TJ Weistra: From Pro Athlete to CEO – Redefining Success Beyond Results

What happens when your childhood dream of being a professional athlete ends—and you have to start again? For TJ Weistra, badminton was everything: first as a player at the highest level, then as a coach in Peru and New Zealand. Today, he’s the CEO of Badminton Australia, proving that success can take many forms. From PE class and school support that allowed him to chase his sporting goals, to moving into sports management with a Graduate Diploma in HR and an MBA, TJ’s pathway has been anything but linear. He worked his way from athlete to coach to leader, showing how growth and resilience can shape new opportunities. In this conversation, TJ reflects on how his definition of success has evolved—from focusing on “me, myself, and I” as an athlete, to helping others thrive, guiding organisations, and being present for his own children. This episode is for parents and students feeling pressured to “have it all figured out” by their teenage years. TJ’s story is a reminder that pathways aren’t straight lines, and that success is about growth, values, and supporting those around you. You’ll discover: • How elite sport prepared TJ for leadership and life beyond the court. • Why success shifts from personal wins to collective growth. • The role of mentors and teachers in supporting unconventional pathways. • Practical advice for parents: nurture, support, and remind your kids it’s okay not to have all the answers at 14. Because success isn’t fixed. It grows and changes with you. Know someone else with a story that should be shared? Get in contact with us at morethanascorepod@gmail.com!