We recently caught up with our ambassador and Australian Netballer, Madi Browne, to discuss her netball career so far and how she is keeping busy during this time.

 You have a very impressive netball career, including playing at the Commonwealth Games and more recently, Collingwood Magpies.
What has been your career highlight so far? 

This is always a tricky question to pin point one absolute favourite highlight. They all represent something different, even memories from my childhood netball days. The journeys to achieve them, the experiences and life lessons I have gained from all of them are really what is priceless.

These below are the most prestigious and probably the ones I have to pinch myself that I have actually achieved.

* Team Career Highlight – Commonwealth Games 2014

* Personal Career Highlight – Liz Ellis Diamond (2012 & 2014)

What inspired you to start a career in netball?

Growing up, being a professional netballer wasn’t something I could visualise or thought would be attainable.

With the lack of financial support behind the sport at the time, it was just going to be a hobby.

I followed the Netball Victoria Pathway and across my career have seen the sport grow and develop into the product and commercial commodity it is today.

You are the Co-Captain of the Collingwood Magpies, how have you found leading your team?

Leadership has always been an honour for me, as it is voted on by your peers and staff colleagues. It has provided me many opportunities for personal growth, through feedback and reflection and taught me a lot about who I am and what my strengths & areas of improvement are.

I believe leaders create leaders and that what’s right isn’t always popular and what’s popular isn’t always right!

Unfortunately you experienced an ACL injury last year, how did you physically and mentally overcome this difficult period?           

As this was my second ACL injury on the same knee, I unfortunately knew the process and journey ahead. It’s important to have other things in your life to focus on, because rehab is an isolating, lonely experience and rollercoaster ride of emotion at times.

This time round, I took a very holistic approach to my physical and mental training. The first 6-8 months was all about being a normal human being, to function optimally but have flexibility and freedom around what training I was doing. I went overseas for a mental refresh, started projects I always wanted to do but never had time for and focused on being kind to myself during the high and low times.

The last couple of months has been more netball specific to get me back to being the elite athlete.

It’s not always spoken about, but the mental training can be even more important than the physical side.

You’re very passionate about health and wellbeing. How do you stay fit and healthy?

I’ve always been passionate about holistic health and wellbeing.
Never been shy to try new things or experience wacky and wonderful alternatives.

I have a few non-negotiables:

• MOVE – my body everyday.
• HYDRATE – I take a drink bottle with me everywhere.
• ME TIME – totally switch off and get away from screens and connect back to me both mentally and physically.
• SLEEP – having a good pre and post bed routine allows me the opportunity to optimise my sleep quality and feel rested (regardless of my hours) to tackle the day ahead.
• FUEL – listening to my body and eating foods that not only fuel me but I enjoy eating.
  Yes, if I want that chocolate bar I will eat it!

2020 has been an unusual year so far due to COVID-19. How have you kept yourself busy during isolation? 

I have found myself to be quite busy, just like if the world was spinning normally. Don’t get me wrong, I do like it that way. Everything stopped so abruptly, no team netball training, no pilates classes to teach, no more club clinics, school visits, public speaking engagements etc.

But, like most things in my career, when one door closes another door of opportunity opens.

I wanted to stay connected with my communities, so my sister and I started a new business, called the STATE OF TWO. It’s just doing what we would do in person but in the virtual space.

We connect with everyone and anyone, from school groups, netball teams, families and individuals from various walks of life and just chat. We have played cards, cooked meals, completed exercise sessions but most importantly met some incredible people and listened to their stories, triumphs and struggles.

What are your goals for the future?

Don’t get me wrong, I do love having a plan and schedule. But during this time, I have been learning to let go of so much structure and take time to be present.

I definitely have future aspirations and goals.

But right now, I want to do what makes me happy, with the people I love, cherish what I have, not what I don’t and be grateful for the small things.