In the first episode of SportsParenthood, decorated swimming coach, Tracey Menzies-Stegbauer, known for coaching five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe and current head swimming coach for the Rackley Swim Team at the Parkinson Aquatic Centre in Brisbane, talks to John and Tiffany about the traits shared by champion athletes. Her captivating insights cover how to measure a young athlete’s performance, the sweet spot for training loads, and what NOT to do before your kid’s game or race. In her trademark honestly, Tracey opens up about THAT 400 metre freestyle event at the 2004 Athens Olympics, following the false-start controversy that attracted the intense media spotlight around the world. Raising her own sports kids, Tracey reveals the blurred lines of being their coach and parent. This is a must-listen interview, if you’re a sports parent looking to hear Tracey’s compelling story and get some clues on what you can do as you navigate #sportsparenthood.
Thank you for bringing Tracey to us in your podcast. A true role model right there – and a modest one. Wish we had more female coaches like Tracey. Also wish Swimming Australia had had more vision and made sure they kept her hold of her.
Thank you for your comment, Lynne. Totally agree on all points. 🙂 Tiffany
Great interview. Well done Tracey the world needs more coaches like you.
Knowing you and training with you as a teenager it doesn’t surprise me that you have become a successful coach. I wish you all the best.
Great! Thanks for sharing your knowledge Tracey.
Hi Lynne! Great to hear you enjoyed the interview with Tracey. Totally agree with you on all points. Thank you for taking the time to comment, Tiffany
This is a fantastic debut podcast Tiffany and JB. An amazing coach, mentor and human being, thank you Tracey for your down-to-earth and insightful reflections.
As a parent of sporty kids, I can very much relate to so many of these topics. I agree with your ending advise, enjoy the moment with your kids. You blink and they have grown up way too fast. Looking forward to the next episode.