Behind the Dream

Newton Agency

Sharing stories that tell you more about what really goes on in the hearts and minds of professional athletes - the ups and downs, the good times and the challenges. This podcast offers a behind the scenes glimpse into the world of sport.

  1. Episode #26: Former England rugby player Tim Stimpson reflects on legacy, happiness and living his values.

    18/11/2022

    Episode #26: Former England rugby player Tim Stimpson reflects on legacy, happiness and living his values.

    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

    1h 6m
  2. Episode #25: Dr Markus Rogan, former 200m Backstroke World Record holder, talks trauma, identity and finding his way in life

    12/10/2022

    Episode #25: Dr Markus Rogan, former 200m Backstroke World Record holder, talks trauma, identity and finding his way in life

    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/

    47 min
  3. Episode #24: Protea Netball Player Lenize Potgieter talks about her "very dark blue days" and learning to love herself as a player and person

    11/03/2022

    Episode #24: Protea Netball Player Lenize Potgieter talks about her "very dark blue days" and learning to love herself as a player and person

    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.

    49 min
  4. Episode #23: Olympic flagbearer & South African hockey player Phumelela Mbande talking self-worth, mental health and coping post-Olympics

    18/10/2021

    Episode #23: Olympic flagbearer & South African hockey player Phumelela Mbande talking self-worth, mental health and coping post-Olympics

    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.

    47 min
  5. Episode #22: Paralympic Gold Medalist Samkelo Radebe talking disability, inspiration and being emotionally intelligent

    03/09/2021

    Episode #22: Paralympic Gold Medalist Samkelo Radebe talking disability, inspiration and being emotionally intelligent

    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.

    59 min
  6. Episode #21: 5 x Olympic Gold medallist Aaron Peirsol talks about facing insecurities, following curiosities, and finding new ways of being in life after swimming

    20/07/2021

    Episode #21: 5 x Olympic Gold medallist Aaron Peirsol talks about facing insecurities, following curiosities, and finding new ways of being in life after swimming

    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.

    1h 13m
  7. Episode #20: Former World Record holder and Paralympic Gold Medalist Shireen Sapiro talks about the heart break of retirement and finding herself again in life after swimming

    04/06/2021

    Episode #20: Former World Record holder and Paralympic Gold Medalist Shireen Sapiro talks about the heart break of retirement and finding herself again in life after swimming

    Shireen Sapiro is a 3 x Paralympic swimmer, and former 100m Backstroke World Record holder - a record she broke at 17 years old, only 4 years after a devastating boat accident almost took her her life, slicing her in half, shattering her pelvis and leaving her left leg paralysed.  After a super-human effort to make it to Rio 2016 for her 3rd Paralympics, Shireen retired from swimming and in this episode she talks so honestly about the struggle to define herself as someone other than the swimmer in the months and years that followed. She opens up about the deep work she needed to do to find happiness and how she needed to re-define achievement to find a sense of peace and acceptance of herself.

    46 min
  8. Episode #19: Olympic gold medalist & multiple World Record holder, swimmer Roland Schoeman, talks about finding peace with life and himself

    05/04/2021

    Episode #19: Olympic gold medalist & multiple World Record holder, swimmer Roland Schoeman, talks about finding peace with life and himself

    Roland Schoeman has been to an incredible four Olympic Games and is one of South Africa's most decorated Olympians. In Athens 2004, he was part of the 4 x 100m freestyle relay that won Gold against the heavily favoured Americans and Australians, and also came away with 2 individual medals - a silver in the 100m freestyle and bronze in the 50m.  Over his almost 16 year career, he broke 5 world records and was multiple World and Commonwealth Champion.  By his own admission he was a typical 'Type A' personality - hyper driven, competitive and focused. While this helped him to become one of the best swimmers in the world,  as is so often the paradox in sport, it also wrecked havoc with his wellbeing and happiness.  In this open and honest discussion, Roland talks about the dark moments in his career and how after narrowly missing out on his 5th Olympic Games in 2016, he realised something needed to change. He describes his journey over the past four years to becoming a kinder, gentler version of himself, and finding peace with himself and life.

    46 min
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About

Sharing stories that tell you more about what really goes on in the hearts and minds of professional athletes - the ups and downs, the good times and the challenges. This podcast offers a behind the scenes glimpse into the world of sport.

Information

  • Creator
    Newton Agency
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2022
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Behind the Dream
  • Show Website
    Behind the Dream