Have you ever had to say no to something you couldn’t afford... and it completely changed your life? This week’s Money Diarist has. She was literally ranked top 10 in the world as a professional athlete… while earning less than $20k a year. (Yep, you heard that right. Top 10 in the world, but that's all she was paid). Backed by her powerhouse single mum, she trained, studied, worked odd jobs, and poured everything into her sport, until the moment came to head to Europe to compete and the price tag was just too high. That no changed everything. Fast forward to today and her money story looks very different. She’s swapped early morning training for a six-figure 9–5, added a pilates side hustle and has gone through a casual financial glow-up. Fast forward to today and she’s swapped early morning training for a six-figure 9–5, added a Pilates side hustle, and gone through a casual financial glow-up. This diary has it all: the brutal truth about money in elite sport, a comeback story worth cheering for, and the reminder that your “no” today might just be what sets you up for a much bigger yes tomorrow.

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