141: Marnie Wills: Sport, Business, and AI: You Never Lose, You Only Learn

Career Clarity with Athletes: A 2ndwind Podcast with Ryan Gonsalves

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In today's episode, Ryan sits down with Marnie—a former dual international athlete (representing England in both netball and touch rugby), mum of two, and entrepreneur who’s revolutionizing early-years sports education and AI adoption in business.

Marnie’s story is one of relentless determination, adaptability, and learning to thrive in multiple arenas—whether on the pitch, in the boardroom, or at home with her young family. From her early days as a self-described "B-team player" in Australia to captaining England teams and launching her own business, Marnie shares how she’s navigated career transitions, motherhood, and the evolving world of AI—all while keeping her love for sport alive.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Adaptability
   • Marnie’s journey from a "B-team" athlete to an international competitor was fueled by her ability to play multiple roles—something she now instills in the athletes she coaches.
   • "Your team is only as strong as the player in their weakest role. Versatility wins games—and careers."
2. When Passion Meets Entrepreneurship
   • Frustrated by the limitations of teaching PE in the UK, Marnie quit her job mid-career to launch Sporty Minis, now impacting 3,000+ kids weekly with early-years sports education.
   • "I lacked purpose as a PE teacher. Starting my own business wasn’t just about freedom—it was about making real impact."
3. AI: The Game-Changer for Busy Professionals
   • Marnie’s top AI tools for efficiency:
     • Otter.ai (meeting notes)
     • Claude (copywriting)
     • Custom GPTs (train AI to sound like you)
   • "AI isn’t a trend—it’s the future. Adopt a growth mindset or get left behind."
4. Athlete Mindset in Business
   • From fearing competition to empowering her team: "Now, my favorite part of leadership is watching others excel—even if they’re better than me."
   • Why her businesses grow faster when she’s not micromanaging: "Sometimes, the bottleneck is you."
5. The Emotional Side of Sport & Transition
   • Post-motherhood, returning to elite sport was her toughest challenge—mentally, physically, and emotionally.
   • Why she still plays (and coaches) at 40+: "Putting on that jersey? It’s the one time I feel purely me—not ‘Mum’ or ‘CEO.’"
6. Advice for Athletes Juggling Careers
   • "Reflect on your strengths. Every skill you’ve honed in sport—discipline, teamwork, resilience—translates to business. The only failure is not trying."

Ready to explore your own second act after sport? Connect with Ryan Gonsalves and the 2NDWind Academy to discover how your athletic experience can become your professional advantage here: www.2ndwind.io

Chapters

1. From Australia to England: Marnie's Background (00:00:00)

2. Finding Identity Through Sport (00:04:13)

3. Career Struggles as a PE Teacher (00:10:48)

4. Dual International Athlete Experience (00:15:13)

5. Starting a Business: Sporty Minis (00:21:06)

6. Leadership Lessons and Business Growth (00:28:46)

7. Advice for Athletes in Career Transition (00:35:41)

8. Final Thoughts and Contact Information (00:44:28)