Emergence

Today's guest is, well, me, but it serves as a dual purpose. This week is mental health week, and today's host is a man by the name of Luke De Vincentis who has been running an initiative throughout the whole week in order to provide support, resources and bring awareness and attention to mental health as a society. He has pulled together 25+ people to contribute wellness ideas, exercises, resources, philosophies and stories available for anyone in need, and as part of it he asked me to be involved and share my story. Head to the instagram page https://www.instagram.com/festival_of_wellness/ and check out some of the great content. So this podcast serves as a dual purpose as a few people have been asking me for a while now to share my story and thoughts around leadership, but I have been reluctant to do so because the show is about me learning from others and sharing those learning's with you, but this is a fantastic initiative Luke has started and if my story or ideas help anybody in some way, shape or form, then I am only happy to share. Please enjoy this chat and remember to take care of yourselves.

Ben McEvoy is an AFL player for the Hawthorn Football Club, and with the AFL season for 2020 just finishing, he has currently played 222 AFL games, is a 2x premiership player and a member of the Hawthorn leadership group, plus at 31 years of age, he is playing some of the best football of his career as he looks ahead to 2021.He was originally drafted to the St Kilda Football Club with pick 9 of the 2007 draft, the same year Matthew Kreuzer was taken at number 1. At just 18 years of age, he made his debut for the Saints in his first year, Rd 13 of 2008 against Fremantle and an opposition ruckman by the name of Aaron Sandilands who just happens to be the tallest player to ever play Aussie Rules standing at 211cm tall.He played 91 games at St Kilda before unexpectedly being traded to Hawthorn ahead of the 2014 season, however it turned out to be a blessing for him as Hawthorn would win the premiership in 2014 and 2015 in his first two seasons at the club, making him a 2x premiership player in the process.While Ben has same great accolades attached to his name now, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing or an easy journey for him as he discusses throughout the episode. He has had to deal with some pretty extradorinaiy situations as an AFL player, patricianly during grand final week. In 2010 when at St Kilda and after playing majority of that season, including then preliminary final, he was dropped for the grand final the following week which was of course a draw, and recalled to play in the grand final replay the following week.In 2014 when at Hawthorn, he didn’t play in the preliminary final, but was called into the side for the grand final and tells a great story about that situation including a call from Chris Fagan and a discussion with Alistair Clarkson as he was on his way to play in the VFL grand final.Throughout the episode, Ben is honest and open as we discuss his initial move from the country to the city to start his career, his nativity as he puts it, his training habits and mindset and how that has evolved over his career, how he attacks the off season and pre season, the grand final years, some turning points an light bulb moments, the traits of some of his great coaches and why his family and farming are pivotal to giving him balance and perspective on his AFL career.Please enjoy this genuine and thorough conversation with Ben McEvoy.

Daniel Currie is a former AFL player for the Sydney, North Melbourne and Gold Coast Football Club's. Daniel is one of my close friends, so it is really nice to share this with others and display his humility, genuineness and positive attitude.As you’ll come to learn from this chat if you don’t already know Daniel’s story, he endured an AFL career that didn’t have much luck along the way, nor does it reflect the level of persistence, commitment and professionalism he displayed through his career that spanned 10 years and returned him 10 games in that time.It is a great story and experience for others to learn a lot from about facing adversity, continuing to show up and be the best version of yourself regardless of the situation or circumstance, and that although you have big intentions and hopes of achieving great things, you don't always get to choose your story, but you can control your response and reactions to it which is exactly how Daniel approached it.Daniel holds a record I’m sure he wishes he didn’t, that being the longest to make his AFL debut after being drafted. It took Daniel eight years, two AFL clubs, a delisting and a stint in the SANFL and living in three different states to be selected for his first game. That in itself says something about his determination to chase his dream, to control what he could, to see situations as challenges to overcome rather than road blocks, to continue to move forward and not dwell and most importantly, his character and the regard he is held in within the AFL industry for his remarkable resilience.Throughout this episode, we discuss his long and arduous journey, beginning his AFL career in Sydney whilst still completing his year 12 studies in Melbourne, being delisted, the frustrations of being 2nd in line to Todd Goldstein, one of the AFL’s most durable ruckman and arguably the competitions best ruckman still today, the process of rehab and facing multiple stints on the sideline through injury and his mindset and positive attitude that remained throughout his career despite the outcomes and reward not reflecting the investment and effort he was putting in.Please enjoy this open and insightful conversation with Daniel Currie.

Jack Grimes is a former AFL player for the Melbourne Football Club.He was taken with pick 14 at the 2007 draft and would go on to play 100 AFL games across a nine year season, including co-captaining the side from 2012 - 2014 in what was a pretty challenging time both on and off field for the club.Jack was just 22 years old when he and Jack Trengrove (20) were thrust into the position of co-captain of a club that was going through a rebuild. The appointment made him one of the youngest AFL captains in the history of the game of a club that, at the time, attracted plenty of external noise for the wrong reasons because of their lack of on field success during his tenure. Jack won just 24 of 100 games throughout his AFL career to paint a better picture.On top of the lack of on-field success, Jack was unfortunately regularly plagued by soft-tissue injuries throughout his career and only twice played more than 15 games in a season with his best season coming in 2012 when he was appointed co-captain. He would play a career-high 21 games that year and finished runner-up in Melbourne's best and fairest award.He stood down as co-captain heading into the 2015 season as he wanted to get back to focussing on his own game as he felt his form had suffered to some degree during his leadership tenure, but would be plagued by more injuries in 2015 and despite outstanding VFL form with the Casey Scorpions (Melbourne’s reserves) in 2016, he managed just two senior games due to another rebuild and change of direction under new coach, Paul Roos, in what would ultimately be his last season at AFL level after being delisted at the end of that season.At 27 years of age and with some other AFL interest circling, Jack decided against nominating for the draft and made himself unavailable to other clubs, subsequently putting an end to his career and exiting the AFL system. He instead chose to start the next phase of his life and transitioned into work running his PT studio JJ’s Health and Fitness which is thriving and brings him joy.Throughout this episode, we discuss all things leadership, how he approached it when he was appointed, how he felt throughout his tenure including the emotional ups and downs, what he would have liked to have known at the time and what he learnt about himself upon reflection. He talks openly and honestly about hard work, the process of tackling multiple injuries and how he lost some passion for the game and where and how he rediscovered it through 2016 as a VFL player.Jack is also a long time personal friend of mine, so it was really nice to catch up and be able to share this with others. You will not meet a more caring and humble human.Please enjoy this engaging conversation with Jack Grimes.

Dr Phil Jauncey is a widely respected and heavily sought after leading performance psychologist who has worked with some of the biggest corporates and sporting teams here in Australia and globally.He has developed a reputation within the sporting industry as someone who makes teams better with his depth of knowledge, his understanding of people and performance, and his contagious passion for life as you’ll come to realise during this episode.He has worked with teams such as the Australian Cricket team, the Sri Lanka Cricket team, the Bangladesh Cricket team, the Queensland Bulls Cricket team, the Brisbane Broncos and the South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL teams, English Rugby League teams, the Brisbane Lions AFL team during their three premierships in a row, the Australian Davis Cup team as well as attending three Olympic Games as a performance psychologist for various competitions.He has been described as Wayne Bennett’s right hand man having worked with Wayne at the Bronco’s and more recently, at South Sydney due to Wayne’s trust in Dr Phil’s work.Dr Phil has a personality profiling system that I was really intrigued to learn more about and its use in a sporting or corporate environment, and how personal differences impact on our approaches to life and our interactions with others.To give some context before listening to the episode, he classifies people under four categories - Mozzie, Enforcer, Thinker, Feeler. You will come to learn what these are throughout the episode.In this episode, we discuss his personality profiling, understanding self and others, the psychology of performance, how coaches and leaders can apply his work in their own environment plus much more.Word of warning - Dr Phil is a mozzie, which means he likes to buzz around, is animated and he loves to talk. There is so much in this episode to unpack, but you need to be on your game to keep up with Dr Phil.Please enjoy this entertaining and informative discussion with Dr Phil Jauncey.

Mark Brayshaw is the current CEO of the AFL Coaches Association but has been involved in the AFL industry for many decades now and has held some pretty prominent roles in that time including marketing roles for Port Adelaide and Fremantle, board member of North Melbourne Football Club and CEO of Richmond Football Club.Mark hails from Western Australia and comes from a strong sporting family with father, Ian, playing 101 first class cricket matches for Western Australia as well as State League football for WAFL club Claremont and brother James Brayshaw also represented Western Australia in cricket while Mark himself played 32 games for North Melbourne Football Club in the AFL and had a strong and distinguished career for Claremont in the WAFL also.On top of all of what he has done both on and off the field, he now has the pleasure of watching three of his four sons run around at AFL clubs and support their journey. Throughout our conversation, Mark discusses what it was like growing up in a strong sporting family and how that has now been passed down into his own family today, how he has managed and navigated his way through really uncertain times and mass job loss for coaches within the AFL industry, his growth and learnings from previous roles such as CEO of Richmond Football Club, where aspiring coaches should focus their development and the pillars that underpin coaching, plus his take on leadership.Mark’s passion and growth mindset shine through in this conversation and it is clear why he has continued to progress and evolve throughout the decades to be in the position he is now.Please enjoy this enthusiastic and thorough conversation with Mark Brayshaw.

'Wild' Will Tomlinson is a former professional boxer, and a bloody good one at that, being the former IBO Super Featherweight World Champion.Wild Will started his boxing journey at the age of twelve when he walked in walked in off the street to a boxing gym in his home town, Bairnsdale. He soon found his calling as the coaches noticed his natural rhythm and talent as he practiced on the pads and in sparring and because of this, at just twelve years old, he had his first amateur fight which he won by knockout.He turned professional in 2008 after missing out on the Olympic Games and from his debut fight, which he won by TKO after scoring a stoppage, he would quickly rise up the ranks to become one of the best fighters for his weight class and ultimately became a World Champion at Super Featherweight class by winning the IBO Super Featherweight title.That rise and dominance in Australia saw him sign with Oscar De La Hoya’s famous Golden Boy Promotions at the end of 2013 and he would relocate to the US to fight over there before returning to Australia for his final few fights and retiring at the age of 30 after 29 fights with a record of 25 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw.Post his fighting days he has started his own boxing promotion and gym, Wildfighter, which is aimed at giving boxers a better chance at forging a career of their own through better promotion and exposure.Throughout our conversation, Wild Will discusses his career progression, the focus, mindset and discipline of a boxer, the sacrifices and approach he made to cut 10-12kg of weight during training camp just to get to the line to fight and his attitude to becoming a world champion.Please enjoy this engaging and eye opening conversation with Wild Will Tomlinson.

Sam Lowson isn’t an AFL player - yet. He is in fact someone I have had the pleasure of coaching at Coburg Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and someone who since debuting in 2017, has quickly risen to become one of the most highly touted prospects outside of the AFL.Sammy was highly regarded to be taken with the first selection of the AFL mid season draft in 2019, but in the game just two days before the mid season draft, a game other draft hopefuls chose not to play in order to be fit for selection come Monday night’s mid season draft, Sammy suffered a lisfranc and a torn MCL in the one incident, and was subsequently overlooked by clubs because of it.While that moment was obviously heartbreaking for Sam, he continues to press his claims to be given a chance by an AFL club and due to the current situation in Victoria and the VFL being cancelled for season 2020, Sam has moved to South Australia and will make his debut for Woodville-West Torrens against Sturt in the SANFL this weekend.Sam is now fit, powerful and achieving great things in both football and life, but he has a story, his story, that is remarkable to think about and hear about given where he is today.From the age of 17, Sam was a regular ice user. He was introduced to the wrong crowd early on and got involved in some bad habits that led him to some really dark places. Sam now plays at 84kg, and at his lowest point when he broke down as he stared at himself in the mirror, he was just 65kg. It is his past, something he isn’t proud of, but he owns it, it doesn’t define him and now he uses his story to help other people in the situation he was in because he knows how dark and lonely a place it is.Throughout our conversation, Sam opens up about how he got mixed up with the wrong crowd and wrong activities in great detail, he discusses some key turning points and moments, how he uses his story and experiences to be a role model for others, how football gave him a lifeline, his doubts of making it and how his belief has grown to now being so driven of making AFL his reality.I want to thank Sam for having the courage to be vulnerable and tell his story. It would be easy for him to just be a good football player, not tell his story and not open himself up to criticism and people having the view that, like many ice users, it is his fault for getting himself there in the first place. In some aspects that is true, but not many people get out of the habit of using ice, go on to do something productive with their lives and become advocates for ensuring others don’t go through the same experience.Through Sam’s story you can learn that, no matter how low a point you are at in your own life, you can turn it around.Please enjoy this raw and open conversation with Sam Lowson.Sturg

Richard Bowden is one of the most widely respected, decorated and accomplished business leaders within the healthcare system after a distinguished career for globally recognised healthcare brand, Bupa.Throughout a career spanning 37 years in the healthcare system, 17 of those years at Bupa, Richard held leadership positions such as Managing Director, CEO of Bupa Global and UK and CEO of Bupa Australia and New Zealand before retiring (even though he doesn’t like to use that term) in April 2019.He has a plethora of knowledge about leadership gathered through his experiences and, fortunately for me, Richard also happens to be my father in law and has shared many of his insights, thoughts and philosophies to me on a regular basis that he talks about throughout the podcast today.Throughout our conversation, Richard discusses his humble beginnings, his evolution and pathway as a leader, what he has learnt along the way, how to manage change within organisations and how to make people the key focus of the way you operate as a leader.Please enjoy this meaningful and thoughtful conversation with Richard Bowden.

Gary Moorcroft is a former AFL player for Essendon and Melbourne Football Club’s and was a key member of the Essendon 2000 AFL premiership winning side. However, he is most famously remembered for taking one of, if not the best marks in the history of the game which you can check out using this link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RpoTtudPckInitially drafted out of the Northern Knights after being voted the Morrish Medal winner for the best player in the U/18 competition, he would then go on to forge a career that would see him compile 98 AFL games and kick 104 goals.After his AFL career ended, Gary showed incredible durability and would piece together one of the greatest local footballing careers we’ve ever seen, playing on for another 17 incredible seasons which involved multiple premierships, over 1000 goals and many characteristic high flying marks.I personally had the fortune of coaching Gary in his final season of football at the remarkable age of 44 and I don’t think I’ve seen anybody who loves training, looking after their body and competing as much as he does.Throughout our conversation, he discusses growing up in Keon Park with a tough and hard father, transitioning to the AFL, Kevin Sheedy and his early recollections of Essendon and what made them a great team, his approach to training and his mindset to improve and of course, that famous mark.Please enjoy this brilliant story and conversation with Gary Moorcroft.

Nathan Williamson is a young man living out his dream. Growing up in country Western Australia, a strong and passionate football community, Nathan knew he wanted to be involved in the game at the elite level from a young age.However, unlike his mates who wanted to grow up to be their idols playing the game, Nathan had a different idol - his Dad, an umpire in the local country competition. From as young as he can remember, Nathan knew he wanted to be an AFL umpire, and that is exactly what he does now.Nathan’s story isn’t told on the same platform as a young kid who has a dream of growing up and playing the game at the highest level, but the message of having a dream, visualising, practicing, falling in love with what you do and belief are all commonalities Nathan shares with the young players that are now stars of the game.Nathan is now widely regarded as one of the most composed, best decision makers and relatable umpires today. He is also a fantastic, down to earth human with great self awareness and family values that have attributed to his success.During our conversation, we explore his story and focus on the themes and mindset that led him to achieve his dream, a mindset that is transferable to anyone across any industry. Nathan knew what he wanted to do and what his passion was. He knew who he was, he aligned his actions and behaviours with his intentions and created a life he is now grateful and appreciative for.Join me for this engaging chat with AFL umpire, Nathan Williamson.

Just like some of the other big name sports personalities I’ve had on the podcast so far, Sam Mitchell doesn’t require much of an introduction.329 AFL games4x Hawthorn Football Club premiership player5x Hawthorn Football Club best and fairest3x All Australian2012 Brownlow medalistI apologise to Sam as I got some of these stats wrong in the actual interview. His resume at the end of his career is as good as anybody to have played the game, however Mitchell was initially overlooked at under 18 level and had to find another way to the top flight via Box Hill Hawks in the VFL.After being taken by Hawthorn at pick 36 in the 2001 draft, his early years saw him develop his determination to succeed and was rewarded by winning back to back most determined awards. Overtime he would become one of most prolific ball winners the game has seen and was known for his incredible consistency, skills, decision making and game IQ.He has now entered the coaching space on the back of a stellar playing career and is widely tipped to be a senior coach in waiting.Throughout our conversation, Sam discusses being overlooked, his willingness to work on his strengths, his training habits and routines, his willingness to make mistakes to test the boundaries, some insights into his coaching thoughts and his experiences working with Alistair Clarkson and Adam Simpson.Please enjoy this articulate and thoughtful conversation with Sam Mitchell.

Elyse Villani has represented Australian womens cricket for over a decade. During that time, she has established herself as a top-order bat with clean hitting and impeccable timing which has seen her grow into one of the most damaging batters in international women’s cricket.She is a leader having captained teams in the WBBL including the Perth Scorchers and is the current captain of the Melbourne Stars.Although Villani has achieved much success throughout her career including winning World Cup titles, the Ashes and individual accolades, she recently lost her Australian cricket contract and has a fight on her hands to win one back, however, that’s not what she is solely focussed on.During our conversation, Villani discusses her evolution as a player and leader throughout her career and how her mindset has shifted over time from being outcome driven to the point it was detrimental to her performance, to now being process driven and playing with freedom.She offers great insight into the ups and downs of elite sport, leadership, sacrifice and team culture.Please enjoy this engaging and thoughtful discussion with Elyse Villani.

Damien Bugeja is a young man on a mission to have a great impact on this world. He is a leader beyond his years and through a particular hardship, he has developed a mindset that is unbreakable.Damien’s father passed away at just 52 years of age after being diagnosed with and battling cancer for five years. Damien was a registered carer for his father from just 19 years of age and talks in detail throughout the podcast of some things required to ensure his father could live as comfortably as possible as he battled on.Damien isn’t the first person to lose a parent at a young age, but what makes Damien’s story so inspiring is that from his father’s passing, he has now dedicated his whole life to raising money and awareness for cancer sufferers and to support families just like Damien’s who have loved ones dealt this cruel card.Damien recently completed a run from Craigieburn to Yarrawonga, 290km, in just 6 days. The run was a tribute to his father as Yarrawonga was the family’s annual holiday destination. Damien raised $60,000 for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre for their care and treatment of his father throughout his battle.Throughout this episode, Damien discusses the emotional roller coaster of caring for his father, his own mental health battles because of it, how he turned his hardship into opportunity, the run itself and what he is planning on doing in the future which is jaw dropping.Please enjoy this relatable and motivating discussion with Damien Bugeja.

Jason Akermanis doesn’t need much introduction if you are a football enthusiast. He is a former AFL player with one of the most accomplished resumes the game has seen. He won the 2001 Brownlow Medal, is a 3x premiership player for the Brisbane Lions and won multiple best and fairest awards and multiple All Australian awards during his 325 game, 16 season AFL career.Akermanis’ career was elite in every sense of the word. From freakish goals, blistering speed, match winning performances on the biggest stage and remarkably high output for a long period of time, “Aker” could and just about did it all.Some people associate controversy with Aker’s name, however I was fortunate throughout this chat to see the real side of him. It was the first conversation with a guest that I did in person. Aker welcomed me into his home, cooked me lunch and introduced me to his family. I spent over four hours discussing coaching, leadership, philosophy, parenting and so much more both on and off the podcast.During this conversation, Aker talks about his childhood, his mindset and approach to his career, the 'Fab Four' plus his deep and thoughtful considerations on what it takes to be successful.I can’t thank him enough for his willingness to assist me in my learning journey through the podcast and in our conversations since recording. Please enjoy this real and positive conversation with Jason Akermanis as much as I did doing it.

Professor Ricky Johnstone has many titles and leadership positions in his line of work. He is the Head of the Gene Regulation Laboratory at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the Head of The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology at The University of Melbourne and the Executive Director of Cancer Research at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre where he oversees 700 staff and students and plays a key role in strategic decision making across the organisation.He has published more than 200 peer-reviewed papers, was awarded an NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellowship in 2015, Pfizer Australia Senior Research Fellowship award in 2005 and attended Harvard Medical school along with many other accolades on his extensive list of achievements, however it is not what defines him and from very humbling beginnings, it’s easy to see why.Prof Johnstone was born and raised in Preston by a single mother who worked three jobs just to put food on the table. It is his mother who he attributes a lot of who he is today too.Throughout our conversation, Prof Johnstone discusses his upbringing, why his roots and mates from Preston are keys to his leadership, humility and grounding. He also discusses what his mother taught him about hard work, about having a dream and vision and combining the two to make it a reality.This was a really uplifting and powerful conversation with a beautiful blend of high level intellect (not from me I might add) and down to earth, simple messages that Prof Johnstone explains so well.Please enjoy this inspiring conversation with Professor Ricky Johnstone.

Brent Macaffer is a former AFL player for the Collingwood Football Club and was a premiership player for the club in the 2010 season. Along the journey, Macaffer would experience many ups and downs that have helped shaped the person he is today and his ability to lead and teach others.Macaffer epitomises resilience, persistence and adaptability. Originally taken by Collingwood as a rookie selection, Macaffer would grind away for several years before earning a regular spot in the senior side and when he did, he would face more obstacles with not just one, but two ACL injuries in the space of 3 years along with having to cope with the tragic of a best mate.He is widely respected and admired for his humility and leadership and was subsequently recognised for this during his playing days by being a part of the leadership group as a player and post his career by being named a life member of the Collingwood Football Club.Throughout our conversation, Caff talks us through his early career mindset to training and performance and a conversation with Nathan Buckley that kicked him into gear, his roller coaster of ups and downs including overcoming injuries and the loss of a best mate plus the emotions that come with them, his approach to goal setting and his training calendar and what his journey has taught him as he leads his life today.Please enjoy this moving and thorough conversation with Brent Macaffer.

In 2014, Joel Sardi was a young man that was exactly where he wanted to be in life. Joel had been serving in the Australian Army for the previous 5 years as a rifleman in 7RAR Adelaide and he had recently returned home from a 7 month deployment in Afghanistan in December 2013, but his biggest challenge was yet to come.On the 31st of August 2014, Joel had a fall over a stair case and broke his C2 & C5 vertebrae which unfortunately caused some spinal cord damage, as well as fracturing some thoracic vertebrae and his sternum. He underwent a 6 hour surgery after the accident where they were able to stabilise his neck fractures and prevent any further spinal cord damage by inserting a titanium cage and fusing C4 to C6.The injury that night has left Joel a C5 quadriplegic, meaning that there are still some messages getting through the spinal cord and the extent of his recovery is unknown. Joel is paralysed from the shoulders down, has no movement in his legs and his upper body can only activate his biceps, forearms and wrists.Throughout our conversation, Joel talks about his journey, his mental battles of having his independence taken away from him, his perspective and shift in his mindset and the mantra that he now lives his life by. If you are needing to be humbled and need a perspective check, then tune in and learn from someone who from the outside looking in has lost everything, but to him he has everything he needs and more.Also, please check out Joel website http://www.joelsardisjourney.com/ for information on Joel’s journey.Please enjoy this powerful and motivating discussion with Joel Sardi.

Kane Lambert is an AFL player who plays for the Richmond Football Club. He, along with many of his teammates, has enjoyed the ultimate success in winning a premiership not once, but twice in both 2017 and 2019, making him a dual premiership player and now a star of the competition. However, as you’ll come to realise by listening, this isn’t what Kane Lambert the person wants to be defined by or known for.Lambert had a unique journey and pathway to the AFL after being overlooked in several drafts. He was finally selected as a rookie ahead of the 2015 season and he hasn’t looked back since in terms of his football acceleration, but he has always remained grounded, humble and remembered where he came from and what he went through to get there.This conversation was so refreshing and quite deep at times. Kane provides great leanings for all young athletes looking to make it to the elite level which can also be applied to any young person looking to climb the ladder in their own life to not define success by the outcome, but to find satisfaction in the means and the journey along the way.Right from the start you will hear the perspective Kane has on life and football, his consciousness and self-awareness of who he is and what he defines as success. This is a great listen and lesson for any coaches or leaders striving to achieve ultimate success of how to best manage your people and where to focus your attention.Please enjoy this enlightening and fulfilling conversation with Kane Lambert.

Justin Langer doesn’t need much introduction if you’re a sporting fan in Australia. A former player with an incredibly decorated career and now the current Australian Cricket Coach. What a thrill and honour this chat was.JL hails from Western Australia and began his Test career for Australia in 1993 but it wasn’t all smooth sailing early on. He was dropped early in his career and would spend a large period out of the test team as he battled to discover himself and the player he wanted to be.Fast forward to 2007 when he retires from Test cricket as Australia’s 7th highest test run scorer, 10th most hundreds, 10th most matches played with 105, an average of 45, a highest score of 250, the most first class runs by an Australian with over 28,000 breaking the great Sir Donald Bradman’s record and he goes down in the record books as one of the greatest every to represent Australia. However, what you quickly understand by listening to him is that those adversities, those struggles early on were a blessing and made him the person and player he became.They also made him the coach he is now. Taking over from Darren Lehmann at the lowest point in Australian cricket history, he was up against it. He discusses how his adversity as a player helped him during this time, the adversity he faced as a coach, some defining moments during his short coaching tenure that made him evolve and he dives into the teams mantra to “make Australian’s proud”.You will quickly hear just how passionate, genuine and wise JL is. He attacks this conversation with so much energy and a willingness to impart knowledge on to others. It is a must listen for any leader in any field and of course any sports enthusiast that loves Justin Langer.Please enjoy this passionate and deep conversation with Justin Langer.

Jenni Screen is a former professional basketball player who represented Australia for more than 10 years including the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games where the Australian Opals won silver and bronze medals respectively.She began her career at the AIS before making her name and reputation as a competitively fierce guard and selfless team player for the Adelaide Lightning in the WNBL. These traits would stick with her throughout her career in the WNBL and a stint in Europe whilst representing Australia during this time as well. She is the first to admit she wasn’t the most talented player, but she took control of her career and destiny, played her role and made others around her better.Post her career she has moved into leadership, well-being, coaching and mentoring in various roles with other up and coming athletes across both basketball and AFL.However, her greatest challenge post her career which she talks about during the podcast is her struggle to fall pregnant and become a mother. Jenni opens up about dealing with a lack of control over the situation and how she had to adjust to that after being a professional athlete that was able to control the outcome and destiny in her own career. She provides an amazing outlook on the situation given the circumstances which can be applied to anyone that has been in a situation they can’t control.Her passion, enthusiasm and growth mindset attitude shine through during this episode. She is incredibly easy to listen to, so relatable, funny and clear in who she was as an athlete and who she now is as a person and leader in her field.Please enjoy this engaging and thought provoking conversation with Jenni Screen.

Brent ‘Boomer’ Harvey is a former AFL player for the North Melbourne Football Club, however, he isn’t any ordinary player. He is in fact the AFL games record holder with an incredible 432 games across 21 seasons at the elite level. Showing remarkable durability, resilience, dedication and adaptability to improve and evolve over such a long time, the man they call Boomer is undoubtedly one of the AFL’s greatest ever.Harvey was a record breaker from his early years. From kicking 21 goals in one game as a junior footballer, to breaking three records at the national AFL testing combine for under 18 draft hopefuls and then going on to be the games record holder amongst many other accolades along the way, Harvey seemingly was destined to be a star. But, at just 175cm and 64kg when he was drafted, there were many doubters as to whether he would make it but one person was so confident that he would – himself.Throughout our conversation, you begin to learn about and dive into the mindset of what made Boomer a champion and allowed him to have such sustained success at the top level for such a long period of time. He provides a fantastic insight into his goal setting, his self belief on the sporting field, remaining grounded and humble growing up in the suburb of Preston in Melbourne, the ‘shinboner’ culture of the North Melbourne Football Club, the three things he believes any person in any walk of life must possess if they are to be successful and his overriding attitude of proving them wrong.Please enjoy this authentic and passionate discussion with Brent Harvey.

Nick Maxwell is a former AFL player and premiership captain of the Collingwood Football Club. Throughout his 204 AFL games, he developed a reputation and was respected for his leadership, endeavour, courage and loyalty and because of this has become a sought after leadership consultant who works with the Collingwood Football Club and the Melbourne Storm NRL club currently.It wasn't easy for Maxwell though, who was initially overlooked in two national drafts and although he trained and had interest from several clubs, they chose to pass on him as well. He moved to Ballarat to study and would find his feet and begin his journey to the AFL via VFL club North Ballarat. After two seasons with North Ballarat, Collingwood drafted Maxwell as a rookie where he would fight to earn his position in the senior side over time.Maxwell worked for everything he got throughout his career and after listening to what he had to overcome, the obstacles he faced and his approach to it, he thoroughly deserved it all.Maxwell's story is one of persistence, belief and humility. Whatever perception you have of Nick Maxwell, let it go now because he is incredibly grounded, self aware and real.Our conversation provides a fantastic insight into the mental approach and application Nick showed to reach his goals and how you can duplicate his mindset to reach your own. He also talks about his leadership approach throughout his playing days, dealing with the infamous 'rat pack' at Collingwood, his training habits and his surprising take on the abrupt end to his career.Please enjoy this open and honest conversation with Nick Maxwell.

Andy Collins is a former AFL player and champion of the Hawthorn Football Club and post his playing days has enjoyed a successful and decorated coaching career at AFL and State League levels and is the current coach of the Williamstown Football Club. Collins has a reputation for success and understands how to build it.Collins had an outstanding playing career at both Sandringham Football Club in the VFA where he was a Premiership Player in 1985 before being recruited by Hawthorn Football Club where he would go on to play 212 games, win three AFL premierships, win a best and fairest and finish 5th in the Brownlow Medal in 1990.As a coach, Collins had stints at AFL level early on in his coaching career but has really made his name and established himself as one of the best coaches in the country at state league level. Coaching in both the VFL and SANFL competitions for 16 seasons, Collins has taken his teams to the finals in 12 of those seasons, five of them finishing as preliminary finalists and five times leading his teams to the grand final for two premierships.In our chat, Andy talks to me about his football journey, his philosophy and approach to coaching and developing people, how he builds teams, his background in teaching and psychology and some quirky stories to go with it as well.Andy provides great learnings throughout this episode and gives you a closer look into his thinking and what has made him successful where ever he has gone. Please enjoy this episode with Andy Collins.

Gary Ayres is a former AFL player and champion of the Hawthorn Football Club who now has become a successful and established coach of the Port Melbourne Football Club. Ayres boasts one of the most decorated playing and coaching resumes you will come across.During a 16 year playing career at the elite level, Ayres would play 269 games, win five premierships, be the first player to win two Norm Smith medals as being judged the best player on the ground on grand final day, win Hawthorn’s best fairest in 1986, represent Victoria on multiple occasions, captain the team in 1992-1993 and subsequently be named in Hawthorn’s Team of the Century in the back pocket.He has then gone on to forge just as decorated career in the coaching caper. Becoming senior coach of Geelong Football Club in 1995, he would lead them to a Grand Final in just his first year at the helm and remain coach until 1999 before crossing over as senior coach of Adelaide Football Club in 2000 - 2004.In 2007 Ayres was inducted into the Australian Football League Hall of Fame for his contribution and success to the game.If that wasn’t enough, Ayres took over as senior coach of Victorian Football League standalone club Port Melbourne in 2008 and remains in that position today. In his 12 seasons, Port Melbourne have played in 11 finals series and won two premierships.During our conversation, Gary talks to me about his football journey, a defining moment where he almost left Hawthorn Football Club to play down in Tasmania and how he has tried to replicate the successful culture of the Hawthorn playing days to Port Melbourne today.Gary provides an insight into the glory days of the Hawks and his mindset to achieving success both as a player and a coach.Please enjoy this engaging and informative discussion with Gary Ayres.

Shane McCurry is a Culture and Leadership Consultant who has worked with some of the biggest names across high performance sport, business, government and education settings for the past two decades. One of his many current roles sees him engaged as a Leadership and Organisational Development Consultant at the Richmond Football Club and although he won't admit it, he has had a sizeable impact and contribution to the successes the club has experienced since joining at the end of the 2016 season. During our conversation, Shane discusses vulnerability, the power of story telling, how to build culture & connection in your teams, working with the Richmond Football Club and their leaders plus his approach and life mantra. Shane provides valuable insights into his thinking and practical ways you can apply the learnings to your own personal or professional life. Please enjoy this engaging and informative discussion with Shane McCurry.