In this episode of the 4TG Podcast, Jacqui Louder shares her insights from a 25-year career as one of Australia’s leading sport and performance psychologists. Having worked with elite teams like Collingwood and Melbourne Storm, Jacqui discusses the evolution of the high-performance mindset and why mental skills are just as critical as physical ones. She emphasises the importance of effort over results, the need for specialised resources in women’s sport, and how athletes can navigate high-pressure environments. The conversation also explores why young girls are dropping out of sport and how we can build a more supportive, hardy generation of female athletes.

Key Takeaways

· High performance is defined by laser focus, discipline, and persistent drive over a long period.

· Success and failure should be viewed as effort-based rather than just scoreboard results.

· Sport is a vital vehicle for learning life skills, including managing emotions and unpredictability.

· The high dropout rate of girls in sport is often linked to missing the sense of achievement and self-pride sport provides.

· Mental skills deserve as much dedicated training time as physical skills in elite performance.

· "Staying in your lane" within a team structure creates a more effective flow and communication.

· Professional self-care, such as Jacqui's hobby of cake decorating, is essential for decompressing from high-pressure roles.

· Female athletes require specialists in women’s health and physiology rather than just repurposed male-dominated structures.

· Building a supportive professional network is key to finding opportunities and peer support.

· True high performers admit their faults and strive for excellence without the trap of needing to be perfect.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:00:32 - The Secret to Elite Performance with Jacqui Louder

00:03:39 - From Netball to Sport Psychology: Life Lessons from the Field

00:06:25 - The Crisis in Women’s Sport: Why Girls are Dropping Out

00:10:39 - 25 Years of High Performance: How Mindset Awareness has Evolved 00:14:46 - Working with Collingwood and Storm: The Reality of Pro Sport Culture 00:19:01 - 90% Mental: Defining the High Performance Mindset

00:27:16 - Managing Game-Day Pressure: 3 Scenarios for Young Athletes

00:35:50 - Process vs. Outcome: How Winning Coaches Build Trust

00:42:17 - Psychological Safety and Leadership in Female Teams

00:48:19 - Confide

Support the show

Did this episode inspire you?

Please subscribe to 4TG, leave a five-star review, and share it with a female athlete, parent or coach who needs to hear it.

Stay connected with us on Instagram and TikTok at @4TG_Podcast and visit us at 4tg.com.au.

Want to support 4TG and help us grow the movement?

Join our movement and help empower the next generation of female athletes and keep them in sport longer: For brand collaborations or sponsorships, reach out at kylie@4tg.com.au.

Or, if you're an individual who just wants to show your support, donate or subscribe to 4TG for the cost of a coffee per month via https://buymeacoffee.com/4tg_podcast ☕

4TG Discount codes:

• Fuel your game the right way - 4TG listeners get 10% off Younify Active supplements designed for athletes. 👉 Grab yours here
• Recover Smarter with P3 Recovery Port Melbourne - P3 Recovery are helping our 4TG community feel and perform their best 💪 Use code 4TG20 for 20% off casual visits. Because recovery isn’t a bonus — it’s a non-negotiable.

In this episode of the 4TG Podcast, Emily McKie shares her journey as a trailblazer in Australian sports, particularly in coaching within male-dominated environments. With over 15 years of experience, she discusses the challenges and triumphs of being a female coach, the importance of community engagement, and the evolution of coaching philosophies. Emily emphasises the need for women to create their own pathways in sports and the significance of building supportive networks. The conversation also touches on the logistical challenges faced by women's sports and the importance of fostering an inclusive environment for all athletes.

Key takeaways

• Confidence is built through competency and understanding your craft.
• Women face unique challenges in coaching, often feeling isolated in male-dominated spaces.
• Building relationships within the community is crucial for success in coaching.
• The landscape of women's sports is evolving, but logistical challenges remain.
• Coaching philosophies must integrate social and emotional intelligence with technical skills.
• Female coaches can bring a different energy that enhances team dynamics.
• It's important to find allies who support and advocate for women in coaching.
• Creating pathways for women in coaching is essential for future generations.
• Self-awareness and understanding your coaching style are key to success.
• Enjoying the process and building connections is more important than immediate success.

Chapters

00:00 - Empowering Female Athletes

01:54 - Breaking Ground in Male-Dominated Spaces

06:23 - Personal Journey in Sport

10:21 - Building Female Football Pathways

12:32 - Logistical Challenges in Women's Sports

15:01 - The Importance of Coaching Philosophy

19:42 - Navigating Male-Dominated Coaching

24:50 - The Dichotomy of Female Leadership

30:30 - Overcoming Self-Doubt in Coaching

31:32 - Advice for Aspiring Female Coaches

40:21 - Creating Pathways for Women in Coaching

49:40 - The Evolution of Coaching Philosophy

01:00:24 - Future Aspirations in Coaching

Support the show

Did this episode inspire you?

Please subscribe to 4TG, leave a five-star review, and share it with a female athlete, parent or coach who needs to hear it.

Stay connected with us on Instagram and TikTok at @4TG_Podcast and visit us at 4tg.com.au.

Want to support 4TG and help us grow the movement?

Join our movement and help empower the next generation of female athletes and keep them in sport longer: For brand collaborations or sponsorships, reach out at kylie@4tg.com.au.

Or, if you're an individual who just wants to show your support, donate or subscribe to 4TG for the cost of a coffee per month via Buy Me A Coffee

☕

4TG Discount codes:

• Fuel your game the right way - 4TG listeners get 10% off Younify Active supplements designed for athletes. 👉 Grab yours here
• Recover Smarter with P3 Recovery Port Melbourne - P3 Recovery are helping our 4TG community feel and perform their best 💪 Use code 4TG20 for 20% off casual visits. Because recovery isn’t a bonus — it’s a non-negotiable.

Welcome back to Season 2 of 4TG!

This week, we dive into the real work of personal growth as the new year kicks off—no empty resolutions, just honest conversations about what it takes to level up. We talk process over outcomes, why failure is your friend, and how radical accountability can change your year. Expect hard truths, practical tools, and a call to build a community that lifts you up.

Key Takeaways

• Process > Outcomes: Focus on the journey, not just the finish line.
• Failure = Data: Every setback is a lesson. Don’t fear it—use it.
• Audit Your Environment: Cut out what’s holding you back.
• Radical Accountability: Own your actions, own your growth.
• Consistency Wins: Small daily habits = big results.
• Back Yourself: Be your own biggest supporter.
• Worth ≠ Goals: You’re more than what you achieve.
• Community Matters: Surround yourself with people who push you forward.
• Upgrade Your Space: Create an environment that fuels productivity.
• Find Your Crew: Growth is easier (and more fun) together.

Sound Bites

• "Focus on who you're becoming."
• "Failure is data."
• "Be your own number one fan."

Chapters

1. 00:00 — New Year, New Perspectives
2. 02:38 — Process Over Outcomes
3. 07:11 — Embracing Failure and Change
4. 09:55 — Auditing Your Environment
5. 13:38 — Radical Accountability
6. 16:22 — Consistency is Key
7. 18:54 — Be Brave and Back Yourself
8. 20:46 — Building a Supportive Community

Free Event: Join the Free 4TG Mastermind – 18 Jan, 7:30pm

Listen now and get inspired to write your own story—on and off the field.

Support the 4TG mission on Buy Me a Coffee. Every donation helps keep the lights on!

Thank you for being part of the 4TG community. We’re just getting started 💪💜

Support the show

Did this episode inspire you?

Please subscribe to 4TG, leave a five-star review, and share it with a female athlete, parent or coach who needs to hear it.

Stay connected with us on Instagram and TikTok at @4TG_Podcast and visit us at 4tg.com.au.

Want to support 4TG and help us grow the movement?

Join our movement and help empower the next generation of female athletes and keep them in sport longer: For brand collaborations or sponsorships, reach out at kylie@4tg.com.au.

Or, if you're an individual who just wants to show your support, donate or subscribe to 4TG for the cost of a coffee per month via Buy Me A Coffee

☕

4TG Discount codes:

• Fuel your game the right way - 4TG listeners get 10% off Younify Active supplements designed for athletes. 👉 Grab yours here
• Recover Smarter with P3 Recovery Port Melbourne - P3 Recovery are helping our 4TG community feel and perform their best 💪 Use code 4TG20 for 20% off casual visits. Because recovery isn’t a bonus — it’s a non-negotiable.