Beyond Sport with Fiona Stewart

ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL // special guest co-host Todd Buschkuehl interviews me about the journey so far

The podcast has been live for a whole year! We are joined by special guest co-host Todd Buschkuehl as he interviews me about the journey so far.
 
If you want to hear more from Todd, you can find his episode in season 1 episode 10. 

Josh Azzopardi // Athletics and Oztag the journey to become a top sprinter in NSW

In this weeks episode we are joined by Josh Azzopardi, an Aussie track sprinter who actually came from a footy background. Josh has represented Australia in both OzTag at the World Cup and in Athletics at the under 20 World Championships. In this episode Josh opens about what he loves about athletics and what the ups and downs of the sport have taught him. Coming from an individual sport, I really admire how Josh see’s his competitors as more than just competition, but lifelong friends.

Elana Withnall // Athletics, Bobsled and Rugby 7s ... a ray of sunshine proves when there is a will, there‘s a way!

Today we are joined by an absolute ray of sunshine Elana Withnall. Lani started off having a dream of competing at the Olympics, after being inspired by Cathy Freeman at the 2000 Olympics.That dream driven her to be involved in 3 sports at a professional level. Starting off in athletics and representing Australia in the Heptathlon before transitioning over to bobsled and then rugby 7s before making her way back to her first love of athletics.
Lani is a huge advocate for how amazing sport can be for people and takes us through the incredible journey and major injuries that have lead to her to where she is now.
Before we get started I’ll leave you with the words of Lani, Live a little more boldly, dream a little more daringly and shine your light a little more brightly.
And I hope this chat does exactly that for you.

Hannah Buckling // Aussie water polo player with an incredible message to share

This weeks episode is with the incredible water polo player, Hannah Buckling. I caught up with Hannah whilst she was in quarantine after returning from her second Olympic Games in Tokyo. Hannah’s career in water polo started off with her being a little uncoordinated but flourished as she was stubborn and determined to improve. Hannah has had an incredible career throughout her years as an Aussie Stinger and in this episode she takes us through some of her highs and lows. Hannah touches on an important lesson that sport has taught her, of being compassionate to others and yourself, and I think with what is going on in the world right now it’s a timely lesson to hear. that’s enough from me, lets hear from Hannah.

Sarah Carli // from life threating injury to racing at the Olympics 5 months later, an amazing attitude on sport

Today we are joined by the amazing Sarah Carli, now  that name may sound familiar. Sarah is recently back from competing at the Tokyo Olympics – but her remarkable recovery from a life-threatening freak accident in February, 5 months out from the Olympics, is something that won over hearts all around Australia. You’ll hear how Sarah’s athletics journey started…all the way to how she found her way to the start line in Tokyo for the 400m hurdles. Something that I really found incredible is Sarah’s attitude towards sport, humble and positive Sarah has such an incredible outlook in life and this makes me so happy to be able to share this chat with you.

Rhemmy Gibbs // the journey from swimmer to national distance runner

This weeks guest is the lovely Rhemmy Gibbs. Former competitive swimmer and current distance runner. Rhemmy takes us though how she made the leap from swimming onto distance running as well as some of the highs and lows along her journey so far and what she’s learnt from it. Rhem and I have known each other for years, swimming at the same local club and now working together, so I know what a hard worker and beautiful human she is both in and out of the sporting arena.
Before we jump on into the episode a quick disclaimer that part of Rhemmy’s journey includes her experience with being body shamed. If you find any of this episode distressing you can find resources in the show notes.
Let’s get into todays episode.
https://globalsportmatters.com/health/2019/10/09/body-shaming-athletes-a-form-of-mental-abuse/
https://butterfly.org.au/body-image/body-image-explained/

BROOKE BUSCHKUEHL (STRATTON) OLYMPIC DEBRIEF // BONUS EPISODE... all your Olympic questions answered!!

Hello and welcome to this bonus episode of beyond sport with Fiona Stewart. I’m coming to you today with a special OLYYMPIC DEBRIEF with Aussie long jumper – Brooke Stratton. I virtually caught up with Brooke earlier in the week whilst she was in hotel quarantine after competing at the Tokyo Olympics. Brookey was kind enough to let me ask some interesting questions and gave us a behind the scenes look at what it was like to be at an Olympics that will surly be in the history books. If Brookes name sounds familiar, it’s because it’s her second appearance on the podcast – so if you don’t know her story and the incredible resilience she’s shown over the years, you can scroll on back to season 1 episode 6.
I’d just like to take this moment to thank everyone who tunes in weekly to these episodes. This week I heard that over the last 18 months Melbourne has been in lockdowns the second longest in the entire world, and with my work being unable to open for so many months, this podcast has given me such a big purpose and frankly a reason to get out of bed in the morning.
With that being said, the best way you can support this podcast is to hit subscribe or follow – wherever you are listening from. If you are feeling extra generous then sending it onto a friend or family member or leaving a review would make my day. If you aren’t already following us on Instagram (@beyondsportwithfionastewart) – you are missing out on a lot of exclusive content.
That’s more than enough from me, let’s hear from Brooke.

Kate Eddy // Melbourne Vixens superstar... what it was like to play netball during the COVID 19 pandemic

Today we have the pleasure of being joined by Melbourne Vixens netballer, Kate Eddy. Kate takes us through the beginning of her sporting journey of playing netball with her friends as well as the journey for her to make it her profession, including a move interstate to step towards her dream, before making her way back to Victoria and playing with the Melbourne Vixens.
Kate’s passion for the sport and the love for her team really shines though in this chat, and there is some incredible life lessons that she mentions that everyone could benefit from hearing… I know since recording I’ve had to remind myself of some of them at times.
Kate is so bubbly and down to earth, so I really hope you enjoy listing to this chat as much as I enjoyed recording it.

Dr Jack Gerrard // what it takes to be a professional swimmer and junior doctor

Hello, and welcome back to beyond sport with Fiona Stewart, I’m coming to you today, during Melbourne’s 6th lockdown with an episode that was recorded two weeks ago during lockdown number 5. I don’t really have the emotional energy to comment on the politics of the lockdowns. There are so many people that are being effected, but I hope to think that the sporting and fitness community will be able to use the skills they’ve learnt through sport and physical activity to get them through these tough times.
Reach out to your friends and loved ones, move your body somehow…even if it’s just for 10 minutes – your mental health with thank you. This weeks guest has an amazing tip of taking recovery seriously, and to prioritise sleep.
Speaking of this weeks guest, I should probably introduce him. Jack Gerrard an Australian Swimmer who has not only represented his country in two world championships – but did so whilst studying medicine, and can now call himself a doctor!
Jack is incredibly humble and proves to everyone out there, that you can do amazing things both in and out of the sporting arena. In this episode Jack takes us through his early years in the sport and what got him hooked on swimming and the wonderful work he did as Club Captain of his swimming club.It was actually a Swimming Victoria developing young leaders day where Jack and I met, back in 2014 and it’s been amazing to watch his achievements both in and out of the pool.
Jack recently competed at the Olympic Trials which you can watch on amazon prime, you can find his 100m freestyle swim in the day 4 of finals.
That’s enough from me, lets hear from Jack.

Maria Alexiadis OAM // PART TWO - with passion and determination anything is possible

Welcome to part two of my chat with Maria Alexiadis. In part one Maria takes us through her journey in Karate and how fell in love with the sport, if you haven’t heard part one yet… hit pause and go back and listen to it. In this episode Maria takes us through the benefit sport has provided her as well as the lessons she’s learnt along the way. Something I really took away from this conversation was that with passion and determination you can really achieve great things, and Maria is such a great example of this.
I’d just like to thank friend of the show, Bruce Hyland, for connecting Maria and I. It was his wonderful guest recommendation that made this episode possible. If you have anyone that you know or would like to hear from then you can send me a message on Facebook or Instagram – and we can make it happen.
Let’s get into todays episode…