Fresh off 876 shows touring Australia with Beauty & The Beast, performer Amy Hopwood joins Q&A with S&A to share what life is really like behind the curtain.

From juggling competitive dance training throughout school to booking Disney’s Frozen before even graduating with her Performing Arts qualification, Amy opens up about breaking into the industry during COVID, surviving 8–9 show weeks, navigating imposter syndrome, and the loneliness of touring life.

They talk everything from career plans and education, to sacrifice and burnout, and the brave decision to step away and rediscover identity beyond the stage. Amy also shares her advice for young performers on how to stay grounded, supported, and keep the spark alive.

An honest look at the highs, the hustle, and the realities of life as a professional performer.

Connect with Amy on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/amyhopwood_/

Shane and Andrea chat with Aintree Group–sponsored athlete Kaylen Bassett for an inspiring and insightful conversation about family, resilience, and elite performance in canoe slalom.

Kaylen shares his unconventional journey into the sport, the strong family foundations that underpin his career, and the mental skills required to compete at the highest level. The conversation centres on a career-defining achievement — winning a bronze medal at the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Penrith, marking Australia’s first men’s C1 World Championship medal in over a decade.

From life on the World Cup circuit and the realities of constant international travel, to finding balance, entering flow state under pressure, celebrating success, and juggling work alongside elite sport, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it truly takes to perform on the world stage — and what lies ahead on the road to Oklahoma and the 2028 LA Olympic cycle.

Follow Kaylen's journey: https://kaylenbassett.com/ | IG: @kaylenbassett

Visit Paddle Australia website to see details of upcoming races and how you can support the Australian Paddling team: https://paddle.org.au/

When the right solution doesn’t exist, sometimes the only option is to create it yourself!

In this episode, Andrea chats with Melissa Voss, Co-Founder of FuseWork, to discuss how identifying gaps and developing the right tools to fill them can transform not only your own business but an entire industry.

They explore what it means to take initiative when no one else will, how problem-solving can be a powerful catalyst for business growth, and why collaboration between accountants and technology is more important than ever.

Melissa shares the story of how FuseWork was born from a desire to make accountants’ lives easier, and how that drive to solve everyday challenges evolved into a software company that has redefined efficiency and innovation within the accounting profession.

Find out more about FuseWork: https://www.fuse.work/

Connect with Melissa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissajvoss/