There She Is: A Womensport & Recreation Tasmania Podcast

Every athlete wonders how they'll balance life, ambition and the unexpected—but what happens when motherhood enters the picture? In this episode of There She Is, Philippa sits down with Commonwealth Games silver medallist, educator and athlete Kaity Fassina to explore the realities of returning to elite sport after becoming a mother. Kaity shares the emotional journey of discovering she was pr...

Every athlete wants to perform at their best—but what happens when your body simply doesn't have enough energy to keep up? In this episode, Philippa sits down with internationally renowned sports physician and researcher Professor Margo Mountjoy, one of the world's leading experts on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs). Together, they unpack what REDs actually is, why it's far m...

What if one of the most powerful ways to keep girls in sport, is about strengthening the relationship they have with the adults who support them? In this episode, Professor Philip Morgan, founder of the Daughters & Dads program, shares more than a decade of research exploring how fathers and father figures can help girls build confidence, competence, resilience and a lifelong connection to spo...

Body image is one of the leading reasons girls disengage from sport, yet many of the barriers are things we can change. In this episode, Dr Zali Yager from The Embrace Collective joins us to explore the powerful connection between body image, confidence, belonging, and participation in sport. Drawing on years of research and practical experience, Zali shares simple but impactful strategies that pa...

Adventure doesn’t have to look one way — and neither does recreation. In this episode, Nicola Hughes from The Swag Family shares the story behind an extraordinary decision to step outside the expected path and cycle around the world with her husband and three children — travelling for 696 days and covering almost 14,000 kilometres together as a family. Along the way they discovered that adventure...

After years competing as an able-bodied rower, Ella Marshall’s sporting journey took an unexpected turn when she explored para classification and stepped into a whole new chapter of high-performance sport. Within months, she transitioned from classroom teacher to full-time athlete training with Rowing Australia and preparing for international competition. In this episode, Ella shares her experienc...

What if building a career in sport starts with simply saying yes? In this episode, Chelsea Wing shares her journey from player to coach — and how a series of small opportunities led to a career in high-performance football. Now working within the Football Tasmania Academy and with experience across state programs and national pathways, Chelsea’s story highlights what’s possible when young women st...

What does it take to shape the culture of a sporting organisation from the ground up — and use sport as a vehicle for real change? In this episode, Lauren Jauncey shares her journey from a career in corporate leadership and strategy to working in sport as General Manager of Strategy, People and Culture with the Tasmania Devils. With a background spanning global organisations and leadership roles,...

What happens when sport is intentionally designed to work for women? In this episode, Catherine Graue from Trail Ventures shares how trail running events in Tasmania are leading the way in creating more inclusive, accessible, and supportive sporting experiences. From achieving near 50/50 participation, to implementing practical, real-world changes that remove barriers for women, Catherine offers a...

What if the biggest barrier to women staying in sport is something we’re not talking about? In this episode, Peta Titter, founder of WHEN (Women’s Health and Education Network), shares powerful insights into perimenopause — and how it impacts women’s participation, performance, and wellbeing in sport. From physical changes like joint pain and fatigue, to cognitive shifts, confidence, and motivatio...

Why are girls dropping out of sport — and what can we do to change it? In this episode, Karen Wills shares her journey from player to coach, and now into leadership and research focused on improving participation and retention for women and girls in sport. As Head of Women’s Development at Taroona Football Club, Karen brings decades of experience — alongside a deep understanding of the real challe...

What if sport felt less about pressure — and more about possibility? In this episode, Roxy Perry shares how climbing offered a completely different experience of sport — one built on creativity, community, and freedom. From trying (and struggling with) traditional sports to becoming a leader in Tasmania’s climbing scene, Roxy’s journey highlights the importance of finding an environment where you...

What does it look like to go from elite athlete to building a professional team from the ground up? In this episode, Kayla Steindl shares her journey from growing up in the US, playing college and professional basketball, to stepping into a leadership role as Assistant General Manager of the Tasmania Jewels. From navigating setbacks like missing out on the WNBA, to balancing motherhood with profes...

What does it take to go from a small Tasmanian sporting community to the Olympic stage? In this episode, Maddi Brooks shares her journey from growing up in a hockey-obsessed family to representing Australia — and the realities of pursuing high-performance sport. From balancing multiple sports in her early years to making the tough call to specialise, Maddi reflects on the moments that shaped her p...

Most people don’t realise how impactful the role of wellbeing, culture, and inclusion can be in sport — until they hear Emma Doherty’s story. As Wellbeing, Culture and Inclusion Manager at the Tasmania Devils, Emma is helping shape a high-performance environment where people come first. In this conversation, she shares what it really takes to build a strong, connected club culture from the ground...