus content, extended interviews, and exclusive clips.
Patreon: patreon.com/divebeyondsportpodIn this episode, Paralympic champion swimmer Stephen Clegg joins Dive Beyond Sport to reflect on overcoming anxiety and depression, redefining his identity after the heartbreak of Tokyo, and discovering a healthier relationship with success. Stephen shares how living with a visual impairment has shaped the way he learns, trains, and views the world, why experimentation and adaptability became his greatest strengths, and how missing out on Paralympic gold ultimately led him to enjoy the process again before reaching the top of the podium in Paris. He also discusses mental health, innovation in coaching, the extraordinary resilience of Paralympians, challenging society's assumptions aboutdisability, and why courage is found on the other side of fear.Show Notes• How can adversity, anxiety, and depression become the catalyst for discovering purpose through sport.• Why separating self-worth from performance is one of the most important lessons every athlete must learn.• How missing Paralympic gold became the turning point that transformed Stephen Clegg's relationship with success and competition.• What living with a visual impairment teaches us about adaptability, innovation, and unlocking human potential.• How curiosity, experimentation, and embracing failure can accelerate learning and high performance.• Why the Paralympics showcase the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit alongside world-class athletic performance.• What role coaches, psychologists, and supportive communities play in building confidence beyond results.• How challenging limiting beliefs can empower people with disabilities to redefine what is possible.• Why courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to move forward despite it.• What Stephen Clegg's journey teaches us about resilience, identity, courage, and finding purpose through adversity.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:51 Near Misses and Medals02:43 Tokyo Pressure and Reset07:12 Early Swimming and Diagnosis10:24 Family and Growing Up Blind13:44 Social Stigma and Superpower18:05 Self Worth and Sport Culture22:28 Learning Without Visual Cues25:28 Tactile Training Innovations32:16 Echolocation and Human Potential36:00 Accessibility and Physics37:34 Learning Without Bias39:33 Adapting to Vision Loss42:39 Dating and Disclosure43:55 Rethinking Parasport49:28 Training and Injury Doubts54:04 Purpose Beyond Results57:29 Family and Role Models01:02:17 Commonwealth Games Drive01:04:25 Advice and Closing TitleGuest Pick:Book: Leaders Eat Last - Simon Sinek
Link: https://amzn.to/3QjHFRR
Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation.Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67pX07qo2f6AZTxOERShpn?si=95b0803ce82642a7
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divebeyondsportpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divebeyondsportpod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divebeyondsportpod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DIVEBeyondSportPod
Follow the Guest and Hosts on Instagram:
Stephen Clegg: https://www.instagram.com/stephen.clegg
Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward
Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hr 15 min - England Netball Player Funmi Fadoju: Even Better If… (DIVE Ep.33)
Follow us on Patreon for bonus content, extended interviews, and exclusive clips.
Patreon: patreon.com/divebeyondsportpodIn this episode, England netball star Funmi Fadoju joins Dive Beyond Sport to reflect on winning London Pulse's first Netball Super League Grand Final, being named Player of the Match, and the journey that began when she joined the club's pathway at just 13 years old. Funmi shares how strong team bonds, supportive coaches and teachers, and her family's education-first values have shaped both her career and confidence on and off the court. Funmi also opens up about balancing elite sport with a biomedical sciences degree, overcoming injury and the heartbreak of the Netball World Cup final, and the importance of sport psychology in helping her grow. She discusses netball's push toward professionalism, the role players have in inspiring the next generation, her dream of seeing netball at the Olympics, and why she'd call her life story Even Better If.Show Notes• How can finding the right team, coaches, and mentors shape an athlete's confidence, identity, and long-term success.• Why separating self-worth from performance is one of the most important lessons an athlete can learn.• How setbacks, losses, and difficult performances become opportunities for growth, resilience, and self-belief.• What role family, education, and community play in building successful athletes on and off the court.• How team sports develop leadership, trust, communication, and lifelong relationships.• Why building an identity beyond netball is essential for long-term happiness and life after sport.• What challenges professional netball faces and how athletes can help grow the game for future generations.• How athletes can use their platform to inspire young people and create a lasting impact beyond competition.• What winning London Pulse's first-ever Netball Super League title reveals about perseverance, belief, and teamwork.• What Funmi Fadoju's journey teaches us about resilience, confidence, leadership, and finding purpose beyond performance.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:54 Grand Final Glory02:03 Family Support and Meaning03:05 Team Culture and Community05:05 Finding Netball Early07:31 Why Netball Over Solo Sports12:46 PE Teachers and Identity13:27 Balancing Uni and Sport19:39 Netball Professionalism Reality22:47 Growing the Game Grassroots25:53 Cost Barriers and Travel29:00 Injuries and Sudden Spotlight31:51 Rock Bottom Match32:14 Reframing Failure33:01 Teammates And Therapy34:55 Stress Injury Setback37:43 Comeback Perspective39:19 Olympic Dream Gap41:10 Commonwealth Gold Hunt43:13 Team Identity Reset44:50 Women Sport Momentum47:36 Marketing And Personality51:23 Life After Netball54:45 Even Better If57:09 Final Thanks And WrapGuest Pick:Book: Throne of Glass - Sarah J. Maas
Link: https://amzn.to/4vFQMeO
Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation.Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67pX07qo2f6AZTxOERShpn?si=95b0803ce82642a7
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divebeyondsportpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divebeyondsportpod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divebeyondsportpod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DIVEBeyondSportPod
Follow the Guest and Hosts on Instagram:
Funmi Fadoju: https://www.instagram.com/funmi_fadoju
Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward
Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hr 1 min - Retired Paralympian Gaz Choudhry: Finding Meaning (DIVE Ep.32)
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exclusive clips.Patreon: patreon.com/divebeyondsportpodIn this episode, Paralympian, world champion wheelchair basketball player, and actor Gaz Choudhry joins Dive Beyond Sport to reflect on a life shaped by resilience, leadership, and purpose. Gaz shares how surviving childhood cancer and losing his leg at the age of 10 transformed his outlook on life, before unexpectedly stepping into the role of player-coach at the Tokyo Paralympics. He explores how confronting mortality changed the way he approaches success, identity, and high performance, and why he believes athletes must build a lifebeyond sport. Gaz also discusses transitioning into acting and storytelling, the challenges of retirement, the realities of meritocracy, and why finding joy, purpose, and meaning has always mattered more than chasing medals.Show Notes• How does surviving childhood cancer shape an athlete's identity, purpose, and approach to life.• What happens when you're unexpectedly asked to lead your team at the Paralympics as both player and coach.• How can facing mortality at a young age change the way we pursue success, fulfilment, and happiness.• Why is identity beyond sport one of the biggest challenges every athlete must eventually face.• What does elite sport teach us about resilience, leadership, delayed gratification, and personal growth.• How can athletes successfully transition into a completely different career after retirement.• What role do storytelling, creativity, and the arts play in finding purpose beyond competition.• Why is sport one of the closest environments to a true meritocracy, and what happens when athletes enter the real world.• How can embracing uncertainty, adapting to change, and letting go of control unlock new opportunities.• What can Gaz Choudhry’s journey teach us about leadership, resilience, identity, and building a meaningful life beyond sport.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:43 Tokyo Coach Crisis06:28 Earning Team Buy In08:41 Scorer to Strategist11:20 Pressure and Control16:20 Karachi to UK Childhood17:00 Cancer and Identity19:23 Make a Wish Memory21:01 Back to School and Sport24:11 Recurrence and Basketball26:55 Mortality and Values33:56 Joy Beyond Sport37:46 Life After Sport Planning38:23 Mentors and Team Bonds41:57 Acting by Accident44:02 Sport vs Arts Mindset45:57 Handling Critics and Regrets50:23 Grenfell Verbatim Theatre55:59 Auditions and No Feedback57:36 Transferable Skills Debate01:03:51 Meritocracy and Disability01:12:41 Finding Meaning FinaleGuest Pick:Book: The Mamba Mentality - Kobe BryantLink: https://amzn.to/4nPhWgs
Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation.Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67pX07qo2f6AZTxOERShpn?si=95b0803ce82642a7
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Follow the Guest and Hosts on Instagram:
Gaz Choudhry: https://www.instagram.com/georgiatb
Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward
Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw
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1 hr 19 min - British Triathlon World Champion Georgia Taylor-Brown: Dramatic, Emotional Disco Ball (DIVE Ep.31)
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Patreon: patreon.com/divebeyondsportpodIn this episode, Olympic triathlete Georgia Taylor-Brown joins Dive Beyond Sport from an altitude training camp in Granada as she prepares for her next race in Spain. Georgia shares how she keeps her identity separate from sport, explaining why she avoids bringing training home and relies on family, her partner Vince, and her dog to stay grounded. She also reflects on taking a lower-pressure season, exploring different race formats, and designing her own race suits. Georgia opens up about her journey into triathlon, overcoming major injuries and RED-S, and the resilience that kept her from walking away from the sport. She also compares the highs of Tokyo with the disappointment of Paris, reveals her race-day mindset, and shares why she'd call her life story The Dramatic Emotional Disco Ball.Show Notes• How do elite athletes build an identity that exists beyond results and medals.• What can long-term injuries teach us about resilience, perspective, and life beyond sport.• How do athletes stay present when competing in high-pressure Olympic environments.• What role does enjoyment play in sustaining motivation throughout an elite sporting career.• How can setbacks and adversity become the foundation for future success.• What does it take to perform with confidence while embracing uncertainty and risk.• How do athletes avoid defining themselves solely by their sport.• What lessons can endurance sport teach us about patience, adaptability, and mental strength.• How do Olympic athletes balance ambition with happiness and fulfilment outside competition.• What can Georgia Taylor-Brown's journey teach us about resilience, identity, and finding joy in high performance.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:54 Altitude Camp Reality04:02 Switching Off at Home08:01 Identity Beyond Results13:58 Find the Fun Mantra16:49 Racing Across Distances21:55 Creative Suits and Style22:50 Origins in Sport27:04 Early Triathlon Struggles29:38 Injuries and RED-S37:47 Stress Fracture Diagnosis40:29 Long Rehab Setbacks42:13 Finding Life Beyond Sport44:52 Tokyo vs Paris Pressure50:46 Individual vs Relay Meaning52:16 Leeds Squad Culture55:21 Mental Strategies in Racing59:45 Altitude Training Explained01:04:23 Movie Title and Wrap UpGuest Pick:Book: The Housemaid - Freida McFaddenLink: https://amzn.to/4dCs60b
Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation.Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67pX07qo2f6AZTxOERShpn?si=95b0803ce82642a7
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divebeyondsportpod
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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divebeyondsportpod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DIVEBeyondSportPod
Follow the Guest and Hosts on Instagram:
Georgia Taylor-Brown: https://www.instagram.com/gaz_choudhry
Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward
Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw
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1 hr 12 min
About DIVE Beyond Sport
From the publisher's feed
DIVE (Discovering Identity, Value, and Excellence) Beyond Sport goes beneath the surface of elite sport — into the minds, moments, and messy bits of what it really means to be an elite athlete. Hosted…
by Olympic divers and long time mates Yona Knight-Wisdom and Freddie Woodward, this show isn’t about stats or podiums. It’s about the people behind the performances. From mental health to identity, purpose to transition, we explore the untold stories and honest reflections that often get left out of the highlight reels. With guests like Olympic medallists, rising stars, and athletes who've redefined their lives post-sport, DIVE is for anyone curious about what drives excellence — and what happens when the lights go off and the cameras stop rolling.