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0:01

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OK, well, here I am with Hannah Campbell-Pegg and we're at Macquarie University on the 17th of December, uh, 2018. I'm Associate Professor Tanya Evans and I'm interviewing Hannah for a State Library of New South Wales Oral History Project on female athletes in New South Wales. Thank you so much for joining me Hannah. I'm very grateful on this hot summer day. Uh, Could you start by telling me your name and your occupation and your age, please. [Hannah] Hannah Campbell-Pegg. Uh, do you want my occupation now or my occupation then? OK, well, here I am with Hannah Campbell-Pegg and we're at Macquarie University on the 17th of December, uh, 2018. I'm Associate Professor Tanya Evans and I'm interviewing Hannah for a State Library of New South Wales Oral History Project on female athletes in New South Wales. Thank you so much for joining me Hannah. I'm very grateful on this hot summer day. Uh, Could you start by telling me your name and your occupation and your age, please. [Hannah] Hannah Campbell-Pegg. Uh, do you want my occupation now or my occupation then?
0:32

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Yeah, that's so now and before. Previously I was a luge athlete, wasn't... wasn't an occupation, but. Yeah, that's so now and before. Previously I was a luge athlete, wasn't... wasn't an occupation, but.
0:42

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In... in some senses. Uh, and I'm now a teacher, um, of... I'm a PDHPE and design and technology teacher. [Tanya] Fantastic. And where were you born? [Hannah] Uh, I was born in Sydney. [Tanya] Excellent, and would you mind telling me what year that was? [Hannah] Oh, 1982, sorry. Yes, that's right. [Tanya] And you grew up in Sydney? [Hannah] I grew up in Sydney. Yes, on the North Shore, on the North Shore. [Tanya] On the North Shore, where your family, where your parents... My parents still... still live on the North Shore and I currently live up in, um, Central Coast. [Tanya] And you've now retired from your sport? In... in some senses. Uh, and I'm now a teacher, um, of... I'm a PDHPE and design and technology teacher. [Tanya] Fantastic. And where were you born? [Hannah] Uh, I was born in Sydney. [Tanya] Excellent, and would you mind telling me what year that was? [Hannah] Oh, 1982, sorry. Yes, that's right. [Tanya] And you grew up in Sydney? [Hannah] I grew up in Sydney. Yes, on the North Shore, on the North Shore. [Tanya] On the North Shore, where your family, where your parents... My parents still... still live on the North Shore and I currently live up in, um, Central Coast. [Tanya] And you've now retired from your sport?
1:14

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[Hannah] Retired from sport. I'm still heavily involved. I run the Federation and occasionally go overseas and I was coaching at the Olympics in ah, 200... at the beginning of this year in 2018. Uh, so I was over in PyeongChang and we're hoping to do Beijing as well, and then [Tanya]You're coaching Australian athletes? [Hannah] Yes, Australian athletes. So I run the Federation for Australia and currently look after, there's only 3 athletes at the moment, so we've got one male and two young juniors coming through.  [Hannah] Retired from sport. I'm still heavily involved. I run the Federation and occasionally go overseas and I was coaching at the Olympics in ah, 200... at the beginning of this year in 2018. Uh, so I was over in PyeongChang and we're hoping to do Beijing as well, and then [Tanya]You're coaching Australian athletes? [Hannah] Yes, Australian athletes. So I run the Federation for Australia and currently look after, there's only 3 athletes at the moment, so we've got one male and two young juniors coming through. 
1:45

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So we'll... we'll see what happens and if we grow so [laughs] [Tanya] Fantastic. OK, we'll come back to that in a little moment. So, could you start by kind of giving me a sense of your home life when you were young? Did you... Were you a sporty child? [Hannah] I'm one of 4 children and, ah, mum believed in... we were all locked out of the house until about 5:00 o'clock at night, ah, and we all had to be outdoors and it was, you know, we... we grew up all lucky we grew up with. So we'll... we'll see what happens and if we grow so [laughs] [Tanya] Fantastic. OK, we'll come back to that in a little moment. So, could you start by kind of giving me a sense of your home life when you were young? Did you... Were you a sporty child? [Hannah] I'm one of 4 children and, ah, mum believed in... we were all locked out of the house until about 5:00 o'clock at night, ah, and we all had to be outdoors and it was, you know, we... we grew up all lucky we grew up with.
2:15

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You know a good sized property, so we ended up always just either playing tennis, jumping in a pool, you know, running around. We were always active, always outside, and then as I grew up, we were always either doing swim training or it just grew into every... played every sport at the school that we could. All of us did. Mum was a taxi driver, I think. Pretty much just picking one up and dropping them off and Saturday morning sport was a nightmare for... for my parents juggling four children. You know a good sized property, so we ended up always just either playing tennis, jumping in a pool, you know, running around. We were always active, always outside, and then as I grew up, we were always either doing swim training or it just grew into every... played every sport at the school that we could. All of us did. Mum was a taxi driver, I think. Pretty much just picking one up and dropping them off and Saturday morning sport was a nightmare for... for my parents juggling four children.
2:44

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And uh but yeah, I... I did everything I could. I did a lot of tennis, was very involved in tennis and then got into water polo. And yeah, just yeah, always active, all of us were quite competitive against each other as well. And um you know, I always took everything to above average athletes for most things, but it always active though. [Tanya] So all of you were good at a whole range of different sports? [Hannah] Yeah, yeah. And it was kind of... and my sister is an exceptional. And uh but yeah, I... I did everything I could. I did a lot of tennis, was very involved in tennis and then got into water polo. And yeah, just yeah, always active, all of us were quite competitive against each other as well. And um you know, I always took everything to above average athletes for most things, but it always active though. [Tanya] So all of you were good at a whole range of different sports? [Hannah] Yeah, yeah. And it was kind of... and my sister is an exceptional.
3:14

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[Hannah] Athletics athlete. Does... did heptathlon. Um she was very good, but... [Tanya] At a high level? [Hannah] Yeah, yeah. She was competing at nationals for quite a while, but with heptathlon comes injuries. So... being seven sports, so she's quite exceptional, but at everything she did as well. So she... she had, yeah, amazing talent in a lot of sports. So... and my brother was great at running, you know great at swimming as well. [Hannah] Athletics athlete. Does... did heptathlon. Um she was very good, but... [Tanya] At a high level? [Hannah] Yeah, yeah. She was competing at nationals for quite a while, but with heptathlon comes injuries. So... being seven sports, so she's quite exceptional, but at everything she did as well. So she... she had, yeah, amazing talent in a lot of sports. So... and my brother was great at running, you know great at swimming as well.
3:45

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But...  But... 
3:46

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...you know, with everything as well, my parents didn't push us to do what we wanted to do, it was up to us to do it. So we never forced into anything. So if we didn't have the motivation in that area, then didn't go forward. My sister was, my older sister was. ...you know, with everything as well, my parents didn't push us to do what we wanted to do, it was up to us to do it. So we never forced into anything. So if we didn't have the motivation in that area, then didn't go forward. My sister was, my older sister was.
4:00

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Amazing at everything as well, but lazy, so... Amazing at everything as well, but lazy, so...
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[Hannah] She was... She was great but she just, you know, [Tanya] didn't have the discipline [Hannah] Ah I could do that, but could not. She's always [Tanya] my daughter's a bit like that [Hannah] beautiful style, beautiful, very graceful tennis player, beautiful swimmer, amazing runner just... [Hannah] She was... She was great but she just, you know, [Tanya] didn't have the discipline [Hannah] Ah I could do that, but could not. She's always [Tanya] my daughter's a bit like that [Hannah] beautiful style, beautiful, very graceful tennis player, beautiful swimmer, amazing runner just...
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Eh Eh
4:22

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[Tanya] And were your parents supportive? [Hannah] Yes, actually my grandfather was a Commonwealth athlete for long jump, and I remember sitting at his 90th and one of oh one of the athletics, Eileen Wearne, her name was, she was a good friend of my grandfather's, and she sat there across the table and was like "He was robbed of those Olympics, he should have gone in 1936." So he was an exceptional athletics athlete, so that's where my sister got it from, and my uncle was too and... [Tanya] And were your parents supportive? [Hannah] Yes, actually my grandfather was a Commonwealth athlete for long jump, and I remember sitting at his 90th and one of oh one of the athletics, Eileen Wearne, her name was, she was a good friend of my grandfather's, and she sat there across the table and was like "He was robbed of those Olympics, he should have gone in 1936." So he was an exceptional athletics athlete, so that's where my sister got it from, and my uncle was too and...
4:53

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Mum was...mum and dad have always been active. Dad loves sport. He would follow me around and watch me all circuit if he could. Thank goodness he didn't, but he loved going and watching and I think he's just holding on for all the grandchildren to start their sport so he can watch everybody's sport on the weekends and come along to training sessions, so. [Tanya] And did your parents support you in different ways? You talked about your mum ferrying you round and your dad coming along. Were they always there together? Or were they... [Hannah] Oh yeah, so Dad, on you know... Mum was...mum and dad have always been active. Dad loves sport. He would follow me around and watch me all circuit if he could. Thank goodness he didn't, but he loved going and watching and I think he's just holding on for all the grandchildren to start their sport so he can watch everybody's sport on the weekends and come along to training sessions, so. [Tanya] And did your parents support you in different ways? You talked about your mum ferrying you round and your dad coming along. Were they always there together? Or were they... [Hannah] Oh yeah, so Dad, on you know...
5:23

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When he wasn't at work, so on weekends it was dad's role to ferry us to all the sports. Mum got her, you know, Dad would take me to all my tennis competitions on, you know, Saturdays and Sundays that I had to do, and then my. But yeah when I got to university I could borrow the car, so... When he wasn't at work, so on weekends it was dad's role to ferry us to all the sports. Mum got her, you know, Dad would take me to all my tennis competitions on, you know, Saturdays and Sundays that I had to do, and then my. But yeah when I got to university I could borrow the car, so...
5:42

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They weren't needed. They weren't needed.
5:45

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Not for tennis, I did a lot of water polo at uni. Just yeah, it was different going from school to uni because at school you had every term, you played a different sport and that was what I was used to doing. But whereas at uni they all... Not for tennis, I did a lot of water polo at uni. Just yeah, it was different going from school to uni because at school you had every term, you played a different sport and that was what I was used to doing. But whereas at uni they all...
5:60

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They all didn't sync in with each other, so you had to choose, which was, I think, a little bit difficult for me. So at the time I was like oh, I'm used to playing four sports or six sports and doing other sports on the side, but I couldn't do it. So yeah, and I think. And that's where I ended up finding luge so. They all didn't sync in with each other, so you had to choose, which was, I think, a little bit difficult for me. So at the time I was like oh, I'm used to playing four sports or six sports and doing other sports on the side, but I couldn't do it. So yeah, and I think. And that's where I ended up finding luge so.
6:21

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[Tanya] More about that? [Hannah] Yeah, so I actually ended up finding bobsled first, and because a friend of mine actually said, "Why don't you try it for the Australian women's team? They're trying to get people." I said, "Oh OK, well, why not?" And [Tanya] And was this friend a sporty person? [Hannah] Yeah yeah a was sporty too and he was quite involved in bobsled at the time and then, and I said, "oh, why don't?" And then, yeah, we went. What happened? We went to... I called up and we all ended up. [Tanya] More about that? [Hannah] Yeah, so I actually ended up finding bobsled first, and because a friend of mine actually said, "Why don't you try it for the Australian women's team? They're trying to get people." I said, "Oh OK, well, why not?" And [Tanya] And was this friend a sporty person? [Hannah] Yeah yeah a was sporty too and he was quite involved in bobsled at the time and then, and I said, "oh, why don't?" And then, yeah, we went. What happened? We went to... I called up and we all ended up.
6:51

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over... I ended down in Melbourne doing some training and they took everybody anyway 'cause there wasn't many females doing it and we all went overseas and ended up in Austria at the end of the year, doing a bob school. Did a couple of competitions over in Canada and so on, and then came back the next, trained for the whole next year, came back the next year to do a season. over... I ended down in Melbourne doing some training and they took everybody anyway 'cause there wasn't many females doing it and we all went overseas and ended up in Austria at the end of the year, doing a bob school. Did a couple of competitions over in Canada and so on, and then came back the next, trained for the whole next year, came back the next year to do a season.
7:15

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It just got really political that I just decided this isn't for me. It just got really political that I just decided this isn't for me.
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I don't want to be in this environment anymore. Funny how, you know, I'm a team player, but everybody else in the team... not everybody else but majority weren't. And I thought this isn't really my dream. So I um went and said, "OK, what can I do? I still love sliding, so what can I do?" And I thought I could do luge. So chatted to a few people there. Unfortunately, Australian Federation had been defunct at that stage. I don't want to be in this environment anymore. Funny how, you know, I'm a team player, but everybody else in the team... not everybody else but majority weren't. And I thought this isn't really my dream. So I um went and said, "OK, what can I do? I still love sliding, so what can I do?" And I thought I could do luge. So chatted to a few people there. Unfortunately, Australian Federation had been defunct at that stage.
7:51

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So I ended up having to set up the Australian Federation, reset it up again and um...  [Tanya] To find the structure and support? [Hannah] Yeah yeah, you have... through the, so that's recognised by the Olympic Committee and by the International Federation as well. So I ended up having to set up the Australian Federation, reset it up again and um...  [Tanya] To find the structure and support? [Hannah] Yeah yeah, you have... through the, so that's recognised by the Olympic Committee and by the International Federation as well.
8:05

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And...and that, I think was actually really good foundation for me as well so that I could understand everything else that went on behind. And it wasn't too difficult to set up. I had an ex bobsledder who helped me set it up as well, who went to the '98 Olympics, Ted Polglaze, and... and then yeah, it just went from there and I did my first year overseas, and did a luge school, and just kept going and absolutely loved it. So.. [Tanya] And you were sort of at uni at this time? And...and that, I think was actually really good foundation for me as well so that I could understand everything else that went on behind. And it wasn't too difficult to set up. I had an ex bobsledder who helped me set it up as well, who went to the '98 Olympics, Ted Polglaze, and... and then yeah, it just went from there and I did my first year overseas, and did a luge school, and just kept going and absolutely loved it. So.. [Tanya] And you were sort of at uni at this time?
8:36

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[Hannah] Yes, it was at uni, so it would have been my second year university, I think is when I took it up. [Tanya] And were you part of the athletes program or were you just having to do the juggle? [Hannah] I, so I was doing at university I ended up getting a... like a scholarship... like a sports scholarship. [Hannah] Yes, it was at uni, so it would have been my second year university, I think is when I took it up. [Tanya] And were you part of the athletes program or were you just having to do the juggle? [Hannah] I, so I was doing at university I ended up getting a... like a scholarship... like a sports scholarship.
8:54

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[Tanya] It was funded by...? [Hannah] By the university, so, but you know, it's only... it's... It's extremely helpful at the time. Um, a couple of grand, which pays for your airfare to go overseas, but completely self-funded and was. [Tanya] It was funded by...? [Hannah] By the university, so, but you know, it's only... it's... It's extremely helpful at the time. Um, a couple of grand, which pays for your airfare to go overseas, but completely self-funded and was.
9:10

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All my career, except for one year I got the. All my career, except for one year I got the.
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Olympic Solidarity scholarship. And that was...and that was an amazing help, but kind of helped pay back some bills over the last [laughs] however many years, but you know, as well, used to always get the comments, "Oh, my taxpayer dollars pay for you to go overseas," and I'd be like, "Well, actually they don't. I pay my taxes and I pay for me to go overseas and train." But you know at the same time nobody held a gun to my head and told me to do it. I made that choice to be there and I have no regrets I. Olympic Solidarity scholarship. And that was...and that was an amazing help, but kind of helped pay back some bills over the last [laughs] however many years, but you know, as well, used to always get the comments, "Oh, my taxpayer dollars pay for you to go overseas," and I'd be like, "Well, actually they don't. I pay my taxes and I pay for me to go overseas and train." But you know at the same time nobody held a gun to my head and told me to do it. I made that choice to be there and I have no regrets I.
9:46

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I would never take it back, so money is money at the end of the day, and I just worked and worked and worked. I worked four jobs when I was back in the season, as well as full-time training. I'd go and do work and it's funny 'cause I remember at university $500 a week was decent salary. I would never take it back, so money is money at the end of the day, and I just worked and worked and worked. I worked four jobs when I was back in the season, as well as full-time training. I'd go and do work and it's funny 'cause I remember at university $500 a week was decent salary.
10:03

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[sic] I'm like wow. [laughs] I wouldn't get out of bed for that much, so. [laughs] [sic] I'm like wow. [laughs] I wouldn't get out of bed for that much, so. [laughs]
10:09

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Well, I was temping as a secretary, I go and do that. And then on weekends, I'd coach tennis or coach hockey or, and then during the week as well, I'd do a bit of that too. And then I worked in a bar, so that was fun. [Tanya] You were busy? [Hannah] Yeah, and then when I finally got my teaching degree, I would teach during the day, finish school, be down at the pub for 5:00 o'clock, working there. Well, I was temping as a secretary, I go and do that. And then on weekends, I'd coach tennis or coach hockey or, and then during the week as well, I'd do a bit of that too. And then I worked in a bar, so that was fun. [Tanya] You were busy? [Hannah] Yeah, and then when I finally got my teaching degree, I would teach during the day, finish school, be down at the pub for 5:00 o'clock, working there.
10:30

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Do that till three in the morning, come back, go training, then. So I think I would average on those nights and that didn't last long, I had to quit the pub after that 'cause I thought, Nup, we're out of school holidays. I just...I need to train and I need to focus so... [Tanya] Can we talk a little bit about the training? What sort of training schedule you were needing to kind of keep to? [Hannah] So after the 2006 Olympics I actually went, and it was trying to get better. So I went to a sports psychologist and was trying to get things in line. He said... Do that till three in the morning, come back, go training, then. So I think I would average on those nights and that didn't last long, I had to quit the pub after that 'cause I thought, Nup, we're out of school holidays. I just...I need to train and I need to focus so... [Tanya] Can we talk a little bit about the training? What sort of training schedule you were needing to kind of keep to? [Hannah] So after the 2006 Olympics I actually went, and it was trying to get better. So I went to a sports psychologist and was trying to get things in line. He said...
10:60

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And he was out at the Institute of Sport. And he said to me, you need to get in contact with this person, this person, and this person. It was the best thing he ever did, aligning me with a guy called John Marsden, who was out at NSW Institute of Sport and he was the head of. And he was out at the Institute of Sport. And he said to me, you need to get in contact with this person, this person, and this person. It was the best thing he ever did, aligning me with a guy called John Marsden, who was out at NSW Institute of Sport and he was the head of.
11:19

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Strength and conditioning out there at the time. And, um, so I met John in about 2007 and he just transformed everything for me, and we're still great mates now, but he's um... he just took all my training under his wing for strength and conditioning and turned me into. Strength and conditioning out there at the time. And, um, so I met John in about 2007 and he just transformed everything for me, and we're still great mates now, but he's um... he just took all my training under his wing for strength and conditioning and turned me into.
11:36

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An amazing athlete. Um... An amazing athlete. Um...
11:38

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Longest I've ever, ever been and, and yeah, that kept going until 2012 where I was training with John, and I used to go out... I was very lucky. I used to go out to the Institute of Sport do, but basically whilst I was in Australia, it was only strength and conditioning, and then when I went overseas and I did a bit of start training as well. We had some start handles here. I'd put some weights on them in the gym and paddle. You get finger spikes on you, on your hands, when you're in legion you paddle. Longest I've ever, ever been and, and yeah, that kept going until 2012 where I was training with John, and I used to go out... I was very lucky. I used to go out to the Institute of Sport do, but basically whilst I was in Australia, it was only strength and conditioning, and then when I went overseas and I did a bit of start training as well. We had some start handles here. I'd put some weights on them in the gym and paddle. You get finger spikes on you, on your hands, when you're in legion you paddle.
12:09

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On the tartan, on the... on the indoor track there, and that was the only sort of Blues specific training I'd be able to do, but the training when I got overseas it was. On the tartan, on the... on the indoor track there, and that was the only sort of Blues specific training I'd be able to do, but the training when I got overseas it was.
12:21

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Two sessions a day, anywhere up to eight runs a session, which was a killer. And in the preseason. And then, yeah, you and then you go to the gym as well. But a big part of as well when you're on circuit is your...your sled, so in luge. Two sessions a day, anywhere up to eight runs a session, which was a killer. And in the preseason. And then, yeah, you and then you go to the gym as well. But a big part of as well when you're on circuit is your...your sled, so in luge.
12:39

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Your sled can be 70 to 80% of your performance. It's the real, who's the actual athlete here, is it the person driving the sled? Or is it the engineer um Or the coach who's the sled technician? So you know, and you are very limited by what resources you have in that. So Australia will always have to sit to the certain place 'cause we just don't have the resources or the technology and so on. And you've unfortunately just gotta settle. That's where it is. Your sled can be 70 to 80% of your performance. It's the real, who's the actual athlete here, is it the person driving the sled? Or is it the engineer um Or the coach who's the sled technician? So you know, and you are very limited by what resources you have in that. So Australia will always have to sit to the certain place 'cause we just don't have the resources or the technology and so on. And you've unfortunately just gotta settle. That's where it is.
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But the um... But the um...
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Well, I digress on this one. Well, I digress on this one.
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I'm. I'm.
13:16

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Oh, what was I saying? Oh yeah, so when I got overseas. Yeah, you're... you're training... you're training two times a day with as many runs, but then you've got a fit a gym session in usually, and two to three hours of sled work. The pre-season is the worst because you are doing so many runs. You then try to keep fit. But then you have so much work to do on your sled in the pre-season. So when you start doing all your racing and you've already got five training runs a week, so you're doing two runs a day and then you've got your competition at the end of the... Oh, what was I saying? Oh yeah, so when I got overseas. Yeah, you're... you're training... you're training two times a day with as many runs, but then you've got a fit a gym session in usually, and two to three hours of sled work. The pre-season is the worst because you are doing so many runs. You then try to keep fit. But then you have so much work to do on your sled in the pre-season. So when you start doing all your racing and you've already got five training runs a week, so you're doing two runs a day and then you've got your competition at the end of the...
13:47

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...week. Your sled work's already pretty much been done. You tinker a bit, but a lot of it's been done. If you want to try something new, yeah it takes a while, but you're not spending anywhere near the amount of time that you are at the beginning of the season. [Tanya] And is it um... so you work a lot on your kind of muscular strength?[Hannah] Yes, a lot on your strength, it's very power, very explosive power, so um all explosive strength exercise. [Tanya] So weights, plyometrics? [Hannah] Yeah weights yeah. ...week. Your sled work's already pretty much been done. You tinker a bit, but a lot of it's been done. If you want to try something new, yeah it takes a while, but you're not spending anywhere near the amount of time that you are at the beginning of the season. [Tanya] And is it um... so you work a lot on your kind of muscular strength?[Hannah] Yes, a lot on your strength, it's very power, very explosive power, so um all explosive strength exercise. [Tanya] So weights, plyometrics? [Hannah] Yeah weights yeah.
14:17

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Bit of sprinting, which I wasn't brilliant at. [Tanya] I was going to say about the cardio, so cardio is important too? [Hannah] Yeah, so what would we do. We'd start off with all our cycles so just stripping at the beginning of the season and then I'd have to build it up to, you know, hypertrophy and then we go into strength specific, and... [Tanya] And so it's very scientific? [Hannah] and then explosive. Yeah, yeah. And John worked all of that out. Bit of sprinting, which I wasn't brilliant at. [Tanya] I was going to say about the cardio, so cardio is important too? [Hannah] Yeah, so what would we do. We'd start off with all our cycles so just stripping at the beginning of the season and then I'd have to build it up to, you know, hypertrophy and then we go into strength specific, and... [Tanya] And so it's very scientific? [Hannah] and then explosive. Yeah, yeah. And John worked all of that out.
14:37

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And he was. He was the genius behind that so [laughs] And he was. He was the genius behind that so [laughs]
14:41

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[Tanya] And I've read as well that it's not just about your physical strength, but your mental health is really, really significant in this sport. Is that right? [Hannah] Yeah, so look. Yeah, you say a little prayer on the start handles every time before you go down um I mean, I think if you're not a tiny bit nervous then you wouldn't be performing to that level or you'd make mistakes. There's ah I couldn't actually ever say there's ever a perfect run, and that's, and that's what I think is so frustrating about the sport. You get off, you look at the time and you're like. [Tanya] And I've read as well that it's not just about your physical strength, but your mental health is really, really significant in this sport. Is that right? [Hannah] Yeah, so look. Yeah, you say a little prayer on the start handles every time before you go down um I mean, I think if you're not a tiny bit nervous then you wouldn't be performing to that level or you'd make mistakes. There's ah I couldn't actually ever say there's ever a perfect run, and that's, and that's what I think is so frustrating about the sport. You get off, you look at the time and you're like.
15:12

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Oh that run felt good, but why is it two-tenths slower than the run before? And that's... that's what we're talking about. Tenths of a second, so the winner at Nagano Olympics, between first and second place was, I think, 4 thousandths of a second over four runs. You, you know, try and measure that. It's... [laughs] it's just, yeah, unbelievable. And I think, I was 7 thousandths behind the person over four runs in front of me at at Vancouver Olympics and. Oh that run felt good, but why is it two-tenths slower than the run before? And that's... that's what we're talking about. Tenths of a second, so the winner at Nagano Olympics, between first and second place was, I think, 4 thousandths of a second over four runs. You, you know, try and measure that. It's... [laughs] it's just, yeah, unbelievable. And I think, I was 7 thousandths behind the person over four runs in front of me at at Vancouver Olympics and.
15:42

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And the difference between first and 40th place at one of the World Cups that I had was um one second so. And the difference between first and 40th place at one of the World Cups that I had was um one second so.
15:51

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You know it is such a finite sport that you... There's so many features to it, so under, you know, you think you're wearing a suit, but the suit itself is aerodynamic and it's, you know, you can't have something that's, that you can, um, breathe right through, or else that's going to be absolutely useless and you've lost time. You can't have mix in your suit 'cause you've lost time. Your booties are pointed so that you're also not. They're not in like dorsiflexion position. They're ?planterflexion? so that you can. You know it is such a finite sport that you... There's so many features to it, so under, you know, you think you're wearing a suit, but the suit itself is aerodynamic and it's, you know, you can't have something that's, that you can, um, breathe right through, or else that's going to be absolutely useless and you've lost time. You can't have mix in your suit 'cause you've lost time. Your booties are pointed so that you're also not. They're not in like dorsiflexion position. They're ?planterflexion? so that you can.
16:21

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Point your toes and you're as streamlined as possible. Same with your sledge. You've got to fit into it. You can't have any gaps on the side, so you tape up every single bolt and every single gap on your sled. Your, you know, your helmet and your visor as well. You've gotta really lie back and have your head in this perfect position. Um, it's and, and then you've also got underneath your suit. You can wear lead if you're underweight. You... and everything sort of handmade as well, so you sit there at night stitching your little suit together. Point your toes and you're as streamlined as possible. Same with your sledge. You've got to fit into it. You can't have any gaps on the side, so you tape up every single bolt and every single gap on your sled. Your, you know, your helmet and your visor as well. You've gotta really lie back and have your head in this perfect position. Um, it's and, and then you've also got underneath your suit. You can wear lead if you're underweight. You... and everything sort of handmade as well, so you sit there at night stitching your little suit together.
16:51

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And putting, um, you know a little weight vest on. I was lucky. I never actually... I was always the weight limit so I never had to wear lead. But you can... It would be kind of better. You could always transfer it around your body to where it needed to be, but it was um. Yeah, you put little, little tiny pieces of lead that you'd gaffer taped together and insert it into little columns that you'd sewed on your back in a weight vest. It was just. And putting, um, you know a little weight vest on. I was lucky. I never actually... I was always the weight limit so I never had to wear lead. But you can... It would be kind of better. You could always transfer it around your body to where it needed to be, but it was um. Yeah, you put little, little tiny pieces of lead that you'd gaffer taped together and insert it into little columns that you'd sewed on your back in a weight vest. It was just.
17:20

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Yeah, and then under that you were wearing a neck strap as well, which you'd hand sewed too, which came up. It comes up under your suit. You had a little incision and then you connected that to your, your helmet strap and that would prevent your head when you went into corners with High G force you... your head would snap back and you couldn't see anything. Yeah, and then under that you were wearing a neck strap as well, which you'd hand sewed too, which came up. It comes up under your suit. You had a little incision and then you connected that to your, your helmet strap and that would prevent your head when you went into corners with High G force you... your head would snap back and you couldn't see anything.
17:43

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So that would prevent your head. Your head would always snap back, but it would prevent it from hitting the ice so. So that would prevent your head. Your head would always snap back, but it would prevent it from hitting the ice so.
17:49

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All those little things that, yeah, yeah. [Tanya] It'll be you and your coach working on that. [Hannah] Yeah, yeah. And it's challenging as well because you're trying to, you know, work on form and position and lines for these kids. But then to have to think about all the other things off the track too. So you're constantly working as well. Like constantly thinking about. All those little things that, yeah, yeah. [Tanya] It'll be you and your coach working on that. [Hannah] Yeah, yeah. And it's challenging as well because you're trying to, you know, work on form and position and lines for these kids. But then to have to think about all the other things off the track too. So you're constantly working as well. Like constantly thinking about.
18:10

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things in the sport and how you can improve and, and, you know, it's only when you retire you realise, wow, 10th of a second really isn't that important anymore. things in the sport and how you can improve and, and, you know, it's only when you retire you realise, wow, 10th of a second really isn't that important anymore.
18:19

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I can take my time, [Tanya] ?inaudible? [Hannah] yeah, yeah, exactly [laughter] [Tanya] And were your...was your family supportive when you chose this as a...? [Hannah] Um oh I remember I told my mother and she had tears in her eyes but look they, mum I think thought after I'd made the 2006 Olympics she was like, "Oh well, you're done. Now you don't have to do that. You've scared me enough you can..." I can take my time, [Tanya] ?inaudible? [Hannah] yeah, yeah, exactly [laughter] [Tanya] And were your...was your family supportive when you chose this as a...? [Hannah] Um oh I remember I told my mother and she had tears in her eyes but look they, mum I think thought after I'd made the 2006 Olympics she was like, "Oh well, you're done. Now you don't have to do that. You've scared me enough you can..."
18:42

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Kind of do your thing. Kind of do your thing.
18:43

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And they've never seen me slide before until mum came over the week before the Olympics and 'cause the first Olympics I actually made. I don't need a qualified with only 19 weeks on ice, so it was. It was a bit of a um. It was a bonus. We always called it. It was the Bonus Olympics and out of 30 places for the Olympics I qualified 30th. So I was very novice and also there's a lot of snobbery on circuit in the fact that I will. You're just here to make an Olympics and. And they've never seen me slide before until mum came over the week before the Olympics and 'cause the first Olympics I actually made. I don't need a qualified with only 19 weeks on ice, so it was. It was a bit of a um. It was a bonus. We always called it. It was the Bonus Olympics and out of 30 places for the Olympics I qualified 30th. So I was very novice and also there's a lot of snobbery on circuit in the fact that I will. You're just here to make an Olympics and.
19:14

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So I had to get through that as well, and it was when I came back in 2007 that people who've been there for years actually started talking to me and were like, oh, you're actually here, you're continuing? OK, you're not just a tourist, so... [Tanya] Oh interesting, so other sports, smaller sports had that same experience do you think? [Hannah] I, I think so too. I think in like skeleton and bobsleigh as well, definitely and definitely ah we unfortunately, Australians if you're, especially in winter sports, you get this bad. So I had to get through that as well, and it was when I came back in 2007 that people who've been there for years actually started talking to me and were like, oh, you're actually here, you're continuing? OK, you're not just a tourist, so... [Tanya] Oh interesting, so other sports, smaller sports had that same experience do you think? [Hannah] I, I think so too. I think in like skeleton and bobsleigh as well, definitely and definitely ah we unfortunately, Australians if you're, especially in winter sports, you get this bad.
19:43

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rap of, "Oh yeah, you just won the Olympics." Because there are so many in our sport who are like that. And unfortunately, the Americans are notorious for it because, oh you've got an American who's got a dual citizenship with Argentina. So they go and slide for Argentina. And they're, you know, 50 something years old and they're rubbish. So it's, and, and it's all those little tiny islands and things that they all slide for and rap of, "Oh yeah, you just won the Olympics." Because there are so many in our sport who are like that. And unfortunately, the Americans are notorious for it because, oh you've got an American who's got a dual citizenship with Argentina. So they go and slide for Argentina. And they're, you know, 50 something years old and they're rubbish. So it's, and, and it's all those little tiny islands and things that they all slide for and
20:11

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They're hopeless. There was one that slid for Venezuela and she was unbelievable, and she crashed at the 2002 Olympics and knocked herself out and she just really shouldn't have been, honestly, all competing at the Olympics, but something she wanted to do. She was over 100 kilos and. They're hopeless. There was one that slid for Venezuela and she was unbelievable, and she crashed at the 2002 Olympics and knocked herself out and she just really shouldn't have been, honestly, all competing at the Olympics, but something she wanted to do. She was over 100 kilos and.
20:30

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None of it was muscle and you, you just. Yeah, but that's unfortunately those people in the past have always given us a bad rap, so, so it was nice and after 2007, I. None of it was muscle and you, you just. Yeah, but that's unfortunately those people in the past have always given us a bad rap, so, so it was nice and after 2007, I.
20:43

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Really started making steady progress as an athlete, but also... and it was a good experience. I'm glad I went to 2006 Olympics 'cause that was the Olympics I got overwhelmed, kind of, got a bit with it all and freaked out by the concept of the Olympics. So by the time I got to Vancouver 2010 it was. Really started making steady progress as an athlete, but also... and it was a good experience. I'm glad I went to 2006 Olympics 'cause that was the Olympics I got overwhelmed, kind of, got a bit with it all and freaked out by the concept of the Olympics. So by the time I got to Vancouver 2010 it was.
21:01

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It was like this is another competition. Totally fine. Been here, done this. Know how it works. So it's, it's nice to I... I wanted to go for a third as well but then. It was like this is another competition. Totally fine. Been here, done this. Know how it works. So it's, it's nice to I... I wanted to go for a third as well but then.
21:14

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I actually got really sick and ended up losing all my hair and had an adrenal burnout in 2012 and... [Tanya] As a result of the training? [Hannah] As a result of... I think just, you know, years and years and years of burning the candle at every end possible. So, yeah, it's a shame I couldn't work it out, but I went anyway as a coach. But, you know, yeah, doing whether you make two or three Olympics I don't think it really matters. And you know, I... I wish I could have finished on a... even if it was at a world champs or at a World Cup and finished on a high note. I actually got really sick and ended up losing all my hair and had an adrenal burnout in 2012 and... [Tanya] As a result of the training? [Hannah] As a result of... I think just, you know, years and years and years of burning the candle at every end possible. So, yeah, it's a shame I couldn't work it out, but I went anyway as a coach. But, you know, yeah, doing whether you make two or three Olympics I don't think it really matters. And you know, I... I wish I could have finished on a... even if it was at a world champs or at a World Cup and finished on a high note.
21:46

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But I ended up, um, [laughs] doing 2 of the worst runs of my life. Went to the track the next day, collapsed at the track and got taken to hospital, and then that's how my career finished in luge [laughs]. But I ended up, um, [laughs] doing 2 of the worst runs of my life. Went to the track the next day, collapsed at the track and got taken to hospital, and then that's how my career finished in luge [laughs].
21:59

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Alright, well there you go. So and, and it was when I was training when I came home and I just could never get better. I could never get so sick that year and just... it was like having chronic fatigue. Just couldn't, you know would try and just get out of bed. I used to go to work. Alright, well there you go. So and, and it was when I was training when I came home and I just could never get better. I could never get so sick that year and just... it was like having chronic fatigue. Just couldn't, you know would try and just get out of bed. I used to go to work.
22:16

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Have a period off teaching and I'd set my alarm go and sit in the car and sleep. I was just exhausted and yeah, I think it was just... and I think as well. A lot of athletes do get these burnouts at the end of their careers and. Have a period off teaching and I'd set my alarm go and sit in the car and sleep. I was just exhausted and yeah, I think it was just... and I think as well. A lot of athletes do get these burnouts at the end of their careers and.
22:29

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And their misdiagnosed or they're just not, you know, and they're trying to get their lives back on track. And they can't because then they've now got these health issues. And 'cause you do, you really deplete your body of everything, so... [Tanya] Yeah, I think some sports more than others particularly [Hannah] Yeah, [Tanya] some have a particularly hard ?inaudible? [Hannah] Exactly, and when you're training all the time and always and mentally as well, like always having to be on. I think that was a big part of, you know, I loved it but. And their misdiagnosed or they're just not, you know, and they're trying to get their lives back on track. And they can't because then they've now got these health issues. And 'cause you do, you really deplete your body of everything, so... [Tanya] Yeah, I think some sports more than others particularly [Hannah] Yeah, [Tanya] some have a particularly hard ?inaudible? [Hannah] Exactly, and when you're training all the time and always and mentally as well, like always having to be on. I think that was a big part of, you know, I loved it but.
22:59

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I'm kind of... I'm glad I finished where I did. I met my husband. I'm kind of... I'm glad I finished where I did. I met my husband.
23:03

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Six weeks later and yeah. Six weeks later and yeah.
23:07

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Look where I am now. [Tanya] Life took a different turn. [Hannah] Yeah, life took a different turn and I wouldn't. I wouldn't change it. Everything always happens for a reason. [Tanya] Absolutely er... [Hannah] It's hard to work out that reason at the time, but in retrospect you look back and you think, "Ah yep, perfect timing." Look where I am now. [Tanya] Life took a different turn. [Hannah] Yeah, life took a different turn and I wouldn't. I wouldn't change it. Everything always happens for a reason. [Tanya] Absolutely er... [Hannah] It's hard to work out that reason at the time, but in retrospect you look back and you think, "Ah yep, perfect timing."
23:21

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[Tanya] Were your family supportive of your decision to move out of the sport? [Hannah] Oh, exactly, they, they, you know, thought it was time to move on after 2010 anyway, and you know... [Tanya] 'Cause they were worried. [Tanya] Were your family supportive of your decision to move out of the sport? [Hannah] Oh, exactly, they, they, you know, thought it was time to move on after 2010 anyway, and you know... [Tanya] 'Cause they were worried.
23:33

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[Hannah] Well it was great, when we got to 2000- they actually got really used to me doing it and, and Mom had said if you're gonna keep going you need to go over and do far more runs and far more training and you need to do it properly so that you can get better. And so I was like OK good, you know, because that's the only way you're gonna be safe, but luckily she understood it and I remember at 2006, they just kept filming Mum because there were so many crashes at those Olympics and everybody, I think, was thinking I was going to crash and they were. [Hannah] Well it was great, when we got to 2000- they actually got really used to me doing it and, and Mom had said if you're gonna keep going you need to go over and do far more runs and far more training and you need to do it properly so that you can get better. And so I was like OK good, you know, because that's the only way you're gonna be safe, but luckily she understood it and I remember at 2006, they just kept filming Mum because there were so many crashes at those Olympics and everybody, I think, was thinking I was going to crash and they were.
24:04

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Just filming Mum, trying to get her reaction, but I didn't crash so they didn't get the reaction they wanted. Just filming Mum, trying to get her reaction, but I didn't crash so they didn't get the reaction they wanted.
24:11

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So... it was good, but, and then you know they they loved it as well, and my family got the experiences too. They never would have. So... it was good, but, and then you know they they loved it as well, and my family got the experiences too. They never would have.
24:19

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They never would have gone skiing like I don't think Mum, I think Mum had seen snow once, and then she started coming over to Germany and my brother was living in Germany at the time to doing some university thing and...and so Mum started coming. They never would have gone skiing like I don't think Mum, I think Mum had seen snow once, and then she started coming over to Germany and my brother was living in Germany at the time to doing some university thing and...and so Mum started coming.
24:34

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Mum and Dad, but, started coming across a lot more and. Mum and Dad, but, started coming across a lot more and.
24:38

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And seeing different, you know, countries they never thought to go to as well, and um you know, and they're coming with me next year. We're all going to Slovenia. We've got the um Congress that we have for the International Federation, and so Mum and Dad are coming with me to Slovenia to help look after the kids. And... And it's just. It's an experience the whole family has been able to get involved in, and my brother used to, remember my brother calling me up one day and he just arrived in Germany. He said, "So where are you?" And I said, "Oh, I'm down in Bavaria," and he said. And seeing different, you know, countries they never thought to go to as well, and um you know, and they're coming with me next year. We're all going to Slovenia. We've got the um Congress that we have for the International Federation, and so Mum and Dad are coming with me to Slovenia to help look after the kids. And... And it's just. It's an experience the whole family has been able to get involved in, and my brother used to, remember my brother calling me up one day and he just arrived in Germany. He said, "So where are you?" And I said, "Oh, I'm down in Bavaria," and he said.
25:08

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"OK," and he paused, and then he goes, "Right. I can be there in about 6 hours." "OK," and he paused, and then he goes, "Right. I can be there in about 6 hours."
25:15

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He just got on a train and came down and we spent the weekend together. It was great and he used to come and see, him and his now wife. He's still come 'round and see me compete at some of the other tracks as well and, and they all got involved with it and all became a bit, you know, know the people as well and what's great is when I got married, one of the Austrians, the Russians, you know, a couple of the girls from skeleton and all their friends that I've met through sport. He just got on a train and came down and we spent the weekend together. It was great and he used to come and see, him and his now wife. He's still come 'round and see me compete at some of the other tracks as well and, and they all got involved with it and all became a bit, you know, know the people as well and what's great is when I got married, one of the Austrians, the Russians, you know, a couple of the girls from skeleton and all their friends that I've met through sport.
25:41

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You know were all there celebrating as well. I've made the best, best friends possible... [Tanya] That's fantastic, so there's a real sense of camaraderie amongst... [Hannah] Yes, and what, you know, even the girls. You know were all there celebrating as well. I've made the best, best friends possible... [Tanya] That's fantastic, so there's a real sense of camaraderie amongst... [Hannah] Yes, and what, you know, even the girls.
25:51

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Like some great mates, so we're going over to America, not next year, the year after. And I've got friends in Canada and we're all like, right holiday time, girls, we're, we're all meeting up with our families and 'cause we all haven't seen each other in about 9 years, but we're still really close. Still always emailing each other. Like some great mates, so we're going over to America, not next year, the year after. And I've got friends in Canada and we're all like, right holiday time, girls, we're, we're all meeting up with our families and 'cause we all haven't seen each other in about 9 years, but we're still really close. Still always emailing each other.
26:11

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Yeah, previous Olympics. So I used to train. I used to. So when you're a small nation as well in luge, they've got it pretty well set up the International Federation. They have a small nations team, so I was traveling with the athletes from Slovenia, from Argentina, from Brazil, from, um, Hungary, from Bulgaria, from... it was, it was fantastic, um. Yeah, previous Olympics. So I used to train. I used to. So when you're a small nation as well in luge, they've got it pretty well set up the International Federation. They have a small nations team, so I was traveling with the athletes from Slovenia, from Argentina, from Brazil, from, um, Hungary, from Bulgaria, from... it was, it was fantastic, um.
26:34

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Had language barriers like Romania. All these countries I'd never thought to, and I made such good friends and you had to share rooms as well with these people like and share beds too like it was.... You know, this is your roommate here you go and OK [laughs] so, but you ended up becoming really good friends with these people and, um, Had language barriers like Romania. All these countries I'd never thought to, and I made such good friends and you had to share rooms as well with these people like and share beds too like it was.... You know, this is your roommate here you go and OK [laughs] so, but you ended up becoming really good friends with these people and, um,
26:55

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You know okay when you're sharing a bed with somebody of course you do [Tanya] ?inaudible? [laughter] [Hannah] Um, but the, oh yeah there were some. There was one girl after, I think it was the next year I came back, and she barely spoke a word to me at all and, um, she was from Romania and the next year I came back and I said: "Oh wow, like your English is so much better." like she goes: "Oh no. I've always spoken English." And I said: You know okay when you're sharing a bed with somebody of course you do [Tanya] ?inaudible? [laughter] [Hannah] Um, but the, oh yeah there were some. There was one girl after, I think it was the next year I came back, and she barely spoke a word to me at all and, um, she was from Romania and the next year I came back and I said: "Oh wow, like your English is so much better." like she goes: "Oh no. I've always spoken English." And I said:
27:23

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"Why didn't you speak last year?" She said: 'Oh, yeah, you know you were too busy talking to people." and I was like: "But "Why didn't you speak last year?" She said: 'Oh, yeah, you know you were too busy talking to people." and I was like: "But
27:30

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well, you could have been speaking a year ago." and she's one of my really good friends now so, and she's from Romania as well. And yeah, it's nice and, and now when we're going to Slovenia next year, you know, one of the Indian athletes is going to be there as well with his family and one of the Austrian ones is driving over as well to come and visit. And yeah, and then there's American one as well who's going to be there. So we're all just, it's really nice. well, you could have been speaking a year ago." and she's one of my really good friends now so, and she's from Romania as well. And yeah, it's nice and, and now when we're going to Slovenia next year, you know, one of the Indian athletes is going to be there as well with his family and one of the Austrian ones is driving over as well to come and visit. And yeah, and then there's American one as well who's going to be there. So we're all just, it's really nice.
27:56

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It's a community. [Tanya] Yeah. [Hannah] It really is, and everybody looks after each other as well. And what we used to do was the girls, you competed in your qualifying race, which was called Nations Cup, um, during the week. So a race works where you do 5 training runs and in those 5 training runs you've got to qualify within 107% of the fastest run of that day. So if you're with the Germans and you're a beginner, bit of a problem, um, and then you qualify in the training to do the qualification run It's a community. [Tanya] Yeah. [Hannah] It really is, and everybody looks after each other as well. And what we used to do was the girls, you competed in your qualifying race, which was called Nations Cup, um, during the week. So a race works where you do 5 training runs and in those 5 training runs you've got to qualify within 107% of the fastest run of that day. So if you're with the Germans and you're a beginner, bit of a problem, um, and then you qualify in the training to do the qualification run
28:26

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Race, which is called Nations Cup. And that's just one run. Race, which is called Nations Cup. And that's just one run.
28:30

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And out of the females, the top fourteen will go through 'cause only 24 females race in a World Cup. But I think they've changed a lot of that now 'cause they're trying to do. Everything as even as... because men get 32. So women get only 24, so they're trying to even everything up now. So women and men get the same. So and if you don't make that 14, you still get World Cup points 'cause it starts as if you came 15th, you're 25th in the World Cup. You know 16th so on. And out of the females, the top fourteen will go through 'cause only 24 females race in a World Cup. But I think they've changed a lot of that now 'cause they're trying to do. Everything as even as... because men get 32. So women get only 24, so they're trying to even everything up now. So women and men get the same. So and if you don't make that 14, you still get World Cup points 'cause it starts as if you came 15th, you're 25th in the World Cup. You know 16th so on.
29:00

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But you don't get to race on the weekend, but men, either the men raced on the Saturday But you don't get to race on the weekend, but men, either the men raced on the Saturday
29:08

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And the women raced on the Sunday. All the women raced on the Saturday and so each ?alternate? week. We'd go out either the Friday or the Saturday night, but all the girls and go and get wine and pizza from all the different countries. And it was really nice. Actually, it was, it was just everybody hanging out and having a great time. And the women raced on the Sunday. All the women raced on the Saturday and so each ?alternate? week. We'd go out either the Friday or the Saturday night, but all the girls and go and get wine and pizza from all the different countries. And it was really nice. Actually, it was, it was just everybody hanging out and having a great time.
29:26

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[Tanya] Have you shared with the the blokes as well, or is it mainly kind of gendered? [Hannah] Well you kind of, it is, you're all in teams together you're all living and you're also all living in the same hotels. So in my hotel would be, and I ended up how they also have it. So once you move on from this small nations team you set up a partnership with a stronger nation. So I had a partnership with Canada and then I had a partnership with Latvia and that you know. And that was great. But you then end up so you're in that team and. [Tanya] Have you shared with the the blokes as well, or is it mainly kind of gendered? [Hannah] Well you kind of, it is, you're all in teams together you're all living and you're also all living in the same hotels. So in my hotel would be, and I ended up how they also have it. So once you move on from this small nations team you set up a partnership with a stronger nation. So I had a partnership with Canada and then I had a partnership with Latvia and that you know. And that was great. But you then end up so you're in that team and.
29:56

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Those coaches look after you, look after your sled. You travel with that team. You are pretty much one of that team, but you compete for Australia and it's a really good program to try and help the smaller nations who don't have those coaches who don't have those resources but sometimes as well. Those coaches look after you, look after your sled. You travel with that team. You are pretty much one of that team, but you compete for Australia and it's a really good program to try and help the smaller nations who don't have those coaches who don't have those resources but sometimes as well.
30:12

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you know, you get given the substandard equipment, or if you're beating their athletes, they'll take the sled and go: "Let me look at that for you." And then you're slower than you ever were. So yeah, those little things happen with some of them. Um... but, you know, the Latvians were amazing. I had such a good time. I'd never even known Latvia was a country before I'd even started the sport, and I ended up living there for a time and you know, you get given the substandard equipment, or if you're beating their athletes, they'll take the sled and go: "Let me look at that for you." And then you're slower than you ever were. So yeah, those little things happen with some of them. Um... but, you know, the Latvians were amazing. I had such a good time. I'd never even known Latvia was a country before I'd even started the sport, and I ended up living there for a time and
30:39

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It was just brilliant like... I would highly recommend it to anybody wanting to travel anywhere. It's just a beautiful country, lovely people and so scenic. So, um... [Tanya] But you really enjoyed that travel, that kind of the opportunities? [Hannah] Loved ?it?. To travel to see different countries, to see little things and towards the end of my career as well. I was trying to make sure that I did. Actually, you know, if we had the Saturday off or or we'd competed on the Saturday and had the Sunday off. I was like, well we're you know. It was just brilliant like... I would highly recommend it to anybody wanting to travel anywhere. It's just a beautiful country, lovely people and so scenic. So, um... [Tanya] But you really enjoyed that travel, that kind of the opportunities? [Hannah] Loved ?it?. To travel to see different countries, to see little things and towards the end of my career as well. I was trying to make sure that I did. Actually, you know, if we had the Saturday off or or we'd competed on the Saturday and had the Sunday off. I was like, well we're you know.
31:09

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Dresden's just down there let's go see it 'cause otherwise you're sitting around a hotel and, and it was nice as well. When I completed it was in the days you look at the kids now and they're just glued to their computers and they're just watching movies or they're sitting on and. Dresden's just down there let's go see it 'cause otherwise you're sitting around a hotel and, and it was nice as well. When I completed it was in the days you look at the kids now and they're just glued to their computers and they're just watching movies or they're sitting on and.
31:23

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just playing games and it's boring. Whereas when I competed we used to have to go down and do our washing at the Laundromat and we get on and do the pay for your email and, just playing games and it's boring. Whereas when I competed we used to have to go down and do our washing at the Laundromat and we get on and do the pay for your email and,
31:36

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you know, sit there and do that whilst you're waiting for your laundry. you know, sit there and do that whilst you're waiting for your laundry.
31:42

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Um, and then you try and phone your parents off a phone card. [Tanya] Yeah, I remember that. Um, and then you try and phone your parents off a phone card. [Tanya] Yeah, I remember that.
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And, oh yeah, I've only got a few minutes left so I better go. And, oh yeah, I've only got a few minutes left so I better go.
31:52

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And yeah, you probably be in touch once a week, whereas now you can be in touch every day. But, um, the kid, yeah, we used to go down, 'cause every Pension where you stayed in Europe always had like a bar at the bottom of it. So you'd go down to the bar and you'd play cards with the Italians. You'd, you know, you'd just sit there and talk with the others and bring out games and, just, it was, it was really nice and everybody got to know each other. Whereas I feel like the kids these days are really missing out because they're And yeah, you probably be in touch once a week, whereas now you can be in touch every day. But, um, the kid, yeah, we used to go down, 'cause every Pension where you stayed in Europe always had like a bar at the bottom of it. So you'd go down to the bar and you'd play cards with the Italians. You'd, you know, you'd just sit there and talk with the others and bring out games and, just, it was, it was really nice and everybody got to know each other. Whereas I feel like the kids these days are really missing out because they're
32:22

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too busy sitting in their room on their computers and barely hanging out. Yeah on their own. It's a bit sad. [Tanya] And you kind of mentioned the ways in which they're trying to bring the men's competition in line, or the female competition in line with the men's competition. That's been a fairly recent development has it? [Hannah] Yeah, well, I noticed for the next Olympics, they've evened out the numbers, so usually it was always 30 women and 40 men. And I've, um, noticed that they've evened it. I'm trying to remember if it's now to 30 men and 30 women or if it's 40 women, 40 men. The problem with that is too busy sitting in their room on their computers and barely hanging out. Yeah on their own. It's a bit sad. [Tanya] And you kind of mentioned the ways in which they're trying to bring the men's competition in line, or the female competition in line with the men's competition. That's been a fairly recent development has it? [Hannah] Yeah, well, I noticed for the next Olympics, they've evened out the numbers, so usually it was always 30 women and 40 men. And I've, um, noticed that they've evened it. I'm trying to remember if it's now to 30 men and 30 women or if it's 40 women, 40 men. The problem with that is
32:53

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It's an Olympic adjusted field and so in the women's field, you can have four women competing in a World Cup, in the men's field you can have five men competing in a World Cup. It's an Olympic adjusted field and so in the women's field, you can have four women competing in a World Cup, in the men's field you can have five men competing in a World Cup.
33:04

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And so an Olympic adjusted field is only three from each nation. So if you're cutting off two men from every country, like say, so Germany's got five in the top ten, you're you're cutting two of those guys out, which then everybody moves up two more places. Austria two more places. You know, so you end up with, unfortunately, the ones who aren't as good. And so an Olympic adjusted field is only three from each nation. So if you're cutting off two men from every country, like say, so Germany's got five in the top ten, you're you're cutting two of those guys out, which then everybody moves up two more places. Austria two more places. You know, so you end up with, unfortunately, the ones who aren't as good.
33:28

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And they get in. You know, they got minimum points doing the minimum effort, so it does stretch out the quality of the competition as well. But I mean that comes down to the sport actually making it a little bit more accessible for those people. And they get in. You know, they got minimum points doing the minimum effort, so it does stretch out the quality of the competition as well. But I mean that comes down to the sport actually making it a little bit more accessible for those people.
33:42

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too to get training and to do well in the equipment that they should be on and ensuring that they're safe [Tanya] And in terms of those other athletes from the kind of bigger countries like Canada in terms of the ones that seem to do well in the way that you've kind of talked about are, are they... Will they be paid? Will they get sponsorships? [Hannah] Yes [Tanya] So they get those sorts of things. [Hannah] So the Germans are the best, um, well generally and it, it actually gets a bit boring watching it after a while when it's Germany 1, 2 and 3 and you're like well  too to get training and to do well in the equipment that they should be on and ensuring that they're safe [Tanya] And in terms of those other athletes from the kind of bigger countries like Canada in terms of the ones that seem to do well in the way that you've kind of talked about are, are they... Will they be paid? Will they get sponsorships? [Hannah] Yes [Tanya] So they get those sorts of things. [Hannah] So the Germans are the best, um, well generally and it, it actually gets a bit boring watching it after a while when it's Germany 1, 2 and 3 and you're like well 
34:08

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That's why the last Olympics was good. When a, um... When an Austrian won it because it was, it was an upset and. That's why the last Olympics was good. When a, um... When an Austrian won it because it was, it was an upset and.
34:16

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it was great like it actually made the sport exciting. it was great like it actually made the sport exciting.
34:20

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But yeah, they do. So Germany has a program in their country as well that you are conscripted with the I think for a year you've got to do it anyway. Uh, I don't know if that's actually. I know in Greece you have to do it for a year and in Korea you have to do three years conscription or something like that, but. But yeah, they do. So Germany has a program in their country as well that you are conscripted with the I think for a year you've got to do it anyway. Uh, I don't know if that's actually. I know in Greece you have to do it for a year and in Korea you have to do three years conscription or something like that, but.
34:40

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they all join either the Border force or the Army or the Police force, or one of those and, um, and they get their salary through them and they're active, but they're athletes and then they get, yeah, their salaries through that and their whole programs are fully funded as well, so they've got coaching staff. That's huge. Same with Russia as well. A lot of them are through the army and so on, and, um, a lot of the country. The Italians as well, they all join either the Border force or the Army or the Police force, or one of those and, um, and they get their salary through them and they're active, but they're athletes and then they get, yeah, their salaries through that and their whole programs are fully funded as well, so they've got coaching staff. That's huge. Same with Russia as well. A lot of them are through the army and so on, and, um, a lot of the country. The Italians as well,
35:10

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like, and then they have to go back and start working after they've done that. So a few of the Italian boys went back and were doing forest patrol. Mmm... OK, so... [Tanya] That's, that's generally their route into the sport, whereas for you and Australians that would be much more ad hoc kind of process. [Hannah] Yeah, it's, so how they actually start is, I mean the Germans especially they've got 4 tracks so they would go, so like we go to our local swim club or our Nippers or something like that. like, and then they have to go back and start working after they've done that. So a few of the Italian boys went back and were doing forest patrol. Mmm... OK, so... [Tanya] That's, that's generally their route into the sport, whereas for you and Australians that would be much more ad hoc kind of process. [Hannah] Yeah, it's, so how they actually start is, I mean the Germans especially they've got 4 tracks so they would go, so like we go to our local swim club or our Nippers or something like that.
35:41

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They end up going and doing tobogganing and they go to the local track and you start, you never start straight from the top. So these kids you go there and you can see kids from about the age of 6 or 5 or 6 to 10 years old sliding down the track. You know, in their little lycra suits and hating life, but lugging these sleds up the track and, um, and it's still fun and games, but they're only doing about 3 corners or something like that. But they do that  They end up going and doing tobogganing and they go to the local track and you start, you never start straight from the top. So these kids you go there and you can see kids from about the age of 6 or 5 or 6 to 10 years old sliding down the track. You know, in their little lycra suits and hating life, but lugging these sleds up the track and, um, and it's still fun and games, but they're only doing about 3 corners or something like that. But they do that 
36:11

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and that's what... instead of playing tennis on the weekend, they're doing luge, um, and they just get better, like they've got a huge pool of athletes. And they're all vying for a position. And the competition within that team, as well, would be... [Tanya] Huge. [Hannah] Amazing. So yeah, and it's the same with all the ones that are close to a track, they all started off... the Americans do a different system where they talent ID, um, and they used to go around and do, pull out a trailer that had a start thing and do wield sliding clinics and pick kids that had,  and that's what... instead of playing tennis on the weekend, they're doing luge, um, and they just get better, like they've got a huge pool of athletes. And they're all vying for a position. And the competition within that team, as well, would be... [Tanya] Huge. [Hannah] Amazing. So yeah, and it's the same with all the ones that are close to a track, they all started off... the Americans do a different system where they talent ID, um, and they used to go around and do, pull out a trailer that had a start thing and do wield sliding clinics and pick kids that had, 
36:42

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you know, some talent through that and a lot of their current Olympic team is, were picked through those, through those talent ID sessions. [Tanya] And that works for both men and women as a fix? [Hannah] Yep. Yep, yeah. And then for the double sport which now they've started getting a females double team, teams together. But I don't think it's taken off, um, just for equality. Their, um, you usually start off in singles and then they pair you together. [Tanya] Right. [Hannah] Yeah. [Tanya] And, um, so kind of going back a bit, was there anybody who kind of inspired you you know, some talent through that and a lot of their current Olympic team is, were picked through those, through those talent ID sessions. [Tanya] And that works for both men and women as a fix? [Hannah] Yep. Yep, yeah. And then for the double sport which now they've started getting a females double team, teams together. But I don't think it's taken off, um, just for equality. Their, um, you usually start off in singles and then they pair you together. [Tanya] Right. [Hannah] Yeah. [Tanya] And, um, so kind of going back a bit, was there anybody who kind of inspired you
37:12

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In this sport. In this sport.
37:14

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That made you choose that path. That made you choose that path.
37:17

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[Hannah] Not really, no. I think it was more just I'd taken everything to a certain level and got a bit bored and sort of, I wasn't challenged and I felt like I needed a challenge and I always like doing something different so. [Hannah] Not really, no. I think it was more just I'd taken everything to a certain level and got a bit bored and sort of, I wasn't challenged and I felt like I needed a challenge and I always like doing something different so.
37:33

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That's just me. I've got to do something different. I don't like being like everybody else. So... [Tanya] And how do you just... You talked about your mom's game for the first time? Had you done any winter sports at all? [Hannah] No, I've never seen snow. Oh, I'd skied once when I was 15. That's just me. I've got to do something different. I don't like being like everybody else. So... [Tanya] And how do you just... You talked about your mom's game for the first time? Had you done any winter sports at all? [Hannah] No, I've never seen snow. Oh, I'd skied once when I was 15.
37:49

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Yeah, in Australia, ah, seen, so seen snow once and then, ah, but I don't even think that was real snow. That was like you know the fake stuff that Mount Kosciuszko was spitting out. Yeah, in Australia, ah, seen, so seen snow once and then, ah, but I don't even think that was real snow. That was like you know the fake stuff that Mount Kosciuszko was spitting out.
37:60

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The, yeah, and that was, that was it because Mum doesn't like the cold and, you know, now and now she, you know, she just came back from Germany last week and she loves it. So she's "Oh yes, it's freezing, but it's lovely there. It feels like Christmas though." Yes, and here's way too hot so but, you know, yeah, she and, and the whole family's embraced it. My older sister is the only one that never saw me compete 'cause the first Olympics she was getting married and the second one she'd just had a baby so she never actually ever made it to a track  The, yeah, and that was, that was it because Mum doesn't like the cold and, you know, now and now she, you know, she just came back from Germany last week and she loves it. So she's "Oh yes, it's freezing, but it's lovely there. It feels like Christmas though." Yes, and here's way too hot so but, you know, yeah, she and, and the whole family's embraced it. My older sister is the only one that never saw me compete 'cause the first Olympics she was getting married and the second one she'd just had a baby so she never actually ever made it to a track 
38:31

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Or, you know, they chose one Christmas. We were all having Christmas in Austria and she chose to go back to my brother in law's in Wogga instead. And we're like, oh that was a. Or, you know, they chose one Christmas. We were all having Christmas in Austria and she chose to go back to my brother in law's in Wogga instead. And we're like, oh that was a.
38:40

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good choice. good choice.
38:42

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Not one I probably would have made but. [laughs] Not one I probably would have made but. [laughs]
38:45

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[Tanya] And so the rest of your family all did kind of see you compete. [Hannah] Yes yeah, yeah my two other siblings and their partners and everybody all came over and watched. So yeah the family all got involved. [Tanya] Yeah so there wasn't somebody that inspired you, but did you have a mentor that was particularly significant? I know you talked about a couple of coaches. [Hannah] Well in my later years. Yeah, John was a huge part of my career as well, especially when I was back here in Australia. He. [Tanya] And so the rest of your family all did kind of see you compete. [Hannah] Yes yeah, yeah my two other siblings and their partners and everybody all came over and watched. So yeah the family all got involved. [Tanya] Yeah so there wasn't somebody that inspired you, but did you have a mentor that was particularly significant? I know you talked about a couple of coaches. [Hannah] Well in my later years. Yeah, John was a huge part of my career as well, especially when I was back here in Australia. He.
39:13

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Yeah, really, it made me into quite an impressive athlete at the time, like strength wise. Yeah, really, it made me into quite an impressive athlete at the time, like strength wise.
39:19

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Yeah, well, without him I don't think I could have got to the level that I was. [Tanya] And had he done luge before? [Hannah] No, no, he loves winter sports though. He was... he's been very involved in winter sports. He helped with, um, yeah, he did all the strength conditioning for all the speed skaters like for Steven Bradbury and all of them back in  Yeah, well, without him I don't think I could have got to the level that I was. [Tanya] And had he done luge before? [Hannah] No, no, he loves winter sports though. He was... he's been very involved in winter sports. He helped with, um, yeah, he did all the strength conditioning for all the speed skaters like for Steven Bradbury and all of them back in 
39:40

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'92 when they got their first medal, so when the first Olympic medal was won, but he's continued through only until retiring this year and helped with do all of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia's athletes programs. So yeah, he's an impressive and knowledge is amazing. [Tanya] Yeah, and you stay in touch. [Hannah] Yeah yeah yeah. And he still loves. '92 when they got their first medal, so when the first Olympic medal was won, but he's continued through only until retiring this year and helped with do all of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia's athletes programs. So yeah, he's an impressive and knowledge is amazing. [Tanya] Yeah, and you stay in touch. [Hannah] Yeah yeah yeah. And he still loves.
40:02

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Winter sports, he's still got a. He's got a little soft spot for winter sports. Winter sports, he's still got a. He's got a little soft spot for winter sports.
40:07

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Absolutely adores them, and so you've become passionate about you know. Being behind the scenes now, now that you've retired from the sport, can you talk a little bit about that? I don't need to pass to that process, so I think. Absolutely adores them, and so you've become passionate about you know. Being behind the scenes now, now that you've retired from the sport, can you talk a little bit about that? I don't need to pass to that process, so I think.
40:19

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kind of fell to me because nobody else knew as much or knew the people to contact and do things and and because, you know I had to set it up in the beginning. It's always been that way. So,um we've got another ex-athlete who competed back in between, I think '94 and 2000, Karen Flynn and she does a lot with the development and trying to recruit the kids. And I do. I look after the seniors and just the overall administration of the whole thing. kind of fell to me because nobody else knew as much or knew the people to contact and do things and and because, you know I had to set it up in the beginning. It's always been that way. So,um we've got another ex-athlete who competed back in between, I think '94 and 2000, Karen Flynn and she does a lot with the development and trying to recruit the kids. And I do. I look after the seniors and just the overall administration of the whole thing.
40:49

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So which is quite a bit to do. So yeah. And then. So which is quite a bit to do. So yeah. And then.
40:54

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You know, I look after, we've got Alex Ferlazzo at the moment he's been to the last two Olympics and he's aiming to go for a third too, so he's currently over doing the World Cups now, or flying back right now, I think. But the yeah, he's You know, I look after, we've got Alex Ferlazzo at the moment he's been to the last two Olympics and he's aiming to go for a third too, so he's currently over doing the World Cups now, or flying back right now, I think. But the yeah, he's
41:08

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you know he's a great athlete as well, but once again he's limited by his equipment usage and what he's got access to in Australia as well. And is that a voluntary role for you? That sort of yeah, completely voluntary so you know times takes backseat cause it's got to. Life gets in the way but you know it's it's great but to go to like the congresses and things I pay for myself to go there and the Federation any money we get goes straight to the athletes so and to any type of coaching that we need or something like that. you know he's a great athlete as well, but once again he's limited by his equipment usage and what he's got access to in Australia as well. And is that a voluntary role for you? That sort of yeah, completely voluntary so you know times takes backseat cause it's got to. Life gets in the way but you know it's it's great but to go to like the congresses and things I pay for myself to go there and the Federation any money we get goes straight to the athletes so and to any type of coaching that we need or something like that.
41:40

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So yeah, it's look. It's it's easy to run for a small amount of athletes, but I think if we got big it would be a challenge. So yeah, it's look. It's it's easy to run for a small amount of athletes, but I think if we got big it would be a challenge.
41:50

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And they will be managed. And they will be managed.
41:55

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I don't think we have the capacity to. We don't have the facilities. We don't have the resources to do so, so it's manageable with less, and I think with more it just gets complicated because you can only have three athletes on the small nations team at a time. Then we're looking at you'd have to hire A coach full time and we just don't have that money around. So yeah, it's it does become an expensive sport. And yeah, and the kids need to I don't think we have the capacity to. We don't have the facilities. We don't have the resources to do so, so it's manageable with less, and I think with more it just gets complicated because you can only have three athletes on the small nations team at a time. Then we're looking at you'd have to hire A coach full time and we just don't have that money around. So yeah, it's it does become an expensive sport. And yeah, and the kids need to
42:25

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learn what it's like to pay out of their own pocket as well, cause I think you. It divides them up, so by the ones who actually love the sport and you have to love it to do it. So does it mean though that you have to be fairly affluent in order to enter the sport you think or not really?  Not really, I wasn't cause I, my parents, you know they helped me out over the 12 years. If I said I'm a bit stuck, you know, can you help me with this? There's just one week of training I wanna do and Dad would be like learn what it's like to pay out of their own pocket as well, cause I think you. It divides them up, so by the ones who actually love the sport and you have to love it to do it. So does it mean though that you have to be fairly affluent in order to enter the sport you think or not really?  Not really, I wasn't cause I, my parents, you know they helped me out over the 12 years. If I said I'm a bit stuck, you know, can you help me with this? There's just one week of training I wanna do and Dad would be like
42:56

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OK, but you know I paid my parents back over the years, took me a while. But I took out loans because I wanted my own personal responsibility for that. So you know, Mum, Dad helped me out with a couple of $100 here and there over over years, but OK, but you know I paid my parents back over the years, took me a while. But I took out loans because I wanted my own personal responsibility for that. So you know, Mum, Dad helped me out with a couple of $100 here and there over over years, but
43:17

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Yeah, it wasn't. It wasn't. They didn't bankroll like I think Yeah, it wasn't. It wasn't. They didn't bankroll like I think
43:21

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 in this country, yeah you do. You have to and that's if your kids. If I was a kid. And now at the moment we've got a 16 and 17 year old and it's all the parents that have to pay for it. And that's the problem. You have to start young. I started at 22 in Luge, so I had, which isn't ideal and nobody should start like now. These days you can get away with it then, but I would never start at 22.  in this country, yeah you do. You have to and that's if your kids. If I was a kid. And now at the moment we've got a 16 and 17 year old and it's all the parents that have to pay for it. And that's the problem. You have to start young. I started at 22 in Luge, so I had, which isn't ideal and nobody should start like now. These days you can get away with it then, but I would never start at 22.
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14-15 so yeah, you, I think you're not that I wasn't trainable, we had another guy who started at 34 at the time that I started too 14-15 so yeah, you, I think you're not that I wasn't trainable, we had another guy who started at 34 at the time that I started too
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and he just wasn't trainable. He knew everything he and he just wasn't trainable. He knew everything he
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And he just was rubbish and had accidents and so on. And and my coach, my first coach was like no, I can't. And he just was rubbish and had accidents and so on. And and my coach, my first coach was like no, I can't.
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I can't coach him, he's un-co he's untrainable because he's too stuck in his own ways as well. When you're younger, you're you tend to respond to things, your body is more pliable as well. And yeah, you know. And and it also cuts you out if you, you're too scared, like we trained with these guys from Hungary and they were I can't coach him, he's un-co he's untrainable because he's too stuck in his own ways as well. When you're younger, you're you tend to respond to things, your body is more pliable as well. And yeah, you know. And and it also cuts you out if you, you're too scared, like we trained with these guys from Hungary and they were
44:32

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grown men, one was just in tears at the end of it cause it scared him so much and yeah. grown men, one was just in tears at the end of it cause it scared him so much and yeah.
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He was just sitting there crying his eyes out, but before it all been about how brilliant he was. And then at the end of the run it sorted him out pretty well. So hey. He was just sitting there crying his eyes out, but before it all been about how brilliant he was. And then at the end of the run it sorted him out pretty well. So hey.
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Yeah, I I've there's been runs where I'm yeah where I've got off and just gone I think I'm very lucky to be here. Yeah, I I've there's been runs where I'm yeah where I've got off and just gone I think I'm very lucky to be here.
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?Basing hairy ones. Speed when you were younger as well. ?Basing hairy ones. Speed when you were younger as well.
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No, not that I can remember. Like I wasn't. You know, one of those I was just no. Yeah none. None of that just yeah, I just really enjoyed. No, not that I can remember. Like I wasn't. You know, one of those I was just no. Yeah none. None of that just yeah, I just really enjoyed.
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the fact that it was so different and also like we were training at, the scenery as well is just amazing and the people, it just you get dragged in and you have to get. You have to love it. You have to absolutely love it to do it. I was just wouldn't keep going back. So so would you say I mean if you had to say there were barriers to your success in the sport, what would they be? Would be is that passion was really important? Yeah, you've you've definitely got to be passionate about it. The barriers would more so be the fact that it was so different and also like we were training at, the scenery as well is just amazing and the people, it just you get dragged in and you have to get. You have to love it. You have to absolutely love it to do it. I was just wouldn't keep going back. So so would you say I mean if you had to say there were barriers to your success in the sport, what would they be? Would be is that passion was really important? Yeah, you've you've definitely got to be passionate about it. The barriers would more so be
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finances and that's it, and just lack of resources. I mean look, you can always try and make finances work. I hated asking people for money. I'm not somebody who's finances and that's it, and just lack of resources. I mean look, you can always try and make finances work. I hated asking people for money. I'm not somebody who's
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you know, I never wanted to put my hand out. I prefer to put it up, you know and say, hey, how about I can like I was happy that's why I was happy to work four jobs at a time or work in a pub and make it happen because I was so much effort to try and you know, I never wanted to put my hand out. I prefer to put it up, you know and say, hey, how about I can like I was happy that's why I was happy to work four jobs at a time or work in a pub and make it happen because I was so much effort to try and
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Sit there and try and get any sponsorship but also at the same time I didn't feel deserving 'cause I just think you know there's other things people could be spending their money on than me going off and training but also you know, we in this country believe that you should only get money when you're getting medals. Sit there and try and get any sponsorship but also at the same time I didn't feel deserving 'cause I just think you know there's other things people could be spending their money on than me going off and training but also you know, we in this country believe that you should only get money when you're getting medals.
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It doesn't work like that. You've got to put money into the grassroots in order to help it out. And you know, and you shouldn't just have your favorite sports like swimming and so on. And for how much money you put into swimming, you were not doing well, so it's how about, you know, a fair? Go for everybody in every sport. And then we'd actually. And I often think how many athletes would be out there who don't like how many could be potentially amazing skiers, but their parents don't have that money. It doesn't work like that. You've got to put money into the grassroots in order to help it out. And you know, and you shouldn't just have your favorite sports like swimming and so on. And for how much money you put into swimming, you were not doing well, so it's how about, you know, a fair? Go for everybody in every sport. And then we'd actually. And I often think how many athletes would be out there who don't like how many could be potentially amazing skiers, but their parents don't have that money.
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To put them into the sport at To put them into the sport at
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You know that age, whereas the kid who whose parents do ends up going on and continuing, yeah. Did you ever feel pressured to compete? You know that age, whereas the kid who whose parents do ends up going on and continuing, yeah. Did you ever feel pressured to compete?
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No, not not really. No no. Just no. I think any pressure was me. Who would pressure myself to do it. My parents were very No, not not really. No no. Just no. I think any pressure was me. Who would pressure myself to do it. My parents were very
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My dad, you know he's loveliest guy and just, oh, you have fun. You know, it's more the response you'd get from him. There was never a, you know you should be looking at getting this result or this result like that. And it was good in the fact that they didn't know enough about the sport in that respect to push me in those areas. But as well, when you're an older adult, my parents take it quite a hands off approach. So yeah, and that was good. But yeah, and My dad, you know he's loveliest guy and just, oh, you have fun. You know, it's more the response you'd get from him. There was never a, you know you should be looking at getting this result or this result like that. And it was good in the fact that they didn't know enough about the sport in that respect to push me in those areas. But as well, when you're an older adult, my parents take it quite a hands off approach. So yeah, and that was good. But yeah, and
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not really from any of the coaches or anything. There was 1 in Canada. He was, you know, you had to get on the sled. You had to prove yourself. You had to do that and I actually hated that year that I ended up training with Canada. It was just. not really from any of the coaches or anything. There was 1 in Canada. He was, you know, you had to get on the sled. You had to prove yourself. You had to do that and I actually hated that year that I ended up training with Canada. It was just.
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Not, I don't respond well to somebody who's going to scream and shout at me all the time. You're not going to get your best results from me. So talk to me like an adult like I am so that may work in Germany, but it doesn't work for me. So and a good coach knows their athletes and knows how each works. Same with good teacher. I'm gonna say to you being a trained teacher makes me think about that. Yeah, yeah does absolutely and did you when you went into sport, did you know much about the history of the sport at all? I'd only done a tiny little bit of I've done. Not, I don't respond well to somebody who's going to scream and shout at me all the time. You're not going to get your best results from me. So talk to me like an adult like I am so that may work in Germany, but it doesn't work for me. So and a good coach knows their athletes and knows how each works. Same with good teacher. I'm gonna say to you being a trained teacher makes me think about that. Yeah, yeah does absolutely and did you when you went into sport, did you know much about the history of the sport at all? I'd only done a tiny little bit of I've done.
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a little bit of research on it and you know you think you know everything when you do the reading and then it's only until you get on circuit and you realize oh wow, OK there are all these little things like back in the 70s. They used to slide with Conan helmets for aerodynamics, so there's like they were coneheads and they used to have toe clamps to put their feet. That literally would clamp their toes down and the coaches used to carry them onto out of the start house and place them onto the track cause they couldn't walk with their feet and these to clamps just a little bit of research on it and you know you think you know everything when you do the reading and then it's only until you get on circuit and you realize oh wow, OK there are all these little things like back in the 70s. They used to slide with Conan helmets for aerodynamics, so there's like they were coneheads and they used to have toe clamps to put their feet. That literally would clamp their toes down and the coaches used to carry them onto out of the start house and place them onto the track cause they couldn't walk with their feet and these to clamps just
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Barbaric in a way. Barbaric in a way.
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Yeah, but there, you know, the sleds, the technology was so different and they were so much slower, like track records are being broken all the time, but because everybody's sleds are getting faster and faster and  Yeah, but there, you know, the sleds, the technology was so different and they were so much slower, like track records are being broken all the time, but because everybody's sleds are getting faster and faster and 
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you know, what, what are they putting on their sleds? Like that's always the thing everybody is like, well, they... you know, there was, there was the, the drugs with Russia, um, you know in the last Olympics and them getting banned. But I was like, well what's the difference between them using that and the Germans using illegal equipment in their sleds? you know, what, what are they putting on their sleds? Like that's always the thing everybody is like, well, they... you know, there was, there was the, the drugs with Russia, um, you know in the last Olympics and them getting banned. But I was like, well what's the difference between them using that and the Germans using illegal equipment in their sleds?
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Can you tell me? Like I don't see the difference. They're both cheating, but one is looked on less favourably than the other. So yeah, it's, it's but that's all, yeah. Can you tell me? Like I don't see the difference. They're both cheating, but one is looked on less favourably than the other. So yeah, it's, it's but that's all, yeah.
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Kettle of, can of worms [laughter]. [Tanya] No, it is, it is. How did the media make any impact on your experience of the sport? Kettle of, can of worms [laughter]. [Tanya] No, it is, it is. How did the media make any impact on your experience of the sport?
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[Media] I think as well, maturity plays a big part in media as well. [Media] I think as well, maturity plays a big part in media as well.
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Yeah, I, look I got a bit of coverage. There wasn't much on it when I was starting, but only around the Olympic time did I get coverage. 2010 Olympics I did a lot with Foxtel and it actually made it really fun, made it feel special, um, because what we did with them was fun and I got to know all the people who were interviewing and doing the producing and things over that whole year in the buildup and they all knew me that it was like, you know,  Yeah, I, look I got a bit of coverage. There wasn't much on it when I was starting, but only around the Olympic time did I get coverage. 2010 Olympics I did a lot with Foxtel and it actually made it really fun, made it feel special, um, because what we did with them was fun and I got to know all the people who were interviewing and doing the producing and things over that whole year in the buildup and they all knew me that it was like, you know, 
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just going and hanging out with people I knew so, which was nice so, but,  just going and hanging out with people I knew so, which was nice so, but, 
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yeah, ah, yeah, some of them. I remember my first, one of my first interviews for channel 7 and first question I got asked was: "So, um, couldn't make it in a summer sports and thought you'd try winter?" yeah, ah, yeah, some of them. I remember my first, one of my first interviews for channel 7 and first question I got asked was: "So, um, couldn't make it in a summer sports and thought you'd try winter?"
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And I was like, oh   And I was like, oh  
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wow, OK and the second question was: wow, OK and the second question was:
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"Did you always want to be an Olympian, so picked the easiest sport and went for it." and  "Did you always want to be an Olympian, so picked the easiest sport and went for it." and 
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I thought, wow, OK, you're, you're not nice [laughs]. I thought, wow, OK, you're, you're not nice [laughs].
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But, and that unfortunately sums up a lot of people's opinions. So when you say I'm a winter Olympian only recently but, um, people have started to accept it more, but back in the past winter and they'd be like, oh yeah. But, and that unfortunately sums up a lot of people's opinions. So when you say I'm a winter Olympian only recently but, um, people have started to accept it more, but back in the past winter and they'd be like, oh yeah.
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Or, that's not a real Olympics, is it? Well, yeah it is. It is, yeah, some of the other countries don't believe the summer is, like the winter's the most, and they're all challenging sports. They're fun sports to watch at the Winter Olympics. It's just Australia's Or, that's not a real Olympics, is it? Well, yeah it is. It is, yeah, some of the other countries don't believe the summer is, like the winter's the most, and they're all challenging sports. They're fun sports to watch at the Winter Olympics. It's just Australia's
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has no idea. [Tanya] Yeah, we have never excelled [Hannah] Yeah, we, we have now, but the, um, it's never given the coverage or, yeah. [Tanya] They don't understand the ways in which those paths to victory [Hannah] Mm [Tanya] are laid out in particular ways [Hannah] Exactly [Tanya] and I guess social media wasn't really a thing, uh [Hannah] No, no, no. [Tanya] Some of the younger athletes I've spoken with said social media has been really important to them [Hannah] Yeah man, I can imagine [Tanya] in terms of success and giving them kind of a cohort and a following [Hannah] and a following, and I think that's just, you know, it just gives them so much more work to do. has no idea. [Tanya] Yeah, we have never excelled [Hannah] Yeah, we, we have now, but the, um, it's never given the coverage or, yeah. [Tanya] They don't understand the ways in which those paths to victory [Hannah] Mm [Tanya] are laid out in particular ways [Hannah] Exactly [Tanya] and I guess social media wasn't really a thing, uh [Hannah] No, no, no. [Tanya] Some of the younger athletes I've spoken with said social media has been really important to them [Hannah] Yeah man, I can imagine [Tanya] in terms of success and giving them kind of a cohort and a following [Hannah] and a following, and I think that's just, you know, it just gives them so much more work to do.
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We have to have a social media policy, um, because you know, you get your athletes that wanna post pictures of their backsides on  We have to have a social media policy, um, because you know, you get your athletes that wanna post pictures of their backsides on 
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Social media and you wanna get rid of that. Social media and you wanna get rid of that.
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And yeah, it's, I, I think I'm actually really happy. I never had to compete with that because I think it just adds a whole other dimension to your athletic career. And, um, yeah, I'm, I'm relatively private person. I like to, like, I don't, I only have Facebook purely for  And yeah, it's, I, I think I'm actually really happy. I never had to compete with that because I think it just adds a whole other dimension to your athletic career. And, um, yeah, I'm, I'm relatively private person. I like to, like, I don't, I only have Facebook purely for 
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catching up with my friends overseas and private messaging them, but I don't post anything. I don't do any of that so,  catching up with my friends overseas and private messaging them, but I don't post anything. I don't do any of that so, 
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yeah, you sort of think, mm. yeah, you sort of think, mm.
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Yeah, I'm, I'm happy I'm competing now. [Tanya] And so, um, your own children, would this be a sport that you would encourage them into? [laughs] [Hannah] It's funny one of my good friends the other day, he did bobsleigh at 2006 and 2010 as well, Jeremy Rollerston. He just had a baby and, um, and he was saying: "Oh yeah, our kids will be able to play together" and I said: "And, ah, and do our sports, ha ha, you know, not mine, doubtfully mine." Yeah, I'm, I'm happy I'm competing now. [Tanya] And so, um, your own children, would this be a sport that you would encourage them into? [laughs] [Hannah] It's funny one of my good friends the other day, he did bobsleigh at 2006 and 2010 as well, Jeremy Rollerston. He just had a baby and, um, and he was saying: "Oh yeah, our kids will be able to play together" and I said: "And, ah, and do our sports, ha ha, you know, not mine, doubtfully mine."
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And he said: "No way, mine are playing tennis, golf, something that actually pays." And he said: "No way, mine are playing tennis, golf, something that actually pays."
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Yeah, yeah, exactly it actually gets pri-, like you know funding, I was like [Tanya] And national recognition like [Hannah] Mmm, well, you know, and just, well prize money so, you know, and that's, keeps you going [Tanya] So there's no prize money for comps? [Hannah] There is when you're in your 1, 2 and 3. I think up to 6 you get prize money, but, you know, when you're from Australia, that's not, not obtainable. So, it's maybe in ju- like youth competitions it can be, but not in. Yeah, yeah, exactly it actually gets pri-, like you know funding, I was like [Tanya] And national recognition like [Hannah] Mmm, well, you know, and just, well prize money so, you know, and that's, keeps you going [Tanya] So there's no prize money for comps? [Hannah] There is when you're in your 1, 2 and 3. I think up to 6 you get prize money, but, you know, when you're from Australia, that's not, not obtainable. So, it's maybe in ju- like youth competitions it can be, but not in.
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And, and those competitions are the ones you have to pick where there's only 14 people competing in them, so. And, and those competitions are the ones you have to pick where there's only 14 people competing in them, so.
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Nothing, yeah, it's, yeah, it's not. It's not a feasible occupation so or, or anything and look, you know, if my kids comes to me and says mummy I really want do that. Nothing, yeah, it's, yeah, it's not. It's not a feasible occupation so or, or anything and look, you know, if my kids comes to me and says mummy I really want do that.
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Yeah, OK, but yeah, I'd prefer them to just, you know, I'm gonna give them  Yeah, OK, but yeah, I'd prefer them to just, you know, I'm gonna give them 
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sort of almost a platter of sports that they can just try and give them the basics. OK, let's learn to swim, let's learn to run, let's play tennis, let's, so you got your hand eye coordination  sort of almost a platter of sports that they can just try and give them the basics. OK, let's learn to swim, let's learn to run, let's play tennis, let's, so you got your hand eye coordination 
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And then all good. So and that's it, if they come to me and say, actually, Mum I want to play chess? And then all good. So and that's it, if they come to me and say, actually, Mum I want to play chess?
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Fine, as long as you've got something to do and you're not sitting on a, on a whatever a PlayStation or a phone. Yeah, that's fine. Fine by me. Fine, as long as you've got something to do and you're not sitting on a, on a whatever a PlayStation or a phone. Yeah, that's fine. Fine by me.
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If you had to say, um, you know, what was the secret to your success, what would that be? If you had to say, um, you know, what was the secret to your success, what would that be?
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[Hannah] Secret to my success, I think look it would be my attitude towards it. Well, my determination you you have to be quite determined and have to sort of. [Hannah] Secret to my success, I think look it would be my attitude towards it. Well, my determination you you have to be quite determined and have to sort of.
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have vision of where you want to go with, um, with your sporting career as well, like and what you actually wanna do. So I think that was it, like my, my sheer determination to just keep powering through 'cause look it's not all  have vision of where you want to go with, um, with your sporting career as well, like and what you actually wanna do. So I think that was it, like my, my sheer determination to just keep powering through 'cause look it's not all 
55:26

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Roses and Roses and
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it was hard work and there were more downs than ups and, and that's it. But you've just got to have that perspective of you can learn from your worst runs and, and that's it. And remember why you there and when you've had a bad day and, and that's pretty much, I think it was just my drive and determination that got me through. Yeah [Tanya] And you, being a role model's important to you, do you think for younger generations? [Hannah] Yes, yeah. I would say for sure I would, um,  it was hard work and there were more downs than ups and, and that's it. But you've just got to have that perspective of you can learn from your worst runs and, and that's it. And remember why you there and when you've had a bad day and, and that's pretty much, I think it was just my drive and determination that got me through. Yeah [Tanya] And you, being a role model's important to you, do you think for younger generations? [Hannah] Yes, yeah. I would say for sure I would, um, 
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yeah, I'd love to be considered a role model rather than, than somebody who's done something and, I, like and, and like my kids at school, they're all like, oh, but how does the school afford to have an Olympian? And I'm like, no it doesn't work like that sweetheart, you know, but I say to them as well, you know, I kept an education going, you know. I've got 3 degrees and I kept, kept learning. I still am learning. I'm always learning, and even when I did that my life didn't stop. When I finished luge that was just one chapter. yeah, I'd love to be considered a role model rather than, than somebody who's done something and, I, like and, and like my kids at school, they're all like, oh, but how does the school afford to have an Olympian? And I'm like, no it doesn't work like that sweetheart, you know, but I say to them as well, you know, I kept an education going, you know. I've got 3 degrees and I kept, kept learning. I still am learning. I'm always learning, and even when I did that my life didn't stop. When I finished luge that was just one chapter.
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And now I'm onto another chapter which is, you know, not really a career when you having babies and so on. But, um, you know, a career eventually and something that, but I'm working and I'm doing something different and I think it's important for kids to see  And now I'm onto another chapter which is, you know, not really a career when you having babies and so on. But, um, you know, a career eventually and something that, but I'm working and I'm doing something different and I think it's important for kids to see 
56:46

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you know, athletes aren't all going to be living off endorsements, and so on, and I think, you know, let's face it, about 90% of our athletes in Australia aren't professional. They're all, they're all amateur. They're all unpaid. They're all, you know, and we promote rugby league and all of those sports that  you know, athletes aren't all going to be living off endorsements, and so on, and I think, you know, let's face it, about 90% of our athletes in Australia aren't professional. They're all, they're all amateur. They're all unpaid. They're all, you know, and we promote rugby league and all of those sports that 
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don't really go anywhere [laughs] except for just a ?inaudible? in New South Wales so it's, um,  don't really go anywhere [laughs] except for just a ?inaudible? in New South Wales so it's, um, 
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yeah, and I think it's important for kids to see that, but also I think it's really important for kids to  yeah, and I think it's important for kids to see that, but also I think it's really important for kids to 
57:20

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be around athletes that are  be around athletes that are 
57:22

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That people that have achieved things so that they can go. Oh well, they're just a normal person and I could do that too so [Tanya] Yeah and juggling lots of different things, it's not the be all and the end all [Hannah] Exactly [Tanya] I think that's what a lot of athletes are taught [Hannah] Exactly and well, yeah, I mean, you look at swimming, I gotta say there's a problem with that program because how many of them retire and come back because they can't cope with life after sport? So you've. That people that have achieved things so that they can go. Oh well, they're just a normal person and I could do that too so [Tanya] Yeah and juggling lots of different things, it's not the be all and the end all [Hannah] Exactly [Tanya] I think that's what a lot of athletes are taught [Hannah] Exactly and well, yeah, I mean, you look at swimming, I gotta say there's a problem with that program because how many of them retire and come back because they can't cope with life after sport? So you've.
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yeah, I kind of think  yeah, I kind of think 
57:52

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you should have helped them out a little bit more in preparing for life. It should be a good balance. Everybody should have a balance in life and, and yeah, I see some coaches go. No, you should have nothing else, just training. you should have helped them out a little bit more in preparing for life. It should be a good balance. Everybody should have a balance in life and, and yeah, I see some coaches go. No, you should have nothing else, just training.
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But... you've gotta keep your mind active as well. But... you've gotta keep your mind active as well.
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[Tanya] Well, thank you so much for sharing [Hannah] Not a problem. [Tanya] your expertise with us [Hannah] not a problem. [Tanya] Well, thank you so much for sharing [Hannah] Not a problem. [Tanya] your expertise with us [Hannah] not a problem.
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Thank you. Thank you.