Episoder
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I reflect on Season 2 of TUTT including:
- My network and the ability to get some legends to talk about their pathways to success in sport and also in life after in business.
- The issue of life after sport for athletes is real. I was able to talk to some players on my recent trip with the Classic All Blacks to Spain and thereās still the uncertainty for a few about what to do once they hang up the boots.
- Those that had good guidance and advice from mentors were able to put things in place early in their playing careers and were able to transition more smoothly.
There was so much learning from guests which I was able to relate to and also take away and utilise in my business journey.
I give an update on our business journey over the last 6 months and some of the new experiences and happenings that have really helped with the direction of our business.Then I offer my 2 cents worth on the Blues making the final against the Crusaders and the recent All Black squad named to face a strong Irish squad.
I share how I'm going back to work, along with some exciting challenges for my personal growth which will include overseas travel and documenting it while on the road which could give us ideas for Season 3 of Tana Umaga's TEEM Talk.
Make sure to listen in and please give us feedback to help us learn and grow.
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What an honour to have the All Black and rugby great, Dan Carter on the podcast.
Dan shared some insight into his time with the Blues and what he saw there and how he was able to add value to the young leadership group which put improved habits into them and how they could best serve the wider group by walking towards those hard conversations.
Dan talks about his time overseas and also lets us in on the culture changes in France and Japan that he came across. Needing to integrate into the culture to affect change from the inside. The need to research where you are entering and get a lay of the land before implementing your vision or philosophy.
We talk about his break out 2005 Lions series on the world stage. How the failure at the 2007 Rugby World Cup set the tone for the All Blacks golden run in 2011 and 2015.
Now retired, he chats about the next chapter of his life and being able to connect with successful people to help him decide where to for him after his career in sport. He chats about Web3 and NFTs opportunities with his new company, Glorious.
A truly educational listen! The legend handing out lessons from his experiences in his life.
Donāt miss it.
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Manglende episoder?
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Great to chat with an old friend - itās been a while.
Kevie let us in on his motivation for the next stage of his life. Heās getting into the ring for the first time. Something heās wanted to do for a long time and something he ādidnāt want to die wondering aboutā or have any regrets about.
We chat about the feelings he went through of being named in the All Blacks for the first time and where he was at the moment his name was announced.
We discuss some moments we shared while being a part of the All Blacks, including our connection with Brian O'Driscoll and he also shares some of the learnings he and the team were able to pick up from the 4 World Cups he attended.
He shares a lot of learnings and experiences that he has been able to pick up in his life and some great insights into his journey. He talked about what success looks like and how medals and winning championships donāt define you, the little successes along your path are just as important.
He also shares what heās doing now with his involvement as a business owner, a member of local body communities where he wants to make a difference in his community and, also as a board member on Auckland Rugby where he gives back to the game and community that gave him so much.
A very insightful episode and one that I really enjoyed. Iām sure you will too.
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Hugely honoured to have the legendary Benji Marshall in his first-time as a guest on any podcast.
You soon see why Benji has turned to Television since retiring from Rugby league in 2021. He is a natural storyteller and it was sound advice from Channel 9 that stopped him finishing his Media Communications Degree because it was changing him into something he wasn't and losing that cheeky personality. He has also recently started on Celebrity Apprentice Australia.
From the from small town of WhakatÄne he headed to Australia at 15 years old when he was offered a contract with the West Tigers, with the goal of playing in the NRL so he could buy his mum and brothers a house. All while also being a driving force for his whÄnau, showing them the path to achieve their dreams.
He tells us about his attitude to not lose his individual flare and who he is. The touch step, the touch long pass and that back flick pass!! While also being told heās too small, canāt tackle and with 5 shoulder reconstructions. His competitiveness, perseverance and resilience to stick to his dream and continue to be himself on the way.
Benji shares so many lessons he learnt on his way to where he is now.
Make sure you listen in to hear all about them.
A great listen indeed.
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Great to catch up and reminisce about old times with Rugby League Legend Ruben Wiki.
Viktual+ Here to rebalance busy lives.
We talk about our early years in playing against each other for our childhood clubs, Ruben with ÅtÄhuhu and myself with Wainuiomata and then together with the Junior Kiwis in 1992.
He shares about signing with the Canberra Raiders and learning from some legends and immortals of the game like coach Tim Sheens and players Mal Meninga, Ricky Stuart, Laurie Daley, Bradley Clyde, Kevin and Steve Walters, Noa Nadruku, and many more. He speaks of his big brothers over there, Quentin Pongia and Johnny Lomax and how they looked after him and guided him when he was young. And how he had to stand up for himself to earn their respect.
He reminisces about his decision to come home to the Warriors and want to give back to the young players in his home town. And how his leadership style had to change when he became the spokesman for the MÄori and Pasifika players as they struggled with the cultural differences with the Australian-born members of the team.
We discus Rubenās āPlan Bā, Wiki Workz Gym, that he started with his wife Santa, whoās been alongside him right from the start!! He also tells us about going back to school to get his Diploma in Sports Rec this year.
Ruben opens up about the struggles of COVID and how they had to find other work to keep things going during the lockdowns and how it affected his mental well-being. Heās now creating workshops and programmes through the gym for the youth and adults in his South Auckland community. He also lets us in on how his childhood memories brought him to become an Ambassador for White Ribbon.
An inspirational sharing of this legend's journey that started with the grind on the field and putting in the Mahi, what he had to do to get ahead and then using those same attributes in his working life and educating himself and others to continue to assist his family and his community.
A truly inspiring listen!!
Weāre passionate to share pure MÄori and Pasifika ingredients for wellbeing and lifestyle support
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A great story that started at a young age. Saia tells me that he signed with the Brumbies Academy at 14 years and 9 months old and was training with Wallabies greats George Gregan, Stephen Larkham and George Smith.
He lets us know how his Aboriginal mother and Tongan father met and married, then raised 5 boys while living in a pub. He shares about how his mother was their nutritionist, taxi driver, and confidante even to this day and how his father helped the boys into their first investment as 18-year-olds.
Saia shares his thoughts and memories of his time with the Queensland Reds, winning their inaugural Super Rugby title. And playing under Robbie Deans with Wallabies and what he thought about a Kiwi coaching the Australian Rugby team.
Saia and his twin brother Anthony, have founded 100% indigenous-owned and operated companies Moonyah Services, Moonyah Workforce, and Madji Furniture. The Faingaāa twins have a business goal to be one of the first indigenous companies for labour hire traffic control to be listed on the share market. With the passion and hearing their story, Iād bank on them achieving it.
Another awesome conversation with plenty of good learnings.
Make sure you listen to find out what they are.
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Talking to former All White Jeremy Christie was a really refreshing chat, hearing about his journey from Whangarei and around the world to settling in Orlando, USA for the time being.
He talks about growing up in Northland and playing soccer as a youngster, to moving to Auckland and into the football academy at Mount Albert Grammar school which was run by Rory Fallon, then, at the age of 16, traveling to England and signing with the Barnsley FC Academy with a couple of mates heād played with in NZ age-group teams.
Jeremy shares how he returned home to be a part of the first New Zealand professional football team, the Football Kings. He went on to be the only player to represent all 3 NZ Pro football teams; Football Kings, Football Knights, and the @wellingtonPhoenix. He lets us in on what it took to be a part of the 2011 World Cup squad and what it was like to play at such a pinnacle event, being the highlight of his career if not his life.
When he finished playing soccer, he started working in the medical sales industry, where he had already made some contacts. But he felt that wasnāt fulfilling enough and he started coaching at a local high school and then found thatās what he really wanted to do. He started up Highland FC with the father of one of his players, who became his business partner and itās grown from there. Highland FC have a partnership with Everton F.C to help further develop the youth on his program, not just on the field but off it as well.
This is a great listen from someone who committed himself to his passion and has been able to make a living out of it even after the playing days are finished.
Enjoy.
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It was great to connect with Charles again since the last time we talked was in my role as Blues Coach and having one last chat with him before he decided to back himself and go overseas to Wasps and Ulster in Europe.
Viktual+ Here to rebalance busy lives.
He shares about the decision-making process he went through. The difficulties in leaving his comfort zone and support structures of family and the battle within, whether he stays in NZ and strives for the dream of playing at a World Cup or takes the challenge up of earning money he never thought would be possible at his age and stage of his career. He backed himself and signed to go but missed out on that dream of playing at the World Cup.
He uses that to drive him to become one of the marquee players of Europe with Wasps, Ulster, and now Bristol and also being one of the highest-paid players in the world. He also has the opportunity to achieve that childhood dream of playing at a World Cup with Tonga after the recent change in eligibility rules by World Rugby.
He also talks about his thoughts about life after sport and how heās got into NFTās and the property market.
An enjoyable episode that we get to hear about his journey which was not the normal pathway that weāre used to seeing but heās made the most of it through his determined mindset, a chip on his shoulder, and skills as his currency.
Make sure to listen in.
Weāre passionate to share pure MÄori and Pasifika ingredients for wellbeing and lifestyle support
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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A very honest and open conversation with current NZ Netball Silver Fern and Auckland Mystic Captain Sulu Tone - Fitzpartick.
Viktual+ Here to rebalance busy lives.
It was great to hear her story of growth, resilience, determination, and discovery as she takes us through her journey.
Through her early years of becoming a professional netballer straight of high school as a teenager with huge potential and talent to taking the opportunity for granted and moving away from home to get more playing opportunities. Then became a mother of twins and dabbled in another sport (rugby) before she realized what she wanted to do in her life. She educated herself about what she needed to do to get her where she wanted to be. She went back to her culture and faith and with the continued support of her family she found her way through to where she wants to be, not just as a sports person but more importantly as a person and a mother.
Sulu achieved the highest individual award in 2021 being awarded the Dame Lois Muir trophy for the standout netball player in New Zealand, she is also one of the most respected. A true testament to her work ethic and tenacity.
I thoroughly enjoyed our chat and was able to pick up some gold nuggets from her story. Truly inspiring and motivating.
Make sure to have a listen.
Weāre passionate to share pure MÄori and Pasifika ingredients for wellbeing and lifestyle support
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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Great to catch up with Codie and hear him talk about his younger days and growing up in Australia. Then returning to Levin, NZ before going off to Fielding High for his last years of school. Going from Fielding into the Canterbury Academy, following a well-trodden path led by the Whitelock brothers.
He shares about the successful culture shift of the Crusaders from when he debuted in 2013 when they had some of the greats like Ritchie McCaw, Dan Carter and Kieran Read playing and under the coaching of Todd Blackadder and Tabai Matson. The comparison to when Scott Robertson took over and brought instant success and a run of 5 consecutive Super Rugby Titles.
He's branching out into the world of business, soon to be launching his sports drink brand Eclips3. He's combining his passion for the fitness world and always looking for that 1% improvement in performance.
I really enjoyed and learning more about the man and his business. I think you will too.
Have a listen. -
It's always good to catch up with Beaver and chat about old times and new. We talk about his new business venture with a couple of old All Black and Chiefs team-mates, GRINS, and what the future holds for them.
He shares his career-high, of kicking that winning kick in the 2011 Rugby World Cup after being called up from enjoying his off-season before taking a contract overseas. He also shares the lows when he was widely criticized in his last game for the All Blacks. He talks of his learnings from that time and how he was able to deal with and overcome the big hit to his confidence.
We also talk about his time at his beloved Counties Manukau and how he is a proud Waiuku man, born and bred, and has recently moved back to his hometown to raise his own young family.
Tune in to hear some good learnings from his stories.Proudly sponsored by Viktual+
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It's always good catching up with Sonny Bill and seeing what new ceilings have been broken in his life. This time when we caught up he had just come off a 5-week training camp in Ireland and England with none other than the Heavy-Weight Champion in the world, Tyson Fury as well Kiwi Boxing greats Joseph Parker and David Nyika. He lets us in on his time and the little challenge that Fury set him on the first day of training.
He takes us back to the early days when he talks about his childhood days and the people that he was around and how his parents taught him to stand up for what he thought was right no matter the consequences.
Sonny let us in on some of his failings during his lengthy career and how he was able to learn from those and grow from those experiences and achieve success at the highest level of the different sports he's been involved in.
He shares how his faith has given him the self-confidence to get out onto the other side of the camera as a commentator and how it anchors him as a way to look after his mental wellbeing.
Always an informative and educational discussion when we catch up.
Listen to hear more. -
It's a huge honour to have on the show this week, Melodie Robinson.
Mel played for the Black Ferns from 19996 to 2002 winning 2 World Cups and also represented the Black Ferns Sevens. Not bad for someone that didn't start playing until she started attending Otago University.
She lets us in on the story of how her coach in Otago picked the best position for her, to suit her naturally aggressive attitudes. We hear how she has always been focused on what she wanted and determined to work hard and achieve her goals.
She went on to do amazing things in the Black jersey all the while finishing her degree in Physical Education and a Certificate in Journalism, as well as an MBA while working with Sky TV. Mel is now the General Manager of TVNZ Sports and Events.
Her involvement in rugby also includes coaching her sons' team, sitting on the Board of her club College Rifles and the Rugby Foundation as well as being appointed to sit on the Board of Rugby World Cup Limited as an International Rugby Playersā representative.
She also shares a few thoughts on how the women's game should be run.
A truly inspirational listen!
Enjoy. -
It was great to catch up with my old friend Luch on the podcast and talk about his path from Tonga to New Zealand (Petone), Hong Kong to Australia, and how his life took some unexpected turns along the way.
He shares how he first felt about NZ and some of his experiences at Wilford Primary School, St Bernard's College and going onto Massey University to finish a Bachelor of Business Studies degree.
We hear how he ended up in Hong Kong and made the best of the situation going on to represent Hong Kong in Rugby from 1998 to 2005. This is where he made the career change and he and his wife became involved in the gym industry, firstly running them and then going on to co-own them.
Lusiano and his wife Selena now own 18 Crunch Fitness gyms across NSW and Victoria with 75,000 members. He shares how he has arrived at where he is and offers some sage advice to others looking to get into the business world......like me.
I took a lot away from this chat and I'm sure you will too.
Enjoy. -
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has had a glittering career, winning a Rugby League Premiership with the Sydney Roosters plus many awards as an individual including the Dally M Fullback of the Year and the Dally M Medal award, which is for the Best Player in the NRL.
I find out that this is the first time Roger has been a guest on a Podcast and I'm truly honoured to have that mantle. He shares his current situation with the Blues and the other NZ Super Rugby sides as they are in Queenstown preparing for the start of the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific season.
We talk about how he has been running from Covid for the last 3 years and his decision to switch to Rugby Union. He chats about how his first pre-season game went, what he is finding the hardest with the transition and which pre-season is toughest between the two sports.
He gives insights into his plan at acquiring wealth, how he developed it and put it into action and he also talks about his new interest in the Metaverse , Crypto Currency and NFT's.
A compelling story and chat with a great person - educational and motivating for all ages. -
I always look forward to catching up with Eugene because I always learn something.
Eugene started with kickboxing as a way to get fit for rugby when he played for the Massey Rugby Club, where his family has a long association. He then decided to focus on kickboxing and mixed martial arts and had a successful career in the New Zealand local scene before starting up the City Kickboxing gym with a friend and turning to coach.
City Kickboxing has grown on the worldwide stage and was crowned Best Gym by MMA Junkie in 2019 and 2020.
Eugene believes in his fighters always staying ready and taking the opportunity that may pop up - because fighters only get paid when they fight!
Some fighters wait years for opportunities to fight in big organizations like the UFC and he shares how some of his fighters have taken the long hard road to get the chance to fight on the big international stage.
We discuss Israel Adesanya's upcoming fight with Robert Whittaker and talk about how he deals with training multiple fighters to be ready to fight on the same night.
He shares his thoughts on the improving talent coming through his gym and is excited about the next wave of fighters.
Eugene lets us in on the other side of the business and the necessary reason why he started up his management company, Attain Peace Sports Management, to ensure his fighters have something after they have finished in the ring.
Listen in to hear some more insights from the man that's put the NZ MMA scene on the map globally and how he plans to keep it going. -
The last episode of TUTT for 2021.
It's been a roller coaster last few months after stepping away from The Blues to focus on our new health and wellbeing supplements company, Viktual+, with my wife Rochelle.
I'm on the other side of the podcast this week and am being interviewed by Merl Manueli, who has been doing our social media. We chat about how life has been since I made my announcement that I was stepping away from rugby to the next day going into shock upon hearing that New Zealand was going into lockdown!
I talk about getting through lockdown and the struggles I went through as well as getting a better understanding of the business we are in. I figure out my transferable skills and how timing plays a big part in my belief system, and how some of my guests were able to give me confidence when I needed it.
We talk about my time in France and the differences I saw there to what I was used to in NZ and I share other stories of my rugby career and of some of the people I've met along the way.
I share my thoughts on how I handle pressure and tough moments and how I keep myself healthy both in body and mind.
I also answer some questions that have been sent in.
Listen in and let me know what you think.
Keep safe take care and have a very Merry Festive season.
Manuia le Kerisimasi ma le Tausaga Fou. -
It is always good to catch up with my close friend Bundee Aki about what's going on in life and rugby.
We obviously chat about his recent game against the All Blacks and how he felt after the win and what the week leading up to the big game was like for him and the team. It was his second win against the All Blacks in as many games.
We chat about his journey from the Patumahoe Rugby Club in Counties-Manukau to Connacht and he lets us in on the similarities between the provinces and what he loves about them and how he used what he learnt in Counties-Manukau to drive Connacht to gaining respect in the European rugby community. He has never forgotten where he's from in South Auckland and how his determination and grit have seen him achieve so much away from his birth home and family.
He's become a regular in the Irish Rugby Team since making his debut in 2017 and to watch him and to hear his story about how he found out about his selection for The British & Irish Lions team to tour South Africa was a proud moment for me.
It was also good to hear that he is putting things in place for when his playing days come to an end and how he's getting out of his comfort zone to do that.
A good listen if you want to hear how someone made some hard decisions, then didn't take anything for granted but worked his butt off to get what he wanted. -
I catch up with Jonny after he's just landed on holiday outside of England, just got into his holiday home and he's made time to chat to me after 10 years. I feel very honored! (and also why our audio is not the best, sorry!)
Jonny lets us in on his thoughts on a lot of topics and what comes through is his passion and convictions for what he believes, which have come from his own experiences on his journey from an 18-year-old kid who started at the Newcastle Falcons and loved throwing the ball around and running around with his mates and loving the game to making his debut for England months later and becoming the deadly accurate kicker that manipulated teams with his pinpoint accuracy and that dropped goals for 3 points with ease like Stephen Curry shoots 3-pointers for the Golden State Warriors. Yet he lost that love for the game and talks of how he suffered through 6 days of training just to get to game day at the height of his rugby career.
We get to talk about our time together at Toulon and how after 3 years of being injured, he again found his love for the game and how he also dealt with those feelings of anxiety and being all-consumed with his perfectionist tendencies that harmed earlier in his career. he shares how he was able to overcome these and how he now incorporates these learnings into his coaching of the next wave of English talented 10'.
He's also taken his experiences and passion in the business he founded, No.1 Living. Listen to how he has changed his perspective on how he views food and his diet. How he has used all those experiences to create very successful health and well-being products and business
I took some very deep and powerful learnings from our chat and hope you do too. -
I catch up with Luteru Ross Taylor. He's sitting in another quarantine hotel, this time in India before the Black Caps test series, which starts this week. He's a bit nervous as he hasn't hit a ball since he hit the winning runs against India in the World Test Championship in June, apart from some throw downs from his young son.
We chat about our stories of cricket and our connection to my hometown of Wainuiomata. He tells me about why he chose cricket over other sports and what he thinks is the reason that he's had such a long and illustrious career.
He lets me know the secret to facing the fastest bowlers in the world and shares what it's like and what it takes to be a successful batsman at the highest level.
I learned a lot about the amount of mental energy and strength you need to be a top-flight cricket batsman in a game he states "you fail at more than you succeed".
Listen in to learn from a New Zealand Cricketing Great. - Vis mere
