Australian Olympic and Commonwealth Games middle distance runner Luke Mathews joins Andrew McGrath for episode four of One on One.

As a 21-year-old, the diehard Bombers fan had earned selection for the 2016 Rio Olympics in the 800m and 1500m events. Mathews delves into achieving early international success and a promising build up to the Olympics, to being eliminated in the heats and having his medal chances dashed.

His story is one of maturity and learning to deal with heartbreak and turning it into motivation for improvement, culminating in a bronze medal in the 800m event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

As he currently takes a year away from running after a spate of lengthy injuries and the want to do "normal bloke things", Mathews' episode is one for a wide perspective on turning harsh learnings into results.

Australian Olympic and Commonwealth Games middle distance runner Luke Mathews joins Andrew McGrath for episode four of One on One.
As a 21-year-old, the diehard Bombers fan had earned selection for the 2016 Rio Olympics in the 800m and 1500m events. Mathews delves into achieving early international success and a promising build up to the Olympics, to being eliminated in the heats and having his medal chances dashed.
His story is one of maturity and learning to deal with heartbreak and turning it into motivation for improvement, culminating in a bronze medal in the 800m event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
As he currently takes a year away from running after a spate of lengthy injuries and the want to do "normal bloke things", Mathews' episode is one for a wide perspective on turning harsh learnings into results.

In-depth, open and powerful. Essendon's No.1 Andy McGrath brings out the stories behind the people in raw chats where no topic is off the table.

In-depth, open and powerful. Essendon's No.1 Andy McGrath brings out the stories behind the people in raw chats where no topic is off the table.

One on One

Luke Mathews - The highs & lows of being an Olympic runner

The biggest guest in Essendon podcasting history has landed - the great Scotty James.

The 29-year-old has done it all in professional snowboarding.

The boyhood Bombers fan from Warrandyte has accumulated two olympic halfpipe medals (silver and bronze), been an Australian Olympic Flag bearer, won three World Championships in the halfpipe and eight gold medals in the X-Games SuperPipe.

It's not just on the world snowboarding circuit where he's killing it, with James' personal life also just as fascinating. Best friends with Australian star F1 driver Daniel Riccardo, brother-in-law to Lance Stroll (and married to wife Chloe), James is one of the busiest sporting celebrities in the world when he's not competing.

Now, listeners can get a glimpse into what makes James tick. From dealing with fame after representing Australia at just 15 years of age in the 2010 Winter Olympics, to following the F1 circuit and his beloved Bombers, James offers complex thoughts in how he deals with the pressure of being an elite athlete and household name.

James also delves into modern topics which encompasses balancing the new age of social media's pressure on mental health, where he's accumulated over 800,000 followers, while also maintaining his ability to compete at the highest level.

For any aspiring athlete or casual sporting fan, this episode is not to be missed.

The biggest guest in Essendon podcasting history has landed - the great Scotty James.
The 29-year-old has done it all in professional snowboarding.
The boyhood Bombers fan from Warrandyte has accumulated two olympic halfpipe medals (silver and bronze), been an Australian Olympic Flag bearer, won three World Championships in the halfpipe and eight gold medals in the X-Games SuperPipe.
It's not just on the world snowboarding circuit where he's killing it, with James' personal life also just as fascinating. Best friends with Australian star F1 driver Daniel Riccardo, brother-in-law to Lance Stroll (and married to wife Chloe), James is one of the busiest sporting celebrities in the world when he's not competing.
Now, listeners can get a glimpse into what makes James tick. From dealing with fame after representing Australia at just 15 years of age in the 2010 Winter Olympics, to following the F1 circuit and his beloved Bombers, James offers complex thoughts in how he deals with the pressure of being an elite athlete and household name.
James also delves into modern topics which encompasses balancing the new age of social media's pressure on mental health, where he's accumulated over 800,000 followers, while also maintaining his ability to compete at the highest level.
For any aspiring athlete or casual sporting fan, this episode is not to be missed.

Scotty James - The boyhood Bombers fan on the world's biggest stage

In a preview to episode 11, Australian-born snowboarding superstar Scotty James reflects on life as a child prodigy.

Having been to his first Olympics at 15 years of age, James knows what external pressure can do to someone who may not be mature enough to handle it.

The two-time Olympic medallist shares his experiences with the joys of competing on the international stage, while subsequently crashing out when expected to win at such an early age. Through tears, dejection and external noise, James offers an insight into breaking through those barriers to come out more experienced and prepared for the rigours of elite sport.

In a preview to episode 11, Australian-born snowboarding superstar Scotty James reflects on life as a child prodigy.
Having been to his first Olympics at 15 years of age, James knows what external pressure can do to someone who may not be mature enough to handle it.
The two-time Olympic medallist shares his experiences with the joys of competing on the international stage, while subsequently crashing out when expected to win at such an early age. Through tears, dejection and external noise, James offers an insight into breaking through those barriers to come out more experienced and prepared for the rigours of elite sport.

Mini - The lessons of a child prodigy (feat. Scotty James)

What makes one of the AFL's most elite players tick?

Andrew McGrath unpacks the mentality behind what makes Essendon Captain Zach Merrett the best of the best. Despite Merrett describing himself as "not the quickest, not the tallest and not the fittest", the three-time Crichton medallist explains how his success can be broken down into the art of competitiveness - the will to succeed in leaving no stone unturned.

Leadership also becomes a pertinent topic, most notably as Merrett describes bouncing back after being dumped from Essendon's leadership group in 2020, to being the club's vice captain only two years later.

This ep is a must-listen for anyone looking to be at the top of their game in any chosen field or those who are interested in learning about what makes one of the Bombers' most valuable players tick.

What makes one of the AFL's most elite players tick?
Andrew McGrath unpacks the mentality behind what makes Essendon Captain Zach Merrett the best of the best. Despite Merrett describing himself as "not the quickest, not the tallest and not the fittest", the three-time Crichton medallist explains how his success can be broken down into the art of competitiveness - the will to succeed in leaving no stone unturned.
Leadership also becomes a pertinent topic, most notably as Merrett describes bouncing back after being dumped from Essendon's leadership group in 2020, to being the club's vice captain only two years later.
This ep is a must-listen for anyone looking to be at the top of their game in any chosen field or those who are interested in learning about what makes one of the Bombers' most valuable players tick.

Luke Mathews - The highs & lows of being an Olympic runner

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