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. You can check it out here.

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.

Kim’s website
Background information

MITCH JAMES // 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.

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

Home

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.

LISTEN HERE

CONCUSSION IN SPORT

Brain injury Australia defines concussion as a traumatic brain injury induced by biomechanical forces such as a direct blow to the head, face, neck or elsewhere on the body with an impulsive force transmitted to the head.

Why do we care?

An article in the age published in September 2021, revealed that concussion was the top cause of hospitalisations within community AFL since 2013. With more than two in three of all concussions in the sport being sustained by young footballers between 10 and 19 years old.

Mental Health Impact
According to Neuropsychologist Professor Vicki Anderson from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute approx. ½ of concussions within children are sport related. Professor Anderson and her team at the MCRI published a peer reviewed journal article in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, exploring the relationship between childhood concussion and mental health finding that children with concussion experienced more mental health difficulties compared to the controlled group.
I then read another article (here) that mentioned a third of under 18’s who have had a concussion develop a mental health condition afterwards that could last years after the incident.
Brain injury Australia have collated some research that half of people with a traumatic brain injury develop depression within a year and nearly two thirds of people develop depression within 7 years after.

Jacinda Barclay – AFLW Player who’s autopsy found significant white matter changes, after being found dead in 2020, a suspected suicide.

Danny Frawley  – ALF Player, who sustained approx. 20 concussions within his AFL career, died in 2019 from a car crash, however according to the coroner’s report he had been suffering depression, at the time of his death was on multiple drugs to treat mental illness. His brain was donated to the Australian Sports Brain Bank where they found chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Stated in the report’s conclusion “the weight of the available evidence supports a finding that Mr Frawley intentionally took his own life”.

Another wildly reported case was Shane Tuck, Richmond AFL player who died in 2020, his brain was found with chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Actually, at the time of recording, I was scrolling on Instagram and came across a post by Annette Edmondson, 3-time world champion and 3 time Olympic medallist in cycling. She posted “4 years since I woke up in hospital with the worst injury of my career: a concussion” she goes on that she was pushed back to racing too early and couldn’t even deal with the radio in the ear and how even now she has moments of anxiety and overwhelm. A quick scroll through the comments makes it clear how many athletes at ANY LEVEL are struggling or have struggled through something similar.

MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCES

Great resource by Sport Australia, which includes 30 pages of information on concussion in sport and making a return to play. I’d almost say it’s for national and state sporting organisations to use to develop their own concussion management policy. It includes the standardised test to identify concussions, the SCAT5, which can be completed night next to the field. Basically, the position is, if in doubt – sit them out.

The development of the HeadCheck app which is evidence-based app developed by leading concussion experts from MCRI and the AFL. The app is a concussion management tool to help us to recognise concussion early and manage recovery.

Australian Sports Brain Bank which was started in 2018 whose mission is to understand chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and other brain pathology that is associated with repetitive head injury in sport and elsewhere.

Check out the episode here!

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.
LISTEN HERE

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.
Check out the episode here

MATT RIZZO // the work it takes to become a STAWELL GIFT champion at 18 years old

Have you ever thought about how sport can help build character and teach you resilience? Well today I’m chatting to Matt Rizzo about the lessons being involved in athletics has taught him. In this chat you’ll hear how Matt got involved in athletics and how at 18 years old he became the winner of one of Australia’s most famous running races, the 2017 Stawell Gift.

Coming from the same high school, being influenced by some of the same teachers, just a few years apart. It was incredible being able to reflect with Matt on some of the pivotal moments in his sporting journey. A notable shout out goes to one of our teachers Nige Knighton who made a huge impact on both our sporting journeys, there’s actually two episodes with Nige back in season two if you’d like to hear some of his wisdom, but for now… lets jump into the chat with Matt.

LAURA BYRNES // Speedway racecar driver and absolute legend shares her journey in motorsport

In this episode, our guest, speedway racecar driver, from Western Australia, Laura Byrnes shares her journey in motor sport. Not only is Laura an absolute delight to speak to, she passionately advocates for participation in motorsport. She shares the message that it doesn’t matter your age, gender, height or weight, motorsport and driving is an incredible sport to be involved in. In this episode Laura is generous with sharing the lessons she’s learnt along the way and how motorsport has shaped the person she is today.

As always, you can find links to any of the things discussed in the episode in the show notes, and behind the scenes content on our Instagram page @beyondsportwithfionastewart.

Let’s get into the chat with Laura.