Beyond Sport with Fiona Stewart

LIAM MCDONALD // British Drag Racing Champion - inside the world of junior motorsport

Liam’s adventures involve not just burning rubber on the race tracks but the life-shaping experiences and transformative power of sport are that he uncovers. The episode delves into the technicalities of drag racing, memorable milestones like the British Championship and numerous European victories. The tales are laced with an undertone of intense challenges, unyielding passion, undying spirit, and the deep sense of community within the drag racing world.
 
drag racing, bracket racing, junior racing, reaction times, pedaling, breakouts, achievements, sacrifices, racing community, fostering friendships, inclusivity, lessons learned,  future of motorsport, media promotion, 

KIM O’RILEY // IT’S NEVER OK - the woman making a difference in sporting clubs across Victoria

On average, one woman a week in Australia is murdered by her current or former partner. 10 women a day are hospitalised for assault injuries perpetrated by a spouse or domestic partner. 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.
These statistics have been pulled from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and tell a shocking truth about domestic violence within our society.
Now you’re thinking, what’s this got to do with sport? Well, this episode’s guest is determined to be more than a statistic. Kim O’Riley is a survivor of domestic violence, an advocate for educating sporting clubs and empowering them to take a zero-tolerance approach when it comes to violence.
Kim bravely share’s her journey, whilst still living with the effects that a former partner has inflicted, in the hope that it can help others. And what I like most, using sport as the tool to do so.
A trigger warning for this episode as we discuss some heavy topics such as domestic violence and mental health, if this is something that is distressing for you, please feel to give this one a skip, if you require assistance with this, please check the resources in the show notes, or if you’re in Australia call 1800 RESPECT.
 
https://www.1800respect.org.au/
https://itsneverok.com.au/ - Kim’s website
https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/victoria-police-interviews-released-following-domestic-violence-attack/e906c3a8-e3c7-48af-91b0-ffceb8457602 - background information

2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY EPSIODE

https://linktr.ee/beyondsportwithfionastewart

MITCH JAMES // from competitive swimming to inflatable rescue boat racing, lifesaving might be the perfect example of sport helping the community

In this episode we are joined by Mitch James, a former competitive swimmer who found a love for lifesaving, in particular inflatable rescue boat racing. Mitch and I swam at neighbouring clubs once upon a time; however our paths didn’t cross until this year, now that we are working together at Life Saving Victoria. In this chat, Mitch takes us through his swimming journey, and how that lead him to the world of lifesaving. We chat about the how competitive pool swimming can help you when out in the ocean rescuing someone, and the link between tumble turns and waves, if you’re puzzled don’t worry, Mitch gives the best description.
Mitch really shows how being involved in the sport of lifesaving can be beneficial for the community, with over 50 lifesaving clubs made up of more than 37,000 members, working together to prevent aquatic related death and injury in all Victorian communities, which I think is pretty special.
 As always, you can find all links to things mentioned in the show notes. Lets dive on in to the chat.
https://beyondsportwithfionastewart.com/
https://youtu.be/pxBQLFLei70 (speech referenced by Mitch)
https://lsv.com.au/

ISIS HOLT // MORE THAN JUST AN ATHLETE

THIS EPISODE IS A MUST LISTEN. My second chat with the incredible Isis Holt, recorded earlier in the year,  we chat mental health and how she prepares for big competitions. If you want more from Isis check out the episode from last year recorded before the Tokyo Paralympics.
This episode was recorded in collaboration with INSPIRETEK and doesn't follow the usual format of the podcast, however if you like it please send me a message for more like this.
 
Check out the websites here
https://www.isisholt.com/mtjt
https://www.inspiretek.io/
https://beyondsportwithfionastewart.com/
 

GLENN STRUTT // Osteopath and IRONMAN - how sport can help you get through hard times

We are back to the fortnightly interview schedule with Ironman, Glenn Strutt. Glenn started off as a competitive swimmer, however funny enough, our paths didn’t cross in the swimming world, it was years later, on a beach at the start of a triathlon. In this episode we hear about Glenn’s journey through sport and the rollercoaster that life outside of sport can take you on, but at the end of the day sport can be that tool to help you keep going. With the commonwealth games on right now, and after watching the world championships of so many sports it’s a timely reminder that at the end of the day we are all humans going through our own battles and working towards achieving our own goals, no matter what sport you do or level you participate at.
Before we dive into the chat, just a reminder to reach out on Instagram or Facebook if you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, or even better, share it with a friend who you think would enjoy it.  
 
https://beyondsportwithfionastewart.com/
 

CONCUSSION IN SPORT // the scary reality of what a knock to the head can mean - with Todd Buschkuehl

We’re going to try something that is a little bit different for this podcast. If you can’t already tell from over 70 episodes, I love sport and the power it has to positively impact individuals and the greater community. However, I think it’s also important to acknowledge that not everything is sunshine and roses, bringing us to todays episode.
I’ve teamed up with one of the most popular guests, Todd Buschkuehl. Todd is a medical student with lived experience about todays topic. CONCUSSIONS IN SPORT. You can find out more about his journey in sport WAY back in season one, and can find his youtube channel via the link in the shownotes.
I don’t want to spend too long introducing this subject other than saying that this topic is something we should all be aware of and take seriously, as athletes, as family members, as coaches and as fans. A knock to the head isn’t something to be brushed off. The purpose of this episode isn’t to provide medical advice, but it’s to help get the conversation started and point you in the direction of some resources that could be found helpful.
As always, I’d love to hear from you if you’ve liked this episode or found it interesting, reach out on Instagram or via email. I’d also love that if there’s someone in your life who’d benefit from this episode, or any episode, please share it with them.
Last thing from me before we get into it, there is discussion about mental health, depression, and suicide in this episode. If you’re in Australia you can reach out to organisations like Lifeline or BeyondBlue for assistance.
 
Sport Australia Concussion Position Statement - https://www.sportaus.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/683501/February_2019_-_Concussion_Position_Statement_AC.pdf
Article on Mental Health in children after concussion- Mental health after paediatric concussion: a systematic review and meta-analysis | British Journal of Sports Medicine (bmj.com)
Head Check Apphttps://www.headcheck.com.au/
The Australian Sports Brain Bankhttps://www.brainbank.org.au/

SAMI PALMER // World champion tumbler from the UK shares her love of gymnastics with Australia

In this episode we talk with Sami Palmer, a world champion tumbler from the UK. Sami talks about what got her started in gymnastics, and what lessons she got from over a decade competing on the international circuit. She's now enjoying her time making an impact on the Australian gymnastics scene and sharing her knowledge and experience with the next generation. I hope you find Sami’s energy and passion as magnetic as I did.
https://www.samipalmer.com/

BREE WALKER // from the athletics track to making the OLYMPIC BOBSLEIGH team

A few weeks ago I had the absolute pleasure of chatting to winter Olympian, Bree Walker. Now, Bree started on the track as a junior but she was determined to represent her country and made the switch to bobsleigh. In this episode Bree takes us through her journey and what it’s like experiencing all the highs and lows that comes with being an elite athlete, but she also takes us though some of the incredible lessons she’s learnt along the way. Coming from Australia where winter sports are not always the most funded or accessible sports to participate in, it’s been really interesting having the opportunity to chat with some of Australia’s most recent winter Olympians, if you’re a snow sport fan make sure you also check out my chat’s with Seve De Campo and Jessica Yeaton, after you’ve listened to this episode with Bree.

GERARD MCDERMOTT // how triathlon and track cycling translates to the business world

I’m a huge believer that sport provides the perfect environment to learn, explore and grow. This weeks guest, Gerard McDermott talks us through his journey through triathlon and more recently track cycling. Gerard shares his lessons and insight into how sport has helped him develop a growth mindset not just whilst in lycra but also in the business context. Hope you enjoy this episode and as always, you can connect via Instagram @beyondsportwithfionastewart, I’d love to hear what you get out of each episode.