Striking Hard, Rising Fast - with MMA Fighter Sam Marles

The Making of a Weightlifter: Tessa Rim on Competition, Confidence, and Consistency

Join us as we sit down with Tessa Rim, one of Victoria’s top Olympic weightlifters and a rising force in the 58kg category. With personal bests of 83kg in the snatch and 105kg in the clean and jerk, Tessa has built her strength through discipline, resilience, and the ability to laugh through the grind. In this episode, Tessa opens up about her journey into the sport, her experiences on the competition stage - including the Oceania Championships - and the mindset that drives her to push big numbers. We discuss the myths around women lifting heavy, the routines that keep her grounded, and the importance of recovery, nutrition, and even jaw health in high-performance lifting. Looking ahead, Tessa shares how she’s navigating the shifting competition landscape on the road to the Commonwealth Games, and what it means to pursue long-term success in a demanding sport. If you’re an athlete, coach, or anyone chasing strength with purpose, this conversation offers insight, inspiration, and plenty of real talk. Tune in now to learn from one of Australia’s brightest weightlifting talents.

Striking Hard, Rising Fast - with MMA Fighter Sam Marles

In this episode of the DentalFit Podcast, we sit down with welterweight MMA athlete Sam Marles - fighting out of Absolute MMA in Melbourne and coming off a highlight-reel KO win at Eternal MMA 95. Sam shares his journey from a multi-sport upbringing in Geelong to going all-in on combat sports in his early 20s, and what it’s taken to carve out a name in one of Australia’s most competitive weight classes. We dive into the evolution of his striking and grappling game, the mental shift that came with fully committing to the fight life, and the values he’s carried from the golf course and footy field into the cage. With reflections on coaching, discipline, and learning to stay composed under fire, this episode offers a raw and grounded look at what it takes to build a career in modern MMA. Whether you're into martial arts, mindset, or just love stories of late bloomers finding their lane - Sam’s story is one to watch.

Rising the Ranks: Hayley Adams on Torian, Down Under & Long-Term Growth

In this episode of the DentalFit Podcast, we sit down with Hayley Adams - CrossFit athlete at Soul Rebel in Greensborough, VIC - fresh off a breakthrough 10th-place finish at the 2025 Torian Pro and on the road to the Down Under Championship. Hayley shares what it’s like to compete at the highest level in Australia, the mindset shifts that took her from 22nd to 10th in just a year, and how she’s approaching the next phase of her season. We dive into the discipline behind refining weaknesses, the emotion of sharing the floor with Tia-Clair Toomey, and the people and practices that keep her grounded along the way. If you're building something for the long haul - whether it's your strength, your gym, or your mental game - this episode is packed with perspective and purpose.

Pushing for More: Lachie McPherson on Performance and Purpose

In this episode of the DentalFit Podcast, we chat with Lachie McPherson - elite coach at Adept Performance, former national-level sprinter and decathlete, and now a bobsleigh athlete training toward the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics. Lachie shares how his background on the track shaped his approach to high-performance coaching, what it’s taken to transition into winter sport, and the mindset needed to chase an Olympic goal from a completely new angle. We also explore the habits behind elite training, the demands of coaching and competing, and the link between performance, recovery, and oral health. It’s a conversation about discipline, adaptability, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible - both on the ice and in everyday training.

Chasing Seconds: Jacob Despard on Sprinting at the Highest Level

In this episode of the DentalFit Podcast, we sit down with Jacob Despard - Olympic sprinter, Stawell Gift champion, and Commonwealth Games finalist. Jacob shares his journey from grassroots athletics in Tasmania to the world’s biggest tracks. We talk about his experiences at the Commonwealth Games and the Paris Olympics, and the mindset required to perform under pressure. He opens up about the setbacks that shaped him, the pursuit of consistency in a sport defined by milliseconds, and the role recovery, breathing, and oral health play in staying race-ready. It’s a focused look at the discipline, resilience, and precision behind elite sprinting.