This week on 4TG, we chat with the incredible Tori West – Olympian heptathlete, self-taught software engineer, and founder of Peak.app. Tori shares her candid journey navigating the realities of women's athletics, where passion often outweighs financial support. She opens up about self-funding her Olympic dreams, a drive that led her to build a revolutionary tech solution for athletes.

Tori’s story highlights that talent isn't always enough. She discusses building a life beyond sport, maintaining identity, and owning athletic data. We dive into her innovative app, Peak, designed to make performance data accessible and empower athletes – built by an athlete, for athletes. Get ready for real talk on resilience, mindset, and creating opportunities in and out of sport.

In this episode, we cover:

• The financial realities of women's athletics and self-funding a sporting career
• Transitioning from elite athlete to self-taught software engineer
• The inspiration and mission behind Peak.app – empowering athletes with their data
• Why sleep and recovery are non-negotiable for peak performance
• Building an identity beyond sport and managing setbacks
• The future of athlete data ownership and blockchain technology
• The power of authenticity and community in an athlete's journey

Chapters:

• 00:01:56 – Tori West: Olympian Heptathlete & Self-Taught Software Engineer
• 00:06:07 – Best Setback: Missing Tokyo Olympics & Fractured Foot
• 00:33:15 – The Reality of Funding in Women's Sport & Self-Funding
• 00:47:38 – Building Peak.app: Empowering Athletes with Data Ownership
• 00:52:04 – Why Girls & Women Need to Stay in Sport

Links:

• Follow Tori on Instagram & TikTok
• Check out Peak here & follow on Instagram.
• A big thanks to Lúthri Athletics for sponsoring this episode. Check out their products here & follow them on Instagram

Keywords:

Support the show

Did this episode inspire you?

• Please subscribe to 4TG, leave a five-star review, and share it with an athlete, parent or coach who needs to hear it.
• Follow @4TG_Podcast on all socials and visit us at 4tg.com.au.

1:1 Athlete Mentoring – Confidence and Champion’s Mindset

• Want 1:1 support to build real self-belief and perform with freedom? The 4TG 1:1 Athlete Mentoring is a 6-week program for driven female athletes who want to back themselves, lead with confidence and play to their strengths – on the field and off it.
• We will work on mindset, habits, resilience, leadership and handling pressure with a clear plan and accountability each week.
• If you are ready to stop overthinking and start playing with freedom, apply now via 4tg.com.au or DM me "MENTORING" on Instagram @4tg_podcast.

Want to support 4TG?

• Individuals - help us keep the movement going by donating or becoming a 4TG member at https://buymeacoffee.com/4tg_podcast ☕
• For brand collaborations or sponsorships, email: kylie@4tg.com.au

4TG Discount codes:

• Younify Active – 10% off athlete supplements 👉 Grab yours h...

What happens when the sport that’s been your whole life suddenly stops?

Former Western Australian women’s cricket fast bowler Piepa Cleary shares the real story of retirement from professional sport, athlete identity loss, and what life after cricket actually feels like when the routine, team environment and performance goals disappear.

We dive into:

• The emotional impact of retiring from elite women’s cricket
• Athlete identity and self-worth beyond performance
• Recovering from an ACL injury and navigating setbacks
• Selection pressure in Big Bash cricket – when one over feels career-defining
• The detachment mindset that improves performance under pressure
• Playing free vs playing scared
• The six-month suspension that reshaped her resilience and career
• The growth of women’s cricket: funding, pathways, exposure and opportunity

Piepa opens up about the “small and harmless” betting mistake that led to a six-month ban — and why that forced reset became one of the most important chapters in her development.

This episode is for athletes navigating:

• Injury comebacks
• Retirement or career transition
• Performance anxiety
• Selection stress
• Identity outside of sport

Because sport can mean everything — but it shouldn’t be everything.

⏱️ Key Timestamps

03:17 – Retirement after 694 days: first game back and what it meant
13:06 – Life skills sport teaches young athletes
15:56 – Growth of women’s cricket: contracts, funding and exposure
23:22 – Touring realities: recovery, sleep and flexibility
34:25 – Selection pressure and playing scared
38:00 – Detachment mindset and playing free

Follow Piepa on Instagram @piepa_cleary

Support the show

Did this episode inspire you?

• Please subscribe to 4TG, leave a five-star review, and share it with an athlete, parent or coach who needs to hear it.
• Follow @4TG_Podcast on all socials and visit us at 4tg.com.au.

1:1 Athlete Mentoring – Confidence and Champion’s Mindset

• Want 1:1 support to build real self-belief and perform with freedom? The 4TG 1:1 Athlete Mentoring is a 6-week program for driven female athletes who want to back themselves, lead with confidence and play to their strengths – on the field and off it.
• We will work on mindset, habits, resilience, leadership and handling pressure with a clear plan and accountability each week.
• If you are ready to stop overthinking and start playing with freedom, apply now via 4tg.com.au or DM me "MENTORING" on Instagram @4tg_podcast.

Want to support 4TG?

• Individuals - help us keep the movement going by donating or becoming a 4TG member at https://buymeacoffee.com/4tg_podcast ☕
• For brand collaborations or sponsorships, email: kylie@4tg.com.au

4TG Discount codes:

• Younify Active – 10% off athlete supplements 👉 Grab yours h...

Have you ever been in a team where the structure looks perfect on paper… but the connection is missing?

This week I’m joined by Tom Cashin – Collingwood VFLW Head Coach and Head of Academy (AFLW) – for a raw, honest chat on what actually creates high-performing teams.

We unpack Tom’s people-first coaching philosophy, why he wants athletes setting goals they’re not guaranteed to reach, and how to change your relationship with failure so it becomes growth (not defeat).

Tom also breaks down his approach to movement mechanics and role-specific training – and why “quality reps over quantity reps” is the edge most athletes are missing.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why teams can look “perfect” on paper but still lack real connection
• The coaching shift Tom made at Collingwood – from structure-first to connectedness-first
• Psychological safety – how to create an environment where athletes play with freedom
• Why athletes should set goals they might not reach (and why that’s the point)
• Reframing failure – separating performance from identity
• The difference Tom noticed coaching boys vs coaching women
• Training with intent – quality reps over quantity reps
• Role-specific development: training for what your position actually demands
• Why aligning AFL and AFLW game days could accelerate women’s sport
• What Tom would tell his younger self (and what he hopes for his daughter)

Resources + links

• Follow 4TG on socials @4tg_podcast & subscribe on YouTube
• Website: https://4tg.com.au/
• Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/4tg_podcast ☕
• Tom Cashin (Movement Mechanics): @cashinmovementmechanics
• Buy Tom's Cashin Movement Mechanics Performance Dashboard

Support the show

Did this episode inspire you?

• Please subscribe to 4TG, leave a five-star review, and share it with an athlete, parent or coach who needs to hear it.
• Follow @4TG_Podcast on all socials and visit us at 4tg.com.au.

1:1 Athlete Mentoring – Confidence and Champion’s Mindset

• Want 1:1 support to build real self-belief and perform with freedom? The 4TG 1:1 Athlete Mentoring is a 6-week program for driven female athletes who want to back themselves, lead with confidence and play to their strengths – on the field and off it.
• We will work on mindset, habits, resilience, leadership and handling pressure with a clear plan and accountability each week.
• If you are ready to stop overthinking and start playing with freedom, apply now via 4tg.com.au or DM me "MENTORING" on Instagram @4tg_podcast.

Want to support 4TG?

• Individuals - help us keep the movement going by donating or becoming a 4TG member at https://buymeacoffee.com/4tg_podcast ☕
• For brand collaborations or sponsorships, email: kylie@4tg.com.au

4TG Discount codes:

• Younify Active – 10% off athlete supplements 👉 Grab yours h...