WHAT DOES AMBITION REALLY LOOK LIKE?

In this episode of the 4TG Podcast, Kylie Lynch sits down with Dr. Bridie O'Donnell, former professional cyclist, medical doctor, world record holder, and one of Australia's leading advocates for women in sport.

Bridie's journey has never followed a traditional path. She left a career in surgery to race professionally in Europe in her 30s, experienced the challenging early years of women's professional cycling, and later became the inaugural Head of the Victorian Office for Women in Sport and Recreation.

This conversation explores far more than elite performance.

Bridie shares how her definition of ambition has changed over time, why perfectionism often holds athletes back, and what it really means to pursue excellence without losing yourself in the process.

Together, Kylie and Bridie also discuss the structural barriers that continue to affect women in sport, the importance of long-term investment, and why creating lasting change depends on people who are willing to become "upstanders" by speaking up when something isn't right.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, leader, parent, or simply passionate about creating better opportunities for women and girls, this episode is filled with practical insights and honest reflections that extend well beyond sport.

IN THIS EPISODE

✔ Leaving medicine to become a professional cyclist in Italy

✔ Redefining ambition beyond medals and results

✔ Why perfectionism can limit performance and enjoyment

✔ The reality of women's professional cycling before full-time support

✔ Building confidence through consistency instead of overtraining

✔ Creating lasting gender equality through better leadership and investment

✔ Why being an "upstander" matters in sport and everyday life

✔ Advice for young women chasing ambitious goals

ABOUT THE GUEST – DR. BRIDIE O'DONNELL

Dr. Bridie O'Donnell is a medical doctor, former professional cyclist, UCI Hour Record holder, broadcaster, author, and one of Australia's leading advocates for women in sport. She previously served as the inaugural Head of the Victorian Office for Women in Sport and Recreation, helping shape policies that improve participation, leadership, and equality across Australian sport.

Connect with Bridie on Instagram: @bridie_od

Support the show

ABOUT THE HOST

Kylie Lynch is the Founder and Host of 4TG (For The Girls), a podcast and platform on a mission to keep more girls and women in sport.

A VFLW athlete, Australian representative in Polocrosse, coach, mentor and media/communications professional, Kylie has spent her career at the intersection of sport, media and community impact. Through 4TG, she shares the stories, lessons and experiences of elite athletes, coaches and industry leaders to help girls and women build confidence, navigate challenges and stay involved in sport for longer. Because sport doesn't just build athletes. It builds confidence, resilience, leadership, connection and opportunities that positively impact girls and women both on and off the field.

Connect with Kylie:

• Instagram: @kylie__lynch
• LinkedIn: Kylie Lynch
• Website: www.4tg.com.au
• Email: kylie@4tg.com.au

JOIN THE 4TG COMMUNITY

4TG exists to help keep more girls and women in sport.

Through powerful conversations with athletes, coaches, experts and industry leaders, we're building a community where girls and women feel inspired, supported and empowered to stay in the game.

• Instagram: @4tg_podcast
• TikTok: ...

WHY ARE FEMALE ATHLETES MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER ACL INJURIES?

In this episode of the 4TG Podcast, Kylie Lynch sits down with physiotherapist, researcher, former AFLW player, and injury prevention expert Dr. Brooke Patterson to unpack one of the biggest challenges in women's sport.

Female athletes are significantly more likely to experience ACL injuries than men, yet for decades, sports science has been built around male bodies. Dr. Patterson explains how this research gap has affected generations of female athletes and shares what the latest evidence tells us about preventing injuries before they happen.

As the lead researcher on a $4.9 million national injury prevention project involving more than 10,000 women and girls, Dr. Patterson offers practical advice for athletes, coaches, parents, and anyone passionate about keeping girls in sport.

This conversation also tackles common misconceptions about the menstrual cycle, why strength training matters more than extra running, concussion awareness, and the simple changes that could reduce ACL injuries by up to 60%.

Whether you're an elite athlete, community coach, parent, or simply someone who cares about the future of women's sport, this episode is packed with practical knowledge that could help keep more girls healthy, confident, and competing for longer.

IN THIS EPISODE

✔ Why female athletes are 2 to 6 times more likely to suffer ACL injuries

✔ The research gap that has shaped women's sport for decades

✔ How the Prep to Play program can reduce ACL injuries by up to 60%

✔ The truth about the menstrual cycle and injury risk

✔ Why strength training is one of the best injury prevention tools

✔ Concussion awareness and why teammates play an important role

✔ Practical advice for coaches, parents, and young athletes

✔ Building a healthier future for women's sport through better research

ABOUT THE GUEST

Dr. Brooke Patterson is a physiotherapist, researcher at La Trobe University, former AFLW player, and one of Australia's leading experts in female athlete injury prevention. Drawing on both elite sporting experience and cutting-edge research, she is leading one of Australia's largest studies focused on reducing injuries in women and girls through evidence-based training programs.

This episode is for anyone committed to making women's sport safer, stronger, and better supported for the next generation.

Connect with Dr. Brooke Patterson on Instagram: @brooke_patterson24

Support the show

ABOUT THE HOST

Kylie Lynch is the Founder and Host of 4TG (For The Girls), a podcast and platform on a mission to keep more girls and women in sport.

A VFLW athlete, Australian representative in Polocrosse, coach, mentor and media/communications professional, Kylie has spent her career at the intersection of sport, media and community impact. Through 4TG, she shares the stories, lessons and experiences of elite athletes, coaches and industry leaders to help girls and women build confidence, navigate challenges and stay involved in sport for longer. Because sport doesn't just build athletes. It builds confidence, resilience, leadership, connection and opportunities that positively impact girls and women both on and off the field.

Connect with Kylie:

• Instagram: @kylie__lynch
• LinkedIn: Kylie Lynch
• Website: www.4tg.com.au
• Email: kylie@4tg.com.au

JOIN THE 4TG COMMUNITY

4TG exists to help keep more girls and women in sport.

Through powerful conversations with athletes, coaches, experts and industry leaders, we're building a community where girls and women feel inspired, supported and empowered to stay in the game.

• Instagram: @4tg_podcast
• TikTok: ...

WHAT DOES REAL ALLYSHIP IN SPORT ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE?

In this episode of the 4TG Podcast, Kylie Lynch sits down with Damian “Damo” Hopper, creator of Prune Masters and one of the strongest public supporters of women’s football in Australia.

What started as social media content turned into something bigger.

Damo shares how visibility, public pressure, and speaking up can create real change inside sport. From helping amplify women’s teams that were being overlooked to challenging gambling culture and calling for stronger accountability, this conversation asks difficult questions about the future of sport and who gets supported.

This episode goes beyond headlines.

We talk about influence, responsibility, leadership, and what happens when people stop waiting for someone else to fix the problem.

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, sports fan, or someone trying to create change in your own space, this episode will stay with you.

IN THIS EPISODE

✔ How social media created real sporting change
✔ Why male allyship requires action
✔ Challenging gambling culture in AFL
✔ Protecting women’s voices in public spaces
✔ Accountability and leadership in sport
✔ Building stronger environments for future athletes
✔ Creating momentum through everyday actions

ABOUT THE GUEST – DAMIAN HOPPER

Damian “Damo” Hopper is the creator behind Prune Masters and an advocate for women’s sport and positive cultural change. Through content, public conversations, and community influence, he has become an important voice supporting greater visibility and equity across Australian sport.

Connect with Damo on Instagram: [@d___hop]

Support the show

ABOUT THE HOST

Kylie Lynch is the Founder and Host of 4TG (For The Girls), a podcast and platform on a mission to keep more girls and women in sport.

A VFLW athlete, Australian representative in Polocrosse, coach, mentor and media/communications professional, Kylie has spent her career at the intersection of sport, media and community impact. Through 4TG, she shares the stories, lessons and experiences of elite athletes, coaches and industry leaders to help girls and women build confidence, navigate challenges and stay involved in sport for longer. Because sport doesn't just build athletes. It builds confidence, resilience, leadership, connection and opportunities that positively impact girls and women both on and off the field.

Connect with Kylie:

• Instagram: @kylie__lynch
• LinkedIn: Kylie Lynch
• Website: www.4tg.com.au
• Email: kylie@4tg.com.au

JOIN THE 4TG COMMUNITY

4TG exists to help keep more girls and women in sport.

Through powerful conversations with athletes, coaches, experts and industry leaders, we're building a community where girls and women feel inspired, supported and empowered to stay in the game.

• Instagram: @4tg_podcast
• TikTok: ...