Following the success of the Beyond the Games webinars, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has released each episode in podcast format to support athletes weighing up their next move.
Produced in collaboration with Paralympics Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee, the Beyond the Games webinar and podcast series helps athletes navigate career transitions after a Games cycle — whether that be returning to training, exploring new opportunities, or taking a break.
With insights from experts and experienced athletes, the Beyond the Games podcast provides tools for success in life and sport, aligning with Australian sport’s vision to win well.
Series one:
Episode 1 -Recharging and thriving with your emotions post-Games cycle
This episode explores effective strategies for managing the emotional highs and lows after a Games cycle, focusing on self-care and providing support to others during this challenging time.
"Everyone needs support at some point in their life, and it’s certainly not a sign of weakness or lack of capacity—it’s actually a sign of wise self-leadership," AIS Mental Health Advisor David Johnson said.
Episode 2 –Navigating the transition from a Games cycle as an athlete
Hear firsthand from those who have navigated the emotions from a Games cycle multiple times including dual Olympians Jemima Montag and Josh Katz and four-time Paralympian Chris Bond.
"Sometimes, talking to non-sporty friends doesn’t help—they just don’t get it. Having like-minded people who understand the highs and lows makes a big difference," Montag said.
Episode 3 – Unwinding: Exploring the impacts of detraining
Episode three explores the impacts on your mental, emotional and physical health when you stop, reduce or take a break from high performance training.
Hear from performance support practitioners about the physical and psychological impacts of detraining and discover effective strategies to manage this transition and support your body as it de-stresses.
Episode 4 -Making your next move through informed decision making
This episode empowers athletes to navigate their options post the Paris Games, whether that be continuing to compete, transitioning to a new sport, taking a break, retiring or seeking new employment opportunities.
It explores key factors influencing these decisions — physical and mental health, career achievements, values, finances, and opportunities — while addressing how to cope with decisions beyond their control.
Series two: Next steps for Para-athletes
Series two of the Beyond the Games podcast is dedicated specifically to para-athletes and explores the next steps available after a Paralympic cycle.
Episode 1 -Making decisions after a Games cycle
Hear directly from Para-athletes who have navigated the 'what next' options post-Games cycle several times, including Paralympic legends Christie Dawes, Vanessa Low, Josh Hose, and Dr. Hannah Macdougall.
“Medals can't be the sole reason you move forward and you continue on your career,” Low said.
Episode 2 - Continuing to compete
In this episode, a Para coach and a Para-athlete share valuable tips on how they prepared themselves to continue competing after a Games cycle.
You will also hear about the High Performance Para Sport Strategy, designed to uplift Para performance heading into Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032.
Episode 3 –Transferring to another sport
This session focuses on talent transfer in Paralympic sport and the support available when navigating this pathway.
Paralympians who have successfully made the transition share their insights, including Danni Di Toro, who transferred from wheelchair tennis to Para table tennis; Ella Sabljak, who played wheelchair basketball before switching to rugby; and Emilie Miller, who is a road hand cyclist and wheelchair rugby player.
"I never considered talent transfer ever. I'm as surprised as anyone that I'm still playing Paralympic sport in a high-performance environment," Di Toro said.
Episode 4 -Employment, career and retirement
Hear from Para-athletes who are employed, have retired and are in non-traditional employment and the support they have accessed that has helped them on their journey.
Speakers include Winter Paralympian Victoria (Tori) Pendergast from the Australian Olympic Committee, Para-triathlete Katie Kelly who juggles several roles as a disability and inclusion advocate, Paralympic wheelchair racer turned coach Loise Sauvage, and para swimmer Jesse Aungles currently working in the Department of Home Affairs.
