Winter Olympian James Matheson OLY is the first athlete I have interviewed who is still competing at the elite level, as a world class Mogul skier. And what a conversation we had! James has a podcast called The Athlete Collective that explores

How starting early, leveraging the resources at your disposal, self reflection and knowing yourself are critical when planning a successful transition to life after sport

Oct 27th, 2021 43m 13s

Brisbane Lions Personal Excellence and Wellbeing Coordinator Marianna Crow has spent a significant amount of her career in education. The perfect preparation for assisting AFL players be the best they can be on and off the field of play. Part o

How a COVID-19 enforced break provided the mental space needed for an elite Australian cyclist to start thinking about priorities away from sport, and led to a transition ‘gap’ year.

Oct 13th, 2021 43m 59s

Olympian, dual Commonwealth Games and triple World Championship cycling representative Gracie Elvin OLY enjoyed a long and successful career in elite road cycling - one of the world’s most physically and mentally demanding sports. Having starte

How making use of an enforced injury layoff became a blessing in disguise for an Olympic champion, and a launching pad to a smooth transition to life after sport.

Oct 1st, 2021 38m 42s

Dual Winter Olympic medallist and aerial skier Lydia Lassila is an Australian sporting icon having won Gold at the Vancouver 2010 Games. Lydia’s sport of choice was a brutal test of physical and mental courage where a small mistake could lead t

A current AFL coach shares his stories about popping the AFL bubble and being ready for what the future holds

Sep 17th, 2021 41m 36s

Newly appointed Hawthorn Football Club coach Sam Mitchell had a storied playing career and was relentless in his pursuit of on field success, for him and his team. Sam’s approach to getting the best out of himself on the field lead to winning f

Highlighting the importance of taking every opportunity whilst competing to help prepare for life after sport

Aug 4th, 2021 43m 12s

Four time Olympic middle distance star Craig Mottram OLY didn’t grow up dreaming of running at the Olympics and this fact set him up for success on and off the track. Australian middle distance runners are not supported to compete in the same l

How being self sufficient, resourceful and never taking no for an answer has shaped life after the playing days are over.

Nov 4th, 2020 1h

Former Matilda’s Captain, and one of Australian Football’s most capped female players, Melissa Barbieri’s journey is a lesson in how being self sufficient and never taking no for an answer can take you to the very top of your chosen profession.

Transitioning to life after sport with a masters in football

Oct 21st, 2020 1h

Retired Hawthorn premiership player Clinton Young experienced the highs and lows of one of the most physically demanding sports on the planet. From being the Hawk’s leading possession getter in the first half of the 2008 Grand Final to sufferin

How injury helped forge a career, and transition, to life after sport.

Oct 7th, 2020 59m 29s

Former professional basketballer Alex Opacic literally had the world at his feet. At an early age he was identified as one of Australia’s top underage players, was selected to spend time at the Australian Institute of Sport and ended up playing

How an Olympic mishap has driven new passions in life after sport

Sep 23rd, 2020 1h 2m

Olympic cyclist Rob Crowe’s story is unique and centres around the lessons he learnt in the gruelling world of cycling at the highest level. Rob shares with us the disappointment of not performing to expectations at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics

Blending professional sport and a passion for learning with former test cricketer Ed Cowan

Sep 9th, 2020 55m 41s

Former test opening batsman Ed Cowan has a unique story about his own career transition. He studied at university and got a ‘real job’ before his cricketing talents provided the opportunity to turn professional. With the support of his family,

How being super organised at school helped AFL legend Brad Johnson in his transition to life after sport

Aug 26th, 2020 58m 41s

AFL superstar Brad Johnson used one disappointing junior season as a spur to ensure he was prepared for life after sport before his AFL journey even began. As his AFL career took off Brad always had one eye on preparing for what’s next. An incr

Transition lessons from Rugby League legend Steve Menzies

Aug 12th, 2020 56m 49s

Rugby League legend Steve Menzies had a relatively smooth transition to life after sport but after three years realised he was just drifting. A conversation arranged through one of his contacts ignited another passion in his life and he hasn’t

The importance of sacrifice in pursuit of perfection

Jul 29th, 2020 58m 53s

Three time Olympian Sally Kehoe shares her competitive journey in a sport where financial rewards are non-existent and planning for life after sport is critical. Growing up in Toowoomba, Sally was a sports mad child who loved to compete. This c

From life and death situations in the Australian Defence Force to helping others excel

Jul 15th, 2020 1h 1m

Retired SAS Soldier and registered psychologist Harry Moffitt discusses the transition parallels the military and elite sports men and women share in an enlightening start to series two of the Wide Open Road. Having spent almost 30 years with t

Michelle Mitchell On Preparing For Life After Sport

Oct 9th, 2019 56m 32s

Olympic Gold Medallist Michelle Mitchell OAM OLY brings her unique perspectives of athlete transition to life after sport. In the final episode of series one Michelle shares her experiences from inside one of the winningest teams in history to

Former AFL star Daniel Jackson shares his post football journey

Sep 25th, 2019 1h 4m

Former Richmond Tigers AFL star Daniel Jackson shares his post football journey which epitomises what The Wide Open Road podcast series is all about. Daniel talks about how travel, immersing himself in different cultures and experiencing a vari

Matthew Leuenberger on preparing for life after sport

Sep 12th, 2019 56m 7s

Retired Brisbane Lions and Essendon AFL footballer Matthew Leuenberger discusses his strategic approach to preparing for life after sport, initially inspired by a conversation with two of his coaches. Matthew also shares important life lessons

Short break announcement!

Aug 7th, 2019 4m 19s

We are taking a short break from the podcast! Here's what to expect next...Presented by Edward Kemp. To contact Ed, email [email protected] or connect with him on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/edwardgkemp

Dr Bridie O'Donnell on Determination, Diversity & Perspective

Jul 18th, 2019 54m 48s

Former UCI World Hour cycling record holder and physician Dr Bridie O’Donnell shares her incredible story and reinforces the importance of determination, diversity and perspective.Presented by Edward Kemp. To contact Ed, email edward_kemp@bigp

Sean Wellman on Preparing For Life After Sport

Jul 4th, 2019 57m 49s

Retired AFL premiership player Sean Wellman shares the importance of preparing for life after sport early, how his parents urged him to have something to fall back on in case his career ended suddenly and how on field lessons helped him build h

From Olympic rower to business owner with Cameron McKenzie-McHarg

Jun 9th, 2019 57m 30s

Olympic rowing silver medallist Cameron McKenzie-McHarg talks about his business and how rowing provided him many life lessons.Presented by Edward Kemp. To contact Ed, email [email protected] or connect with him on LinkedIn: linkedin.com

When injury forces you to retire with Ben Darwin

Jun 2nd, 2019 1h 1m

Retired Australian Rugby Union International player Ben Darwin broke his neck and had to retire immediately. We speak with Ben about experience in having no choice but to retire and the genesis of his business GainLine Analytics.Presented by E

Lesson from Lachie Mitchell, Retired Australian Rugby Union player

May 23rd, 2019 1h 1m

Retired Australian Rugby Union player Lachie Mitchell chats with Ed about Lachie’s career transition journey and the lessons he has learnt.Presented by Edward Kemp. To contact Ed, email [email protected] or connect with him on LinkedIn: