Sparta Chicks Radio: Mindset | Confidence | Sport | Women

Born and raised in Tehran, Shirin Gerami only became involved in sport when she settled in the UK at the age of 15. After discovering triathlons in University, Shirin became the first woman ever to represent Iran in triathlon (women had previously been banned from participating in the sport). She has since gone onto to become the first Iranian - male or female - to finish the Hawaii Ironman. She is now on a mission to prove that clothing should not be a barrier to participation in sport for millions of women around the world, who want, need or choose to cover their body (whether for cultural or religious reasons, humility or sun protection).

Back in the 1980s, Janine Shepherd was an elite cross-country skier and member of the Australian ski team training for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. Then one day, her life changed. She was hit by a truck while riding her bike. She left hospital 6 months later, a partial paraplegic. Her defiant human spirit saw Janine overcome the odds, and her body, and she went onto not only walk again but obtain her commercial and aerobatics pilots licence, compete in equestrian events and have 3 children. She has written about her journey in her extraordinary new book called “Defiant”.

Di Westaway is an Adventure Coach, the founder of women’s adventure training company Wild Women on Top and a team trekking event called Coastrek. She also holds the record for the world’s highest handstand. From her early days as a gymnastics champion to her record-setting handstand in 2016, we talk about how adventure is the key to endless motivation, how to fit your training (and not exercise) into your busy life, that your family always benefits when you look after your own mental and physical health, how to tackle fear and what it means to lead an adventurous life.

Kate Bevilaqua is a professional triathlete, the 2016 Women’s Ultraman World Champion and the first woman in history to win an Ultraman title overall. From her early days in the sport when she hated running through to her 3 Ironman triathlon titles and 2 Ultraman victories, we talk about the fear of not being ready or not having done enough training (which she still experiences after 10 years as a professional triathlete), the sacrifices she made to chase her Ultraman dream, the importance of understanding what success means to you and how hard work, and not natural talent, has been the secret to her success.

Aerial skier and Olympic Champion Lydia Lassila knows a thing or two about how to manage and control fear. The Gold Medalist from the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver in 2010, she became the first woman in history to land a highly technical jump that included a quadruple twist. From her early days as a gymnastic to life as a mother of 2 who is currently training to compete in her 5th Olympic Games, we talk about the importance of being open-minded to opportunities and following your curiosity and intrigue (the part of you that says “that sounds cool, I’d love to try that), how to manage and control fear, how to deflect the fear others are experiencing and how you prepare to do something never before achieved by a woman.

How do you use your fear and self-doubt to get the best out of your yourself? That's the question we explore in our interview with Siri Lindley who was 2x-ranked the #1 triathlete in the world and the 2002 ITU World Champion in 2002. Since retiring, Siri has gone onto have an extraordinarily successful career as a coach and is regarded as one of the best triathlon coaches in the world. Even if you aren't interested in triathlon, I have no doubt you'll gain a lot from Siri's heart-centred approach training, racing and life. The author of Surfacing: From the Depths of Self-doubt to Winning Big and Living Fearlessly, in her book and this interview Siri talks openly about her struggles with self-doubt as an athlete and how recognising and challenging your fears is the key to getting the best out of yourself. And once you hear the story of her first triathlon, I think you’ll agree that nothing is impossible with self-belief, passion and hard work. 

A new weekly podcast that will share inspiring stories coupled with practical, tried-and-tested-in-the-real-world advice from professional athletes, everyday women undertaking epic adventures to successful women from all walks of life (business and the arts). We will dive deep into real, honest and open conversations about the realities of fear, self-doubt, courage, bravery and how you still get shit done and chase your dreams when all you want to do is hide.