4TG
4TG (For The Girls) is the podcast empowering the next generation of female athletes to build confidence, break barriers, and thrive — in sport and in life. Through real, raw conversations with elite athletes, coaches, and changemakers, we share the stories, tools, and inspiration young women need to chase bold goals and shape the future of women’s sport.
4TG
Are You Enough? Fiona Sanford on Perfectionism, Burnout & Finding Your Voice in Sport
"You don’t need to be perfect to be powerful. You don’t need to have it all figured out to be worthy. You just need to show up raw, real, messy, human.” - Fiona Stanford
If you care about women’s sport and want to know how you can help create real change, this episode is the one. In this powerful episode of the 4TG Podcast, we sit down with Fiona Sanford, athlete, coach, former CEO, and passionate mental health advocate for young women in sport. Fiona shares her journey from elite gymnastics to leadership, opening up about the pressures of perfectionism, the realities of burnout, and the crucial importance of self-awareness. Together, we explore how sport profoundly shapes confidence, resilience, and leadership skills, and why it’s absolutely crucial for society to truly listen to the voices of young women, especially during vulnerable teenage years.
Key topics that are discussed include:
- The biggest challenges still holding women’s sport back, including pressures like perfectionism and burnout.
- Why women’s sport is growing and why that’s exciting news, and the role of sport in shaping future leaders.
- Fiona’s personal story and how she overcame setbacks, from elite gymnastics to professional leadership.
- The mission behind 4TG and how it supports upcoming female athletes by amplifying their voices.
- The critical link between mental health challenges and not feeling listened to in young women.
- How YOU can help change the game for women in sports, from grassroots support to listening to young voices.
Key Takeaways:
- Listen to and amplify young women’s voices: It's critical for their mental health and development, especially during vulnerable teenage years.
- Perfectionism and burnout are common but manageable: Self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and supportive environments are key to prevention and recovery.
- Sport builds life skills that extend far beyond the field: Confidence, resilience, leadership, and the ability to handle pressure are all transferable skills.
- Support women’s sport at every level: Your involvement, attending games, volunteering, or simply advocating matters for visibility and growth.
- You don’t need to be perfect to be powerful: Authenticity and showing up as your true self are more valuable than chasing an unattainable ideal.
Timestamps:
- 00:00 – Introduction & Mental Health in Teenage Girls
- 00:28 – Welcome & Episode Overview
- 01:14 – Fiona’s Early Life & Sport
- 02:34 – Community vs. Competition in Gymnastics
- 05:22 – Perfectionism & Subjectivity in Sport
- 07:13 – Perfectionism Beyond Sport
- 09:00 – Burnout: Stories & Signs
- 13:15 – Self-Awareness & Prevention
- 16:40 – The Power of Play & Creativity
- 19:00 – Mindfulness & Trying Different Tools
- 21:24 – Finding & Using Your Voice
- 25:35 – Sport as a Platform for Leadership
- 28:50 – Life After Elite Sport
- 30:41 – Notable Quote
- 31:45 – Rapid Fire Segment
- 32:56 – Closing Thoughts
Connect with Fiona:
Learn more about Fiona's work at fionasanford.com.au and follow her on Instagram and TikTok @fiona.sanford.
Want to keep the conversation going?
Follow the 4TG movement on Instagram @4tg_podcast.
Produced by @the32collective_
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