Born in New Zealand and brought to Australia at a young age in search of greater opportunity, Jesse Koorey grew up in the northern suburbs of the Gold Coast with a strong sense of drive and adventure. While he enjoyed school, it was motorbikes that truly captured his attention. What started as a passion for riding quickly evolved into a fearless pursuit of freestyle—learning tricks, hitting jumps others wouldn’t dare attempt, and travelling up and down Australia’s east coast chasing that adrenaline-fuelled lifestyle.

During his teenage years, Jesse balanced that passion with a school-based carpentry apprenticeship, laying the foundations for a career that would later become his focus. After one too many injuries in his early 20s, he made the tough call to step away from freestyle riding and fully commit to life as a chippy.

But Jesse’s competitive edge never disappeared—it just found a new outlet. Later in life, he discovered a deep passion for BBQ, especially the art of low and slow cooking. What began as a hobby quickly turned into something more, competing with teams and earning placings in competitions along the way. He even launched a small side hustle selling brisket beef patties, bringing his love for BBQ to others.

Today, Jesse is a contracted carpentry supervisor, a dedicated husband and father, and proof that while passions may evolve, the fire to chase them never fades.

This episode is proudly brought to you by Peak Productions

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Abbey Willcox’s journey to the 2026 Winter Olympics is a story of resilience, reinvention, and refusing to give up on a dream.

Born and raised in Gosford, New South Wales, Abbey began her athletic career in gymnastics, excelling from a young age. But a chance encounter while on holiday changed everything—she was told she had the potential to become an aerial skier. From there, she committed to the sport, quickly progressing through training camps and development pathways.

Her first major setback came when she missed selection for the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, still considered too inexperienced. Determined to prove herself, Abbey moved to Switzerland to fully immerse herself in training and take her skills to the next level.

But the challenges didn’t stop there. A serious knee injury during the 2020/21 World Cup season derailed her progress, and despite pushing to qualify, she narrowly missed selection again for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

Stepping away from the sport, Abbey returned to Australia and began working with the Brisbane Broncos, eventually becoming a game day coordinator at Suncorp Stadium. Yet the drive to compete never left.

Answering that call, she made a comeback with her sights set on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Through relentless hard work and determination, Abbey achieved what once felt out of reach—earning her place on the Australian team and competing on the world stage.

A journey shaped by setbacks, but defined by the courage to keep going.

This episode is proudly brought to you by Peak Productions

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Bel Harvey’s journey is one shaped by resilience, hard work, and the ability to keep moving forward no matter what life throws her way. Growing up in Hervey Bay, school was a constant challenge—both socially and academically. Facing bullying and racism, Bel often felt out of place, struggling to connect with the way things were taught. Through it all, her father was a steady source of support, helping her push through those early years.

After moving to Toowoomba, things began to shift. It was there she joined Army Cadets, where she found structure, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Leaving school without a clear plan, Bel stepped straight into the workforce, taking on various jobs before finding her stride as a tyre fitter—excelling in a tough, male-dominated industry. Life then took her to Rockhampton, where she transitioned into truck driving.

But everything changed with the sudden passing of her father. It was a turning point that led to the end of a relationship and brought her back to Toowoomba to be close to family and reset.

Looking for a fresh start, Bel moved to Cairns before taking a leap overseas to Scotland. There, she worked, travelled, and explored across the UK and Europe—an experience that broadened her perspective and built her independence.

Returning to Australia, Bel continued chasing opportunity, working on the Gold Coast and in northwestern Queensland driving water carts. During this time, life took another turn when she became pregnant, forcing her to navigate the demands of work while preparing for motherhood.

After the birth of her son, Bel returned to Toowoomba, stepping into life as a single mum while continuing to work and provide. Today, she balances truck driving with office roles, doing whatever it takes to create stability for her and her son.

Bel’s story is raw and real—filled with setbacks, tough moments, and constant change. But through it all, she’s shown strength, courage, and an unwavering determination to keep pushing forward.

This episode is proudly brought to you by Peak Productions.

linktr.ee/roadswalkedpodcast