The Soda Room

Ian & Seb Steel

Ian Steel is the founder of ‘Kickstart for Kids’. A charity he created more than a decade ago to provide breakfast at schools for children doing it tough. It has since evolved into a host of fantastic programs and services that give kids the support they need to get a great start on life. More than 60,000 breakfasts are provided in schools across South Australia each week.

You’d think Ian would have a truckloads of good karma coming his way, but life doesn’t always work like that.

18 months ago, Ian’s son Seb, then 19 years old, suffered a horrific accident that caused enormous physical and emotional damage to not just Seb, but the whole Steel family.

Over the ensuing year and a half, the Steels have endured a rollercoaster of emotions that have pushed them to their absolute limits. I am so grateful to Ian and Seb for courageously sharing their story with us for the very first time.

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As a 13 year old, Jess Stenson and her family sat in the stands at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. At that moment, Jess decided that she wanted to represent Australia. Twelve years on, she lined up in green and gold on the start line of the marathon at the London Olympics.

Jess has since added a pair of Commonwealth Games bronze medals to her CV. Then last year she struck gold in Birmingham with an inspirational run on a tough and technical course.

In this chat, Jess reveals what it takes physically, emotionally and mentally to push your body to the limit for 42.195 kilometres at a ridiculously fast pace and also shares some wonderful personal news for the very first time.

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Kellie Gardner is one of the most courageous and selfless people I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting. Less than 18 months ago, Kellie and her fiancé, Port Adelaide footballer Jeremy Finlayson had the world at their feet. They’d just become parents to little Sophia and relocated from Sydney to Adelaide to be closer to family.  

Their lives were rocked when, at just 25 years young, Kellie was diagnosed with bowel cancer. She bravely battled surgery, chemo and radiotherapy and finally the family thought they were through the worst of it.  

Recently however, Kellie has been told the cancer is back and it has moved to her lung. As she prepares for another bout of chemo, along with wonderful support from Jeremy, Kellie isn’t wallowing in self pity. She is an absolute fighter and is now on a selfless mission to help as many people as she can

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email: [email protected]

Recorded @ PodBooth Studios Adelaide www.podbooth.com.au

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Tennis great Mark Woodforde is part of Aussie folklore. Alongside Todd Woodbridge, ‘The Woodies’ formed one of the most enduring and iconic partnerships in the sport’s history. 

Beyond that, Mark was also a world class singles player, reaching a top 20 ranking and chalked many wins against legends such as John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl. ‘Pecker’ as he is affectionately known, has won 17 grand slams in doubles and mixed, 4 singles titles and a Davis Cup championship. 

In this chat, he opens up about his now fractured relationship with Woodbridge and provides a fascinating insight into major-winning partnerships with McEnroe and Martina Navratilova.

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email: [email protected]

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Victoria Azarenka has a great affinity with Australia. She's won a pair of grand slam singles titles at Melbourne Park, mixed doubles crowns at the French and US Opens and Olympic gold in London.

In this chat, Vichka generously opens up about motherhood, inspiring a generation of youngsters, becoming world number 1 and going undercover in Paris to restore her mental health.

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email: [email protected]

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Sir Andy Murray is a bona fide tennis superstar. His impressive CV includes 3 grand slam titles, a pair of Olympic gold medals and a drought-breaking Davis Cup title alongside brother Jamie. 

He bravely overcame a debilitating hip injury to return to the ATP tour. In fact it's near a miracle that he's still playing at the top level given the extensive surgery he has undergone.

Andy is open and honest in this chat about the challenging road he's courageously travelled to return to the court.

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email: [email protected]

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Thanasi Kokkinakis not only has one of the great names in world sport, he is also a very funny, authentic and engaging young man.  

He had a rapid rise to fame as a tennis teen then was rocked by a heap of injuries. 

Thanasi braverly opens up about his battles with anxiety and how he has found peace and great success.  

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email: [email protected]

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Meet Dale Smedley and Shaun Trevillian aka the Golf Gods. A couple of Aussie tradies (a glazier and a plumber) who threw in their day jobs to realise a dream.

The self-confessed 'hackers' have created a multi-million dollar company by celebrating the fun side of golf. Their edgy range of apparel, products and merchandise has become a huge hit right across the globe. It hasn't all been smooth sailing, there's also been a few legal touches along the way.

In this episode the boys reveal how they took a simple idea to the world and how they're now living their very best lives. A true story of inspiration!

Web: www.golfgods.com

Instagram: @golf_gods

Web: www.thesodaroom.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesodaroompodcast/

Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCStGGKtqNrAW-NlLyAYjXXg

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email: [email protected]

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Zak Butters and Connor Rozee are a couple of young Port Adelaide FC stars that are making their marks on the national stage.

At 22 years old, they’ve each had 4 years in the AFL system.

Classy Connor picked up his first All-Australian nod this year and claimed Port’s best and fairest award.

While Zak plays with a ferocity and intensity that inspires his team mates.

Both are immensely important to Port’s culture and show enormous courage by talking openly and sharing their stories.

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Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesodaroompodcast/

Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCStGGKtqNrAW-NlLyAYjXXg

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thesodaroompodcast

email: [email protected]

Recorded @ PodBooth Studios Adelaide www.podbooth.com.au

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Marjorie Jackson-Nelson is a national treasure. She became Australia's first female Olympic gold medalist when she blitzed the field in the 100metre sprint at the 1952 Helsinki games.

Marjorie is a humble champion and on the 70th anniversary of her dual gold medal feats she shares her remarkable story.

Beyond the track, Marj served as South Australian Governor and has raised millions of dollars and created research opportunities in honour of her late husband Peter Nelson through his Leukemia Research Fellowship Fund. 

Web: www.thesodaroom.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesodaroompodcast/

Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCStGGKtqNrAW-NlLyAYjXXg

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thesodaroompodcast

email: [email protected]

Recorded @ PodBooth Studios Adelaide www.podbooth.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.