Ian & Seb Steel Ian Steel is the founder of ‘Kickstart for Kids’. A charity he created more than a decade ago to provide breakfast at schools for children doing it tough. It has since evolved into a host of fantastic programs and services that give kids the support they need to get a great start on life. More than 60,000 breakfasts are provided in schools across South Australia each week. You’d think Ian would have a truckloads of good karma coming his way, but life doesn’t always work...

As a 13 year old, Jess Stenson and her family sat in the stands at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. At that moment, Jess decided that she wanted to represent Australia. Twelve years on, she lined up in green and gold on the start line of the marathon at the London Olympics. Jess has since added a pair of Commonwealth Games bronze medals to her CV. Then last year she struck gold in Birmingham with an inspirational run on a tough and technical course. In this chat, Jess reveals what it takes...

Kellie Gardner is one of the most courageous and selfless people I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting. Less than 18 months ago, Kellie and her fiancé, Port Adelaide footballer Jeremy Finlayson had the world at their feet. They’d just become parents to little Sophia and relocated from Sydney to Adelaide to be closer to family.   Their lives were rocked when, at just 25 years young, Kellie was diagnosed with bowel cancer. She bravely battled surgery, chemo and radiotherapy and finally the...

Tennis great Mark Woodforde is part of Aussie folklore. Alongside Todd Woodbridge, ‘The Woodies’ formed one of the most enduring and iconic partnerships in the sport’s history.  Beyond that, Mark was also a world class singles player, reaching a top 20 ranking and chalked many wins against legends such as John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl. ‘Pecker’ as he is affectionately known, has won 17 grand slams in doubles and mixed, 4 singles titles and a Davis Cup championship.  In this chat, he opens up...

Victoria Azarenka has a great affinity with Australia. She's won a pair of grand slam singles titles at Melbourne Park, mixed doubles crowns at the French and US Opens and Olympic gold in London. In this chat, Vichka generously opens up about motherhood, inspiring a generation of youngsters, becoming world number 1 and going undercover in Paris to restore her mental health. Web: www.thesodaroom.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesodaroompodcast/ Youtube:...

Sir Andy Murray is a bona fide tennis superstar. His impressive CV includes 3 grand slam titles, a pair of Olympic gold medals and a drought-breaking Davis Cup title alongside brother Jamie.  He bravely overcame a debilitating hip injury to return to the ATP tour. In fact it's near a miracle that he's still playing at the top level given the extensive surgery he has undergone. Andy is open and honest in this chat about the challenging road he's courageously travelled to return to the...

Thanasi Kokkinakis not only has one of the great names in world sport, he is also a very funny, authentic and engaging young man.   He had a rapid rise to fame as a tennis teen then was rocked by a heap of injuries.  Thanasi braverly opens up about his battles with anxiety and how he has found peace and great success.   Web: www.thesodaroom.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesodaroompodcast/ Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCStGGKtqNrAW-NlLyAYjXXg Facebook:...

Meet Dale Smedley and Shaun Trevillian aka the Golf Gods. A couple of Aussie tradies (a glazier and a plumber) who threw in their day jobs to realise a dream. The self-confessed 'hackers' have created a multi-million dollar company by celebrating the fun side of golf. Their edgy range of apparel, products and merchandise has become a huge hit right across the globe. It hasn't all been smooth sailing, there's also been a few legal touches along the way. In this episode the boys reveal how...

Zak Butters and Connor Rozee are a couple of young Port Adelaide FC stars that are making their marks on the national stage. At 22 years old, they’ve each had 4 years in the AFL system. Classy Connor picked up his first All-Australian nod this year and claimed Port’s best and fairest award. While Zak plays with a ferocity and intensity that inspires his team mates. Both are immensely important to Port’s culture and show enormous courage by talking openly and sharing their stories. Web:...

Marjorie Jackson-Nelson is a national treasure. She became Australia's first female Olympic gold medalist when she blitzed the field in the 100metre sprint at the 1952 Helsinki games. Marjorie is a humble champion and on the 70th anniversary of her dual gold medal feats she shares her remarkable story. Beyond the track, Marj served as South Australian Governor and has raised millions of dollars and created research opportunities in honour of her late husband Peter Nelson through his...

Marjorie Jackson-Nelson is a national treasure. She became Australia's first female Olympic gold medallist when she blitzed the field in the 100 metre sprint at the 1952 Helsinki games.  Marjorie is a humble champion and on the 70th anniversary of her dual gold medal feats she shares her remarkable story.  Beyond the track, Marj served as South Australian Governor and has raised millions of dollars and created research opportunities in honour of her late husband Peter Nelson through his...

Dr Charlie Teo is renowned for performing intricate and complex brain surgeries that others have called inoperable. He is a pioneer in one of the most demanding and challenging jobs on the planet - neurosurgery.  In this chat Charlie is raw, unfiltered and vulnerable as he talks about what it take to be given the privilege to operate on the human brain. He has ruffled feathers amongst the medical profession and he reveals the impact the ongoing investigation by the NSW medical regulator is...

John Platten, aka the Rat, is one of footy’s greatest and most decorated players. One of 9 kids, he grew up in Adelaide’s tough north, dominated for Central District FC then headed across the border to become a superstar with the dominant Hawks.  The Rat played with enormous courage and sustained more than 30 concussions across his career. He bravely opens up about living with the consequences of those brain injuries, while always maintaining his positive and fun-loving nature. Web:...

It takes enormous courage to show vulnerability and Kyle Chalmers is bloody courageous. This is an honest and open chat from the Olympic gold medalist who took the world by storm as an 18 year old when he won 100 freestyle in Rio. He has battled a heart condition and a pair of dodgy shoulders and yet he still gets behind the blocks and turns it on every time against the odds. Kyle bravely reveals the toll the tabloid saga targeting his private life has had on his mental health this year....

At Just 20 years of age Jack Trengove was named captain of the Melbourne Football Club, the youngest skipper in history.  A highly skilled and dynamic player, he was quickly struck down by a foot injury that would play havoc with his career. Courageously, he took the adversity within his stride and has flourished in the business world. His story is one of resilience and persistence, and even now, he still manages to run around and dominate local footy just for fun.  Web:...

Travis Head has fast become a key member of the Australian test cricket team. He was named player of the series in the Ashes after belting a couple of swashbuckling tons.  Fatherhood is his next challenge now that he and Jess are celebrating the recent arrival of little Milla.  Travis has overcome some huge challenges and opens up about the frightening car accident that put him in hospital and the impact of losing great mate and mentor Phil Hughes.  Web: www.thesodaroom.com  Instagram:...

Mark Mickan was the Brisbane Bears first skipper and also won the Crows inaugural club champion award. He coached West Adelaide to a SANFL premiership 32 years after he missed out on a flag with the same club through injury. Mark is now fighting Parkinson's disease with enormous courage and humility.  Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesodaroompodcast/ Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCStGGKtqNrAW-NlLyAYjXXg Facebook: www.facebook.com/thesodaroompodcast email:...

Chris McDermott was the Crows inspirational inaugural skipper and also an absolute superstar for Glenelg in the SANFL. His courage and leadership on field was legendary and since hanging up the boots he has raised millions of dollars to help kids through his charity, Little Heroes.  'Bone' as he is affectionally known is a true footy icon and a wonderful bloke to match.  Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesodaroompodcast/  Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCStGGKtqNrAW-NlLyAYjXXg Facebook:...

Chelsea Randall has quickly become one of the trailblazers of the AFLW. The triple premiership Crows skipper has been voted the League's Most Courageous player a remarkable four times. She's not only a brilliant footballer, she is an authentic and inspiring human being. Chels demonstrates enormous bravery and honesty as she shares her moving and powerful story. Instagram: @thesodaroompodcast Youtube: The Soda Room Padcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesodaroompodcast  email:...

Travis Boak is the heart and soul of the Port Adelaide football club. His level of consistency over 300-plus games is remarkable and there's still plenty of footy left in the humble superstar.  He has overcome enormous adversity throughout his life and his vulnerability and honesty during this episode is inspirational.