In this episode of Owners Outlook, host Shaun Lord sits down with dual AFLW premiership player and registered nurse Jade Ellenger, whose journey into elite sport began with a high school teacher offering her a day off school—and evolved into a remarkable story of resilience, optimism, and relentless determination.
From being a supplementary draft pick who barely played in her first two years to becoming a consistent performer in Brisbane Lions' premiership teams, Jade shares how setbacks, late starts, and being constantly named as emergency didn't deter her—they fuelled her drive to succeed.
Here's what you can expect in this episode:
🧠 Mindset & Mental Game
Why she doesn't believe in strict pre-game routines: "Why worry about something that hasn't even happened?"
Her philosophy on optimism: "Everything happens for a reason" and making your own luck
How surrounding yourself with positive people creates contagious winning energy
📚 Balancing Study and Sport
Completing her paramedic degree while establishing her AFLW career
Pursuing her Master's in Nursing during her playing years
Time management strategies using calendars and task lists to stay organized
💪 The Work Behind the Success
5am gym sessions before full work days—the dedication that changed everything
Why consistency beats one-off performances: "One good training session won't get you picked"
Learning to kick an AFL ball from scratch—the fundamentals that can't be skipped
