The You Project

John Portelli wasn't expected to live. On December 1, 2017 he was driving a work vehicle with gas bottles in the back. Those gas bottles exploded, tearing the roof of his ute and shattering windows in surrounding houses. So devastating was the event that, when the emergency services arrived, they suspected it had been an act of terrorism. And so extreme were John's injuries that he was given almost zero chance of survival. He was given the last rites and his family were called to say goodbye. In this episode, Craig sits down with John and his wife Jenny, to unpack this incredible story of pain, struggle, survival, possibilities, hope and love.

This episode has been stolen from Craig's 'Renovate Your Life' audio program (one of thirty sections) and in it, he talks about the idea of visualising what our life might look, feel and function like a year from now if everything goes to plan (we achieve our goals) and how we might turn that theoretical construct (plan, intention, goal, idea) into a real-world experience and practical outcome. If you'd like further details on Craig's audio program visit https://www.craigharper.net/product/renovate_your_life/

The youngsters call this a 'share cast'. On it, Craig is interviewed by Russell Jarrett from the Australian Fitness Podcast and discusses staying productive when we can't be bothered, the need for focus, purpose and meaning, whether we might all be addicted to something, the downside of retirement, the value of doing the hard stuff and lots more. Enjoy.

This is a coaching session that most people will find relevant, if not, invaluable. Possibly, a little confronting. In this episode, Craig talks about everything from self-talk, self-awareness, self-sabotage, self-pity and self-management to metacognition (thinking about thinking), creating a new operating system, cognitive and behavioural programming and taking back your power. Depending on your learning style, you might want to listen to this one with a note pad.

Getting Mary (who is somewhat private and averse to any kind of limelight) on to TYP is one of Craig's greatest achievements. It's fair to say 'The Old Darl' (as Craig calls her) wasn't excited at the idea but warmed up as they discussed everything from never having a mum (Mary's mum died giving birth), being raised by nuns from the age of four at a boarding school, winning 'Miss Dairymaid' and going on a date with Bert Newton through to Craig's pirate phase, his dubious school years and his unusual punishment for being suspended. Twice. They also talk about love bites (on Craig, not Mary), love languages and Mary's thoughts on ageing well. If you're after a strategic, high-performance, change-your-life (type) of podcast, this might not be for you. But if you're keen to hear a freestyle chat between Craig and his mum around a range of interesting topics, you might love it.

Doctor Kal Fried (pronounced Freed) is back on TYP sharing his medical wisdom, stories and insights around health, healing and hysteria. He and Craig go even deeper (than last time) on the 'what is pain and how does it work' conversation. For reasons explained during the show, this is a non-swearing episode. You're fucking welcome.

In this episode, Craig shares stories from his journey as a fitness industry pioneer. For those of you who don't know, he opened Australia's first Personal Training Centre in 1990, wrote the first PT certification course, employed over five hundred trainers, owned four studios (including the largest in the Southern Hemisphere) and personally facilitated over forty thousand PT sessions. Considering he had almost no understanding of business development, branding, marketing, employing people, administration or leadership when he started, he did okay. Fair to say it was a steep learning curve. Enjoy.

Nick Farr is co-founder of Resilience Builders and is widely regarded as one of Australia's most accomplished high altitude athletes and leadership development coaches. He has climbed many of the world's highest mountains (including Mt Everest) and has led and coached more than one thousand people in challenging high altitude environments. On this episode of TYP, Nick and Craig talk all things mindset, adversity, self-management and of course, resilience.

Wow, that's a lot of P's in one title. Here's another... Paul O'Brien (Leadership Coach, Ex Police Inspector, Author and Endurance Cyclist) is back on TYP and once again the lads get deep and philosophical, exploring the peaks and troughs, the simplicities and complexities, the light and shade of the human experience.

Fitness industry pioneer, Tony Doherty has been innovating, creating, contradicting the norm and calling a spade a fucking shovel for three decades. He has a Ph.D in getting shit done and is simultaneously compassionate, terrifying and inspirational. Tony and Craig have been mates for years and as always, they had a great chat. Enjoy.

Craig sits down with Australia's best bodybuilder, Josh Lenartowicz, and the boys talk about prepping for the Mr. Olympia, the mind in bodybuilding, dealing with grief (losing his friend Dallas McCarver), his popularity in China, shrinking plane seats, being hangry, his understanding wife (Liz), life post-bodybuilding (with smaller muscles) and impending fatherhood.

For some people, Pastor Rob Buckingham is not 'Christian enough'. And more than likely, some of those same people will get mad at him for chatting with the bloke who says fuck. Although Craig commits to a non-swearing Podcast at the start, he only lasts ten minutes. There's a shock. The boys talk about Rob's work with Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran (from the 'Bali Nine') leading up to their execution in 2015, the Israel Folau controversy, whether or not Christianity has a PR problem, raising kids and being the spiritual coach to over a thousand people (his congregation). And before anyone runs away, he's definitely not a bible-basher.

The other day Craig sat down with Maritza Barone on her Podcast ('Things You Can't Un-Hear') and continuing on with his current pattern of laziness, he's decided to call her great work, Episode 71 of The You Project. He has no shame.

Craig recently chatted with Jarrod L'estrange on 'The Super Dad Show' and because he's essentially lazy, he said to himself... 'self, why don't I put a different label on Jarrod's podcast and call it Episode 70 of TYP and give m'self an hour off?'. Lazy? Resourceful? Time efficient? Who cares? Enjoy.

Damon Hayhow has been a Trailblazer, Lateral Thinker, Challenger of Convention and Shit Stirrer in the Australian Fitness industry for more than a decade. While he challenges the status quo, cuts through the BS and ruffles feathers, he also cares deeply about helping people understand and realise their physical potential. To say he is somewhat direct is like saying the ocean is a bit wet. In this episode of The You Project, he and Craig have a spirited conversation and see eye-to-eye on 'almost' everything.