If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’re already aware of the immense financial pressures facing our athletes. You will know that the path to sporting success is, all too often, fraught with financial challenges that hinder athletes from reaching their full potential. Today, a new report from the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF), aptly titled ‘Running on Empty’, paints a stark picture of the financial and mental health struggles faced by athletes at all levels of competition.  Nearly half (46%) of athletes over the age of 18 are earning incomes below $23,000 per year from all ..read more

Imagine this: the anticipation, the excitement, and the nerves that come with stepping out into an Olympic stadium, wearing the green and gold for the very first time. For me, it’s a visceral memory, and this year I had the incredible opportunity to revisit it in Atlanta, the city where my Olympic journey began, winning BRONZE with Kerri Pottharst and coach Steve Anderson, 27 years ago! Can you spot Jordan, Sarah and I in Centennial Park, 27 years on after winning Bronze in my first Games? I can't wait to see Brisbane's park legacy for the Games.    Spending time recently with our P ..read more

It’s been many years in the making, and I am thrilled to finally share an initiative I am extremely proud of: Green and Gold Athletes Australia!  At its heart, Green and Gold Athletes is about creating pathways that give talented young athletes the best chance at success, regardless of their financial circumstances. The costs involved to compete at an elite level can be overwhelming for athletes and their families: equipment, coaching, food, travel and accommodation all add up, and can mean that green and gold dreams are often out of reach, especially for athletes from remote, rural and I ..read more

Last month we spoke about keeping the calm – but as we know, the beauty of life is that it goes in swings, roundabouts and rollercoasters!  It was only a matter of time until we hit the accelerator, and March has been absolutely stacked!  My speaking engagements and events have taken me to Adelaide, Port Douglas, Sydney, New Zealand and the Gold Coast, where I’m working this week with the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee. So it’s been a huge, mad month, but I’m doing what I love the most: meeting new people, motivating and inspiring people (and being inspired by them, too)!  ..read more

Happy new year! Yes, we’re already firmly in 2023, but this year I decided to extend my summer holiday as long as possible: for my wellbeing and mental health, and to have a proper refresh and recovery. I don't know about you, but 2022 felt like we overstuffed it?! The top 3 things I’m bringing into this year to ensure I keep my health and wellbeing in top shape: Say ‘no’ to more things to create space in my mind, and in my diary Make sure I move my body and eat nourishing foods Spend more time with the people I love - my family and friends - and nurture my relationships, both personal and pr ..read more

“In this world you're either growing or you're dying, so get in motion and grow!” Lou Holtz I’ve just graduated from my course with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, something I started towards the end of last year. It was something I had been considering for a while; I was the Chair of the Queensland Olympic Council, I was on the World Olympians Board, and with 2032 coming, I thought it was a good time to do some formal board training and upskill.  My certification means that I can be a professional Director, and my studies will help me to make the biggest and best im ..read more

I had an amazing couple of weeks in Far North Queensland - I got to attend the Tropical Innovation Festival in Cairns, and had some fun with my family for a few days in Port Douglas. The highlight was taking my daughter on the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk in Mossman Gorge, where we learned about traditional bush foods, medicinal plants, and the connection between the Kuku Yalanji people and the land. It was made even more special during NAIDOC Week, with this year’s theme reminding us to Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! It’s an incredible part of the world, and I always love heading up North and sharing i ..read more

Last week, I was lucky to be part of Queensland’s SportX: 2032 Sport Economy Strategy event at The Gabba (Home of the Opening Ceremony in just over 10 years time). SportX launches off the back of the Brisbane 2032 Games announcement. Businesses, industries and communities all across the state are seeing the potential of the Games, and the once-in-a-generation opportunities this event will bring. With a little over 10 years to go, now is the time to start the conversations and begin sharing knowledge and technologies across the sectors. It’s a unique opportunity to build new-world skills, diver ..read more

I recently read an article by an Olympian friend of mine, Toby Jenkins. Toby’s story is about resilience and perseverance; it’s about the big and more importantly, long lasting impact that can come from small gestures, and the importance of paying them forward. I’ve been reflecting on Toby’s writing, and it brought back some of my own memories of people who offered a glimmer of hope when I most needed it. One of my earliest moments was at Heatley Primary School in Townsville. I always loved sport and I wanted to win, but an unintended consequence of this strong desire was that I struggled to m ..read more

It’s been an exciting few weeks since the big announcement where our Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk invited me to join her as a board member of the Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games for Brisbane 2032! We had our first official gathering earlier this week – all 21 of us! – and though there’s not much I can say just yet, you know I’ll keep you updated when I can! What I will say is… Rest assured, the Games are in good hands!   I’m also humbled to have been named one of Australia’s best motivational speakers by Speaker Advisor. I really love inspiring people ..read more