What does it really cost to compete at an elite level?

Australian swimming champion and entrepreneur Mia O’Leary joins Kylie Lynch on 4TG Podcast to discuss the financial pressures facing athletes and the opportunities that could help change the system.

Mia shares her journey from ranking dead last (120th nationally) to becoming a national champion in one year, the challenges of imposter syndrome, and why separating your self-worth from sporting results matters.

She also explains why she co-founded On Podium, a platform connecting athletes with brands for sponsorship opportunities. With a focus on athletes at every level, Mia wants to make brand partnerships more accessible and help athletes earn from their sporting careers.

In this episode:

• The financial challenges facing elite athletes in Australia
• Mia’s journey from 120th nationally to national champion
• How On Podium connects athletes and brands
• Why athletes don’t need huge followings to offer brands value
• Overcoming imposter syndrome and performance pressure
• Body confidence and enjoying the journey in sport

A conversation about athlete funding, female representation, sponsorship and creating more opportunities for the next generation of athletes.

📌 Want to build confidence that holds up when the pressure is on?

The 4TG Confidence System is a 6-week self-paced course built from the lessons of elite athletes and designed for every female athlete. You’ll learn practical tools to manage pressure, quiet overthinking, reset after mistakes and build the mindset habits that help you perform with more confidence, consistency and control.

ENROL NOW: https://gpozeihwelzhpruycara.app.clientclub.net/courses/offers/f828e2d6-19d4-423e-bc0f-583c1db9aa95

📌 FREE 5-Minute Confidence Reset Tool for Female Athletes:

Feeling overwhelmed, overthinking or stuck after a mistake? Get your free 4TG Confidence Reset Tool to help you reset your focus, regain control and choose your next useful action to perform at your best. Download it free here: https://go.4tg.com.au/4tg-confidence-reset-system

About Mia O'Leary

Mia O’Leary is an Australian national swimming champion and co-founder of On Podium, a platform connecting athletes with brands for sponsorship opportunities. After rising from 120th nationally to national champion, Mia is passionate about improving athlete funding and creating more opportunities for athletes at every level.

Connect With Mia O'Leary

Instagram: @miapatriciaoleary & @onpodiumaus

Visit On Podium: https://onpodiumaus.com/

Support the show

ABOUT THE HOST

Kylie Lynch is the Founder and Host of 4TG (For The Girls), a podcast and platform on a mission to keep more girls and women in sport.

A VFLW athlete, Australian representative in Polocrosse, coach, mentor and media/communications professional, Kylie has spent her career at the intersection of sport, media and community impact. Through 4TG, she shares the stories, lessons and experiences of elite athletes, coaches and industry leaders to help girls and women build confidence, navigate challenges and stay involved in sport for longer. Because sport doesn't just build athletes. It builds confidence, resilience, leadership, connection and opportunities that positively impact girls and women both on and off the field.

Connect with Kylie:

• Instagram: @kylie__lynch
• LinkedIn: Kylie Lynch
• Website: www.4tg.com.au
• Email: kylie@4tg.com.au

JOIN THE 4TG COMMUNITY

4TG exists to help keep more girls and women in sport.

Through powerful conversations with athletes, coaches, experts and industry leaders, we're building a community where girls and women feel inspired, supported and empowered to stay in the game.

• Instagram: ...

The off-season is your opportunity to recover, reflect and prepare for your best season yet. In this episode of 4TG Podcast, Kylie Lynch shares how athletes can review their season, set clear priorities and build the mindset needed to perform with confidence.

Learn how to conduct a season audit without being too hard on yourself, use the Merlin Method to work backwards from your future goals, and build your training progressively instead of pushing yourself towards burnout.

Kylie also explains why mental training matters just as much as physical preparation, and how the off-season is the perfect time to work on confidence, handle pressure and develop better habits before pre-season begins.

In this episode:

• Why the off-season is about more than rest
• How to review your season and learn from setbacks
• The Merlin Method for setting goals and planning backwards
• How to choose two or three key development priorities
• Why progressive training matters
• How to build confidence and train your mindset before next season

Whether you want to improve your skills, fitness or mental performance, this episode will help you make your off-season count.

4TG Confidence System Online Course Now LIVE 🔥

Train Your Confidence. Handle Pressure. Perform Like the Athlete You Know You Are.

The 4TG Confidence System is a six-module online course for female athletes who know they’re capable of more but struggle with overthinking, pressure, mistakes, self-doubt or inconsistency when it matters.

Learn how to break the Performance Spiral, reset after mistakes, build genuine self-trust and develop a repeatable mindset system for training, competition and everyday life.

Includes self-paced video lessons, a premium companion workbook, practical tools and access to a community of female athletes.

Stop waiting for confidence to appear. Start training it today.

📌ENROL NOW: https://gpozeihwelzhpruycara.app.clientclub.net/courses/offers/f828e2d6-19d4-423e-bc0f-583c1db9aa95

📌FREE 5-Minute Confidence Reset Tool for Female Athletes:

Feeling overwhelmed, overthinking or stuck after a mistake? Get your free 4TG Confidence Reset Tool to help you reset your focus, regain control and choose your next useful action to perform at your best!

Download it free here: https://go.4tg.com.au/4tg-confidence-reset-system

Connect With 4TG

Instagram: @4tg_podcast
Website: 4tg.com.au

Support the show

ABOUT THE HOST

Kylie Lynch is the Founder and Host of 4TG (For The Girls), a podcast and platform on a mission to keep more girls and women in sport.

A VFLW athlete, Australian representative in Polocrosse, coach, mentor and media/communications professional, Kylie has spent her career at the intersection of sport, media and community impact. Through 4TG, she shares the stories, lessons and experiences of elite athletes, coaches and industry leaders to help girls and women build confidence, navigate challenges and stay involved in sport for longer. Because sport doesn't just build athletes. It builds confidence, resilience, leadership, connection and opportunities that positively impact girls and women both on and off the field.

Connect with Kylie:

• Instagram: @kylie__lynch
• LinkedIn: Kylie Lynch
• Website: www.4tg.com.au
• Email: kylie@4tg.com.au

JOIN THE 4TG COMMUNITY

4TG exists to help keep more girls and women in sport.

Through powerful conversations with athletes, coaches, experts and industry leaders, we're building a community where girls and women feel inspired, supported and empowered to stay in the game.

• Instagram: @4tg_podcast
• TikTok: ...

Lara Hamilton shares the reality behind life as an Olympian, from the financial pressure of competing in a less-funded sport to the physical and mental challenge of training with chronic pain.

A trail runner, ski mountaineer, DJ, vocalist and digital contract producer, Lara has built a career across sport and multiple industries while continuing to pursue her Olympic goals.

In this conversation, Lara talks openly about living with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a chronic inflammatory condition that causes ongoing pain and can affect movement and everyday life. She shares how chronic pain has affected her training, mindset and relationship with sport.

She also explains the financial reality of elite ski mountaineering, why athletes in less-funded sports often have to create their own opportunities, and how mentors, community connections, personal skills and brand support can help athletes keep going.

What You’ll Learn

• The hidden financial costs of pursuing an Olympic career
• What it is like to compete in ski mountaineering
• Living and training with Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Managing chronic pain as an elite athlete
• The mental challenges of competing while in pain
• Why funding can be a major barrier for athletes
• How young athletes can find mentors and support
• Building opportunities beyond traditional sporting pathways
• Using your skills and network to support an athletic career
• Why Lara continues to chase her Olympic goals

📌 Want to build confidence that holds up when the pressure is on?

The 4TG Confidence System is a 6-week self-paced course built from the lessons of elite athletes and designed for every female athlete. You’ll learn practical tools to manage pressure, quiet overthinking, reset after mistakes and build the mindset habits that help you perform with more confidence, consistency and control.

ENROL NOW: https://gpozeihwelzhpruycara.app.clientclub.net/courses/offers/f828e2d6-19d4-423e-bc0f-583c1db9aa95

📌 FREE 5-Minute Confidence Reset Tool for Female Athletes:

Feeling overwhelmed, overthinking or stuck after a mistake? Get your free 4TG Confidence Reset Tool to help you reset your focus, regain control and choose your next useful action to perform at your best. Download it free here: https://go.4tg.com.au/4tg-confidence-reset-system

About Lara Hamilton

Lara Hamilton is an Australian Olympian, trail runner and ski mountaineer.
She has competed at elite level while managing Ankylosing Spondylitis and chronic pain. Lara shares her journey through Olympic sport, resilience and life beyond competition.

Connect With Lara Hamilton

Instagram: @lara_hamilton

Support the show

ABOUT THE HOST

Kylie Lynch is the Founder and Host of 4TG (For The Girls), a podcast and platform on a mission to keep more girls and women in sport.

A VFLW athlete, Australian representative in Polocrosse, coach, mentor and media/communications professional, Kylie has spent her career at the intersection of sport, media and community impact. Through 4TG, she shares the stories, lessons and experiences of elite athletes, coaches and industry leaders to help girls and women build confidence, navigate challenges and stay involved in sport for longer. Because sport doesn't just build athletes. It builds confidence, resilience, leadership, connection and opportunities that positively impact girls and women both on and off the field.

Connect with Kylie:

• Instagram: @kylie__lynch
• LinkedIn: Kylie Lynch
• Website: www.4tg.com.au
• Email: kylie@4tg.com.au

JOIN THE 4TG COMMUNITY

4TG exists to help keep more girls and women in sport.

Through powerful conversations with athletes, coaches, experts and industry leaders, we're building a community where girls and women feel inspired, supported and empowered to stay in the game.

• Instagram: @4tg_podcast
• TikTok: ...