Olympic BMX champion Saya Sakakibara joins Marlee Silva after giving her a firsthand lesson on the track.

Saya opens up about the perfectionism that affected her home World Championships, the complicated emotions surrounding her silver medal, and the question she faced after winning Olympic gold: what now?

She also reveals how fear once made racing unbearable, why admitting she wanted to win Paris felt almost impossible, and how changing the way she spoke to herself transformed both her performance and her life.

Plus, Saya discusses the road to LA 2028, the possibility of competing at Brisbane 2032 and her brother Kai’s emerging Paralympic dream.

00:00 Welcome to Marlee and Me
01:30 Marlee takes on the BMX track
02:30 Sitting down with Saya Sakakibara
04:05 Perfectionism and the pressure to win
06:03 Learning to stop chasing perfection
07:55 The World Championship race that was cancelled
10:43 How the international BMX circuit works
12:53 Could Saya compete at Brisbane 2032?
13:45 Life after winning Olympic gold
15:37 How Saya has changed since Tokyo
18:59 The transformation behind the gold medal
21:25 Confidence without winning
23:24 The hypnotist who helped Saya believe
25:37 Beginning the road to LA 2028
28:00 Why Saya considered retiring
29:10 Kai Sakakibara’s Paralympic dream
30:21 Becoming a role model for BMX
33:26 Giving others confidence
35:40 Strength, body image and inspiring girls
36:37 Final reflections
37:08 Marlee’s closing message

Olympic BMX champion Saya Sakakibara joins Marlee Silva after giving her a firsthand lesson on the track. Saya opens up about the perfectionism that affected her home World Championships, the complicated emotions surrounding her silver medal, and the question she faced after winning Olympic gold: what now? She also reveals how fear once made racing unbearable, why admitting she wanted to win Paris felt almost impossible, and how changing the way she spoke to herself transformed both her performance and her life. Plus, Saya discusses the road to LA 2028, the possibility of competing at Brisbane 2032 and her brother Kai&rsquo;s emerging Paralympic dream.
00:00 Welcome to Marlee and Me 01:30 Marlee takes on the BMX track 02:30 Sitting down with Saya Sakakibara 04:05 Perfectionism and the pressure to win 06:03 Learning to stop chasing perfection 07:55 The World Championship race that was cancelled 10:43 How the international BMX circuit works 12:53 Could Saya compete at Brisbane 2032? 13:45 Life after winning Olympic gold 15:37 How Saya has changed since Tokyo 18:59 The transformation behind the gold medal 21:25 Confidence without winning 23:24 The hypnotist who helped Saya believe 25:37 Beginning the road to LA 2028 28:00 Why Saya considered retiring 29:10 Kai Sakakibara&rsquo;s Paralympic dream 30:21 Becoming a role model for BMX 33:26 Giving others confidence 35:40 Strength, body image and inspiring girls 36:37 Final reflections 37:08 Marlee&rsquo;s closing message

Marlee and Me is a podcast that offers a unique glimpse into the lives of your favorite athletes, showcasing them in a way you’ve never seen before.

In candid and heartfelt conversations, Marlee Silva delves into the personal stories of rugby league’s biggest names, focusing on who they are as individuals rather than their on-field achievements.

Through themes of family, culture, and identity, she uncovers the experiences and lessons from their upbringing that shaped them into champions. Beyond the celebrations and victories, the podcast reveals what truly matters most to these athletes.

Marlee and Me is a podcast that offers a unique glimpse into the lives of your favorite athletes, showcasing them in a way you’ve never seen before.
In candid and heartfelt conversations, Marlee Silva delves into the personal stories of rugby league’s biggest names, focusing on who they are as individuals rather than their on-field achievements.
Through themes of family, culture, and identity, she uncovers the experiences and lessons from their upbringing that shaped them into champions. Beyond the celebrations and victories, the podcast reveals what truly matters most to these athletes.