Running clubs are booming, long runs are filling city streets, and with the Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival just around the corner, there’s no better time to drop a special bonus episode of Momentum.

Allie Daisy King sat down in our Melbourne studio with Issy Hume - a Nike Running Athlete, long-distance runner, and data scientist - whose journey has been inspiring women both on and off the track, to say the least.

Reflecting on her epic win at the Nike After Dark Tour, a women’s-only half marathon in Sydney, Issy shares what it felt like to cross that finish line, why running alongside so many women was such a powerful experience, and how she mentally prepares for big races. They dive into her passion for getting more women into running, the unique challenges female athletes face, and why investment from brands like Nike matters for the future of women’s sport.

Beyond running, Issy opens up about her life as a scientist (just casually) - from her PhD research to her mission of making data and science communication more accessible. She’s proof that athleticism and academia can run side by side.

Whether you’re gearing up for your first 5K, eyeing a marathon personal best, or just curious about how running culture is shifting in Australia, we can guarantee there'll be plenty for you to take away.

This episode was brought to you by Nike.

"I'm used to being the only one that looks like me in many rooms."

In this episode of Momentum, we sit down with former AFLW player and rising sports media voice Akec Makur Chuot (aka one of our favourite people on Instagram, ever).

Akec arrived in Australia as a 12-year-old refugee from Kenya and went on to become one of the first women of colour to play in the AFLW. Now, she’s shifting the game off the field too: using her **huge** platform in sports media to push for greater diversity and representation across the industry.

We speak about her early days in footy and what it was like being one of the few women of colour in the league, her transition from player to media personality, and the challenges she’s faced being in a space where she often didn’t see herself reflected. Akec shares why representation, both on screen and behind the scenes, is still crucial, and what legacy she hopes she’s leaving behind, both in sport and in the broader media landscape.

It’s a raw and honest conversation about identity, visibility, and the realities of breaking new ground. Aaaaand it's our final episode of Season 2 - we really couldn't think of a better episode to end on. It's a truly incredible episode.

If you’ve ever watched women’s rugby, you’ll know it’s a game of relentless grit, extraordinary athleticism, and deep camaraderie. But what you might not see is the behind-the-scenes reality - the sacrifices, historical inequality, and tireless work it takes just to compete at the highest level in this country, and beyond.

In this episode, we sit down with the iconic Georgie Friedrichs - a Wallaroo and fierce advocate for women in sport - to talk about her journey from a young player discovering the game, to becoming one of the most vocal and visible players in the Australian women’s rugby scene.

Georgie opens up about what it really means to wear the Wallaroos jersey, why she spoke out after the now-infamous 2023 travel disparity incident with Rugby Australia (iykyk), and the pressure that comes with being both an elite athlete and an advocate for change. This conversation is a powerful look at what it takes to not just play at the top level, but to fight for a better future while doing it. It's an episode not to be missed.

In case you can't tell, sports media is changing - and women like Georgia Rajic and Isha Singhal are leading that change.

From calling A-League Women’s and Super Netball matches to writing for leading newsrooms, they’ve built their own paths in a male-dominated industry that’s still catching up.

In this episode of Momentum, Georgia and Isha share what it takes to break through in sports media, the challenges they’ve faced, and the power of mentorship, community and backing yourself.

They open up about the impact of the Women’s World Cup, how social media is reshaping the landscape, and what’s needed for the next generation of women in sports media to thrive.

This is a conversation about carving out space, and making sure the door stays open for others.

If you’ve ever watched water polo, you’ll know it’s one of the toughest, most grueling sports on the planet - a brutal mix of endurance, strategy, and pure strength. And at the heart of it all are athletes like Matilda Kearns, who represent everything that's exciting about the next generation of Australian sport.

Tilly isn’t just an elite water polo player — she’s part of a powerful movement of young women making waves on and off the field. From her early days finding her passion for the sport, to stepping onto the biggest stages in the world, Tilly's story is one of hard work, resilience, and a deep love for representing her country.

But beyond the medals and tournaments, there’s the real story — the sacrifices, the challenges, and the evolving landscape for female athletes today. From the impact of social media to the fight for greater visibility and respect, Tilly's journey shows just how far women’s sport has come — and how far it still has to go.

In today’s episode, we’ll dive into Tilly's incredible career so far, what it’s really like to be a young woman at the elite level, and how she’s using her platform to inspire the next generation.

Today’s guest is Lydia O’Donnell - elite runner, Head Nike Run Coach, and now CEO and co-founder of Femmi, a platform empowering women to train in sync with their bodies. 

In this episode, Lydia takes us back to where it all began, sharing how her passion for running evolved into a mission to challenge outdated approaches to training. She reflects on the lessons she’s carried from elite sport into coaching and business, and what it means to support women as whole people - not just athletes.

We dive into the philosophy behind Femmi, which helps women understand their menstrual cycle and train accordingly. Lydia unpacks why this shift is so important, the challenges of launching a women-led business in the fitness space, and how social media has helped build a powerful, supportive community. She also shares her journey at Nike - from coaching grassroots runners to becoming a global leader in the running space.

This conversation is about more than performance - it’s about reshaping the way we talk about women’s health, resilience and recovery. Lydia is paving the way for a new era in sport, one where women are equipped, informed, and supported to reach their full potential.

So what are you waiting for? Give the ep a listen and let us know what you think. 

Some athletes make it look easy — but behind every highlight reel, there’s a story of grit you don’t always see.

Shea Connors knows that better than most. Before she was lighting up the A-League Women’s competition with Sydney FC, Shea faced a massive hurdle early in her career: compartment syndrome.

At 18, she wasn’t just fighting for minutes on the pitch — she was fighting to keep playing at all.

What’s so inspiring about Shea isn’t just her comeback — it’s the way she’s embraced every challenge, moving countries, switching leagues, and backing herself every step of the way.

Now, she’s not only making her mark on the field but building her voice off it too, helping drive the conversation around women’s football and athlete storytelling.

This week, we dive into Shea’s journey — the setbacks, the leaps of faith, and the lessons she’s learned chasing her passion around the world.

If you've been keeping an eye on women’s basketball — both here in Australia and around the world — you’ll know we’re standing at a real tipping point.

For decades, women’s basketball has produced incredible athletes, passionate fans, and world-class competition, but it hasn’t always been matched by the media coverage, commercial backing, or opportunities it deserves.But now, something is changing.

In the US, we’ve seen the explosion of women’s college basketball, with names like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese becoming household names.

The WNBA is selling out arenas and smashing viewership records. And right here at home, the WNBL — one of the longest-running women’s leagues in the world — is ready to catch that same momentum.The thing is, this growth isn’t automatic. It needs leadership. It needs vision. And it needs people who can think differently about where women's basketball can go.

That’s why today’s guest is such an exciting figure. Jennie Sager has just stepped into the role of CEO of the WNBL, bringing with her a powerhouse background across TV, tech, media, and business. She knows how to build brands. She knows how to tell stories. And now, she's ready to help put the WNBL exactly where it belongs — front and centre, both here and on the global stage.

This is an episode not to be missed.

WE'RE BACK WITH SEASON 2!When you think about trailblazers in sport, it’s easy to picture the biggest stadiums, the biggest crowds, and the biggest moments.But sometimes the most important shifts happen in spaces that haven't always been given the spotlight they deserve — until now. Today’s guests are two incredible athletes who are helping lead that change.Shae Graham made history as the first woman to represent Australia in wheelchair rugby — a sport known for its speed, its toughness, and its incredible community. And Liliana Prucha is a rising star, part of the next generation pushing para-sport forward with grit, passion, and a serious hunger to succeed.Both Shae and Liliana are carving out new paths not just for themselves, but for every young athlete coming through behind them. Their stories are full of resilience, strength, and a deep love for the game — and today, we’re diving into what it really means to be an elite athlete, how representation is changing the landscape for para-sport, and why the future has never looked brighter.

This week on Momentum, we have an extraordinary guest who’s breaking barriers and redefining what it means to be a young athlete. Ruby Trew is a 16-year-old Olympian skateboarder who’s already making waves on the international stage.

With her incredible talent, fierce determination, and passion for the sport, Ruby’s not just competing — she’s inspiring a new generation of skateboarders, especially young women, to chase their dreams fearlessly and aim for the Olympics at such a young age.In this interview, we dive into Ruby’s journey to Paris, the challenges she’s faced along the way as a young female state boarder, and the drive that keeps her pushing beyond limits.