The FX Factor

Every parent, coach, and kid in sport has felt it — that heavy silence on the drive home after a game. No one’s angry, but no one feels right either. It’s the quiet weight of expectations — the invisible kind we carry into every match, comp, or tournament.

Kelly opens up about a moment that humbled her at her son’s soccer tournament. From arriving two hours early, to watching him play flat and disconnected, to realising her own frustration wasn’t about him at all — it was about the story she’d built in her head.

This episode dives deep into why good parents sometimes push too hard, why good coaches can cross the line without meaning to, and how kids learn to measure themselves through our moods.

Across all sports — soccer, footy, swimming, dance, tennis — the message is the same: expectations aren’t the enemy; silence is.

If you’ve ever sat in that car, heart full and heavy, wondering if you said too much or not enough — this one’s for you.

We tell our kids to focus, try harder, be resilient, and give their best — but what are we doing to do better?

In this episode of The FX Factor, Kelly gets real about the growing gap between what we expect from kids and what we actually model for them. From parents who push for performance but don’t show up to support, to coaches who set standards but don’t communicate them — this is a raw look at how our actions, not our words, shape the next generation.

Kelly dives into how movement is the key to unlocking attention, emotion, and wellbeing — for kids and adults. She unpacks why we need to lead by example, why clarity matters more than criticism, and how we can redefine success in a world that’s obsessed with outcomes.

If you’ve ever caught yourself demanding more from your child, athlete, or student — this one will hit home. It’s time to move first, think later, and start showing up the way we want our kids to.

Nelson Twins - Justin and Chris 

From the classroom to the comedy stage, The Nelson Twins — Chris and Justin — have built their lives around two things: making people laugh and helping them grow. They’ve performed all over the world, appeared on TV, taught in schools, and now deliver their Stand Up and Be Counted program — blending humour, leadership, and wellbeing to show people how to step up, speak out, and see the bright side.

In this episode, we talk about how their careers have shaped their outlook on life, the lessons they’ve learned from teaching and performing, and why having a sense of humour might just be the ultimate resilience tool.

Expect plenty of laughs, a few curveballs, and some seriously good takeaways about confidence, perspective, and finding your voice — even when life doesn’t go to plan.

Strength and conditioning isn’t just for elite athletes — it’s for every child and teenager. Yet myths and fears often hold parents back from introducing it early, leaving kids unprepared, unconfident, and at higher risk of injury when they hit their teens.

In this episode of The FX Factor, Kelly dives into why strength and conditioning is a non-negotiable for kids and teens. From busting myths about stunted growth, to exploring the real benefits — injury prevention, power, confidence, and resilience — this episode breaks down everything parents need to know.

You’ll hear why:

• Early education matters, so kids don’t walk into a gym at 15 with no idea what to do
• Parents’ fears can hold kids back, and why leading by example is so powerful
• Strength work builds not just bodies, but mental health, resilience, and self-belief
• Body literacy — learning how your body moves, recovers, and adapts — is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child

This isn’t about raising bodybuilders. It’s about raising strong, confident, capable humans who know how to move and thrive for life.

If Part 1 was about why kids walk away, Part 2 is about what we can do to keep them in.

Kelly explores the powerful role parents, coaches, and communities play in keeping kids active and resilient — whether that’s in organised sport or simply in movement for life. She unpacks the importance of stepping back as a parent without stepping away, how clubs and schools need to lift their standards, why girls need special focus during puberty, and how to reframe movement beyond competition.

Packed with strategies, insights, and hard truths, this episode is all about solutions — building environments, habits, and support systems that keep kids not just playing, but thriving.

By age 13, nearly 70% of kids have dropped out of organised sport — and by 15, almost half of all girls have quit too. Why is this happening?

In this episode, Kelly digs deep into the real reasons kids walk away from sport: burnout, anxiety, the friendship trap, the pull of gaming and screens, poor sideline culture, and even the impact of body changes during growth and puberty. She also explores how neurodiverse kids face unique barriers that can leave them excluded if the right support isn’t there.

This is a raw, honest look at the challenges families and coaches face — and why so many kids say, “I’m done.”

In this inspiring episode of The FX Factor, Kelly sits down with 18-year-old athlete Chloe Leen — a powerhouse who has balanced tetrathlon, football, swimming, surfing, horses, and show jumping.

Chloe shares how her journey in sport began, the role her parents played in shaping her path, and what drives her to keep chasing her goals. She opens up about the highs, the setbacks, and what it really takes to balance multiple sports while staying passionate and grounded.

But this conversation goes beyond competition. Chloe talks about how she’s now using her experience to give back to kids through FITASFX, shaping the next generation with the lessons sport has taught her — resilience, confidence, and leadership.

If you’re a parent, teen, or coach, this is a must-listen. Chloe’s story proves that sport isn’t just about winning — it’s about growth, grit, and finding your own path.

In this episode of The FX Factor, I sit down with former Socceroo and Melbourne Victory captain Adrian Leijer to explore his journey from grassroots football to the world stage — and what life looks like beyond professional sport.

Adrian shares what shaped his career, the highs and lows of elite football, and the values that carried him through. But this conversation goes deeper than sport — we talk about entrepreneurship, leadership, and balance. Adrian opens up about building his business after football, the work ethic and discipline that transitioned seamlessly from the pitch into business ownership, and how he continues to mentor and inspire young athletes today.

We’ll dive into lessons for parents, coaches, and kids: how resilience and coachability matter at every level, what sport can really teach us about life, and why the transition from player to business leader is more connected than you might think. Adrian also shares what’s next for him, and the vision he has for making a broader impact in sport and beyond.

If you want to hear first-hand from someone who’s lived the athlete’s dream — and successfully built a second career beyond it — this episode is a must.

In Episode 4 of The FX Factor, we dive deep into the key developmental stages every child goes through in sport and movement — and why recognising them can be the difference between a kid who thrives and one who walks away.

We break down the physical changes, the shifts in coordination, strength, and confidence, and how parents can set clear expectations that evolve as their child’s body and mind grow. But it’s not just about muscles and milestones — we’ll also explore social development: learning respect, saying hello to coaches, listening, and becoming coachable.

Parents play a massive role in this journey, and we’ll unpack exactly how you can support your child through the tougher phases — from awkward growth spurts to dips in motivation — without pushing too hard or stepping back too far. We’ll also touch on when it’s the right time to challenge your child to play “up” an age group, and when it’s better to hold them back to protect their confidence and development.

This episode is all about giving you the insights, tools, and truths to guide your child through every stage of growth — physically, mentally, and socially — so they not only stay in the game but build resilience, confidence, and lifelong skills along the way.

In Episode 3 of The FX Factor, we get into the art (and challenge) of helping kids set goals that are truly theirs — not just what sounds good, looks good, or keeps parents happy.

We talk about what healthy goal setting looks like at different ages, why mini-milestones matter more than big lofty targets, and how to balance ambition with fun. You’ll learn how to spot the difference between a goal that motivates and one that crushes, and how to reframe setbacks so kids don’t give up before they’ve really begun.

This episode also covers the power of consistency, the importance of celebrating small wins, and why the journey often teaches more than the outcome itself. Parents will walk away with practical strategies to support kids — from the sporty ones with big dreams to those who just want to move and feel good about themselves.