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She Speaks Sport

Welcome to She Speaks Sport, where the love for women’s sports meets the fascination for the stories behind the game-changers. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just starting to explore, join me for empowering conversations, insightful interviews, and a front-row seat to the compelling narratives behind the names we know and admire. Get ready to fuel your passion for sports and uncover the untold stories that deserve to be heard.

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Featured Podcasts

Noa Jansen Rides to Wholeness – Life after the Struggle

Professional cyclist Noa Jansen has always held a passion to cycle at the highest level, but that love was clouded by an eating disorder that slowly stole her joy, her strength, and her sense of self. What began as rules in her head, “rewards” with food, and the praise of being thinner as an athlete, soon spiraled into a reality where she was unrecognisable to those who knew her best. Eventually, her body gave out, leaving her unable to race, and forcing her to face a truth which led to her hospitalisation and her first steps to recovery.

On this episode, Noa speaks with raw honesty about what it meant to lose not just her physical health, but the dream she had built her life around, and the courage it took to fight her way back. Her recovery was not only about eating again, but confronting the mental battles behind her disorder, surrendering to the painful process of healing, and slowly rediscovering the joy she once felt as a young girl on her bike. Along the way, she was supported by incredible mentors like Natascha Knaven founder of NXTG and Leontien van Moorsel, who helped create a safe space for her to rebuild herself and her dreams.

Today, Noa Jansen rides fiercely for the Liv Alula Jayco women’s team, carrying with her the scars of struggle and the strength of survival. In our conversation, we also speak about the ongoing pressure from the media around professional cyclists and the constant commentary on weight, something we saw at the Tour de France Femmes this year.

Giovanna Barbosa – More Than a Game

Giovanna Barbosa has built a global creative career, challenging the waves of beauty and femininity but it all started at a shoot for her football club Coventry City. From playing at U.J to an international scholarship to play for a division 1 college in America to becoming a professional footballer for Coventry City, and winning a championship, Giovanna shines as a light of determination and power.

In this episode, she shares how a full-ride Division 1 scholarship to Texas A&M, along with Nike sponsored goods, set her on a path few South Africans have walked—studying neuroscience while playing elite college football in the U.S. Before that, she had just chased the ball. From kicking it around with the boys at Rovers, to making every team she could in South Africa, determination, hard work and grit opened incredible doors and we go in to the depth of her journey and her story from U.J to Texas and then to the U.K. Giovanna discusses the change in the women’s sport industry from when she started until today, and she digs into her experiences and what she is witnessing within the game. We go into this and truth bomb about the DNA of the women’s game, the heartbeat of engagement, and what she witnessed when they brought the kids on to the field when playing for Coventry. Harder work, missing socks, no shirts, and the new kit next week, it’s all for the fans!

But this story takes a turn. A photo shoot at Coventry City FC shifted her entire trajectory. From the pitch to global campaigns. From shin guards to stilettos. Was it random? Or something more? Giovanna opens up about the dream she had just the night before our recording—and a training session on the horizon that could change everything again.

Why Rowing Isn’t Just for the Posh— Chloe Cresswell

The 2025 U23 world rowing championships just wrapped up in Poland. The top young talent in the world of rowing showed up with thrilling races and surprising finishes, with the South African rowers leaving their mark on the world champs. Chloe Cresswell led the charge in the lightweight women’s single sculls, and her technical precision and fight, meant she walked away with a silver medal.

We celebrate the win together on the podcast, as Chloe joins me to talk about the race, the German fighting in the last row and the fire she needed to carry to get across the line. Exhausted, she didn’t know she had won the silver until she looked up at the board. Reflecting on her journey into rowing, she shares with us her objectives at the world champs and how winning wasn’t the key goal. As rowing continues to grow in popularity with the public, we share about the incredible community spirit in the sport, and the public interest that is growing prolifically.

I also quiz Chloe on the most googled questions around the sport of rowing, including the inquisitive question of why is rowing so posh? Her knowledge of the sport and its history is impressive as she answers the worlds questions about the sport. What is in store for Chloe Cresswell and her future in the sport? How does she feel after her silver medal win? Join us for this celebratory conversation

Simone Sharpe – Survivor, Athlete, and Unstoppable Force

Simone Sharpe is a cancer and life-threatening blood disorder survivor. Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at 15, and the most severe case of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura that South Africa had ever experienced (in 2008) at 18, she has been through many rounds of chemo, radiation, various operations, and treatments. She lost most of her hair twice, but like her spirit – it comes back with a vengeance.

Due to the treatments, she developed Avascular Necrosis in her shoulders (meaning the blood doesn’t flow to the bone, and the bone dies), which resulted in her having to have a shoulder replacement.

Opening our conversation, Simone Sharpe shares with us her message about body positivity, sport and how she started taking on challenges and adventures which pushed her to pursue racing. We talk about her very first participation in the Cape epic this year, the race was brutal and intense for all the participants and Simone’s reflections are shared openly. Connecting with a new partner ahead of the Epic and finding a great fit with Elaine, whom she holds immense respect for. Over the really hot day, Elaine and Simone faced an immense hurdle in a possible hospitalisation. Also facing the rollercoaster of having their boards cut up after missing the finishing time, and then being reinstated, Simone takes us through the fight against your body breaking down, the emotional and the mental toll this race takes on you.

Rumandi Potgieter on Taylor, Tackles, and Triumphs in Rugby

Having started her athletic career as a netball player, Rumandi Potgieter was part of the first ever team to lift the Varsity Cup trophy with Tuks. Leaving Netball to start rugby with the Tuks’ women’s 7’s was part of her journey as she toured Dubai and France, winning the first and only Varsity Cup 7’s. Currently, she makes her home with the Bulls Daisies, and she made her debut for the Springbok 15’s in 2021, proudly representing South Africa the following year in the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

On the pod, Rumandi and I chat about her recent Taylor Swift concert and how much of Taylor’s message and voice resonate with Rumandi as an athlete in a male dominated space. Uncovering the questions female athletes get asked (like does it hurt when you get tackled), we oppose the inequalities in how interviewers approach athlete interviews. Reflecting on the current Bulls Daisies season and the loss to DHL Western Province, Rumandi observes how the pressure and team dynamics has shifted and evolved positively. With the WXV2 tournament taking place, we get hyped about last year’s tournament and how the crowds responded to the team. We also issue a personal invitation to the sport minister, and to you, our listener, an invitation you won’t want to miss.

Nadine Roos – Solitude, Sisterhood and the Soul of Rugby

Among the shining lights of South Africa’s campaign is Nadine Roos, a player whose versatility knows no bounds, she’s our wing, fullback, fly-half, (basically anything in the back line!) as well as our sevens star.

In this episode, she takes us beyond the try line and into the spaces that few see, the stillness after the stadium lights dim, the rhythm of returning home, and the complex dance between a more relaxed schedule and the busyness of the past few weeks. As a natural loner, she reflects on what it means to spend months side by side with her teammates, to share space, spirit, and silence and how interesting the connection and togetherness of a team truly is.

We also explore her connection to culture and meaning, what it felt like to stand opposite the Black Ferns, her deep respect for the Haka, and the lessons she learnt from her New Zealand teammates when playing in Japan. It would be remiss not to ask her about starting a maul from a scrum, and her opportunity to embrace that moment and to be the best she could be, with a lot of preparation and conversation with the forwards.

Over the rugby world cup, many were drawn to Nadine’s story and the hard realities she encountered through her life, a reality she contributes to the success she has experienced.

This is more than a conversation about rugby. It’s about identity, purpose, and the stories that live long after the final whistle. Nadine Roos is honest about what she hopes can happen in the world of women’s rugby in South Africa, and with an inside edge in the game, we have to listen up!

Aimee Barrett – Theron, My Rugby Life

Aimee Barrett – Theron is a woman of firsts, representing boldly for female referees and cementing herself as a well – respected, household name. She is the first professional female rugby referee in South Africa and one of only four fully professional female rugby referees in the world. She also refereed at the Rio Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Women’s Rugby World Cup. She has her Masters in Sport Science and is a qualified biokineticist running her own practice.

On the show, Aimee and I discuss her early beginnings, from dreaming big as a 12-year-old girl watching the Olympics, to earning a rugby scholarship to Stellenbosch University. Having to drop out and return later to university, Aimee reflects on the hardship of that time but how rugby was a flame of hope and joy in her life. I also ask Aimee about the manner in which she conducts herself on the field, with respect and confidence. We also talk about the viral videos around the Sharks captain, as well as the U20 Wales and England captains and the conduct on field. Necessary to understanding what it takes to be a referee, we uncover the darker side of this profession, where referees are abused, or threatened and Aimee uncovers what it takes to be a professional referee.

Capped and Ready for the Cricket World Cup

With the Women’s Cricket World Cup just around the corner, today’s guest is someone whose story is still being written but already making an impact. Miane Smit is just 20 years old, but in the last year, she’s earned her international debut, been part of a World Cup squad as a reserve, and shared the field with the very players she refers to as her heroes. When Sune Luus presented Miane with her first T20 international cap for the Proteas earlier this year, it was a moment of joy and humour. If you asked all – rounder Miane Smit if she saw herself in this position just two years ago, she would not have believed you. However, the talented batter and off spinner has played in two ODI’s and three T20I’s for the Proteas, was the travelling reserve for the T20 world cup and for this year’s 50 over Cricket World Cup.

In our conversation, we talk about what it really feels like to step into the green and gold, the pressure and pride of wearing the Proteas badge, and what she’s hoping to bring to South Africa’s campaign in the subcontinent. Miane talks about the standard the players set and how they continue to motivate her, challenge her in the best way possible, and the advice some of the players have given her for navigating cricket on and off the field.

Paige Badenhorst – Rowing Journey to the Olympics

Paige Badenhorst has always set the bar high when it comes to pursuing her dreams. She moved to the U.S to study at Michigan University, until a move to Cambridge University saw her participate in the annual River Thames boat race, where her crew set a course record. Now she is flying the flag really high for female rowers, as she is proudly representing South Africa as the only female rower at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.

On the pod, Paige and I talk about her feelings around the games, and her childhood dream of Olympic participation, now a reality and how she is processing living her dream. Her pride in representing our country, and wearing the national colours is so evident. Paige also breaks down what rowing really is, the different boat classes and how rowing backwards is how you move forward. We discuss her partnership with Katherine Williams and the heartbreak in missing out for the women’s doubles in the Olympic qualifiers and how the head-to-head in the trials was hard. Paige came out as the winner, securing her spot in the single scull competition. We also talk about the respect and connection between the female rowers and Paige shares with us who to look out for in the rowing competition. Inspiring, uplifting and exciting, tune in for this Olympic special.

Podcast Topics

On the pod, Lauren hosts guests who provide insight into sport for women and girls, athletes who share their stories, and opinion without the complicated jargon.

What My Guests Say

The interview with Lauren has been nothing short of impactful. She manages to deliver informative and engaging conversations. It is great to see that there is a growing emphasis on raising awareness about women’s health issues, which has been silenced for too long.

Fatima Kathrada, Women’s Health Researcher & Advocate

My interview with Lauren, was really fun, with some refreshingly different questions.
And lots of interaction from the listeners.

Andrie Steyn, WP Cricket Vice - Captain

The interview was an inspiring space for us as women from different walks of life, speaking with the same voice to share our stories, wisdom and understanding of how society functions in response to the roles and needs expressed by women.

Kganya Mogashoa, Visual Artist

I had such a heartwarming time with Lauren on Air talking women empowerment, Inclusivity, and inspiring our youth of South Africa. Lauren unpacks the relevant topics so well, i had a super time diving into the chore of visions and instilling important values to our listeners I was as much inspired by Lauren as she was by me and I look forward to following her as together women can master incredible things further, for women, by women.