How Bernice Mene Became Kiwi Sporting Royalty

In this rare and exclusive interview, I sit down with Bernice Mene: former Silver Ferns captain, mother of three, and one of New Zealand’s most respected sporting leaders.

We talk about her rise through a powerhouse sporting family, captaining the Ferns in her early twenties, the heartbreak of the 1999 World Champs, and how injury shaped her resilience.

It’s also a love story - from meeting her husband Dion Nash to building the men’s skincare brand Triumph & Disaster and the teamwork that’s kept their marriage strong for over two decades.

Bernice is calm, wise and humble. A true example of leadership done right.

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Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.

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Head to generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom to book a chat

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

And just a reminder — everyone’s situation is different, so I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.

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Who should be on the podcast next? Message Dom Instagram: @domharveynz Email: [email protected]

If you enjoyed the podcast and would like for your business to sponsor an episode, please email [email protected]

*** Chapters 00:00 – Intro & 7 a.m. “peak clarity” 02:00 – Why Bernice avoids the spotlight now 04:00 – Silver Ferns culture shift & thoughts on Noeline 10:15 – Captaining personalities (incl. Irene van Dyk) 13:20 – Sporting roots & choosing netball over athletics 28:50 – Making the Ferns at 17; imposter syndrome; Wembley debut 35:50 – Knee injury, comeback, and resilience routines 53:10 – 1999 World Champs heartbreak: what it taught her 59:00 – Southern Sting era & building a winning culture 1:02:40 – Life after sport: identity, meeting Dion, teamwork 1:11:40 – Triumph & Disaster, parenting, expectations 1:27:10 – Dancing With the Stars; People & Culture at Hyundai; defining success today