The Price You Pay

Ashlee Daunt's Teenage Sailing Hobby Has Now Become An Olympic Family Dream

What does it really take to chase Olympic sailing as a sibling team when boats, sails, and travel chew through your budget before you hit the start line? We sit down with Australian sailor Ashlee Daunt to unpack the organized chaos behind a mixed 470 campaign with her brother Brayden—how they split roles, handle conflict, and keep the long game in view from LA 2028 to Brisbane 2032. Ashlee shares how a late start at 14 turned into freedom on the water, quick progress in the 29er, and a smart move into the 470 where size, skill, and strategy suit their build. She leads tactics and the main; Brayden drives power on the wire, trims, and keeps the boat flat and fast. Together they navigate regatta pressure, a steep 470 learning curve, and the reality that true crew flow can take up to a decade. That means patience, systems, and communication when fatigue and noise threaten to fracture decisions mid-race. We also zoom out to the money. European regattas taught them more than speed; they revealed the actual cost of competing with the world’s best. Ashlee, an accountant, owns the budget, logistics, and fundraising while Brayden handles boat work—an approach that keeps the bow pointed forward without burning out. With support from the Aussie Athlete Fund, their club, and family, they’re building recurring backing through sponsors and patrons to fund the runway that high performance demands. Their mum, Kerri, offers a moving perspective on raising a “trio,” stepping back, and cheering for two kids who turned a school sport into a national dream. Become a part of our athletes' success stories:  Whether its a personal donation, a corporate partnership, a round of golf, or simply by spreading the word, your support has the power to uplift our athletes and inspire countless others!   Website: https://aussieathletefund.com/ [https://aussieathletefund.com/] Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/aussieathletefund/ [https://www.instagram.com/aussieathletefund/] Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/aussieathletefund [https://www.facebook.com/aussieathletefund] Thank you for tuning in to The Price You Pay podcast! To ensure you never miss an episode, hit that "FOLLOW" button and remember to leave us a like, review, rating or share the podcast with someone you know needs to hear the inspiring stories of athletes and their families giving their all for the dream!

Youngest Squash Player Ever to Play at The Comm Games Alex Haydon

We explore the real cost of chasing green and gold and follow Alex Hayden’s rise from rural South Australia to the PSA World Tour. She shares how she funds her career, why storytelling builds resilience, and how LA 2028 reframed what’s possible for squash. • why the Aussie Athlete Fund exists and what it fixes • how Alex fell in love with squash at eight in Clare Valley • portable glass courts, iconic venues and fan experience • LA 2028 inclusion and shifting goals beyond Commonwealth Games • choosing the US as a training base and college pipeline insights • breaking down funding: sponsors, raffles, exhibitions, clinics • building a repeatable athlete business with simple systems • supporter updates, honesty after losses and the 24‑hour rule • values, mindset and aligning training with personal identity • practical ways listeners and businesses can back athletes Training, travel, and mindset weave through every chapter. Alex explains why the US became her base—strong competition, top coaching, and the gravity of a thriving college system—and how she manages the long-haul reality of an international schedule. We dive into the magic of portable glass courts set against iconic backdrops, the evolving culture of cheering in squash, and the moment Olympic inclusion transformed her horizon. Most powerful is her approach to resilience: a 24-hour rule for processing results, candid updates to supporters via WhatsApp, and the integrity that comes from aligning values, goals, and daily actions. Become a part of our athletes' success stories:  Whether its a personal donation, a corporate partnership, a round of golf, or simply by spreading the word, your support has the power to uplift our athletes and inspire countless others!   Website: https://aussieathletefund.com/ [https://aussieathletefund.com/] Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/aussieathletefund/ [https://www.instagram.com/aussieathletefund/] Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/aussieathletefund [https://www.facebook.com/aussieathletefund] Thank you for tuning in to The Price You Pay podcast! To ensure you never miss an episode, hit that "FOLLOW" button and remember to leave us a like, review, rating or share the podcast with someone you know needs to hear the inspiring stories of athletes and their families giving their all for the dream!

From Diving Rejection to Canoe Champion: Caitlyn Bowell's Resilience in the Water

What does it take to keep chasing an Olympic dream when everything seems stacked against you? For Caitlyn Bowell, a 26-year-old sprint canoe champion, it means refusing to take no for an answer—even when that "no" came from her diving coach who arbitrarily decided she was "too old" at just 19. With a background as a champion gymnast and diver, Caitlyn's pivot to canoe kayak began with a literal splash—falling into bull shark-infested waters on her first attempt to balance in the skinny craft. But that inauspicious beginning was just the first of many obstacles she would face. From moving across the country to train in a program that suddenly folded, to purchasing a secondhand "old man boat" too large for her frame, to training completely alone without coaching guidance, Caitlyn's journey embodies the extraordinary resilience required of Australian athletes chasing green and gold glory. The emotional core of this episode lies in the beautiful relationship between Caitlyn and her mother Jane (affectionately nicknamed "the Jane Train" for her fierce advocacy). When the family recently lost all their belongings to water damage, creating further financial strain, their mutual support and unwavering belief in each other shines through. As Jane shares through tears, "I don't know what it is, but I just know that you were destined for greatness and destined to go there." Hope emerges at the episode's conclusion as Caitlyn connects with a Rio Olympian coach establishing a program on the Sunshine Coast—potentially marking a turning point in her journey toward LA 2028. Her story powerfully illustrates why the Aussie Athlete Fund's mission is so crucial: ensuring athletes don't have to sacrifice everything just for the honor of representing Australia. Connect with these inspiring stories by following the podcast and visiting aussieathletefund.com to discover how you can support athletes like Caitlin who give so much while asking for so little in return. Become a part of our athletes' success stories:  Whether its a personal donation, a corporate partnership, a round of golf, or simply by spreading the word, your support has the power to uplift our athletes and inspire countless others!   Website: https://aussieathletefund.com/ [https://aussieathletefund.com/] Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/aussieathletefund/ [https://www.instagram.com/aussieathletefund/] Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/aussieathletefund [https://www.facebook.com/aussieathletefund] Thank you for tuning in to The Price You Pay podcast! To ensure you never miss an episode, hit that "FOLLOW" button and remember to leave us a like, review, rating or share the podcast with someone you know needs to hear the inspiring stories of athletes and their families giving their all for the dream!

22: From Gymnast to World Champion Diver: Maggie Grey's Olympic Quest

Dreams take flight from unexpected places. For 14-year-old Maggie Grey, Australia's junior world platform diving champion, it began while watching Simone Biles compete at the 2016 Rio Olympics. "Mom, I'm going to go to the Olympics," she declared at age eight. Six years later, she's well on her way. Maggie's path reveals remarkable strategic thinking uncommon in someone so young. At ten, she pivoted from gymnastics to diving, recognizing the competitive landscape and seeking a clearer route to her Olympic ambitions. Now a five-time Australian champion with international victories across three continents, she's fixed her sights on LA 2028 with unwavering determination. What makes Maggie exceptional isn't just her technical ability but her mental approach. While many athletes develop fear around the 10-meter platform, she thrives on it: "I actually enjoy the heights. I like the adrenaline it gives me." This psychological edge, according to her coach Ady Hinchcliffe (newly appointed head coach of Australian diving), is her "weapon" in competition. The conversation delves into diving's technical complexity, where athletes must master five different dive types with minimal margin for error. "The finest mistake and she's in the trees," explains Ady, likening it to a golf swing where the slightest error sends the ball off course. Yet Maggie maintains remarkable consistency across these varied movements. Financial challenges remain significant for elite athletes despite some funding support. Through the Aussie Athlete Fund, Maggie has learned valuable fundraising skills, starting with selling chocolate-covered strawberries to help fund her competitive journey. This education in "asking for help" represents a crucial life skill beyond the pool. Despite China's dominance in senior diving (sweeping all eight Olympic gold medals at the last Games), Maggie and Coach Ady maintain optimistic perspectives. Their story illuminates what's possible when talent meets opportunity, resilience overcomes obstacles, and an Olympic dream stays firmly in focus through it all. Support athletes like Maggie by visiting www.aussieathletefund.com and joining the mission to create sustainable funding models for Australia's future champions. Become a part of our athletes' success stories:  Whether its a personal donation, a corporate partnership, a round of golf, or simply by spreading the word, your support has the power to uplift our athletes and inspire countless others!   Website: https://aussieathletefund.com/ [https://aussieathletefund.com/] Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/aussieathletefund/ [https://www.instagram.com/aussieathletefund/] Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/aussieathletefund [https://www.facebook.com/aussieathletefund] Thank you for tuning in to The Price You Pay podcast! To ensure you never miss an episode, hit that "FOLLOW" button and remember to leave us a like, review, rating or share the podcast with someone you know needs to hear the inspiring stories of athletes and their families giving their all for the dream!

21: Hidden Battles Below the Water's Surface: Waterpolo's Tenealle Fasala's Unwavering Commitment

What does it truly cost to chase Olympic dreams? For water polo star Tenealle Fasala, the price has been devastating—twice being cut from Olympic teams, including watching from the sidelines as the squad she helped prepare won silver at the Paris Games without her. Tenealle’s  journey defies the glossy highlight reels we typically associate with elite sport. Born into a swimming dynasty (her father an Olympian, mother a world-class swimmer), she instead chose the physically brutal world of water polo at age 11. Her natural strength and throwing ability quickly marked her as special, earning her spots on state and national teams by her teens. The raw emotion in Tenealle’s voice is palpable as she recounts the crushing disappointment of missing Olympic selection—not once, but twice. What sets her story apart is what happened after each setback. Rather than retreating, she channeled her heartbreak into improving her game, even accepting the painful role of reserve for Paris, training alongside the team knowing she wouldn't compete. When that team went on to win silver, her mixed emotions of pride for her teammates and personal devastation reveal the complex psychological terrain elite athletes must navigate. Beyond emotional resilience, the financial reality of her journey is sobering. Working four days a week while maintaining an elite training schedule, studying nursing, and living on tuna and rice, Tenealle exemplifies the sacrifices required when passion outweighs practicality. Her mother reveals spending years repaying loans just to fund junior competitions, a stark reminder that athletic talent alone isn't enough—financial backing is equally crucial. Now focused on LA 2028 with a transformed mindset, Tenille is no longer driven by fear of failure but by authentic self-expression. "Sport is a big part of my life, but it's not who I am," she reflects, demonstrating wisdom beyond her years. Her journey continues, but the lessons in resilience she's already revealed remain invaluable for anyone facing setbacks on the path to their goals. Want to support athletes like Tenealle? Visit aussieathletefund.com to learn how you can help change the narrative around athlete funding in Australia. Become a part of our athletes' success stories:  Whether its a personal donation, a corporate partnership, a round of golf, or simply by spreading the word, your support has the power to uplift our athletes and inspire countless others!   Website: https://aussieathletefund.com/ [https://aussieathletefund.com/] Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/aussieathletefund/ [https://www.instagram.com/aussieathletefund/] Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/aussieathletefund [https://www.facebook.com/aussieathletefund] Thank you for tuning in to The Price You Pay podcast! To ensure you never miss an episode, hit that "FOLLOW" button and remember to leave us a like, review, rating or share the podcast with someone you know needs to hear the inspiring stories of athletes and their families giving their all for the dream!