The You Project

John Lee Dumas (JLD) is the founder and host of one of the world's most successful business podcasts; Entrepreneurs On Fire, an award-winning show where he has interviewed people like Tony Robbins, Seth Godin, Gary Vaynerchuk, Barbara Corcoran, Tim Ferriss and many more about all-things entrepreneurial, business and success. JLD is pioneer in the podcast space, having created the first show committed to chatting with successful Entrepreneurs (in 2012). This episode of TYP is a brief but interesting chat with a high-performance, high-energy human who, this week (as I write), is doing fifty-four interviews to pump his new book, 'The Common Path to Uncommon Success'. Strap in.

Dr. Gemma Foxall (PhD.) is a University Lecturer, Researcher, Advocate, Speaker, Consultant and Service Provider supporting children aged 0-16 years old pending a diagnosis, or already diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She also informs, educates and inspires parents, teachers, carers, employers and the broader community to better understand and support people on the spectrum. Gemma is a passionate advocate who is all about loving, serving and empowering people in our community who really need more support, resources and understanding. actforautism.com.au

This conversation with Bianca Chatfield was quite different to our previous TYP encounters. It seems that our high-performing (ex)Elite Athlete, TV Host, Sports Commentator, Corporate Speaker, Author and one-time Reality TV Person (The Block) has recognised that busy-ness and box-ticking might not always be the best strategy. After an interesting year, it's a much more reflective, contemplative and vulnerable Bianca who sits down to chat this time. I think this is my favourite chat with her. @biancachatfield

I've never spoken less in a podcast and I enjoyed every minute of it. Fortunately, everything Richard Beddie (the boss of Fitness New Zealand) had to say was worth hearing. He is possibly the most passionate and enthusiastic Fitness Professional I've ever met and that's saying something, because I know some total maniacs! We covered vast territory in this chat and I think you'll enjoy it. exercisenz.org.nz richardbeddie.co.nz

Brad McEwan is an interesting fella, great communicator, deep thinker and semi-regular on TYP. Of course, he's well-known for his decades of work as a Sports Journalist, Presenter and Host on a multitude of platforms but mainly for his work on the Ten Network. This was an interesting chat about all things perspective, mindset, attitude and subjective reality but in the last fifteen minutes (or so), Brad and Melissa go deep with their own ongoing Obsessive Challenges and it's absolutely fascinating listening. Enjoy. satellitefoundation.org.au

Steph Tisdell is a comedian, actor, storyteller, deep thinker and half a lawyer, who, like most of us, is working through her sh*t, navigating the complexities of life and having some laughs along the way. Enjoy. @stephtisdellcomedy @thejourney_stephtisdell

In this episode of TYP, Paul Taylor and I do a deep dive into his PhD research, which is all around performing under pressure, keep our sh*t together in the mess and mayhem, psychological and physiological responses to stress, the impact of anxiety on skill level, concentration and performance, how he's conducting his research and his fascinating work with the military. It's a little sciencey but I think you'll dig it. Enjoy. mindbodybrain.com.au The Mind Body Brain Project

Apart from being one of the smartest people I know, a brilliant communicator, renowned speaker, published author, expert in human behaviour and genius at simplifying (what can be) complex ideas and concepts, Bobby Cappuccio is also one of my best mates. This episode of TYP is a 'share' of a conversation we had recently on his new Podcast; The Self Help Antidote. I loved it.

To say Ron and Sharyn Smith have had (are having) an interesting life together doesn't come close to doing their story justice. Peaks, troughs, alcohol, drugs, pain, joy, professional boxing, a thirteen year-old jockey, a young nurse, massive weight loss, reversing diabetes, trouble with the police, personal tragedies, cancer, marathons, ultramarathons, writing books, inspiring others, physical transformation, changing careers (in his 50's), personal training at 77 (Ron is booked out), recovery, healing, nutritional therapy and lots more. It sounds like mayhem (and some of it was) but ultimately, theirs' is a story of connection, love and hope. Enjoy. mtelizaboxingcentre@iinet.net.au

Melissa, Tiff and I have never done a podcast together and to say this episode wasn't what I thought it might be, is an understatement. While it didn't go where I expected, it turned out to be a raw, emotional and confronting conversation that will definitely resonate with (and be helpful for) some. As many of you know, Melissa is naturally quiet and doesn't really like talking about herself. Well, it's fair to say that, during the course of this episode buttons were pushed, tears were shed, the conversation came (momentarily) to a halt and at one stage, it looked like the episode would be scrapped. All of which has remained in the recording. There's no pretending, role-playing or sugar-coating here and while some moments are uncomfortable, they are also powerful. And authentic. The reality of life is that sometimes conversations are hard, things get emotional, issues arise and without planning or intending, we find ourselves in the middle of something messy, magical and important. Thanks Tiff for asking good questions and thanks Melissa for being brave and vulnerable. Enjoy.

For this episode, I momentarily stepped back in to Personal Trainer, Exercise Scientist and Fitness Educator mode, with Tiff firing a barrage of questions at me about all things training, exercise programming, physical transformation, the fitness industry, the early days of PT (the 80's), hourly rates, perceived value, how to find a good PT and lots more. As always, we veer off course multiple times. I blame Tiff. Enjoy.

Joelene Lavrick was a classroom teacher who now works with primary school-aged children (in person and online in seventy-four countries!) to improve their emotional health and manage their mind. Her program (Mind Ninja) was designed to help kids build confidence and self-esteem, understand, manage and reduce anxiety, learn to be mindful, improve social interactions, understand the feelings of others and to be 'present'. Apart from the obvious messages (around helping and empowering kids), there's also an equally interesting story in this episode about a woman (who still suffers from anxiety), with no business background and limited confidence, who turned an idea in her head and a passion in her heart into, not only a valuable service, but also a thriving and growing business. Enjoy. lifelessonsglobal.com

I always love connecting with Geoff Jowett but this chat was extra raw, real and revealing. Geoff shares about his depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviour, addictive nature, self-destruction and the fact that, without his two beloved dogs (William and Harry), he might not "be around". We also discuss turning down the internal noise, redefining success, finding our bliss, effectiveness vs. busy-ness, the elusive nature of satisfaction and whether or not contentment and ambition can co-exist. Enjoy. @geoffjowett

Mark Victor Hansen is an American inspirational and motivational author and speaker, best known as the founder and co-creator of the 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' book series. Along with business partner, Jack Canfield, Mark created what Time magazine called "the publishing phenomenon of the decade". Chicken Soup for the Soul books are one of the most successful publishing franchises in the world today, with more than 500 million books sold internationally and more than 100 licensed products. Mark has appeared on Oprah, CNN and The Today Show, was featured in Time, U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, The New York Times and Entrepreneur Magazine and now he's (obviously) peaked, with an appearance on The You Project. Mark's amazing wife (Crystal Dwyer Hansen) joined him for this chat and it's fair to say that they're a formidable duo. Crystal is an international speaker, researcher, corporate consultant, author, entrepreneur and is a powerhouse in her own right. Enjoy.

Lisa Tamati is an extreme ultra endurance athlete with 25 years competing in the world's toughest endurance events, running in more than 140 ultra marathons and is someone who has consistently explored the outer limits of human performance, on a physical, mental and emotional level. She is a curious mix of brilliant, crazy, terrifying, courageous and inspirational. Apart from being a world-class athlete, Lisa is also a best-selling author, speaker, biohacker, podcaster, researcher, high-performance coach, non-conformist and disruptor (all is revealed in the conversation). This episode contains one of the best stories ever told on The You Project and there is a spontaneous moment with an unplanned guest, which is complete gold. This episode goes straight into my top 10. Love her. Enjoy.