Joe Tapine from the Canberra Raiders is a powerhouse.

From growing up in Wellington to making his mark in the NRL, Joe’s journey is one of resilience and growth.

He opens up about his family, the challenges of moving to Australia, and the harsh lessons he learned along the way. 

Joe opens up candidly about his pokies addiction early on in his footballing career and how his wife, Kirsten guided him down the right path.

We also chat about his Māori heritage, how the All Stars camp deepened his cultural connection, and how fatherhood has changed his perspective on life and footy.

Joe Tapine from the Canberra Raiders is a powerhouse.
From growing up in Wellington to making his mark in the NRL, Joe&rsquo;s journey is one of resilience and growth.
He opens up about his family, the challenges of moving to Australia, and the harsh lessons he learned along the way.&nbsp;
Joe opens up candidly about his pokies addiction early on in his footballing career and how his wife, Kirsten guided him down the right path.
We also chat about his Māori heritage, how the All Stars camp deepened his cultural connection, and how fatherhood has changed his perspective on life and footy.

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.

Marlee and Me

In Conversation: Joe Tapine

Welcome back to Marlee and Me, storytelling beyond the scoreline.

Yaama I’m Marlee Silva and if you’re new here this is a sports podcast unlike the kind you’re used to. These are conversations that get to the heart of your favourite athletes.

This year, I’ve had the great pleasure of sitting down with so many of our NRL and NRLW athletes through my role with 100% Footy and other parts of our broadcast with Nine’s WWOS and over the next couple of weeks you’ll get to hear the raw extended version of these chats in compilation style episodes that focus on one club or one theme - today, it’s the North Queensland Cowboys.

At the beginning of 2026, not many expected much from the Cowboys' season. Their coach was listed as one of the potential on the chopping block if things went down hill and nobody was talking about them being in sight of the 8.

Halfway through this year, they’d well and truly exceeded expectation and I caught up with a couple of their stars up in Townsville around about the Origin Period.

Today you’ll hear from Reed Mahoney, Jake Clifford and Jaxon Purdue. Get some insight from these stars before you watch them take on the Cronulla Sharks in their elimination final this weekend!

If you enjoyed the show make sure you hit subscribe wherever you’re listening, follow @marleeandmepod for more and I’ll catch you next week.

This episode of Marlee and Me was recorded on the lands of the Bindal and Wulgurukaba people, we pay our respects to elders past and present. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.

Welcome back to Marlee and Me, storytelling beyond the scoreline. Yaama I&rsquo;m Marlee Silva and if you&rsquo;re new here this is a sports podcast unlike the kind you&rsquo;re used to. These are conversations that get to the heart of your favourite athletes. This year, I&rsquo;ve had the great pleasure of sitting down with so many of our NRL and NRLW athletes through my role with 100% Footy and other parts of our broadcast with Nine&rsquo;s WWOS and over the next couple of weeks you&rsquo;ll get to hear the raw extended version of these chats in compilation style episodes that focus on one club or one theme - today, it&rsquo;s the North Queensland Cowboys. At the beginning of 2026, not many expected much from the Cowboys' season. Their coach was listed as one of the potential on the chopping block if things went down hill and nobody was talking about them being in sight of the 8. Halfway through this year, they&rsquo;d well and truly exceeded expectation and I caught up with a couple of their stars up in Townsville around about the Origin Period. Today you&rsquo;ll hear from Reed Mahoney, Jake Clifford and Jaxon Purdue. Get some insight from these stars before you watch them take on the Cronulla Sharks in their elimination final this weekend! If you enjoyed the show make sure you hit subscribe wherever you&rsquo;re listening, follow&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/marleeandmepod" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/marleeandmepod&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1789089701203000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1EB-NmJKimqRQSUOWtg7XT">@marleeandmepod</a>&nbsp;for more and I&rsquo;ll catch you next week. This episode of Marlee and Me was recorded on the lands of the Bindal and Wulgurukaba people, we pay our respects to elders past and present. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.

In Coversation: Hear from the Cowboys before their elimination final

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

In Conversation: Saya Sakakibara on Fear, Olympic Gold and Finding What Comes Next

Welcome back to Marlee and Me, storytelling beyond the scoreline.

Yaama I’m Marlee Silva and if you’re new here this is a sports podcast unlike the kind you’re used to. These are conversations that get to the heart of your favourite athletes.

This year, I’ve had the great pleasure of sitting down with so many of our NRL and NRLW athletes through my role with 100% Footy and other parts of our broadcast with Nine’s WWOS and over the next couple of weeks you’ll get to hear the raw extended version of these chats in compilation style episodes that focus on one club or one theme - today, it’s the Gold Coast Titans.

I sat down with three of their key figures before 2026 kicked off. With a brand new head coach, a newly committed captain and some up and coming superstars, the side was optimistic but realistic. 

Today you’ll hear from head coach Josh Hannay, Captain Tino Fa’asuamalaui and fullback, Keano Kini. And while they all share something different, the theme that is at the heart of the titans is clear as day, this is a club that is passionate about its community.

Thank you so much to Josh, Tino and Keano, for sharing parts of your story in this episode of Marlee and Me. Tune in next week as we hear from another group of players from a different club!

If you enjoyed the show make sure you hit subscribe wherever you’re listening, follow @marleeandmepod for more and I’ll catch you next week.

This episode of Marlee and Me was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people, we pay our respects to elders past and present. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land. 

Welcome back to Marlee and Me, storytelling beyond the scoreline.
Yaama I&rsquo;m Marlee Silva and if you&rsquo;re new here this is a sports podcast unlike the kind you&rsquo;re used to. These are conversations that get to the heart of your favourite athletes.
This year, I&rsquo;ve had the great pleasure of sitting down with so many of our NRL and NRLW athletes through my role with 100% Footy and other parts of our broadcast with Nine&rsquo;s WWOS and over the next couple of weeks you&rsquo;ll get to hear the raw extended version of these chats in compilation style episodes that focus on one club or one theme - today, it&rsquo;s the&nbsp;Gold Coast Titans.
I sat down with three of their key figures before 2026 kicked off. With a brand new head coach, a newly committed captain and some up and coming superstars, the side was optimistic but realistic.&nbsp;
Today you&rsquo;ll hear from head coach Josh Hannay, Captain Tino Fa&rsquo;asuamalaui and fullback, Keano Kini. And while they all share something different, the theme that is at the heart of the titans is clear as day, this is a club that is passionate about its community.
Thank you so much to Josh, Tino and Keano, for sharing parts of your story in this episode of Marlee and Me. Tune in next week as we hear from another group of players from a different club!
If you enjoyed the show make sure you hit subscribe wherever you&rsquo;re listening, follow&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/marleeandmepod" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/marleeandmepod&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1786688927837000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3FVGTrVkrCR4jOeLY3Atg4">@marleeandmepod</a> for more and I&rsquo;ll catch you next week.
This episode of Marlee and Me was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people, we pay our respects to elders past and present. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.&nbsp;

In Conversation: Joe Tapine

Marlee and Me

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