The Universal Man

“Often we say to ourselves that we will ‘one day' go away and think about where we're going from a professional or personal point of view. But ‘one day' tends not to actually happen.” In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey discuss Grego's personal quarterly offsite process and why it's so effective. http://universalman.org/podcast/quarterly-personal-offsites REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: universalman.org/camps In this episode we talk about: Why quarterly personal checkpoints are highly valuable What the optimal time is for a bit of time away Some simple tools Grego uses for his offsites   Stay legendary, Grego and Pricey   Connect with Universal Man

“Might be five minutes, might be 10. But it needs to be regular and the amount of time suits you and your pace of life.” In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey discuss the practice of reflection and deep thinking time. http://universalman.org/podcast/reflective-practice REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: universalman.org/camps In this episode we talk about: Finding your own method and setting your own rules for timeout Grego and Pricey discuss their own processes and how they are different The wellbeing benefits of reflective practice Stay legendary, Grego and Pricey   Connect with Universal Man

“No mountain climber has ever got to a summit without failure.” In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey discuss how taking little steps can result in achieving big goals.   http://universalman.org/podcast/climbing-lifes-mountains REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: universalman.org/camps    In this episode we talk about:  Taking one step at a time towards success Dropping your ego and seeking help Thinking practically instead of focusing on the end result   Stay legendary,  Grego and Pricey   Connect with Universal Man

In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey discuss core values, why they're important and how to go about determining core values in your own life. http://universalman.org/podcast/core-values-process   REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: universalman.org/camps   In this episode we talk about:  What core values are Understanding the role that core values play in one's life A simple process to determine your own core values   Stay legendary, Grego and Pricey   Connect with Universal Man

“These mightn't necessarily be your really close mates. It's people who are just on the same kind of a journey that you think you are on.” In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, the guys do a quick round-up of what Universal Man means to them and what you should be looking for in a men's group.   http://universalman.org/podcast/finding-a-mens-group REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: universalman.org/camps   Connect with Universal Man About: universalman.org/about Facebook: facebook.com/TheUniversalMan LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/universalman

“The addicted person has to be ready and prepared, and they have to hit a point where there are ramifications to their future health and happiness because of their drug use.” In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego chats with Conrad Tracey, Founder and Head Coach of Addiction Coaching Australia & New Zealand, on how to help yourself or others beat addiction and recover to lead a full life. http://universalman.org/podcast/addiction-and-recovery REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: universalman.org/camps In this episode we talk about: How to help yourself, a colleague, a partner at home or a child beat addiction The biggest behavioural predictors of addiction in someone The myths around addiction and why they can be so damaging to recovery efforts What the first step is towards overcoming addiction How to offer someone support where they are resistant to change. Connect with Universal Man About: universalman.org/about Facebook: facebook.com/TheUniversalMan LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/universalman

In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey welcome a couple of special guests - Justin McNamara and Damien Jones - to chat about the topic of being a father after separation or divorce. http://universalman.org/podcast/fathering-through-separation REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: universalman.org/camps In this episode we talk about: Why it's important to keep the kids at the forefront of your thinking at all times What were the surprises in the process of the breakdown, both good and bad, and some new rituals and traditions that were established A long list of do's and don'ts that our guests have gained through lived experience Actively seeking out support from friends and your network Connect with Universal Man About: universalman.org/about Facebook: facebook.com/TheUniversalMan LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/universalman

In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey welcome a couple of special guests - Craig Murphy and Brendan Hawes aka Hawesy - to explore the great adventure of raising boys to become men. http://universalman.org/podcast/fathering-boys-to-men REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: universalman.org/camps In this episode we talk about: The importance of being involved in your son's life and his activities, but not overstepping the mark Having realistic expectations around his development and not trying to impose yours on him Why boys are risk-takers up until their mid-20s and appreciating that they are developing the ability to control their emotions The importance of humour and why the dad joke is the best tool you can use! Connect with Universal Man About: universalman.org/about Facebook: facebook.com/TheUniversalMan LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/universalman

In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey cover the frameworks and mental models that they use to enable positive, quick and proactive decision-making that can reduce risk and friction in your life. http://universalman.org/podcast/decision-making REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: universalman.org/camps In this episode we talk about: What the elite chiefs and leaders have that enable them to make really good decisions with clarity and good judgement; Some examples of frameworks and models that exist all around us all day; How you can take existing frameworks and models and adapt them to your needs; Reverse-engineering the process and identifying gaps in your existing frameworks. Connect with Universal Man About: universalman.org/about Facebook: facebook.com/TheUniversalMan LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/universalman

“Any people you live with, partner and/or kids, are 80% more likely to be thriving if you like your job and you are thriving, and the opposite is true if you hate your job.” In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey discuss what career excellence actually means and why it is different from what people usually equate with success. universalman.org/career-excellence REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: universalman.org/camps In this episode we talk about: What is career excellence exactly? What is mastery? Are the two linked? Reframing that feeling of imposter syndrome to propel your career trajectory and ensure you are a better partner and parent. Why building your network will allow you to achieve excellence. What to do when you hit a career crossroads. Universal Man About: universalman.org/about Facebook: facebook.com/TheUniversalMan LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/universalman

In this episode of The Universal Man podcast, Grego and Pricey discuss male vulnerability and why it's got such a negative connotation, but why it's actually a doorway to a deeper kind of strength and how that can manifest in the modern world. universalman.org/podcast/male-vulnerability REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT CAMP IN YOUR AREA: universalman.org/camps In this episode we talk about: What is male vulnerability and why has it got a negative connotation? The background to why men traditionally have struggled to talk about their feelings. Why it is actually a symbol of strength and presents an opportunity for growth. How to create a safe space for others to be vulnerable without fear of judgement. Universal Man About: universalman.org/about Facebook: facebook.com/TheUniversalMan LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/universalman

Many of you are well on the path of growth and self-development. You may have listened to some key podcasts (including Universal Man), read self-help books and blogs and engaged with family and identified some key areas in your life where you might need to focus your energies. The next step is to figure out, with your focus defined, what success in these areas might look like for you. That is where Tom Walton found himself after attending the 2021 Universal Man Camp: asking himself what his key goals for improvement were and how he might define his own success. With a strong competitive streak and drive to perform perfectly that has developed throughout school, university and now his career, Tom has always worked hard to be the best he can be in his profession, embracing a mindset of being first in the office and last to leave - succeeding at all costs. With the help of some great mentors, he worked hard to build expertise and credibility in a specialised area, bringing home some of those great material successes that we all strive for like the family home and fancy car. While this version of success brought great professional and material rewards for Tom and his family, it also came at a cost. Tom was often stressed and irritable. His strong drive kept him at performance level long after he left the office and he often needed to turn to a round of golf or a few round of beers to provide an escape. Eventually, a few key events in life proved the catalyst for Tom to sit down and, with the help of his partner, put himself on the journey to not only realign his purpose and focus, but search to find his “off button,” exploring self-help books and meditation as strategies to begin with. Yet, with a growing young family and some more life under his belt, Tom has come to realise that the genuine fulfilment he is looking for in life might not come from focusing on excelling in his profession at the expense of other areas of his life. Today he is a bit more aware of where his focus should be.  www.universalman.org/defining-success-for-you

Born and bred in Liverpool, Steve Tolen started in business with his father at 17. After 10 years he was searching for a change of career and scenery, moving with his then-pregnant wife to Australia. Three kids and almost 20 years later, Steve has forged a career in corporate sales, HR solutions and recruitment. On January 1st, 2021, having been through two lockdowns in Sydney, Steve woke up and stepped on the scales. The number he saw wasn't great. However, it shocked him into action! At 43 years of age, in a corporate job, far from his peak physical condition and knowing he needed to kickstart a change, Steve signed up for Corporate Fighter. Corporate Fighter is a 12 week boxing challenge that involves abstaining from alcohol, training 5 times a week and a final bout in front of six or seven hundred spectators to cap off the challenge. While Corporate Fighter also raises money for Beyond Blue, Steve wanted to make the challenge even more personal, enlisting the support of friend and former Wallaby, Richard Tombs, to hold him accountable. Steve committed to raising money for Richard's charity, Guns Out Spinal Foundation. https://www.universalman.org/steve-tolen/

At our 2021 Universal Man Weekend, 8th - 10th October, the men who were gathered wanted to share with the world just what Universal Man is. So, naturally, we put together a podcast. For wisdom and reflection on all that is Universal Man - our podcast, our camps and our community - have a listen to these brilliant men: Ben Flintoff, Brad Neilsen, Bruce Taylor, Chris Beckman, Damien Price, Greg Layton, Jeremy Seng, Jimmy Purcell, John O'Brien, Justin McNamara, Liam Clancy, Luke Baker, Mark Lysaght, Nathaniel Johnson, Peter Gabauer, Peter McAuliffe, Thomas Walton and Travis Rosevear. https://www.universalman.org/what-is-universal-man

Part 3 In this podcast, Damian Harman, Robert Falzon, Peter Gabauer and Damien Price share their wisdom about fatherlessness. Many who listened to this podcast or are reading this reflection are not fathers; some by choice, some by life's mystery. Much of what the following reflection engages with is true for the other significant relationships in our lives. So while this discussion will have fatherlessness as its focal point - reflection upon its key messages will impact the journeys of every man seeking to be his best self. https://www.universalman.org/fatherlessness

Part 2 In this podcast, Damian Harman, Robert Falzon, Peter Gabauer and Damien Price share their wisdom about fatherlessness. Many who listened to this podcast or are reading this reflection are not fathers; some by choice, some by life's mystery. Much of what the following reflection engages with is true for the other significant relationships in our lives. So while this discussion will have fatherlessness as its focal point - reflection upon its key messages will impact the journeys of every man seeking to be his best self. https://www.universalman.org/fatherlessness

Part 1 In this podcast, Damian Harman, Robert Falzon, Peter Gabauer and Damien Price share their wisdom about fatherlessness. Many who listened to this podcast or are reading this reflection are not fathers; some by choice, some by life's mystery. Much of what the following reflection engages with is true for the other significant relationships in our lives. So while this discussion will have fatherlessness as its focal point - reflection upon its key messages will impact the journeys of every man seeking to be his best self. https://www.universalman.org/fatherlessness

In this episode we meet Michael Lauria, founder of Forging Excalibur. We discuss how Michael found a path from divorce, financial ruin and near suicide to become a man of deep character. One that has taken on his responsibilities and lived with a code that drives him to lead massive change for men through Forging Excalibur. 

https://www.universalman.org/neil-craig Neil Craig (elite coach in Australian Football and currently high performance coach got the England Rugby Football Union) reflects on the importance of trust, humility and key supporters in bringing out the best in yourself and those around you. These qualities are what we aspire to as Universal Men.

https://www.universalman.org/shadow-part1/ Have you ever sat through a meeting with your fists clenched? Do you snap when your partner comments on an unfinished task? Perhaps you overreact to a broken plate or a lost pair of glasses and wonder, “Where did that come from?” These moments may have tapped into the underbelly of your psyche: The Shadow Self.

In this episode we take a deeper look at the Shadow Self and how it can play out in your life. Often without you even knowing. 

www.universalman.com/brotherhood In this episode we talk about the difference between mates and brothers, the pitfalls of getting the balance wrong and the benefits of getting it right. How to build an authentic and positive brotherhood and include other pillars like know thyself and grow thyself.

In this episode we cover the power of the negative. What I don't want to do? Who I don't want to be? Sometimes this is a more useful angle to take than trying to work what you want or who you want to be. Check out https://www.universalman.org/the-power-of-the-negative/

The world needs you. The world needs needs every man, just in simple, but practical ways, to stand up and be there for the world. Whether it's for your teenage kids, your partner, your closest mate. Many men tend to underestimate how much value they can add through just the small things. So in this episode we'll talk about how to do a little more and get the timing right. 

Every human being has this great need for solitude. We all need a time of quiet, of slowness, of space and every human being does it in their particular way. But you wake up and you've got 25 meetings you've got to go to. You've got emails here, there. You've got phone calls coming in. You've got someone wanting you to do this, this, this, this. And you feel as though your whole life's just go, go, go. And you haven't got space. You haven't got quiet. And you get to a point when you can almost not hear your own self. It's a real space of losing touch with your deeper kind of self. So today we talk about the importance of solitude and how you might find it in a busy life.

Today we discuss those times in your life when personally or professionally - you may have to risk, step out and go it alone in some facet of your life. We outline the importance of doing this from time to time to stretch yourself, to finish things and the power of that in self-esteem and personal growth. We also cover some of the pitfalls to avoid so you can get Going Solo right.

Details are here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/universal-man-annual-conference-online-tickets-116558608937 or just got too www.universalman.org and hit events.

In this episode we talk all about those periods of your life when you are just on fire. When everything seems to be going right for you. We talk about how to get back there, what you can learn from times when you were in a better space, the pitfalls to watch out for and most importantly the legacy it allows you to leave in your life for your family and the world.

In this episode we talk about Living Simply. This focuses on what it means in a normal man's busy life. How to assess what it means for you, how to do keep life from getting to complex and busy, how to identify through your values what is most important and how to ensure you still leave your legacy.

Grego and Pricey love this topic. When we thought we might talk about it, we both asked, “Is there enough depth to it?” And the more we've explored it, the more we realise there's so much to this topic. Sacrifice is simply things like giving up some comfort so that you can do something that's more important. We say, “It's the act of giving up something valued for something that we think is even more deeply valuable.” https://www.universalman.org/podcast/sacrifice/

Almost all important and close relationships require the occasional difficult conversation. In this episode Pricey and Grego talk about the mindset and skills to have those conversations. 

In this episode Pricey and Grego talk about all the forms and impact of failure in a man's life. We cover the many different types of failure, how we respond to it as men, the impact of a few too many knocks to our confidence, failure when it was your fault as opposed to something out of your control and what we can do as Universal Men to lift each other up.

In this week's episode Grego and Pricey look at Gratitude. What is it? Firstly we need to say that gratitude is a mind and heart set. It is a way of thinking and being – a way of looking at the world. Some people just live appreciating things around them. They get out of bed in the morning and see and appreciate the beauty of the morning, what they have, what they are going to do and more. Others in exactly the same circumstances just get out of bed.

Legends, in this episode we dive into the importance of keeping some fun and joy in your life. Too often we can get dragged into the busy-ness or seriousness of life and forget to find time to enjoy it. Pricey and Grego dive into the topic and talk about some of the pitfalls and a few tricks for getting the balance right. 

G'day legends,  As Napoleon said, "Leaders are dealers in hope." And as Universal Men we must do the same for ourselves and the people around us.  In this episode we talk about the importance of hope, how to create it, use story to share it and the steps to build momentum towards the future. 

G'day legends,  In this episode Pricey and Grego talk about Universal Man in a crisis and together we'll try and wrote a poem that serves as a our creed during tough times. Similar to Kipling's 'If'.  Get involved. 

One of our greatest challenges is finding opportunity in the current crisis. We talk about: Getting in the right mindset as the crisis lifts to find opportunity How to find the opportunities that best for you in your life right now Some ways to get and keep momentum Including bucket lists, short term and long term goals Leaning from Vicktor Frankl - Surivivor from Aushwitz and his book - Man's Search for Meaning https://www.universalman.org/opportunity/  

How to deal with the culture shock that hit our own worlds over the passed few months and in fact how to deal with any unexpected change that impacts the culture of the world or our team or family. 

Legends, Our inner voices reflect our reality. In this ep Pricey and Grego talk about the power of our inner dialogue and some practical steps you can take to turn them around.   

G'day legends!  It appears that you can get just about anything now in a minute. You can get two minute noodles, 90 second rice, eight minute abs, 60 second outdoor cleaner.  It's an on-demand lifestyle. So what is the 1440 prinicple?  The 1440 priniciple is a concept developed by Kevin Cruze (distinguished author and motivational speaker). 1440 is not'20 to three' in the afternoon, it actually represents the number of minutes in a day.  Have you ever thought about how much you are able to cram into the days before you go on holidays or the day that you've got an urgent deadline and then all of a sudden you can just cram all this extra activity into the day?  The secret is that you're actually maximising the minutes in a day rather than procrastinating or being wasteful.  Brendan Hawes, our guest podcaster this week and CEO of Blue Star talks about how the secret to his day is “when I'm at my peak performance it is if I live and breathe the 1440. So what I try and do is break down my day into those minute segments.”

IN THIS EPISODE WE BUILD YOUR EXECUTIVE PLAN TO NAIL YOUR LIFE VISION. There is an old saying, “Vision without execution is just a dream”. We outline 5 big principles for Life Vision Execution.

How to Build your Life Vision: Show Notes and Tips: https://www.universalman.org/uman-framework-action-plan-part-1-life-scoreboard-2/ I have met a thousand men frustrated with their life. Stuck in their own harbour of safety. I've been there. Sometimes they are even working their tails off and still going nowhere. Sometimes they are dreaming and not taking action. But I've never met someone whose actions were aligned to a vision that was in harbour. No, they were always at sail towards their destination risking the open seas and reaping the rewards internally and externally for their effort. It all starts with Vision. 

WHAT IS A LIFE SCOREBOARD? The Life Scoreboard is a pictorial representation of how your performing in all the most important elements of your life. Things like your relationship with your partner and kids, wider family, best friends, career and legacy, finances, health, mastery, travel, spirit and dreams. It is an important step in working out your life vision. 

A short Merry Christmas from Grego and Pricey!

https://www.universalman.org/uman-framework-part-2-mental-game/ Master your Mental Game - part 2 of the UMAN Framework How often in life do you feel like you lack the confidence, or you lack the clarity, or you're overwhelmed, or … There's just something about, as life gets on and life gets busy, maybe you lose some of your natural confidence and your natural exuberance, and getting in the right head space is difficult, right? This is a huge, huge part of being successful or achieving your goals in life, so mental game is a really important component of that, and it helps us get on top of our Action Plan and helps us with our final pillar, too, which is Nailing It. But these four things, Uniqueness, Mental Game, Action Plan, and Nailing It, they're all integrated. You can see, if you were to think about it, how they all fit together.

Universal Man Framework Part 1 - UNIQUENESS: Full show notes here: https://www.universalman.org/uman-framework-uniqueness/ Uniqueness is at the very core of being a Universal Man because it gives you this solid foundation for understanding your behaviour, your reactions, your desires, your goals.  And without understanding those key things, it's very, very hard to operate in the real world. You'll surprise yourself. You'll do things that might make you upset and you'll do things that could be going down completely the wrong path and you won't understand why certain things just piss you off or throw your right off track. So knowing yourself through your beliefs and your values, things like your personality preferences, diving into your purpose or your principles for life, these are the things which make up you. So one of the key things is understanding who you are, right? And then understanding that the very best version of you, your uniqueness on a grand scale, is what the world wants to see.

https://www.universalman.org/living-on-the-edge/ At the start of the movie Dead Poet's Society Mr. Keating says, "Carpe Diem, lads. Seize the day, make your lives extraordinary." The scene is set in front of photos of men who died in the First World War, and he's saying to them, "Don't be boring. Don't just waste your life, make your life extraordinary. Live on the edge." But the truth is in life these days we get into the day-to-day grind of raising families or a busy job or something. One of the things that can creep in is this comfort zone, which acts like a bubble. It can be hard to break out of, because it's just so easy to stay just where you are and not really ever do something a little bit on the edge. What we mean by living on the edge though, is not necessarily doing something crazy or dangerous. What it really means is to do things that give you significant energy, that break you from the normal bubble and put you into a space that I just kicks you out of the comfort zone. And it's not all the time, but it's just things that put adrenaline back in the bloodstream.

Full Show Notes Here: https://www.universalman.org/determining-your-core-values/ In this episode we cover determining your core values. What's deepest in you? What really is at your essence of who you are. It's the things in the world that for whatever reason, mean the most to you and who you are. Core values are like a personal compass point. You know, you're wandering through life and your values tell you if something is right or wrong. They tell you, you should go down this path, or not. They drive where you want to be. They drive your behaviour, they drive your reactions, and they drive your deepest desires of how you want to spend your life. And that's a real key there for understanding you and who you are, because everyone's values are different.