Momentum - Episode Guide

Valued at a groundbreaking $250 million, Angel City FC has shattered records as the highest-valued women's professional sports team ever. But this isn't just about numbers—Angel City is redefining the future of women's sports. 

Founded in 2020 by a powerhouse group of female investors—including Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman, venture capitalist Kara Nortman, and entrepreneur Julie Uhrman—this team is led by a diverse and dynamic group of changemakers. From Billie Jean King to pop sensation Becky G, to stars like Uzo Aduba, Jessica Chastain, America Ferrera, Jennifer Garner, Eva Longoria, and Lilly Singh—Angel City's ownership group is a true testament to women supporting women at the highest level. 

We had the chance to sit down with Angel City's co-founder and President, Julie Uhrman, alongside Stephanie Rudnick, ACFC's Head of PR, to dive deep into the vision, the impact, and what's next for this revolutionary club. Trust us, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. 

Hit play to learn how Angel City is changing the game for women's soccer and the sports industry as a whole.

ICYMI: Momentum's latest guest Tina Rahimi made huge waves last year - for all the right reasons. 

If she's not on your radar already, Tina is an Australian boxer who participated in the 2022 Commonwealth Games (winning Bronze in the Women's Featherweight Division), and later competed at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where she won the hearts of fans around the world. 

Tina was also the first woman to represent Australia in a hijab in boxing (just casually). In a move that dominated headlines, Tina spoke up against France's ban on the country's female athletes from wearing hijabs at the Olympics - a move for which she was praised both in Australia and beyond. 

As well as doing all the above and killing it in general, Tina's also a makeup artist - honestly, could we have a more perfect guest on the show?

Today, we're going to explore the incredible journey of someone who's reinvented herself time and time again, from elite athlete to motorsport creator. Amy Pejkovic, once a promising high jumper with her eyes set on the London 2012 Olympics, has since become a well known figure in the world of Formula One and motorsports media. 

But Amy's story is more than just about sports. It's about resilience in the face of unexpected challenges. At just 19, she was diagnosed with a brain tumour, throwing her Olympic dreams into jeopardy. What followed was a journey through diagnosis, recovery, and eventual return to the high jump track. But, as life threw her another curveball, COVID 19 disrupting her 2020, Amy found herself discovering a new passion, Formula 1. 

That shift from athlete to content creator wasn't an easy one, but it marked the beginning of her new career in motorsports. Today, Amy is helping to shape the narrative around motorsports, offering fresh perspectives and inspiring others with her story of reinvention and perseverance. We'll dive into a journey of overcoming adversity, adapting to new challenges, and following new passions. 

Along the way, we'll explore what it means to pivot in life, to stay determined, and to always find new ways to grow. 

Climate change isn't just a global crisis—it's quickly becoming a game-changer in the world of sport. In recent years, athletes across the globe have faced conditions that were once unthinkable, from heatwaves to snowstorms and everything in between. 

Here in Australia, it's a stark reality. We've seen the AFL, cricket and A-League matches postponed as temperatures soar to dangerous levels, while players from all codes are left to battle the extreme weather patterns that seem to be intensifying year by year. 

But it's not just about disrupted schedules. It's about the athletes themselves, who are now fighting for more than just a win on the field—they're fighting for their future. 

Here in Australia, one athlete is leading the charge to bring the issue of climate change to the forefront of sport. AFLW star Nicola Barr has emerged as a powerful advocate for environmental sustainability. Nicola has used her platform to highlight the urgent need for action, pushing for change not just within AFL but across all sports. 

Nicola's work has changed the way many Australians view the intersection of sport and climate change. It's no longer just a distant problem—it's a pressing issue that's affecting the games we love.' 

This is an important conversation not to be missed.

The story of the Afghan Women's National Football Team is not an easy one to tell. 

For years, they were forced to play in secret under Taliban rule. They then experienced a brief 14 years of normality, where the foundations of Afghan women's football began to flourish, with the support it rightfully deserved. Fatima was one of the young women growing up during this time, who was able to see a future, where football was an option. 

But everything changed in August 2021 when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan once again. Faced with new dangers, the Afghan women's team was forced to flee for their lives. 

That's where Australian football icon and human rights activist Craig Foster comes in. After hearing their story, Craig became a tireless advocate, helping coordinate their escape and their relocation to safety. With his efforts and the support of many others, these incredible women, including Fatima, were granted asylum and eventually found refuge in Australia, where they could rebuild their lives and their love for football. 

Today, the Afghan women's team is in a new chapter—rebuilding from the ground up, training in exile, and keeping their dream alive despite the challenges. But their journey is far from over. Their story is a reminder of how sport transcends borders and can be a lifeline in the fight for justice and equality. 

This is a conversation not to be missed.

Endometriosis is a chronic condition that affects one in ten women worldwide, yet for many, it's still shrouded in silence - and is still largely a taboo to talk about. 

For athletes, the physical and emotional toll can be particularly challenging, as the symptoms often overlap with the demands of high-performance training. From debilitating pain to the struggles of seeking a diagnosis, endometriosis remains a barrier not just to daily life, but to many women's careers in sports. 

Today, we're going to hear from someone who knows this all too well. Professional netballer Tayla Williams has been navigating the complexities of endometriosis while pursuing her dreams in professional netball. She's dealt with long waits for a diagnosis, multiple surgeries, and the impact of living with a condition that's often misunderstood, even by the people closest to her. But it's also through her experience that we begin to see the power of sports in raising awareness and creating space for conversations around women's health. 

We'll talk about her journey—how she first realised something was wrong, how netball became a source of support, and the challenges she faced when her diagnosis finally came. She'll also share her thoughts on how endometriosis affects athletes' careers, and what changes are needed to make diagnosis and treatment more accessible for women everywhere. 

This conversation is not just about sports—it's about the real-life experiences that shape us, the strength required to face chronic illness, and the importance of speaking up so that no woman has to suffer in silence. And this week is Endometriosis Awareness Week - so is there a better week to release this episode and spark a conversation?

This week, we sit down with rising star Imogen Radburn, one of Australia's most promising up-and-coming race car drivers. 

From starting go-karting at 14 to becoming the only woman competing in both Formula Ford and Formula 4 Nationally, Imogen has broken barriers and defied expectations. She takes us through her journey, from heartbreaking setbacks to unexpected opportunities, including her remarkable rookie performance in the Australian F4 Championship. 

Imogen's story is more than just racing; it's about empowering the next generation. As the former NSW Karting Ambassador and a regular advocate for Motorsport Australia's initiatives like Girls on Track and First Gear, Imogen is on a mission to inspire young women to chase their motorsport dreams. 

In this week's episode, Imogen shares her passion for breaking down the gender barriers in a sport where women are still vastly underrepresented, and how she's determined to be the role model she never had growing up. 

With incredible results and opportunities on the horizon, Imogen's journey is just getting started. 

Join Kat and Imogen for a candid conversation about the highs and lows of racing, barriers that continue to exist for female racecar drivers, and what it truly takes to make it to the top of one of the world's toughest sports.

This week on Momentum, we have an extraordinary guest who's breaking barriers and redefining what it means to be a young athlete. 

Ruby Trew is a 16-year-old Olympian skateboarder who's already making waves on the international stage. With her incredible talent, fierce determination, and passion for the sport, Ruby's not just competing — she's inspiring a new generation of skateboarders, especially young women, to chase their dreams fearlessly and aim for the Olympics at a young age. 

In this interview, we dive into Ruby's journey to Paris, the challenges she's faced along the way as a young female state boarder, and the drive that keeps her pushing beyond limits.

When you think about trailblazers in sport, it's easy to picture the biggest stadiums, the biggest crowds, and the biggest moments. 

But sometimes the most important shifts happen in spaces that haven't always been given the spotlight they deserve — until now. Today's guests are two incredible athletes who are helping lead that change. 

Shae Graham made history as the first woman to represent Australia in wheelchair rugby — a sport known for its speed, its toughness, and its incredible community. And Liliana Prucha is a rising star, part of the next generation pushing para-sport forward with grit, passion, and a serious hunger to succeed. 

Both Shae and Liliana are carving out new paths not just for themselves, but for every young athlete coming through behind them. Their stories are full of resilience, strength, and a deep love for the game — and today, we're diving into what it really means to be an elite athlete, how representation is changing the landscape for para-sport, and why the future has never looked brighter.