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In this episode of Dive Beyond Sport, hosts Yona Knight-Wisdom and Freddie Woodward sit down with Shelley Dowling-Holroyd, a former British javelin thrower, to discuss her remarkable journey in athletics. Shelley shares her experiences from competing in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics to her career transition into athlete support and inclusion within UK athletics. The conversation touches on her personal resilience in overcoming severe injuries, the significance of mental health in sports, and the importance of a coach's role in an athlete's success. Shelley also speaks about the establishment of the Athletics Pride Network and her contributions to the Paralympic community, emphasizing the value of lived experience and paying it forward. Through her story, Shelley provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of sports funding, athlete development, and the critical role of mindset in achieving excellence.

Show Notes

• How Shelley Dowling-Holroyd turned a life-changing car crash into the driving force behind her Olympic journey
• Why she believes resilience is the greatest skill any athlete can develop, both in sport and in life
• How failure became a foundation for growth and the key to her long-term success
• What losing her athletic identity taught her about purpose, vulnerability, and starting over
• Why mental health and emotional preparation are just as vital as physical training for athletes
• How Shelley found new meaning in helping others through inclusion, coaching, and athlete welfare
• What inspired her to champion disability inclusion and challenge perceptions around ability
• Why she believes great coaching starts with empathy, not instruction
• How her mentor Frank Dick shaped her philosophy of “paying it forward” in sport
• Why it’s never too late to learn, adapt, and begin a new chapter, even after sport

Guest Pick:

Book: Wings by Kathy Wright

Link (paperback): https://amzn.to/47SJ48g

Link (hardcover): https://amzn.to/4nqik44

Link (kindle): https://amzn.to/46lRnbu

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Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678

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In this episode of Dive Beyond Sport, hosts Freddie Woodward and Yona Knight-Wisdom sit down with Olympic trampolining champion Bryony Page. Bryony shares her journey from starting trampolining at age 9 to winning a historic gold medal in Paris, along with other Olympic medals in Rio and Tokyo. The discussion covers her love for the sport, the challenges she faced, including battling through mental blocks and personal hardships, and the invaluable support from her coaches and family. Bryony also reveals her passion for learning, her time at university, where she wrote a dissertation on dinosaur sounds, and her aspirations for the future, both in sport and potentially with Cirque du Soleil. She emphasizes the importance of self-growth, happiness, and maintaining a strong support network. Bryony’s story provides a deep dive into the life and mindset of an elite athlete who values personal development over accolades.

Show Notes

• How Bryony Page battled through self-doubt and turned it into Olympic-level resilience

• Why failure became one of her greatest teachers on the road to success

• What it felt like to finally achieve her lifelong dream of becoming an Olympic Champion

• How she found self-worth beyond medals, shifting focus to values and growth

• Why consistency and reflection became the foundation of her training

• What setbacks taught her about redefining success and resilience

• How she pushed through the mental battles of fear and performance pressure

• Why gratitude, learning, and relationships fuel her both on and off the trampoline

• What defending a title really means and how belief plays a role in chasing it

• How Bryony continues to push limits while inspiring the next generation of athletes

Guest Picks:

Book Recommendation:   The Confidence Gap by Russ Harris.

Link (paperback): https://amzn.to/46QJ8o2

Link (kindle): https://amzn.to/4gzyhC8

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through the links above. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps support the podcast.

Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation.

Listen on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678

Listen on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/67pX07qo2f6AZTxOERShpn?si=95b0803ce82642a7

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Follow the Hosts and Guest on Instagram:

Bryony Page: https://www.instagram.com/bryony_page

Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward

Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw

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In this episode of Dive Beyond Sports, hosts Freddie Woodward and Yona Knight-Wisdom interview Aidan Heslop, a record-breaking cliff diver who talks about his journey from traditional diving to high cliff diving. Aidan shares his early start in diving at age seven, his inspirations, and the mentors that helped him along the way. He opens up about the extreme nature of cliff diving, its risks, and the severe back injury that put him out of action for nearly a year. He also touches on the mental and physical challenges of recovery, his recent move to Montreal, and the importance of perseverance. Despite the setbacks, Aidan remains passionate about the sport and hopes to continue diving for another 10-15 years. He emphasizes the need for grit and determination, encouraging listeners to stay motivated even in tough times.

Show Notes

• How Aidan Heslop discovered cliff diving at just 12 years old and turned it into his life’s passion

• Why he chose cliff diving over Olympic-style diving despite the risks and challenges

• How he became the youngest diver to compete in Red Bull Cliff Diving at age 16

• What it felt like to stand on his first podium and later win a world title at 19

• How he handled a career-threatening back injury and fought his way back

• Why fear never fully goes away, and how he manages it with grounding techniques

• What makes cliff diving different from traditional diving in culture, risk, and creativity

• How great coaches and mentors shaped his growth and technical mastery

• Why resilience and determination remain at the core of his journey as an athlete

Guest Picks:

Aidan’s song recommendation: My Head Is A Jungle (MK Remix / Radio Edit) by Wankelmut → Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/4krbxwy4XwgGWgLCmiKxuD?si=d541042f87194c7d

Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678

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Follow the Hosts and Guest on Instagram:

Aidan Heslop: https://www.instagram.com/aidan_heslop

Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward

Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw

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In this episode of Dive Beyond Sport, hosts Yona Knight-Wisdom and Freddie Woodward welcome Gabby Marshall, a former England netball player and current athlete mentor. Gabby shares her journey from being a high-performing athlete starting at a young age to transitioning into mentoring and athlete well-being. She discusses the challenges of defining her identity beyond sport, dealing with career-altering injuries, and making tough decisions like choosing to finish her degree over taking an early England contract. Gabby also touches on the importance of communication, patience, and pushing oneself out of comfort zones. The episode delves into her work with the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, the evolving landscape of netball professionalization, and the significance of raising concussion awareness. Despite her forced retirement due to concussions, Gabby sees value in her experiences and is focused on making impactful changes within the sport.

Show Notes

• How Gabby Marshall discovered her passion for netball is through persistence and dedication

• Why resilience defines her journey is shown in overcoming injuries and setbacks

• How leadership on and off the court shaped her career is through accountability and teamwork • Why balancing elite sport with life beyond netball is vital for long-term growth

• How setbacks fueled her determination is by teaching patience and mental toughness

• What teamwork means to her is building trust, culture, and shared responsibility

• How she prepares mentally for high-pressure matches is through focus and composure

• Why athlete identity beyond sport matters is seen in her pursuit of personal development

• How role models and mentors influenced her journey is by guiding her mindset and resilience

• Why inspiring the next generation drives her is to create impact beyond the court

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678

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Follow the Hosts and Guest on Instagram:

Gabby Marshall: https://www.instagram.com/gabslmarshall

Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward

Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw

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exclusive clips. Patreon: patreon.com/divebeyondsportpod

In this episode of Dive Beyond Sport, hosts Freddie Woodward and Yona Knight-Wisdom engage in a riveting conversation with Ali Jawad, a four-time Paralympic powerlifting champion. Ali shares his incredible journey through battling Crohn's disease, navigating the tech world with his app for disability fitness, and his relentless drive to succeed in the face of adversity. From his early challenges as a double-leg amputee to his remarkable comeback stories, Ali discusses the critical importance of adaptability, resilience, the role of mentors, and the power of focusing on daily processes over outcomes. The discussion also delves into doping issues in para-sport and Ali's ongoing PhD research aimed at integrity in athletics. Tune in for an inspiring narrative of overcoming obstacles and striving for excellence.

Show Notes

• How Ali Jawad transformed adversity into strength through Paralympic powerlifting.

• Why being born without legs shaped his resilience and mindset from an early age.

• How Crohn’s disease changed his career and forced him to redefine performance.

• Why refusing to retire after life-saving surgery became the turning point of his journey.

• How his parents’ tough-love approach to adversity built lifelong adaptability.

• Why choosing clean sport over doping became a defining value in his career.

• How a controversial refereeing decision at London 2012 fueled his hunger for success.

• Why surrounding himself with strong mentors created his breakthrough in sport and life.

• How world-class coaching and data-driven training rebuilt him into a world champion.

• Why the same habits that built a Paralympian helped him launch a groundbreaking fitness tech company.

Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678

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Follow the Hosts and Guest on Instagram:

Ali Jawad: https://www.instagram.com/alijawadpowerlifter

Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward

Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw

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In this insightful episode of Dive Beyond Sport, hosts Yona Knight-Wisdom and Freddie Woodward sit down with Shona McCallin, an Olympic gold and bronze medalist in field hockey, mental health advocate, coach, and entrepreneur. Shona shares her experiences from playing in the Rio Olympic final, detailing the preparation, teamwork, and mental resilience required to overcome the odds. The conversation delves into the importance of maintaining a positive identity outside of sport, the value of multi-sport participation during youth, and the life lessons learned from dealing with injuries. Shona also discusses the evolution of the British women's hockey team leading up to their bronze medal win in Tokyo, emphasising the significance of teamwork, preparation, and a supportive environment.

The episode wraps up with Shona's reflections on her life post-sport, maintaining balance, and her ongoing commitment to learning and personal growth.

Show Notes

• What defines Shona McCallin’s Olympic journey is resilience through setbacks and triumphs

• How she handled the pressures of elite hockey was by focusing on discipline and preparation

• Why mental strength is as important as physical training is shown in her recovery from injuries

• Where she finds balance beyond the pitch is in building identity outside of sport

• What makes teamwork powerful is the shared culture and trust built within Team GB

• How she reframed success is by valuing growth and lessons, not just medals

• Why leadership matters in sport is reflected in her ability to inspire and guide teammates

• What kept her motivated through tough times was her long-term vision and belief in the process

• How setbacks shaped her career is by teaching patience, gratitude, and perseverance

• Why sharing athlete stories matters is to inspire others to find strength beyond challenges

Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678

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Follow the Hosts and Guest on Instagram:

Shona McCallin: https://www.instagram.com/shonamccallin24

Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward

Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw

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In this episode of Dive Beyond Sport, hosts Freddy Woodward and Yona Knight-Wisdom interview Karleigh Osborne, a former professional footballer turned head coach of the Brentford Women's team. The discussion delves into Karleigh's pre-match rituals, the importance of mental toughness, and the transition from player to coach. Karleigh shares insights on the value of resilience, self-reflection, and accountability in achieving success. The conversation highlights the stark differences and surprising similarities between team sports like football and individual sports like diving. Both hosts and Karleigh stress the significance of sacrificing personal gains for team success and the importance of celebrating victories while accepting failures.

The episode offers a comprehensive look at the psychology behind athletic performance, the journey of an athlete, and the traits required to excel in sports and life.

Show Notes

• What shaped Karleigh Osborne’s journey from player to coach is his drive to learn and adapt

• How he transitioned from professional football to leadership is through resilience and mentorship

• Why culture and values matter in football is that they define how a team performs under pressure

• Where Karleigh sees the biggest opportunities for young players is in discipline and consistency

• What makes coaching fulfilling for him is developing people, not just athletes

• How setbacks and injuries impacted his career is by teaching patience and perspective

• Why he believes in player well-being beyond the pitch is rooted in his own experiences

• What leadership means to him now is guiding others with empathy and accountability

• How his playing career influences his coaching style is through lived experience and relatability

• Why he sees success beyond trophies is in the growth of the players he mentors

Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67pX07qo2f6AZTxOERShpn?si=95b0803ce82642a7

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Follow the Hosts and Guest on Instagram:

Karleigh Osborne: https://www.instagram.com/ossy_14

Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward

Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw

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In this episode of Dive Beyond Sport, hosts Freddie Woodward and Yona Knight-Wisdom sit down with Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Matty Lee. They delve into Matty's journey in diving, focusing on his experiences, the pressures of competing at the highest level, and the lessons he has learned along the way. Matty reflects on his Olympic success, his partnership with Tom Daley, and the challenges of transitioning from sport to life beyond the pool. They also discuss the importance of visualisation, dealing with injuries, managing nerves, and the overarching theme of patience in achieving greatness. Matty shares personal anecdotes, giving listeners a deep and honest look into the highs and lows of an elite athlete's career.

Whether you’re an athlete, sports fan, or someone chasing excellence in any field, Matty’s story is filled with lessons about discipline, identity, and resilience.

• What it was like for Matty Lee growing up in Leeds and finding diving

• How he discovered his passion for diving at just seven years old

• Where Matty’s path led him after years of training and how he reached the Olympic stage

• What challenges he faced in balancing school, family, and elite sport at such a young age

• How Matty handled the pressure of competing alongside Tom Daley at Tokyo 2020

• Why he believes teamwork and trust are vital in synchronised diving

• What winning Olympic gold meant for his career and identity as an athlete

• How Matty views resilience and mental health in high-performance sport

• Where he sees himself beyond competition and what’s next in his journey

• Why he thinks young athletes should focus on enjoying the process and not just the results

• What lessons from diving he carry into everyday life

Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67pX07qo2f6AZTxOERShpn?si=95b0803ce82642a7

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Follow the Hosts and Guest on Instagram:

Matty Lee: https://www.instagram.com/mattydiver

Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward

Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw