Unboxed Podcast

Today on Unboxed, I’m joined by Daniel Wiffen. An Olympic gold and Bronze Medalist, two-time World Champion and four-time European Short Course Champion . One of the best swimmers in the world. But also someone building a life outside the pool — from almost at 100 thousand YouTube channel, to wanting Timothée Chalamet to play you in a movie. We talk about success, pressure, and the moments that ma...

This episode of Unboxed features Aoife Wafer — Irish international rugby player, self-proclaimed nerd, and proud lover of trad music. Aoife opens up about overcoming injury, the reality of representing Ireland, and the personal growth that comes from setbacks both on and off the pitch. An honest conversation about resilience, identity, and women’s rugby. Follow the @Unboxed on instagram and Tiktok...

In this episode of Unboxed , we sit down with Rhys McClenaghan — one of Ireland’s most consistent and successful athletes — to go beyond the medals and routines and explore the reality of performing at the highest level. Known worldwide for his dominance on the pommel horse, Rhys opens up about the pressure of expectation, the mental discipline required to deliver when it matters most, and what it...

In this episode of Unboxed , we sit down with Olympic rower Hannah Scott to unpack the realities behind elite sport. From the discipline and sacrifice required to compete at the highest level, to navigating pressure, identity, and life beyond medals, Hannah opens up about what it truly means to chase excellence. A powerful conversation about resilience, growth, and staying grounded in high-perform...

Season 4 is here and we cant wait to get stuck in! In this special live Unboxed recording from the Sport Ireland HPX Conference , Ayeisha is joined by Olympic and World Champions Fiona Murtagh and Greta Streimikyte . From how they first found their way into sport, to reaching the highest level on the world stage, this conversation unboxes the journeys behind the medals. Fiona and Greta open up abo...

This week on Unboxed , I’m joined by none other than Maddie Hinch OBE — Olympic gold medalist, England and GB hockey legend, and one of the most iconic goalkeepers our sport has ever seen. We chat about what it’s really like standing in goal on the biggest stages in the world, the pressure that comes with it, and the routines that kept her calm when everything was on the line. Maddie also opens up...

In this episode of Unboxing The Goalkeeper , we get chatting to one of the most exciting goalkeepers in the international game, England and Great Britain International James Mazarelo. Discussing all from our love to talk goalkeeping, being on trial at a very successful football club and turning failure into success elsewhere. Not only are you getting mindset and guidance tips from a goalkeeper, bu...

On this episode of Unboxing the Goalkeeper, we sat down with now European Silver Medalists, Maurits Visser. Maurits shares what it is like playing for the formidable HC Bloemendaal and the Dutch National team. From winning the Hoofdklasse, European Hockey League (EHL), and now a silver medal at Europeans, what it next for Maurits? We find out all about his mentality on the pitch, how he manages tr...

In this episode of Unboxing The Goalkeeper , we sit down with current Olympic Champion, World Champion, and European Champion Anne Veenendaal from the Netherlands to discuss her life as a goalkeeper. We take it back to younger Anne, how she got into the gear, the fun of still playing, and not caring what people think of her in and out of the pads. Goalkeeping is about creating and sharing your own...

🎙 Unboxing the Goalkeeper with Jean The mind behind the mask. The human behind the helmet. In Unboxing the Goalkeeper, Jean-Paul Danneberg strips back the layers of life as a goalkeeper — the pressure, the silence, the self-doubt, and the relentless pursuit of the number one spot. From self-criticism after mistakes to sitting alone with your thoughts as the second keeper, Jean speaks openly about...

In this inspiring episode of Unboxed , we sit down with Claire Taggart —trailblazer, Paralympian, and now, retired elite boccia athlete turned business owner. As Northern Ireland’s first-ever Paralympic boccia player, Claire reached the pinnacle of her sport, competing on the world stage and breaking barriers for athletes with disabilities. Now stepping into a new chapter after announcing her reti...

In this episode of Unboxed , we sit down with Northern Ireland’s all-time leading goalscorer, Rachel Furness — a powerhouse on the pitch and a trailblazer off it. From playing through multiple knee injuries to stepping away from international football for her mental health, Rachel opens up about what it truly means to fight for your dream — even when your body and mind beg you to stop. We talk abo...

On this episode of Unboxed , Irish boxing trailblazer Michaela Walsh steps out of the stereotypes and into her story. From lacing up gloves in a world that didn’t expect girls to fight, to growing alongside her brother Aidan in and out of the ring, Michaela opens up about what it really took to break through — not just in sport, but within herself. We talk about resilience, redefining limits, and...

This week, Ayeisha sits down with Colin Judge , Paralympian and European champion in para table tennis, whose story is anything but ordinary. Colin was born with one arm and no legs—but from a young age, he refused to let that define his limits. What began as a casual introduction to table tennis became a lifelong pursuit of excellence, identity, and purpose . In this powerful conversation, Colin...

This week on Unboxed , Ayeisha sits down with Anna McGann, Irish rugby international, to explore a journey that’s anything but conventional. Anna didn’t grow up dreaming of green jerseys in rugby or packed stadiums—in fact, she almost stumbled into the sport. What started as a chance encounter with rugby became a powerful outlet for grief, growth, and unexpected belonging. In this deeply personal...

What do you get when you mix Northern Irish grit, English finesse, and a dash of questionable banter? You get David Ames — international hockey star, midfield maestro, and self-proclaimed expert in team fines. In this episode of Unboxed , Ayeisha sits down with her former GB Hockey captain to chat about everything from Olympic pressure to switching nations — yes, we get into that move from Ireland...

Tess Howard is more than just a world-class hockey player — she’s a boundary-breaker, a feminist force, and a voice for choice in sport and beyond. In this episode of Unboxed , Tess opens up about the poetry and pain of injury, the pressure of performance, and the powerful moment she chose to speak up about something as simple — and as symbolic — as shorts. From the pitch to public platforms, Tess...

In this episode of Unboxed , Ayeisha sits down with Zac Ward — Ireland Rugby 7s player and Tackle Your Feelings ambassador — to unpack the raw, real journey behind reaching his childhood dream of playing for Ulster. Zac opens up about taking an unconventional route to the top, the mindset it took to stay focused, and the power of being relentlessly goal-oriented. From overcoming setbacks to repres...

In this special kickoff to Season 2, we go behind the scenes with the Irish Women’s Hockey Team. From underdogs to world-stage, their journey is nothing short of legendary. We talk grit, history-making moments, the mindset of champions — and the battles nobody sees off the pitch. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s a story that proves why this team has captured a nation's heart and inspired a new ge...

In this episode of Unboxed, we sit down with Aifric Keogh, the Irish rowing legend who paddled her way to a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Growing up in Furbo, County Galway, she started rowing in secondary school as a way to find the right people for her. Tune in as we chat about Olympic-sized challenges, boatloads of hard work, and whether she still gets competitive over who rows the h...

On this episode of Unboxed, host Ayeisha McFerran chats down with Davis Atkin—a unique talent who’s redefining norms and embracing individuality. From his passion for hockey as a way of life to his love for makeup artistry, Davis shares how he navigates the balance between pursuing his passions and challenging the perceptions of others. Together, they explore how self-expression and resilience hav...

Join us as we dive into the adrenaline-fueled world of  Greg Callaghan , Ireland’s very own Enduro mountain biking legend. From tearing through rugged trails to climbing the ranks of the world’s most competitive races, Greg has made a name for himself as one of the sport's fiercest and funniest competitors. In this episode, Greg shares his journey from the green hills of Ireland to the podiums of...

The one you all have been asking for! In this episode of  Unboxed , we chat with Anne Veenendaal, the badass Dutch hockey goalkeeper with some incredible stories to share. Anne talks about the highs and lows of her career, making a big comeback, and figuring out who she is along the way. We also dive into her love for photography, tattoos and how they’ve become part of her journey. From tough trai...

In this episode of Unboxed , Ayeisha sits down with Nicole Turner, a triple Paralympian and one of Ireland's most inspiring and successful swimmers.  Nicole opens up about her journey as an elite athlete, managing the pressures of competitive swimming, and the resilience it takes to balance life in and out of the pool. All the while having a willing family to support the challenge of elite sport a...

In this episode of Unboxed, we share the inspiring story of young athlete, Jack Woolley from Tallaght, a tough but tightly knit community in Dublin, who pursued his Olympic dreams with the unwavering support of those around him. Despite the stereotypes and challenges of growing up in a rough area, he stayed true to himself, keeping his focus and humility intact as he rose above the noise. From loc...