A little less formal than usual for this one..

I sat down with good mates Fin Orphin and Jason Murdoch to talk all things training, programming and the reality of building a career in personal training, from coaching on the gym floor to taking things online.

Plenty of training chat, plenty of opinions, a few things we probably overthought, and the kind of conversations we’d normally be having anyway… we just happened to put microphones in front of us this time.

If you’re a PT, coach, love training, or just enjoy hearing three mates unpack the fitness industry, this one’s for you.

Most people only see the highlights. They don’t see the years of sacrifice, moving away from home, missing family events, dealing with injuries, or the pressure that comes with trying to make it as a professional athlete.

In this episode, Australian professional basketballer Reyne Smith joins us to unpack the journey from growing up in Tasmania, earning a scholarship at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence, competing in the NCAA, and making the jump into the NBL and Australian Boomers.  

We also dive into the realities of elite training, recovery, nutrition, hydration, and why even professional athletes are still learning how to optimise performance.

Whether you’re an aspiring athlete, coach, parent, or simply interested in what life is really like behind professional sport, this episode offers an honest look at the pathway to the top.

Topics covered:

• Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence
• NCAA basketball in the United States
• Transitioning to the NBL and Boomers
• The realities of professional sport
• Training and recovery
• Hydration and sweat testing
• Building habits that last
• Advice for young athletes

Ben Laverack is the owner of Clinic of Psychology and has worked as a psychologist for many years helping people navigate anxiety, burnout, relationships, high performance and everyday life.

Ben has also been my own psychologist for the past seven years, so this conversation goes beyond theory.

In this episode we discuss:
• Why we self-sabotage when things are going well.
• The hidden cost of people pleasing.
• Recognising burnout before it’s too late.
• Why so many high achievers struggle with their own mental health.
• Building healthier relationships and boundaries.
• Practical tools you can start using immediately.

Whether you’re an athlete, business owner, health professional or simply trying to become a better version of yourself, this episode is packed with practical insights that can improve your performance, relationships and wellbeing.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Your feet are the foundation of every step, sprint, jump and lift you do, but they’re often the last thing people think about until something hurts.

In this episode, I sit down with Justin Smith, founder of Achieve Podiatry and consultant podiatrist to the Newcastle Knights and Newcastle Jets, to unpack the biggest myths around feet, footwear and lower limb injuries.

We cover:
• Why foot pain is often only part of the problem.
• Performance shoes: what actually matters (and what doesn’t).
• When orthotics help.... and when they don’t.
• Strength vs support for long-term injury prevention.
• Common mistakes athletes and gym-goers make.
• How elite sporting teams approach lower limb performance.

My favourite part: Talking the realities on running a clinic, continuing sports & health activities and balancing parenting/family time.

Whether you’re a runner, gym enthusiast, weekend warrior or simply want to move without pain, this episode is packed with practical advice you can apply immediately.

What does it take to walk away from a secure job at just 25 years old and never experience “Mondayitis” again?

This week on Beyond the Table, I sit down with the GOAT of entertainment Glen James, the man behind Money Money Money, to talk about building a career on your own terms, creating real wealth, and designing a life you don’t need a holiday from.

In this episode we discuss:

• How Glen left his day job at just 25.
• How to know your worth and increase your earning potential.
• The mindset shifts that separate wealth builders from everyone else.
• Investing without overcomplicating it.
• Property, shares and where to start.
• Why financial freedom is about choices, not just money.
• Building a business, personal brand and life you genuinely enjoy.

Whether you’re trying to earn more, invest smarter, or simply stop dreading Mondays, this conversation is full of practical lessons that apply at every stage of your career.

If you enjoy the episode, follow Beyond the Table, leave a rating, and share it with someone who’s ready to build a life, and finances on their own terms.

Most people dream about starting a business. Very few build one valuable enough to sell.

In this episode, Michael Holt shares the full story behind building Cornerstone Strength & Conditioning from the ground up, growing it into one of the region’s leading athlete development facilities, and ultimately making the decision to sell.

We discuss the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the sacrifices required in the early years, what made the business attractive to a buyer, and the emotional reality of handing over something you’ve spent years building.

Whether you’re a coach, clinic owner, gym owner, or entrepreneur, this conversation offers a rare look at what happens after the hard work starts paying off.

In this episode we discuss:

• How Cornerstone started
• The biggest challenges during the growth phase
• Building systems and culture that scale
• What buyers look for in a business
• The process of preparing for a sale

• The emotional side of exiting a business
• Mistakes Michael would avoid if starting again
• Advice for health, fitness and allied health business owners

In this episode, I sit down with Blake Withers, sports podiatrist, host of the The Sports Medicine Project podcast, and current PhD candidate researching running injuries.

We dive into the most common injuries seen in runners, why they happen, and the practical strategies that can help reduce injury risk while keeping you training consistently. From load management and strength training to footwear, recovery, and returning from injury, this episode is packed with evidence-based advice for runners of all levels.

Whether you’re chasing a PB, training for your first event, or simply trying to stay injury-free, this conversation will help you run smarter and spend more time doing what you love.

Topics covered:

• Why runners get injured
• Training load and injury prevention
• Strength training for runners
• Footwear myths and realities
• Managing common running injuries
• Returning to running after injury
• The latest research in running injury prevention

🎙️ Hosted by Lachlan McPhee | Beyond The Table Podcast

Brodie Preston is a Torian Pro athlete, coach and owner of GRIT Performance Newcastle.

In this episode, we dive into what it takes to build resilience, not just in sport, but in life. From competing at an elite level and overcoming injuries and setbacks to leading a business and helping others perform at their best.

If you’ve ever faced a setback, struggled with motivation or wanted to understand what separates high performers from everyone else, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Beyond The Table, I sit down with orthopaedic surgeon Dr Jai Kumar to explore the evolving world of sports medicine, orthopaedics and injury recovery.

We discuss the latest advancements in orthopaedic surgery, how return-to-sport decision making has changed over recent years, and why some athletes seem to recover faster than others.

Perhaps the most interesting takeaway from this conversation is that while medicine continues to advance at a rapid pace, many of the factors that drive successful recovery remain surprisingly simple.

We cover:
• The future of orthopaedics and sports medicine
• Advances in surgical techniques

• Peptides
• Modern return-to-sport principles
• Why elite athletes often recover so well
• Biological augmentation and emerging technologies
• The role of sleep, nutrition and rehabilitation in recovery

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, clinician or someone currently dealing with an injury, this episode offers valuable insights into what drives successful outcomes and where the future of recovery may be heading.

Dr Jai Kumar is an orthopaedic surgeon with a special interest in sports injuries (Knee & Shoulder) and helping patients return to the activities they love. Jai is available for consults in Newcastle NSW.

Jason Murdoch.

Personal trainer who lives and breaths the industry. 20 years of experience in the space.

- Hybrid training

- Discipline

- Consistency compounds

- The world of instant gratification and how it kills effort