From pool champion to car DJ: Why Libby Trickett's musical meltdown has every parent nodding in agreement

When Australian swimming legend Libby Trickett shared a video of herself driving along to The Wiggles' techno remix of 'Five Little Ducks,' she probably didn't expect it to become the most relatable parenting content on the internet.

But there she was, our four-time Olympic gold medallist, resigned to her fate as chauffeur to five little ones with very specific musical tastes.

The mother of five recently welcomed baby Archie Wilson Lightning Trickett on April 3, 2025, joining siblings Poppy (9), Edwina (7), Bronte (5), and Alfred (1).

Her caption on social media said it all: 'POV: This is now the theme song of your life' and 'On. Repeat.'

For many Australians over 60, watching Libby's good-natured surrender to children's music might bring back memories of their own parenting days—or current grandparenting adventures. The difference is, today's kids have access to something that didn’t exist back then: The Wiggles gone full electronic dance music.

When Olympic champions meet toddler tunes

Libby Trickett's sporting achievements are nothing short of extraordinary. She won gold medals at three consecutive Olympic Games (2004, 2008, 2012), claimed multiple world records, and was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2016. She's the kind of athlete who could push through gruelling training sessions and perform under the most intense pressure.

But ask any parent or grandparent: nothing quite prepares you for the endurance test of listening to the same children's song for the 47th time on a school run.

What makes Libby's video particularly entertaining is the soundtrack itself. The remix is the work of Lenny Pearce, a DJ and former Justice Crew member who happens to be the twin brother of Purple Wiggle John Pearce. The family connection adds another layer to the story—it’s quite literally keeping it in the Wiggles family.

The Wiggles phenomenon evolves

For those who raised children in the 1990s and early 2000s, The Wiggles were unavoidable — and mostly beloved. The Australian children's entertainment group became a household name, teaching kids about colours, numbers, and the importance of fruit salad through impossibly catchy tunes.

The Wiggles Sound System: Rave of Innocence was released in April 2024 as a digital-exclusive electronic dance mix album, featuring 14 remixed classics like 'Fruit Salad,' 'Hot Potato,' and 'Toot Toot, Chugga Chugga, Big Red Car.'

The album first gained notoriety after a fan discovered a USB drive containing the unreleased tracks at a DJ Dorothy and Lenny Pearce set in Melbourne, later leaking them online before the official release.

Why your brain is wired for 'Baby Shark' (whether you like it or not)

Before dismissing your grandchild's insistence on hearing the same song repeatedly as mere stubbornness, consider the science.

Studies indicate that kids are drawn to music that fits their developmental level and often enjoy upbeat tempos with repetitive lyrics, with familiarity breeding comfort for them.

Neuroscientists studying baby brains say music has long-lasting benefits. Research shows that after babies listen to music, their auditory and prefrontal cortexes change—the regions in charge of processing both music and speech.

Familiar voices and repetitive sounds also calm babies, helping them regulate heart rate and breathing when they don’t yet know how to self-soothe.

The great car music compromise

The comments on Libby's video revealed a universal truth about family car journeys. 'Anything for peace in the car,' wrote one parent.

Another shared: 'Oh I remember those days!! We had to play The Wiggles and so many times I would get all the way home, after dropping them at kindy, before I even realised I was still listening to them!'

When parents sing or move in time to music with children, both brains release oxytocin, a bonding hormone that offers a sense of peace and well-being. So while it might feel like torture in the moment, those repetitive car concerts are actually building precious family bonds.

A different kind of endurance sport

Lenny Pearce, described as a 'pioneer of Toddler Techno and Baby Raves,' has found a unique niche as a dad, DJ, and former Justice Crew member. His approach to children's music recognises something important: kids' entertainment doesn’t have to be torture for adults.

For grandparents who remember when The Wiggles first appeared on television, seeing them evolve into rave culture might seem surreal. But it’s actually quite fitting as The Wiggles have always been about joy, movement, and bringing people together through music.

The legacy of shared soundtracks

Libby may be known for winning Australia four Olympic gold medals at three consecutive Olympic Games, but aside from her talent in the pool, the 40-year-old has seemingly mastered motherhood as well. Her willingness to share the less glamorous moments of parenting, like surrendering control of the car stereo, makes her incredibly relatable.

The unfiltered side of Libby Trickett

Alongside her viral parenting posts, Libby continues to share honest reflections about motherhood. For World Breastfeeding Week, she wrote an open letter describing her fifth child’s feeding journey: 'Archie is super lucky that he’s baby number five and my b**b is basically just a tap that he doesn’t have to do much for as he’s got a weak little suck. But it works for us right now.'

She acknowledged that breastfeeding can be 'really challenging, really weird, and really special — all of those things are true.' Libby emphasised that every mother’s journey is different, concluding: 'I don’t know how much longer we’ll do it for, I’m proud of what my body is doing to build my child AND I also know that ultimately when our time is done, fed is best.'

That kind of candour is exactly why her stories resonate. Whether she’s reflecting on elite sport, motherhood, or musical mayhem, Libby has a gift for showing the human side of extraordinary experiences.

For those watching Libby's video and nodding in recognition, know that you're part of a proud tradition. Whether it was 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' on repeat in 1985 or techno-remixed 'Five Little Ducks' in 2025, the soundtrack changes but the love remains the same.

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Have you found yourself unexpectedly enjoying any children's songs lately? Or do you have memories of The Wiggles from your own parenting days? Share your musical parenting moments in the comments below!