Awesome Humans

Host Brett McCallum sits down with former AFL star Dane Swan to explore his journey from a footy-loving kid to one of the game's greats. He opens up about his early memories, the highs and lows of professional sport, and the unique energy of playing on Anzac Day. As well as life beyond the game (including personal passions, from the stories behind his tattoos to unforgettable moments with football legends), future aspirations, and the joys of family.Reflecting on his career, he shares what it meant to win the prestigious Brownlow Medal, the pressures that came with it, and why team camaraderie mattered more than individual accolades. 

In this episode of Awesome Humans, host Brett McCallum sits down with former NRL star Jarrod Wallace for an honest, no-holds-barred chat about life on and off the field. Jarrod takes us back to his early days, sharing memories of his childhood, the journey that led him to professional rugby league, and the pivotal role coach Wayne Bennett played in shaping his career.They dive into the highs and lows of life in the NRL—overcoming injuries, switching teams, and the behind-the-scenes dynamics that make or break team chemistry. Jarrod opens up about the personal challenges athletes face, from media scrutiny to balancing family life with the demands of elite sport.He also reflects on playing for a cause, the influential players who left their mark on him, and his bold decision to continue his career in France—cultural shocks and all. As he discusses his transition out of professional rugby, Jarrod reveals his newfound passion for radio, his aspirations for the future, and why family will always be his greatest motivation.It's a raw, inspiring, and sometimes surprising conversation with one of rugby league's most genuine voices.

In this episode of Awesome Humans, Brett welcomes Hayley Melidonis, a former global business development professional turned entrepreneur. In this engaging conversation, Hayley shares her transformative journey through travel, career changes, and personal growth. From her experiences in Japan during the Olympics to her transition into the tech industry, she reflects on how these moments shaped her identity and aspirations.Enjoy!

In this episode of Awesome Humans ,Brett interviews Justine Jade, a multifaceted creative who shares her journey from a new-age upbringing to a profound spiritual awakening in Mexico. Justine discusses her experiences with somatic therapy, her transition from atheism to faith in Jesus, and the complexities of her identity and relationships. The conversation explores her early life, family background, and career beginnings in radio, comedy, and music, highlighting the challenges and triumphs she faced along the way.Enjoy!

In this episode of Awesome Humans, host Brett McCallum interviews Mack Lindon, a man who faced false accusations of rape, leading to a tumultuous journey through the legal system and prison. Mack shares his early life, experiences in school, and the dual paths of nursing and acting he pursued. He recounts the challenges of being incarcerated, the impact of his experiences on his personal growth, and his eventual exoneration. The conversation delves into the societal implications of incarceration and the need for rehabilitation over punishment. In this conversation, the speaker discusses the complexities of seeking justice, the journey of storytelling through film, and the importance of transparency in parenting. They share their experiences of creating films amidst personal and societal chaos, emphasizing resilience and the power of storytelling.

Hello Awesome Humans and welcome back to another episode! In this episode Brett welcomes Ian Dixon into the studio. As an distinguished actor with credits in shows like "Underbelly" and "Heartbreak High", Ian also holds a Ph.D., provides fascinating insights into his transition from acting to academia and shares details about his current role as a professor at Nanyang Technology University in Singapore. Tune in as they explore the unique journey of a performer turned scholar, weaving together the worlds of entertainment and education.

Hello Awesome Humans and welcome back to another episode! In today's episode, your host Brett welcomes former professional rugby league player turn musician, Don Rogers, into the studio. In the 70's, Don was a professional rugby league player for the Cronulla Sharks and Western Reds and is now a crane operator by day and a country musician by night. After a chance encounter at his work in February of this year (2023), Don gained his confidence as a musician and started playing open mics and jam nights and has not let up since.Say hello to this week's totally Awesome Human!

Hello Awesome Humans and welcome back to another episode! In today's episode, your host Brett McCallum welcomes Justin Geange into the studio. After listening to one of Justin's poems at an open mic night Brett instantly knew he wanted to get him into the studio to record an episode. Justin's life has been full of many ups and downs, from getting into the semi-finals of Australia's Got Talent to very nearly taking his own life in the wake of being made redundant. He chats about his struggles with bipolar, the stigma surrounding mens mental health and goes in depth about the day that was almost the end. This month is Movember, the leading charity changing the face of men's health. If you, or someone you know, is feeling low, don't hesitate to reach out for support using these local support resources.

Hello Awesome Humans and welcome back to another episode! In today's episode, your host Brett McCallym welcomes aussie football legend Preston Campbell and long time friend of the show, Aunty Linda into the studio. Following a successful NRL career, Preston is now a popular indigenous ambassador and voice for mental health and those suffering depression after stepping forward to share his own personal experiences.Say hello to this week's totally Awesome Human!

Hello Awesome Humans and welcome back to another episode! In today's episode, your host Brett McCallum welcomes the one and only Moyra Major into the studio. Moyra has been a familiar voice on Gold Coast radio for over a decade and has had the pleasure of interviewing people from all over the globe throughout her career. She runs Major Confident, a public speaking company helping those who struggle to face an audience and is a creative writer at heart. Say hello to this week's totally Awesome Human!

Hello Awesome Humans! Joining us in the studio today is NBL1 North MVP Jason Cadee. Jason has been in and around basketball since he was a youngster, with both of his parents playing to a high level. Months after he signed his first professional contract, Jason was involved in a serious car accident on one of Sydney's busiest highways leaving him with a broken pelvis. Despite this, Jason has gone on to represent his local team, State and Country, but still just loves the game and chooses to play in the NBL off-season to keep himself ticking over.Tune in today to listen to this episode's totally Awesome Human!

Hello Awesome Humans! Joining us in the podcast studio today we have author, speaker and entrepreur Gavin McGahey. Gavin is dedicated to helping others and making a positive impact on the world around him. His podcast '100 Breaths' is a journey of discovery and self-help and his book 'The Little Book of Noticing' is based on true anecdotal stories from his own life experiences and contains tools and techniques to raise your frequency, consciousness and awareness. Tune in today to listen to this episode's totally Awesome Human!

Hello Awesome Humans! In the podcast studio today we are honoured to welcome Ambassador of Guatemala, Ronald Recinos. Prior to taking up his position as Ambassador, Ronald was the President of the Board of Directors of the Quetzal Port Company in Guatemala and the legal adviser to the President of the Republic of Guatemala. He has a Master's degree in Commercial and Competition Law and a Postgraduate Certificate in Law with emphasis in Contracts in the New Economy. Tune in today to listen to this week's totally Awesome Human!

Hello Awesome Humans! In the podcast studio today we have speaker, domestic violence survivor and advocate for domestic violence prevention, Simone O'Brien. Simone's journey starts in 2012 where she suffered a horrific domestic violence attack which involved emotional and psychological abuse and ended with her being beaten with a baseball bat to within inches of her life. Through determination and the support of her family, friends, neighbours, doctors and nurses, Simone got through that night and now shares her story to raise awareness of domestic violence. Tune in today to listen to this week's absolutely Awesome Human!

Hello Awesome Humans! Joining us in the podcast studio today we have former Australian Rules footballer, Corey Bell. Corey was a rover for Southport when he was called up by Brisbane midway through the 1991 season with 16 disposals on debut against Richmond at Carrara. After his playing career ended, Corey continued to be involved in football as a development manager with AFL Queensland, as the Community Development Officer for the Gold Coast Football Club and now as the City of Gold Coast's Business and Investment Attraction Officer for sport. Tune in today and listen to this week's totally Awesome Human, Corey Bell!

Hello Awesome Humans! In the podcast studio today we have Janine Mahoney. Janine is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Difference By Design and has a long history of experience including Director of National Risk to Resilience, Program Director for Impact Architecture, Chair Board of Directors at Domestic Violence Victoria and CEO of the Safe Futures Foundation. Janine studied a Bachelor of Arts - Psychology and Accountancy and was also one of Australian Financial Review's 100 Women of Influence in 2018. Tune in today to listen to this week's Awesome Human!

Hello Awesome Humans! Joining us on today's podcast for the second time are two awesome humans, Adam Sheppard and Natasha Price. After dealing with ongoing infections, Adam has just recently made the decision to amputate both of his legs just above his knee and is now living a life with more fun, control and quality. Natasha Price is an elite wheelchair racer, Australian National bronze medallist, author, award winner, blogger, speaker, and a woman whose determination and zest for life infiltrates all she does. Check out these awesome humans' stories in today's podcast!

Hello Awesome Humans! In the podcast studio today we have sports lover, Rob Verhoeve. Rob chats about growing up in Melbourne in the 70's and how he went from an almost 30 year banking career to following his dreams and doing what he loves. Tune in today and listen to this episode's totally Awesome Human, Rob Verhoeve!

Hello Awesome Humans! In the podcast studio today we have Kelly Humphries. Kelly is a Survivor, Author, Transformational and Intuitive Speaker and Results and Trauma Coach. Born in Queensland, Australia, she is a survivor of child sexual abuse and speaks from lived experience. Kelly is passionate about breaking cycles of abuse and is a powerful voice for survivors across the world. She has an international psychology degree, a successful international sporting career and has had a career which positions her as one of Australia's foremost experts in navigating the road from trauma to triumph and recovery. Through her raw and vulnerable approach, coupled with her wit and her incredible courage, Kelly has inspired countless individuals to find healing, hope and the courage to be seen and soar. Tune in today to listen this weeks totally Awesome Human, Kelly Humphries!

Hello Awesome Humans! In the podcast studio today we have Dan Cockerell. Dan is the former Vice-President of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida. In this podcast Dan talks about his story and his journey from working as a parking attendant at Disney's Epcot Center to joining the Disneyland Paris Management Trainee Program, moving to France and then back to Florida where he eventually became Vice President of the Magic Kingdom. Now, after a fulfilling career with the Walt Disney Company, Dan and his wife Valerie have started their own consulting and speaking business where they provide customized presentations, workshops and one on one coaching. Tune in today and listen to this episode's totally Awesome Human, Dan Cockerell!

Hello Awesome Humans! In the podcast studio today we have Chris Feeney. It is a crazy story of how a young bloke who was brought up by Irish parents and into a family business changed his life and moved into the entertainment world. We chat about the ups and downs in his life, and his amazing ability to become The Missing Link. Tune in today and listen to this episode's totally Awesome Human, Chris Feeney!

Hello Awesome Humans! In the podcast studio today we have Chris Anstey, a former Australian professional basketball player who played in the NBL, NBA as well as competing at the 2000 Sydney and 2008 Beijing Olympics. Chris talks about growing up playing tennis in Footscray, and the excitement of beating his Dad for the first time. We also discuss the physical and mental issues that come with being taller than the average person, and how something a lot of people see as a positive, can still have very negative impacts especially on teens. We talk about the pressures faced when trialling in front of NBA selectors, representing Australia at the Olympic Games and the extreme pride watching his daughter achieve the same success. Tune in today to listen to today's tallest Awesome Human, Chris Anstey!

Hello Awesome Humans! In the podcast studio today we have Dr Liz Isenring, an expert in nutrition and dietetics. Dr Liz has published over 150 scientific papers and books, received over $4m in research support and is a highly sought-after keynote speaker. Dr Liz talks about her childhood in Gladstone, backpacking through Europe, her university career in Brisbane, and the struggle to balance budgets and nutrition in hospitals and aged care facilities. We talk about the misconceptions around the word ‘dietician', the challenges around euthanasia, and the triumphs of easing patients suffering through good nutrition. Tune in today to listen to today's totally Awesome Human, Dr Liz Isenring!

Hello Awesome Humans! In the podcast studio today we have Adam Houlahan, a renowned LinkedIn expert! Adam has achieved many great things in his life, like being an Amazon bestselling author, the CEO of Prominence Global and being a keynote speaker for the topic of LinkedIn and how others can become successful on this platform. Adam talks about what life was like from a young age, being born in the Gold Coast and moving to the Newcastle/Sydney area when he was around 5. We also hear his inspiring story about why he moved back to the Gold Coast once he was older to start a life here, where he worked many jobs until he found his success in the LinkedIn world. We chat all about his business now, what it's like being a successful CEO of Prominence Global and what direction he wants to take his work through the future. He is a very Awesome Human! Tune in to hear his story today!

Hello Awesome Humans! In the studio with us for today's Awesome Human's podcast is Keyen Lage “The Genie”, an emotional intelligence coach who goes past being ordinary in his career. Keyen helps individuals who have the want to succeed but need assistance along the way to achieve that success. He has coached incredible people, including world-class fitness models and professional athletes. Through this episode, we discover the many different elements to his story, where he talks what it was like growing up set on an NFL career, and for that to be taken away from him in a flash. But we witness the incredible story about how he found his second passion in life, which is emotional intelligence coaching. Keyen's story will inspire you to realise that you can have more than one passion in life and that life can change drastically in one moment, but you can come out the other side better than ever. Being a coach of world leaders has allowed Keyen to experience many different cultures and meet incredible people. He chats about all the amazing places he has lived, especially his current residence in Rio de Janeiro. Keyen's story is truly one of an Awesome Human. Listen in to hear his amazing story today!

Hello Awesome Humans! Joining us today's Awesome Human's podcast is Stevie Kelly, also known as Stevo Extremo, a brilliant fire performer, who has realised from a young age that you need to take life by the hands and pave a path that you enjoy and a life that brings you fulfilment. Stevie is a man of many talents, having grown up skateboarding with his brother for most of his young life, to also trying out martial arts and then finding his passion within acting and performing with notable influences being David Bowie and Michael Jackson. It wasn't until later in life where he witnessed an amazing fire show, where he realised where his real passion lies – in the art of fire performance. This allowed him to exercise his martial art training and to still be able to incorporate that performance element that he's been passionate about since a child. The art of fire performance has opened his life to so many possibilities, he's travelled to extravagant places, performed for notable individuals, and met the love of his life along the way. Stevie shares his story to inspire other young people that being in a bad place and going down a bad path isn't forever and changing for the better isn't always easy but it is rewarding in the end. So, tune in to hear this Awesome Human's story!

Hello Awesome Humans! Joining us on today's awesome human's podcast for the first time are two awesome humans, Adam Sheppard and Natasha Price. After overcoming the struggles of many chronic illnesses Tasha, is now a speaker, author, entrepreneur, and wheelchair marathon champion. Adam is an Australian record holder, multi medal winner, a personal trainer, coach, and dad. Together, after noticing the lack of products and services available to support and empower people with disabilities and long-term conditions, InvincAble was born. The pair are passionate about using our decades of lived and work experience in the field of disability, to improve the lives of the disabled community. Check out these awesome humans' stories in today's podcast!

Hello Awesome Humans! Joining us on today's Awesome Human podcast is power lifter Thomas Lilley, previously an international champion and a nutritionist he is now the Owner and Head Coach of Ground ZeroW gym here on the Gold Coast and one of the most sought-after coaches and now mentors other coaches through his coach development program and Competed multiple times since he was 18 at state and national international levels, and there are several wins under his belt. In this podcast, Thomas talks about not only his success in powerlifting but also opens up about some of the tougher times in his life. So, tune in to today's podcast to listen in on what this Awesome Human has been up to

Hello Awesome Humans! Joining us on today's Awesome Human podcast is IFBB pro bodybuilder, Sam Pearce, a man who lives by the mantra that because nobody in life will give you anything for free, always work for the things that you want. At the age of just 21, he won an elite title at the WFF Universe competition, coming first place in the juniors competition held as part of the high-profile amateur event in Greece. Now he's a professional bodybuilder on the world stage and has previously competed in the Arnold Sports Festival. But Sam isn't just brawn, he's also a civil engineer by trade and a testament to hard work and dedication. So, if you would like to hear an inspirational podcast and get the motivation you need to take that next step in your journey, whatever it may be, listen in to today's podcast to hear about this Awesome human and what he has going on!

Hey there Awesome Humans! Joining us on Today's Awesome Human Podcast is Pete Horsley; founder of Remarkable, Australia's first disability technology accelerator for startups grabbing technology that enables people with a disability inclusion in all aspects of life, eliminating the physical barriers faced by people living with a disability. Peter's has more than 10 years of experience in the not for profit sector in youth corporate engagement, social impact and innovation. Peter has a pension for good design and has had a good career as a landscape architect and in recent years has dedicated himself to putting his passions and experience into the labour of love known as Remarkable Tech. Remarkable Tech's vision is to harness the power of technological innovation for driving the inclusion of people with disabilities. So, if you would like to learn more about Remarkable tech and what you can do by means of volunteering, donation or just becoming more involved, go to https://remarkable.org.au/ and tune in today to hear from the man himself, how it all began!

Joining us Today on Awesome Humans is none other than entertainment Guru Gary Reid! Whilst Many Aussies, and tourists alike who have taken a trip to the Gold Coast Movie World will have seen Gary's work, as part of the sea world water ski team. He went on to be a member of the Australian water ski team as a youngster and later took his passion for performance and founded Showtime FMX freestyle motocross team, currently supplying Movie World on the gold coast with their feature stunt show Hollywood stunt driver 2 which performs two to three times a day, 363 days a year! With continuing success at Movie World in 2019 the ShowTime team launched a brand-new show at Sea World on the Gold Coast 24 years after Gary's first theme park show on the same lake and ShowTime Entertainment Group is now Australia's largest theme park live show provider! So, tune in today to hear a great Aussie Legend's story!

Joining us on Today's Awesome Human Podcast is world renowned squash player Paul price. Having travelled the world as a top ranked professional squash player, Paul knows what it takes to reach the top. Commitment, dedication, and a vision are among the many qualities he possesses from his worldly experiences. Paul is a former World No. 4 and member of the successful 1999 and 2001 Australian World Team. In 2002, he won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and is also a British Open Finalist. Paul is now focused on helping others reach their potential as a coach, speaker and entrepreneur in the Squash industry with his company Inspired Peak Performance squash and recent involvement in opening an F45 Training Studio. He is driven to add value to others, along with directing them towards their own path of success. So, tune in today to hear about this Awesome Human!

Each Week on the Awesome Human Podcast we bring you the biggest, brightest, and bravest humans we can possibly find off this amazing planet of ours. We're trying to give you some stories to inspire you and showcase the amazing achievements our guests have achieved. Today's Awesome Human is Karly Nimmo. Karly is a voiceover artist, podcaster, teacher, and mentor with over 20 years' experience working in audio. Karly has produced five top iTunes hit shows herself over the past five years and worked with hundreds of podcasters through her podcasting school for ad casters. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find a company Karly hasn't worked with, so if her voice sounds familiar but you can't quite put your finger on it that's why! Karly Nimmo is a No. 1 iTunes podcaster, with three hit shows, Karly loves the sound of her own voice so much, she was able to make a great career out of it. She's a serial entrepreneur, mad creator, born communicator, and connector with a crazy knack for getting you to connect to your truth and see life from a different perspective. So, tune in to hear about this Amazing Human.

On Today's episode of Awesome Humans, we are joined by Aussie rocker, and lead singer from the heavy, hard hitting punk rock band ‘My kind of chaos', Nic Griffiths! Nic's a multitalented musician, a singer, lyricist songwriter and self-taught sound engineer. Nic grew up in the Geelong punk scene in the late eighties, early nineties. He's been playing drums in punk bands since he was 16 years old, ‘My kind of Chaos' is certainly a band to watch as they unleash their music on the Wharf. Nic Griffith is a household name on the Sydney indie music circuit best-known for his contributions to acts including High-tails, Big White, Dream Dog and Bored Shorts. Griffith's contribution as singer/guitarist for Big White has seen him thrice tour Europe and the States supporting acts like Ty Segal, Gang of Four and Black Lips, while single 'Bending Over Backwards' (High-tails) saw full rotation on triple j and was the ninth-most played song on the station in 2014. While the production behind this new project may be slightly less conventional than aforementioned, (Griffith used vintage drum machines, distorted synths and recorded vocals on a second-hand Sing star mic in this track), 'Riding on my Bike', perfectly showcases Nic's knack for writing and producing hooky indie-pop anthems. So, tune in to today's Podcast and listen in on what this Awesome Human's been up to.

Today's Awesome Human is Samantha Morris, co-founder of blank, gold coast magazine, and the gold coast music awards. Samantha is a freelance writer, a fundraiser development manager, a grant writer, a social media strategist, a publish, a public speaker, and a wildlife warrior all whilst being a great solo parent. Blank GC is Sam's brainchild and she's part-owner as well as being the primary local music writer. But Sam's other job is in community engagement and facilitation in regional communities, with a focus on sustainability. She's been lucky enough to work with some of Australia's largest (and smallest) conservation groups and as a result, has been awarded a Young Australian of the Year award in Queensland for her environmental work and in 2013 was named as one of Queensland's Champions of Conservation. In 2014, she received a Golden Gecko Award from the Gold Coast's peak environment group. After launching Blank GC and seeing the growing need for support for local musicians and music businesses, Sam also co-launched the annual Gold Coast Music Awards, which had its first run in 2015, the event now taking place on the beach in Surfers Paradise. So, tune in to today's podcast to hear about the great things this Awesome Human is getting up to!

In today's episode of Awesome Humans, we are joined by Brok Nielsen, an event agent with 12 years' experience working within the industry. He's the managing director of together agency, a company that specializes in event planning, social media strategy, and client management. With this amount of experience in music and hospitality. Established as Brok Neilsen's passion project in 2015, Together has quickly grown to establish itself as a dynamic and forward-thinking agency at the helm of creative solutions. Together is proud of its diverse client base, representing artists with a myriad of skills and venues big and small. Together specialises in event planning, social media strategy and client management. With 12 years of experience in Music and Hospitality Brok knows that communication is the key, and prides himself on his unwavering professionalism and youthful dedication to his clients. Before together, Brok's involvement in the entertainment industry first began with a passion for music. DJ'ing, playing with and managing live bands and music events. As Brok moved through his twenties he started to take his passion for music more seriously and committed making his passion into his dream job at Together. So, tune in today, and here what Brok has to say about his experiences in the entertainment industry.

In Today's Episode of Awesome Humans, we're joined by Nick bell who has worked in the Northern territory with the fire and rescue emergency services as a watch commander for over 30 years now. Based in Southeast Queensland, Nick's working as a crisis and emergency critical incident consultant, advising on the preparation for all matters of crisis. Nick uses his wealth of experience and knowledge to offer work health and safety, risk management crisis and emergency management solutions, as well as safety leadership training. Nick has a passion for the work and provides training in the critical incident space, All of these skills translate for Nick very easily into the business world and that is why Nick has also worked with many different organisations over the last 15 years including the chamber of commerce and a number of companies in the Northern territory insurance industry. So, if you would like to learn more about first response and hear about the amazing things Nick has been getting up to, tune in to today's podcast.

In Today's Episode of Awesome Humans, we're joined by South African born Destiny Rescuer, Marc Nuss. Destiny Rescue is an Australian not-for-profit organisation exposing sex trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children in seven project nations around the globe. Marc has carried a very deep interest and compassion for the underprivileged and vulnerable for most of his life and has an immense passion for making a difference. The rescue started over 18 years ago by a gentleman called Tony Curran when he was on a business trip in Thailand and he was sitting at a bar and overheard a man bragging about the abuse of a child. Since then, Curran and his dedicated team including Marc, have been working to eradicate sex trafficking of children around the world by collaborating with federal and local police to go undercover and rescue children from sex slavery. To learn more about destiny rescue, get involved or to donate, visit https://www.destinyrescue.org.au/ and tune in today to hear more about the amazing work of this organisation.

On Today's episode of Awesome Humans, we are joined by Jason Daniel. Jason is the founder and CEO of the Australian lifestyle and apparel company, LSKD with 10 plus years' experience in the lifestyle fashion industry. Jason is skilled in all aspects of business development, just a few years before starting LSKD in 2007, Jason was completing a carpentry apprenticeship and riding BMX bikes. So how did he do it? How did he go from being a labourer to being a founder and CEO of his own company? He listened to people with experience, he sorted out advice and mentors and he utilised his passion to create a brand that he still is just as passionate about today. In today's podcast, Jason speaks to the importance of being able to reflect on the growth of your business ensuring that the products that your business produces align with your mission. Making sure that every decision made is questioned and everything produced is one step closer toward chasing his mission, “to inspire people to chase the vibe”. Check out the latest and greatest LSKD has to offer on https://www.lskd.co/ and tune in today to hear the full podcast.

In today's episode of Awesome Humans, we are joined by the business owner, event organizer, coach and Awesome Human Donny Fraser. Donny is the managing director of the Australian Skateboarding community. Aside from that, Donny, is a coach at Slowcoach and the occasional stunt man. As a young budding entrepreneur trying to secure sponsorships, Donny learned the hard way that to secure belief in your own personal brand and to secure any kind of funding/sponsorship or support, there must be a solid backing. For Donny this was created through hard work and perseverance, and networking. Donny found success through listening and observing those around him in the skating community rather than assuming his own ideas were the winner and now Donny is in his third year of running the international competition "Rumble on the Reef' in Mackay on a 2.5 Million Dollar Skatepark. When Donny was a young skater there were two groups in Queensland focused on youth development of Skateboarding which consisted of a few people going to the skate park with a megaphone and a bag of tee shirts. Donny wanted to change this and sort out to create a real support network for youth in skating. It is people like Donny and his dedication to the craft that has seen waxing the curbs with a skateboard lead to international and Olympic sport recognition. During Covid, Donny has been running online competitions to keep judges and pro skaters in work and to keep the youth engaged and even give them the chance to win some prizes. To see what Donny has going on at the moment, check out https://www.skateboarder.com.au/pro/asci/ and follow Donny on Instagram @Donnyfraser.

In this episode of Awesome Humans, host Brett McCallum is joined by UFC fighter Dylan Andrews at our podcast studio at HQGC on the Gold Coast. Fighter Dylan the Villain starts his story off back in Wellington New Zealand. Having grown up in a family that suffered from addiction, Dylan knows better than anyone what it's like to watch the ones he loved around him suffer. Having not enjoyed school from an early age, Dylan discovered his love and talent for sports. Having played several sports from a young age, he developed the dedication and skills across a range of sports. Growing up in a predominately white society, Dylan opens up and shares his battle with racism and what his experience was like as a young boy. No matter what life threw at this young fighter, Dylan always seemed to remain positive by staying focused on what he loved, sports. Having left school at a young age, Dylan discovered what it took to stay dedicated and disciplined. In 2002, Dylan moved to Sydney Australia, where he first learnt martial arts, having never tried it before Dylan trained until he one day joined the UFC and would be known to many as Dylan the Villain. And that is just the start of this story. Click the play button to listen to the fully Awesome Human Story of UFC fighter Dylan Andrews.

In this episode of Awesome Humans, we are in our podcast studio at HQGC on the Gold Coast catching up with some pretty awesome humans. This Awesome Human, Ken Bensley joins host Brett McCallum as he shares his exciting story as the Pepsi Max Tour owner. Ken opens up about his career in the event industry and how his passion for photography lead him to enter into the field of event organizing for extremes sports in Australia. Ken continued his passion for photography his photos even got used to promote and market his events. Having always been interested in BMX and skating and worked for the X games and Pepsi Max Tour Ken knows better than anyone how to host an event. With what's happening in the world today, Ken opens up about ow COVID-19 has impacted his business and life as a business owner and the struggles of owning a business today in the world and his plan moving forward. Aside from photography, Ken enjoyed skiing, having skied over in the USA Ken even jumped out of a helicopter and could finally tick that off his bucket list. There is no doubt this awesome human enjoys extreme sports and adventures. After an exciting and successful Ken in 2004, he decided to leave the event industry due to the tragic death of after Jonno Porter. Ken disembarked on a different journey, becoming the owner of KAOS Karting. Today Ken mentors some of the world's best karting talents. Click the play button above to listen to the Awesome Human's story of Ken Bensley.

In this episode of Awesome Humans, as always, we are in our podcast studio at HQGC on the Gold Coast. Storyteller and Host, Brett McCallum sat down with writer and filmmaker Josh Hale to listen to his awesome human story. Josh takes us back to his childhood. From a young age, Josh had a passion for writing, putting pen to paper he began to discover a desire he loved that would one day become his future. Josh was an only child, growing up in America with his parents before moving back to his Mother's homeland of Australia. Having completed schooling in Australia and successfully getting his high school certificate, Josh struggled to find a career to pursue. He gave the hospitality industry a go but soon discovered a passion for photography. Having been a photographer for skaters, Josh soon lost his parents and decided not to continue with photography. Struggling to find his way after losing his parents, Josh turned back to writing for support. Josh knew he had a love for it and decided to push for a career in the film making industry by attending New York Film Academy. There is so much more to this awesome humans' story and the success of Josh's film career with his production company 'Hale Strom'. Click the link below to listen to the full Awesome Human's story of Josh Hale.

In this episode of Awesome Humans, we are back in our podcast studio at HQGC on the Gold Coast. This Awesome human, Andrew Lopez joins host Brett McCallum. Andy has had over 23 years' experience in the event industry after studying a Bachelor of Science at university. Having got into the event industry after having worked in a rat laboratory at the University of Sydney, Andy left university. He went to work with his mum in the event industry in stage management. That was the start of Andy's successful event career, having finished university and went straight into events and never worked in psychology. Today Andy is the director and co-owner of Summernats, MotorX and Out There Productions. He has worked with big events such as the Rugby League grand final back in 1995 all before losing his Father in 1996, where Andy stood up and took care of family through his business while his mum cared for his FatherFather. Andy reflects on the impact of COVID-19 and the impact it has had on the event industry, along with the consequences on the business. Having been profoundly affected due to the restriction which has seen all events to be cancelled or very limited, Andy has found time to spend with his family and to work on other parts of the business. Moving forward, Andy talks about where we will go from here, what will happen to the event industry. Will it ever be the same again? Click the link below to listen to the full Awesome Human's story of Andrew Lopez.

In this episode of Awesome humans, host Brett McCallum is joined by heavy kick Thai fighter, Mark Lucchiari out of the HQGC podcast studio on The Gold Coast. Mark is a Muay Thai champion, having trained out of Strike Force Gym in Burleigh, Mark is now a trainer to aspiring fighters on the Gold Coast. Mark starts his story off by taking us back to his childhood. Having lost his father at a young age, Mark learned quickly how to look after himself, having later called himself the ‘Bully Basher'. Mark since a young age has always lived in Burleigh, aside from a few moments overseas Mark loves the Gold Coast has now lived here with his wife and kids. After completing his apprenticeship as a Plumber, Mark started to show an interest in Muay Thai. Through a mate that owned a gym and having been a footy player, Mark tried to up his skills in throwing a punch or two. Mark soon learn discipline through the art of fighting, he found that once he learned how to fight, he could get out of any situation. During this time, Mark learned not how to fight but how to learn different movements and styles with minimal violence. All while Mark and his partner were expecting their first child that would one day become an Australian Champion in fighting at the age of thirteen. There is so much more to this awesome human's story. Click the link below to listen to the Awesome Human's story of Mark Lucchiari.

In this episode of Awesome humans, we sat down with young Australian entrepreneur, Taj Pabari. Taj is the founder and chief executive officer of Fiftysix Creations, helping and educating young students about entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Taj created Fiftysix Creations back in 2014 at the age of fourteen and has since educated over 50,000 Australian students. Taj story takes us back to high school, although this bright young star didn't enjoy school, he would soon go off to bigger and better things. Having started his blog at the age of eleven, Taj saw the value behind his work and determination. After receiving his first paycheck from Google, he soon realised that hard work and dedication could make him money. Although, Taj didn't enjoy school nor did he continue his higher education at university, at the age of fourteen Taj had created fiftysix creations. His creative mind went on to become the 2014 Australian Young Innovator of the as well of the Queensland Young Australian of the Year. And he was nominated the National Australia Day Council Young Australian of the Year. And this was just the start of this awesome human's story. Today, Taj reflects on the impacts of COVID-19. He talks about the youth unemployment rates and what will happen moving forward. We even get a better understanding of what we can expect from Taj in the future. Will he become the future Prime Minister of Australia? Click the link below to listen to the full Awesome Human's Story of Taj Pabari.

In this episode of Awesome humans, we are back in our podcasting studio at HQGC interview some awesome guests. Host, Brett McCallum sat down with Fish Ski Australia founder, Rob Grace. Rob starts his story off by taking us back to his childhood. In 1964 Rob was born in Mooloolaba, Queensland. Being a Queenslander, Rob grew up on his grandfather's cattle station in Charter's Towers while also being raised by his mother and the Aboriginals on the station. Having moved back to Toowoomba for a short while, Rob and his mother found themselves moving to Singapore and Hong Kong at the age of three. After living overseas for ten years, Rob and his mother decided to move back across the water back home to Australia. Rob, since moving back to Australia had a passion for cooking. All the flavours from Singapore and Hong Kong helped him discover a love for food. Having become a Chef shortly after school, Rob trained in Toowoomba before moving to the Sunshine Coast where he lives today. It was from there the idea of Fish Ski started. Having always loved deep water fishing Rob one day at a Noosa Bar, saw some tuna busting up in the water. He got excited but had no way of getting a boat out in the shallow water, he was disappointed. So, Rob came up with the idea of attaching his fishing kit to the back of a jet ski. From there Rob's invention had caught the eyes of other fishers which lead to the success of his fishing kit on the back of a ski. Today Rob resits in Mooloolaba, Queensland still producing Fish Ski kits to fish lovers across the world. Click the link below to listen to the full Awesome Human's Story of Rob Grace.

In this episode of Awesome humans, we are back in our podcasting studio at HQGC interview some awesome guests. Host, Brett McCallum sat down with lash and brow enthusiast, Otto Mitter. Otto Mitter is the managing director of Ellebana and has also won several awards for teaching beauty enthusiast across 50 countries the art of lash and brows. Otto starts his story off by taking us back to his childhood. Otto was introduced to the beauty industry by his mother. She was a pioneer to the industry having owned a salon and having an influence on the education curriculum for the industry. In his teen years, Otto played in a band having had a passion for music but later deciding that wasn't for him so, it was back to beauty school. In the world today due to COVID-19, the beauty industry has been heavily impacted by the restrictions put in place, enforcing beauty salons to put a hold on their services. Otto reminisces about times before COVID-19 reflecting on his glamorous life travelling around the world and attending beauty events, such as the Lash World Cup. An event where beauticians from around the world come together and compete in a lash-off. Today Otto lives on the Gold Coast with his wife and sons. He is continuing to teach and educate others and leaving his mark on the beauty industry. Click the link below to listen to the full Awesome Human's Story of Otto Mitter.

In the first episode of our new Awesome Humans series, we are back in our podcasting studio at HQGC interview some awesome guest. Host, Brett McCallum sat down with Celeste Barber's Hot Husband, Api Robin. Many people around the world know Api as Hot Husband. Although he didn't take his shirt off for this podcast, Api shared insight into his life and shared his awesome human story with old school friend Brett. Api story takes us back to his first-ever memory, watching the Sharks on TV. Although it has been a tuff couple year prior for the footy team, Api reflects on when the Shire Sharks took home the 2016 premiership. Api shares the story on how he met Australia's favourite comedian, Celeste Barber one night at a bar, with dreds the size of a bob cut. He opens up about how he traded in his career of climbing trees as an arborist for a spot behind the camera. His career now consists of mock photoshoots with flying bags, tight clothes and hilarious dance moves. Today Api, like most Australian parents, is struggling with the battle of homeschooling and being confined to the house. He is continuing to be the man behind the camera for the infamous Instagram post from Celeste Barber and hanging with celebrities, Kelly Slater and Cindy Crawford. Maybe even enjoying a tequila or two. Click the link below to listen to the full Awesome Humans story of Api Robin. AKA Hot Husband.

In this COVID-19 special edition of ‘Awesome Humans', we are interviewing some awesome guests from our home studio on the Gold Coast. Host, Brett McCallum sat down with Actress, Writer, Director and Podcast host; Heather Maltman to hear her Awesome Humans Story. Many Australians remember Heather from season three of The Bachelor. Although she may not have won the heart of Sam Wood, she won the heart of many Australians. Heather takes us back to her childhood, by sharing her first-ever memory, being in the arms of her birth mum. Heather knows better than anyone what it is like to grow up less fortunate than others. Throughout Heather's childhood story, she experienced what it was like to have a Mother that had mental illness, mental and physical abuse and her experience with bullying. Heather shared her life's journey and how she came to terms with her past and remained positive moving into her future. Thanks to her help from her therapist whom she admires dearly. Heather was able to deal with her past and start to create a successful future. Heather's story and message encourage others to open up and talk about their problems and feelings to someone, as life is just too quick. After the Bachelor, Heather built a name for herself in the entertainment industry. She went off to co-host, I'm a Celebrity, work in Radio and today she is hosting her podcast series 'The Maltman Lab'. There is more to be written for this Awesome Human Story. Heather has a very bright and successful future ahead in the entertainment industry. Click the play button below to listen to the Awesome Human's story of Heather Maltman from the comfort of her home with her cat, Chandler.

In this COVID 19 special edition of Awesome Humans, we are interviewing some awesome guest from our home studio on the Gold Coast. Host, Brett McCallum sat down with conceptual visual artists and street artist, Libby Harward. Libby is a descendant from the Ngugi people from Mulgumpin, Moreton Island and a proud Indigenous artist. Libby starts her story off by taking us back to her childhood home at the age of three. She remembers and reflects on the memories she shared with her younger brother before his passing. Having grown up in Brisbane, Queensland and her father, a proud indigenous from Stradbroke Island Libby has always felt a special connection to saltwater, her people and her culture. Libby shares her battle with drugs and alcohol and the influence it had on her perspective of life and her artwork. While also sharing the impact other artists, and mentors have had on her successful work and career. Like most Australians, Libby has been productive during the COVID-19 pandemic, by keeping busy on an upcoming project that involved her getting in touch with her land, her people and her family. Today Libby resits on the Gold Coast, close to the saltwater. She chooses to focus on the positive impact of COVID-19, including the changes in the local environment and wildlife that surround our beautiful land. Click the play button below to listen to the full story of this awesome human's, Libby Harward from the comfort of her home on the beautiful Gold Coast.