Almost Pro Podcast

What does it actually mean to make it “pro” in sport? In this episode of Almost Pro, Laura and Frances unpack how the traditional definition of professional applies in today’s sporting world. From minor leagues and Olympic “amateurs” to NIL deals and docuseries, we explore how money, media, and systems shape who gets called pro. We also introduce the 7 Pillars of Athlete Success framework (develop...

From tennis courts to Muay Thai rings to the fairways of golf, Nathan Ejindu’s sporting life has been anything but predictable. Nathan’s story begins with judo at seven and a junior national tennis ranking as a teenager. But it was in Muay Thai that he found his power, competing at semi-professional level before injury forced a change of direction. Instead of walking away, Nathan reinvented himsel...

From what was supposed to be a "quick" video and sound quality test call comes the birth of our favourite new game, now played with every Almost Pro guest - Rapid Fire: This or That. . We took a sharp left turn off track and started firing off quick questions: ice bath or sauna? Pregame music or silent focus? Mentor for life or high-performance coach? Welcome to Rapid Fire: This or That | Host Edi...

In this episode, we sit down with Renae Jones - a rising Australian athlete in Trap Shooting who has experienced the thrill of international competition, the pride of reaching Olympic selection trials, and the challenge of redefining success. Renae’s story begins in regional Victoria, where her family and weekends at the local gun club shaped her love for sport. What started as helping out at juni...

In this episode, we turn the mic on ourselves. You’ve been asking to know more about the voices behind Almost Pro, so today we share our journeys, our love of sport, and the story of how a bar in Boston sparked the creation of this podcast. From childhood memories on tennis courts and soccer fields to the highs, lows, and the transition out of playing competitively, we open up about the experience...

Phil Stewart returns with Part 2 of his story — this time not as the athlete, but as a coach, leader, and high performance coordinator shaping the future of gymnastics. After retiring from competition, Phil transitioned into coaching, business management, and leadership. From co-founding a gymnastics business, to serving on Gymnastics Australia’s Athlete Commission, to now coordinating elite pathw...

Phil Stewart joins us with Part 1 of his story as an Almost Pro Athlete — from breaking his neck at 19 to making an international comeback. Phil’s gymnastics journey began at just five years old, leading him to the Victorian Men’s High Performance Centre and a sporting scholarship to the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, where he trained 30 hours a week. At 19, a trampoline accident...

From travel costs and training fees to the hidden price of equipment and recovery, we break down the financial reality of chasing a professional sporting dream. In this episode of Almost Pro, we explore the sacrifices families make, the advantages financial backing can provide, and the inspiring exceptions that prove it’s still possible to succeed without deep pockets. Drawing on personal experien...

Not every athlete’s story ends with going pro — and not every success is defined by the scoreboard. In this short welcome episode, meet your hosts Laura and Frances as they introduce Almost Pro — a sports podcast dedicated to the powerful, untold stories of athletes whose journeys didn’t follow the script. Each week, Almost Pro dives into the moments that shift an athlete’s path — from career-endi...