Giovanna Barbosa has built a global creative career, challenging the waves of beauty and femininity but it all started at a shoot for her football club Coventry City. From playing at U.J to an international scholarship to play for a division 1 college in America to becoming a professional footballer for Coventry City, and winning a championship, Giovanna shines as a light of determination and power.

In this episode, she shares how a full-ride Division 1 scholarship to Texas A&M, along with Nike sponsored goods, set her on a path few South Africans have walked—studying neuroscience while playing elite college football in the U.S. Before that, she had just chased the ball. From kicking it around with the boys at Rovers, to making every team she could in South Africa, determination, hard work and grit opened incredible doors and we go in to the depth of her journey and her story from U.J to Texas and then to the U.K. A few paths diverged and converged and a contract with Aston Villa, Birmingham City, as well as Coventry City landed on the table, how did she choose and what did this mean for her journey in football? Giovanna discusses the change in the women’s sport industry from when she started until today, and she digs into her experiences and what she is witnessing within the game. We go into this and truth bomb about the DNA of the women’s game, the heartbeat of engagement, and what she witnessed when they brought the kids on to the field when playing for Coventry. Harder work, missing socks, no shirts, and the new kit next week, it’s all for the fans!

But this story takes a turn. A photo shoot at Coventry City FC shifted her entire trajectory. From the pitch to global campaigns. From shin guards to stilettos

The post Giovanna Barbosa – More Than a Game first appeared on She Speaks Sport.

With the Women’s Cricket World Cup just around the corner, today’s guest is someone whose story is still being written but already making an impact. Miane Smit is just 20 years old, but in the last year, she’s earned her international debut, been part of a World Cup squad as a reserve, and shared the field with the very players she refers to as her heroes. When Sune Luus presented Miane with her first T20 international cap for the Proteas earlier this year, it was a moment of joy and humour. If you asked all – rounder Miane Smit if she saw herself in this position just two years ago, she would not have believed you. However, the talented batter and off spinner has played in two ODI’s and three T20I’s for the Proteas, was the travelling reserve for the T20 world cup and for this year’s 50 over Cricket World Cup.

In our conversation, we talk about what it really feels like to step into the green and gold, the pressure and pride of wearing the Proteas badge, and what she's hoping to bring to South Africa’s campaign in the subcontinent. Miane talks about the standard the players set and how they continue to motivate her, challenge her in the best way possible, and the advice some of the players have given her for navigating cricket on and off the field.

We also get into Miane's ambitions, including a dream century for her country and the power of being surrounded by a team that pushes you to be better, every single day. We talk spin attack and its role in the World Cup, as well as the team that poses the most threat in the group stages. What’s it like to go from watching your heroes on TV… to sharing a locker room with them? It's all in this episode.

The post Miane Smit – Capped and Ready for the Cricket World Cup first appeared on She Speaks Sport.

Professional cyclist Noa Jansen has always held a passion to cycle at the highest level, but that love was clouded by an eating disorder that slowly stole her joy, her strength, and her sense of self. What began as rules in her head, “rewards” with food, and the praise of being thinner as an athlete, soon spiraled into a reality where she was unrecognisable to those who knew her best. Eventually, her body gave out, leaving her unable to race, and forcing her to face a truth which led to her hospitalisation and her first steps to recovery.

On this episode, Noa speaks with raw honesty about what it meant to lose not just her physical health, but the dream she had built her life around, and the courage it took to fight her way back. Her recovery was not only about eating again, but confronting the mental battles behind her disorder, surrendering to the painful process of healing, and slowly rediscovering the joy she once felt as a young girl on her bike. Along the way, she was supported by incredible mentors like Natascha Knaven founder of NXTG and Leontien van Moorsel, who helped create a safe space for her to rebuild herself and her dreams.

Today, Noa Jansen rides fiercely for the Liv Alula Jayco women’s team, carrying with her the scars of struggle and the strength of survival. In our conversation, we also speak about the ongoing pressure from the media around professional cyclists and the constant commentary on weight, something we saw at the Tour de France Femmes this year. How does Noa feel about stepping on the scale now? And what are her goals as she rides for the Liv Alula Jayco team? Noa is so incredibly open and brave about her story and her voice needs to be heard. This is a story of vulnerability, courage, and the relentless pursuit of a dream that refused to die.

The post Noa Jansen Rides to Wholeness – Life after the Struggle first appeared on She Speaks Sport.

An exciting, fun She Speaks Sport exclusive straight from the Women's Rugby World Cup in England! Joining me is our number 10, Libbie Janse van Rensburg who scored two sensational tries in the dominant match last Sunday against Brazil in Northampton.

On the podcast, we chat about the Brazil women's team who made history in becoming the first rugby team to represent their nation in a rugby World Cup. Although the match belonged to the Springboks with a resounding 66 - 6 defeat against the South Americans, there is much respect for Brazil and for their place in this tournament. We chat about the feeling in the camp, the unity, energy and passion and of course, the impact of this Rugby World Cup and how the fans are supporting the Women Boks in a manner that is moving and monumental. The player - fan connection and interaction is at the heart of women's sport and Libbie talks about the emotional connection female athletes have with those who support the games.

I also ask her about that now iconic "tiger" celebration after her second try, and she shares the heartfelt meaning behind this celebration. Spoiler alert - Zambezi fest, Tayla and a promise to young fans. How does she feel about the upcoming Italy game, where the Springbok women have faced close losses to the fired up, hungry to get their first win, Italian side? And a few more insights and takeaways from our conversation on the sidelines at the women's rugby World Cup. This is just for you! Tune in, host some watch parties and keep supporting the team.

The post Libbie JVR – Life from the Women’s Rugby World Cup first appeared on She Speaks Sport.

The 2025 U23 world rowing championships just wrapped up in Poland. The top young talent in the world of rowing showed up with thrilling races and surprising finishes, with the South African rowers leaving their mark on the world champs. Chloe Cresswell led the charge in the lightweight women’s single sculls, and her technical precision and fight, meant she walked away with a silver medal.

We celebrate the win together on the podcast, as Chloe joins me to talk about the race, the German fighting in the last row and the fire she needed to carry to get across the line. Exhausted, she didn’t know she had won the silver until she looked up at the board. Reflecting on her journey into rowing, she shares with us her objectives at the world champs and how winning wasn’t the key goal. As rowing continues to grow in popularity with the public, we share about the incredible community spirit in the sport, and the public interest that is growing prolifically.

I also quiz Chloe on the most googled questions around the sport of rowing, including the inquisitive question of why is rowing so posh? Her knowledge of the sport and its history is impressive as she answers the worlds questions about the sport. What is in store for Chloe Cresswell and her future in the sport? How does she feel after her silver medal win? Join us for this celebratory conversation.

The post “Why Rowing Isn’t Just for the Posh” — Chloe Cresswell first appeared on She Speaks Sport.

Kira Bester is undoubtedly a surfski paddler superstar! Not only is she the reigning ICF Canoe Ocean racing World champion, she conquered the Indian, Mediterranean and Atlantic oceans in a single week, winning all three surfski races. Last year she […]

The post Kira Bester – Riding the Waves of Purpose first appeared on She Speaks Sport.

**Podcast Description:**

In this powerful and deeply moving episode, we sit down with Simone Sharpe — a survivor in every sense of the word. Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at just 15 and later facing the most severe case of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in South Africa at 18, Simone’s life has been shaped by pain, perseverance, and an unbreakable spirit. From countless rounds of chemo and radiation to a titanium shoulder replacement after developing Avascular Necrosis, her body has endured the unimaginable.

Yet Simone has never stopped pushing limits. Now a mountain biker, triathlete, and member of the fearless Absa #SheUntamed team, she recently completed her first Cape Epic — one of the toughest mountain bike races in the world. Simone shares the raw, emotional highs and lows of the race: the physical collapse, the threat of hospitalisation, the heartbreak of missing a cut-off, and the resilience that brought her back to the finish line.

But this conversation goes beyond sport. We explore body positivity, the danger of tying self-worth to achievement, and Simone’s courageous journey through sobriety. Her honesty, humour, and self-awareness light up this episode as she reflects on the deep 'why' behind her pursuit of extreme challenges — and the shift she feels coming in her life.

The post Simone Sharpe – Survivor, Athlete, and Unstoppable Force first appeared on She Speaks Sport.

The countdown is on! This July, 38 teams from around the globe will lace up their skates and head to Austria for the highly anticipated Roller Derby World Cup. With a history spanning over 90 years, roller derby has made its way around the world and is a sport that empowers women and breaks down patriarchal barriers. Joining me on the podcast this week, is Zelri van der Schyff, who will be representing Team South Africa along with her team mates at the world cup. Zelri is also a coach and part of the management for the Cape Town Roller Girls.

We dive into what it takes to get to the roller derby World Cup, the top teams to watch, and the incredible journey of the South African team. Zelri breaks down how roller derby actually works (yes, we answer the “is there a ball?” question), what the penalty box is really like, and why this full-contact sport is making waves for body positivity and inclusivity — no matter your age. Zelri also shares with us some of the misconceptions and remarks made about roller derby, that are belittling to the power of the game. Is there a ball involved in roller derby? How long does the game last? And am I too old to play? We answer these questions and more on this episode. 

Whether you’re a die-hard derby fan or a curious newcomer, this episode brings the hype, the heart, and the hard hits. Let’s roll!

The post Zelri V.D Schyff – Rolling into the Roller Derby World Cup first appeared on She Speaks Sport.

Kimberly Coats has been involved in cycling development across the African continent since 2009. Along with her partner, she established the National Cycling Team of Rwanda. Over the years, she has worked in several countries, including Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda. Currently, she is focused on developing the Benin National Cycling Team in partnership with the Benin Cycling Federation. Her primary emphasis is on promoting women’s cycling, and she has sponsored the Women’s Tour du Lunsar twice in collaboration with Team Africa Rising. Recently, she was recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in the Cycling Industry by Escape Collective.

Though Kimberly humbly describes herself as someone who simply "gets girls on bikes," her impact goes far beyond that as a tour de force in the fight for greater opportunities and equality in African cycling. We kick things off with a candid discussion about imposter syndrome and how women can claim their space, make themselves invaluable, and even create jobs where none exist. Kimberly shares her personal journey facing the challenges of a lack of women’s races in Rwanda and the absence of women in cycling decision-making circles. We explore the cultural and societal barriers that women face, including deeply ingrained beliefs around women cycling, from misconceptions about virginity to concerns about women financially supporting their families once they are successful in the sport.

The conversation also dives into the absence of a women’s section in the Tour of Rwanda, despite its long history, and the impressive efforts being made to promote women’s cycling in countries like Benin. Kimberly offers an eye-opening perspective on the upcoming UCI World Championships in Rwanda and the ongoing debate about moving the event to another country.

Throughout the episode, Kimberly Coats challenges the dominant narratives that often portray Africa as a dangerous, overlooked continent, sharing her own powerful experiences working in African cycling and revealing the vibrant and diverse beauty of the continent. Tune in for an insightful, inspiring conversation that sheds light on the struggles, triumphs, and the future of women’s (and mens) cycling in Africa.

The post Kimberly Coats – Developing Cycling in Africa first appeared on She Speaks Sport.

In this inspiring episode, Ruth Mwandumba, a British Olympic World Class Programme athlete and target shooting sensation, joins me to share her incredible journey. Ruth made history in 2018 as the first black athlete to represent both Great Britain and England in target shooting, and she’s been breaking barriers ever since. Ranked number one in England, a two-time English champion, and a two-time British record holder, Ruth opens up about her unique path to the sport and her unwavering determination to reach the top.

We dive into Ruth’s early days in shooting, starting as an army cadet at school, and how she had to wait until her 20s to pursue competitive rifle shooting due to the lack of nearby clubs. Ruth explains the different styles of shooting, especially in light of the viral Olympic pistol shooting videos, and reflects on the pivotal moment when she started believing the Olympics could be a real goal.

Ruth also shares her exciting experience as a travelling reserve for the Paris Olympics, the lessons she learned, and her ambitions for the 2028 Games. We discuss her #targetchange initiative with British Shooting, aimed at increasing diversity and accessibility in the sport for young athletes.

Drawing from her Malawian heritage, Ruth Mwandumba talks about how it shapes her identity and how her family has supported her career. One of the most touching parts of our conversation is about Ruth’s journey through pregnancy. She opens up about managing morning sickness while preparing for the upcoming European championships, and how female athletes, particularly moms, are changing the landscape for mothers in sports.

The post Ruth Mwandumba – Aiming High & Breaking Barriers In Shooting first appeared on She Speaks Sport.