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Episode 8 Dean Hewitt & Tahli Gill | Olympic Curling Duo
Breaking the Ice with Dean Hewitt & Tahli Gill | The Nest Effect Podcast
They made Olympic history — now they’re sharing the story behind the brooms and the ice.
In this episode, we sit down with Dean Hewitt and Tahli Gill, Australia’s first-ever Olympic curling duo, as they continue their journey to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy. With their sights set on the next big challenge, they talk about grit, resilience, and what it’s like to rewrite the rules of Aussie winter sports.
We explore how they became partners, the sacrifices it took to qualify for the 2022 Winter Olympics, and the unique challenges they face training for a snow sport in a sunburnt country. Plus, they share how they’re working to grow the sport of curling back home, inspiring future generations.
Whether you're a sports fan, a dreamer, or just love a good underdog story, this one's for you.
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Whether you're an athlete, business owner, or passionate supporter — there's a place for you in the Nest.
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Music by Yurii Semchyshyn from Pixabay
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12. Episode 12 - Jack Howell | PLY Triathlete
44:51||Season 1, Ep. 12In this episode of The Nest Effect, host Antoine Vidal sits down with Jack Howell — a rising athlete making waves through hard work, mindset, and a clear sense of purpose.Jack opens up about what fuels his motivation, how he handles pressure and setbacks, and why staying grounded has been key to his growth. Whether you’re an aspiring athlete, coach, or someone pursuing big goals in any field, this episode is packed with honest insights and inspiring energy.Tune in for a powerful conversation about focus, growth, and what it takes to keep showing up.#TheNestEffect #JackHowell #AthleteMindset #Resilience #GrowthJourney #AustralianAthletes
11. Episode 11 - Olivia Gross | Pole Vault
25:19||Season 1, Ep. 11In this episode of The Nest Effect, we meet Olivia Gross, a rising star in Australian pole vaulting. Balancing training, competition, and the challenges of excelling in a niche sport, Olivia shares what it takes to stay committed to a high-flying dream.We explore the physical and mental demands of the sport, her breakthrough moments, and how she stays grounded while reaching for the sky — literally.It’s a conversation about mindset, momentum, and making your mark when the spotlight isn’t always there — but the passion always is.#TheNestEffect #PoleVault #OliviaGross #AthleteMindset #AustralianAthletes #WomenInSport
10. Episode 10 - Janine Watson | PLY Taekwondo
50:27||Season 1, Ep. 10In this episode of The Nest Effect — powered by The WattleNest — host Antoine Vidal sits down with Janine Watson, a world champion para-athlete whose story is a masterclass in resilience, purpose, and personal transformation.Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at 25, Janine could have let that define her. Instead, she chose to rise. Through sheer grit and unwavering focus, she found her way to Taekwondo, claimed a World Championship, and etched her name into Paralympic history.This is a conversation about identity, courage, and choosing to keep going — even when the path forward feels impossible.#TheNestEffect #JanineWatson #WattleNest #Paralympian #TaekwondoChampion #MSAwareness #WomenInSport #PurposeAndPower #ResilienceRedefined
9. Episode 9 Sarah Blizzard |Bobsleigh Pilot
58:00||Season 1, Ep. 9Meet Sarah Blizzard — a powerhouse Australian athlete whose journey from the track to the ice is redefining what it means to chase your dreams. Once a standout sprinter and four-time Stawell Gift finalist, Sarah made the bold leap into the world of bobsleigh in 2019 — a sport few Aussies even know exists.Now, she’s competing overseas, with her sights set on qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy. From mastering the explosive starts of sprinting to learning the precision and power of piloting down icy tracks at over 120km/h, Sarah’s story is one of courage, adaptability, and relentless drive.Having already represented Australia at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, she continues to push the boundaries of Australian sport, all while partially self-funding her journey in one of the world’s most demanding sports.Tune in as we dive into the grit, mindset, and passion behind Sarah’s rise — and how she’s taking Australian bobsleigh to the next level, one icy run at a time.
7. Episode 7 Sara Sammons | Ice Hockey
17:23||Season 1, Ep. 7🎧 In this episode of The Nest Effect Podcast, we’re joined by Sara Sammons — a rising star in Australian ice hockey and a powerhouse forward for the Perth Inferno in the Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League (AWIHL). At just 24, Sara is already making waves nationally and internationally as a key player for the Aussie Flyers, Australia’s national women’s ice hockey team.🚨 In this conversation, we explore:Sara’s journey from grassroots hockey to the global stageCompeting in the AWIHL and representing Australia in international tournamentsThe mindset, discipline, and leadership required to excel in elite women’s ice hockeyBalancing high-performance sport with study, work, and everyday lifeEmpowering the next generation of female athletes in male-dominated sportsWhether you're an aspiring athlete, a fan of ice hockey, or passionate about women in sport, Sara’s story is a powerful reminder of what it means to lead with passion, purpose, and grit — on and off the ice.🔥 Tune in to skate with purpose — only on The Nest Effect.
6. Episode 6 - Cam Scott | Bobsleigh Pilot
30:07||Season 1, Ep. 6🎙️ In this episode of The Nest Effect, host Antoine Vidal sits down with Cameron Scott — a full-time Nurse Unit Manager and elite Australian bobsleigh pilot — as he chases qualification for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy.As the driver and leader of Bobteam Scott, Cam is currently competing on the North American Cup bobsleigh circuit, racing across Canada and the US — all while balancing the high-stakes world of elite sport with a demanding healthcare career.🏁 Inside this high-speed conversation:How Cam transitioned from nursing to international bobsleighWhat it takes to compete for Olympic qualification in a niche winter sportLife on the road with Bobteam Scott and the North American Cup circuitThe mental and physical demands of balancing elite sport and healthcareResilience, risk, and what it really means to back yourself against the oddsWhether you're an aspiring Olympian, dual-career professional, or just fascinated by high-performance mindset and sports resilience, Cam’s story is proof that courage, focus, and grit can push you through even the steepest turns.Strap in — this ride is fast, focused, and full of purpose.Insta Page #TheNestEffect #CameronScott #BobteamScott #WinterOlympics #AussieAthletes #MindsetAndGrit
5. Episode 5 - Abbey Willcox | Aerial Skier
31:08||Season 1, Ep. 5🎧 In this episode of The Nest Effect Podcast, we talk with Australian aerial skiing champion Abbey Willcox — a two-time FIS World Cup medallist known for her high-flying flips, fierce determination, and comeback story after a life-changing injury.Join us as Abbey shares her journey from competitive gymnastics to becoming one of Australia’s top aerial skiers, revealing the mental and physical challenges of elite sport — from devastating crashes and missed Olympic dreams to standing on the World Cup podium.💬 We cover:Abbey’s transition from gymnastics to professional aerial skiingThe road to her first FIS World Cup podium finishesHow she overcame a major injury and rebuilt for a comeback after missing the 2022 Winter OlympicsMental toughness, injury recovery, and high-performance mindsetRedefining success in sport and life after setbacks💡 Whether you’re an athlete, high achiever, or navigating your own recovery or comeback, Abbey’s story is a raw and inspiring look at resilience, risk, and what it really takes to rise again.🎙️ Tune in for a powerful conversation about overcoming adversity, chasing goals, and flying higher after the fall.🎧 Listen now — and get ready to be inspired.
4. Episode 4 - Kiana Elliott | Weightlifter
47:04||Season 1, Ep. 4From heartbreak to healing, today’s guest has lived through the highs and lows of elite sport. Kiana Elliott began her athletic journey as a gymnast at just six years old, but devastating injuries forced her into early retirement at 14. Searching for a new path, she discovered weightlifting — and by 17, she was already breaking Australian youth records.Since then, Kiana has gone on to:Represent Australia at the 2014 Youth Olympics and 2020 Tokyo OlympicsWin gold at the Oceania ChampionshipsBecome a strong contender for Paris 2024 qualificationBut Kiana’s story is about more than medals. She’s an advocate for bone health, a mentor to young athletes, and a powerful voice on reinvention, resilience, and finding purpose beyond setbacks.In this episode of The Nest Effect, we explore how Kiana turned identity loss into strength, and how she’s now using her platform to inspire the next generation.