Nico Porteous was 16 years old when he won a bronze medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

That was just the beginning of his rising star.

He was named Sportsman of the Year award at the 2022 Halberg awards on the back of his incredible Olympic gold medal in the halfpipe at the Beijing 2022 Winter Games.

Now at the age of 23, he has retired.

In this raw and revealing conversation, Nico opens up about what it really takes to get to the top- not just the training and pressure, but also the personal sacrifices, mental health battles, and the toll on his body and mind.

We discuss the bittersweet decision to step away from competitive skiing, the impact of injury, and what it means to retire on his own terms.

This is a story about growth, gratitude, and self-discovery, from the top of the podium to the start of a whole new chapter.

I first met Nico at the very start of his career, so it was really cool to connect with him at the very end. And it was even cooler to see he hadn’t rally changed- he is still impeccably polite and well-mannered and totally ego-free. Nico is a proud New Zealander who has made me proud to be a New Zealander, so this was a huge honor.

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Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.

Generate is an award-winning KiwiSaver provider with a track record of delivering strong long-term returns for their clients- you can see their latest returns for yourself on their website.

I became a client when they came on board as the show sponsor and it’s been a gamechanger for me personally- I’m kicking myself for not doing it years earlier.

You can book a no obligation chat with one of their awesome KiwiSaver advisers at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds

Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

And just a reminder — I’m a podcast host, not a financial adviser, so this is just general advice. I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wayne Larden is the Race Director of the TCS Sydney Marathon.

If you’re running Sydney this year or have it on your bucket list to run one day, this episode is a must listen.

He’s been in the role for over 20 years, and in that time, he’s turned the event from a small fun run with about 1,200 people into a world-class marathon with 35,000 runners – including the GOAT himself, Eliud Kipchoge.

Honestly, it’s hard to think of anyone who’s done more for running in Australia than “Lardy.”

In this chat, we talk about what it takes to put on a massive event like this – the behind-the-scenes chaos, the planning, the pressure, and the payoff. We also get into how he landed Kipchoge, what becoming a World Marathon Major actually means and where he hopes to take the event in the future, including advice for Kiwis hoping to get a spot in Sydney next year.

Whether you're a runner, race nerd, or event junkie, this chat is full of grit, laughs, and real insight into the global running boom from an Aussie legend who has seen and done it all.

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Huge thanks to my friends at Radix for sponsoring this episode.

There instant breakfasts must be sampled to understand just how good they are.

You can literally just tear the bag open, pour water in and eat. That one meal will give you 21g of protein and 1 and a half of your 5-a-day.

It will fill you, you will feel good…and most importantly it tastes INCREDIBLE. Did I mention its healthy too? I knock back a breakfast before a long run and it keeps me going for hours.

Check Radix out for yourself at

https://radixnutrition.co.nz/

And use the code DOM for 15% of everything in the store

Try it once and I promise you’ll be a fan for life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Courtney Duncan is a four-time world motocross champion.

In this revealing conversation, Courtney opens about the toughest chapter of her life: being diagnosed with a heart condition: pericarditis, and how that forced her to completely reevaluate her approach to racing, health, and life.

We also talk about the emotional rollercoaster of winning her first world title, what it meant after years of setbacks, near misses, and heartbreak.

And the pressure that followed. Because sometimes, reaching the top is only the beginning.

This is a conversation about more than just sport—it’s about resilience, identity, and what it really takes to chase your dreams.

Whether you’re a fan or just learning about Courtney for the first time, I think you’ll love this episode.

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Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.

If I could ask you to do one big favour, for me and for yourself, it would be to consider getting KiwiSaver advice from Generate, like I did.

The decisions you make with your KiwiSaver now could have a big impact on how much you have to live on in retirement.

And if you’ve never had KiwiSaver advice before, you could be missing out.

Generate has a strong track record of long-term performance. You can check out their latest returns on their website.

They also have advisers who can come to you and help you figure out the right KiwiSaver setup for your goals: no pressure, just good advice.

I met with one when Generate came on board as a sponsor back in 2023 and honestly, I wish I’d done it sooner.

Head to generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom to book a chat

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

And just a reminder — everyone’s situation is different, so I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.