Peter FitzSimons is a former rugby player turned author and journalist. They discuss Peter's transition from sports to writing, his views on luck and hard work, and his advice for navigating major life changes. Peter shares personal stories, including his unexpected journey into journalism and his reflections on embracing change.

Connect with Amber Daines here https://amberdaines.com

Life After the Whistle is a winning podcast thanks to our founding sponsor, the Central Coast Sports College (https://ccsc.nsw.edu.au) , empowering your future through education.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Life After the Whistle, Amber Daines explores the complex relationship between success and failure, particularly for athletes transitioning out of their sports careers. She discusses how the definition of failure evolves after achieving significant success and the challenges of redefining one's identity and purpose post-retirement. The conversation divers into the importance of embracing average days and finding new metrics of success beyond traditional accolades.

Connect with Amber Daines here https://amberdaines.com

Life After the Whistle is a winning podcast thanks to our founding sponsor, the Central Coast Sports College (https://ccsc.nsw.edu.au) , empowering your future through education.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Young is a newly retired professional soccer player with a storied career of 25 years. He left home at the age of 15 to play soccer in England, which is considered as one of the most elite countries in world soccer. After 13 years, he decided to return home and play in the A-League which is the highest level of soccer in Australia. Overall, he played close to 600 professional games, was voted the best Goalkeeper in Australia in 2018, as well as winning the A-League in 2022.

Like most professional athletes who often view the runway to the end of their career with dread he knew that life off the pitch needed some deep thought and contemplation about what the next chapter of his life would entail.

Enter his PhD in Sports Coaching, where he focuses on high performance in elite sport (and indeed the elite business arena). Sports people are so often governed by the training regime and the restrictions and requirements of being a professional athlete that the knowing of the self if often secondary until they finish playing and are left with themselves.

Exploring the self and growing as a man is now the game Jaimie is most passionate about playing. He says it will make me a better man, better dad, better partner and that’s where the real marrow of a life well lived. This is an extremely candid and fascinating chat with Jaimie Young enjoy it.

Connect with Amber Daines here https://amberdaines.com

Life After the Whistle is a winning podcast thanks to our founding sponsor, the Central Coast Sports College (https://ccsc.nsw.edu.au) , empowering your future through education.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Lucas is the co-founder of Sydney’s leading fitness and yoga studio Flow Athletic and is a former NRL player for the Cronulla Sharks. Ben is one of Australia’s leading personal trainers, with a client list that includes Erin Holland, Sammy Robinson, and Elton John. Ben is also an ambassador for the Sydney Marathon and a member of Athletes for Life. Ben has also been named the head coach at Sydney Marathon.

In this engaging conversation, Benjamin Lucas shares his journey from a young sports enthusiast to a successful fitness entrepreneur. He discusses his early love for sports, the challenges and triumphs of his NRL career, and his transition into the fitness industry. Benjamin emphasises the importance of resilience, mentorship, and continuous learning in both sports and business. He also reflects on the impact of fitness trends and the significance of adapting to change.

Connect with Ben Lucas here https://flowathletic.com.au/

Connect with Amber Daines here https://amberdaines.com

Life After the Whistle is a winning podcast thanks to our founding sponsor, the Central Coast Sports College (https://ccsc.nsw.edu.au) , empowering your future through education.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bronwen Knox is a four-time Olympian and one of Australia’s most decorated water polo players, with 399 international appearances and two Olympic bronze medals to her name. After nearly two decades in elite sport, she has built a parallel career as a lawyer and a governance and integrity leader.

She is the National Integrity Manager for Australian Taekwondo and Judo Australia, overseeing complaints, disputes, and safeguarding across the sports. She also works part-time as a specialist technical coach with the Queensland Academy of Sport Women’s Water Polo Program and as an education presenter, delivering sessions to athletes and support personnel on anti-doping, integrity, and rights and responsibilities in sport.

Alongside these roles, Bronwen serves on several boards and committees, including Water Polo Australia, the Queensland Olympic Council, and the Sport Integrity Australia Athlete Advisory Group. She was also Deputy Chef de Mission for the Australian Olympic Team at Paris 2024.

Bronwen brings a rare mix of lived Olympic experience and legal expertise, making her a strong advocate for athlete rights, wellbeing, and good governance. Whether in the pool, the boardroom, or the tribunal room, she is driven by a clear purpose: creating environments where athletes can thrive and where integrity is non-negotiable.

Here Bron discuses the challenges she faced, her transition to life after competition and she also shares insights into the dynamics of water polo training, the importance of communication in the sport, and the defining moments that shaped her career. She reflects on overcoming adversity, the Olympic experience, and the rewarding role of mentoring the next generation of athletes. The conversation concludes with valuable advice for those navigating life changes, emphasising the importance of networking and exploring new opportunities. One thing that shines through in this conversation is how incredibly humble this woman is despite all her success and it's a key takeaway for life.

Connect with Amber Daines here https://amberdaines.com

Life After the Whistle is a winning podcast thanks to our founding sponsor, the Central Coast Sports College (https://ccsc.nsw.edu.au) , empowering your future through education.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emma Franklin Bell is a writer and coach who was born and raised on the sunny Central Coast of NSW. At 16 years old she moved interstate to pursue who passion for dance and performance. This led to a career in dance studio ownership, teaching, studio coaching, assessing and adjudicating.

In her late twenties Emma broadened her skills out into business, marketing, podcasting and writing. She has led writing courses for hundreds of participants, bought and sold businesses, presented to numerous groups, self-published three books, appeared on podcasts and privately coached people who have gone on to build thriving businesses and publish books.

As Emma moves into her forties, she’s more interested in the internal landscape of what makes us tick and what we need internally to thrive externally.

Emma is currently completing a Master of Counselling and she also holds a Bachelor of Communication, VET Diploma of Business Marketing, VET Diploma of Presentation Skills, CERT IV Real Estate, CERT IV Training and Assessment (TAE), Royal Academy of

Dance (RAD) Advanced, Vaganova Russian Ballet Method, Level 8.

Emma Franklin Bell shares her journey from a young ballerina to a successful entrepreneur, highlighting the challenges and transitions she faced along the way. She discusses the discipline and dedication required in ballet, the impact of injuries, and how these experiences shaped her career in the performing arts and beyond. Emma also offers advice for those transitioning out of performative careers, emphasising the importance of mentorship and embracing new opportunities.

Connect with Amber Daines here https://amberdaines.com

Life After the Whistle is a winning podcast thanks to our founding sponsor, the Central Coast Sports College (https://ccsc.nsw.edu.au) , empowering your future through education.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gracie Elvin is a two-time Australian national road cycling champion and former Olympian and the first Australian woman to podium at the iconic Tour of Flanders, amongst other things. But Gracie’s greatest legacy may lie off the bike. In 2017, she co-founded The Cyclists’ Alliance, the first-ever women’s cycling union.

Gracie is more than a decorated athlete - she’s a leader, a changemaker, and a voice for those often unheard in elite sport. A two-time Australian national road cycling champion and former Olympian, Gracie spent over a decade competing on the world stage. She represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Olympics, in six UCI World Championships, and the 2014 Commonwealth Games - and in 2017, she made history as the first Australian woman to podium at the iconic Tour of Flanders.

But Gracie’s greatest legacy may lie off the bike. In 2017, she co-founded The Cyclists’ Alliance, the first-ever women’s cycling union. As a rider still at the height of her career, Gracie stepped up - managing communications, helping shape policy, and launching a mentoring program for current and future athletes.

Her work helped drive transformative change in women’s cycling, from securing maternity leave and minimum salaries to building stronger protections and support networks for riders around the world.

Since retiring from pro cycling in 2020, Gracie has become a powerful voice in the sport’s media landscape. She works as a commentator on the world’s biggest races - including the Tour de France - and is a passionate writer, speaker, and podcast co-host. She now serves as Athlete Liaison at AusCycling, advocating for rider wellbeing and meaningful athlete representation in governance.

Gracie is the perfect ambassador for Ride for the Kids - not just for her cycling credentials, but for her deep empathy and unwavering commitment to progress. She understands that impact is measured not just in medals, but in mentoring others, standing for fairness, and shaping a better future.

Grounded, thoughtful, and quietly fearless, Gracie brings authenticity and purpose to everything she does - on the road, on the mic, and now, as an advocate for families riding for a cause. Here she highlights her role in co-founding the Cyclists Alliance, advocating for women's rights in cycling, and her current work as an athlete liaison at Oz Cycling. Gracie's story is one of resilience, advocacy, and finding purpose beyond the competitive arena.

Connect with Amber Daines here https://amberdaines.com

Life After the Whistle is a winning podcast thanks to our founding sponsor, the Central Coast Sports College (https://ccsc.nsw.edu.au) , empowering your future through education.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Harvey is the co-founder of TH7, Australia’s leading wellness and recovery destination designed to help people live better, longer. A former professional rugby 7s player for the Queensland Reds and Australian 7s, Tom’s journey into performance and recovery began with a career-halting injury — and a Theragun. What followed was a deep personal dive into science-backed tools, heat and cold therapy, and the power of deliberate stress in building resilience.

After completing a degree in Exercise, Sport and Nutrition Science at the University of Queensland, Tom knew he didn’t want to follow a traditional path in one-on-one coaching. Instead, he carved out a new one, working in sports retail and product distribution before co-founding TH7 with leading physiotherapist Greg Spurgin in 2022. The vision was clear — to create a premium, protocol-led space where recovery isn’t reserved for elite athletes, but made accessible to everybody.

Tom Harvey, co-founder of TH7, shares his journey from a professional rugby player to a wellness entrepreneur. He discusses the importance of recovery, the science behind TH7's offerings, and how controlled stress can improve quality of life. Tom emphasises the need for proactive health management and shares insights on building a business that caters to both athletes and everyday people.

Reach out to Tom here https://th7bodylabs.com.au/communities/

Connect with Amber Daines here https://amberdaines.com

Life After the Whistle is a winning podcast thanks to our founding sponsor, the Central Coast Sports College (https://ccsc.nsw.edu.au) , empowering your future through education.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.