In this episode of Unboxing The Goalkeeper, we sit down with current Olympic Champion, World Champion, and European Champion Anne Veenendaal from the Netherlands to discuss her life as a goalkeeper.

We take it back to younger Anne, how she got into the gear, the fun of still playing, and not caring what people think of her in and out of the pads.

Goalkeeping is about creating and sharing your own personality and showcasing the world who you are. If you want to find out how to be your person in gear, make sure to listen to the end, where Anne shares all her tips and what worked for her.

We find out Anne's passion for still playing, but also what she loves doing out of the gear. Being able to have the balance of another passion out of the gear has helped Anne find joy after a turbulent few years with her national team.

This episode is supported by OBO Goalkeeping, helping share the stories of their amazing goalkeepers worldwide. If you're ever looking for the best goalkeeping equipment on the market, make sure to check them out.

Make sure to follow on the social for all the BTS of this episode. You never know what fun you'll find there.

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🎙 Unboxing the Goalkeeper with Jean

The mind behind the mask. The human behind the helmet.

In Unboxing the Goalkeeper, Jean-Paul Danneberg strips back the layers of life as a goalkeeper — the pressure, the silence, the self-doubt, and the relentless pursuit of the number one spot.

From self-criticism after mistakes to sitting alone with your thoughts as the second keeper, Jean speaks openly about the emotional reality of elite sport.

Blending honest storytelling with surprising metaphors — like fishing and riding motorcycles — Jean explores what goalkeeping reveals about control, patience, risk, identity, and resilience. It’s a deep dive into the battles that happen off the pitch as much as on it.

Make sure to follow the social for all the behind-the-scenes & Jean's best bits.

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In this inspiring episode of Unboxed, we sit down with Claire Taggart—trailblazer, Paralympian, and now, retired elite boccia athlete turned business owner. As Northern Ireland’s first-ever Paralympic boccia player, Claire reached the pinnacle of her sport, competing on the world stage and breaking barriers for athletes with disabilities.

Now stepping into a new chapter after announcing her retirement, Claire shares the emotional highs and challenges of leaving elite sport behind, and how she’s channeled her energy into building her own business. We dive into the lessons sport taught her, the courage it took to walk away, and the passion driving her forward as an entrepreneur.

This is a story of evolution, empowerment, and finding identity beyond the game.

🔓 Unbox the journey from athlete to advocate, competitor to creator.

In this episode of Unboxed, we sit down with Northern Ireland’s all-time leading goalscorer, Rachel Furness — a powerhouse on the pitch and a trailblazer off it. From playing through multiple knee injuries to stepping away from international football for her mental health, Rachel opens up about what it truly means to fight for your dream — even when your body and mind beg you to stop.

We talk about:

• The doctor who told her to quit football at 16 — and why she didn’t

• Scoring historic goals for her country, even with broken bones

• The hidden cost of success at Euro 2022 and her battle with anxiety

• Why being vulnerable is now her greatest strength

  
  

This isn’t just a football story — it’s a raw, real conversation about resilience, identity, mental health, and the power of showing up when everything feels like it's falling apart.

🔊 Whether you're an athlete, coach, or just someone trying to keep going — Rachel's journey will move you.

On this episode of Unboxed, Irish boxing trailblazer Michaela Walsh steps out of the stereotypes and into her story.

From lacing up gloves in a world that didn’t expect girls to fight, to growing alongside her brother Aidan in and out of the ring, Michaela opens up about what it really took to break through — not just in sport, but within herself.

We talk about resilience, redefining limits, and the moment she chose to stop waiting and start helping herself.

This is boxing unboxed — raw, real, and relentless.

Make sure to follow along with the socials!

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#UnboxedPodcast #MichaelaWalsh #Olympics #Resilience #MindsetMatters #UnboxedConversations #stayunboxed

This week, Ayeisha sits down with Colin Judge, Paralympian and European champion in para table tennis, whose story is anything but ordinary.

Colin was born with one arm and no legs—but from a young age, he refused to let that define his limits. What began as a casual introduction to table tennis became a lifelong pursuit of excellence, identity, and purpose.

In this powerful conversation, Colin opens up about the emotional and physical challenges he's faced, feeling excluded as a 14 year old, taking initiative for himself, and going after the highest points college course in the country.

This episode isn’t just about medals or rankings. It’s about mental resilience, self-belief, and the courage to build a life on your own terms.

🔗 Follow along: @_unboxedpod

#UnboxedPodcast #ColinJudge #ParaAthlete #Paralympics #Resilience #DisabilityAndIdentity #MindsetMatters #UnboxedConversations

This week on Unboxed, Ayeisha sits down with Anna McGann, Irish rugby international, to explore a journey that’s anything but conventional.

Anna didn’t grow up dreaming of green jerseys in rugby or packed stadiums—in fact, she almost stumbled into the sport. What started as a chance encounter with rugby became a powerful outlet for grief, growth, and unexpected belonging.

In this deeply personal conversation, Anna opens up about the loss of her dad and how that heartbreak quietly shaped her path. She reflects on what it means to be painfully introverted in a loud, high-performance world, and how she learned to find her voice both on and off the pitch.

This isn’t just a story about rugby. It’s about resilience, identity, and the unexpected places we find strength.

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What do you get when you mix Northern Irish grit, English finesse, and a dash of questionable banter? You get David Ames — international hockey star, midfield maestro, and self-proclaimed expert in team fines.

In this episode of Unboxed, Ayeisha sits down with her former GB Hockey captain to chat about everything from Olympic pressure to switching nations — yes, we get into that move from Ireland to GB. He opens up about injuries, leadership, and how he accidentally became the calmest man on the pitch (unless there’s a dodgy umpire call involved).

Expect some behind-the-scenes laughs, surprising honesty, and a lot of hockey talk that even non-hockey nerds will enjoy. Oh — and find out who really runs the team WhatsApp group.

This one’s full of heart, humour, and a few digs for good measure. Let’s unbox David Ames.

Join in on the conversation over on our Instagram channel here⬇️

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#StayUnboxed #Unboxedpodcast

Tess Howard is more than just a world-class hockey player — she’s a boundary-breaker, a feminist force, and a voice for choice in sport and beyond.

In this episode of Unboxed, Tess opens up about the poetry and pain of injury, the pressure of performance, and the powerful moment she chose to speak up about something as simple — and as symbolic — as shorts.

From the pitch to public platforms, Tess is rewriting the narrative for female athletes. We talk body autonomy, identity, recovery, and how small acts of rebellion can spark real change.

This one’s a conversation about sport, but it’s also about society, storytelling, and standing in your truth — with calm conviction.

Press play to get Unboxed with Tess Howard.

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In this episode of Unboxed, Ayeisha sits down with Zac Ward — Ireland Rugby 7s player and Tackle Your Feelings ambassador — to unpack the raw, real journey behind reaching his childhood dream of playing for Ulster.

Zac opens up about taking an unconventional route to the top, the mindset it took to stay focused, and the power of being relentlessly goal-oriented.

From overcoming setbacks to representing Ireland on the world stage, this is a story of belief, resilience, and finding purpose far beyond the try line.