Info

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
RSS Feed
Sparta Chicks Radio: Mindset | Confidence | Sport | Women
2022
February
January


2021
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2020
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2019
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2018
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February


All Episodes
Archives
Now displaying: 2018
Dec 30, 2018

The #1 most popular episode of Sparta Chicks Radio in 2018 was Rebecca Stone on chronic pain, mountain biking and motherhood.

Rebecca is a busy woman. She’s a midwife, a mum, and someone who loves racing her mountain bike for 24 hours - all while living with fibromyalgia.

In 2010, after 9 months of severe pain which ultimately left her unable to work, drive or walk for more than 5m, Rebecca was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

A chronic condition, fibromyalgia causes widespread pain and sensitivity throughout the body.

There’s no cure and it is difficult to treat.

Getting back on her beloved mountain bike plan was part of Rebecca’s initial treatment plan primarily for the mental health benefits.

In 2017 and 2018 she finished second at the Australian 24 Hour Solo Mountain Bike Championships.

And then in October 2018, Rebecca finished 6th at the World 24 Hour Solo Mountain Bike Championships in Scotland.

In this conversation, we discuss motherhood as well as living, training and racing with chronic pain. Plus she shares why she thinks she’s a better athlete because of it.

Get the full show notes for the episode here.

Dec 29, 2018

The 2nd most popular episode of Sparta Chicks Radio in 2018 was Katee Pedicini on structuring your training for hormonal health.

Kate Pedicini has a degree in Exercise Science who specialises in managing fatigue, stress and hormones in endurance athletes to achieve not only athletic performance but optimal health and happiness.

Kate first appeared on the podcast in 2017.

In May 2018 she returned and we dived deeply into two specific issues concerning women’s hormones and health;

- peri-menopause and menopause (and how they impact on your athletic ability, strength, training and racing) and

- why you should take advantage of your natural cycle by structuring your training program around it.

The more I speak with Katee, the more I learn and the more I wish I’d been exposed to this knowledge in my 20s and 30s.

Get the full show notes for the episode here.

Dec 28, 2018

The 3rd most popular episode of Sparta Chicks Radio in 2018 was my conversation with Nicole Bunyon on fear, self-talk and Running Mum’s Australia (RMA).

Nicole founded RMA in 2013. It’s an Australian wide network and community for mums who love to, or are interested in, running.

While RMA shares many women’s stories, I wanted to turn the tables (and microphone) and Nicole and share her story.

She joined me on the podcast in June to discuss:

- how she started running as a child and why it appealed to her at that age,

- her first marathon,

- how being diagnosed with a melanoma (skin cancer) in 2016 changed her perspective and why it’s so important to trust your gut instinct.

Nicole is also an ambassador for several running events including Ultra Trail Australia so we discuss whether she feels the weight of expectation of others or pressure to perform as a result of her public profile in the sport.

Get the full show notes for the episode here.

Dec 27, 2018

These days, a Fitness and Sports Counsellor, and Body Positivity Advocate, Leah’s relationship with food and her body wasn't always so, well, positive.

A child who loved sport but who, because she was bigger than the other kids, was very self-conscious of her body. Leah openly admits that, as a result, she always limited the amount of effort she put into her sport (and therefore limited her potential).

It was only with the birth of her daughter in 2012 that Leah's relationship with food, exercise and her body began to shift.

Leah joined me back in February to discuss:

- her relationship with sports and her weight as a child,

- why she started running and how she then got into triathlons,

- how motherhood was a catalyst for her to change her relationship with food, exercise and her body,

- the surprising way her public role and advocacy work impacted on her running and why she stepped away from social media as a result, and

- why it's important for you to identify as and recognise that you are an athlete.

Get the full show notes for the episode here.

Dec 26, 2018

The 5th most popular episode of Sparta Chicks Radio in 2018 was Steph Lowe, the Natural Nutritionist, on nutrition, performance and happy hormones.

Steph is a triathlete, Sports Nutritionist and the Founder of the Natural Nutritionist, a business based in Melbourne, Australia dedicated to teaching how easy real food living and performance can be.

The foundation of her approach is a whole foods, lower carb higher fat (or LCHF) lifestyle, which she also describes as JERF (just eat real food).

This conversation ties together with the previous conversations I’ve had with Katee Pedicini on the podcast as nutrition is one of Katee’s key recommendations for developing happy hormones.

In this conversation, we discuss:

- the profound impact removing gluten had on Steph’s physical and mental health,

- why food is medicine,

- the benefits of adopting an LCHF lifestyle (and whether you would experience the same benefits if you are not gluten intolerant),

- the most common tell-tale symptoms a person might have that would benefit from adopting an LCHF lifestyle (listen up if you have 3.30-itis, you get hangry or if you experience cravings),

- the impact of gut health on your hormonal cycle, PMS and immune system,

- the added benefits of adopting an LCHF lifestyle for athletes (including for those who struggle with weight loss despite heavy amounts of training),

- why carb-loading doesn’t make sense and why the intensity of your training should dictate your carb intake (not what stage of training you’re in),

- how to make the transition to an LCHF lifestyle and the ideal time to do it, and

- the benefits of fasting (and how to capitalise on what you’re already doing).

Get the full show notes for the episode here.

Dec 16, 2018

Caroline Buchanan's cycling bio is quite extraordinary.

Not just because she's an 8x World Champion, but also because she has achieved those titles across 2 multiple disciplines within the sport of cycling (3x in BMX and 5x in mountain biking).

She is a 2x Olympian (London in 2012 and Rio in 2016) and has now competed at the World Championships in 4 different cycling events.

Off the bike, Caroline is committed to the next generation of cyclists and to encouraging more girls to get into the sport, including through her latest venture; a children's book series called 'Girls Can B'.

Needless to say, she's a woman of many talents - both on and off the bike!

We could have spent the hour just talking about her cycling career, but I wanted to go deeper than that -- to discover the mindset and mental strategies she uses to manage her fear (in a risky and potentially dangerous sport) so she can perform on the world stage at her best.

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 Caroline on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbuchanan68 

Dec 9, 2018

Lucy was my guest on the podcast back in January, 2018 (episode 45).

In that episode, Lucy shared her background; how she first started running as a way to spend time with her Dad, her first 100km race at 16 through to her victory in 2017 at the 100km Ultra Trail Australia race (also her 21st birthday).

At the time of that episode, Lucy was still getting her head around the news she had secured an entry to the Western States Endurance Run (WSER); not only one of the world’s most prestigious 100mi/160km races, but it would also be Lucy’s first attempt at that distance.

So Lucy returns to Sparta Chicks Radio this week to share how the race, and 2018, unfolded for her — including why she labelled her blog post about the race ‘Show Up, Blow Up, Grow Up’.

Here’s a #spoileralert - Lucy finished 3rd at WSER this year; an extraordinary performance for someone so young, and racing that distance for the first time, against the best in the world.

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 Lucy on Instagram: instagram.com/lucy_bartholomew 

Dec 2, 2018

Mel was born into an extremely violent home. Her father was physically abusive towards not only her mother but also to Mel and her sister as well.

Despite her mum eventually leaving her father when she was around 12, Mel was firmly trapped in a cycle of violence.

At High School, Mel found herself the victim of bullying, but also at times an instigator of it.

This continued into her romantic relationships too, where she found herself in several abusive relationships.

That was until, at the age of 18, when she met (as she describes him) ‘one of the good guys’ who introduced her to martial arts, which changed the course of her life.

Mel is now the founder and CEO of the KYUP! Project, a revolutionary self-worth and self-protection program created to break the cycle of violence against women and children.

She has worked with more than 10,000 students and young women around the country and is on a mission to change the devastating statistic that 40% of women over the age of 15 have been affected by domestic or family violence.

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 Mel on Instagram: instagram.com/kyupproject

Nov 25, 2018

In 2011, a doctor told Tania - then aged 42 - that she wouldn’t live to see grandchildren if she didn’t stop smoking and drinking.

That distressing doctor’s visit 7 years ago started a chain reaction of events that has led Tania to become the first woman to run the length of the Hume and Hovell Track - a 453km track from Yass to Albury in regional NSW.

Her time of 8 days, 12 hours and 39 minutes is now recognised as the ‘fastest known time’ (FKT) for a woman over the Hume and Hovell.

So how does a mother and grandmother who only started running a few years ago become an FKT record holder in just 7 years?

That’s what we explore in this conversation.

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 Tania on Facebook: Female FKT Hume & Hovell Adventure

Nov 18, 2018

Tanya Geisler is a Leadership Coach from Canada who specialises in working with women regarding their experience with the Imposter Complex.

Tanya was one of my first guests on the podcast; episode #007 back in April 2017.

That conversation was not only one of the most popular episodes from 2017, but it is also the most profoundly impactful episodes.

If you haven't listened to that episode, I'd encourage you to press 'pause' and go back and listen to that episode first (you can find it here). 

Since that episode was published, I have lost count of the times someone has said to me (after listening to that conversation) words to the effect of: “I didn’t know that was a condition I could have”.

Over the last 18 months, Tanya has explored what is on the other side of the Imposter Complex.

Her answer: ‘unshakeable confidence'.

So what does it mean to be ‘unshakeably confident’?

That’s what I ask Tanya in this episode.

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 Tanya on Instagram: instagram.com/tanyageisler/ 

Nov 11, 2018

Jo joined me on the podcast back in episode #38 in November 2017.

In that conversation, we discussed Jo’s background and history, why she started running at 35 and the way in which she’s struggled with comparison, feeling like an imposter as well as how it took years for Jo to call herself an ‘athlete’ and mean it.

If you haven’t listened to that episode, I’d encourage you to listen to episode 38 first.

Almost one year to the day later, Jo and I pick up where we left off and cover the events, and lessons, of the last 12 months.

Since we last spoke, Jo has finished her 1st 100mi (160km) race.

Then, in January this year, Jo discovered she’d won a lottery spot to enter one of the world’s most famous ultramarathons; Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (or UTMB), an incredible 100mi / 160km race that passes through France, Italy and Switzerland as you run around the Mont Blanc massif (yes, you literally run around the mountain!)

Sadly, Jo’s race at UTMB didn’t turn out the way she wanted after she missed a cut-off around the 100km mark.

So what happens when your biggest fear comes true?

That’s what I explore with Jo in this conversation.

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 4, 2018

Kate is a psychologist, mountaineer and ‘free spirit at heart’.

A rock climber and mountaineer (who also served in the Army for 10 years), Kate has a unique perspective on how to manage fear, the thoughts we believe and the stories we tell ourselves.

We dive deep into the topic of fear on this episode and discuss:

- why spending time in nature is such a powerful source of confidence for women (hint: it’s about the facades we carry in our everyday life),

- why fear is actually a good thing, and being fearless is bad,

- the physiological response that occurs in your body when you feel fear - whether that fear is real/immediate or perceived,

- why you can’t think straight when you feel anxious, and tactics you can use to calm your anxiety and get your brain functioning again (I’ll vouch for the 4 second breathing exercise she mentions; I’ve been using it a lot in the last week or two),

- why mantras and affirmations work and why you should ‘let the body climb’ (or swim or run or ride or whatever it is you love to do), and

- how you get to choose which thoughts you believe (and it is a choice).

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 Kate on Instagram: instagram.com/drkatebaecher 

Oct 28, 2018

Hearing Pip Candrick share her love of trail running, it’s hard to believe she only took up the sport in her late 40s after being diagnosed with brain cancer.

To regain her health after treatment, Pip joined a gym that challenged her to set a goal.

She picked running a Half Marathon which, she says, ‘…was just ridiculous. I don’t know why it came out of my mouth’.

Pip quickly fell in the love with the sport, and discovered a surprising side effect of her long runs.

During a long run one day in preparation for her first Half Marathon, she suddenly had memories (she didn’t realise she’d lost) come flooding back. She credits her long runs with ‘restoring her brain’.

Since then, Pip’s gone onto finish multiple races including the 100km race at Ultra Trail Australia as well as the Husky Long Course triathlon (a Half Ironman/70.3 distance race).

Of course, her recovery and life haven’t been without challenges.

Pip experiences seizures and hasn’t (until only recently) been able to head out the door for a run by herself.

It’s a freedom she desperately misses. And I can’t help but think it’s something the rest of us - myself included - take for granted.

Pip’s story reminds me of the importance of not taking life for granted, of trusting your gut instinct and the power of sports as a vehicle for healing (physically, mentally and emotionally).

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 Pip on Facebook: facebook.com/pipsjourney/

Oct 21, 2018

Elly is a marathon runner and nutritionist who works with Steph Lowe (episode 69) at The Natural Nutritionist.

Elly first explored an LCHF (lower carb, healthy fat) protocol after various health issues caused her to question the traditional approach to nutrition she’d been taught at University (including the (in)famous food pyramid).

After working in the United States, Elly decided to adopt a vegan diet.

But soon found that it wasn’t conducive for her to thrive as a marathon runner.

Now Elly’s the first to admit many athletes thrive using a vegan or vegetarian protocol, but she realised she isn’t one of them.

Elly’s experience is a great example of why it’s important to personalise your approach to training and nutrition, rather than simply adopting what’s popular or what your friends are doing.

In many ways, this episode is an extension of my conversation with Steph Lowe and previous episodes with Katee Pedicini in that we discuss nutrition, fat adaptation, hormones and an LCHF lifestyle.

I should also mention: I am neither vegan nor vegetarian!

But there’s no denying there are massive benefits (for us and for the environment) to be gained when we add more plant-based foods to our diet. So even if you are carnivorous like me, I know you’ll benefit from listening to this episode.

We begin by discussing how Elly’s love of nutrition developed in High School and how she discovered running in her early 20s.

After that, we dive into discuss specific considerations that vegan or vegetarian athletes need to consider.

Then in the second half, we explore broader issues that are relevant to all athletes, regardless of what diet you adopt.

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 Elly on Instagram: instagram.com/nutritionelly/

Oct 14, 2018

An age group mountain biker and mum of 3 in her 40s, Kate was scrolling through Instagram while breastfeeding her youngest daughter in 2017 when she saw a competition by Liv Cycling (an incredible women’s cycling brand) for a spot in their Trail Squad; the prize included a new bike and entry to a mountain bike stage race somewhere around the world.

Needing a goal or something for herself, she decided to enter the competition.

Then one Sunday, months later she opened her email to find out she had won and that she was off to the Cape Epic — one of the hardest mountain bikes races in the world.

Held in South Africa, the Cape Epic is considered the Tour de France of the mountain bike world.

It’s an 8 day stage race with 100km+ days in the saddle, in the heat, dust and dirt of South Africa with around 15,000m of climbing (that’s nearly 2x the height of Everest).

Kate’s first reaction was ‘I was honestly petrified. My first thought was: “there is no way I can do that”.’

Then she took a deep breath and said ‘yes’.

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 Kate on Instagram: instagram.com/roscokate/ 

Oct 7, 2018

Grant Giles is obsessed with understanding what happens between an athlete’s ears.

Grant has 25+ years of experience in triathlons, starting with a 14 year career as an elite athlete. He then turned to coaching and ultimately developed some of Australia’s most successful professional triathletes.

These life experiences - together with his own struggles with anxiety - led him to become obsessed with understanding what happens between an athlete’s ears.

These days, Grant runs Sports Supports, a business that closes the gap between psychology and sport by providing mind-body coaching to athletes.

The core of his philosophy is to develop ‘awakened athletes’ which he describes in his conversation as ‘somebody who is aware that they are more than the content of their thinking and can stand apart from their thinking and can actually enquire into it; ask questions of it, analyse it, or drop it all together.’

Grant’s approach can, I think, be summarised by: “don’t believe everything you think”.

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 Sports Supports on Facebook here

Sep 30, 2018

Ellie Greenwood is ultra running royalty. I also got the impression from our chat that she’s incredibly humble and I suspect that description may not sit comfortably with her  — but it’s the truth.

A 2x winner of one of the world’s most famous and revered races, the Western States Endurance Run 100 (that’s 100mi/160km).

In 2012, she also smashed the course record — that record still stands today.

She’s also a 2x winner of the World 100km Championship and in 2014 she also won the Comrades Marathon, an 89km race in South Africa, regarded as the world’s oldest and largest ultramarathon.

While we touch on those races in this conversation, we spend much of our time behind-the-scenes, with Ellie sharing:

- how her athletic identity changed from someone who ran for fun to that of a ‘semi-professional’ and potential winner,

- how you don’t need to have the ‘perfect race’ to achieve the best result you can,

- her struggle with injuries and her advice on how to get your running ‘fix’ when you’re injured and how to remain optimistic when you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel,

- how it took her 2nd win at the Western States 100 for her to finally call herself a 100-mile runner, and

- whether she secretly crosses her fingers and hopes that no-one breaks her record at the Western States 100 each year.

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 Ellie on Instagram: instagram.com/elliejgreenwood

Sep 16, 2018

If you follow Tracey on social media, you would have seen stunning photos from her work assignments in Far North Queensland, Jordan, Finland, Sweden, South Africa and Botswana over the past 12 months.

Of course, social media is just the highlight reel. It doesn’t show the full story.

Tracey bravely shares that story (for the first time) in this conversation.

Back in 2016, Tracey realised she was experiencing some hearing loss. After 9 months of searching for answers, she was diagnosed with a brain tumour. “A very good tumour in a very shit place” as she describes it.

In this conversation:

* how Tracey got into travel journalism and how she discovered mountain biking,

* her advice for women who are interested in learning to ride a mountain bike  (simply, don’t be put off by the crazy Youtube videos)

* what she’s learnt from travelling to places such as Jordan, Palestine and Afghanistan  that are portrayed as “dangerous” in the media,

* the symptoms that led her to visit her doctor as well as her diagnosis and treatment plan,

* why she named her tumour ‘Timmy”, and

* how she has used the mindfulness of mountain biking to clear her head.

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 Tracey on Instagram: instagram.com/traceycroke/ 

Sep 9, 2018

Back in episode #17, Hayley shared her story and experience of becoming the first person - male or female -  to kayak the length of the Clarence River.

The longest river system on the east coast of Australia, the journey of 400km took Hayley 2 weeks to complete.

If you haven’t listened to that conversation (recently), I’d encourage you to go back and listen to our initial conversation first — as it is our starting point for this chat. You can find it here

Hayley had only completed her journey about 5 or 6 days before we spoke and shared it felt quite surreal to think an expedition 2 years in the planning was over. 

So we begin this week's conversation by discussing whether time and hindsight have changed her perception of what she learnt from that experience.

Then we dive into Hayley’s next big adventure.

And I have to be honest, I didn’t know much of the details going into this conversation.

All I knew was that it involved a kayak, a river in Tasmania, and that she was taking her two boys, aged 7 and 5, with her.

We also talk about everything from the logistics and challenges associated with taking kids into the outdoors, mother’s guilt and why it is altruistic and not selfish for women - and especially mothers - to pursue their goals and full their cup a little bit every day.

Plus we discuss the power of visualisations, risk minimisation, the danger of complacency and why it’s important to have a series of “rivers” - times we step out of our comfort zone and grow into something that’s a bit scary and unknown - throughout life.

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 Hayley on Instagram: instagram.com/hayleytalbot/

Sep 2, 2018

Back in 2007, Heather Hawkins was, by her own admission, a desperately unfit and busy mum of 2.

Then one day she visited her doctor after noticing some unusual symptoms she had initially attributed to the ‘middle age’ spread, enjoying Christmas a little too much and even menopause.

A scan later the same day revealed the shocking news - Heather was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Fortunately, Heather has not only survived but thrived in the years since. And just 6 years ago took up running.

She then she’s gone onto finish the North Pole Marathon, the World Marathon Challenge (7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days), the Volcano Marathon in Chile as well as the Marathon des Sables, a 250km, 7 day stage race across the Sahara Desert in Morocco.

Plus she’s hiked the 1,700km Great Himalaya Trail across the Nepalese Himalayas with her children.

As part of my commitment to focus on women’s health, we dive into her diagnosis, treatment and recovery from ovarian cancer before discussing how running has helped her unlock her ‘adventurous spirit’ again.

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 Heather on Instagram: www.instagram.com/heather_adventurousspirit/ 

Aug 26, 2018

“Attitude is more important than fact” might seem like one of those weary and overused motivational slogans.

But Lisa Bentley lives it every day.

A member of the Triathlon Canada Hall of Fame, Lisa is an 11 time Ironman triathlon champion, including 5 straight victories at Ironman Australia (2002 - 2006).

She also has cystic fibrosis - a genetic lung disease that results in chronic infections with limited lung capacity.

Lisa was diagnosed in 1989 at the age of 20, when the average life expectancy for those with cystic fibrosis in Canada, was also 20.

The facts would suggest Lisa was never meant to excel at endurance sports.

She’s the first to admit she wasn’t the most talented athlete around, especially given her limited lung capacity.

But it was Lisa’s approach to the mental and emotional side of sport -- and her attitude -- that set her apart.

We dive into her story and the tools she used to build that mental fitness in this conversation.

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 Lisa on Instagram: instagram.com/lisa_bentley123/

Aug 19, 2018

In April 2018, Steph became the first British woman to circumnavigate the world and ride a motorbike (affectionately called Rhonda the Honda) on all 7 continents — yes, including Antarctica!

This journey covered 120,000km / 74,000 miles, across 53 countries, and took 4 years to complete.

In this conversation, Steph and I discuss:

* why you sometimes feel lost and unfulfilled despite achieving the goal you’ve set for yourself,

* how she planned the logistics of her 4 year trip,

* why people enjoy helping — and why you should ask for it,

* her experience with the Imposter Complex the day she started her ride in London,

* how she has learnt to manage her thoughts when others share their fears and doubts with her (including when someone said to her: “you’ve bitten off more than you can chew”). Notice the language she uses: I choose to believe I’ll be ok,

* her experience riding through Iran when it was illegal for women to do so,

* the experience of getting Rhonda the Honda to Antarctica on a 60’ foot sailing yacht, and then home via a Russian icebreaker,

* the times she thought about quitting and her fears of not finishing the ride, especially when injuries left her in considerable pain,

* the difference between quitting because you’ve given up or because it’s a conscious decision, and

* the expedition she is leading in 2019 - taking the first group of all-women bikers to Everest Base Camp in Tibet (Interested? There are spots available!)

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 Steph on Instagram: instagram.com/stephjeavons

Aug 12, 2018

Australia’s coolest psychologist, Ali Hill is a CEO, sought-after speaker, author, podcaster, mum of 2 and runner.

Perhaps it’s no wonder that after being overcome by a tremendous sense of overwhelm 2 years ago, that Ali (as a ‘head mechanic’ to use her words) went on a quest to understand society’s obsession with ‘busy’ and how to live a life filled with meaning, even amongst the busyness.

That quest resulted in Ali not only making changes in her own work and life but also writing a fantastic book called ‘Stand Out: A Real World Guide to Get Clear, Find Purpose & Become the Boss of Busy’ and launching one of my favourite podcasts, Stand Out Life.

In this conversation, we discuss where her interest in behavioural science and psychology originated from, the fear of failure, how to live a life filled with meaning (even amongst the ‘busy’) and her experience running the 22km race at Ultra Trail Australia this year.

Plus, I turn the tables and ask whether a psychologist -- with all the tools, knowledge and insight she has -- can still experience the Imposter Complex.

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 Ali on Instagram: instagram.com/alihill/

Aug 5, 2018

Steph Lowe is a triathlete, Sports Nutritionist and the Founder of the Natural Nutritionist, a business based in Melbourne, Australia dedicated to teaching how easy real food living and performance can be.

The foundation of her approach is a whole foods, lower carb higher fat (or LCHF) lifestyle, which she also describes as JERF (just eat real food).

This conversation ties together with the previous conversations I’ve had with Katee Pedicini on the podcast as nutrition is one of Katee’s key recommendations for developing happy hormones.

In this conversation, we discuss:

* the profound impact removing gluten had on Steph’s physical and mental health,

* why food is medicine,

* the benefits of adopting an LCHF lifestyle (and whether you would experience the same benefits if you are not gluten intolerant),

* the most common tell-tale symptoms a person might have that would benefit from adopting an LCHF lifestyle (listen up if you have 3.30-itis, you get hangry or if you experience cravings),

* the impact of gut health on your hormonal cycle, PMS and immune system,

* the added benefits of adopting an LCHF lifestyle for athletes (including for those who struggle with weight loss despite heavy amounts of training),

* the difference between LCHF and a keto diet, the confusion between the two and why she doesn’t recommend a keto diet to athletes,

* why carb-loading doesn’t make sense and why the intensity of your training should dictate your carb intake (not what stage of training you’re in),

* how to make the transition to an LCHF lifestyle and the ideal time to do it, and

* the benefits of fasting (and how to capitalise on what you’re already doing).

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 Steph on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenaturalnutritionist/

Jul 29, 2018

Jacqui Holth is the co-founder of the Adventurous Life Project - a community with a commitment to harness the power of play and the psychology of adventure to regain purpose, vitality and energy in life.


Born in Sydney, Jacqui spent her adult life living and working overseas before returning to Australia at the age of 42 in 2013 on a quest to reinvent herself. 


In this conversation, we talk about how she defines ‘adventure’ and what it means to live with an adventurous spirit, the lessons and insights she learnt from living and working overseas for so many years, the charity she founded in Sardinia, Italy to build a children’s playground.

Plus we discuss what inspired her to create the Adventurous Life Project.  

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 Jacqui on Instagram: facebook.com/jacqueline.holth

1 2 3 Next »