Today on our show Hear For Each Other, we are speaking with Australian Athletics Hall of Fame marathon legend Steve Moneghetti, AM. Have you ever wondered when to ask for help, or if doing so might be a cop-out? Self-reliance is a fundamental character trait for any marathon runner, and in this episode Steve talks us through it. Having won two of the six World Major Marathons, Steve has won two of the six World Major Marathons - his first being in Berlin in 1990, his second in Tokyo in ‘94. Steve has represented Australia in four Olympic Games, finishing in the top ten three times, as well as being the Australian Olympic Team Captain at the games in Sydney. Steve has also been a Commonwealth Games medalist four times including a gold medal in 1994.
Since competing professionally, Steve has continued his career in athletics under multiple and overlapping appointments as Chair of the AIS Athlete Advisory Committee, as an Australian Sports Commission Board Member, and very recently has finished his reign as the three times Australian Commonwealth Games Chef de Mission in Delhi, Glasgow and on the Gold Coast. Not quite sure why the Commonwealth is using a French term here - but there you go...
Born and raised a Ballarat boy of Central Victoria, and affectionately known as “Mona” to the locals - half of whom are going cross eyed from watching Steve continue to fly around Lake Wendouree at a breakneck pace - Steve is as loved and respected by his his beautiful hometown as anyone you’ll ever meet.
Rather than focus on all of Steve’s accolades, in our conversation we actually dip into a far less glorious (but no less important) side of being an elite athlete and a leader. We discuss managing disappointment - of others, but also within ourselves, we talk about shame and loneliness, we talk about worthiness, imposter syndrome, being in the moment, perfectionism, and how to relieve stress and improve mental health through talking.
We cover a lot of territory in this one hour and 20 minute conversation, and were only able to do so because of Steve’s ability to introspect and improve. It was very humbling to speak with Steve - he is very open and vulnerable in speaking about some of his biggest life challenges. What a strong man indeed - and a deeply human interview to conduct.
Thank you for tuning in, and I hope that you enjoy the show.
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Links from the show:
- Head to Help: 1800 595 212
- Ballarat Community Health: (03) 5338 4500
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If you enjoy this podcast, we’d be stoked if you gave it a rating or review where you listened to it! :)
xx Dave P
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This episode today is brought to you by the Ballarat Community Health Centre’s “Head to Help”. Head to help is a new federally-funded national mental health service that is right now providing support all over Australia. It’s absolutely ok not to feel ok, and if this is you, and you would like to talk to someone about it, which you should, then you can call the free call number 1800 595 212 between 8.30am – 5pm Monday – Friday (except public holidays). A trained professional will take your call, give you advice, and connect you to the best support or service for you.
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