When Nicola Olyslagers became the first Australian woman in history to clear the elusive two-metre barrier in the high jump, she was just getting started. In the past year, the 29-year-old world champion and Olympic silver medallist has been training hard for the upcoming Glasgow Commonwealth Games and renovating at the same time.
She’s just bought a house with her husband, Rhys, on the Central Coast and, alongside looking after her dog, Honey, her life is very full. As we count down to the Commonwealth Games, Johanna is meeting up with Nicola to find out what inspires her, both as an athlete and at home.
Missed out on last week’s episode? Here’s what Johanna Griggs got up to
Former Olympian Giaan Rooney started her swimming career when she was just 11 years old. After a gold medal, several silvers and a whole lot of titles under her belt, Giaan’s lifestyle has moved into something a little different. Giaan, her husband Sam and their two kids now live in the Byron Hinterland, on a stunning macadamia farm that’s worlds away from life in the swimming pool.
Johanna Griggs visited Giaan at her farm to tour her home and learn more about the macadamia farmer lifestyle.
Giaan decided to expand her original 1880’s farmhouse to fit the whole family in, while still keeping the heritage elements alive. Walking along the original porch, Giaan explains that they “really wanted to make sure that we brought her [the heritage house] into the new world”.
Inside the home, warm, tonal colouring with greens and wood features make everything cosy. One of the standouts? The kids’ rumpus room, with painted gum tree wallpaper, terracotta red finishes and sliding doors to take you out to the farm beyond.
On the farm, macadamias and cattle make up the working side, with a couple of ponies and kangaroos in there for fun. And a social media sensation! After Giaan and her family rescued an abandoned joey, ‘Wizz’ quickly became a star on Instagram.
He’s now all grown up and back with his mob, but will often visit when he has a hankering for raspberries, his favourite treat.
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