Almost Pro

Laura Spellacy

Let’s Talk Sport! Almost Pro is a weekly sport podcast sharing the untold stories of past athletes whose careers fell outside the traditional definition of “pro” — where money and fame are attached — alongside the coaches and experts who shaped their journey.

Hosted by Laura & Frances, each episode blends raw storytelling, expert insight, and lived experience to unpack what it really means to navigate sport on and off the field. Almost Pro is a sport community built for everyone who knows the story isn’t in the title — it’s in the journey.

Episode

As part of Podcasthon 2026 — a global movement where podcasters dedicate one episode to a charity they believe in — we’re proud to spotlight an organisation creating meaningful impact in Australian sport.

In this episode of Almost Pro, we sit down with Rachel Condos-Fields, Founder and CEO of The WattleNest, a purpose-driven organisation bridging the gap between talent and opportunity.

Because while talent is everywhere, opportunity isn’t.

Rachel shares the story behind The WattleNest and the realities many athletes face behind the scenes — from financial pressure and limited access to resources, to the sacrifices made in pursuit of representing Australia. These are the stories we don’t often hear, but they’re happening every day.

The WattleNest is building a community that supports athletes not just in competition, but in life — ensuring talent doesn’t fall through the cracks.

Be part of the movement:

The WattleNest has launched the “One in 2032” campaign — inviting 2032 Australians to become part of the official cheer squad backing our athletes on the road to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Choose your number and stand alongside these athletes — from $1 to $2032, making it accessible for everyone to be involved.

This isn’t just a donation.It’s a chance to be part of an athlete’s journey.

👉 Join the team and secure your number now ⁠https://team.wattlenest.com.au/⁠

👉 Learn more about The WattleNest ⁠www.wattlenest.com.au

Almost Pro

21 min

Bridging The Gap Between Talent And Opportunity | The WattleNest Mission

The WattleNest

The charity and its cause

The WattleNest

The WattleNest is a purpose-driven organisation connecting elite athletes, business leaders and communities to create meaningful social impact through the power of sport. We invest in talent, pathways and opportunities bridging the gap between ability and opportunity to ensure affordability is not a barrier for athletes to represent Australia on the international stage. WattleNest celebrates the journeys of high-performance athletes while building opportunities that extend beyond sport through storytelling, partnerships, investment and unique experiences.

Visit the website Make a donation