Behind the Dream Newton Agency

Tim Stimpson, former England and British & Irish Lions rugby player, has been described as one of the most successful players of his generation. He was instrumental in helping the Leicester Tigers win the Premiership 4 times in a row, as well as back-to-back Heineken Cup's, and at the time, became the Premierships leading points scorer. 

What is evident when talking with Tim is his obvious passion for the game of rugby and his love of team. So, it was fascinating to chat with him about the transition out of the game into 'normal life' and the journey he has been on for the past 15 years as he has had to learn to pay attention to his own happiness and find new ways of being a husband, father and man. 

Thanks Tim for your honesty and willingness to share the ups and downs of life with me!

Photo Credit: ESPN

Dr Markus Rogan is a former Austrian swimmer and now clinical psychologist. He competed in 4 x Olympic Games, winning silver in the 100m and 200m Backstroke in Athens 2004; became World Short Course Champion in 2008, the year he also broke the World record in the 200m, and was multiple European Champion over his almost 10 year career.

However impressive these achievements are, it is Markus's honesty (and vulnerability) around the trauma's he went through that led to his success, and the fallout that followed that eventually found him in hospital, beaten up after a World Championships party, asking himself the question "Who am I if not a world champion swimmer?" that is the real inspiration. 

In this episode Markus shares his insights into life as an elite performer, the challenges this life brings, and how he found a way to reimagine himself apart from being a swimmer - which eventual led him to his career now as a psychologist.

You can read more about Markus on his website https://drmarkusrogan.com/

Protea netball goal shooter Lenize Potgieter has played internationally for over 8 years, earning 39 caps for South Africa and playing in the professional netball leagues around the world.  At 1.88cm tall, she is both a strong physical and motivation presence on the court, which has earned her Most Valuable Player at many international tournaments. 

Playing for the Adelaide Thunderbirds, she woke up on her birthday last year thinking "this was not the plan for my life...how did I get here".  So began a mental health journey that made her re-examine what she thought to be important in life, where she was heading in the future and ultimately how she thought of herself and her identity as 'Lenize the netball player'. 

Thank you Lenize for sharing your story with such honesty and vulnerability as you hope to help others know that it is okay not to be okay sometimes, and that they are so much more than an athlete. 

Been given the honour of carrying the South African flag at the Tokyo Olympic Opening Ceremony came as a huge surprise to Phumelela Mbande. So began a rollercoaster ride of an Olympic experience for the SA Hockey team vice-captain - one she is still coming to terms with. 

An outspoken mental health advocate, Phumelela very courageously talks about the difficulties in coping with the grief and sadness she felt post-Tokyo after a hugely disappointing team performance, and discusses the challenges of the 18 months leading up to the Games. 

Phumelela is incredibly accomplished athlete both on and off the sports field (she is a qualified Chartered Accountant) and she also talks about her experiences as a black woman in sport and how she hopes to inspire others through her journey. 

This is a raw, honest conversation and one I think many athletes will be able to identify with. 

Samkelo Radebe had both his hands amputated as a young child when a game with his brother and friends went  badly wrong and 11 000v of electricity surged through his body.  But even then, his optimistic and pragmatic nature helped him through the 9 month hospital recovery and eventually took him to the top of the sporting world.

First representing South Africa at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games where he won silver in the 100m, Sam went on to win gold at the World Championships the following year in the 4 x 100m relay, and became Paralympic Champion at the London 2012 Games  in the 4 x 100m relay. He is also a multiple South African record holder in the sprint and jump events. 

In this episode Sam gives a unique and honest perspective on why his disability shouldn't automatically make him inspiring, and talks us through the reality that even being a Paralympic gold medallist doesn't mean you will actually earn any money as an athlete. 

There are so many pieces of wisdom in this episode that I think we can all learn from and become better, more aware athletes and people. 

Aaron Peirsol  - one of the greatest backstroke swimmers in history -  is a 5 x Olympic Gold medallist and 3 x Olympian. He broke the world record in the 100m and 200m backstroke a combined 13 times, and still holds the world record  in the 200m backstroke (which he set in 2009 in a time of 1:51.92). Across major international competitions he has 36 medals, 29 of which are gold. 

After an incredible 11 years international career, Aaron's decision to retire from competitive swimming in 2011 came from him knowing he had achieved all he wanted to in the pool. 

He then found himself in an interesting space. 

Unsure of exactly what to do next in life, he came face to face with some of his own inner demons,  needing to find a way through. This episode is a fascinating look at Aaron's journey beyond the pool, how he turned to literature and writing as a way to find wisdom and guidance to help him create a new  path, and how his love of water is the ultimate golden thread through his life.  His philosophical nature, and deep reflection about himself and life, leads to valuable insights for all of us.