You Little Ripper Season 4 Episode 1

this podcast was recorded on a wob and gby Gabby land hi I'm kley par Olympian and I'm par Olympian Riley bat and we're back for our fourth season of you little Ripper and Riley it's going to be a massive year uh firstly how are you doing how's the shoulder we're not we're not talking about that first episode mate we are not let's talk about let's talk about how you made it Four Seasons for you little Brer mate how how have I not taken over the the top spot here or someone else come in and bumped you off mate you must be loved you the competitor in you look at this we're about love here you little Ripper we we we like to make sure that we tell all the stories of the paralympic world an old man friendly I'm like one of those cross guys in The Muppets I'm always going to be here and I'm very thankful that you're here mate because I don't think anyone could do a job like you uh you uh we love you here and little you know that you know you know I love you Kur ly will get you every week Ry B um but seriously like this is a massive year for you this is heading into your sixth games yeah six games mate J six games how many of you done Kur I did five mate and that me I'm gonna do hopefully might do more Paralympics in the great Kurt Fernley how many gold medals have you w I've had I've had five opportunities and one two so what's the percentage on that you gonna start talking about the amount of events that an individual athlete gets to go the SW two if you think about it we've won two gold medals but there's 12 on the team so we've won 24 gold medals Kurt and 12 silver all right then my little Sledge at the top of the show has got cut down uh two gold medals isn't bad if you get a third one though then you will uh you're welcome to take my spot here on the you Little River en SE um how's the body feeling mate like I you've come through the Christmas period uh qualification happens in in two more months we spoke about it I won't labor on other teams that are qualifying I won't labor on the the really stressful period of time it is before you get that qualified seat so how' you how'd you pull up after the Christmas period did you take a break um I don't like to take a break I'm probably similar to you Kurt I love to be active and and push my body I I thrive off that even when they want you to take two weeks off I'm like can I just do some sort of cross trainining I don't like to sit still uh personally for me didn't want to talk about the shoulder in this podcast that was the last thing I want to talk about but you know you brought it up so let's talk about it hey it's really that shoulder is the thing that gets spoken about as much as Lauren you little Ripper Parker yeah let's hopefully we don't have to talk about it much longer but for me it it's it's it's it's it's been up and downs injuries are ups and downs right Sports up and downs so it was fantastic the end of the last year I was like oh I could be back here I was starting to get the strength numbers back up and then we had a couple more Pops and potentially tears so that set me back a little bit but I'm ahead more the start of this year than I was at the start of last year and we look at the results we got last year and um I I I was happy with how I performed I don't think I was um at the top Elite of my game but I was getting there so for me personally um yep set back a little bit at the moment from what I was a couple of months ago but we're going to build more on this year and you know injuries are all about you know they're like a graph right you go up you go down it's not always a smooth sailing up it's ups and downs and hopefully those ups are higher than the ones previously so that's me mate but yeah as you said we've got the qualification tournament in New Zealand in March it is so hard to think that like because every paralic games I've been involved in been involved in we've qualif the year before or two years before so it's really hard to talk about you know going to your six paralympic games when you haven't qualified so I don't want to get ahead of myself um I know we do have a good chance of qualifying if we finish on the podium so if we get a medal at this reper Char tournament top three uh qualify for the Paris 2024 game so quite confident there but you never know what can happen but like we took it last year pretty hard to be honest Kurt as when we knew we had to go to this tournament that oh no we have to go to a qualification tournament but to be honest I think it's actually a blessing in disguise that we are going to play against seven other incredible teams more experience for for us more jelling as a team and build our way into this Paris campaign so it's going to be fantastic I'm looking forward to March well you came the other side of it in Tokyo right like you didn't you were the team that had the least amount of time to Jael together when now you're going into these games where you would hopefully be one of the teams who who have got one of the most amounts of time actually becoming you know that unit that the um that the wheelchair rugby team that you guys are are known for yeah 100% mate um I think this is just more time as a team uh we've got so big plays coming through at the moment too so much depth and you know I I would hate to be you know coach Brad Brad dub selecting this team because some of the players he he's had to sit out for this tournament was just absolutely mindblowing and this is fantastic for S sport it's fantastic for wheelchair rugby so um everyone's fighting for a position the whole level of our our teams going up um we obviously had two successful last two years um sort of out of nowhere to be honest um I thought we were sort of in a bit of rebuilding but we've sort of rebuilt pretty quick there so we've got a good shot this year we've got to just look at these goals first and obviously qualify and for me personally got to keep this shoulder in check and not get too ahead of myself and you hopefully going into the Paris games swing a lot harder than we did it in Tokyo where we are we was the first time getting together in two years because of Co so mate I am pumped I am so happy with this team um you know so many people have asked me oh what are you going to do after Paris you're going to retire I don't want to retire because this team's so incredible and just the mateship I have with so many players there and how deep it is that uh we'll soon see what happens in Paris but that's enough about me Kurt let's just get me off here how was your Chrissy mate how how'd he go with all the Rascals I'm not going to let that one go because that is the most exciting news that I have ever ever heard and you know what I think I loved my last few years while I was racing like I really really really loved it and then I extended it another few years because I was enjoying you know the experience so much and um mate just hear you speak about your enjoyment with that team and enjoyment with that sport that just makes me makes me really happy man and um obviously everyone here at Y rer which here and on the Steelers uh it's one of Australia's favorite te how couldn't you cheer on the sters just going on that c though like it it just to be absolutely honest like it's an honest thing and for any athletes out there um it it can become a bit of a chore to to compete and to to train like it's it can become a chore and you actually you start to not enjoy it and it's it just it's something you have to do and you don't want to let other people down you don't let family down um and it's sort of who you are and I've gone through those stages and I'm happy to admit that I'm like what am I doing still doing this like obviously I know how lucky I am to represent Australia and compete and you know you win a world championship and I'm like what am I going on for what am I doing like you know there's other things in life I want to achieve but this year I'm actually really pumped and I've got this extra sort of motivation I'm really pumped to play again and it's just it's it's um it's amazing and I'm honest about all that stuff you know there is tough times but it's just trying to find those those little things and I am pumped to go play March and just qualify again I had a really tough time before one of my games and I actually I messaged Jeff Adams who was the greatest wheelchair of all time uh back when I was a young fell just loved what he did and and he wrote me this long message just but in in in um to to cut to the chase it was every day you go out there and it may feel like a chore but remind yourself of why you got started and and a lot of the stories about why you took that first step is that it's almost like this childhood Teddy Bear this thing that you carried with you when you're a young fell that you that you that everybody else grows out of this dream of becoming this person or this thing that 90% at 99% of people they let that thing go where the athlete they don't let that go they carry that thing because they have that drive to be the person that they kind of felt that they wanted to be as a young as a young kid and I know like like me the sport when it grabbed both of our Lives it changed everything within it and um it really did help me in those last years reminding myself of the day I first s and loved wheelchair racing I I think it's it's also you want to look back once you finish your career and know that you've given it it your all and that you went you went to your mind and your body completely sort of gave up obviously we don't want to be injured and whatnot but you don't want to sit back in you know your 50s going oh I could have played for another four years you want to leave everything out there be proud of you know those times because not many people get to do this um in life so look at us go Kurt start at 2024 and we're just getting deep and we're um that wasn't we weren't meant to do that weren we but uh we're pumping everyone let's go this this is exciting mate and and the fact that this is paralympic year you know what I had a great Christmas holidays had some time with some family uh but boy I'm excited I'm excited that this is the Paris year that we get to see that and hear stories that we've never heard before who is the person that's going to come out of you know like the the the the woodwork and and own what it is to be an Australian paralympian it's an exciting period of time and we're here at you Ripper to share the paralympic stories over the uh the next 12 months and bring as many people as we possibly can with us on this journey you're just excited Kurt because I A little birdie told me that the you little rer podcast might potentially be going over to Paris so you've got a trip to Paris we're going to Paris yes we are we're going to be there in person telling the stories of of paralympians on the ground I'm so excited about that I think that would be amazing I wanted to go to Tokyo to be able to uh experience the games as as somebody watching but now uh to be going there to to to create some content and talk to athletes and share stories from those on the ground in Paris and also watch my my comrades my my my peers and my community go out and do that thing that we all love to see them do um Riley you're you little Ripp a moment oh mate since our last podcast uh last year um I can't believe already in February there has been a lot happening in the paralympic world so many great results so I always try to make sure I get in before UK Kurt with these moments because otherwise you you still mine but I'm sure you've got one coming up as well at an amazing moment but for me it was the rollers the rollers are the men Australian men's basketball team they have qualified for the Paris 2024 paralympic games they won in an absolute nailbiter against Iran I believe there's two points that it CT and there's IM there's video footage on I believe the Australian Paralympics Instagram Facebook and you should just see the excitement um you know all these guys getting around each other you know winning in that buzzer buzzer beater moment they've qualified for the games it is just an amazing um thing to watch so I encourage you guys to watch it well under the rollers they're on the way to Paris 2024 Paralympics That's so exciting mate like that is amazing to to see the energy with that group to the to to know that they're going to take that momentum into the games uh exciting time for Australian sport um mine's going to be a long one Riley bat so you you might want to go out and grab a copper because my I want to listen to this I want to hear every name my moment is the culmination of multiple Australian par Olympians their effort their results at the UCI Paras cycling Road World Cup in January now I'm going to start with the the the relay Grant Allen Lauren Parker that's Lauren you little riper Parker and Alex Welsh they won the team Rel but in the time trial Australia got 14 medals we've got Caitlyn Sherman Paige Greco Emily Petra Cola Alana Foster Lauren Parker Darren Hicks all gold Silvers Amy Mel David Nicholls Alistair Donahue bronzers meline mcnail uh Laura orberson Amanda Reed M lemon Kieran Murphy and Michael fby bronzes as well as Stuart Jones but the road race that was a similar story Caitlyn schurman gold Paige greo gold Emily Petra Cola gold Darren Hicks gold Al de donu gold and another silver for Amanda Reed and bronzes for Emma ml mag lemon David Nichol Nicholas Karan Murphy and Michael fryberg and of course Lauren Parker won Gold in all three events at the UCI par cycling world chbs so I was going to give my UL little Ripper moment obviously to Lauren UL little Ripper Parker but I think it's got to go to the entire team what a result the start of a par Olympic year I think that there is definitely some excitement building for and with that team it's absolutely amazing to see how many amazing results there what a team and Kurt I decided in the offseason to uh set myself up on the hand cycle on on zift what like a um I guess a virtual writing platform and I know a lot of these Australian Riders are on there and I've looked at some of their times and looked at some of the wattage these guys put out and I'm absolutely blown away that would leave me in their dust that is a terrible idea Riley but you don't get older and then compare yourself to some of the uh the greatest athletes of the uh the paralympic movement what are you do what are you doing uh I will hide my data until the day that I die nobody gets my data anymore I used to publicize it I used to be able to throw it out there for everyone to see but no M you're a glutton for punishment Riley but yeah I'd like to see your daa these days compared to what you used to do mate tell us that tell us a little about your data from uh yeah on your ski or your track chair from what you used to do I'm sure made use I still made use to you once R but remember that who beat you up in the in the uh the CrossFit Jim M talk about Australian teams uh we have a knack in a paralympic year of finding uh teams that become World beaters now these two this is one of the most exciting teams when it comes to the paralympic world they are World rowing uh parac crew of the year um they joined forces in the pr3 mixed double skulls at the beginning of 23 and they have became world champions and broke the world best time twice obviously I'm talking about Jed alswager and Nikki AES welcome to you little Ripper thanks guys how you doing good how are you guys going how have you recovered from the Christmas period yeah pretty good we both had a bit of illness over the Christmas period but got to spend time with family and it's just back into it it's a pretty busy time of the year for us with our qualifications and selection process so we're both going pretty good so each of you are responsible for the weight of the other person right at the end of the day it's a power to weight game does anyone kind of drop over and slap a you know bit of Christmas cake out of each other's hands or what lick a bit of ham off the each other's plate or nor only giving it to each other no we can we eat as much as we need to eat there there's none of that around here it's we reckon the Fuller the better oh geez I'd love to do that c how about you mate eat as much as we possibly could it's a really strange experience that um whenever you run into a dietitian so many athletes one of the biggest problems that they have is they don't eat enough like the you've got this engine that you need to feel and you've got to throw calories in it and sometimes you get obsessed with trying to reduce the amount of calories that come in but that actually in the long term does yourself a bit of a disservice you need to put the calories in so that the engine builds stronger not kind of shrinks a little bit but um I'm glad you had a merry Christmas and I can't be eating the same cake that I used to be so uh I held back on the half years we are just jealous that's what we are there jealous people right now think about how much food you guys eat now Nikki Jed we know that you guys are a newer uh Team you've only just come together in the last year or two can you tell us how you guys got together uh basically we we first met in the Tokyo cycle so there was a train for Tokyo Camp uh in camra and it was I think it might have even been very close to one of the first times I'd ever sat in a rowing boat um Nikki um was there as well there's a bunch of athletes that followed the cycle through um so we yeah met in CRA for the first time for the train for Tokyo uh the big boat that season uh was the the mixed four um and so we you know we spent that cycle basically training and traling for that boat um and yeah so it started way back when so that would have been 2008 2017 end of 17 um both being you know a little older we clicked straight away became mates and and and from there it's just been you know a good good relationship just hanging out and to be able to do this now is pretty cool when did you know it was going to work like was it immediate was it before when you were in that like when did you go this is it we're all in well we kind of knew we're both pretty excited knowing we had a friendship and like knowing Jed as an athlete he like always gives 110% and wants to do the best that he can and so when this vot was announced like cool like let's do it this could be a different experience hopefully a little bit more positive and fun and then Jed came to CRA one weekend for a camp and honest I think for me like it was that first row we had in the boat were just like wow this is awesome and the boat just moved really well together considering we' never rode in a double because we' both been doing sweet with like is the other discipline of rowing so it's very different and like from that moment I was like cool and we're like okay all right let's do this so yeah yeah it was early doors when when we when we were sort of starting to get before we got in the boat both of us have been had some success in the single so single skull and and on paper like I just had this I was like I reckon it's gonna be good you know and I'm like I know we connect well and I was like and then and then it yeah it was only a couple rows and and amazing it just started to click and we had a great season yeah so with rowing it freaks me out like Kurt I don't know about you but like you know paddling and going backwards and not seeing what's coming it is it's it's it's quite unique now who is at the front front of the boat I guess and who's in charge of actually steering and making sure you don't run into stuff I understand it's a you're usually going straight but when you're training there is BS right yeah so you're in charge are you Nikki uh any accidents yeah no Jed sits in the front of the boat he kind of like tries to think he's in control but really I in the back um so yeah I help I do most of the steering and you know make all the calls and whatnot so I have a pretty tough job in the back actually there's a lot going on where just Rose and I just have to him so he has the easy job but if you don't steer and you hit a bank or something he's the first on the fire line to hit the bank corre correct or they I because I'm at the back of the boat I'm in the B so like it's all on me I got you I was so confused then with it all back to front yeah yeah so I crossed the line first too so I get all the world records you're never going to beat her Jen she's always the meter in front of me Nikki but you were the one that made the Co to move from cber to is that right like so people always ask what does it take to to to win a paralympic medal or to become a paralympian it kind of takes everything right so how hard was that called to kind of pack life up and um um in know honesty it was quite an easy call for me you know we all have stuff happen in our own personal lives and when Jed and I got selected it just happened to be the right thing in the best call and we both had kind of had those conversations and said look we're in it we're in this for the gold we want to enjoy the journey and we both knew that the way we could do that we couldn't do the camp based system that they had done previously or kind of we intended we wanted to be in the same training environment and the South the South Australian rowing program had a new head coach Nick Mitchell he had a really awesome reputation and got along really well with the athletes so for me it was probably the easiest decision I made just talked whatever I could fit my little Corolla and drove to Adelaide and it clearly paid off but also it's like it was great because knowing that Jed and I had a friendship and we had a relationship off the water as well so it wasn't as daunting coming here not really knowing anyone so it was a really easy decision and the best decision I could have done and I think that's what's made the difference for us is training together every day building that relationship but also challenging each other you know Jed's a male athlete and I'm a female athlete so obviously there's some physical differences and with our disabilities as well but we still challenge each other and make sure we get the best out of each session and push each other as much as we can as well and have fun while we're doing it Nikki I don't know if I'm going to believe the story then because I think anyone wants to get out of camra because I know rowing on the water in the middle of the winter in camra anyone wants to get out of there so you're trying to make Jed feel good that you moved there for him but you just wanted to get away from camera yeah I was pretty excited because when I moved here was in winter like just at the start of winter so I missed out the whole winter season um so I don't miss rowing in minus5 - 7 on the water in know they are beautiful mornings but it's nice just laughing at everyone down here in their long sleep all see wind it's cold during winter and she's just in a zo like it's summer time she's tough she's tough I like that so how is training looking you you've got a qualification spot so that the there will be an Australian boat in that event um how long do you know that you are completely qualified and and how's the form yeah so the the answer to the question when we officially hopefully qualify our spots back in I think it's first week of March um is is our selection week we've got uh we've got some racing coming up we've got racing coming up in Sydney um in a few days uh that's our first sort of on waterer racing event uh we've had some urg tests and stuff previously sort of leading up from the tail Ender last year all the way through they're kind of monitoring pieces um and that data gets collated uh we hopefully race really hard and well in the single and double this weekend and from there you get an official invite to trials uh and we'll know what the landscape looks like as as far as who's going to be coming to trials and then we go to trials execute that week um and then hopefully be selected and as far as as the way we're going it's it's been good like we've had um just even taking off from where we we left off last year like we we only really you moved here in was it may may um and you know we we got that Boat Moving And so to have this that all that behind us and then the big block that we had through summer and that's still continuing uh it's just yeah we're just we're cruising along it's going really well I've got a question for both of you actually so Jed it's your hopefully going to be your first paralympic games what are you looking forward to and then also Nikki you obviously competed in Tokyo what lessons that you learned in Tokyo you going to bring into Paris yeah uh the the biggest thing I mean so much I I had I've I've thoroughly enjoyed my entire rowing journey and and my Paras sport journey I came in through it through a workplace the accident and so I never even really thought I would be in this situation and the Tokyo cycle was tough you know in and out of a of a basically a reserve pair doing okay at well Champs silver medal here and there but never really breaking through and then not getting the selection into Tokyo was hard but also I thoroughly enjoyed it and then to be now it's real I feel like that the last year has been wild um and I'm definitely not one to count the cars until they've dealt so I just can't wait you know if we get there having you know having some family there and and most of all going over there and executing the race and I really feel like finishing this chapter not to say that rowing's done but I I felt like I've pressed go you know pressed the Go Button in 2017 and I really would like to execute it well yeah I think one of the biggest lessons I learned from is that just like the journey and knowing that you've given absolutely everything you can so that when you cross that Finish Line no matter the result even though if it doesn't end up being what you wanted you can look back and be satisfied with what you put in and know there was nothing else that you could have done because like that Tokyo cycle Co there's so many things out of our control like we got selected we rode for about 5 days together as a crew and then we never saw each other again for 6 months till we got to Tokyo you know and that was our about control and so yeah we didn't get the result we really wanted but I could look back on that journey be like well we did everything that we could within our control and our power to do that and you know I'm still really proud that we came forth at our first par Olympic Games and we all debuted and you know I'm bringing that mentality into this with Jed is that no matter what when we get to that start line then we cross that Finish Line in the a final which is the goal no matter the outcome as long as we can both say we gave absolutely everything we could have and did everything we could like I know that I'll be happy with the result no matter what yeah it's such an important thing for us the dynamic in the boat is is this really like uh supportive freeing um environment where where there's nothing like we we want that result really bad but we want to allow each other to be able to breathe and be who we want to be and just it's a really freeing environment and and then I think we're both on on the right page and saying it's the best environment to be in to perform well and so that's kind of where where we're sitting yeah just by chance you're in Paris you've just crossed the line and won a gold medal what do you say to each other uh we say hopefully we get first class on the way home Kurt will make sure of that he's got connections everywhere we're talking about that the other day so had couldn't miss that opportunity um I don't know I think it just like Jed's pretty cooked for a fair bit once we cross the line it takes him a solid couple of minutes to get his breath back um but yeah I don't know it' just be amazing yeah it'd be incredible to uh like even even going back to the feeling of finishing the world chance is gone I think layer that up again and and turn the knobs up again into the to the big dance would just be surreal like it's hard to think about it too much because it's it's fleeting and and it's not done until it's done but you know once the once I caught my breath there'd be a lot of elation a lot of hugs a lot of high fives a few beers it would be amazing probably some tears as long as you don't jump in the water afterwards we don't know about that water quality hey we'll try our best not to it could be something different but uh look Jed Nikki we are behind you 100% you little Ripper is behind you 100% on your journey to uh to Paris um we can't wait to see your results this year we can't wait to see uh what happens potentially when you cross that Finish Line in Paris um have an amazing year thank you for joining us on your liter as well and uh we'll be right behind you for Paris for 2024 awesome thanks for having us thanks so much for having us guys really appreciate it oh gee Riley bat how Bloody amazing are they what firstly good talent good great talkers and um just I don't know something real about the paralympians right like something when you you get in there and you get to have a good yarn they just those two guys they give so much of themselves and it's exciting it's a really exciting period of time yeah 100% Kurt I got such a good vibe from those two they seem like they they're jelling so well together um you know they're sacrificing so much in their world for um I guess the chance to participate in um you know Paris 2024 together um such good vibes I I'm I'm hoping we can qualify just so I can see these two in the flesh over there Kurt um and yeah we're going to be right behind them these guys are going to be the next dynamic duo uh Riley well I think we wish you good luck when we seeing you before you go to the qualification Club no I won't be on the Pod until after I've got to I've got to uh knuckle down and and get all the training and all the travel done mate so I've got lots of trips coming up in the next six weeks so uh hopefully um I will be I think I'm on the Pod the uh the the week after we come back from New Zealand hopefully with that ticket to our Paris otherwise you might see me with a a box of tissues wiping my tears away mate so uh yeah I'm looking forward to uh catching up on the Pod obviously uh with some other hosts while I'm away um and getting my paralympic news and then getting back with you guys in uh March hopefully with a ticket to Paris we're we're cheering for you and all the Steelers and thank you to our listeners of this podcast we love all things parasport and want to share how amazing it is with the rest of the world but we need your help to do that we definitely do Kurt this is a huge year for all par Olympians so I encourage you all to share this podcast with your family with your friends and then I'm not going to ask you to leave a review I'm going to tell you to leave a review this time you must leave us a review a nice one five stars five star and a nice comment to say how great Riley bat is or to comment on how amazing Nikki and Jenna uh and we'll be back with more interviews with your favorite athletes so make sure you followed you good Ripper on social media and wherever you get your podcasts and would also like to say a huge thank you to Toyota for supporting this episode of you little Ripper Oh What a Feeling thanks [Music] Toyota [Music]