Sharelle McMahon Interview

Sharelle announced her retirement a year ago and has since been working in the media (calling netball matches and providing commentary for the ABC and Foxtel), working as a specialist coach and taking on motivational speaking engagements and opportunities in the corporate world (including recently being appointed as brand ambassador for food company Mother Earth). She's also enjoying spending as much time as possible with her two year old son Xavier.

Interview with Sharelle McMahon

Question: When did you know it was time to retire from netball?

Sharelle McMahon: There were a few points really. Probably the one that stands out the most is when I travelled to New Zealand with the Melbourne Vixens to play the BOP Magic. We were away for 3 or 4 days and back at home my son was sick and in and out of the doctors office. We lost that game and I sat on the bench for the whole match. It really made me think about my priorities. Also, the way my body ached after every training session was a good sign it was time to give it away!


Question: Since retiring how has your diet altered?

Sharelle McMahon: I am nowhere near as strict with my diet now. I allow myself more (and definitely too many!) treats. I'm certainly not as hungry as I was when I was training, so I don't eat as much. At the moment, with the weather warming up, I'm loving fresh salads for dinner and my favourite thing with that would be lamb fillets marinated with mint and rosemary, cooked on the barbecue.


Question: Can you talk us through how your training schedule has changed?

Sharelle McMahon: It has changed dramatically. I have spent most of my life in a structured training environment…told when, where and what training will be. It's really nice now to not have that pressure of HAVING to do a session. I don't play netball at all anymore, so court training is not something I do. My 'training' now is less intense and I'm more likely to go for a run/walk with the pram that anything else.


Question: What are your top tips for Australian women who want to get fit and healthy for Summer and stay fit and healthy?

Sharelle McMahon: I think it's important to try to make eating healthily and exercising a part of your routine…almost like a habit. It is sometimes hard to find time to fit it in, but if you are in the habit of exercising and you make sure you are doing something you enjoy, it is much easier to get fit and stay fit and healthy. Also, train or exercise with a friend or group. I have always found that easier and more fun. It's harder to pull out too when there is someone else relying on you!

Question: What are you enjoying most about the media side of netball?

Sharelle McMahon: I have really enjoyed getting to know the sport I love from a completely other angle. Analysing games and plays has always been something I've loved, so to be able to do that and share it with everyone is great.


Question: You've just been appointed as the brand ambassador for Mother Earth; tell us about their new breakfast product?

Sharelle McMahon: 'Brekkie on the go' is so great! I have times when I am reading the sport on ABC TV News Breakfast, when my alarm goes off at 3.30am. Those days it is great to have something easy and yummy to grab for breakfast without having to sit down and eat.


Question: Why did you decide to tell your story and become a motivational speaker?

Sharelle McMahon: All throughout my career, people have asked me about my career, how I got to play at the level I played at, what lessons I learned along the way etc, so it really is something I've always done. I love transferring the lessons around teamwork, personal development, leadership etc, that I've learnt playing netball into life off the court.


Question: What advice do you have for females hoping to make a career in sport?

Sharelle McMahon: The same that I would give to anyone….listen to you coach, work hard and then harder and have fun!


Question: What's a typical day like, for you?
Sharelle McMahon: Haha! There is no way I could describe a typical day for me, because almost every day is different! Some days are spent with my two year old son with no other commitments….those days are wonderful and I have learnt to enjoy the down time - if you could call it that! Other days, I am up at 3.30pm and my working day doesn't end until midnight, filled with things like speaking engagements, sports presenting, coaching, board executive meetings….very varied!


Question: What's next, for you?

Sharelle McMahon: My plan for 2015 is to continue my involvement with commentating and sports presenting in the media, coaching, development workshops and the job that keeps me most busy and that I love the most - being a Mum!


Interview by Brooke Hunter