The Price You Pay

A 14-year-old Australian rider earns a place at the Honda Racing School in Japan, and suddenly the dream gets real: new countries, older competitors, higher speeds, and a price tag most people never see. We sit down with Jackson Macdonald and his dad Glen to trace the exact steps that moved Jackson from early racing in Australia to international starts, age exemptions, and a fast-forming MotoGP pa...

We sit down with CAN Fund founder Jane Roos to talk about the real cost of representing your country and why “showing up” is the most practical form of belief you can give an athlete. We connect Jane’s origin story and fundraising philosophy to why we built the Aussie Athlete Fund and how we can stop normalising pay to play sport.  • Jane’s life-changing car accident and the mindset shift that fol...

What does it really take to chase Olympic sailing as a sibling team when boats, sails, and travel chew through your budget before you hit the start line? We sit down with Australian sailor Ashlee Daunt to unpack the organized chaos behind a mixed 470 campaign with her brother Brayden—how they split roles, handle conflict, and keep the long game in view from LA 2028 to Brisbane 2032. Ashlee shares...

We explore the real cost of chasing green and gold and follow Alex Hayden’s rise from rural South Australia to the PSA World Tour. She shares how she funds her career, why storytelling builds resilience, and how LA 2028 reframed what’s possible for squash. • why the Aussie Athlete Fund exists and what it fixes • how Alex fell in love with squash at eight in Clare Valley • portable glass courts, ic...

What does it take to keep chasing an Olympic dream when everything seems stacked against you? For Caitlyn Bowell, a 26-year-old sprint canoe champion, it means refusing to take no for an answer—even when that "no" came from her diving coach who arbitrarily decided she was "too old" at just 19. With a background as a champion gymnast and diver, Caitlyn's pivot to canoe kaya...

Dreams take flight from unexpected places. For 14-year-old Maggie Grey, Australia's junior world platform diving champion, it began while watching Simone Biles compete at the 2016 Rio Olympics. "Mom, I'm going to go to the Olympics," she declared at age eight. Six years later, she's well on her way. Maggie's path reveals remarkable strategic thinking uncommon in someo...

What does it truly cost to chase Olympic dreams? For water polo star Tenealle Fasala, the price has been devastating—twice being cut from Olympic teams, including watching from the sidelines as the squad she helped prepare won silver at the Paris Games without her. Tenealle’s  journey defies the glossy highlight reels we typically associate with elite sport. Born into a swimming dynasty (her fathe...

What does it truly cost to chase Olympic glory? For Josh Bell, Australia's #1 men's skeet shooter, the price tag includes unpaid leave from work, constant financial uncertainty, and precious time away from his young family – all while maintaining the intense focus needed to hit clay targets moving at blistering speeds. When Josh boarded his flight to Paris for his Olympic debut, he carri...

Through sheer determination, Australian softball squad member Kayla Waller defies what most would consider humanly possible. Training four to five days weekly with grueling four-hour commutes, she simultaneously maintains full-time employment and university studies while pursuing her Olympic dream. Her story reveals the extraordinary sacrifices made by athletes in sports that lack mainstream atten...

Seventeen-year-old motorsport prodigy Ben Holliday and his father Darren reveal the emotional and financial sacrifices behind pursuing a professional racing career while navigating family dynamics and increasing competition. • Starting at age six, Ben quickly found success in karting, finishing second at his first national event • The financial demands of competitive motorsport escalate dramatical...

Aislin Jones became the world's youngest Olympic shooter at age 16, qualifying for Rio 2016 in just four years instead of her planned eight-year timeline. Her journey illustrates the hidden financial costs of elite sport and the importance of mental wellbeing in athletic careers. • Dad Dave introducing 12-year-old Aislin to clay target shooting, where her natural talent was immediately eviden...

**This episode was uniquely recorded prior to the Paris 2024 Games qualification process for Waterpolo ** Can you imagine the pressure of standing between the goalposts, knowing every decision could make or break the match?  Join us as we sit down with Claire Durston, a remarkable waterpolo goalkeeper from the Cronulla Sharks, and her mother, Meg, to uncover Claire's extraordinary journey fro...

Get ready to be inspired as we welcome Taylor Gosens and her father, Gerrard Gosens, to the Price You Pay podcast.  Taylor, a para judo athlete who recently showcased her talents at the Paralympic Games in Paris, shares her journey from Brazilian jiu-jitsu to the gripping world of para judo. You’ll hear about her incredible ambition to compete at the 2032 Games in Brisbane and the sacrifices she’s...

From a small rural town in Queensland to the grand stage of national rowing, Chad Willett's story is one of ambition, grit, and heart.  In our latest episode, we are joined by 19-year-old rowing sensation Chad Gillett, his Mum Raylene and his Dad to discover his love of various sports, the family's collective sacrifices, and an honest glimpse of what it takes for an athlete in rural Aust...

Today, we sit down with the ultimate “Bike athlete” Molly McGill.  Ranked #2 in the world in BMX at age 15, she is now 22yrs old on the Australian Women’s Track Cycling team training for the World Championships in Denmark this October. Hailing from Brisbane, Qld, Molly remembers that even at 5yrs old, she would ride up and down her big bitumen driveway all day,” which drew her to a local “come and...

What would you sacrifice for a dream?  (Keep in mind that this conversation took place months before qualifying for Paris Paralympics 2024) Uncover the extraordinary story of Jack Howell, a World Triathlon Paralympic Series champion, and his mother, Therese, who have gone above and beyond to support his journey to the Paris Paralympic Games.  Jack's grueling training regime - the physical and...

Mila Klyne is an 11-years-old Australian junior diving prodigy whose rigorous training and unyielding commitment have already set her apart in the world of sports.  In this episode, Mila shares her demanding daily schedule, from early morning strength sessions to intricate pool practices and dry land routines.  We speak to the whole family to get that rounded approach -  younger sister Aria will d...

What happens when a casual "come and try" day turns into a quest for Olympic gold? Kim Lavender, our Olympic hopeful archer, shares her remarkable journey:  from discovering archery to competing at the World Cup in Turkey.  firsthand account of mastering the technical aspects of her equipment the mental and physical challenges of aiming at a target 70 meters away the exhilaration of sett...

What does it take to become an Olympic athlete? Stacey Hymer takes us on her incredible journey from a curious four-year-old discovering Taekwondo to preparing for the ultimate stage: the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.  Stacey shares the early influence of her father, Michael, and how he helped her transition from self-defense to competitive sparring.  Gain an insider's perspective on the sport...

 Today, we are excited to share the inspiring story of Hudson Brown, a trampolinist with Olympic-sized dreams, and the unwavering support from his mother, Melissa. Take off with us as we chart Hudson's journey from a bouncing backyard enthusiast to a competitor on the world stage, and uncover the dedication and sheer joy found in the heart of a young athlete aiming for the stars. Hudson was f...

Indigenous Olympian Taliqua Clancy sets the tone for Season 2 of the Price You Pay Podcast with her genuine Welcome to Country - with respect and acknowledgement of the rich history of storytelling of her culture and the land on which these athlete  stories are received and and recorded... Host of Pod and  founder of The Aussie Athlete Fund, Natalie Cook has the mic directed her way as she shares...

In this episode of The Price You Pay, we immerse ourselves in the captivating world of water polo, exploring the inspiring journey of Ali, a talented young athlete, and her unique bond with her Water Polo gold-medal-winning-mother, Naomi. The episode unfolds with Naomi sharing her experience, laying the foundation for the legacy Ali now carries forward in her pursuit of excellence in water polo. T...

In this insightful episode, we explore the extraordinary journey of 20-year-old hockey sensation Claire Colwill. The narrative unfolds, highlighting Claire's unparalleled determination, familial sacrifices, and the indispensable support system provided by her parents, Sarah and Chris, along with her brother Tim. Claire's parents share invaluable insights into parenting an aspiring athlet...

In this captivating episode, we explore the dynamic world of Kite Foil Racing through the remarkable journey of young athlete Oscar Timm. Oscar tells us about his swift ascent in this high-adrenaline sport. He shares how he made the bold decision to travel to The Netherlands for the Sailing Youth Worlds in 2022, setting the stage for his first international event, just a year away. What's eve...

In this episode of The Price You Pay, we dive into the inspiring journey of Jackson Collins, a rising star in the world of sprint kayaking. At just 24 years old, Jackson is a member of the Australian Kayak Team and holds a remarkable title as a 2-time Aussie Single-Ski Champion and Sprint Kayak World Champion.  Jackson's journey in sprint kayaking is particularly special, as he follows in the...