The Price You Pay

He was 19, fit, working, and living a normal young adult life then he walked into hospital with stomach pain and woke up in ICU with his life rewritten. Our guest, Australian Steelers wheelchair rugby star Chris Bond, shares the raw, human story behind a Paralympic career that includes gold in London 2012, a nail-biting win in Rio, and a bronze in Paris 2024, all after surviving leukaemia alongside a catastrophic bacterial infection that led to amputations.

We talk through what recovery really demands: relearning independence from the ground up, driving again, living with prosthetics and skin graft fragility, and managing pain while still training at an elite level. Chris also explains why wheelchair rugby is not just big hits, but a tactical, high-speed chess match shaped by every athlete’s unique impairment and role on court. If you’ve ever been curious about adaptive sport, Paralympic performance, or how identity changes after trauma, this conversation goes there with honesty and clarity.

The story widens beyond sport into the parts people rarely see: separation, shared custody, solo parenting, profound grief after losing one twin, and the decision to finally try therapy and deal with old trauma. We also dig into athlete funding and the financial reality of chasing medals, including equipment costs, working while competing, and how programs like Deloitte’s athlete employment support can make a difference as Brisbane 2032 approaches.

If Chris’s story moves you, please subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review so these athlete stories travel further. What part of his journey do you think more people need to understand?

Become a part of our athletes' success stories:  Whether its a personal donation, a corporate partnership, a round of golf, or simply by spreading the word, your support has the power to uplift our athletes and inspire countless others!
 
Website:      https://aussieathletefund.com/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/aussieathletefund/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/aussieathletefund

Be sure to check out our "Aussie Athlete Supporters" jersey at https://aussieathletefund.com/jersey

Thank you for tuning in to The Price You Pay podcast! To ensure you never miss an episode, hit that "FOLLOW" button and remember to leave us a like, review, rating or share the podcast with someone you know needs to hear the inspiring stories of athletes and their families giving their all for the dream! 

A teenage Olympian, a decade-long detour, and a national record on the way back. We’re joined by Sydney-born recurve archer Lexi Feeney, who competed at the Beijing Olympics at 19, stepped away with chronic injury, and now returns with her sights locked on LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032. Alongside Lexi, we also hear from her dad Peter, her first coach and longest-running supporter, for a rare look at what it takes behind the curtain to build an Olympic athlete in Australia.

We talk through the unglamorous reality of high performance training while working full-time: pre-5am sessions, long days at a desk, second workouts, and the discipline it takes to train six days a week without burning out. Lexi shares how her relationship with sport has matured, why archery supports her mental health through community and connection, and how intentional goal setting and periodised training help her stay motivated, even when she’s training alone.

Then we get specific about the money. Equipment, tournament fees, domestic travel, international tours, paying to represent your country, mindset coaching, strength coaching, and the biggest hidden cost: lost wages when time away from work is unpaid. Lexi explains how the Aussie Athlete Fund helps with both financial support and the skill of asking, shifting her mindset from “What can I afford?” to “What do I need to give myself the best chance?” If you care about athlete funding, Olympic pathways, and what it truly costs to chase green and gold, this conversation is for you.

Subscribe for more stories like this, share the episode with someone who loves sport, and leave a review so these journeys travel further. Want to back an athlete directly? Visit www.aussieathletfund.com and choose your impact.

Become a part of our athletes' success stories:  Whether its a personal donation, a corporate partnership, a round of golf, or simply by spreading the word, your support has the power to uplift our athletes and inspire countless others!
 
Website:      https://aussieathletefund.com/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/aussieathletefund/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/aussieathletefund

Be sure to check out our "Aussie Athlete Supporters" jersey at https://aussieathletefund.com/jersey

Thank you for tuning in to The Price You Pay podcast! To ensure you never miss an episode, hit that "FOLLOW" button and remember to leave us a like, review, rating or share the podcast with someone you know needs to hear the inspiring stories of athletes and their families giving their all for the dream! 

A 16-year-old can be ranked number one in Australia and still need her mum on the plane as a required chaperone. That’s the reality for junior elite sport, and it’s why Mackenzie McDonald’s Taekwondo journey is as much about logistics and family sacrifice as it is about medals.

We talk with Mackenzie and her mum, Christy, about what it takes to stay at the pointy end of high performance Taekwondo: third Dan gradings, the pressure of world-level competition, and the mindset that turns a painful loss into a plan. Mackenzie opens up about that razor edge between being friendly off the mat and being ruthless on it, plus the hard social trade-offs when school friends don’t understand why training always comes first.

Then we get into the unglamorous details that decide whether a talented athlete can keep going. As a rural athlete, Mackenzie clocks more than 700km a week just getting to training, and the family has made big changes including homeschooling for flexibility and reshaping work to cover travel and costs. We also dig into what the Aussie Athlete Fund teaches athletes about fundraising, storytelling, and building a personal brand so support becomes “back my journey,” not “help my parents cope.”

If you care about junior sport, athlete funding in Australia, and the real price behind the green and gold dream, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so these stories travel further.

Become a part of our athletes' success stories:  Whether its a personal donation, a corporate partnership, a round of golf, or simply by spreading the word, your support has the power to uplift our athletes and inspire countless others!
 
Website:      https://aussieathletefund.com/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/aussieathletefund/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/aussieathletefund

Be sure to check out our "Aussie Athlete Supporters" jersey at https://aussieathletefund.com/jersey

Thank you for tuning in to The Price You Pay podcast! To ensure you never miss an episode, hit that "FOLLOW" button and remember to leave us a like, review, rating or share the podcast with someone you know needs to hear the inspiring stories of athletes and their families giving their all for the dream! 

A 14-year-old trains like an elite athlete, then goes back to Year 9 homework. That’s the reality for Isabella “Bella” Crosbie, an artistic swimmer (formerly synchronised swimming) on the 2026 Australian Youth Training Squad, and it’s only half the story. We talk with Bella and her mum, Carissa, about what a real training week looks like, from club sessions and high performance hours to the unglamorous nightly stretching and strength work that builds results over time. If you’ve ever wondered how artistic swimming athletes prepare, Bella breaks down the land work, the “land routine” practice, and the mindset that keeps her consistent.

Carissa takes us back to the beginning, when Bella was so shy she avoided school performances and needed a teacher beside her just to participate. Sport became a confidence plan before it became a high performance pathway. We explore how team culture, coaching support, and friendships helped Bella move from fear to excitement, including a remarkable twist where she met a “cousin” through the sport and discovered they really were family. It’s a candid look at youth sport psychology, confidence building, and managing competition nerves when the stakes keep rising.

Then we get honest about athlete funding and the price families pay to keep Olympic dreams alive. With interstate travel for Australian Institute of Sport camps in Canberra, national championships, and international competition, costs escalate fast. Carissa shares what it takes to fund the dream while working full-time, volunteering, fundraising, and even running a dog-sitting side hustle, plus how programs like the Aussie Athlete Fund and Elevate 32 help athletes learn sponsorship, social media, and storytelling skills. If you care about Australian athletes and the road to Brisbane 2032, hit follow, share this with a friend, and leave a review so these stories travel further.

Become a part of our athletes' success stories:  Whether its a personal donation, a corporate partnership, a round of golf, or simply by spreading the word, your support has the power to uplift our athletes and inspire countless others!
 
Website:      https://aussieathletefund.com/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/aussieathletefund/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/aussieathletefund

Be sure to check out our "Aussie Athlete Supporters" jersey at https://aussieathletefund.com/jersey

Thank you for tuning in to The Price You Pay podcast! To ensure you never miss an episode, hit that "FOLLOW" button and remember to leave us a like, review, rating or share the podcast with someone you know needs to hear the inspiring stories of athletes and their families giving their all for the dream! 

A gymnast with one pectoral muscle, six knee surgeries, and a career that refuses to follow the usual timeline does not just “push through.” Clay Mason Stephens shows what it really looks like to adapt, rebuild, and choose the hard path with clear eyes. We talk with Clay and his Mum Louise about Poland syndrome, the brutal psychology of comparison during puberty, and the difference supportive parenting can make when a kid is determined to chase an elite sport dream.

We also get practical about men’s artistic gymnastics: the six apparatus, how specialisation happens, and why being an all-round athlete turns training into a constant time-management puzzle. Clay opens up about repeated ACL injuries, the rehab grind, and the mindset shift that helped him climb out of a dark COVID period while stranded in the US. His most important metric changes from perfect outcomes to something harder and more sustainable: self-trust built by showing up, and a promise to keep the sport fun enough to be worth the price.

Then we zoom out to the often-unspoken side of athlete life: money. Clay explains the financial pressure of training 30+ hours a week, why working a full day can be genuinely dangerous in gymnastics, and how scholarships and side work shape real decisions. We also explore generosity as a performance value, from giving up a Commonwealth Games high bar final spot so a teammate could medal, to trekking in Nepal and fundraising nearly $40,000 for earthquake-resilient classrooms with the Reach for Nepal Foundation. If you care about Australian sport funding, athlete wellbeing, injury recovery, and building a life bigger than results, this conversation stays with you.

Subscribe for more stories from Aussie athletes, share this episode with someone who needs a mindset reset, and leave a review so these journeys travel further.

Become a part of our athletes' success stories:  Whether its a personal donation, a corporate partnership, a round of golf, or simply by spreading the word, your support has the power to uplift our athletes and inspire countless others!
 
Website:      https://aussieathletefund.com/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/aussieathletefund/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/aussieathletefund

Be sure to check out our "Aussie Athlete Supporters" jersey at https://aussieathletefund.com/jersey

Thank you for tuning in to The Price You Pay podcast! To ensure you never miss an episode, hit that "FOLLOW" button and remember to leave us a like, review, rating or share the podcast with someone you know needs to hear the inspiring stories of athletes and their families giving their all for the dream! 

We sit down with Olympian heptathlete Tori West to unpack what it takes to build a “dream heptathlon” while balancing real-life costs, work, and travel. We also follow her leap from regional sport in Townsville to a Swiss training camp, plus why she is building sports tech to give athletes control of their own data.
• how heptathlon scoring works and why personal bests tell the real story
• the psychology of event order across two days of competition
• growing up in Townsville, being shy, and finding confidence through boxing
• funding a sporting dream through stacked jobs, side hustles, and brutal schedules
• moving to Brisbane for an Olympic-level coaching environment and long-term growth
• building a company that helps athletes and coaches use training data better
• the future of athlete data ownership, consent, verification, and athlete passports
• setting big goals for the Commonwealth Games and staying grounded under pressure
• giving back to regional sport and supporting athletes at every level
To get involved, please visit our website at www.aussieathletfund.com and choose your impact.
Sharing the fund's mission or even an episode of this podcast is how we grow and expand the reach to better support these young athletes.
Pressing the follow button means that you won't miss an episode.
And giving us a great review is how these athletes' stories travel further afield.

Become a part of our athletes' success stories:  Whether its a personal donation, a corporate partnership, a round of golf, or simply by spreading the word, your support has the power to uplift our athletes and inspire countless others!
 
Website:      https://aussieathletefund.com/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/aussieathletefund/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/aussieathletefund

Be sure to check out our "Aussie Athlete Supporters" jersey at https://aussieathletefund.com/jersey

Thank you for tuning in to The Price You Pay podcast! To ensure you never miss an episode, hit that "FOLLOW" button and remember to leave us a like, review, rating or share the podcast with someone you know needs to hear the inspiring stories of athletes and their families giving their all for the dream! 

A 14-year-old Australian rider earns a place at the Honda Racing School in Japan, and suddenly the dream gets real: new countries, older competitors, higher speeds, and a price tag most people never see. We sit down with Jackson Macdonald and his dad Glen to trace the exact steps that moved Jackson from early racing in Australia to international starts, age exemptions, and a fast-forming MotoGP pathway that now runs through Spain, Japan, and iconic tracks like Phillip Island.

Jackson shares the clearest performance lesson we have heard in a while: there’s a difference between a rider and a racer. We get into how he studies qualifying footage, lap times, and competitor strengths to build a passing plan, plus how technique actually works when you’re leaned over with knee down and trying to turn the bike efficiently. Glen adds the behind-the-scenes structure: choosing the right coaches, learning from Spain’s road racing “heartland,” and building a home training setup that lets Jackson repeat the same drills without living on a plane.

Then we talk about the part that can’t be separated from elite sport, especially motorsport: money and logistics. Glen explains what it means to close a business during travel, why junior racing is often unpaid, and how support can swing from strong donor years to nothing at all. We also unpack how the Aussie Athlete Fund helps families build real-world skills in communication, fundraising, marketing, and presenting young athletes professionally, so talent has a fighting chance to keep moving forward.

If you care about athlete development, junior motorsport, homeschooling for elite athletes, or the true cost of chasing MotoGP, this story will stick with you. Subscribe, share with someone who loves racing, and leave a review so these athletes’ stories travel further.

Become a part of our athletes' success stories:  Whether its a personal donation, a corporate partnership, a round of golf, or simply by spreading the word, your support has the power to uplift our athletes and inspire countless others!
 
Website:      https://aussieathletefund.com/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/aussieathletefund/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/aussieathletefund

Be sure to check out our "Aussie Athlete Supporters" jersey at https://aussieathletefund.com/jersey

Thank you for tuning in to The Price You Pay podcast! To ensure you never miss an episode, hit that "FOLLOW" button and remember to leave us a like, review, rating or share the podcast with someone you know needs to hear the inspiring stories of athletes and their families giving their all for the dream! 

We sit down with CAN Fund founder Jane Roos to talk about the real cost of representing your country and why “showing up” is the most practical form of belief you can give an athlete. We connect Jane’s origin story and fundraising philosophy to why we built the Aussie Athlete Fund and how we can stop normalising pay to play sport. 
• Jane’s life-changing car accident and the mindset shift that follows 
• The early CAN Fund fundraiser and how small actions create ripple effects 
• Why athletes have “no plan B” and why they bring a country together 
• Donor journeys that work: invitation-based asks and meaningful touchpoints 
• The anger behind pay to play and why the system still persists 
• Creativity in fundraising: experiences, community events and supporters jerseys 
• Art as impact: Jane’s “Who We Are” national canvas concept 
• Reframing donations as “gifting time” and building belief 
To get involved please visit our website at www.aussieathfund.com and choose your impact. Whether that's as a corporate partner, teaming up with an athlete in our Million Dollar Challenge, buying a supporters jersey or signing up to host a great Aussie Athlete barbecue. Sharing the fund's mission or even an episode of this podcast is how we grow and expand the reach to better support these young athletes. Pressing the follow button means that you won't miss an episode and giving us a great review is how these athletes' stories travel further afield. 

Become a part of our athletes' success stories:  Whether its a personal donation, a corporate partnership, a round of golf, or simply by spreading the word, your support has the power to uplift our athletes and inspire countless others!
 
Website:      https://aussieathletefund.com/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/aussieathletefund/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/aussieathletefund

Be sure to check out our "Aussie Athlete Supporters" jersey at https://aussieathletefund.com/jersey

Thank you for tuning in to The Price You Pay podcast! To ensure you never miss an episode, hit that "FOLLOW" button and remember to leave us a like, review, rating or share the podcast with someone you know needs to hear the inspiring stories of athletes and their families giving their all for the dream! 

What does it really take to chase Olympic sailing as a sibling team when boats, sails, and travel chew through your budget before you hit the start line? We sit down with Australian sailor Ashlee Daunt to unpack the organized chaos behind a mixed 470 campaign with her brother Brayden—how they split roles, handle conflict, and keep the long game in view from LA 2028 to Brisbane 2032.

Ashlee shares how a late start at 14 turned into freedom on the water, quick progress in the 29er, and a smart move into the 470 where size, skill, and strategy suit their build. She leads tactics and the main; Brayden drives power on the wire, trims, and keeps the boat flat and fast. Together they navigate regatta pressure, a steep 470 learning curve, and the reality that true crew flow can take up to a decade. That means patience, systems, and communication when fatigue and noise threaten to fracture decisions mid-race.

We also zoom out to the money. European regattas taught them more than speed; they revealed the actual cost of competing with the world’s best. Ashlee, an accountant, owns the budget, logistics, and fundraising while Brayden handles boat work—an approach that keeps the bow pointed forward without burning out. With support from the Aussie Athlete Fund, their club, and family, they’re building recurring backing through sponsors and patrons to fund the runway that high performance demands. Their mum, Kerri, offers a moving perspective on raising a “trio,” stepping back, and cheering for two kids who turned a school sport into a national dream.

Become a part of our athletes' success stories:  Whether its a personal donation, a corporate partnership, a round of golf, or simply by spreading the word, your support has the power to uplift our athletes and inspire countless others!
 
Website:      https://aussieathletefund.com/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/aussieathletefund/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/aussieathletefund

Be sure to check out our "Aussie Athlete Supporters" jersey at https://aussieathletefund.com/jersey

Thank you for tuning in to The Price You Pay podcast! To ensure you never miss an episode, hit that "FOLLOW" button and remember to leave us a like, review, rating or share the podcast with someone you know needs to hear the inspiring stories of athletes and their families giving their all for the dream! 

We explore the real cost of chasing green and gold and follow Alex Hayden’s rise from rural South Australia to the PSA World Tour. She shares how she funds her career, why storytelling builds resilience, and how LA 2028 reframed what’s possible for squash.

• why the Aussie Athlete Fund exists and what it fixes
• how Alex fell in love with squash at eight in Clare Valley
• portable glass courts, iconic venues and fan experience
• LA 2028 inclusion and shifting goals beyond Commonwealth Games
• choosing the US as a training base and college pipeline insights
• breaking down funding: sponsors, raffles, exhibitions, clinics
• building a repeatable athlete business with simple systems
• supporter updates, honesty after losses and the 24‑hour rule
• values, mindset and aligning training with personal identity
• practical ways listeners and businesses can back athletes

Training, travel, and mindset weave through every chapter. Alex explains why the US became her base—strong competition, top coaching, and the gravity of a thriving college system—and how she manages the long-haul reality of an international schedule. We dive into the magic of portable glass courts set against iconic backdrops, the evolving culture of cheering in squash, and the moment Olympic inclusion transformed her horizon. Most powerful is her approach to resilience: a 24-hour rule for processing results, candid updates to supporters via WhatsApp, and the integrity that comes from aligning values, goals, and daily actions.

Become a part of our athletes' success stories:  Whether its a personal donation, a corporate partnership, a round of golf, or simply by spreading the word, your support has the power to uplift our athletes and inspire countless others!
 
Website:      https://aussieathletefund.com/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/aussieathletefund/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/aussieathletefund

Be sure to check out our "Aussie Athlete Supporters" jersey at https://aussieathletefund.com/jersey

Thank you for tuning in to The Price You Pay podcast! To ensure you never miss an episode, hit that "FOLLOW" button and remember to leave us a like, review, rating or share the podcast with someone you know needs to hear the inspiring stories of athletes and their families giving their all for the dream!