Chasing Gold: Sarah Blizzard is heading to the 2026 Winter Olympics! 🥇❄️

Meet Sarah Blizzard — a powerhouse Australian athlete whose journey from the track to the ice is redefining what it means to chase big dreams.

Once a standout sprinter and four-time Stawell Gift finalist, Sarah made the bold leap into the world of bobsleigh in 2019 — a sport few Aussies even know exists.

Now, she’s competing overseas with her sights firmly set on qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy. From mastering explosive sprint starts to piloting down icy tracks at over 120km/h, Sarah’s story is one of courage, adaptability, and relentless drive.

Having already represented Australia at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, she continues to push the boundaries of Australian sport — all while partially self-funding her journey in one of the world’s most demanding disciplines.

Tune in as we dive into the grit, mindset, and passion behind Sarah’s rise — and how she’s taking Australian bobsleigh to the next level, one icy run at a time.

🌱 The WattleNest is a community that connects business and sport to build stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities.

Whether you're an athlete, business owner, or passionate supporter — there's a place for you in the Nest.

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Music by Yurii Semchyshyn from Pixabay

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This is more than a replay — it’s a moment in history.

Before they became World Mixed Doubles Curling Champions in 2026, Dean Hewitt and Tali Gill joined The Nest Effect to share their journey — and what it really takes to chase an unlikely dream from a sunburnt country with almost no ice.

From sliding on hallway tiles in Brisbane to competing on the Olympic stage, this conversation captures the grit, sacrifice, and belief that would eventually lead them to the top of the world.

In this episode, we revisit:

• How their partnership began and evolved
• The reality of training for a winter sport in Australia
• The highs, heartbreaks, and chaos of the 2022 Winter Olympics
• The mindset that carried them through uncertainty and adversity

Now, as Australia’s first-ever World Champions in mixed doubles curling, this conversation hits differently.

It’s proof that big dreams don’t need perfect conditions — just relentless commitment.

🎙️ Recorded before history was made. Even more powerful now.

🌱 The WattleNest is a community that connects business and sport to build stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities.

Whether you're an athlete, business owner, or passionate supporter — there's a place for you in the Nest.

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Music by Yurii Semchyshyn from Pixabay

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Sarah Sammons discovered ice hockey as a seven-year-old living in Canada.

What began as a desire to join in with the other kids soon became a passion that would take her to national leagues, international tournaments and a gold medal representing Australia.

In this episode of The Nest Effect, Antoine Vidal speaks with the Perth Inferno forward and Aussie Flyers representative about the dedication required to compete in one of Australia’s fastest-growing minority sports.

Sarah shares the reality of balancing elite sport with her honours degree in psychology, the individual work required when access to ice time is limited, and how positive self-talk has transformed the way she approaches high-pressure moments.

She also reflects on Australia’s recent World Championship gold medal, the growth of women’s ice hockey, the financial challenges faced by self-funded athletes and the support she has received through The Wattle Nest.

This is a conversation about commitment, confidence, community and believing that the person capable of stepping up might just be you. 

🌱 The WattleNest is a community that connects business and sport to build stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities.

Whether you're an athlete, business owner, or passionate supporter — there's a place for you in the Nest.

🔗 Jump on the website to find out more

Music by Yurii Semchyshyn from Pixabay

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pressure Is a Privilege: Cameron Scott’s Olympic Bobsleigh Dream

Recorded last year, this episode of The Nest Effect takes us inside the remarkable journey of Australian bobsleigh pilot Cameron Scott.

A nurse unit manager by day and elite athlete every other waking moment, Cameron’s sporting journey began in rugby league before serious injuries forced him to reconsider his future. A chance conversation then introduced him to bobsleigh—and opened the door to an entirely new dream.

Cameron shares what it takes to compete in one of the fastest and most demanding sports in the world, including racing at speeds of up to 150 kilometres per hour, learning to navigate icy tracks, training without bobsleigh facilities in Australia and managing the enormous physical, mental and financial commitment required to compete internationally.

He also reflects on the importance of coaches, family and the people who support you through the hardest moments. Cameron explains why “pressure is a privilege,” how setbacks can create unexpected opportunities and why athletes must remain curious, accountable and willing to keep learning.

This conversation is about much more than bobsleigh. It is a story of resilience, leadership, sacrifice and having the courage to pursue a dream that may initially seem impossible.

Listen to the replay and discover what becomes possible when determination, preparation and the right support network come together.

Strap in — this ride is fast, focused, and full of purpose.

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#TheNestEffect #CameronScott #BobteamScott #WinterOlympics #AussieAthletes #MindsetAndGrit

🌱 The WattleNest is a community that connects business and sport to build stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities.

Whether you're an athlete, business owner, or passionate supporter — there's a place for you in the Nest.

🔗 Jump on the website to find out more

Music by Yurii Semchyshyn from Pixabay

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🔥 Top 10 in the World. Olympic Qualification Secured. 4 World Cups. 9 Days. One incredible season. 🔥

Huge congratulations to Abbey Willcox on an extraordinary World Cup campaign — competing in 4 World Cups in just 9 days and finishing the regular season Top 10 overall 🌍👏

Ahead of her push to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics, Antoine Vidal caught up with Abbey to unpack the journey behind the results.

Abbey takes us behind the flips — from competitive gymnastics to launching 15 meters into the air, navigating life-changing injuries, missed Olympic dreams, and the unforgettable moment of standing on a World Cup podium.

🎧 In this episode, we cover:

🌀 Gymnastics → elite aerial skiing

🏆 First World Cup podium & breakthrough moments

💪 Comeback after major injury & missing Beijing 2022

🧠 Mental toughness, recovery & high-performance mindset

🌟 Redefining success after setbacks

Whether you’re an athlete, chasing big goals, or rebuilding after a setback, Abbey’s story is a powerful reminder of what resilience really looks like.

🎙️ Listen now

Podcast Powered by The WattleNest 🪺

🌱 The WattleNest is a community that connects business and sport to build stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities.

Whether you're an athlete, business owner, or passionate supporter — there's a place for you in the Nest.

🔗 Jump on the website to find out more

Music by Yurii Semchyshyn from Pixabay

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Nest Effect, Antoine Vidal sits down with Kiana Elliott — Olympian, former elite gymnast and Australian weightlifting champion.

Kiana’s sporting journey began in gymnastics, where she was identified as a potential Olympic athlete at just six years old. After years of intense training and multiple major injuries, she made the difficult decision to walk away from the sport at 14.

But her Olympic dream didn’t end there.

Kiana later discovered weightlifting and quickly found a new path, representing Australia internationally and eventually achieving her dream at the Tokyo Olympic Games, where she lifted a personal best on her 24th birthday.

In this conversation, Kiana opens up about reinvention, pressure, injury, sacrifice, the financial realities facing Australian athletes, and the mindset required to keep pursuing excellence.

She also shares her connection with WattleNest and why support for athletes goes far beyond the competition platform.

This is a powerful episode about resilience, identity and believing that the unfathomable can be conquered.

🌱 The WattleNest is a community that connects business and sport to build stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities.

Whether you're an athlete, business owner, or passionate supporter — there's a place for you in the Nest.

🔗 Jump on the website to find out more

Music by Yurii Semchyshyn from Pixabay

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to shock the world?

In this powerful episode of The Nest Effect, Antoine Vidal sits down with former world champion boxer Jeff Horn, best known for his historic victory over Manny Pacquiao, to explore the mindset behind one of Australia’s greatest sporting upsets.

But this conversation goes far beyond the ring.

Jeff opens up about his journey from being bullied as a kid in Brisbane to becoming a global champion, the mental resilience it took to rise, and the identity shift that comes after achieving the ultimate goal.

Now a father, mentor, and ambassador for Bullyproof Australia, Jeff is focused on helping the next generation navigate conflict, build confidence, and create stronger futures.

This episode is about more than boxing, It’s about resilience, purpose, and who you become when the fight is over.

🌱 The WattleNest is a community that connects business and sport to build stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities.

Whether you're an athlete, business owner, or passionate supporter — there's a place for you in the Nest.

🔗 Jump on the website to find out more

Music by Yurii Semchyshyn from Pixabay

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Nest Effect, we sit down with Australian weightlifter Rory Scott — a rising force in the 81kg division and a member of Queensland’s Milton Weightlifting Club.

From national-level swimming to battling a serious back injury, Rory’s journey is one of resilience, discipline, and relentless self-belief. After years of rebuilding, he’s now representing Australia on the international stage — including a silver medal performance at the Pacific Games.

"Four years of setbacks built one moment that changed everything"

We dive into:

• What it takes to train like an elite athlete while working full-time
• The mindset shifts that helped him come back stronger after injury
• The reality of chasing Olympic dreams in a self-funded sport
• His approach to journaling, discipline, and saying “no” to stay focused

This is a powerful conversation about commitment, sacrifice, and finding purpose in the process.

🌱 The WattleNest is a community that connects business and sport to build stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities.

Whether you're an athlete, business owner, or passionate supporter — there's a place for you in the Nest.

🔗 Jump on the website to find out more

Music by Yurii Semchyshyn from Pixabay

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bullseyes & Breakthroughs: Jess Lloyd on Archery, Anxiety, and the Power of Community

What does it take to go from picking up a toy bow… to representing your country on the world stage?

In this episode of The Nest Effect, we’re joined by Jess Lloyd — a Sunshine Coast archer whose journey is a powerful reminder of what dedication, resilience, and the right support network can achieve.

From her early days discovering archery to competing internationally, Jess shares honest insights into:

✔️ The mental discipline required in elite sport

✔️ Overcoming challenges like performance pressure and “target panic”

✔️ The importance of mentorship and backing from organisations like Wattle Nest

With major competitions across China, Canada, and New Zealand ahead, Jess is a name to watch.

If you're passionate about high performance, mindset, or supporting the next generation of talent — this conversation is for you.

🎧 Tune in now and be inspired by what’s possible when people back people.

#TheNestEffect #Leadership #HighPerformance #Mindset #Sport #AthleteJourney #WattleNest #Podcast #Y1BP

🌱 The WattleNest is a community that connects business and sport to build stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities.

Whether you're an athlete, business owner, or passionate supporter — there's a place for you in the Nest.

🔗 Jump on the website to find out more

Music by Yurii Semchyshyn from Pixabay

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Nest Effect — a podcast where we honour stories that truly matter.

Stories of courage. Stories of connection. Stories that make a lasting impact in our community.

Created by the WattleNest Team, this podcast is a space for athletes and changemakers to:

• Share their personal journeys — the triumphs, the challenges, and the purpose that fuels them
• Highlight the collective impact we’re building through the WattleNest community
• Most importantly, inspire others to join in and be part of something bigger

Whether you're an athlete who’s defied the odds, one of our remarkable beneficiaries, a cheerleader for change, or a corporate leader driving social progress — your voice matters.

Your story could be the spark that inspires someone else to act.

We can’t wait to share these powerful conversations with the world.

🌱 The WattleNest is a community that connects business and sport to build stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities.

Whether you're an athlete, business owner, or passionate supporter — there's a place for you in the Nest.

🔗 Jump on the website to find out more

Music by Yurii Semchyshyn from Pixabay

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.