“Birth isn’t a medical event but it’s been treated like one. It can become medical, and when it does, we have the support. But it’s not where we start.” - Melissa Spilsted

Melissa became a clinical hypnotherapist to empower people through birth after seeing how much misinformation was out there. My wife Taneal and I did four sessions with her before our firstborn arrived — and the calm, clarity, and tools we gained helped us far beyond the birthing room.

In this episode, we talk about:

Hypnotherapy, visualisation, and trusting the body

Using mental skills (like in sport) to handle pain and pressure

Subconscious beliefs and how they shape your reality

Media appearances, vision boards, study hacks, and resetting the mind like a computer

How birth can produce sensations similar to orgasm — a surprising but powerful insight

Whether you're preparing for birth or looking to sharpen your mindset, Melissa shares lessons that apply far beyond the delivery room.

To get in touch with Melissa visit:

facebook.com/hypnobirthingaustralia

https://hypnobirthingaustralia.com.au

About David Mead:

David played 14 years of professional rugby league, representing the Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans, Catalans Dragons, and captaining the PNG Kumuls. With over 230 professional games and 15 international appearances , he’s gained valuable insight into what it takes to perform at the highest level. Now, through conversations with fellow athletes, business minds, and community leaders, David shares real stories and lessons to inspire and empower the next generation.

Connect with David:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidmead411?lang=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@davidmeadpodcast

Tommy lived his early days in Alotau, a beautiful part of PNG. Fishing, gardening, fun and relaxed lifestyle in the village bring back plenty of great memories. Parents owned a successful fish and chips shop. The arcade games in the shop made the upbringing much better.

Tom is currently the General Manager at BallyCara retirement village, Redcliffe. We chat about what it’s like working amongst seniors, the experiences and lessons he learns on a daily basis. Respect, Trust and Listening are key to living a fulfilled life.

He played rugby league for over 10 years in the Queensland Cup competition. The great things rugby league has taught him that he uses in his work and home life. How he was able to juggle working fulltime and playing in the Qld Cup. We speak about some of the difficult things that players who work fulltime and play rugby league face.

About David Mead:

David played 14 years of professional rugby league, representing the Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans, Catalans Dragons, and captaining the PNG Kumuls. With over 230 professional games and 15 international appearances , he’s gained valuable insight into what it takes to perform at the highest level. Now, through conversations with fellow athletes, business minds, and community leaders, David shares real stories and lessons to inspire and empower the next generation.

Connect with David:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidmead411?lang=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@davidmeadpodcast

This is one of the most important conversations I’ve had on the podcast — it speaks directly to my roots and where I hope to make the biggest impact. Lucy was born in Hula, Central Province PNG, in a village with no running water or electricity.

After a tough start in Port Moresby, she moved to Melbourne for better opportunities. Unfulfilled in her career, she followed her passion and founded a project in memory of her late brother, Peter Nathan Loko — building classrooms in her home village, Lese Oalai in Gulf Province.

We talk about the challenges of uniting a village, shifting mindsets, and the power of long-term thinking. Education takes time, but it’s the foundation for lasting change. Lucy also shares her experience with the Rotary Club and the value of volunteering — giving without expecting anything in return, knowing the true rewards will be seen in future generations.About David Mead:

About David Mead:

David played 14 years of professional rugby league, representing the Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans, Catalans Dragons, and captaining the PNG Kumuls. With over 230 professional games and 15 international appearances , he’s gained valuable insight into what it takes to perform at the highest level. Now, through conversations with fellow athletes, business minds, and community leaders, David shares real stories and lessons to inspire and empower the next generation.

Connect with David:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidmead411?lang=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@davidmeadpodcast

David Lakisa “Pacific Contribution Matters.” Born in New Zealand, Former PE teacher. PHD in Pacific Sport and Diversity Management. Masters in International Sports Management. Bachelor of Education.

First ever Pacific Islander Wellbeing Officer at NSWRL in 2007. The game noticed a huge level of participation from junior level right through to NRL. How to connect to this demographic. What to do about it? Dave puts some light on this.

The Four Key Elements to help organisations understand Pacific Islanders better. “Everyone wants to be validated.” If organisations can do this then they will find that productivity increases, preparedness and trust is built. “Island Time” - when it's good to be in this mode and when it’s not.

If you’re an organisation with Pacific Islander employees and want to understand them better, Dave can help you with this process.

How to get in contact:

https://talanoaconsultancy.com.au

[email protected]

About David Mead:

David played 14 years of professional rugby league, representing the Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans, Catalans Dragons, and captaining the PNG Kumuls. With over 230 professional games and 15 international appearances , he’s gained valuable insight into what it takes to perform at the highest level. Now, through conversations with fellow athletes, business minds, and community leaders, David shares real stories and lessons to inspire and empower the next generation.

Connect with David:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidmead411?lang=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@davidmeadpodcast

Zeb Taia played over 300 professional rugby league games, won two Super League titles, and built his career not on talent alone, but on discipline, consistency, and doing his job better than anyone else.

Now the Athlete Wellbeing Manager at Marsden State High School, Zeb shares his journey from Western Sydney to the top of the game — and the challenges young athletes face today.

We talk about being away from family, the power of preparation, learning through setbacks, and why true leadership means having tough conversations and putting in the work yourself.

Plenty of honest insights and grounded wisdom in this one.About David Mead:

David played 14 years of professional rugby league, representing the Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans, Catalans Dragons, and captaining the PNG Kumuls. With over 230 professional games and 15 international appearances , he’s gained valuable insight into what it takes to perform at the highest level. Now, through conversations with fellow athletes, business minds, and community leaders, David shares real stories and lessons to inspire and empower the next generation.

Connect with David:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidmead411?lang=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@davidmeadpodcast

Tayla Clement was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. She was born with moebius syndrome which affects one in three million people. Endured years of bullying in school because of how she looked. Six attempts to take her own life. Lied to parents about the bullying so they wouldn’t get upset.

Her advice to victims of bullying: “Talk to someone you trust and over communicate your feelings. You can’t deal with negativity all on your own.” Age 15: Diagnosed with Extreme Clinical Depression, PTSD, experienced 8-9 seizures/day. The meaning you give your experiences can break you or empower you. She chooses the latter. That’s how she has come out of being a depressed teenager into a powerful individual. Like everyone she still has the hard days but has found tools and ways to help her deal with her day to day problems.

Tayla’s passion is sharing her story to inspire people. She loves to help people feel happy. After the interview I was truly inspired by her story and her attitude.

Connect with Tayla and follow her on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylaclement

About David Mead:

David played 14 years of professional rugby league, representing the Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans, Catalans Dragons, and captaining the PNG Kumuls. With over 230 professional games and 15 international appearances , he’s gained valuable insight into what it takes to perform at the highest level. Now, through conversations with fellow athletes, business minds, and community leaders, David shares real stories and lessons to inspire and empower the next generation.

Connect with David:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidmead411?lang=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@davidmeadpodcast

Early Days at the Gold Coast Titans. The hardest part of professional rugby league. Taking the footy mentality and applying it to other parts of life. Rollerblading in Miami and Burleigh. Enlightening the world by being your weird self.

A transition from professional rugby league to interest in acting. Being told by a nurse “There goes your acting career” was an inspiration to take on the acting. After performing his first monologue and earning a scholarship to go to America he felt a new world open up. “It was one of the scariest things I've ever done - auditioning.” “When something scares you it has power over you. Once you do it it feels like you are free and can do more with your life. That’s the lesson I got from it.” Kevin Gordon

On producing music - doing a live show is the big goal. The road to the art world isn’t as straightforward as playing professional rugby league. In league there is a plan and if you follow it you have a chance of making it. It’s different in the artworld - you doing your own thing.

Kev’s new album is out on all platforms now. The Deepening. “It’s about expressing yourself more in a deep way.”

I purchased the album through Itunes after this conversation. I tried to pay close attention to the lyrics. A lot of it was freaking hilarious! There are a few songs you hear and think “these are pretty full on”. That is his goal - to make people think more about what’s happening around the world, especially with the mainstream media’s delivery of “news.” It is $12 on Itunes and although I thought at first I would purchase it just to support a friend but after listening I actually enjoyed the music.

Connect with Kev and follow him on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deepgordon

About David Mead:

David played 14 years of professional rugby league, representing the Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans, Catalans Dragons, and captaining the PNG Kumuls. With over 230 professional games and 15 international appearances , he’s gained valuable insight into what it takes to perform at the highest level. Now, through conversations with fellow athletes, business minds, and community leaders, David shares real stories and lessons to inspire and empower the next generation.

Connect with David:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidmead411?lang=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@davidmeadpodcast

Hanan Laban is the current CEO of the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Queensland Cup rugby league competition.

We speak about:

The upbringing he had with his Samoan family.

The hard work his grandparents did that laid a good platform to help him and his family to be able to get their education.

The skills that were transferable from the banking industry to CEO as Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

Having structure in the morning is important to a good start, especially with kids.

How a local village in the Pacific can build a good and strong rugby league club.

What young athletes need to do to make sure their finances are in order.

The leadership style that helps guide his decisions.

Hanan is a supporter of the Men Of League Foundation.

https://menofleague.com

Teamwork and mateship have been the cornerstones of rugby league since its inception. Whether you are an ex-player, an administrator, referee, or club volunteer; whether you are a man, woman or child, Men of League Foundation protects and enhances lives while respecting each individual’s dignity. The vision was to build a foundation that provided practical assistance and social support, and this vision has been realised.

Connect with Hanan on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanan-laban-82584955/

About David Mead:

David played 14 years of professional rugby league, representing the Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans, Catalans Dragons, and captaining the PNG Kumuls. With over 230 professional games and 15 international appearances , he’s gained valuable insight into what it takes to perform at the highest level. Now, through conversations with fellow athletes, business minds, and community leaders, David shares real stories and lessons to inspire and empower the next generation.

Connect with David:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidmead411?lang=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@davidmeadpodcast

Dave Donaghy is the CEO of the Brisbane Broncos — one of the most iconic sporting organisations in Australia. This past year has brought its challenges, but also strong results off the field and a clear long-term vision as Brisbane prepares for a golden decade leading into the Olympics.

I asked Dave about how a vision is built — not just because I’m curious, but because I want the rugby league community in my home country in Papua New Guinea to hear how one of the biggest clubs in the world sets direction, stays focused, and gets results.

What stood out is how simple the process can be when done well:

“What do we need to start doing, stop doing, and keep doing?”

“What’s worked? What hasn’t?”

“Was the timing just not right?”

“Listen to the people who’ve been here longer than you.”

This episode reminds us that you don’t need a lot of resources to make progress — small actions like staying focused, asking the right questions, and committing to your vision day by day can take you a long way, no matter where you’re from.

We also chat about procrastination, productivity, leadership, and stories from Dave’s journey — from Melbourne Storm to the Broncos.

Dave is a proud supporter of the Carl Webb Foundation, helping raise awareness and support for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) — a condition affecting some of rugby league’s toughest players, including Carl Webb, my former PNG teammate Tu’u Maori, and the UK’s Rob Burrow. 👉 Learn more or donate: https://www.carlwebbfoundation.org

Connect with Dave and follow him on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-donaghy-03795736/

About David Mead:

David played 14 years of professional rugby league, representing the Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans, Catalans Dragons, and captaining the PNG Kumuls. With over 230 professional games and 15 international appearances , he’s gained valuable insight into what it takes to perform at the highest level. Now, through conversations with fellow athletes, business minds, and community leaders, David shares real stories and lessons to inspire and empower the next generation.

Connect with David and follow him on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidmead411?lang=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@davidmeadpodcast

Jordan Riki was born in Raglan, New Zealand, and raised in a strong Māori culture surrounded by leadership and guidance. At just 17, he made the big move to Australia to chase his NRL dream — but without his support system, the journey nearly slipped away.

In this episode, Jordan opens up about the tough moments early on, how the Broncos’ mentoring program helped him stay focused, and how it felt to finally crack the top grade. We also dive into the emotional toll of social media — how the things people say online really do have an effect, and how he’s learned to handle the pressure that comes with being in the spotlight.

We talk about his upbringing, the lessons that keep him grounded, what helps him feel and perform at his best, and how he continues to grow on and off the field.

Connect with Jordan and follow him on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanriki/

About David Mead:

David played 14 years of professional rugby league, representing the Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans, Catalans Dragons, and captaining the PNG Kumuls. With over 230 professional games and 15 international appearances , he’s gained valuable insight into what it takes to perform at the highest level. Now, through conversations with fellow athletes, business minds, and community leaders, David shares real stories and lessons to inspire and empower the next generation.

Connect with David and follow him on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidmead411?lang=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@davidmeadpodcast