The Nest Effect

In this episode of The Nest Effect , Ruby shares her journey as a rising young golfer, from stepping away from traditional schooling to create more time for training, to representing Queensland in the Junior Interstate Team and experiencing the pressure of competing for a tournament victory. She speaks openly about the mental side of golf, overcoming personal challenges and learning to remain posi...

What does it take to compete at a national level and chase a spot on the world stage? “It’s not just strength, it’s years of technique that make the difference.” In this episode of The Nest Effect , Antoine Vidal sits down with rising discus athlete Jamieson Pooles as he prepares for Nationals in Brisbane. With just days to go, Jamieson shares the mindset, discipline, and dedication required to pe...

In this episode of The Nest Effect , Antoine sits down with rising boxer Spencer Riys , who is redefining what commitment looks like. Balancing Year 12 through homeschooling with a demanding training schedule of up to five hours a day, Spencer shares what it really takes to pursue a career in boxing — from early sacrifices to mental resilience. Spencer opens up about: 🥊 Transitioning from team sp...

🌟 Ji Wallace: Olympic Silver Medallist, Performer, Advocate, Mentor 🌟 From bouncing on a backyard trampoline to standing on the Olympic podium, Ji Wallace ’s journey is one of courage, resilience, and authenticity. In this episode, we explore his early love for trampolining, the pressure and thrill of competing at the Sydney 2000 Olympics , and the historic silver medal moment — Australia’s firs...

Recorded late last year, The Nest Effect features an inspiring conversation with Adam Sheppard , para-athletics coach, retired wheelchair racer, and multi-sport athlete. Adam’s life is defined not by limitations, but by possibilities. From competing internationally and setting records in wheelchair racing to discovering a new passion in para powerlifting, Adam embodies resilience, courage, and det...

On this episode of The Nest Effect , we sit down with Tasha Price — elite adaptive athlete, speaker, advocate, and co-founder of InvincAble . Tasha opens up about turning adversity into fuel, building resilience through intentional mindset shifts, and the power of creating safe “nests” of support for herself and those around her. This conversation dives deep into identity, leadership, and showing...

Recorded late last year, this marks our first podcast release for 2026 What does it really take to pursue excellence across ten events — while building a full-time professional career? In this episode of The Nest Effect , host Antoine Vidal sits down with Christian Paynter , an Australian decathlete, data scientist, and community leader redefining what high performance looks like on and off the tr...

In this episode of The Nest Effect , host Antoine Vidal sits down with Jack Howell — a driven young athlete who’s carving his own path through discipline, mindset, and purpose. Jack shares the habits and motivations behind his rise, how he navigates pressure and setbacks, and the importance of staying grounded while chasing big ambitions. Whether you’re an up-and-coming athlete, a coach, or anyone...

In this episode of The Nest Effect , we’re joined by Australian pole vault athlete Olivia Gross , a rising talent in one of track and field’s most demanding disciplines. Olivia shares how curiosity turned into commitment, what it takes to balance training and competition, and the mindset required to perform when the bar keeps rising. From overcoming doubt and handling pressure, to breakthrough mom...

The Nest Effect – Janine Watson: Still Standing In this unforgettable episode of The Nest Effect , host Antoine Vidal sits down with world champion para-taekwondo athlete Janine Watson , whose journey redefines resilience. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at just 25 and told she could be in a wheelchair within five years, Janine faced a future filled with uncertainty. Instead of retreating, she c...

Chasing Gold: Sarah Blizzard is heading to the 2026 Winter Olympics! 🥇❄️ Meet Sarah Blizzard — a powerhouse Australian athlete whose journey from the track to the ice is redefining what it means to chase big dreams. Once a standout sprinter and four-time Stawell Gift finalist, Sarah made the bold leap into the world of bobsleigh in 2019 — a sport few Aussies even know exists. Now, she’s competing...

This is more than a replay — it’s a moment in history. Before they became World Mixed Doubles Curling Champions in 2026 , Dean Hewitt and Tali Gill joined The Nest Effect to share their journey — and what it really takes to chase an unlikely dream from a sunburnt country with almost no ice. From sliding on hallway tiles in Brisbane to competing on the Olympic stage, this conversation captures the...

🎧 In this episode of The Nest Effect Podcast , we’re joined by Sara Sammons — a rising star in Australian ice hockey and a powerhouse forward for the Perth Inferno in the Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League (AWIHL). At just 24, Sara is already making waves nationally and internationally as a key player for the Aussie Flyers , Australia’s national women’s ice hockey team. 🚨 In this conversation,...

Pressure Is a Privilege: Cameron Scott’s Olympic Bobsleigh Dream Recorded last year, this episode of The Nest Effect takes us inside the remarkable journey of Australian bobsleigh pilot Cameron Scott. A nurse unit manager by day and elite athlete every other waking moment, Cameron’s sporting journey began in rugby league before serious injuries forced him to reconsider his future. A chance convers...

🔥 Top 10 in the World. Olympic Qualification Secured. 4 World Cups. 9 Days. One incredible season. 🔥 Huge congratulations to Abbey Willcox on an extraordinary World Cup campaign — competing in 4 World Cups in just 9 days and finishing the regular season Top 10 overall 🌍👏 Ahead of her push to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics, Antoine Vidal caught up with Abbey to unpack the journey behind t...

In this episode of The Nest Effect , Antoine Vidal sits down with Kiana Elliott — Olympian, former elite gymnast and Australian weightlifting champion. Kiana’s sporting journey began in gymnastics, where she was identified as a potential Olympic athlete at just six years old. After years of intense training and multiple major injuries, she made the difficult decision to walk away from the sport at...

What does it take to shock the world? In this powerful episode of The Nest Effect , Antoine Vidal sits down with former world champion boxer Jeff Horn, best known for his historic victory over Manny Pacquiao, to explore the mindset behind one of Australia’s greatest sporting upsets. But this conversation goes far beyond the ring. Jeff opens up about his journey from being bullied as a kid in Brisb...

In this episode of The Nest Effect , we sit down with Australian weightlifter Rory Scott — a rising force in the 81kg division and a member of Queensland’s Milton Weightlifting Club. From national-level swimming to battling a serious back injury, Rory’s journey is one of resilience, discipline, and relentless self-belief. After years of rebuilding, he’s now representing Australia on the internatio...

Bullseyes & Breakthroughs: Jess Lloyd on Archery, Anxiety, and the Power of Community What does it take to go from picking up a toy bow… to representing your country on the world stage? In this episode of The Nest Effect , we’re joined by Jess Lloyd — a Sunshine Coast archer whose journey is a powerful reminder of what dedication, resilience, and the right support network can achieve. From her...

Welcome to The Nest Effect — a podcast where we honour stories that truly matter.   Stories of courage. Stories of connection. Stories that make a lasting impact in our community.   Created by the WattleNest Team, this podcast is a space for athletes and changemakers to: Share their personal journeys — the triumphs, the challenges, and the purpose that fuels them Highlight the collective...