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In this podcast episode, I sit down with Yuli van der Molen, a Dutch cyclist whose passion for road and track cycling has been matched only by her incredible resilience. Formerly with the AG Insurance – NXTG U23 team and now with Proximus – Cyclis CT, Yuli’s career took a dramatic turn at the start of 2024 when she was diagnosed with cancer.
Yuli opens up about the heart-wrenching moment she received the diagnosis that would reshape her life and career. At just 20 years old, Yuli has faced the harsh reality of battling Hodgkin lymphoma, a journey that saw her through the darkest days of chemotherapy and a challenging period away from racing. Yuli candidly shares her experiences, from the emotional toll of her diagnosis to the raw reality of her treatment. She reveals the highs and lows of sharing her journey on social media, turning her personal struggle into a source of inspiration for many. Despite the end of her chemotherapy, Yuli discusses the ongoing challenges of recovery and the relentless setbacks she faces.
Driven by her dreams and goals, Yuli talks about the bittersweet process of returning to the bike, reflecting on the invaluable lessons she has learned through this ordeal. Her story is one of unyielding courage and determination, offering a poignant reminder of the strength required to overcome life’s toughest hurdles. Tune in to hear Yuli van Der Molen share her story of perseverance, hope, and the enduring spirit of a cyclist who refuses to give up.
The post Yuli van der Molen- Pedals & Perseverance first appeared on She Speaks Sport.
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Esti Olivier is a South African sprint kayaker and recently an honoured Olympian. She is the South African national champion, the 2019 and 2023 African champion and a world cup silver medallist.
On the podcast, Esti straight talks on the journey of mental health for athletes, and how under – resourced athletes are in South Africa. Beyond the Olympic qualification Esti has always been open about her mental health journey and advocates strongly for mercy from the public. We also talk about Kgothatso Montjane who recently withdrew from the paralympics and how tough that decision is for an athlete and the understanding needed for supporting mental health. In a deeply emotional, open way we talk about the current health battle Esti’s mom is fighting with stage 4 cancer, and the meaning behind her presence in Paris with Esti when she competed. Did Esti visit Disney Land in Paris and what did she do on her day off? Why doesn’t Esti kayak on rivers? What role did her father play in her journey choosing kayaking? The conversation on support, sponsorship and finances continues as we round off our conversation, with the challenge to support women in sport, and develop young talent from the onset.
We would also like to take this opportunity to say a prayer for anyone who is currently battling cancer, or who has a family member fighting this hard fight.
This show is dedicated to every brave warrior.The post Esti Olivier- South Africa’s Champion Kayaker first appeared on She Speaks Sport.
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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Ken Jacobs has achieved many significant milestones in the sport and leisure industries. He was the CEO of Cricket Victoria, and event manager for the ICC Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean in 2007. He has been a mentor, chair and collaborator with various sporting clubs and bodies, and today he is involved with Cricket without Borders, which promotes and develops the game of cricket for young girls.
On the show Ken and I kick it off with chit -chat about the cricket rivalry that existed between Australia and South Africa. Ken takes us back to the 60’s when his father was deeply involved with cricket and how he formed profound friendships with many South African cricket players. We get into the organisation Cricket without Borders which was started in 2011 by Claire Cannon, at a time when cricket opportunities were not readily available for women. The organisation takes tours for young girls to play cricket overseas, experience different cultures and give back to the communities in the countries they visit. The most recent tour to Malaysia just returned, and Ken unpacks how the players experienced the cricket, the culture and the afternoon tea with the Australian High Commissioner in the region. We discuss the resources being made available to women’s cricket in Australia, and the hurdles that still exist to further the game.
The post Ken Jacobs – Cricket without Borders first appeared on She Speaks Sport.
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Libbie Janse van Rensburg is a powerhouse name in South African women’s rugby. Not only is she flyhalf for the Bulls Daisies, she is also the Springbok women’s flyhalf, and a 2024 Olympian. Last year she picked up awards for the Bulls Daisies backline player of the year, Tuks Rugby player of the year, SA Rugby provincial player of the year, and SA Rugby women’s player of the year. She is currently the top Springbok women’s point scorer in the national team.
Fresh from the Olympics, Libbie and I do a deep dive into the Olympic atmosphere, the cardboard beds, the Seine ceremony experience and what it means to have fulfilled the dream of many Springbok women’s sevens players. Having qualified for two previous Olympics, but denied the chance to compete, we talk about how important these Olympics were for the team. With SA Rugby announcing its intention of forming a new Women’s Super League Rugby, Libbie shares with us her thoughts on this announcement and the continued need to invest in women’s rugby at every level. Is Libbie excited for the upcoming WXV2 in September and what special photo does she carry with her when she travels to play? What was it like playing in front of 66000 people and does the future for women’s sport look bright? This conversation is full of truths about women’s rugby in South Africa and how Libbie has forged her path through injury to the Olympics in 2024.
The post Libbie JV Rensburg – Women’s Rugby at the Olympics first appeared on She Speaks Sport.
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Mariske Strauss is one of South Africa’s most decorated mountain bikers, having represented the national team over 12 times. She has also been the African champion; the national champion and she represented South Africa at two Commonwealth Games. With numerous wins under her belt, Mariske is skilled at performing in high stress situations whether in a team set up, or self-directed.
On the podcast, Mariske and I take a look at her journey with mountain biking, and how she fell in love with a sport she has competed in for over two decades. Her journey in mountain biking has been about dreaming, believing and acceptance, all truths she unpacks on the show. We also speak about faith and her spiritual life, which has played the most significant role in helping her navigate the hard times. Speaking about hard times, Mariske shares about the diagnosis that shook her world just 18 months ago when she went from being a top athlete to a diagnosis of myocarditis, pericarditis and cystitis. We speak about sponsorships and how her sponsors stayed by her side during her recovery journey and her recent pregnancy and she shares her future dreams, her health update and the joy of being a new mom.
The post Mariske Strauss – Conquering the Trails of Life first appeared on She Speaks Sport.
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Lucie Ehrmann is a field hockey goalkeeper for the French senior team since 2017. She played at the Dutch club Den Bosch for the past 3 years as second goalie where her team won the Dutch league in 2022 and in 2024. They also won the EHL in 2023. Lucie is an aspiring high performance and mindset coach, with the purpose of teaching people how to think a differently, in order to unlock their potentials and reach their goals. She is currently living out her childhood dream by playing for the French team in the Olympics as first goalie.
On the podcast, Lucie and I jump into truths about living a life of identity, and how she discovered her true identity in her values, and self-worthiness. By living a life of value and worthiness as a person who embraces every part of themselves, and understanding that there is beauty in the bad moments, Lucie has a strong foundation to tackle good and bad days as an athlete. We talk about Lucie’s start in hockey, how she had to work her way to the top, which led her to feel like the underdog, but the superpower of being an underdog, is something she considers powerful. Lucie also talks about the hard work of living an Olympic dream, and the relief of what this means for her as a first goalie for her country, especially as this French women’s hockey team are the first to qualify for the Olympics. “Does she ever get nervous before games?” “Why does she watch Netflix before her games?” “And what role does rap music, black war paint and Italian music have to do with hockey?” Lucie answers these and more, and she also writes a letter to her younger self, as well as all of us. Lucie radiates kindness and motivation, not only is this episode about sport, but it’s filled with jewels for the pathways of life.
The post Lucie Ehrmann – A Winning Hockey Mindset first appeared on She Speaks Sport.
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As we stand on the edge of the Olympic opening ceremony, I am honoured to have Caitlin Rooskrantz, the trailblazing gymnast who shattered ceilings and defied odds at the highest stage of athletics, joining me on the podcast.
Caitlin shares her astonishment and pride at being selected as a flag bearer for Team South Africa alongside her inspiration, Akani Simbine. This unprecedented moment marks a significant milestone, as never before has a gymnast carried the South African flag at the Games. It's a testament to the growth of gymnastics within the Rainbow Nation, and how the future of the sport is breaking new ground and inspiring future generations.
Growing up as a young woman of colour, Caitlin faced a landscape devoid of role models who mirrored her journey. She shares about how she questioned where the glass ceiling was, and her journey to push through that for herself and for young gymnasts rising up.
Reflecting on her experience as a 17-year-old competitor at the Tokyo Games and her poised approach to Paris, Caitlin has chosen to embody the essence of preparedness and living in the moment. She speaks passionately about the unwavering support that she feels from strangers and loved ones back home.In a poignant tribute, Caitlin emphasizes the power of dreaming big and trusting the timing, even through adversity. Her story resonates deeply, reminding us all that perseverance and belief can transform hardships and moments of sadness, into purposeful growth. Dare to dream, and dare to break through—because Caitlin proves that greatness knows no limits.
The post Caitlin Rooskrantz – A Gymnast making History first appeared on She Speaks Sport.
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Paige Badenhorst has always set the bar high when it comes to pursuing her dreams. She moved to the U.S to study at Michigan University, until a move to Cambridge University saw her participate in the annual River Thames boat race, where her crew set a course record. Now she is flying the flag really high for female rowers, as she is proudly representing South Africa as the only female rower at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.
On the pod, Paige and I talk about her feelings around the games, and her childhood dream of Olympic participation, now a reality and how she is processing living her dream. Her pride in representing our country, and wearing the national colours is so evident. Paige also breaks down what rowing really is, the different boat classes and how rowing backwards is how you move forward. We discuss her partnership with Katherine Williams and the heartbreak in missing out for the women’s doubles in the Olympic qualifiers and how the head-to-head in the trials was hard. Paige came out as the winner, securing her spot in the single scull competition. We also talk about the respect and connection between the female rowers and Paige shares with us who to look out for in the rowing competition. Inspiring, uplifting and exciting, tune in for this Olympic special.
The post Paige Badenhorst – Rowing Journey to the Olympics first appeared on She Speaks Sport.
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Having started her athletic career as a netball player, Rumandi Potgieter was part of the first ever team to lift the Varsity Cup trophy with Tuks. Leaving Netball to start rugby with the Tuks’ women’s 7’s was part of her journey as she toured Dubai and France, winning the first and only Varsity Cup 7’s. Currently, she makes her home with the Bulls Daisies, and she made her debut for the Springbok 15’s in 2021, proudly representing South Africa the following year in the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
On the pod, Rumandi and I chat about her recent Taylor Swift concert and how much of Taylor’s message and voice resonate with Rumandi as an athlete in a male dominated space. Uncovering the questions female athletes get asked (like does it hurt when you get tackled), we oppose the inequalities in how interviewers approach athlete interviews. Reflecting on the current Bulls Daisies season and the loss to DHL Western Province, Rumandi observes how the pressure and team dynamics has shifted and evolved positively. With the WXV2 tournament taking place, we get hyped about last year’s tournament and how the crowds responded to the team. We also issue a personal invitation to the sport minister, and to you, our listener, an invitation you won’t want to miss.
The post Rumandi Potgieter on Taylor, Tackles, and Triumphs in Rugby first appeared on She Speaks Sport.
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Lili Stephenson is a passionate cricket lover, and the founder of Bat for America. She is a mixed race, cultural American, multilingual educator, who is a mom of six. Her passion lies in teaching individuals about the power of their personal voice and boundaries, along with the desire to see cricket accessible to all cultures through the Empowered Cricket Program.
On the show, we unpack the meaning of cultural American and how this impacts access to cricket. Discussing the men’s T20 world cup, Lili provides keen insight into how the world cup was received, the marketing behind the tournament and the perception of cricket within the U.S. Lili also shares her family’s experiences around cricket coaching, and her hopes as an educator, that cricket will grow at grassroots level in the U.S. This episode is incredibly insightful and answers global questions around the experience of cricket in North America.
The post Lili Stephenson – Cricket in North America first appeared on She Speaks Sport.
