After a successful 20 year career as a Navy SEAL and SEAL Commander, Mark was hired by the Navy to create a nationwide coaching and leadership program for the SEALs. The bold goal of this program was to give the SEALs the best leadership and mental-management tools in the world – to help them forge unbeatable SEAL teams that achieve mission success in the most stressful, challenging environments on earth.

Divine’s leadership and coaching program for the SEALs was so effective that it’s now being used outside of the Navy by top CEOs, Fortune 100 companies, USA Olympics, elite universities, major league sports franchises, celebrities, and successful individuals from all over the world.

www.unbeatablemind.com

Podcast: Unbeatable Mind (Mark Divine)

www.unbeatablemind.com/challenge

Book: Unbeatable Mind on Amazon

www.sealfit.com

www.bodyfittraining.com

jason@bodyfittraining.com

sales@bodyfittraining.com

@trainbodyfit

Jay has worked at the coal face of elite sport, NFL, MLB, WWE and is now a highly sought after and respected online coach, speaker, and mentor.  He also runs his Renegade program for men looking for physical and mental self-development and his hugely successful Renegade Radio Podcast, which has recently hit Episode 400.

You can connect with and follow Jay via:

Instagram @jayferruggia

www.jasonferruggia.com

Many people, too many, describe themselves as entrepreneurs.  Unless you have started something....a business, a product, a service, literally from an idea formulated in your own brain and built it from the ground up to be a legitimate source of income and furthermore a saleable business, then to me, you're a pretender.

Luka is anything but a pretender - he's a legit entrepreneur who has created something very special, from the ground up.

Luka Hocevar’s story is captivating.  Having spent his childhood and teenage years in Eastern European countries at war, he immigrated to the USA as a teenager and took a much more stable path.  He has clearly been shaped by some wonderful athletes and coaches that mentored him, and along the way, he has always had a clear vision of something extraordinary that he wanted to create one day with his own facilities, and that Vigor Ground Performance, in Seattle Washington, and Vigor Ground Gym in Slovenia.

He’s one of those rare humans that has all the key attributes necessary to succeed in business as an entrepreneur....vision, passion, an insatiable appetite for work, self-belief, and relentless determination.

Luka and I spoke at length, there is so much wonderful content and life lessons in this Podcast.

 As a Coach myself, I can be critical of other coaches' content and instruction, (there’s a lot of questionable content out there) but I’m very impressed by the instruction, education, and consistency of what Luka provides to the world.

I really enjoyed this chat, and I'm sure Luka will become a regular of the Australian Fitness Podcast, he's gotta lot more to offer.

Enjoy.

You can connect and follow Luka at:

Instagram: @lukahocevar

www.vigorgroundperfitness.com

www.Yogrowyourgym.com

Craig Harper - THE YOU PROJECT and I catch up again to talk about the importance of Optimising your Workout, which involves a number of different elements, attitude, application, consistency, design, technique, and more.  Craig and I have been good friends for nearly 30 years, we’ve worked together, owned gyms together, so our collective experience is over 60 years of working in the health and fitness space and helping humans be better humans, both physically and in Craig’s space mentally and emotionally.  This was Part 1 of a Two-Part Episode which we know will leave you with specific, useful, and most importantly USEABLE strategies and reminders to allow you to OPTIMISE your training, and therefore your health and performance.

Craig Harper is a leading authority in the space of human performance, human development, behavior change, and self-awareness.  He is currently completing his Ph.D. in Neuroscience with Monash Universities Brain Park.

@whiteboardlessons

@russell_jarrett1

@australianfitnesspodcast

www.craigharper.net

www.russelljarrett.com.au

Craig Harper - THE YOU PROJECT and I catch up again to talk about the importance of Optimising your Workout, which involves a number of different elements, attitude, application, consistency, design, technique, and more.  Craig and I have been good friends for nearly 30 years, we’ve worked together, owned gyms together, so our collective experience is over 60 years of working in the health and fitness space and helping humans be better humans, both physically and in Craig’s space mentally and emotionally.  This was Part 1 of a Two Part Episode which we know will leave you with specific, useful, and most importantly USEABLE strategies and reminders to allow you to OPTIMISE your training, and therefore your health and performance.

Craig Harper is a leading authority in the space of human performance, human development, behavior change, and self-awareness.  He is currently completing his Ph.D. in Neuroscience with Monash Universities Brain Park.

@whiteboardlessons

@russell_jarrett1

@australianfitnesspodcast

www.craigharper.net

www.russelljarrett.com.au

Now, he’s running his world online and working in the Corporate space after a stint in the IT world.  We discussed his career path, his brushes with death, his work now, his management of his own PTSD and left a few topics open for another Episode.  Given everything Brett has seen, experienced and done, he has a very calm and insightful outlook on life, career, self management and what his purpose is all about delivering these days.  He has a very wise head on some broad young shoulders.  This was a very thoughtful chat with a guy who is clearly going places.  I’m looking forward to Episode 2.  Enjoy.

@minimalismfitness_

1. Why do (some) people still feel intimidated by regular gyms, and where are we getting it wrong?
2. Do Superfoods really exist?
3. The best 6 exercises for building muscle mass?
4. Supplements - Overrated or Underrated?
5. Is Cardio going to damage my gains?
6. How do I manage my nutrition?  Why can't I seem to get it right?
7. If I'm 50+ years of age, how many times a week should I train and what should I do?
8. Machines Vs Free Weights.  Which is best?
9. Should my teenager join a gym?
10. Does Intermittent Fasting work for all?

Enjoy the Episode.

Follow Craig on Facebook and @whiteboardlessons.

His Podcast is THE YOU PROJECT

Website: www.craigharper.net

Lisa Tamati is one helluva lady.  I initially wanted to talk to her about her 25-year career in Ultramarathon running, but like many good Podcasts, it went in all sorts of directions, including how she came close to death making an illegal crossing of the Libyan desert, which ultimately was largely the reason she commenced Ultramarathon running.

But then things got really crazy when she recounts the story of how she single-handedly nursed her mother through an aneurysm that should have killed her and then rehabilitated her back to full health.

Lisa clearly has a spirit that cannot be beaten, an insurmountable level of self-belief and an inquiring mind that is proving to be correct in contrast to many currently accepted medical procedures.

If you want a living example of mental toughness, an uncompromising will to never accept defeat, her name is Lisa Tamati.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisatamati/

LinkedIn: Lisa Tamati

Instagram: Lisatamati

Podcast: Pushing The Limits

If you would like to follow Tiff, her Podcast, her business or to connect with her:

@rollwiththepunches_podcast

@tiffaneeandco

Tiffanee Cook - Facebook

@russell_jarrett1

@strengthelite

@australianfitnesspodcast

@98gymsydney

@98gymbondi

www.russelljarrett.com.au

This Episode explores some different training methods that you may (or likely may not have) tried.

We hope this helps all you fitness tragics

@russell_jarrett1

@whiteboardlessons

@australianfitnesspodcast

www.russelljarrett.com.au

Our take - ageing badly is a choice people, and this episode shows you how to manage it to the best of your ability.  WARNING - Not really for ears that are 40 years or less - you don’t yet feel our pain!

(Jokes, you can listen in)

@russell_jarrett1

@whiteboardlessons

@australianfitnesspodcast

www.russelljarrett.com.au

If you want to follow this fantastically funny individual check him out @merrickwatts.

And for details on his live shows go to www.grapesofmirth.com.au

Ok, here’s the stats - Over 3.5 million followers on Social Media.  5 foot tall (1.5m) 55kg in weight (121 pounds.)  145kg Squat / 82.5kg Bench / 165kg Deadlift.  Mother of 2 kids.  Stephanie is a dynamo in every respect.  When she says “Hey kids, tidy your room” I'll bet that happens without question.  

All jokes aside, this was a great Podcast, with one very impressive lady.

We talked about all things training, but I particularly wanted to focus on the importance of strength training for women, and how this is an area that is still somewhat misunderstood and avoided by many women. 

Ok, you may not want to climb strength training mountains, as Steph has done, but if I were you, ladies, I would take a good look at how she trains and goes about it - especially if you want to get into some good strength work.  There are some great tips and advice throughout this conversation, all from someone who by their own admission, wasn't a big fan of fitness to begin with.

@stephaniesanzo

@SWEAT

@jamie.bisset

Brenden and I discuss managing Physical Performance across a diverse range of training abilities, ages, and injury limitations.  He goes into great detail around the construction of this massive program, facility design, program design, program implementation and other details.

I love Brenden's passion for his role and Strength and Conditioning in general, and it's clear that he gives a lot of attention to detail.

@commandosteve

@getcommandofit

www.commandosteve.com

Sarah was what is known as a grey area drinker.  

Before I met Sarah, I hadn’t even heard of the term.

Sarah has been through quite a lot since 2017, and through this, has not only reinvented her own health and wellness but created a brand new business and career for herself in the process.  

Sarah is now a very sought-after wellness coach and Certified Grey Area drinking coach.

This was a really interesting Podcast.  I learned a lot about a condition I didn’t even know existed.  Sarah speaks honestly and candidly and is now helping thousands of others to manage their alcohol intake or remove it altogether.  

By her own admission, Sarah really has reclaimed her life.

To connect with Sarah her details are:

www.slrwellness.com

@slrwellness

Facebook: slrwellness

@russell_jarrett1 / @whiteboardlessons / @jayferruggia / @lukahocevar

@russell_jarrett1 / @whiteboardlessons / @jayferruggia / @lukahocevar

I last spoke with Jay Ferruggia on Episode #20 of the podcast.

Jay is a gentleman that's been working with humans at the elite levels and general population groups for many many years and has built himself an incredible reputation as a person who leaves no stone unturned in the pursuit of optimizing his client's physical performance, health, and wellness.

When Jay speaks his dedication to this and his extensive body of knowledge is self-evident.

We talked a little bit about how he's managed his current situation and challenges to business, about his approaches, and about his philosophies on helping people achieve their best physical outcomes.

Jay is a guy who has a very clear and distinct idea of where he can add value, and in my opinion, is a true professional and someone who seeks perfection in the pursuit of a result.  His resume of work and the people he has worked with and learned from is an incredible list of the who’s who of physical improvement. No doubt Jay is now a leader and mentor for many other instructors and coaches coming through.

He's a guy well worth listening to and well worth working with.

If you wish to connect with Jay here are his social media contacts:

@jayferruggia

www.jasonferruggia.com

Enjoy the show

If you want a bit more of Craig, (let's be honest, who wouldn't, you can listen in to his Podcast:

The You Project 

OR you can follow him on Instagram 

@whiteboardlessons.

Samantha Jackson was a late starter to the Fitness game - she’s made up ground quickly.  Originally from a high-level executive corporate career, she decided she wanted to assist people at a very face-to-face operational level.  So she transitioned to being a coach - chewing her way through numerous qualifications simultaneously and then launching her career.

This skyrocketed when through a chance interaction with Mel Gibson she elevated her street cred very quickly by whipping (figuratively speaking) this notorious hard-working, hard-living man into shape.

It’s a cool story.

But beyond that, Sam is a well-qualified, experienced, passionate, and highly driven Coach.  She approaches her clients with a healthy mix of empathy and hardness - don’t waste my time, cause I’m all in!

I love her honesty, she clearly reads people well and certainly knows the buttons to push and angles to take in order to produce a result.  I was super impressed with this lady and I hope you enjoy our chat.

You can connect with her via :

@samanthajackson.coach

www.samanthajackson.coach

Instead, he watches and observes and then combines his unique ability to analyze movement with an outstanding knowledge of anatomy and human movement to produce outstanding outcomes.  

I’ve watched him remove people's pain and limitations literally within minutes, to this day I can’t quite explain it, it’s a form of dark magic I’m sure, and I know many AHP’s are frustrated and confused by how he manages to do this.  

But he does and he continues to be a much sought-after clinician, coach, PT, therapist.  I can’t even describe him correctly - but I do know that he is worth listening to and watching him work.  

Enjoy my chat with Ian, the Influencer of Movement 

@feel.soma @russell_jarrett1

Kevin Toonen has an extensive and diverse background in physical preparation.  Having spent 20 years in the Australian Military he was responsible for his own physical preparation but also elite operators in the special forces.  He has now taken that knowledge and skillset and implemented it @98gymsydney with his business partner Chris Feather.

In the Podcast, we cover a lot of valuable ground, a lot of around how his experiences and the culture he has been around for so many years has shaped the performance mindset of his gym.  In fact, he sums it up with quotes like “Performance before Aesthetics” and “Our gym is a safe place to fail”.

I really enjoyed his perspective, concise, refreshing, simple, but powerful.  I hope you enjoy this one too.

Essentially, she asked, as a newbie PT, currently going through her qualifications, could she do a Podcast with me, but flip the scenario somewhat and ask me some questions about becoming part of the industry and getting qualified.  

Christina’s thoughts were that if she had these types of questions and concerns then so too would others.  Well, how right she was, in fact, when I look back at what we discussed, those very questions are the same sorts of things that I thought about when I was first entering the industry back in the ’90s.  

I guess it shouldn’t be that much of a surprise really.  We all stress about the same career choices, and decisions that we are faced with.  So Christina, well done, her first Podcast as both an interviewee and interviewer.  She passed with flying colors.  I think she’ll do just fine as a PT, look out for her.

@kindlyngfit @yesfitnessvic

Vicky comes back on the show, the previous Episode is #33, to discuss basic questions and confusion around current nutrition trends and practices.  What I like about Vicky is that, like me, she tends to try and strip things back to basics, explain them with a common-sense approach but supported by a healthy dose of science, data, and evidence over a long period of time actually practicing her craft.  There’s more valuable content in this Episode, I hope you get something valuable from it.

We’ve worked together in elite sport, I worked for him in my first PT role and we’ve been business partners in our own PT centre.

We’ve remained good mates all of that time and whenever we sit down to do a podcast, it’s a bit like to old cowboys sitting around a campfire discussing the good old times and how it used to be done ‘back in the day’.

Truth is though, between the two of us we’ve got over 60 years of field experience, training bodies and minds and enhancing physical performance.

Tens of thousands of PT sessions between us, tens of thousands of hours spent working with all sorts of teams and individuals, from General Population through to elite athletes and everyone in between.

We had so much to discuss, we had to cut our Science of Exercise Episode into two parts.

In these Episodes we talk progressive overload, program design, finding the right ‘dose’, how and when adaptation happens, training intensity, recovery, over-training, periodization, weight training for strength, power, hypertrophy, muscular endurance and as with all chats with Craig, we had a few laughs along the way.

I hope you enjoy listening to two OG's talk about all things training.

@whiteboardlessons

https://www.craigharper.net/

n the Podcast we talk about her current role at a very prestigious school in the heart of Melbourne.  Sally is responsible for the development and direction of a program at the school that fosters health, wellness, and access to activity during the regular school day.  

This is a very comprehensive and sophisticated program.  But, having known Sally for over 20 years, that doesn’t surprise me.  This is how she goes about her work.  Sally is a true professional.  Considered, highly experienced, and has worked at all levels of sport and physical conditioning as a Strength and Conditioning Coach.  

In this Podcast, she details just how the Artemis program sets up life long healthy habits for all the students that will stay with them for the rest of their adult lives.  I wish we had a program similar to this for all students in all schools.  

I firmly believe that compulsory movement, exercise, and health education is the only way we will arrest the growing obesity epidemic that exists in this country.  Ok, so not many schools have the facilities and infrastructure that Melbourne Girls Grammar has, but facilities don’t dictate movement.  Facilities don’t determine education and information.  Humans control that.  Humans teach, learn, and move.  

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could implement something like this in every school and get all our young humans moving every day?  Just a thought.

He has held and broken World Powerlifting records over his career as a Strength athlete.  He’s one of a handful of people to have lifted a total of over 2600Ibs (1180kg) at a Powerlifting meet.  

This is insanely strong.  Period.  

As well as this though, Matt is a student (and one could say Master) of the science of getting strong, very strong.  He holds a Masters in Biomechanics and has learnt from and worked with some of the worlds leading authorities on Strength training and research in Strength.  

Names like Bill Kraemer, Charles Poliquin, Professor Rob Newton.  

These are people that have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of understanding and adding to the body of knowledge on Strength training and Matt is doing exactly the same thing.  

I’ve no doubt in years to come that Matt will be held in similar regard to these people.  So our chat covered many key topics, at times I had to dig deep into my own understanding and learnings just to keep up.  

Matt is a walking encyclopedia on the basics and intricacies of getting strong.  I really enjoyed this podcast, I could’ve talked to Matt for hours.  If you want to understand Strength training or training in general better, take my advice and follow 

Matt, learn from his various social media platforms and remember the name @realMattWenning.  Thanks Matt.

David Watts is a Level 3 ASCA Strength and Conditioning Coach and is recognized as a Master Level Coach with the ASCA.  

What that means is that David has spent well over 10 years as a student of perfecting human performance.  He was an accomplished athlete himself (Field Hockey) and quickly figured out that he had a strong interest to learn and become a coach in the field of Strength and Conditioning.  

We talk a little about his career pathway and development, and then we get into the detail of his role, his approach to strength development in athletes (specifically AFL), his favorite movements, details around developing speed for team sports and finally his thoughts on where we might be able to find ‘the next edge’.  

This guy will be at the pointy end of Strength and Conditioning for many years to come, and I predict, will be in charge of his own elite team in the near future.  

If you want to know how shit gets done at the AFL level, or you have aspirations of working at the elite level, David is an outstanding example of what it takes to get there.  This Podcast was a ripper.

Instagram @davewattsau

This guy has dedicated his entire adult working life to the understanding of human performance, injury treatment and injury prevention.  Since 2005 he has been involved with the Sri Lankan National Cricket Team, the Chennai Superkings in the IPL (Indian Premier League) and The New Zealand National Cricket Team.

His work has taken him all over the world, and he has worked with some highly talented athletes.  Given all of this though, his philosophy and approach to managing his athletes is refreshingly simple and common sense.  Sure, he relies on the science to guide him, but there is a healthy amount of gut feel and experience that goes into his decision making.

Clearly it’s working, you don’t get to survive at this level unless you do a very good job of treating your athletes over an extended period of time.

Enjoy the Podcast with Tommy.

I'm also going to get VICKY to come back for a second episode, because we had so much left to talk about. But the second episode will involve YOU the podcast listener. So I want you to email me with any questions that you might have around nutrition, dietetics, Optimal eating and food intake, and email it to info@australianfitnesspodcast.com.au.

VICKY and I will be catching up again in a few weeks time to answer your questions so please email with your questions and we’ll read them out answer them in Episode two.

www.eatplaythrive.com.au

www.lowcarbchallenge.com.au

Instagram @vickykuriel

Enjoy Episode 1.

We’ve worked together in elite sport, I worked for him in my first PT role and we’ve been business partners in our own PT centre.

We’ve remained good mates all of that time and whenever we sit down to do a Podcast, it’s a bit like to old cowboys sitting around a campfire discussing the good old times and how it used to be done ‘back in the day’.

Truth is though, between the two of us we’ve got over 60 years of field experience, training bodies and minds and enhancing physical performance.

Tens of thousands of PT sessions between us, tens of thousands of hours spent working with all sorts of teams and individuals, from General Population through to elite athletes and everyone in between.

We had so much to discuss, we had to cut our Science of Exercise Episode into two parts.

In these Episodes we talk progressive overload, program design, finding the right ‘dose’, how and when adaptation happens, training intensity, recovery, over-training, periodization, weight training for strength, power, hypertrophy, muscular endurance and as with all chats with Craig, we had a few laughs along the way.

I hope you enjoy listening to two OG's talk about all things training.

@whiteboardlessons

https://www.craigharper.net/

He owns and operates his own private S&C facility in regional Victoria (a city called Bendigo) and has also been a part of the WNBL scene (with the Bendigo Spirit) and the Australian Womens Volleyball team as well.

I think it’s partly because he went along a different path, that he in fact developed some sound business and marketing skills that many S&C Coaches don’t possess, or perhaps didn’t think they needed to.

And so Arj now finds himself consulting and mentoring with other S&C Coaches to help them forge a career and business in the private sector.

This was a discussion that shines a light on how important it is for S&C Coaches to perhaps start seeing themselves as business operators that operate in the space of physical improvement and performance, rather than coaches of physical improvement that want to have a business.

FB: Arj Perera

https://humanmechanics.com.au/

Just a thought….

We’ve worked together in elite sport, I worked for him in my first PT role and we’ve been business partners in our own PT centre.

We’ve remained good mates all of that time and whenever we sit down to do a Podcast, it’s a bit like to old cowboys sitting around a campfire discussing the good old times and how it used to be done ‘back in the day’.

Truth is though, between the two of us we’ve got over 60 years of field experience, training bodies and minds and enhancing physical performance.

Tens of thousands of PT sessions between us, tens of thousands of hours spent working with all sorts of teams and individuals, from general population through to elite athletes and everyone in between.

We had so much to discuss, we had to cut our Science of Exercise Episode into two parts.

In these Episodes we talk progressive overload, program design, finding the right ‘dose’, how and when adaptation happens, training intensity, recovery, over-training, periodization, weight training for strength, power, hypertrophy, muscular endurance and as with all chats with Craig, we had a few laughs along the way.

I hope you enjoy listening to two OG's talk about all things training.

I met Grant back in 2008 when we were both part of an ASCA Level 3 course.  What I remember about him then was that he was always up for a debate, keen to challenge mainstream thinking, but not to be argumentative, just to see if there was a better, more efficient, and more effective way of doing things.

He’s still challenging the status quo.

He’s very knowledgeable, very practical in his thinking, and intensely passionate about his industry, his work, and his business.  When you listen to Grant, you’ll get the distinct impression that he simply wants to do a great job for and with his athletes.

He’s had roles in Sport at the elite level, owns and operates his own business and in this chat, we examine the nuances of the modern-day Strength and Conditioning Coach.

I liked this Podcast because it’s an open and honest chat about how he sees his role as a coach, what he believes other coaches need to focus on, and where he sees the future of S&C in Australia.

He’s a typical South African lad, tells is as it is and if you don’t like it, he’s ok with that.

Enjoy the Podcast with Grant.

Instagram @propelperform and @propelfit

LinkedIn - Grant Jenkins

This is how it should be done.  This guy worked as a PTI in the Australian Defence Force for 14 years.  By his estimation he has trained tens of thousands of people over his time, not including the people he has trained privately in his business.

His business is impressive, his philosophy is clear and his skills are exceptionally well honed.  This guy knows his trade, he’s refined his skills for close to 20 years and that is indeed why he has a successful and flourishing business.

I see this repeated over and over again.  The fitness industry is a tough one to negotiate.  It’s incredibly competitive, it’s volatile, and if you don’t have the skills, the temperament or the work ethic this industry will chew you up and spit you out, quickly.

In my opinion, Scott’s path is how people should learn and grow their knowledge and skills before opening up their own business.  This industry has way to many people who fly in, produce substandard or even poor experiences and in some cases injury to people and then disappear.

This is a guy who is well trained, very experienced and in the game for all the right reasons

Commit to learning and do the apprenticeship people.

Scott, thanks for the chat.

She’s worked at the elite level of sport since 1998, in AFL, Netball, Ice Hockey, Cycling, Tennis, Rugby, Motorsports, even Croquet. 

So, when I got the chance to get her on the Podcast, you can imagine I jumped at it.

The first Sports Psych we’ve had on the show and wow, what a great Podcast it turned out to be. 

Sometimes when you interview someone, you can just tell that they ooze knowledge.  The depth of their answers is so detailed, that it just leaves you with more questions than what you started with.

This was one of those interviews.  The more I asked her, the more I realized that she had so much to give.

 I really enjoyed this chat with Jacqui and the content she brings is gold.

It’s an extra bonus that I managed to interview her and escaped unscathed.  I kept her relatively distracted and she didn’t get to analyze me.

I definitely be getting her back for another chat.

On a side note The Australian Fitness Podcast is really starting to grow a following.  I really started this as a hobby, and to bring quality guests and real content to an industry that I love, but one that I feel is drowning under the weight of pretenders and Instagram wankers. 

So, if you can, help me to continue to grow the show, leave a review, tell your friends, share us around on social and email me with feedback, good and bad.

The email is info@australianfitnesspodcast.com.au

If you’re listening to this and you feel that you have a viewpoint or career worth an interview, hit me up, or let me know of someone in your world that you feel is worth having on the show.

Enjoy the Podcast.

To connect with Jacqui:

Instagram @jacquilouder

Jacqui Lauder Sports Psychologist 

www.opsmc.com.au

We talk about business, the way to conduct business in the future, new opportunities, creating permanent change, following through, mindset and other good stuff.

I describe him as a jacked Dr.Phil who's just a bit more sweary.  I love the bloke! 

Enjoy.

www.craigharper.net

www.russelljarrett.com.au

Instagram: whiteboardlessons

Instagram: russell_jarrett1

Lachlan Wilmot has been a Strength and Conditioning Coach for over 15 years.

He’s worked, networked and strategically forged a long and successful career in a space that is typically small, hugely competitive and not forgiving.

As an S&C Coach, it’s very possible to do a terrific job with your athletes, have them in great condition, reach all of your KPI’s and still lose your job.

That’s the nature of this industry, so it’s not for the faint hearted or for those that don’t want to do a few hard years in order to reach their goals.

Lachie and I chat about his early career, and then in detail about his 10+ years at the elite level of S&C in Australia, (8 with GWS in the AFL and 2 with Paramatta Eels in the NRL)

To work and thrive in this environment, you simply have to have your shit well and truly sorted.

You have to be well qualified, have experience in the trenches, and then be able to communicate clearly and concisely with your athletes and coaching staff all the while have their backs, and earning their trust.

Lachie has done this superbly well.

In addition, as a side hustle he developed Athlete’s Authority, a semi-private S&C facility that only trains athletes and helps people to become the best athletic versions of themselves. 

It’s a facility and a service that 5 or so years ago, wouldn’t have existed really, but now, with the awareness of S&C as compared to PT, those that need to be athletically trained, have a facilities like Lachie’s to go to.

Lachie goes into great details around his methods and experiences, so for all you budding S&C Coaches, listen carefully. 

We didn’t get to cover all of the questions I had in mind, so he’ll be back for Part 2.I asked him on air, he said yes, so there’s no backing out now mate.

To follow Lachie:

www.AthletesAuthority.com.au

Instagram is @performancecoach_wilmot

It just so happens that Brett grew up and lived in the same small country town that I did.  He’s a local celebrity and famous sportsperson around these parts, but, strangely enough we’ve only ever met once.  Our paths have never really crossed, but as a coach thats worked in the sport for many years, I always watched him play with interest and certainly admired his physical strengths and abilities as a player.

Brett played 275 games, the great majority of them outstanding (check his stats) and with a style and approach expected of the modern day AFL player.

He was dominant throughout National Competitions as a junior player, and as a result, was drafted into the AFL as the No 1 pick in 2005.  He played for Richmond and GWS and spent 15 years in the intense pressure cooker environment of AFL football.  Along the way he was awarded the AFL Rising Star award, 2005, a two time best and fairest, and All Australian in 2015.

In the Podcast we go deep into his approach, thoughts and philosophy around Strength and Conditioning and Physical Preparation for the game he played, possibly one of the hardest games in the world to be physical prepared for.  

So many competing physical demands, and such an arduous playing schedule.  To play at the highest level for the time that he did and in the manner he did, probably had something to do with the battle he faced staving off soft tissue injuries towards the back end of his career.

As far as he approached it, it was go as hard as you can for as long as you can.  Full noise!

It was really interesting to have a candid chat with a truly elite player, about how he trained, ran and managed his body throughout that time, as well as his admission that in the early part of his career he may have missed a few elements which he discovered a little later on.

For all you Aussie Rules players listening out there, pay attention, to his reflection on not doing leg strength work in the first few years of his career and then discovering the benefits and additional physical abilities once he started to load up his legs and get seriously lower body strong.

Brett is now a coach at the Hawthorn Football Club and when I interviewed him was working as a private coach until the AFL competition resumes.

Check him out @oneonone_football.

Also @brettdeledio07.

It was honest, open and easy, a real pleasure to talk to a guy who played some of the most brilliant football for the mighty tigers.

Ok gentlemen, listen up….ladies you can tune in too, but make your man listen in with you.

Ali Gilbert certainly doesn’t fit the typical mould.  Ali Gilbert is a trainer and coach, and now a renowned expert and speaker in the relatively new specialist area of men’s health, particularly hormonal health and optimising hormone function.    Ali has found her unique place in the fitness wellness space, and it might surprise you somewhat.

She’s highly educated and terrifically qualified, twice named in the Golf Digest Top 50 Fitness Professionals, this girl really knows her game.

But after spending some time working in golf S&C, Ali discovered that many of her clients were all confiding in her about general men’s health issues, and this was coming from all of her clients, similar backgrounds and ages, similar concerns, and complaints.

Ali has found her niche, dealing with males over the age of 35 who were experiencing the challenges and health battles associated with declining testosterone.

In this very different Episode, Ali guides me through the often taboo topic of male HRT or in this case TRT, hormone optimisation, strength loss, compromised sex lives and performance, in fact, all of the topics that typically men don’t want to talk about.

This is a really valuable Podcast, for both men and women, it’s a very grown up discussion around a developing area of the medical profession that many medical professionals don’t understand, won’t acknowledge or both, at least that’s the case in Australia.

Now, don’t confuse my message here, I’m not suggesting all men over 40 or 50 need TRT, in fact, as Ali points out, that’s simply not the case.  I’m also not suggesting that we should all run out looking for a batch of steroids to take.  As a qualified coach and health expert I don’t advocate the use of PED’s, never have done and never will.  Clean is the only true sport.

But what this Podcast explores is what I and many other health professionals believe to be a new frontier in the treatment of common and very treatable male specific health conditions.  Things that historically we have simply been made to believe is a normal part of the ageing process.  Health conditions and deteriorations in performance that simply come with the territory.

Ali’s approach is scientific, incredibly detailed, common sense and above all, comes from a place of genuine care and respect for her clients.

It’s a thought provoking episode and I hope you enjoy it.

Ali’s contact details are:

www.ali-gilbert.com

Instagram : thealigilbert

Facebook : Ali Gilbert

As a life long student of all sorts of martial arts and combative sports, Richie created this unique fitness and competition concept when he immigrated to Australia from the UK in the early 2000’s.

This certainly is something a little different.

Initially created to provide people with an 20 week program for creating a new fitter, stronger and more confident version of themselves, W2W has now evolved into a world wide program that provides people with the opportunity to get involved and commit themselves to 20 weeks of rigorous self discovery, after which they actually compete in a full contact, combat cage fight with another person in which they seem well matched to.

Yep, you’re hearing right, you may start out wanting to get a bit fitter and drop a few pounds, but at the end of 20 weeks, you find yourself in mortal combat with a complete stranger in a cage.

My logical brain asks how on earth do you get insurance for that whilst my non-logical competitive self says, “That’s so cool, where do I sign up?”

Richie has a great personal story too, he’s no stranger to adversity and goes to lengths to explain just how Mixed Martial Arts has been somewhat of a saviour for him as well.

Like any successful business person, who has created their own concept, and not just copied or bought into a franchise, Richie is a shrewd, passionate, driven and focused businessman, who has created something unique, challenging and somewhat addictive.

It’s a great listen.

Enjoy

Instagram - wimp2warrior

www.wimp2warrior.com

Jay has a long and successful career in coaching, something which I have always said is critical when analysing a persons skills and success in their field.  Generally speaking, if they have survived in their chosen field for some time, then chances are they are knowledgeable, shrewd, skilled and driven to produce quality outcomes, day in, day out.

Jay ticks all these boxes.

We connected via Zoom, so apologies in advance for the less than perfect audio, however the conversion is completely audible, I just sound like I trapped in a jam tin.

We spoke at length about the past, present and future of fitness, covered some of Jay’s philosophies in detail and came to a few conclusions and dropped a few nuggets of good for all your aspiring trainers and clients alike.

What stood out to me, was Jay’s clear and concise approach, his patience for the process of fitness and belief that in most cases common sense, discipline and a consistent approach to the task at hand will produce the required result.

I agree with Jay wholeheartedly, in fact, I got the feeling that Jay and I are cut from the same cloth.

I hope you enjoy this one.

www.jay.fit.com

Instagram : jayferruggia

For this episode, I dust off my jockstrap and step temporarily back into Exercise Science mode to chat with Sport Scientist, Educator and Elite Conditioning Coach (A.I.S., St. Kilda FC, Melbourne FC, Australian Women’s Cricket Team) Russ Jarrett and we go deep on functional training, working out over fifty, biofeedback, kettlebells (yes or no), warming up, stretching – yes or no (for sporting performance), training intensity, correcting poor posture, finding the right program, training volume and frequency, exercise myths and fallacies, kids and weights, how to recover optimally, getting massive… and lots more.

Lee McDermott is a clever and talented guy.  Talented because as an elite gymnast he went to the 1996 Olympics, won 2 Gold and 1 Bronze Medal at the Commonwealth Games and was British National Champion in 1994 and 1996.  He also competed in 5 World Championships and 4 European Championships.

And he’s clever because he has taken all of those years as an elite athlete to now coach at the elite level and provide his expertise as a movement specialist to other sports that can benefit and learn from the sport of gymnastics to enhance their own movement competency.

This has taken him all over the world, including 10 years as Head Coach in the Cirque du Soleil.  More recently he has applied his craft with Surfing Australian, the Broncos in the NRL and the Gold Coast Suns in the AFL. 

It makes sense to me that you can enhance performance in other sports by enhancing overall movement competency and skill, and when you think of insanely difficult movements, completed with precision, strength, skill, co-ordination and courage, you think of gymnastics, well, I do anyway.

So our conversation was around his skills, experience and knowledge in that area, and it was another interesting chat with a person who has reached elite levels as a competitor and now as a coach.

Enjoy.

For further information or to work with Lee, his contact details are:

Leemc1102@gmail.com or Lee McDermott on LinkedIn.

For contact with Richard or to have him work with your company or group:
Instagram: richjburrows.

Happy for anyone to contact me if from this Episode you would like further assistance, guidance or advice.

Dan Baker has been a part of the elite strength and conditioning scene in Australia and around the world for well over 20 years. I caught up (by phone) with the President of the ASCA and we discussed various elements of coach education, athlete development and communication, and some specifics around Strength and Power Development, specifically Velocity Based Training.

Sure, this Podcast is probably more for the hard-nosed Strength and Conditioning Coach, but, if you have an interest in fitness generally, it’s still a very interesting conversation with an elite and professional coach who has spent a career training, teaching, researching and authoring massive amounts of valuable training information for coaches in Australia and around the world to learn from.

He’s a coach’s coach.

Dan speaks the practitioner’s language too. Be specific, attack the key elements of conditioning, nothing replaces hard and heavy training and science is the cherry on top, not necessarily the foundation of everything.

It’s a refreshing approach, clear, concise yet delivered with the authority and precision of a man who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of elite athlete physical development and training.

Dan may be part of the OG crew, but let’s be clear, this is a guy who has produced outstanding results at the highest level, across multiple sports and levels, all-the-while producing significant amounts of research and education for others.

Dan is certainly the type of guy who you want as President of your National Body.

So, get your science of strength text books out, grab a pen and paper and get ready to take some notes, cause Dr Dan is in the house!

To follow Dr Dan Baker on social media here are his handles:
Website : www.danbakerstrength.com
Instagram : @danbakerstrength_

A few laughs, a few gems, off on a few tangents, a typical Podcast with Craig
Harper really……enjoy.

www.craigharper.net
Instagram: whiteboardlessons
Facebook : Craig Harper
Latest Book: 20 Questions for Humans

Ok, the heading is a little bit of click-bait, guilty as charged, but this Episode is a fascinating and somewhat detailed behind the scenes discussion with Damon Hayhow, an individual who is President of Recomp (www.recomp.com.au)

He’s a Powerlifter, Bodybuilder and expert in helping people lift heavy things and recompose their bodies, hence the name.

His stats:
42y.o, 173cm, 86kg, Has seen his weight go from 56-110kg over his lifetime.
On the traditional BMI scale, he’s now categorised as very overweight to obese.
He trains 2 days per week.

This Podcast explains the truths and misconceptions around building muscle and mass, and lifting heavy loads, often seen as separate capacities and abilities, but actually very much directly linked.

Some of the key points we discuss in this Podcast…..

• Genetic potential and predisposition to various training stimulus, the flaws and vagaries around training to improve body composition.

• Limitations of the medical approach and their lack of understanding around ‘activity’

• Training progression and or the lack of it.

• Why fitness is largely misunderstood and measured incorrectly.

• Misunderstanding by the general population around various types of exercise, for example strength training V cardio.

• The limitations and absurdity around BMI.

• There’s a valuable lesson in our discussion for instructors and their insurance coverages, or what they think they are covered for.

• He chats a little about Nutrition, raises some great points.

Warning – He does get wound up, but he’s a passionate guy and has personally been through some difficult times with insurance companies, accreditation bodies and lawyers.

But, you can’t argue with his results both personally and professionally.

I hope you enjoy the chat, especially his very simple approach and solution to Australia’s obesity crisis, more than likely you’ll find some of this a little confronting, a little challenging, but that’s ok, it’s just his opinion and you can take it or leave it.

Podcast – Damonhayhow Podcast

Website – www.damonhayhow.com

Website – https://recomp.com.au/

Facebook - ttps://www.facebook.com/damon.hayhow

Adam created Evoker Physio, which has two sites in the Sydney CBD.

He is a little unique, in the respect that he holds both an exercise science degree and a Physiotherapy degree, which gives him, I think, the ability to provide a very comprehensive service to his patients and clients through the entire spectrum of diagnosis, treatment, recovery and prevention of exercise.

It’s a valuable skill set.

Adam, by his own admission, is also a big fan of utilising technology, where appropriate to assist in the treatment and management of injury, however his philosophy is still underpinned by hands on treatment and exercise to heal.

He’s travelled regularly to the USA to immerse himself in elite organisations as the LA Lakers and the Houston Texans. He does this to get a feel for what technology and developments are taking place at these ‘next level’ organisations, and what he might be able to introduce within his own clinics.

And speaking of clinics, his practices are also pretty special, with the design, look and feel, making them places of warmth, comfort and luxury, rather than a cold and clinical cubicle style treatment room.

We had an in-depth chat about ALFW and knee injury, the prevalence of arthroscopy in Australia and the growing and fascinating field of pain management.

Adam represents the next wave of the Physiotherapy experience in Australia. Not cold and clinical, but an experience of luxury, warmth and comfort with the use of technology and other tools to ensure the patient is getting access to all facets and modalities of treatment.

This is physiotherapy at a high level, enjoy the Podcast.

Insta: evoker_pps

Website: https://www.evokerpps.com.au/

Just before the start of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, a traditional marquee event on the Australian sporting calendar, I was fortunate to interview Aaron Kellett, professional S&C Coach and currently the Physical Performance Coach for the Australian Cricket Team, one of the country’s highest profile and most popular sporting teams.

Aaron has been a S&C Coach at the elite level in AFL football, cricket and tennis for the better part of 15 years, and this Podcast gives you direct insight into not only his pathway but also the influences and coaches that have shaped him over this career.

He speaks very openly and honestly about coach athlete communication and building that essential coach athlete bond of trust and respect, and how he now feels he has found his own unique style and method in order to get the best out of his athletes.

For someone in such a position, which brings with it its own unique levels of pressure and expectation, Aaron presents a calm and calculated approach to a sport that would challenge any coach and a team profile that demands results.

This is a coach that has learnt his trade through many years of hard work, dedication and commitment to his profession – which now allows him to command the respect and position that he operates in.

If you want to understand how elite coaches operate at the highest level, Aaron will shine a light on exactly that in this Episode.

Enjoy.

In the first few moments of my interview with Travis Jones (CEO of Results Based Training) it became crystal clear to me very quickly why this guy has managed to establish 21 gyms in Australia and overseas in a relatively short space of time.

Travis simply attacks the task until the result he wants is produced.

It’s this hunger for achievement and producing outcomes that is at the heart of his brand. His vision is clear, his skill set is wide and his work ethic is obvious.

By his own admission he is a coach to his core, he eats, sleeps and breathes this and has created a culture amongst his own staff and trainers that follows that same path. No stone is left unturned, attention to detail is critical, yet he manages to keep things refreshingly simple and straightforward when it comes to creating a path of transformation.

He’s big on follow, accountability, but with simplicity and getting to really know your typical client, the demographic of your business.

Travis shares a number of his gems in this Podcast, so, if you’re a budding business owner, or involved in your own career in fitness, whatever the capacity, take a listen to a guy who does what he says he will and reaps the results of that.

Enjoy.

Instagram : @rbtgyms

Instagram : travisjonesentrepreneur

www.rbtgyms.com

I had a terrific Podcast with Nick Caldwell, an Australian veteran who served for 12 years in the Australian Army, and most of that in the elite SASR, the pinnacle of Australian Special Forces, a military unit regarded around the world.

But we in fact spoke mostly about his fitness facility, The Mill, in Fremantle WA, and in detail about the culture and ethos behind him, his instructors, his facility and the unique programs that he runs.

To give you some insight, Nick has taken his experience and importantly his training as a Special Forces Operator and created fitness programs and fitness experiences that allow you and I, Mr. and Mrs. Civilian to experience the stress, pressure, problem solving and hopefully develop the resilience to cope better with what life throws at us.

For Nick, it’s not so much about the sets, reps and rest periods, but more about the pressure, experience and opportunity to really explore our potential and our probably untapped human capacity.

He runs 12, 24 and 36-hour programs, (a little different to an F45 drive through workout) but I think that’s awesome. I really think Nick and his team are onto something here, and in today’s climate of offering a point-of-difference in the Australian Fitness Marketplace, too me, he’s breaking new ground.

So, if you’re listening to this and you're looking for the opportunity to go off-grid and fully dark with ex-bad-ass military guys, hit Nick up. I’m sure he’ll introduce you to a whole new level of what-the-fuck have I got myself into.

Enjoy.

Social Media Links:

Instagram : The Mill Gym & resilience101

Facebook: TheMill Gym

Twitter: theMillgym

I took the easier option, requiring a lot less flexibility, and sat on the seat of the Lat Pulldown.

This was a Podcast I’d been trying to put together for some while, I personally I knew of him and about him like most people in Australia, as a trainer on the hit TV show, Biggest Loser and most recently as a contestant on the reality show Survivor, where he lasted 40 days (of 50 in total).

We had a really honest and open chat, underpinned by Steve’s insightful and introspective view on how he wants to live and stay calm, present and in the moment as our increasingly busy world spins around us.

We talked about his foray into the elite levels of CrossFit, (he placed 4th at the 2009 Games) his career in the elite special forces of the military, and his journey into the highly demanding job of prime-time reality TV.

It seems that no matter what this guy touches in his world and what area of business he is involved in – he simply gives everything his greatest effort and attention to detail.

He’s gathered his skills over time, he’s a learner of life’s lessons and he’s clearly a passionate and soulful being who’s doing great things in the Health, Fitness and Wellness industry, giving back to others and being a great example of living his own values on a daily basis.

When I spoke to him, it was a very smooth, easy conversation, but packed with valuable and insightful lessons and truths.

He’s definitely in command of his life, I hope you enjoy this Podcast with Steve Willis.

Instagram: commandosteve
Facebook: commando steve
www.commandosteve.com

• I’ve known Craig for 25 years, I’m lucky to call him a friend, he’s even my eldest son’s Godfather. I worked for him for a number of years in the 90’s and eventually we opened a PT business together.

• In fact, Craig had one of the first PT businesses on the Australian Fitness landscape, and at its zenith, it was a thriving hub of PT sessions running from early mornings to late at night with more than 30 trainers operating out of 2 centers.

• Craig’s business success and professional evolution have now taken him to a career of professional public speaking, professional development, and facilitator of change.

• He speaks with honesty, clarity and his messages are mostly based around the obvious fact that our personal and business success is largely based on our abilities to be self-aware, open to change and that communication underpins almost everything.

• In this Podcast we talk about his approaches to business, his own personal development, the limitations he sees in the fitness industry – but what you’ll get is a very clear picture of his ability to analyse, communicate and motivate, all the while with a healthy measure of self-awareness and intuition.

• Craig Harper has become a master of communication, and if you want to be better at this critical skill of modern-day business, this Podcast is a great lesson.

• Enjoy.

https://www.craigharper.net/

Instagram : whiteboardlessons

Chief Brabon is one of those rare coaches who has a natural, almost
an unteachable skill of assessing a person’s physical needs and abilities and
then structuring the program so perfectly that success is guaranteed.

I say unteachable, because what he knows you won’t and can’t learn in a
Certificate course or even a degree course.

What he knows, and the insight he has developed is a product of 20+ years in the trenches of the Fitness Industry. Day-in, day-out, teaching, training, educating and empowering people to get the most out of themselves.

He is a coach in the true sense of the word.

Currently, he and his wife, Emile, are at the forefront of Celebrity
Transformation coaching, with celebrity clients such as James Stewart, Guy
Sebastian, Osher Gunsberg and Larry Emdur gracing the cover of Men’s
Health Magazine.

We talk about his style of training, his own physical and mental injuries,
(that’s both an interesting and horrifying story) and how he has
developed discipline, structure, and training to form and a life-long
dedication towards Ultra-Marathon running and personal improvement to
mold him into one of Australia’s most sought-after coaches.

He’s a straight shooter, a no bullshit, no muss, no fuss type of guy, but don’t
let his relaxed demeanor fool you….if you train with Chief, you’ll certainly
know who’s the boss.

Instagram: chiefbrabon & originalbootcamp

Facebook: Chief Brabon

A qualified Exercise Scientist, he soon discovered he had an appetite and skill for business, so he first created Vision PT, one of Australia’s most successful PT franchises.

With a hunger for more, he walked away from that business and created BodyTrim, a supplement and weightloss product that became a behemoth in the TV sales space, turning over $35M a year with a staff of 130.

Somewhere during this time of madness and mayhem, Geoff learnt he an appetite for more stuff, more status, more everything – or what he calls the disease of more!

Geoff has lived fast and large, but today, it’s the complete opposite, its all about purpose, giving back, community and bringing his learnings and lessons to his weight loss community through The Jowett Method.

By his own admission, he’s done some great things, some crazy things, he’s been to the edge, battled substance abuse and addiction, and been in some very dark places.

This is an interview with a guy who should have known better, who should’ve seen the warning signs, but as a result of going through all of his wins and losses…..

guess what folks , he’s figured out we all have the same needs, wants, and weaknesses, no matter what our bank balance shows.

I hope you enjoy this very open and powerful chat with Geoff Jowett

Facebook : acebook.com/thegeoffjowett/?fb_dtsg_ag=AdwZFVDQcZkPfuEtTDyNVGxP2cRXtD-XZe0s2gZp63Advg%3AAdwDkvMLVmINxyaKqdRdWdpPaV7TRyDEi-8t2qbz94Hs5w

Website : http://thejowettmethod.com/

Instagram : @thegeoffjowett

Want to connect or follow Sam?
Insta: samjameswood / 28bysamwood
28 Website - www.28bysamwood.com
The Woodshed - www.atthewoodshed.com

The Fitness Industry is brutal, career 'life expectancy' is short, so why and how did they succeed. This Ep will set the scene and explain me, and what I'm about on the Australian Fitness Podcast. Over my time working in this field, I’ve been lucky enough to come into contact with a lot of very smart, highly qualified and extensively experienced coaches and trainers.

Each week on the Podcast I’ll be talking to these people about their time in the fitness game, people from all backgrounds and people that have various roles and experiences in gym training, athlete conditioning, transforming and impacting others.

I’ll be scratching under the surface and getting a real insight into what makes these people tick, how and why they became part of the Australian Fitness scene, and importantly, how they go about their trade, and why they’re so successful at what they do, both personally and professionally.