Under The Cap

What if walking into the wrong class at uni could lead to a career working with some of the best athletes in the country?In this episode, we’re chatting with Wade Sinclair, Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science at James Cook University, manager of the JCU Performance Science Hub and performance analyst working with Australian Life Saving teams and elite rugby league teams. From lecturing at university to working behind the scenes in professional sport, Wade’s career shows just how many different directions a Sports and Exercise Science degree can take you. We chat about what it’s really like to work in elite sport, the science behind athlete performance, and how Wade went from accidentally walking into the wrong university class to building a career that combines research, teaching and high-performance sport. His passion for coaching began through lifesaving in Townsville, inspiring him to combine coaching with sports science and research,including investigating the effects of junior lifesavers wearing stinger suits for his Honours thesis.Wade shares why taking opportunities when they arise, following your interests and getting involved through volunteering can open doors you never expected. His story is a reminder that you don’t need to have your entire career mapped out from day one. Sometimes, the opportunities that shape your future start with simply showing up and giving something a go.In this episode, we cover:The different career pathways available with a Sports and Exercise Science degreeWhat it’s really like to work behind the scenes in elite sportHow performance science helps athletes and teams perform at their bestHow volunteering and building connections can open doors in your careerWhy following your passion and saying yes to opportunities can make all the differenceCONNECT WITH UTC:Instagram → Follow usWebsite → Youth Collective Every episode we sit down with inspiring people to explore careers, purpose, mental health and what it means to make a difference in your community. Subscribe now so you never miss a conversation that could change yours.Think you’d make a great guest or know someone who would? We want to hear from you. DM us on Instagram and let’s have a conversation.

What happens when you say yes to an opportunity and let it take you somewhere unexpected?In this episode, we’re chatting with Charlie Bennett, whose passion for the ocean has taken her from scuba diving in Thailand to studying a Master of Ocean Governance and Policy in Tasmania, across the country and across the world.We explore how volunteering can open doors you never expected, help you build valuable skills, and connect you with incredible people along the way. We also chat about protecting the environment that you love, the value of travelling, gaining life experience, stepping outside your comfort zone and how the people you meet along the way can shape who you become. Charlie’s journey is a reminder that some of the best opportunities come when you put yourself out there and embrace the unknown.Whether you’re figuring out what comes next, exploring a career in the environment, or wondering where volunteering and travel might take you, Charlie’s story is a reminder that you don’t need to have it all figured out to get started. Sometimes, you just need to say yes and see where it takes you.In this episode, we cover:How Charlie’s passion for the ocean has shaped her journeyFrom scuba diving in Thailand to studying ocean governance in TasmaniaHow volunteering can open doors to unexpected opportunitiesThe power of storytelling in the digital age and protecting what you loveThe life experience, personal growth and friendships that can come from travellingBuilding skills, confidence and connections by putting yourself out thereFinding your direction without having all the answersWhy saying yes can be the first step towards something biggerCONNECT WITH THE YOUTH COLLECTIVE:Instagram → Youth Collective Website → Click HereEvery episode we sit down with inspiring people to explore careers, purpose, mental health and what it means to make a difference in your community. Subscribe now so you never miss a conversation that could change yours.Think you’d make a great guest or know someone who would? We want to hear from you. DM us on Instagram and let’s have a conversation

What does it take to perform at the highest level, handle the pressure of the big stage, and find your place in surf lifesaving beyond competition?This episode, we sit down with Jen Parry, one of Australian surf lifesaving’s most decorated athletes and a recent inductee into the SLSA Hall of Fame.From joining a small surf club in Emu Park to representing Australia, winning 15 world titles, 29 world championship medals and setting multiple world records, Jen’s career has taken her around the world and across almost every part of surf lifesaving.But her story doesn’t end when the racing does. From athlete to Australian team selector, mentor and commentator, Jen has continued to find new ways to contribute to the sport. And as we discover, calling surf sports is a whole different challenge to competing in them.In this episode we cover:What it’s really like racing on the world stage and dealing with pressureThe transition from elite athlete to Australian team selector and mentorWhy Jen made the move into commentary and what makes surf sports so difficult to callThe preparation, research and nerves that go into commentating live competitionWhy some of Jen’s favourite memories have nothing to do with medalsHer advice for athletes chasing selection and competing on the world stageThe one thing Jen wishes she could tell her younger self: back yourselfCONNECT WITH UTC:Instagram → @_theyouthcollectiveWebsite → www.theyouthcollective.com.auEvery episode we sit down with inspiring people to explore careers, purpose, mental health and what it means to make a difference in your community. Subscribe now so you never miss a conversation that could change yours.Think you’d make a great guest or know someone who would? We want to hear from you. DM us on Instagram and let’s have a conversation.

What if the secret to performing better, feeling better and going home safer was as simple as how you hydrate?This episode we sit down with Toni McQuinn, co-founder of Body Armor — the Gold Coast based health and performance brand on a mission to bring sports science to the people who need it most.From compulsory military service in Finland to 12 years in mining and eventually building a business with his brother and best mates, Toni’s journey is anything but ordinary. And his passion for helping people perform at their best, whether they're an elite athlete or a lifeguard on patrol, is contagious.In this episode we cover:-What to actually look for on a sports drink label and why most of what's on the shelf isn't doing what you think-The five key electrolytes your body needs and what happens when you get them wrong-The hydration protocol Tony challenges everyone to try for 24 hours-What it's really like to start a business with your brother and best mates100 no's before the first yes — how Body Armor got its foot in the door-Why Body Armor partnered with Surf Life Saving Queensland-Tony's one piece of advice to his younger selfCONNECT WITH UTC:Instagram → @_theyouthcollectiveWebsite → theyouthcollective.com.auCONNECT WITH BODY ARMOR:Website → bodyarmour.com.auInstagram → @bodyarmour.auEvery episode we sit down with inspiring people to explore careers, purpose, mental health and what it means to make a difference in your community. Subscribe now so you never miss a conversation that could change yours.Think you'd make a great guest or know someone who would? We want to hear from you. DM us on Instagram and let's have a conversation.

From snapping a paddle mid-race to achieving a childhood dream, what does it really take to become an elite Iron Woman?This episode we sit down with third-generation Maroochydore SLSC lifesaver and Iron Woman champion Tiarnee Massie. After an incredible season claiming the Iron Woman crown at Aussies and taking out the Shaw and Partners Series, Tiarnee takes us behind the podium and into the reality of competing at the highest level.From chasing a childhood dream to navigating the highs and lows of elite competition, Tiarnee's story is a reminder that anything is possible with hard work, resilience and self-belief. But most importantly — don't forget to enjoy the journey along the way.In this episode we cover:-How Tiarnee went from third-generation nipper to Iron Woman champion-The power of sports psychology and visualisation — and how she wrote the script for the perfect race-How she self-sabotaged a race by one point and what she learned from it-The infamous paddle snap at the Coolangatta Gold and how she finished seventh-Why she almost drowned as a child and went on to save a man's life at just 15-Balancing elite sport with a full time job as a dental assistant-Why the mental side of sport is more important than the physical-What surf lifesaving taught her about resilience, community and service-Her advice to young athletes — enjoy it while you can-What the next season looks like for TiarneeCONNECT WITH UTC:Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/_theyouthcollective/ Website → Homepage - The Youth Collective CONNECT WITH TIARNEE:Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/tiarneexmassie/ Every episode we sit down with inspiring people to explore careers, purpose, mental health and what it means to make a difference in your community. Subscribe now so you never miss a conversation that could change yours.Think you'd make a great guest or know someone who would? We want to hear from you. DM us on Instagram and let's have a conversation. 📩