Why You Don’t Need a Big Following to Get Sponsored as an Athlete | Mia O'Leary | 4TG

Athlete sponsorship opportunities can help female athletes earn income, build their personal brand and continue competing at an elite level. But how do athletes find brand deals when talent alone doesn’t pay the bills? In this episode of 4TG Podcast, Kylie Lynch talks with Australian swimming champion Mia O’Leary about the financial challenges facing elite athletes and how she co-founded On Podium, a platform connecting athletes with brands for sponsorship opportunities. Mia shares her journey from ranking 120th nationally to becoming a national champion in one year, the mindset shifts that helped her overcome imposter syndrome, and why athletes at every level deserve opportunities to work with brands. If you’ve ever wondered how athletes get sponsorships, make money outside competition or build a career in sport, this conversation offers an honest look at the challenges and possible solutions. What this episode covers: • The financial reality of being an elite athlete in Australia • How On Podium connects athletes with brands • Why sponsorship opportunities should be available beyond Olympic-level athletes • Mia’s journey from 120th nationally to national champion • Overcoming imposter syndrome and learning to trust your place in elite sport • Why separating self-worth from results can help performance • How athletes can use their niche, story and audience to attract brands • Mia’s advice on body confidence and enjoying the sporting journey 📌 Want to build confidence that holds up when the pressure is on? The 4TG Confidence System is a 6-week self-paced course built from the lessons of elite athletes and designed for every female athlete. You’ll learn practical tools to manage pressure, quiet overthinking, reset after mistakes and build the mindset habits that help you perform with more confidence, consistency and control. ENROL NOW: https://gpozeihwelzhpruycara.app.clie... 📌 FREE 5-Minute Confidence Reset Tool for Female Athletes: Feeling overwhelmed, overthinking or stuck after a mistake? Get your free 4TG Confidence Reset Tool to help you reset your focus, regain control and choose your next useful action to perform at your best. Download it free here: https://go.4tg.com.au/4tg-confidence-... 📢 Subscribe & Join the Movement We release new episodes every week. 📲 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE and tap the 🔔 to never miss an episode. 📌Do you think athletes should have more opportunities to earn money through sponsorship, even if they don’t have a huge social media following? ⏮️ Missed the Last Episode? [   • How to Improve as an Athlete in the Off-Se...   ] Guest Socials: Instagram –   / miapatriciaoleary   Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/onpodiumaus... Website : https://onpodiumaus.com/ Podcast Socials: Host – https://www.instagram.com/kylie__lync... Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/4tg_podcast... Website – https://4tg.com.au/ Support 4TG – https://buymeacoffee.com/4tg_podcast Free 5 Min Pre-Game Reset – https://go.4tg.com.au/4tg-free-pre-ga... 📌 📩 Sponsorships and collabs: kylie@4tg.com.au ✨A big thank you to our partners: Snap Fitness - (https://www.snapfitness.com/au?utm_so...) Project Better - ( https://projectbetter.com.au/) #AthleteSponsorship #FemaleAthletes #SportsSponsorship #4TGPodcast #WomenInSport #AthleteBranding #OnPodium #EliteSport #FemaleAthlete