Breaking the Ice with Dean Hewitt & Tahli Gill | The Nest Effect Podcast

They made Olympic history — now they’re sharing the story behind the brooms and the ice.

In this episode, we sit down with Dean Hewitt and Tahli Gill, Australia’s first-ever Olympic curling duo, as they continue their journey to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy. With their sights set on the next big challenge, they talk about grit, resilience, and what it’s like to rewrite the rules of Aussie winter sports.

We explore how they became partners, the sacrifices it took to qualify for the 2022 Winter Olympics, and the unique challenges they face training for a snow sport in a sunburnt country. Plus, they share how they’re working to grow the sport of curling back home, inspiring future generations.

Whether you're a sports fan, a dreamer, or just love a good underdog story, this one's for 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.

🎧 In this episode of The Nest Effect Podcast, we’re joined by Sara Sammons — a rising star in Australian ice hockey and a powerhouse forward for the Perth Inferno in the Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League (AWIHL). At just 24, Sara is already making waves nationally and internationally as a key player for the Aussie Flyers, Australia’s national women’s ice hockey team.

🚨 In this conversation, we explore:

• Sara’s journey from grassroots hockey to the global stage
• Competing in the AWIHL and representing Australia in international tournaments
• The mindset, discipline, and leadership required to excel in elite women’s ice hockey
• Balancing high-performance sport with study, work, and everyday life
• Empowering the next generation of female athletes in male-dominated sports

Whether you're an aspiring athlete, a fan of ice hockey, or passionate about women in sport, Sara’s story is a powerful reminder of what it means to lead with passion, purpose, and grit — on and off the ice.

🔥 Tune in to skate with purpose — only on The Nest Effect.

🌱 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, host Antoine Vidal sits down with Cameron Scott — a full-time Nurse Unit Manager and elite Australian bobsleigh pilot — as he chases qualification for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy.

As the driver and leader of Bobteam Scott, Cam is currently competing on the North American Cup bobsleigh circuit, racing across Canada and the US — all while balancing the high-stakes world of elite sport with a demanding healthcare career.

🏁 Inside this high-speed conversation:

• How Cam transitioned from nursing to international bobsleigh
• What it takes to compete for Olympic qualification in a niche winter sport
• Life on the road with Bobteam Scott and the North American Cup circuit
• The mental and physical demands of balancing elite sport and healthcare
• Resilience, risk, and what it really means to back yourself against the odds

Whether you're an aspiring Olympian, dual-career professional, or just fascinated by high-performance mindset and sports resilience, Cam’s story is proof that courage, focus, and grit can push you through even the steepest turns.

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

Insta Page

#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.

From heartbreak to healing, today’s guest has lived through the highs and lows of elite sport. Kiana Elliott began her athletic journey as a gymnast at just six years old, but devastating injuries forced her into early retirement at 14. Searching for a new path, she discovered weightlifting — and by 17, she was already breaking Australian youth records.

Since then, Kiana has gone on to:

• Represent Australia at the 2014 Youth Olympics and 2020 Tokyo Olympics
• Win gold at the Oceania Championships
• Become a strong contender for Paris 2024 qualification

But Kiana’s story is about more than medals. She’s an advocate for bone health, a mentor to young athletes, and a powerful voice on reinvention, resilience, and finding purpose beyond setbacks.

In this episode of The Nest Effect, we explore how Kiana turned identity loss into strength, and how she’s now using her platform to inspire the next generation.

🌱 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.

From the classroom to the boxing ring, Jeff Horn’s journey is a story of quiet strength, grit, and resilience. Once a bullied kid from Brisbane, Jeff shocked the world in 2017 when he defeated Manny Pacquiao in front of 50,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium.

But behind the gloves is more than a world champion — Jeff is a former schoolteacher, father, and motivational speaker who continues to inspire others to overcome the odds.

In this episode, we dive into Jeff’s story of courage, pressure, and purpose — and what it really means to punch through life’s toughest challenges, both literally and figuratively.

🌱 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, we sit down with Australian weightlifter Rory Scott, a top competitor in the men’s 81 kg division and standout member of Queensland’s Milton Weightlifting Club. Rory’s journey is one of relentless progress: after an outstanding 2023 season, he earned his place on the Australian team, claimed silver at the 2023 Pacific Games with a 301 kg total, and became Queensland’s top male lifter at the 2025 State Senior Championships.

But Rory’s story goes beyond medals. As a dedicated coach and mentor, he runs local workshops to help others develop their weightlifting skills, confidence, and strength — showing that true strength is about lifting up others as much as lifting heavy weights.

🌱 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

In this inspiring episode of The Nest Effect, we sit down with international archer Jess Lloyd—born and raised in Brisbane—who shares her journey from backyard beginner to elite competitor. Jess opens up about the mental battles behind the bow, including overcoming target panic and building resilience through setbacks.

We also explore how the WattleNest community has supported her growth, from coaching camps to mindset mentorship. Expect humour, honesty, and a rapid-fire round that might just surprise you.

Whether you’re an athlete, a coach, or just someone curious about the mind-games behind the bullseye, this one’s for 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.

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.