What happens when your coach is also your mum? And your past includes standing on the Olympic stage? In this raw and reflective episode, Janelle Pallister peels back the layers of life as an elite athlete, a high-performance coach, and a parent navigating it all.

From missing the Olympic team without knowing she’d ‘retired’, to coaching her daughter, Lani Pallister, to international success, Janelle shares the highs, heartbreaks, and hilarious moments that shaped her career both in and out of the pool.

We dive into:

• The moment a 10-year-old Janelle declared, “I want to be an Olympian.”

• How she balanced the hats of mum and coach (hint: strict rules, different names, and no swimming talk at home).

• Why failure is necessary for greatness.

• The one quote that defines her coaching style today.

If you’ve ever struggled with identity, transition, or chasing a dream—this episode will hit home.

Every athlete leaves behind a legacy—whether it's in the record books or in the lives they’ve touched. In Episode 8 of The Athlete Playbook Mini-Series, we discuss how athletes can create a lasting impact beyond their career in sport. We’ll explore how to use your platform to inspire change, engage with communities, and contribute to causes that matter to you. You’ll hear from athletes who have used their influence to advocate for social change, mental health awareness, and inclusivity in sports. This episode emphasizes that the most powerful legacies are not just about accolades but about the lives you’ve touched and the impact you’ve made both on and off the field.

What separates the good athletes from the great ones? It’s the mental edge. In Episode 7 of The Athlete Playbook Mini-Series, we break down the mental strategies used by top athletes to stay focused under pressure, visualize success, and perform at their peak when it counts. From mastering the art of concentration to using mindfulness techniques to combat anxiety, this episode will provide actionable insights into how athletes can improve their mental game. You’ll also learn about the psychological tools that high-level athletes use to prepare for big competitions and how you can integrate them into your own routine, giving you the mental edge in any situation.

The relationship between a coach and athlete is one of the most important in sport. But what makes that relationship thrive? In Episode 6 of The Athlete Playbook Mini-Series, we explore the dynamic between coaches and athletes and how a positive environment can foster success. We’ll look at the key characteristics of a great coach, such as empathy, communication, and trust, and how athletes can build a collaborative relationship with their coach. You’ll also learn how to create an environment that is focused on growth, not just results, and how to address challenges within the coach-athlete relationship. This episode will help athletes and coaches work together to cultivate a culture of encouragement, motivation, and respect.

For many athletes, the pressure to train and perform often leads to neglecting other areas of life, whether it's relationships, hobbies, or self-care. In Episode 5 of The Athlete Playbook Mini-Series, we dive into the importance of finding balance between your athletic pursuits and personal life. We’ll explore how overtraining can lead to burnout and decreased performance and how to prioritize rest and recovery. You’ll hear tips on how to create a sustainable routine that doesn’t just focus on being the best athlete but also the best version of yourself. This episode encourages athletes to foster harmony in their lives, ensuring longevity in both sport and personal fulfillment.

Injuries are a reality for almost every athlete, but they don’t have to be the end of your story. In Episode 4 of The Athlete Playbook Mini-Series, we discuss how to mentally and physically overcome setbacks, focusing on the process of recovery and rehabilitation. We’ll talk about how to maintain motivation and positivity during injury recovery, strategies for developing patience, and how to transform the challenge of an injury into a period of growth. This episode aims to empower athletes to see injuries not as failures but as opportunities to grow stronger in both body and mind, preparing for a triumphant return to their sport.

No athlete is an island. The journey to success is shaped by those around you. In Episode 3 of The Athlete Playbook Mini-Series, we highlight the importance of building a strong, supportive network of relationships—whether it’s teammates, coaches, family, or friends. We’ll explore how positive, empowering connections can fuel an athlete’s growth and performance, and how to cultivate these relationships for a long-lasting impact. You’ll also learn how to deal with toxic relationships that hinder progress and how to lean on others when facing tough times. This episode shows you that success is not just about what you do alone, but how you uplift and are uplifted by others.

What happens when an athlete’s identity is tied solely to their sport? In Episode 2 of The Athlete Playbook Mini-Series, we delve into the complexities of self-identity and why it’s crucial for athletes to develop a sense of self beyond their sport. We’ll discuss the psychological toll of defining yourself exclusively as an athlete, how to discover and nurture other passions, and how this broader self-awareness can contribute to overall well-being. Featuring insights on how to navigate transitions out of sport, this episode will help athletes better understand their worth beyond their performance.