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Sparta Chicks Radio: Mindset | Confidence | Sport | Women

Jen Brown - Running and Triathlon Coach, Author and Mindset Coach for Women SpartaChicks Radio brings inspiring stories coupled with practical, tried-and-tested-in-the-real-world advice from successful women in sport, business and life. Jen Brown from Sparta Chicks Radio is a Running and Triathlon Coach and Writer. The goal of Sparta Chicks Radio is to share inspiring stories coupled with practical, tried-and-tested-in-the-real-world advice from successful women in all walks of life about the realities of fear, self-doubt, courage, bravery, success and living life on your terms. From world class athletes, brilliant business minds to everyday women undertaking epic adventures, Sparta Chicks Radio will help you tap into your inner strength, courage, bravery and determination so you can chase your dreams and live a more fulfilling life on your terms. Find out more at www.spartachicks.com
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Sparta Chicks Radio: Mindset | Confidence | Sport | Women
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Now displaying: 2017
Dec 17, 2017

A Clearance Diver in the Australian Navy, in 2009 Paul was working in Sydney Harbour when he was attacked by a bull shark (the first attack inside the Harbour in 60 years).

Paul lost his right hand in the attack and his right leg was amputated a week later.

What’s remarkable about Paul is not that he was attacked.

What’s remarkable is what he has done since then.

Not only has he returned to the open water, he confronted his fear and dived with bull sharks and even learnt to feed them by hand. He’s also become an advocate for the protection of sharks and has hosted documentaries for the Discovery Channel during Shark Week.

In this conversation, we discuss his troubled childhood, what he gained when he joined the Army, his decision to become a Clearance Diver despite a “massive” fear of sharks and how he was able to overcome his fear to get back in the water.

Get the full show notes for the episode here.

Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here
Follow Sparta Chicks on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks
Follow Paul on Instagram: instagram.com/pauldegelder

 

Dec 10, 2017

We all experience the voice of the Inner Critic.

This week on Sparta Chicks Radio, Tara Mohr, a women's leadership and wellbeing expert, will help you not only recognise your Inner Critic but share some practical tools so you can learn to live with your fear, self-doubt and Inner Critic, but not be held back by it.

Tara specialises in helping women to 'play big' which is also the title of her book, which was named by Apple's iBooks as a "best book of the year". She has been featured in the New York Times, the Today Show in the US, Harvard Business Review & Oprah.com.

We spend much of this conversation dedicated to the Inner Critic.

Tara also turns the tables on me and we discuss my struggles with the Inner Critic around this podcast. 

Get the full show notes for the episode here.

Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here
Follow Sparta Chicks on Instagram: facebook.com/SpartaChicks
Follow Tara on Instagram: instagram.com/tarasophiamohr

Dec 3, 2017

From growing up in Canada then spending her teenage years in the Middle East, completing a PhD in women’s history through to a successful career as a professional triathlete and becoming President of Tri Equal, Sara has a diverse background which has given her a unique perspective on the involvement of women in sport and the importance of sharing stories about women.

Since her retirement, Sara has established a media company, Live Fiesty Media which creates unique content around women in sport, including via the popular podcast, Ironwomen.

In this conversation, we discuss her awareness at a young age of the gender differences in society, how she spent a long time feeling scared and afraid she would never win an Ironman race as a pro athlete, the importance of changing the narrative or story you’re telling yourself, her experience with the Imposter complex, the obstacles to equality for women in sport and what you and I can do to advance it.

Get the full show notes for the episode here.

Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here
Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks
Listen to the Ironwomen podcast here.
Follow Ironwomen Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/Ironwomen_podcast.

Nov 26, 2017

Richelle Olsen is a force of nature.

A 30-something plus-sized Aussie, Richelle is on a mission to introduce more plus-sized women to the outdoors and adventure through her non-profit organisation, Escaping Your Comfort Zone.

In her own right, Richelle has done everything from hiking the Inca Trail and to Everest Base Camp as well as riding the 5,000km from Canada to Mexico (yes, Canada —> Mexico!).

In this conversation, we discuss comparison, the fact she still didn’t think of herself as a ‘cyclist’ even after completing her epic 5,000km ride across America, fear of judgement, body image and how you can’t get the best of something you hate (like your body).

Get the full show notes for the episode here.

Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here
Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks
Follow Richelle on Instagram: instagram.com/richellerides/

Nov 19, 2017

Abby Ehler is a professional sailor and, at the time this episode goes live, currently on a yacht racing down the west coast of Africa during the second leg of the Volvo Ocean Race.

This is Abby’s 3rd time competing in this prestigious round-the-world yacht race, described as one of the longest and toughest professional sporting events in the world.

In this episode, we discuss how Abby discovered sailing and ocean racing in particular, the fear, doubt and the dangers associated with it and how she manages the guilt she feels at being away from her family and her 6 year son in order to work and compete in the sport she loves.

Get the full show notes for the episode here.

Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here
Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks
Follow Abby on Twitter: twitter.com/trimore
Follow Abby on Instagram instagram.com/abbyehler
Follow Team Brunel on Facebook: facebook.com/BrunelSailing

Nov 12, 2017

Jo Bailey is just like you and I. An age group athlete and busy mum who only discovered running in her mid-30s.

Since then, she's completed 9 ultra-marathons and is about to attempt her first 100mi/160km race through the Victorian Alps.

Jo has openly discussed her struggles with the Imposter Complex and comparison, her fear of coming last and the “stories she tells herself” about her speed on her blog and on social media so I knew she would be the perfect guest for the podcast.

We also talk about how being a runner has changed her as a woman and mother, how she’s come to proudly own the fact she is an athlete as well as her mental state ahead of her first 100mi/160km race.

Get the full show notes for the episode here.

Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here

Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks

Follow Jo on Instagram: instagram.com/runjojo

Nov 5, 2017

#037: Stacey Copeland on the Power of Role Models, Language and Women’s BoxingStacey Copeland has represented England at the highest levels in both football and boxing. These day, Stacey is a professional boxer, having gained her professional licence earlier this year.

Stacey began training in the boxing gym run by her Granddad when she was 6 or 7. But she was too young to realise that, at the time, boxing was banned as a sport for women. So when the boys in her training squad turned 11 and were allowed to compete, Stacey was left on the sidelines outside the ring, watching.

An incredible football career followed. And by the time Stacey retired from football, the ban on women’s boxing had been lifted so she returned to the sport she loved.

In this episode, we don’t discuss boxing so much as Stacey’s experience of being a girl and woman involved in two sports that are traditionally seen as “male sports”.

Stacey talks openly about how she’s struggled with the perceptions and labels given to her by others who think that boxing isn’t suitable for women and how that lack of recognition fed a longstanding struggle with the Imposter Complex.

We also talk about what it was like growing up in a boxing gym, the impact that having no female role models in her sport had on her, why role models are so critical, the power of language and why it’s so important to be aware of the words we use and the labels we give others.

Get the full show notes for the episode here.

Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here

Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks

Follow Stacey on Instagram: instagram.com/staceycopelandboxer/

Follow Stacey on Twitter: twitter.com/scopelandboxer

Oct 29, 2017

Carin and her sons have a genetic condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS). A rare condition related to the connective tissue in the body that results in many hospital visits and many stitchers and check-ups for her and her boys.

This condition, together with the fact she didn’t think she was “allowed to do sports” because she was “bigger than average” as a kid, meant it wasn’t until Carin was in her 30s that she signed up for her first 5km fun run, with a secret goal to run the whole distance.

Carin credits that race with changing her life and she’s since gone on to complete multiple Half Marathons and triathlons.

Carin has also shared her story, experience and insights around body image, self-doubt and dealing with critics and online trolls on her blog so I knew she would be perfect for Sparta Chicks Radio.

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Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here.

Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks

Follow Carin on Instagram: instagram.com/edsrunfree

 

Oct 22, 2017

If there is one person to ask about fear and doubt, it’s Rhiannan Iffland.

In 2016, in her rookie season and with a wildcard entry, she walked away with the 2016 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series title. And this past weekend, she has just successfully defended her title after victory at an event in Chile.

Rhiannan grew up on Lake Macquarie, just north of Sydney, Australia and now travels the world high diving off everything from cliffs, bridges, platforms, waterfalls and even helicopters.

We discuss fear and self-doubt, how to control your thoughts in order to manage your fear and why you need to choose your thoughts.

Get the full show notes for the episode here.

Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here
Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks
Follow Rhiannan on Instagram: instagram.com/Rhiannan_Iffland 
Follow Rhiannan on Facebook: facebook.com/Rhiannanathlete/

Oct 15, 2017

In January 2018, Sarah will set out on her journey to paddle the length of the Nile, from it's source in Rwanda, all the way to Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast in Egypt; a journey of 6,850km / 4,200 miles over 7 months.

In this conversation, we discuss how she is using her corporate experience in risk management to mitigate the risks associated with this journey (including injury, disease and illness, the human threat as well as the threat posed by the crocodiles and hippos that occupy parts of the river). We also discuss how you can use a risk management perspective to reduce your fears around ocean swimming, trail running or cycling, her experience with the Imposter Complex and why it’s so important to share your stories.

Get the full show notes for the episode here.

Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here
Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks
Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Instagram: instagram.com/SpartaChicks
Visit Sarah’s website here.
Follow Sarah on Facebook: facebook.com/paddlethenile
Follow Sarah on Instagram: instagram.com/paddlethenile

Oct 8, 2017

Jessica Douglas isn’t your typical elite athlete.

She wasn’t a sporty kid. She was diagnosed Hodgkins Lymphoma when she was 14, had her daughter at 20 and only got serious about her riding in her 30s. But that didn’t stop her from discovering a love of mountain biking and then going on to become a 3 x World Champion in the incredibly gruelling 24-hour solo event in just 4 years after taking up the sport.

These days, she’s a cycling coach who is passing her unique perspective and experience onto her athletes and is passionate about getting more women on bikes.

In this conversation we talk about why she describes being diagnosed with cancer as a “beautiful time in her life”, the powerful way she uses role models to gain courage in situation where’s she’s feeling scared or doubtful, why it’s so important to understand your why, her struggle with depression and her 1% rule which was the key to her fast progression in the sport (and how you can use it too).

Get the full show notes for the episode here.

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Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks
Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Instagram: @SpartaChicks
Follow Jess on her website: www.jessicadouglas.com

Oct 1, 2017

Karley Cunningham has a diverse background and a unique perspective on the world. At 8, she was being groomed to be one of the top pairs figure skaters in Canada (and the world). After quitting, she went on to compete in equestrian, cross country and golf (all at a high level) before discovering mountain biking. She became an elite mountain biker and raced for many years and now she’s come over to the dark side and discovered trail running.

Karley grew up in what she describes as a gender-neutral household, playing a lot of sport with boys, and it’s given her a unique perspective on the female brain, what she calls “female hesitation” and the way gender (and specifically our conditioning) affects our mindset and our success.

We discuss perfectionism, crashing, the worst mistake ever, the importance of keeping your focus on what’s right in front of you, why she says she’s hardly ever failed and, of course, the Imposter Complex.

Sep 24, 2017

Amanda Batty is a professional downhill mountain biker race based in the US.

She is also an outspoken advocate for women in sport and a vocal critic of the cycling industry for its treatment and portrayal of women.

In this conversation we discuss how cycling helped her find her sense of self and self-worth, that fear is healthy, why it’s important to remember why you are riding, how she handles the fear associated with crashing (especially after one crash described as the worst face plant you’ll ever see) and why she continues to share her deepest darkest secrets and fears about body image on social media.

Sep 17, 2017

Natalia Cohen is a member of the Coxless Crew, the first fours boat (and all-female team) to row, unsupported, across the Pacific Ocean (the largest ocean in the world).

The journey, which took 257 days at sea, is documented in the film "Losing Sight of Shore" (available on Netflix).

In this conversation, we discuss why she decided to apply (despite not having any rowing experience), her interesting struggle with the Imposter Complex now that the journey has been completed, how she used mindfulness to get through the tough times, how the sharks that kept them company on the journey were a highlight and why it’s important not to be afraid of the unknown and instead to embrace it.

Sep 10, 2017

Lisa Tamati is one of the world’s most experienced ultra marathon runners, especially when it comes to racing in hot conditions. She’s competed in over 130 ultra marathons, traversed almost every desert in the world, cycled through 20 countries, run the length of New Zealand for charity and is a successful businesswoman, running coach and New York Times best selling author.

She also suffers severe asthma, broke her back at 21 and struggled with self-doubt and self-esteem throughout much of her younger life.

In this conversation we discuss her severe asthma and the surprising advantage it has given her as an endurance athlete, what she learnt from a disastrous (and potentially life threatening) crossing of the Libyan desert, how ultra running helped to heal her self-esteem and self-confidence, why you should start working towards your goals even before you know how you’re going to achieve them and what she wished someone had told her as a young girl.

Sep 3, 2017

Chloe Chick is the Founder of Sisu Girls, an organisation I love and support that is dedicated to the empowerment of girls through sport and outdoor adventure in order to foster bravery, resilience, determination and self-confidence in them.

Chloe founded Sisu Girls in 2014 after seeing her daughter Olive start to show signs of a lack in self-confidence in certain situations (including being intimidated by boys in the playground or not wanting to play “boys” sports).

In this conversation we discuss Chloe’s experience attending an all-boys primary school and what she learnt, the importance of story telling, role models and the impact they have on shaping who we are, her fear, self-doubt and experience with the Imposter Complex and why you should recognise and celebrate your everyday acts of Sisu.

Aug 27, 2017

Our first return guest, Kirrily Dear, is about to set out on a mammoth challenge - The Run Against Violence in 2017 will take Kirrily 1,300km / 807 miles throughout remote and regional Australia over 19 days on a mission to raise awareness and start conversations about family violence.

This time we talk about how she has prepared, mentally and physically, for such a demanding and challenging event, her powerful and profound new perspective around comfort zones she recently gained on top of a mountain pass in the Andes as well as the Run Against Violence itself; the community and commercial support it has received and the logistics involved  (including how many pairs of shoes she’s going to pack)

Aug 20, 2017

Nadine Champion is a Thai Boxing and Kickboxing Champion, an author, speaker and cancer survivor. In her new book called “10 Seconds of Courage” and in this conversation, Nadine shares a real, raw and emotional account of her journey.

We discuss her excitement at discovering martial arts at the age of 10, the practical strategies she uses to change her thinking when faced with a situation that is outside her control, how the lessons she learnt from martial arts helped her through her cancer battle, the question she asks herself when she’s afraid and how you can use 10 seconds of courage to push through your fear.

Aug 13, 2017

Michelle Lee is a quintessential ordinary Australian woman who has set out to do something extraordinary. In December 2017, she’ll attempt the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, a 5,000km unassisted and self-supported ocean rowing event across the Atlantic from the Canary Islands off the coast of Spain to Antigua in the Caribbean. If she completes it, she’ll become the first Australian women to row across an ocean.

But Michelle isn’t a rower and doesn’t come from a rowing background. So how does an ordinary everyday woman find the courage and bravery to attempt one of the world’s toughest nautical challenges as an absolute newbie in the sport? And what does it take to complete this event? I ask her in this episode.

Aug 6, 2017

Margie Warrell is a best-selling author, keynote speaker and Women’s Leadership Advocate whose clients include NASA, the United Nations Foundation, Facebook, the Marriott Hotel Chain, the Australian Federal Police (and the list goes on). Not bad for a girl who grew up on a dairy farm in regional Australia and is a mother of 4.

Margie’s expertise is around bravery and courage and helping people make braver decisions and lead bigger lives. In this conversation, we discuss everything from how growing up on a dairy farm shaped her as a person, managing the doubts shared by your family about your goals or your ability, the Imposter Complex, gender bias in the way we treat and encourage boys and girls differently and how you can make braver choices in your life.

Jul 30, 2017

Michael Milton knows all about fear, self-doubt, bravery and courage. After losing his leg to bone cancer at the age of 8, he has gone onto become one of Australia’s most talented, decorated and all-around athletes.

He is a 5x Paralympic Gold Medalist who has competed in 6 Paralympic Games, both in Winter for skiing and in Summer for cycling. Michael is a World Record holder in both speed skiing and for the fastest marathon on crutches who has also summited Kilimanjaro and walked the Kokoda track twice.

In this conversation, we discuss what it’s like to ski at in excess of 200km/hr (132mph), his experience with fear, self-doubt and the Imposter Complex, why he’s entered many races over the years knowing he’ll finish last, why you should keep pushing forward when your instinct is telling you to back off and his experience competing in the Ultra Trail Australia 50km race earlier this year.

Jul 23, 2017

Julie-Anne Hazlett and Sarah Anne Evans are two members of the Veloroos, an Australian non-professional cycling team. The team broke the course record for the 5,000km Race Across America in 2015 and later this year tackle the equally challenging 2,200km Race Around Ireland.

In this conversation, we discuss fear and self-doubt, the logistics of riding across America or around Ireland, how everyday women, like you and I, who work full time and have families, find the train to train for such epic events as well as the importance of having a support network around you.

Jul 16, 2017

Katee Pedicini is a coach with a degree in Exercise Science who specialises in managing fatigue, stress and hormones to achieve optimum performance. She runs Holistic Endurance based in Melbourne, Australia.

In this conversation we discuss what stress is, the impact it has on your body, why many women train a lot, eat well and struggle to lose weight (or worse, put it on) and the small changes you can make to your lifestyle to improve your overall health.

Jul 9, 2017

Ness Hartge is just like you and I. An age group athlete, a busy mum, small business owner and runner. She’s also someone who struggled to call herself an “ultra runner” despite having completed 3 x ultra distance events — and hoped she’d finally feel comfortable doing so once she finished her first 100km race at the Ultra Trail Australia 100km in the Blue Mountains outside Sydney in May 2017.

Ness has openly shared on social media her struggle with the Imposter Complex. In this conversation we discuss the way the Imposter Complex has shown up in her life, the times it has caused her to doubt herself (including when applying for jobs) and the steps she took that enabled her to line up at the start of the Ultra Trail Australia 100km and know that, as an experienced ultra-runner, she deserved to be there.

Jul 2, 2017

Dr Simon Marshall and Lesley Paterson are a dynamic duo.

Simon is a sports psychologist with a distinguished career. He’s been a Professor, has published over 100 scientific publications on the psychology of exercise, been cited over 10,000 times and has real world practical experience as the Performance Psychologist for the BMC Racing team, a pro cycling team that competes in the Tour de France.

Lesley is a professional mountain biker, 3x World Champion in off-road triathlon, Ironman Triathlon Champion, coach and (according to her bio) foul-mouthed Scots lassie.

They are also married, the force behind Braveheart Coaching and the co-authors of a new book called The Brave Athlete: Calm the F*ck Down and Rise to the Occasion.

In this interview, we discuss how the brain works the way it does, some of the 13 most common mental conundrums (or stories) athletes face in their everyday training and life and how you can train your brain to overcome them with science-based, athlete-tested strategies.

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