Price You Pay Podcast | Season 3 Episode 3

Through sheer determination, Australian softball squad member Kayla Waller defies what most would consider humanly possible. Training four to five days weekly with grueling four-hour commutes, she simultaneously maintains full-time employment and university studies while pursuing her Olympic dream. Her story reveals the extraordinary sacrifices made by athletes in sports that lack mainstream attention and funding.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Kayla reveals why she chose softball over other sports. "As a young woman getting told all these different things about your body," she explains, softball offered something rare – true inclusivity where athletes of all shapes, sizes, and ages compete at the highest levels. This acceptance stands in stark contrast to experiences in other sports where she was deemed "too short" or "not muscular enough."

Perhaps most powerful is the mother-daughter dynamic between Kayla and Michelle Waller, a former Division I pitcher who now coaches alongside her daughter. Together, they made history winning an under-23 national championship undefeated – a testament to their shared passion and resilience. When questioned why she continued playing when every single teammate from her junior years eventually quit, Kayla's answer reveals both the crisis in women's sports retention and her exceptional character: "I control the controllables... I give the people around me and everything I do all of my effort."

The financial reality is sobering – $15,000 to $20,000 annually just to represent Australia. Yet through the Aussie Athlete Fund, Kayla has not only secured support for herself but extended her fundraising efforts to include her entire team. Her powerful story of perseverance through injury (including surgery requiring a plate and six screws in her arm) and financial hardship offers vital insights into what truly sustains elite athletic careers when external rewards are minimal.

Visit aussieathletefund.com to support athletes like Kayla who demonstrate that the price of pursuing sporting excellence shouldn't be insurmountable.

Become a part of our athletes' success stories: Whether its a personal donation, a corporate partnership, a round of golf, or simply by spreading the word, your support has the power to uplift our athletes and inspire countless others!

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