Female Athlete Diaries

Kirsty Sheehan
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Real stories and conversations of the challenges females face during exercise, training, and racing through all stages of life. Stories of being steam rolled by PMT, the yo-yo of peri-menopause, losing confidence in your body, the diet that went too far, and many more. Listen to the experiences of other women, connect and breakthrough.

  1. 7h ago

    4: What it takes to become an Ultra-woman with the 2026 Female Champion, Nat Dodd

    Send us Fan Mail In the final episode of a four-part “ultra-woman” series, host Kirsty Sheehan interviews 36-year-old endurance athlete Nat Dodd, based in Blenheim, New Zealand, about her journey to becoming the female Ultraman Australia champion for 2026. Nat recounts a childhood in England focused on swimming, athletics, and early triathlon success, including a national biathlon title at 14, before pausing the sport during a gap year and years running a tourism business after moving to New Zealand in 2011. Returning to triathlon in 2017 with coach Greg Frain, she progressed through multiple 70.3s and Ironman races, describing swim cancellations, learning experiences, and her attraction to daunting challenges. Nat emphasizes consistency, patience, visualization, controlling controllables, strength training, running on tired legs, race-day nutrition, cycle considerations, and the crucial role of a committed crew in her Ultraman performance, and she discusses recovery and potential future goals like Ironman Lanzarote. 00:00 Final Series Intro 02:09 Meet Nat Dodd 02:30 Early Sports Roots 03:36 Finding Triathlon 05:15 Biathlon Breakthrough 06:54 Life Move to New Zealand 09:21 Return to Racing 10:30 Training and Cycle Tracking 12:23 First 70.3 Lessons 16:23 World Champs Experience 17:45 First Ironman Setbacks 21:03 Why Ultraman Calls 24:06 Consistency Builds Durability 28:41 Ultrawoman Mindset 30:54 Noosa Course and Crew 35:43 Training Keys Strength 37:25 Female Factors and Periods 42:24 Winning and Ultra Tribe 44:22 Recovery and Next Goals 46:14 Final Advice and Wrap

  2. Jul 28

    3. What it takes to become an Ultra-woman in your sixties with Denise Wilson

    Send us Fan Mail Denise Wilson: Starting Endurance Sport at 40 and Finishing UM Australia at 61 In this Female Athlete Diaries episode (third mini in a four-part “ultra-woman” series), host Kirsty Sheehan interviews 61-year-old solicitor and business owner Denise Wilson from Port Macquarie about becoming an endurance athlete later in life. Denise began running at 40 after seeing the London Marathon, progressing from marathons to trail ultras like Sixfoot Track and UTA 100, learned to ride at 50 and to swim in her early 50s, then completed her first Port Macquarie Ironman at 55. She entered Ultraman Australia in 2022 after crewing and finished two and a half days before stopping mid–way through the run day due to conditions, and other reasons. Returning to complete Ultraman in 2026 after her sister’s death prompted her to pursue meaningful goals. Denise discusses defining success beyond time, training consistency, safety and emotional load as a woman, the value of support and coaching, nutrition and chafing solutions, self-belief journaling, and encouraging women to pursue their own challenges. 00:00 Series Intro and Guest 02:14 Denise Starts Running 03:39 Finding Community and Consistency 05:54 Learning to Love Running 08:03 Cycling and Swimming Later 10:00 Learning Swim as Adult 12:29 Why Ultraman Feels Possible 15:29 First Ironman and Racing Mindset 17:56 First Ultraman in Lockdown 20:17 Returning After Loss 21:06 What It Takes 22:06 Time Passion Support 23:56 Hardest Parts 26:40 Ultra Tribe Mindset 28:13 Women Safety Load 30:52 Training That Worked 33:01 Self Belief Journal 35:17 Advice Why Not Me 39:44 Crew Gratitude Next Goals Link to self-belief journal: The Athlete’s Ultimate Self-Belief Journal | Claudine Chi

  3. Jul 2

    2. What it takes to become an Ultrawoman with Brit Litton

    Send us Fan Mail Host Kirsty Sheehan introduces a series of four mini-episodes highlighting women’s journeys to Ultraman Australia and the mindset needed to take on big challenges. This episode features Brittney Litton, a lifelong multi-sport athlete who began endurance racing after having her son Max via C-section, completing a 70.3 with a 6–7 month old and an Ironman on his first birthday, then racing again after her daughter Tilly was born. Brittny quit drinking in 2021, raced Kona in 2023, ran Tarawera 100K, and signed up for Ulteraman Australia (and Ultraman NZ). She discusses women backing themselves less than men, recovering from C-sections and hernia surgery, realistic prep timelines, the importance of a supportive crew and believing coach, challenges like ocean swimming fear, knee/foot pain on day three, fueling with Monster, and female-specific barriers like safety, menstrual logistics, and caregiving constraints, while describing Ultraman as a uniquely supportive “ultra tribe” experience. 00:00 Ultrawoman Series Intro 02:02 Meet Brittney Litton 03:37 Early Sports Roots 05:08 Postpartum to Triathlon 06:42 Backing Yourself Mindset 09:11 Ironman After C-Section 11:06 Why Ultraman Australia 13:43 Training Timeframes 15:35 Race Pain and Lessons 17:21 Support Crew and Belief 19:11 Coach Confidence Boost 22:44 Gear You Can't Go Without 23:56 Meet the Crew 24:40 Brutal Training Weeks 26:16 Sleep Deprivation 27:11 Run Day Pain Cave 29:17 Ultra Mindset Lessons 30:52 Women in Ultra Challenges 34:52 Coaching and Training Tweaks 37:07 Ultra Tribe and Results 39:23 Training Time Reality Check 41:33 Final Encouragement to Race

  4. Jun 12

    1. What It Takes to Become an Ultrawoman: Claire Kunc’s Comeback from Stage 3 Prolapse Surgery

    Send us Fan Mail Host Kirsty Sheehan introduces a four-part Ultrawoman mini-series, featuring individual stories to show that women of different ages and abilities can conquer major challenges with motivation and dedication. In this episode, Claire Kunc—fourth female overall at UM Australia in just over 27 hours—shares how she began endurance sport three years ago after postnatal mental health struggles, and later discovered a stage 3 multi-organ pelvic floor prolapse causing significant problems while running. After trying physio and pessaries, she had prolapse surgery in September 2023, faced a demanding three-month recovery, then rapidly built fitness through marathons, 70.3s and Ironman before committing to Ultraman. She describes 3 a.m. training, heavy fueling demands, indoor Zwift rides up to nearly 10 hours, race challenges, the Ultra Tribe camaraderie, and her upcoming race plans. 00:00 Ultrawoman Series Intro 02:00 Meet Claire Kunc 03:21 First Marathon and Symptoms 04:18 Prolapse Diagnosis and Options 06:04 Surgery Recovery Reality 09:14 Return to Racing  10:27 Why Ultraman Australia 11:54 Training Load and 3AM Starts 13:32 Indoor Zwift Bike Strategy 18:41 Race Weekend Expectations 21:33 84K Finish Line High 22:49 Family on Course 23:09 Resilience to Finish 24:46 Fueling Struggles 26:46 Ultra Tribe Camaraderie 28:38 Bespoke Coaching Approach 30:31 Recovery With Kids 31:36 Why Mothers Can Do It 33:10 Running Through Postnatal Depression 34:34 Periods and Pelvic Floor Reality 38:41 What’s Next on the Calendar 40:13 Training Negotiations at Home 41:21 Final Thanks and Wrap

  5. May 7

    Bringing Up Sporting Children In A Body Conscious World

    Send us Fan Mail Season two of Female Athlete Diaries launches with a two-part compilation on raising sporting children in a body-conscious, social-media-driven world. Host Kirsty Sheehan interviews parents including Anne-Marie, Suzie Moffatt, Katie Hawkins, and Kaliki James about modeling positive attitudes to movement, food, and body image. They discuss focusing on what the body can do, avoiding negative self-talk and comments about others’ sizes, keeping treats in moderation without demonizing foods, and using family meals for connection. Topics include early signs of self-consciousness, social media access, pressures in gymnastics leotards, puberty changes, periods and practical supports, and encouraging participation and volunteering. Kirsty suggests GP referrals and Dietitians Australia to find Eating Disorders Specialist Dietitians and care plans when concerns arise. 00:00 Season Two Kickoff 00:47 Why This Topic Matters 02:03 Meet Your Host 02:27 Annemarie Introduction 03:13 Kids Sports Snapshot 04:34 Parents as Role Models 07:52 Early Image Pressures 13:19 Home Strategies and Language 14:55 Progress Over Perfection 20:58 Weighing Without Numbers 22:10 Annemarie Key Advice 24:44 Suzie Joins the Chat 26:37 Gymnastics and Competition 30:29 Body Consciousness Creeping In 33:38 Social Media and Access 35:15 Movement and Family Meals 39:09 Lunchboxes and Real Life 40:15 Practical Advice and Support 42:02 Dietitian Referral Advice 42:26 Wrap Up With Suzie 42:53 Meet Katie Hawkins 44:02 Katie’s Sporty Family 45:17 Netball And Body Image 46:17 Raising Body Positive Kids 47:46 Meet Kaliki James 48:57 Kaliki's Triathlon Journey 50:41 Active Kids And Family Culture 53:01 Body Image Boys Vs Girls 57:27 Curvy Athlete Challenges 01:02:48 Periods And Puberty In Sport 01:05:58 Role Modelling And Volunteering 01:08:40 Handling School Comments 01:12:22 Episode Takeaways And Resources Resources: Annemarie's book suggestion: All The Ways To Be Smart by Davina Bell.

  6. 12/12/2025

    Podiums to PhDs- Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport with Penny Slater

    Send us Fan Mail Navigating RED-S: Insights from Pro Triathlete and PhD Candidate Penny Slater In this episode of Female Athlete Diaries, host Kirsty Sheehan welcomes Penny Slater, an accomplished Australian Pro triathlete, coach, and PhD candidate. Penny shares her journey, including her switch from off-road to long-course triathlon and her struggles and recovery from Relative Energy Deficiency Syndrome (RED-S). The discussion delves into the symptoms, diagnosis, and long-term effects of RED-S, as well as Penny’s academic research on the subject. Penny emphasizes the importance of proper nutrition, ongoing care from professionals, and the need for education and support for female athletes. Tune in to learn about the physiological and psychological impacts of RED-S and how Penny’s journey is contributing to better awareness and preventive education in the sports community. 00:00 Introduction to Female Athlete Diaries 00:24 Meet Penny Slater: Professional Triathlete 01:15 Penny's Battle with Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) 02:12 Understanding RED-S: Causes and Diagnosis 03:05 Penny's Personal Journey and Challenges 07:19 Psychological and Physical Consequences of RED-S 10:53 The Importance of Proper Nutrition for Athletes 16:28 Penny's PhD Research on RED-S 28:22 Reflecting on a Career-Defining Year 28:42 The Importance of Fueling Performance 30:35 Running Performance and Body Composition 32:38 Future Education Initiatives 35:50 Addressing Energy Availability and RED-S 43:34 Advice for Young Female Athletes 50:13 Plans for the Future 53:04 Conclusion and Future Episodes Insta: @pen_slater

  7. 12/03/2025

    From Water to Weights: An Evolutionary Journey with Bonnie MacDonald

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Female Athlete Diaries, host Kirsty Sheehan interviews Bonnie McDonald, a former competitive swimmer for Australia. Bonnie shares her extensive career achievements in swimming, including multiple national titles and competing at international championships. She discusses the pressures of body image and nutrition in elite swimming, the transition from an athletic identity to a business career, and her eventual transition into bodybuilding. Bonnie explains how the discipline and training in bodybuilding have reshaped her perspective on body image and provided a new outlet for her competitive drive. She emphasizes the importance of a supportive community, the role of a knowledgeable coach, and the mental and physical aspects of competing in bodybuilding. This episode dives deep into the challenges and triumphs of maintaining athletic excellence and navigating life after competitive sports. 00:00 Introduction to Female Athlete Diaries 00:23 Meet Bonnie McDonald: A Swimming Prodigy 00:47 Bonnie's Swimming Achievements 02:11 Transition from Swimming to Business 03:20 Early Swimming Journey 09:56 Challenges of Body Image in Swimming 18:22 Experiences in the American Collegiate System 23:21 Retirement and Identity Crisis 32:24 Life After Swimming 35:58 Returning to Australia and Moving Away from Swimming 36:51 Discovering Functional Fitness and CrossFit 37:24 Embracing Competitiveness in CrossFit 41:27 Transitioning to Bodybuilding 46:14 The Challenges and Rewards of Bodybuilding 53:31 Body Positivity and Mental Health in Bodybuilding 58:18 The Longevity and Future of Bodybuilding 01:01:54 Final Thoughts and Advice for Women You can contact Bonnie:  @bmathletica bmathletica@gmail.com

  8. 11/08/2025

    The Learning Curve with Kat Krosch

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Female Athlete Diaries, host Kirsty Sheehan interviews Kat Krosch, a physiotherapist and triahtlon coach specialising in running and cycling biomechanics and injury prevention. Kat shares her journey from starting triathlon in 2012 to becoming a professional triathlete, despite numerous challenges including stress fractures, the COVID period and managing full time work. She discusses her decision to relinquish her pro license, her experiences with inequities in prize money, overtraining, and the impact of relative energy deficiency. One of the key takeaways from this episode is clear communication with your coach and having the confidence to advocate for yourself when you know things aren't right with your training. Kat also highlights her initiatives to increase female participation in endurance sports and her ongoing passion for coaching. 00:00 Introduction to Female Athlete Diaries 00:27 Meet Kat Krosch: Physiotherapist and Triathlete 01:14 Kat's Journey into Triathlon 02:01 From Army to Triathlon 05:54 First Triathlon Experiences 07:22 Transition to Longer Distances 10:45 Pursuing Professional Status 14:10 COVID-19 and Career Shifts 20:42 Coaching and Core 4 Endurance 24:01 Challenges and Triumphs in Professional Racing 33:11 Highs and Lows of Intense Training 35:16 Overtraining and Stress Fractures 36:43 The Impact of Training Age and Gender Differences 39:45 Communicating with Coaches and Self-Advocacy 43:58 Mental and Physical Challenges of Injuries 51:40 Navigating RED-S and Menstrual Health 57:14 Transitioning from Pro Racing to Coaching 01:05:53 Future Plans and Reflections To contact Kat and Core 4 Endurance: https://core4endurance.com.au/contact/ Current initiatives include an Introduction to Crit Racing for women.

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About

Real stories and conversations of the challenges females face during exercise, training, and racing through all stages of life. Stories of being steam rolled by PMT, the yo-yo of peri-menopause, losing confidence in your body, the diet that went too far, and many more. Listen to the experiences of other women, connect and breakthrough.

Information

  • Creator
    Kirsty Sheehan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Female Athlete Diaries
  • Show Website
    Female Athlete Diaries

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