Shooting for Gold and Dealing with Loss with Maia Wilson

In this episode, Sienna tells her Dad Ben she wants to be an athlete - just like Silver Fern and dual-sport star Maia Wilson.

From teenage prodigy representing New Zealand in both basketball and netball by the age of 18, Maia has become one of the country’s most inspiring athletes - admired not just for her talent, but for her honesty, resilience, and leadership. 

This conversation covers:

• Growing up tall and talented, and balancing school and sport while making New Zealand teams as a teenager

• Dealing with harsh comments about her body at 15 — and how Maia learned to embrace her body and prioritise her mental health.

• Choosing between a basketball scholarship in the US or a netball contract in New Zealand - and why she chose netball

• Life as a pro athlete: training, pre-game rituals, handling pressure on the court, and bouncing back from setbacks like injuries or being dropped from the team

• Coping with personal loss and family challenges while performing at the highest level

• Becoming a leader in her team and an inspiration to young girls, all while staying grounded

• Quickfire “This or That” with Sienna - what’s worse: early morning training or hanging out with Ben?

Whether shooting for gold on the netball court or juggling life off it, Maia shows what it takes to chase your dreams while staying true to yourself.

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