Before sport was graded, scored and analysed... what did you love to play? Not just do, but actually, play? 

That feeling of joy, curiosity and being completely immersed in something is known as the 'play state'. Mindset coach Ben Crowe says most of us leave it behind far too early. As sport becomes organised, measured, and outcome-driven, we change from playing for love to playing for approval. 

Redefining success and reconnecting with play is central to Ben’s work with athletes including tennis stars Ash Barty and Andre Agassi and surfer Molly Picklum. It's helped them transform their relationships with sport as a result.  

Ben says play is as essential as sleep, so how do we bring more of it back, for ourselves and for our kids? 

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Sportish is powered by the Australian Sports Commission and produced by Deadset Studios.   

We’re spotlighting Australia’s sport participation strategy Play Well. You can find plenty more resources and information at ausport.gov.au/playwell.  

Ben Crowe is the founder of Mojo Crowe, and author of Where the Light Gets In.  

Sportish is hosted by Libby Trickett and Georgie Trickett, produced by Luci McAfee with sound design by Melissa May. The Executive Producer is Kellie Riordan and Sarah Dabro. Ann Chesterman is the Production Manager. 

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this podcast was made. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We also recognise the outstanding contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make to sport and celebrate the power of sport to tell stories and promote reconciliation. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Swimmer Ellie Cole has spent most of her life adapting. Losing her leg aged three meant learning how to move differently, think differently, and push through moments most kids never face. That early resilience didn’t just make her a Paralympian - it shaped how she sees sport and who gets to take part in it. 

Ellie’s clear about one thing: inclusive sporting spaces aren’t just for athletes with disabilities. When kids grow up training beside people with different bodies and different life experiences, they learn how to work with others, how to communicate, and how to build real community. 

When more people can participate, everyone benefits. So if inclusion makes sport stronger, why not design every club that way? 

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Sportish podcast is powered by the Australian Sports Commission and produced by Deadset Studios.  

We’re spotlighting Australia’s sport participation strategy Play Well. You can find more resources at ausport.gov.au.  

Ellie Coles’ book is Felix and His Fantastic Friends.  

This episode was hosted by Libby Trickett and Georgie Trickett, produced by Luci McAfee with sound design by Melissa May. The Executive Producers are Kellie Riordan and Sarah Dabro. Ann Chesterman is the Production Manager. 

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this podcast was made. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.  We also recognise the outstanding contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make to sport and celebrate the power of sport to tell stories and promote reconciliation. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a kid growing up in the suburbs of Melbourne, sport was the soundtrack for Hugh van Cuylenburg’s childhood. That deep, visceral connection to sport looks different since Hugh founded The Resilience Project, but the lessons of sport continue to inform every aspect of his life.  

“I experienced shocking burnout. I wouldn’t have got through it all without track. There’s no way. I feel like [sport is] almost petrol. I feel when my tank is empty. I go the track and I fill up and go; I’m good now,” he says. 

And the broader opportunity for sport? To be the place where neurodiverse, or people with a disability, or just the less talented can also be involved.  

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Sportish is powered by the Australian Sports Commission and produced by Deadset Studios.  

We’re spotlighting Australia’s sport participation strategy Play Well. You can find more resources at ausport.gov.au/playwell.  

Hugh van Cuylenburg is the founder of The Resilience Project and a co-host on The Imperfects.

This episode was hosted by Libby Trickett and Georgie Trickett, produced by Luci McAfee with sound design by Melissa May. The Executive Producers are Kellie Riordan and Sarah Dabro. Ann Chesterman is the Production Manager. 

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this podcast was made. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We also recognise the outstanding contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make to sport and celebrate the power of sport to tell stories and promote reconciliation. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine walking out in front of 15,000 people, taking a deep breath, smiling and thinking: “How cool is this?” That was Ash Barty on centre court… and she still chose to leave while at the top of her game. 

Ash shares her insights into what really sits behind those trophies: the brutal Wimbledon loss that sent her back to the drawing board, the conversation with her coach that flipped her mindset, and the “why not me?” question she now shares with kids. 

From the West Brisbane Tennis Centre to Grand Slams (via cricket) and back to community sport, she’s seen more than most and truly understands what it is to “play” sport. 

It’s Ash Barty being her authentic self; light, fun and keen to remind all of us that playing well is actually about joy, balance and finding your people.

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Sportish podcast is powered by the Australian Sports Commission and produced by Deadset Studios.  

We’re spotlighting Australia’s sport participation strategy Play Well. You can find plenty more resources and information at ausport.gov.au/playwell.  

Find out more about how the Ash Barty Foundation is working with communities all across Australia to help encourage access to sport and education. Read more about Ash's children’s picture books here.  

This episode was hosted by Libby Trickett and Georgie Trickett, produced by Luci McAfee with sound design by Melissa May. The Executive Producer is Kellie Riordan and Sarah Dabro. Ann Chesterman is the Production Manager. 

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this podcast was made. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.  We also recognise the outstanding contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make to sport and celebrate the power of sport to tell stories and promote reconciliation. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello Sporties. Did you listen to the trailer? Are you as excited as we are?! Well, before the first episode of the new season of Sportish comes out next week, we have a little treat for you. We wanted to bring you behind the scenes and have a quick gasbag about some of the amazing guests you'll hear from this season and the things that happened on (and off) the mic. Tune in! 

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This season of Sportish is powered by the Australian Sports Commission and produced by Deadset Studios. We’re spotlighting Australia’s sport participation strategy Play Well. You can find more resources at ausport.gov.au.  

Sportish is hosted by Libby Trickett and Georgie Trickett. Producer is Luci McAfee, sound design by Melissa May. Executive Producers are Kellie Riordan and Sarah Dabro. Ann Chesterman is Production Manager. 

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this podcast was made. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We also recognise the outstanding contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make to sport and celebrate the power of sport to tell stories and promote reconciliation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you seen it all on the sidelines? Cheered the wins. Felt the losses. Sat through missed selections. Heard the “I don’t want to go anymore.” 

If you’re an amateur athlete, a coach, a parent, or a volunteer — this new season of Sportish is for you. 

You’ll hear from Australia’s high-profile athletes and thinkers. Go inside the mindset shift that keeps Ash Barty in love with sport even after retirement. Dive in with Paralympic swimmer Ellie Cole for the first time after losing her leg. Discover why mindset coach Ben Crowe wants you to play more, in sport and in life. Plus, why Hugh van Cuylenburg insists sport is one of the best teachers we have. 

Sportish is packed with practical tips, plenty of laughs, and real strategies the whole family can use to move more, feel great, and really enjoy sport. 

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This season of Sportish is powered by the Australian Sports Commission and produced by Deadset Studios. We’re spotlighting Australia’s sport participation strategy Play Well. You can find more resources at ausport.gov.au.  

Sportish is hosted by Libby Trickett and Georgie Trickett. Producer is Luci McAfee, sound design by Melissa May. Executive Producers are Kellie Riordan and Sarah Dabro. Ann Chesterman is Production Manager. 

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this podcast was made. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We also recognise the outstanding contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make to sport and celebrate the power of sport to tell stories and promote reconciliation. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scotty James and Jakara Anthony had some tough days at the [Olympic] office over the weekend and we go deep on the impact of expectation. We have a red hot documentary recommendation (100% sport meets reality TV) and if you've ever thought "maybe one day..." about a triathlon, this is your sign to start! 

Libby and Georgie xxx

PS - have some Sportish thoughts? Get them off your chest - email us at [email protected] or message us via Instagram @beingsportish

Have we got you thinking about trying a tri? Head to The Starting Line and check out the awesome and FREE online program, club connector, and relay finder that's been developed by AusTriathlon for community athletes. We'll be taking a look ourselves...

Hosts: Georgie and Libby Trickett

Connect with Us:

• Instagram: @beingsportish

• Website: www.sportish.com.au

• Email: [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All the Opening Ceremony vibes, including Libby's last Mariah reference point (R&B Fridays). Of course we watched Lindsey Vonn and had thoughts on her 41 year old Olympic campaign. And we give a shout out to a VERY deserving Mid Week Hall Of Fame. Come join us!  

Libby and Georgie xxx

PS - have some Sportish thoughts? Get them off your chest - email us at [email protected] or message us via Instagram @beingsportish

Hosts: Georgie and Libby Trickett

Connect with Us:

• Instagram: @beingsportish

• Website: www.sportish.com.au

• Email: [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Libby has had the most awkward interaction with an international cricket star and we've nearly died. Georgie's become a sports reporter on the sidelines of softball, Libby has thoughts on Coco Gauff and just how special is a winter or summer Olympics and Paralympics (just a bit more than your regular football season thank you very much!). Tune in! 

Libby and Georgie xxx

PS - have some Sportish thoughts? Get them off your chest - email us at [email protected] or message us via Instagram @beingsportish

Hosts: Georgie and Libby Trickett

Connect with Us:

• Instagram: @beingsportish

• Website: www.sportish.com.au

• Email: [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sporties! We are back and do we have CHATS for you. Are there 2 many influencers at the tennis? Should Netflix be encouraging a man to scale a skyscrapper without a rope? And how do we feel about the new Scotty James documentary on Netflix. Rest assured, we are refreshed, we are ready for the kids to go back to school and WE HAVE THOUGHTS. 

Libby and Georgie xxx

PS - have some Sportish thoughts? Get them off your chest - email us at [email protected] or message us via Instagram @beingsportish

Hosts: Georgie and Libby Trickett

Connect with Us:

• Instagram: @beingsportish

• Website: www.sportish.com.au

• Email: [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've all been the worst of on a team (yes, even our resident Olympian). And through that process, we learnt oh so much. Here's a snippet from a chat we had a couple of years ago with our non-sporty mate, Rebecca Sparrow, all about what we learnt when we found ourselves to be the worst on a team. 

Libby and Georgie xxx

PS - have some Sportish thoughts? Get them off your chest - email us at [email protected] or message us via Instagram @beingsportish

Hosts: Georgie and Libby Trickett

Connect with Us:

• Instagram: @beingsportish

• Website: www.sportish.com.au

• Email: [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.