The You Project

This might be my favourite short episode of TYP. I love the topic and information in this instalment because it's relevant, relatable and real for everyone. Why? Because we all say yes, when we know we shouldn't. People-pleaser anyone? Scaredy-cat? This episode is actually one of the thirty sections from my online audio program. It hasn't been released (free to the public) until now. Enjoy.

Anna Feringa is an expert in Workplace Mental Health (super interesting for right now), Author, Trainer and International Speaker who is passionate about building a deliberate, energising and healthy culture in workplaces. Sadly, Mental Health is now the leading cause of workplace disability globally. Despite the serious subject matter, this was a fun conversation (believe it or not) with an outstanding (and funny) communicator who 'gets' it. You'll like her. Enjoy. annaferinga.com.au

On a semi-regular basis, someone responds to one of my messages with this enlightening revelation "that's easier said than done", to which I reply, "of course it is; literally EVERYTHING is easier said than done". I will lose weight and keep it off forever (easy to say). I will quit smoking (also easy). I will change my life (easy). I'll never do that thing again (just more words). Which is why saying stuff is way more popular than doing stuff; it's easy and requires no actual sweat or ongoing effort. People who know me, know that "it's easier said than done..." is one of my ever-present messages, which is why I push people to step out of the theory (idea, intention, plan, goal) and into the practical process. The doing. As a Coach, all I can offer people is words (of encouragement, instruction, direction, education) which may or may not (when relevant), translate into action. FYI, I may momentarily step onto my soap box during this episode. Shocking, I know. Enjoy.

JoAnna Ferrari lived male for 53 years. She was successful in business and happily married with 3 children for 23 years before finally making the difficult decision and commitment to transitioning her gender from male to female. Her announcement sent a shockwave through her entire world that caused her to lose everything; family support, friends, career and nearly, her life. 'JJ' as she prefers to be called, had the kind of professional and personal life people dream of but the dream ended and the nightmare began when she openly told the world about starting her gender transition. Today JJ is happy in life and has again become a well-respected business coach, transition/performance consultant, requested keynote speaker and author. As you might imagine, this was interesting! Enjoy.

Imagine a funny, likeable, clever bloke who stands in front of audiences for a living to inspire, tell stories, encourage, empower and educate. A knockabout bloke who is one of Australia's most sought after speakers. A bloke who's succeeded in business and worked at the pointy end of a small organisation called Facebook. Now, imagine a bloke who suffers from PTSD, is medicated every day for depression, is a sexual abuse survivor and is a bloke who suffers from overwhelming and crippling anxiety. Well, that bloke is Nick Bowditch and this conversation was one of my favourites on TYP. Enjoy. nickbowditch.com

Over the years, I've posted more than three thousand whiteboard messages on my @whiteboardlessons IG page and thousands more on my two FB pages. So, when Melissa showed up for episode 258 with 14 randomly picked whiteboards for me to explore, explain and expand on, I had zero idea what she had chosen or what I would be talking about, until she shared each one with me live as we recorded the episode. I think it turned out well. See what you think.

This was going to be a two-part Q and A session with Bobby and I but it wound up being one long-ish episode. I apologise in advance as there are a few moments where the audio is not awesome (totally listenable though) and we manage to talk over each other a little, as is often the way when there's a slight delay chatting with someone on the other side of the world. Nonetheless, we covered some interesting topics and had fun. Enjoy.

I started this episode thinking I was heading in a certain direction (topics, discussion, themes) and, as is often the way with a good conversation, I was totally wrong. We went somewhere totally different and what transpired was something much more powerful and interesting than my lame plan. It's not often that Melissa lets her guard down and opens up about her thoughts, experiences and challenges (probably because I talk too much) but that all changed in this episode. This is my favourite Melissa and me episode. Enjoy.

John McMahon is an interesting character with an interesting past, who's living an interesting life, helping troubled teens navigate their own challenges and hopefully, to avoid some of the things he didn't. Complete with Harleys, ink and colourful past, the Rev (as he's known) is anything but typical and while his approach to working with kids is not exactly Chapter 4 of the 'Psychology for Teens' manual, maybe that's why his words and work resonate with both kids and parents alike. This was a fun conversation.

Tiff Cook booked in for a coaching session three years ago and hasn't stopped stalking me since (her words). And while she continues on her own personal and professional development journey, it's fair to say that she's been doing her own share of empowering, inspiring and coaching others towards their best lives. Tiff has a really interesting story and this conversation ended up being about one third podcast, one third coaching session and one third therapy session (for both of us). Enjoy.

Exercise Physiologist and Elite Conditioning Coach Russ Jarrett (M.Ex.Sci.), joined me for a slightly-sciencey chat about all things fitness and exercise. Along the way, we discussed progressive overload, program design, finding the right 'dose', how and when adaptation happens, training intensity, recovery, over-training, kids training, periodisation, weight training for strength vs. power vs. hypertrophy vs. muscular endurance and lots more. @russell_jarrett1 russelljarrett.com.au

Exercise Physiologist and Elite Conditioning Coach Russ Jarrett (M.Ex.Sci.), joined me for a slightly-sciencey chat about all things fitness and exercise. Along the way, we discussed progressive overload, program design, finding the right 'dose', how and when adaptation happens, training intensity, recovery, over-training, kids training, periodisation, weight training for strength vs. power vs. hypertrophy vs. muscular endurance and lots more. @russell_jarrett1 russelljarrett.com.au

Tony Doherty is a Business Man, Entrepreneur, Fitness Industry Pioneer, Gym Owner, Business Partner of Arnold Schwarzenegger and among other things, the Godfather of Australian Bodybuilding. He's also interesting, creative, funny and a curious mix of brutality and compassion. Tony and I go way back, we're good mates and this was a fun chat. If you're easily offended, it may not be for you. @tonydohertyoz

Not only is Dr. Jodi Richardson an expert in the field of understanding, explaining and treating anxiety, she's also been dealing with it personally her entire life. So when she writes (two books on the topic), talks and teaches, she's speaking from, not only an academic, research and clinical perspective, but also from a place of lived experience. This is a great chat and I learned a lot. drjodirichardson.com.au @drjodirichardson

Your mind is 'You HQ'; it's your cognitive, social, personal, professional, academic, creative and practical headquarters. It's the place where stories are told, decisions are made, habits are formed, data is processed, lessons are learned, meaning is given, beliefs evolve, fears are embedded, understanding grows, confusion prospers, problems are solved (and created), calm and chaos are neighbours, life is shaped and personality reality is created. This Episode is a conversation I had recently with Tiffanee Cook on her podcast, Roll with the Punches. It is essentially a conversation and about the why, how and 'what-the-f**k' of thinking.