Shaped by Trent Cotchin

[Watch the full episode here] AFL legend Robert “Dipper” DiPierdomenico joins Trent on Shaped for a conversation about the moments, people and lessons that made him the man he is today.

One of the most recognisable figures in Australian football, Dipper built an extraordinary career at Hawthorn, becoming a five-time premiership player, Brownlow Medallist and a member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

But this conversation goes well beyond football.

Dipper opens up about his journey from a young kid with big dreams to one of the toughest competitors of h...

Most people know Kamdyn McIntosh as a three-time Richmond premiership player.

What they probably don't know is how close he came to never making it.

In this episode of Shaped, Trent catches up with one of his closest former teammates to unpack a journey built on hard work, resilience and an unwavering commitment to the team. From growing up in country Western Australia and working seven jobs before being drafted, to earning the respect of one of the AFL's greatest teams, Kamdyn shares the moments that shaped both his career and his character.<...

What does it take to chase two elite sporting careers at once?

For Tayla Harris, it starts with being willing to fail.

In this powerful episode of Shaped, Trent Cotchin sits down with one of Australia's most recognisable athletes to explore the mindset that has fuelled her remarkable journey - from kicking a footy in the streets of Brisbane to becoming a four-time All Australian, AFLW Premiership player and professional boxer chasing a world title.

Tayla opens up about the moments that tested her most: devastating shoulder reconstructions, being delisted, balancing...

For many Australians, Anthony "Kouta" Koutoufides is remembered as one of the greatest and most versatile footballers to ever play the game.

But behind the spectacular marks, premierships and highlight reels is a story of heartbreak, resilience and reinvention.

In this episode of Shaped, Trent Cotchin sits down with the Carlton legend to explore the moments that truly shaped his life. From growing up in Melbourne's northern suburbs as the son of Greek and Italian migrants, to becoming one of the AFL's most dominant players, Kouta shares the highs, the devastating lows, and the mindset...

With the FIFA World Cup captivating the world, there's no better time to revisit one of the most iconic moments in Australian sporting history.

In this special episode of Shaped, Trent Cotchin sits down with Socceroos legend John Aloisi to unpack the incredible journey behind the penalty that sent Australia to its first FIFA World Cup in 32 years.

But this conversation is about far more than one unforgettable kick.

John reflects on leaving Australia at just 16 years old to chase his dream in Europe, the loneliness of living overseas, the resilience it...

[Watch the episode here] What happens when the life everyone admires doesn't quite fit the person you really are?

Former AFL player Mitch Brown joins us for one of the most honest conversations we've had on Shaped. Mitch shares his journey of coming out as bisexual after football, the anxiety he carried throughout his career, and the pressure elite athletes face to conform to expectations of masculinity.

From growing up in country Victoria to navigating marriage, fatherhood, injury and identity, this episode is ultimately about honesty, with ourselves and with the people we...

[Watch the episode here] Olympian. Cancer survivor. Mum. Mindset coach.

Fiona Ryan's story is one of extraordinary resilience.

After representing Australia as a Hockeyroo and competing at the London Olympics, Fiona's life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma at just 26 years old. Years later, her husband John faced his own battle with Stage 4 cancer.

In this episode of Shaped, Fiona shares the beliefs, mindset and lessons that helped her navigate elite sport, illness, motherhood and life's toughest challenges.

A deeply moving conversation about...

Ben Crowe (Crowie) is back on Shaped and this conversation might change the way you think about success, pressure, identity and what it actually means to live a meaningful life.

From culture transformation and the surprising Ted Lasso connection… to performance anxiety, belonging, purpose, mindset and the dangerous impact of expectations, this is a masterclass in perspective.

Ben opens up about his new book Where The Light Gets In and the 9 powerful perspective shifts that can help you navigate uncertainty, overcome “not enoughness”, redefine success and reconnect with who you truly are.

...

[Watch the episode here] Cooper Chapman had his best year ever on the international surf tour at 21. Then his sponsor cut him.

In this episode of Shaped, Cooper sits down with Shaped to unpack the journey from chasing trophies and sponsor deals on Sydney's Northern Beaches to building the Good Human Factory, an organisation that has now helped over 50,000 students and thrives on gratitude and positivity.

He talks honestly about ego, external validation, identity after sport, and the five values he believes sit at the foundation of genuine mental health.

...

[Watch the episode here] In this episode of Shaped, Trent sits down with iconic 90’s AFL footballer Glenn Manton for a powerful conversation about resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose beyond football.

From growing up facing adversity and a near-tragic childhood accident, to becoming one of the most recognisable personalities of AFL through his time at Carlton and Essendon, Glenn reflects on the moments and people that shaped him both on and off the field.

This episode dives into identity, overcoming setbacks, mental resilience, and what it means to live authentically after elite sport. Gl...

[Watch the full episode here] Matt Thomas built a career in the AFL, helped launch one of Australia's most successful gym franchises, and on paper had everything going for him. Then it all fell apart at once.

In this raw and honest conversation with Trent Cotchin, Matty talks about the moment he nearly died at 20, the breakdown of his marriage, and the long road back to himself.

He's honest about ego, identity, the loneliness that comes with public failure, and why he believes joy, not success, is what most men are actually chasing but...

[Watch the episode here] Western Bulldogs great Luke Darcy joins us for a conversation about the people, moments and experiences that have shaped his life both on and off the field.

From growing up with a father who deeply influenced his outlook on life, to leadership, family, business and navigating life after football, Luke reflects on the lessons he’s carried through every chapter.

We also unpack the injury that changed the course of his AFL career, how it affected him at the time, and the perspective it ultimately gave him moving forward.

[Watch the episode here] In this episode of Shaped, Trent sits down with former teammate and close mate Alex Rance for a raw and honest conversation.

They go where not many conversations go, unpacking retirement, religion, relationships, and the identity shift that comes when footy ends. 

This is a deep dive into leadership, vulnerability, and what actually matters when the game is over.

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[Watch episode here] In this episode of Shaped, we sit down with former AFL footballer turned podcaster and businessman Dyl Buckley for an honest conversation about life beyond the game.

Dylan opens up about his personal journey through mental health challenges, the importance of self-care, and how learning to slow down helped him become a better partner, father, and leader. He reflects on the transition from AFL into business, sharing the lessons, identity shifts, and resilience required to navigate life after elite sport.

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We’re back with Season 6 of Shaped, and we open with a powerful and deeply important conversation. We sit down with former Brisbane Lions footballer, SANFL great, and Queensland AFL Hall of Fame inductee Leigh Ryswyk, who recently made history by publicly coming out as the first gay AFL footballer.

In this raw and courageous episode, Leigh shares his journey of self-discovery, identity, and coming out in elite sport, opening up about the challenges he faced, the fear of not being accepted, and the emotional toll of hiding who he truly was. He speaks candidly about me...

What does it take to stand at the edge of fear and jump anyway?

Lydia Lassila is not just an Olympic champion. She is someone who repeatedly chose courage over comfort. A five time Winter Olympian, Olympic gold and bronze medalist, trailblazer of women’s aerial skiing, mother and entrepreneur, Lydia has spent her life redefining what is possible both on and off the snow.

In this episode, Trent Cotchin sits down with Lydia Lassila for a raw and deeply human conversation about fear, resilience, identity, and reinvention. From growing up in Melbourne’s west...

In this episode of Shaped, we sit down with Australian tennis icon Pat Rafter, a dual Grand Slam champion and one of the most respected figures in world sport, for an honest and entertaining conversation about life, tennis, and what truly defines success.

Pat opens up about the pivotal role family support played in helping him overcome self-doubt throughout his career and how childhood experiences shaped his work ethic, values, and approach to both sport and life.

One of the driest humans we have sat down with Pat talks about fatherhood, life post...

To celebrate the Australian Open, we’re revisiting one of our most powerful conversations on Shaped - our special best of episode with Ash Barty, one year on.

Ash Barty is one of Australia’s most loved champions - a former World No. 1, three time Grand Slam winner, and a proud Indigenous woman who shocked the world by stepping away from tennis while still at the top. In this special Best Of episode, Ash sits down with Trent Cotchin to share the real story behind the milestones: the foggy headspace, the pressure, the homesickness, and the mome...

Rennae Stubbs joins Trent for a grounded, insightful conversation on belief, performance, and life beyond the scoreboard. From growing up in a working-class household in South Coogee to being recruited into the Australian Institute of Sport at just 15, Rennae reflects on the moments that shaped her independence, resilience, and competitive edge — and why being labelled “just” a doubles player never told the full story.

This episode explores the real differences between singles and doubles, the mental demands of elite sport, and why success often creates pressure rather than relief. Rennae opens up about subconscious doubt, aligning belief...

In this episode of Shaped, Trent Cotchin sits down with Australian tennis great Casey Dellacqua, a seven-time Grand Slam finalist, doubles champion, mum of three, and one of the most respected voices in Australian sport.

From growing up in a working-class Perth family to moving across the country at just 15 to chase her tennis dream, Casey opens up about the grit, sacrifice, and heartbreak behind life on tour. She reveals what it was really like to navigate body image pressure, financial struggle, and loneliness as a young athlete — and how friendship, resilience, and authenticity shaped her in...

In this episode of Shaped, Trent Cotchin sits down with Rachael Taylor — former Olympian, world championship silver medallist, and now a powerful voice for women navigating identity, burnout, and reinvention. From growing up on a cold Ballarat farm to rowing for Australia at the Sydney Olympics, Rachael’s story is one of grit, heartbreak, and ultimately, transformation.

She opens up about the hidden cost of chasing gold, the private pain of coming second, and how her entire identity was tied to being “Rach the Rower.” But this conversation goes far beyond sport — touching on motherhood, separation, betrayal...

Olympic swimming legend Leisel Jones sits down with for a deeply honest episode of Shaped, sharing the people, pressures and experiences that shaped her journey to the very top of elite sport.

From describing herself as a mediocre swimmer in her early years to becoming a multiple Olympic gold medallist, Leisel opens up about the immense pressure, expectations and scrutiny that came with success on the world stage. She speaks candidly about mental health, body image, burnout and identity, and how these challenges intensified throughout her career and into retirement from swimming.

This...

In this episode of Shaped, Trent Cotchin sits down with one of Australia’s most respected high-performance mindset coaches — Emma Murray.

From her days as an elite netballer to guiding the Richmond Football Club through their premiership years, Emma has spent decades helping others master the mental game — all while navigating her own extraordinary journey through motherhood, trauma, and personal growth.

Emma opens up about her son Will’s life-changing accident, the reality of living with ongoing trauma, and the mindset shifts that helped her rebuild herself and her family. She shares raw truths about ac...

In this episode of Shaped, Trent sits down with former Australian netball superstar Bianca Chatfield to dive deep into the mindset, leadership, and life lessons behind her extraordinary career.

Bianca Chatfield represented Australia 59 times between 2001–2014, winning World Championship gold, Commonwealth Games gold, and six national premierships across her time with the Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne Vixens. As an eight-season captain and one of the most respected leaders in Australian sport, Bianca shares what truly shaped her success on and off the court.

We explore her journey into elite netball, the pressures of performing at...

In this Bathurst 1000 special, five-time winner and motorsport legend Steve Richards (Richo) joins us on Shaped. Coming from a famous racing family, Steve opens up about his journey from a humble New Zealand upbringing to the top of Australian motorsport.

Richo shares powerful insights into the sacrifices behind the scenes, the role of family support, and the resilience needed to succeed in racing. He reflects on his Bathurst victories, the evolution of his race preparation, and how he now dedicates his time to mentoring the next generation of drivers. Beyond the track, Steve talks about life...

[Watch the episode here] In this episode of Shaped, Trent Cotchin sits down with world-renowned mindset coach and mentor Ben Crowe to unpack the moments, people, and lessons that have shaped his extraordinary journey.

From a challenging childhood to working with Nike at the highest level of sport and business, Ben shares how grief, loss, and curiosity fueled his path toward becoming one of the most influential voices in personal development, leadership, and performance.

Best known for his work with athletes, including his time with the Richmond Football Club during their premiership era...

[Watch the video here] In this episode of Shaped, we sit down with former Australian Olympian and renowned AFL high-performance coach Peter Burge. From his long jump days on the world stage to shaping the future of AFL athletes, Peter’s story is one of resilience, growth, and redefining success.

Peter opens up about the highs and lows of his career, the lessons learned through injuries, retirement, and the challenges of transitioning from solo athlete to a coach in a team environment. He shares how family, self-discovery, and personal setbacks have shaped not only his sporting jo...

[Watch the episode here] In this episode of Shaped, we sit down with Australian Olympic diver Anabelle Smith to explore the highs, lows, and life lessons from her incredible career.

Anabelle Smith is an Australian diver who has represented Australia at multiple 4 Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and World Championships.

Anabelle opens up about her recent retirement from diving, the unfortunate events at the Paris Olympics, and how she has navigated the transition from elite sport into the next chapter of her life.

Known for her resilience and mindset, Anabelle shares...

[Watch episode here] In this episode of Shaped, Trent Cotchin sits down with AFLW marquee player Melissa Hickey for an honest and powerful conversation about the things that have shaped her both on and off the field.

From chasing her lifelong dream of playing AFLW to navigating the spotlight around same-sex relationships in sport, Mel speaks with authenticity about identity, love, and resilience. She opens up on deeper themes that affect us all, including ambiguous grief, the ongoing challenge of feeling “enough,” and the transformative journey of becoming a mum.

Mel’s story is raw...

[Watch the episode here] In this clip from Shaped, Trent Cotchin sits down with former AFL and NFL player Arryn Siposs to talk about the incredible journey from St Kilda Football Club to punting on the world’s biggest stage in the NFL.

Arryn opens up about the massive transition from AFL to NFL, the cultural and sporting differences between the two codes, and the mindset required to reinvent yourself as an athlete on the other side of the world.

For many athletes, the highs and lows of sport can shape who they are be...

[Watch episode here] In this episode of Shaped, we sit down with Australian golf great Nick O’Hern to talk about his career and personal life, including the hardest moment that ultimately shaped his journey to becoming a professional golfer. Known for his precision and mental strength, Nick opens up about resilience, setbacks, and the mindset it takes to perform at the highest level.

Nick also reflects on one of the most remarkable achievements in golf history, being the only player to beat Tiger Woods twice in match play. 

This is an inspiring con...

[Watch episode here] In this episode of Shaped, we sit down with four-time AFL premiership player Luke Hodge, one of the game’s most respected leaders. Known as the ultimate competitor and captain of the Hawthorn Football Club, Hodgey has always kept much of his personal life private.

In this rare and candid conversation, Luke opens up about the experiences and people that shaped him, from his early days in Colac to becoming a premiership player, a fearless Hawthorn leader, and eventually a Brisbane Lion. But beyond the accolades, we dive deeper into the man off the fi...

[Watch full episode here] In this powerful episode of Shaped, we sit down with premiership teammate and mate Marlion Pickett to unpack one of the most remarkable journeys in AFL history.

Best known for making his debut in the 2019 AFL Grand Final and becoming a Richmond premiership player in his very first game, Marlion’s story begins long before the MCG. Growing up in Western Australia, he faced tough circumstances that led to juvenile detention at 16 and eventually prison. But instead of letting his past define him, Marlion turned his life around, for himself, his partner, an...

[Watch the episode here] In the powerful season finale of Shaped, as always, Trent sits down with someone who has profoundly influenced his life, and in this episode, we sit down with his father, Peter Cotchin. This personal conversation delves into the lessons passed down through generations, the influence of father-son relationships, and how our own childhood experiences shape the kind of parent we become. Pete shares insights into his relationship with his father and how it shaped the way he parented Trent, sparking an important question: Do we parent to give what we missed?

Trent...

(Watch the episode here) In this episode of Shaped, Trent Cotchin sits down with AFL icon and one of Australia’s most controversial voices, John “Sam” Newman. With over 300 games for Geelong, Sam has lived a life in the spotlight, but here, he opens up like never before.

From his childhood to footy highs, going broke, and rebuilding his life, Sam reflects on the moments that shaped him, including his views on fatherhood, regret, and legacy. Known for his bluntness, Sam delivers raw honesty and even turns the tables with a powerful question he's always wanted answere...

(Watch the episode here) In this episode of Shaped, we sit down with former Footscray/Bulldogs captain and 1992 Brownlow Medalist Scott Wynd, a football legend who’s gone off the grid, but not out of the game. With no social media and little public exposure post-retirement, this rare interview dives into the real story behind Scott’s life after footy.

Scott opens up about his AFL journey, leadership on and off the field, and how he's quietly built a series of multi-million dollar businesses through hard work, grit, and smart decisions. With his humble, no-frills attitude, Wynd...

(Watch the episode here) In this powerful episode of Shaped, Trent Cotchin sits down with former AFL star and #4 draft pick Jason McCartney, whose story is etched into Australian sporting and national history.

Known for his courage, resilience, and inspirational return to the AFL, Jason opens up about the 2002 Bali bombings, where he sustained burns to over 50% of his body, and the mindset that helped him fight through recovery and make an unforgettable comeback.

Jason reflects on his upbringing, his early days at Collingwood and Adelaide, and the heartbreak of missing out on...

(Watch the episode here) In this powerful full-length episode of Shaped, former Essendon captain Dyson Heppell opens up like never before. From the dark days of the Essendon supplements saga to the life-altering perspective gained through his relationship with “H Man”, Dyson shares the key people and moments that have shaped him.

At just 23, Heppell was forced to sit out the 2016 AFL season due to the WADA sanctions. It was a moment that cast a dark cloud over his football career and his personal identity. He speaks honestly about the emotional toll, the anger, and how it l...

(Watch the episode here) In this powerful episode of Shaped, we sit down with Australian running legend Steve Moneghetti, one of the country’s most respected marathoners, to explore the defining moments, people, and experiences that have shaped his extraordinary life and career.

Steve opens up about his unexpected rise in long-distance running, including how he wasn’t even supposed to run the marathon at the 1986 Commonwealth Games, a race that would mark the beginning of a storied international career. From Olympic campaigns to elite competitions around the globe, Steve shares the physical and mental demands of b...

[Watch episode here] In this deeply honest episode of Shaped, Trent Cotchin sits down with AFL Hall of Famer Wayne Carey, widely regarded as one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. But beyond the accolades and on-field dominance lies a story of pain, personal growth, and redemption.

Wayne Carey opens up like never before, sharing the raw truth about his childhood, including a difficult relationship with his parents and running away from home at just 13 years old. He reflects on the moments that shaped him, both as an athlete and as a man.<...