The You Project

Michael Sugrue began his law enforcement career in the U.S. Air Force as a Security Forces Officer in 1998. He specialised in Law Enforcement, Global Force Protection, Anti-Terrorism, Nuclear Security, Foreign Air Field Assessments and Air Base Ground Defense. Michael served in a variety of assignments including: Flight Leader, Flight Commander, Senior Watch Officer, Chief of Command Post and Chief of Security Forces. Michael served all over the United States, Europe, the Middle East and South America. After the Air Force, Michael became a Police Officer, serving as a Patrol Officer, Driver Training Instructor, Field Training Officer, SIU Detective, Undercover CA DOJ Narcotic Task Force Agent, Public Information Officer and Patrol Sergeant. Michael was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal in 2014 for his heroic and life-saving actions during a Fatal Officer Involved Shooting in 2012. Michael ultimately medically retired in 2018. He is now a Peer Volunteer at the West Coast Post Trauma Retreat and an Ambassador for Save A Warrior. Michael is a dedicated advocate for awareness, prevention, education, training on Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) and First Responder Suicide Prevention. He speaks at law enforcement agencies all over the U.S. This is a fascinating chat. Enjoy.

Off the back of my last podcast (Stop Wishing and Start Planning), a few people asked if I could expand on the concept and share something of a 'how to', when it comes to the process of creating a plan. So I did. Feel free to just listen (of course) but this episode lends itself to a little note-taking because I unpack a 15-step process. I do get a little pumped and sweary (shocking, I know), so if swearing bothers you, this one is not for you. At the very least, don't listen with your kids. Unless they're thirty.

Many people think they have a plan but they don't. They have a story, an intention and some ideas about how they want things to 'turn out'. What they don't have, is a strategically designed plan (process, structure, accountability, KPIs, resources, timeline), which gets activated into behaviour, outcomes and transformation. And then, when they wind up in a 'place' (literally or metaphorically) that's not where they want to be (and they will), they say things like "well, this wasn't my plan", when in reality, they had no practical, action-focused plan. What they did have, was a no-effort wish-list. A Dream. An aspiration. Like so many, great at talking the talk but so shit at doing the work to change their life.

I'm always being asked about how I train, eat and more broadly, stay in shape. I don't think it's a particularly fascinating conversation (neither will many of you) but for those of you who are interested, here it is. Enjoy.

I consciously don't have too many expectations or plans going into podcasts but this free-range chat with Jacqui Lambie (Lambo, to me) was real, raw, funny, sweary (no shit) and enlightening. I loved it. Like me, she's flawed. Has good days and bad. Has had breakdowns and breakthroughs but what stood out is her passion for helping, serving and protecting the people that don't have an advocate or voice where and when it needs to be heard. She won't admit it but, under that tough exterior is someone who cares deeply. She doesn't always get it right (does anyone?) but her personal journey battling physical and mental health issues, chronic pain (still), her drive to be a champion of change and her willingness to take the piss (out of herself and me!), made for a fascinating TYP experience. Enjoy.

I was recently on Paul Taylor's podcast (The Mind Body Brain Project) and we had a great chat about all-things human performance, resilience, happiness, self-awareness, mindset and life (as we do). Thought you might enjoy it.

Mark Seymour is an amazing singer, songwriter, musician, story-teller, Aria winner and Aussie music legend. He's also a charming, smart, thoughtful, fascinating conversationalist and all-round grouse human. Other than that, he's a complete dud. This was a great chat and I feel privileged to do what I do. Enjoy :)

Lisa Alexander is one of the winningest Coaches in Australian sport at an elite level, having coached the Australian Netball Team (The Diamonds) more times than any coach in history, departing her role earlier this year with a winning percentage of 81%. Before that, she coached the Melbourne Phoenix in the National Netball League for two years, winning two titles. She also has extensive experience in coaching, mentoring and high-performance outside of sport and if that's not enough, she has degrees in Human Movement and Teaching. Yep, she goes okay. So what happens when a person with all that success, skill, competence and experience in elite-sport, coaching, high-performance, leadership, communication and (let's be honest) winning, wants to explore the world of AFL Coaching? Take a listen. LinkedIn - Lisa Alexander

Think better. Choose better. Do better. Create better. It's not a complicated strategy but neither is it an easy one. And therein lies the challenge. This brief episode is an extract from a group session I did last week, when I climbed onto my cyber soap box for a twenty-minute download on everything from metacognition and self-awareness to self-control and resilience. The audio is not the usual quality but still listenable. Enjoy.

I was recently on Jason Cunningham's podcast (Save My Business) and not surprisingly, we spoke about the trials and tribulations of building and running a business (of any size), making a few quid (as my dad would say) and having some fun along the way. We also discussed the ever-present challenge of managing our sanity, energy and focus in the middle of, what can be, the unpredictable, uncertain and uncomfortable nature of business. He's a good lad and this was fun. Enjoy.

Journalist, broadcaster, business owner, entrepreneur, deep thinker, Tai Chi teacher, ex-city slicker, long-time mate of mine and now proud resident of Ballan in rural Victoria (pop. 3,000ish), Patrick Bonello is, and has been, a wearer of many hats. He's also a great story-teller, deep thinker and is annoyingly creative. I loved catching up with him, we covered lots of ground and there's at least one story that could make you cry. Enjoy. genesisfx.com.au

Dean Mawby is back and among many fascinating things, we talk about the latest research (and the practical application of that research) focusing on the potential of strength training as not, only an anti-aging tool, but also an inhibitor of cognitive decline and brain degeneration; think Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia and even normal age-related cognitive decline. He is driven, passionate and clever and this was an enlightening chat. Enjoy. realstrengthstudio.com

While gym owners in Melbourne (and beyond) dust off their kettlebells, oil their bikes, deep clean their facilities and plug in their treadmills, some of us are just starting to get back on the old exercise horse (and of course, some never got off). So, as we stumble (sprint, lift, ride, box jump, moonwalk) our way out of Covid and into warmer, longer, less pandemic-y days, I thought I'd momentarily put the old PT hat back on and get young Tiff to ask me a few listener questions and we'd have some fun. And we did. Enjoy.

I'm always amused when people try something (program, intervention, process) for five minutes and then say to me "oh, I tried that but it didn't work". Kind of like skipping one meal in six months and saying "I tried intermittent fasting but nothing happened". Or the person who reads countless self-improvement books, applies nothing (consistently) and then arrives at the conclusion that personal development doesn't work. This is a conversation about the PROCESS of personal development, rather than the PRODUCT.

Two TYP favourites are here for one special episode and we're excited. This is the first time we've had Paul Taylor and Bobby Cappuccio in the same cyber-room at the same time and not surprisingly, with two geniuses (and one non-genius), it was never going to be dull or boring. And it wasn't. Enjoy. *Apologies in advance, Bobby's Internet connection (from LA) was not awesome, so we had a few momentary drop-outs. mindbodybrain.com.au robertcappuccio.com