DIVE Beyond Sport

DIVE (Discovering Identity, Value, and Excellence) Beyond Sport goes beneath the surface of elite sport — into the minds, moments, and messy bits of what it really means to be an elite athlete. Hosted by Olympic divers and long time mates Yona Knight-Wisdom and Freddie Woodward, this show isn’t about stats or podiums. It’s about the people behind the performances. From mental health to identity, purpose to transition, we explore the untold stories and honest reflections that often get left out of the highlight reels. With guests like Olympic medallists, rising stars, and athletes who've redefined their lives post-sport, DIVE is for anyone curious about what drives excellence — and what happens when the lights go off and the cameras stop rolling.

DIVE Beyond Sport is a sports podcast hosted by Yona Knight Wisdom & Freddie Woodward, with 50 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Yona Knight Wisdom & Freddie Woodward hosts DIVE Beyond Sport, a sports show with 50 episodes published.

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  DIVE Beyond Sport

  Olympic Bobsleigh Driver Axel Brown:  Cool Runnings 2 (DIVE Ep.40)

  Sep 22, 20261h 16m

  Follow us on Patreon for bonus content, extended interviews, and exclusive clips. Patreon: patreon.com/divebeyondsportpod In this episode, Olympic bobsleigh driver Axel Brown joins DIVE Beyond Sport to share his journey from American football to representing Trinidad and Tobago at the Winter Olympics. Axel reflects on building a bobsleigh program from scratch, the challenges of funding, recruitment, and navigating bureaucracy, and what it takes to create opportunities when the traditional path closes. He opens up about overcoming setbacks, redefining success beyond results, and the importance of representation in sport. Axel also shares his experiences as a pilot, the responsibility of keeping his teammates safe, developing leadership skills, and finding purpose beyond an athlete’s identity. A powerful conversation about perseverance, courage, identity, and creating your own path in sport and beyond. Show Notes • How Axel Brown built Trinidad and Tobago’s Olympic bobsleigh program from scratch with limited time, funding, and infrastructure. • What it means to pilot a bobsleigh while carrying responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of an entire crew. • How moving between taekwondo, American football, and bobsleigh helped Axel discover his athletic pathway later in life. • Why being humbled in Colorado taught Axel the importance of genuine hard work, preparation, and continuous improvement. • How losing his place in American football challenged Axel’s identity and forced him to reconsider his future in sport. • The complex process of creating a federation, securing funding, recruiting teammates, and qualifying for the Winter Olympics. • Why Axel believes success is about more than athletic results, medals, or finishing positions. • How representing Trinidad and Tobago changed Axel’s relationship with identity, community, culture, and belonging. • Why athletes and sports organizations need to share the stories behind the results and connect audiences with the human experience. • How learning to walk away on his own terms helped Axel reframe retirement as a privilege rather than a loss. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:25 Calm on the Start Line 03:03 Most Nerve Wracking Run 04:35 Pilot vs Brakeman Pressure 05:40 Safety and Trust as Pilot 08:02 Crashes and Risk Reality 09:46 Crash Delays as Focus Fuel 13:04 Rewinding to Early Sports 15:16 Colorado Humbling and Gym Life 17:26 Finding Bobsleigh Tryouts 18:21 Motivation and Family Rewards 20:37 Identity Crisis After Being Cut 23:45 US College Sports vs UK 27:27 Switching to Trinidad and Tobago 30:09 Building a Federation From Scratch 34:18 Visa Vaccine and Paperwork Chaos 37:17 Agency Confidence and Redefining Success 39:47 Redefining Olympic Success 42:25 Joy Beyond Results 43:51 Why Stories Matter 47:50 Owning Your Finish 49:01 Social Media Storytelling 50:55 Small Nation Pressure 55:04 Finding Trini Pride 59:52 Retiring After Milan High 01:03:38 Future of TNT Bobsleigh 01:06:33 Movie Title and Farewell Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67pX07qo2f6AZTxOERShpn?si=95b0803ce82642a7 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divebeyondsportpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divebeyondsportpod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divebeyondsportpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DIVEBeyondSportPod Follow the Guest and Hosts on Instagram: Axel Brown: https://www.instagram.com/theaxelbrown Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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  DIVE Beyond Sport

  American Professional Cliff Diver David Colturi: Full of Joy (DIVE Ep.39)

  Sep 15, 20261h 6m

  Follow us on Patreon for bonus content, extended interviews, and exclusive clips. Patreon: patreon.com/divebeyondsportpod In this episode, professional cliff diver David Colturi joins Dive Beyond Sport to share the extraordinary story of a near-fatal accident that left him with a ruptured spleen and changed his perspective on life, adversity, and gratitude. David reflects on a career spanning more than three decades in diving, why the people and memories behind the boards matter more than scores and podiums, and how athletes can avoid becoming trapped in a performance-based identity. He also opens up about facing fear, overcoming mental blocks, developing a growth mindset, and learning to turn obstacles into opportunities for growth. Beyond competition, David shares how his transition into entrepreneurship inspired the creation of the No Limits Tour, a new athlete-focused platform designed to give competitors greater ownership and a voice in shaping the future of their sport. A powerful conversation about resilience, courage, identity, personal growth, and living a life full of joy. Show Notes • How can a near-death experience transform an athlete's perspective on adversity, gratitude, and living life to the fullest. • Why the memories, relationships, and shared experiences often matter more than scores, results, and podium finishes. • How athletes can avoid becoming trapped in an identity defined solely by performance and competition. • What happens when athletes begin asking themselves who they are and what comes next beyond their sporting careers. • How can a growth mindset help athletes develop new skills and build confidence beyond the world of sport. • Why adversity, mistakes, and setbacks can become opportunities for growth when we learn to change our perspective. • How facing fear and stepping outside your comfort zone can build courage, resilience, and character. • What role journaling, self-awareness, and personal development can play in improving performance both in sport and in life. • How David Colturi is working to give athletes greater ownership, opportunities, and a voice through the No Limits Tour. • What David Colturi's journey teaches us about resilience, athlete identity, growth, fear, and building a meaningful life beyond sport. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:19 Paraglider Teaser Dive Setup 04:04 Crash Attempts and Getting the Shot 06:47 Spleen Injury and Hospital Emergency 10:05 Recovery and Life Perspective Shift 13:35 How Diving Began 16:47 Love of Sport Over Scores 19:32 Building the No Limits Tour 21:33 Athlete Ownership and Profit Sharing 24:43 Growing a League Sustainably 27:47 Origin Story and Red Bull Influence 29:31 Entrepreneurship and Identity Shift 31:19 Balancing Ambition and Life 32:24 Family Foundations 33:45 Identity After College 34:59 Calendars and Skills 38:10 Growth Mindset Reality 42:01 Adversity as Fuel 44:36 Training Through Fear 47:04 High Diving Psychology 53:36 Journaling for Growth 56:23 Olympic High Diving Push 59:48 Full of Joy Finale Guest Pick: Book: Chasing Excellence - Ben Bergeron Link: https://link.amazon/B05bF0goy Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67pX07qo2f6AZTxOERShpn?si=95b0803ce82642a7 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divebeyondsportpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divebeyondsportpod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divebeyondsportpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DIVEBeyondSportPod Follow the Guest and Hosts on Instagram: David Colturi: https://www.instagram.com/dcolturi Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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  DIVE Beyond Sport

  Former Olympic Diver Imre Lengyel: What a Life (DIVE Ep.38)

  Sep 8, 20261h 11m

  Follow us on Patreon for bonus content, extended interviews, and exclusive clips. Patreon: patreon.com/divebeyondsportpod In this episode, Imre Lengyel joins Dive Beyond Sport to share an extraordinary journey from gymnastics and diving to the Olympic Games, Cirque du Soleil, coaching, and life beyond elite sport. Imre reflects on how his identity stayed rooted in being an athlete rather than being defined by one particular discipline, and how talent transfer helped him move from gymnastics into diving and ultimately become a two-time Olympian. He opens up about the intense culture of elite sport, the impact of great coaching, and how working with a professional sports psychologist helped him overcome a mental block. Imre also shares the story of being recruited by Cirque du Soleil after the 2000 Olympics and spending around a decade performing in Las Vegas, explaining how the experience transformed his understanding of identity, success, creativity, and leadership. From learning how to make difficult decisions as a head coach to redefining success through physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing, Imre offers a powerful perspective on what happens when athletes step beyond the structured world of competition and into real life. Show Notes • How Imre Lengyel's journey from gymnastics to diving shaped his identity as an athlete and ultimately led him to the Olympic stage. • Why an athlete's identity can remain rooted in being an athlete rather than being defined by one specific sport. • How the intense culture of elite sport can shape athletes physically, mentally, and emotionally throughout their careers. • Why great coaches look beyond performance and recognize when an athlete needs psychological or personal support. • How working with a professional sports psychologist helped Imre overcome a mental block and return to training with a different mindset. • How Imre's Olympic experience challenged his perception of achievement, status, and what it really means to be an Olympian. • How joining Cirque du Soleil after the 2000 Olympics transformed Imre from an elite athlete into a professional performer. • Why transitioning from sport to entertainment requires athletes to move beyond structure, routine, and performance-based identity. • How leadership, decision-making, and responsibility became powerful lessons during Imre's career in the entertainment industry. • What Imre's journey teaches athletes about identity, transition, resilience, wellbeing, and finding success beyond medals and results. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:36 Nerves and Performance Mindset 01:52 From Gymnastics to Diving 05:50 Budapest Training Reality 09:15 Fast Track to Olympics 12:13 Talent Transfer Identity 14:30 Surviving Elite Sport Culture 17:35 Cirque Years and Transition 21:18 Solo South America Reset 24:35 Ego and Real Life Lessons 27:28 Olympics Meaning and Growth 31:10 Miami Culture Shock 33:22 Randy Ableman Impact 35:17 Randy’s Coaching Style 36:26 Sports Psych Breakthrough 37:47 Cirque Recruitment Story 39:49 Montreal Performer Bootcamp 43:56 Athlete to Performer Shift 48:40 Redefining Success 52:18 Wellbeing and What a Life 57:33 Fixing Hungarian Diving 01:01:01 Leadership Making the Call 01:04:52 Final Question and Wrap Guest Pick: Book: Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger Link: https://amzn.to/4xFzOyG Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67pX07qo2f6AZTxOERShpn?si=95b0803ce82642a7 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divebeyondsportpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divebeyondsportpod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divebeyondsportpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DIVEBeyondSportPod Follow the Guest and Hosts on Instagram: Imre Lengyel: https://www.instagram.com/imimiami Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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  DIVE Beyond Sport

  Former Premier League Footballer Paul McVeigh: Mindset (DIVE Ep.37)

  Aug 25, 20261h 7m

  Follow us on Patreon for bonus content, extended interviews, and exclusive clips. Patreon: patreon.com/divebeyondsportpod In this episode, former Premier League footballer and performance psychology expert Paul McVeigh joins Dive Beyond Sport to reflect on growing up in Belfast during the Troubles, becoming a professional footballer, and the mindset that helped him overcome years of rejection before establishing himself at Norwich City. Paul shares how one book at 17 changed his view of what was possible, why he began asking himself whether every decision would help him get into the first team, and how visualization and affirmations shaped both his football career and transition into public speaking. He also discusses balancing ambition with enjoying life, building a successful speaking career from scratch, and launching Speakify to create more opportunities for speakers around the world. Paul ultimately explores why we often underestimate what we're capable of and why getting out of your own way can unlock extraordinary potential. Show Notes • How can mindset and determination help athletes keep pursuing a goal when success feels almost impossible. • What role can sport play in helping young people build direction, discipline, and a positive path in life. • How can athletes overcome years of rejection and setbacks before finally establishing themselves at the highest level. • Why setting a specific goal can change the decisions you make both on and off the pitch. • How can visualization, affirmations, and purposeful practice improve performance and build confidence. • What can athletes learn from applying the same performance principles to completely different careers. • How can developing skills through repetition and feedback help anyone become better at something they were not naturally good at. • Why is balancing ambition with personal experiences and relationships important when defining a successful life. • How can entrepreneurship create new opportunities for people who face barriers within traditional industries. • What can Paul McVeigh's journey teach us about mindset, perseverance, purposeful action, and unlocking the potential we have within us. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 02:43 Growing Up in Belfast 04:00 Troubles Riot Memory 08:17 Football as a Lifeline 11:25 Belfast After Peace 13:27 Joining Spurs Young 14:25 Spurs Dressing Room 18:56 Leaving Spurs Finding Norwich 22:33 Breakthrough at Norwich 24:13 Mindset Tony Robbins 25:59 All In Lifestyle Rules 26:48 Studying Psychology and Balance 29:08 Drinking Choices and Fatherhood 32:19 Fatherhood Reflections 33:17 From Football to Keynotes 34:55 Learning to Speak 37:17 Why Speakify Exists 40:50 Confidence and Goal Setting 43:20 The Events Industry Opportunity 46:30 From Fear to Loving Stage 50:19 Talent vs Practice Debate 53:09 Chasing the Feeling 55:30 Anchors and Visualization 58:44 Closing Thoughts and Movie Title 01:00:42 Final Vision and Wrap Up Guest Pick: Book: Legacy by James Kerr Link: https://amzn.to/4vC4SxV Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67pX07qo2f6AZTxOERShpn?si=95b0803ce82642a7 Need the right speaker for your next event? Discover Paul’s new platform, Speakify—connecting you with top speakers and leading speaker bureaus from around the world. Find your speaker: https://wearespeakify.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divebeyondsportpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divebeyondsportpod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divebeyondsportpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DIVEBeyondSportPod Follow the Guest and Hosts on Instagram: Paul McVeigh: https://www.instagram.com/paulmcveighofficial Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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  DIVE Beyond Sport

  Olympic Snowboarder Maisie Hill: I Can, I Will (DIVE Ep.36)

  Aug 18, 20261h 24m

  Follow us on Patreon for bonus content, extended interviews, and exclusive clips. Patreon: patreon.com/divebeyondsportpod In this episode, Olympic snowboarder Maisie Hill joins Dive Beyond Sport to share the extraordinary journey that took her from snowboarding with her dad in France to competing at the Winter Olympics. Maisie reflects on the determination that helped her break into World Cups despite limited resources, funding her career through multiple jobs, and even living in a tent at the bottom of a glacier. She opens up about a devastating crash that left her with multiple serious injuries and the long mental journey of rebuilding her confidence and relationship with fear. Maisie also discusses working with a sports psychologist, learning to focus on her own path rather than comparing herself to others, the realities of funding niche Olympic sports, and why she wants to explore the creative side of snowboarding. Her story ultimately comes back to one simple mindset: "I can, I will." Show Notes • How can unwavering belief and determination help an athlete break through when progress seems to have stalled. • What does it take to pursue an Olympic dream without the financial resources or traditional pathway available to other athletes. • How can a devastating injury change an athlete's relationship with fear, confidence, and performance. • What role does sports psychology play in rebuilding trust in your body after a serious injury. • Why is learning to focus on your own journey instead of comparing yourself to others so important in elite sport. • How can athletes use positive self-talk and small wins to build confidence under pressure. • What are the hidden financial challenges faced by athletes competing in niche Olympic sports like snowboarding. • How can taking responsibility and becoming more independent give athletes greater control over their careers. • Why can stepping away from competition create space to rediscover creativity, enjoyment, and the love of sport. • What can Maisie Hill's journey teach us about determination, resilience, independence, overcoming fear, and pursuing your own path. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:35 The Smiling Method 02:35 Pushing Through Plateaus 05:25 UK Beginnings to France 07:36 Early Sports and School 10:15 Van Life Competitions 14:40 Family Racing Legacy 18:06 Near Fatal Crash 29:33 Rehab and Fear Return 36:18 Funding and Side Jobs 42:21 Solidarity Funding Surprise 44:30 Athlete Support Debate 45:46 Olympics Blessing Curse 48:44 Off Season Reset Plans 51:36 Sports Psychology Tools 56:47 Olympic Pressure Sleep 59:43 Big Air Night Sessions 01:02:16 Slopestyle Crash Scare 01:07:23 I Can I Will Mindset 01:16:14 Accountability Independence Guest Pick: Book: The Burning Shore - Wilbur Smith Link: https://amzn.to/3QLq2KP Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67pX07qo2f6AZTxOERShpn?si=95b0803ce82642a7 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divebeyondsportpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divebeyondsportpod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divebeyondsportpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DIVEBeyondSportPod Follow the Guest and Hosts on Instagram: Maisie Hill: https://www.instagram.com/zmaizz Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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