What happens when a seven-year-old girl from country Australia decides she wants to play for the Socceroos? For Amy Chapman, it meant cutting her hair into an undercut and pretending to be a boy for years while playing in all-male teams. When puberty made that charade impossible, she discovered there was actually a national women's team – the Matildas – though she'd never heard of them before.

Amy's remarkable journey from those humble beginnings to representing Australia internationally, commentating the Women's World Cup final to 1.2 billion viewers, and eventually pioneering in the medical technology space offers a fascinating window into both personal resilience and the evolution of women's sport in Australia.

"I got more money from Centrelink going to university than I did playing for the Matildas full-time," Amy reveals, highlighting the stark financial realities faced by female athletes even at the highest level. Despite suffering three ACL reconstructions and seven knee surgeries throughout her career, she persevered – balancing elite sport with education and eventually building a career in neurosurgical medical devices.

The 2023 Women's World Cup proved transformative for the visibility of women's football in Australia. Amy, who was right in the thick of it as a commentator, observed how gender disappeared from the conversation: "There was no mention of gender. They were analyzing the game, critiquing players... That's what was so refreshing." This cultural shift has already translated into tangible results, with Football Queensland experiencing 180% growth in female participation.

Now a board member for Football Queensland and founder of the Medical Technology Institute, Amy is helping shape the future of both women's sport and medical innovation while creating pathways for athletes transitioning to new careers. Her story demonstrates that sometimes the most powerful impact happens after the final whistle blows.

Amy Chapman's journey from pretending to be a boy in country football to commentating the Women's World Cup final to 1.2 billion viewers demonstrates the remarkable evolution of women's football in Australia.

Join us on this wide-ranging conversation about sports science, video analysis in coaching, women's football development, neurosurgery, and the critical importance of diverse role models for young athletes.

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⚠️ Content Warning: This episode includes discussions of mental illness, addiction, trauma, and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

In this raw and revealing conversation, former NRL star Dan Hunt opens up about his journey from playing 150+ professional rugby league games to founding a national mental health movement that has trained over 500,000 Australians face-to-face.

Growing up in a household marked by domestic violence, Dan found safety, identity, and purpose in rugby league. As his professional career flourished, he maintained the persona of the "happy-go-lucky" teammate while secretly battling inner demons. It wasn't until a devastating Achilles injury in 2010 that his carefully constructed façade began to crumble, leading to self-medication with painkillers, alcohol, and illicit drugs.

Dan shares the pivotal moments that ultimately led to his diagnosis with type 2 bipolar disorder—from his mother's painful observation that he was "becoming his father" to a life-changing conversation with legendary coach Wayne Bennett. Rather than seeing his diagnosis as a setback, Dan describes it as "the books going back on the shelf in chronological order," finally making sense of his thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

The conversation dives deep into the often-misunderstood distinction between mental health and mental illness, exploring how organisations can move beyond token awareness initiatives to create genuinely supportive environments. Dan's Mental Health Workplace Blueprint offers a framework for identifying psychosocial hazards, implementing real solutions, and treating the causes rather than just the symptoms of mental health challenges.

Most powerfully, Dan reveals his daily practices for mental fitness—ice baths, gratitude, exercise, connection, and regular "check-ups from the neck up" with his psychologist—while emphasising that everyone's journey is unique. For those currently struggling, he offers a heartfelt reminder: "Your struggles do matter... You may not see any light at the end of the tunnel at the moment, but it will pass."

Whether you're managing a mental illness, supporting someone who is, or simply interested in optimising your own mental fitness, this episode offers practical wisdom from someone who's been through the darkness and emerged to help others find their way.

💡 Topics Covered:

• Mental health in elite sport and high-performance environments
• The impact of injury, trauma, and undiagnosed illness
• Transitioning from professional sport to a purpose-driven life
• The difference between mental health and mental illness
• Building mental fitness as part of your daily routine
• Practical strategies for supporting yourself and others

📌 Disclaimer: The information in this episode is for general discussion and storytelling purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re struggling, please seek help from a qualified healthcare professional.

🛟 Support Services (Australia):

• Lifeline – 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | beyondblue.org.au
• Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467 |

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Dive into the second part of this raw, unfiltered analysis of Australia's political landscape ahead of a crucial federal election. Former MP Michael Johnson and coffee entrepreneur Philip de Bella pull back the curtain on why our political system consistently delivers mediocrity—and why it's ultimately our fault as voters.

This episode addresses the painful truth that we have created a political environment where character assassination trumps vision, short-term popularity overrides long-term planning, and accountability is virtually nonexistent. As DiBella points out, "If a CEO failed to deliver what they promised after three years, they wouldn't even get an interview for another job"—yet politicians routinely break promises without facing consequences.

We explore how Australia's leadership challenges reflect deeper systemic issues: the rise of career politicians with limited real-world experience, parliamentary privilege that shields politicians from defamation consequences, and election cycles that incentivise band-aid solutions over structural reform. The housing affordability crisis serves as a prime example, representing a simple supply-demand equation complicated by political unwillingness to tell voters uncomfortable truths.

Perhaps most concerning is the revelation that talented young Australians are increasingly looking overseas to build businesses and careers, deterred by Australia's tax structure and policy instability. "My kids tell me they're not starting businesses in this country," shares de Bella, highlighting the generational consequences of our political failures.

Whether you're politically engaged or completely disillusioned, this conversation offers valuable context for making your vote count. As Johnson urges, "Vote for Australia, not necessarily for yourself." The message is clear: until Australians demand better by holding their leaders accountable, we'll continue to get the political system we deserve.

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