Inside The Cube

What does it take to rise from the retail floor at 16 to become CEO of two of Australia’s most iconic fashion brands?

Former Sportsgirl and Sussan CEO Colleen Callander joins Kate and Tobi on Hear Me ROAR to share the real story behind her extraordinary leadership journey.

After more than 30 years in Australian retail, including 13 years as CEO, Colleen stepped away from the executive office to begin a new chapter as a bestselling author, keynote speaker, business adviser and founder of Mentor Me Women.

This conversation explores:

• Colleen’s rise from Just Jeans to the CEO office
• The difference between authority and genuine leadership
• Why people-first cultures drive stronger performance
• The personal cost of burnout
• Building confidence through deliberate action
• Why kindness and accountability belong together
• Walking away from a successful career to begin again
• Helping more women find their voice and back themselves

Colleen’s story is a powerful reminder that confidence is not something you are born with. It is something you build, one courageous decision at a time.

Connect With Colleen:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-callander-919678140/ 

Connect With Kate:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katesavebefitfood/ 

Connect With Tobi:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobiskovron/ 

Show Links:

https://befitfood.com.au/ 

https://cubes.co/ 

For the record, Tech Bros was not written about Gavin Appel and Tobi Skovron. Our lawyers have asked us to make that very clear 🤣

But we do have plenty to say about what’s moving across startups, technology and venture capital.

In the latest episode of This Month in Venture, Gavin and Tobi

unpack the biggest moves, emerging trends and conversations shaping the ecosystem right now.

Sharp insights, honest opinions and zero promises of becoming a unicorn overnight.

Enjoy the latest pod.

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Connect With Gavin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinappel/ 

Connect With Tobi:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobiskovron/ 

Show Links:

https://www.ignitionlane.com/ 

https://cubes.co/

What happens when the world tells you what you can’t do, but you refuse to accept the limits?

Matt Formston OAM has just 3% peripheral vision and no central vision. Yet he became a Paralympian, a world champion cyclist and a three-time world para-surfing champion.

In this powerful episode of Hear Me ROAR, Matt joins Tobi Skovron and Kate Save to unpack the mindset behind his extraordinary journey. From losing his sight as a child to representing Australia on the world stage, Matt reveals how he turned adversity into fuel and fear into forward momentum.

This conversation explores resilience, identity, leadership, fatherhood and what becomes possible when you stop allowing circumstances to write your story.

Matt does not just challenge perceptions of disability. He challenges the limits we place on ourselves.

Watch now and discover what it truly means to ROAR.

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Connect With Matt:

https://www.instagram.com/mattformston/ 

Connect With Kate:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katesavebefitfood/ 

Connect With Tobi:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobiskovron/ 

Show Links:

https://befitfood.com.au/ 

https://cubes.co/ 

What if workplace wellbeing could be measured and managed with the same discipline used in elite sport?

Simon Kearney, co-founder of Readiness, joins Hear Me ROAR to unpack the connection between wellbeing, mental safety and sustainable high performance.

Drawing on more than 20 years in elite sport, Simon reveals why too many organisations wait until their people are struggling before taking action, how leaders can identify psychosocial risks earlier, and why proactive wellbeing is not simply a people initiative. It is a performance strategy.

This is a powerful conversation about leadership, culture and building workplaces where people do not merely cope. They thrive.

If you lead people, build teams or care about creating a healthier, higher-performing workplace, this episode is a must-listen.

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Connect With Simon:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-kearney-86a819145/ 

Connect With Kate:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katesavebefitfood/ 

Connect With Tobi:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobiskovron/ 

Show Links:

https://www.readiness.com.au/ 

https://befitfood.com.au/ 

https://cubes.co/ 

Stephanie Sanzo is one of Australia’s most recognised strength coaches, fitness creators and transformation specialists.

Known globally as “Steph Fit Mum”, Steph has built a powerful community by helping people become stronger, move with confidence and transform their bodies through intelligent, progressive strength training.

On this episode of the Hear Me ROAR Podcast, Steph joins Kate and Tobi to unpack the story behind the strength.From building her personal brand and launching the LIFTit App to becoming a leading voice across powerlifting, bodybuilding, glute development and physique transformation, Steph shares the mindset, discipline and resilience required to create lasting results - in fitness, business and life.

This conversation explores:

• The journey behind “Steph Fit Mum”
• How Steph built a globally recognised fitness brand
• Why strength training can transform far more than your physique
• The truth about progressive overloadBuilding confidence through physical strength
• Powerlifting, bodybuilding and sustainable body transformation
• Growing an engaged online fitness community
• Turning knowledge and influence into a scalable business
• The creation and growth of the LIFTit AppManaging pressure, expectations and life in the public eye
• The routines and standards behind Steph’s success
• Her advice for anyone ready to become physically and mentally stronger

Steph’s story is proof that strength is not something you are born with. It is something you build - one decision, one repetition and one challenge at a time.

Whether you are passionate about fitness, building a personal brand, growing a business or creating a stronger version of yourself, this episode delivers serious value.

Watch the full episode and discover what it really takes to build strength that carries into every part of life.

Subscribe to Hear Me ROAR for powerful conversations with founders, leaders, athletes and change-makers who are building remarkable lives and businesses.

Connect With Steph:

https://www.instagram.com/stephaniesanzo/

Connect With Kate:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katesavebefitfood/

Connect With Tobi:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobiskovron/

Show Links:

https://befitfood.com.au/

https://cubes.co/

Tara Jarrett, Founder and CEO of @pilates 24/7, joins Kateand Tobi on the Hear Me ROAR podcast to unpack the experience, resilience and sharp commercial thinking behind her rapidly growing fitness business.

After launching her first business at just 22, Tara spent three decades across education, fitness, health and entrepreneurship. She describes that journey as the “world’s longest apprenticeship” - one that ultimately prepared her to create a more accessible, affordable and flexible approach to Reformer Pilates.

On this episode, Tara reveals how @pilates 24/7 combines on-demand technology with genuine in-studio support, giving members the freedom to train around work, family and real life.

We discuss:

• The problem that inspired @pilates 24/7
• Building the world’s first dedicated 24/7 Pilates franchise
• Turning decades of experience into explosive business growth
• Why flexibility is reshaping the fitness industry
• Combining technology with human connection

• Building an inclusive, judgement-free community
• Tara’s biggest lessons from 30 years in business

This is a brilliant conversation about spotting overlooked opportunities, backing your experience and building a business that creates genuine impact.

Pilates when you want. Support when you need.

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Connect WithTara:

https://atpilates.studio/ 

Connect With Kate:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katesavebefitfood/ 

Connect With Tobi:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobiskovron/ 

Show Links:

https://befitfood.com.au/ 

https://cubes.co/ 

The AI rocket ship keeps climbing, and Australian founders and investors are firmly onboard.

Blackbird made its largest single-round investment, backing Baseten’s A$1.5 billion Series F with more than A$200 million. Australian entrepreneur Tim Davis sold four-year-old AI startup Modular to Qualcomm in a staggering A$5.6 billion all-scrip deal. Meanwhile, Airwallex added A$4 billion to its valuation in just six months, reaching A$16 billion as it raises hundreds of millions to prioritise AI over an IPO.

Closer to home, Innovation Victoria officially launched as LaunchVic folded into Breakthrough Victoria, ending a decade-long chapter. The CGT debate intensified, with 12 technology leaders warning the Treasurer that the proposed changes could stifle innovation. And Canva kept shipping, unveiling Canva Code 2.0 to turn plain-language prompts into interactive websites, apps and digital experiences.

The billionaires were circling too. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez hit Sydney, Bill Gates explored the potential of outback data centres, and Elon Musk watched SpaceX shares fall below their June IPO price.

Big money. Bigger valuations. Billionaire sightings. And absolutely no shortage of AI.

Gavin and Tobi unpack what moved, what mattered and what it means for Australian venture.

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Connect With Gavin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinappel/ 

Connect With Tobi:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobiskovron/ 

Show Links:

https://www.ignitionlane.com/ 

https://cubes.co/ 

Hughsey Says What Small Business Is Thinking

Victoria is spending big, borrowing bigger and asking small business to carry the weight.

In this explosive episode of the Hear Me ROAR Podcast, Kate Save and Tobi Skovron sit down with Australian comedy icon Dave Hughes - Hughsey - for an unfiltered conversation about Victoria’s alleged corruption, government waste, rising taxes and the mounting pressure on small-business owners.

Hughsey has become increasingly vocal about alleged overpayments and misconduct connected to Victoria’s Big Build. He has questioned how taxpayers can keep absorbing project blowouts while the state’s debt climbs, household costs rise and business owners fight to remain viable. He has also criticised political pay rises, the illicit tobacco trade, organised crime and what he sees as a dangerous lack of government accountability.

These concerns sit within a much larger public debate. A 2026 report commissioned by the CFMEU administrator alleged corruption and criminal influence may have added as much as $15 billion to Victorian infrastructure costs. That estimate remains disputed by the Victorian Government, which attributes much of the escalation to inflation, wages, materials and pandemic-era disruption.

But the cost of failure does not disappear. It flows through the economy as higher debt, heavier taxes, weaker confidence and less room to support the people creating jobs.

Australia had more than 2.7 million actively trading businesses at 30 June 2025. These businesses are not a side story - they are the heartbeat of the economy.

This conversation goes beyond politics. It is about trust, accountability and whether Victoria is still giving entrepreneurs a fair court to play on.

Watch the full episode and decide for yourself:

Does Victoria have a corruption problem, and who is ultimately paying the price?

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Connect With Hughsey:

https://www.instagram.com/dhughesy 

Connect With Kate:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katesavebefitfood/ 

Connect With Tobi:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobiskovron/ 

Show Links:

https://befitfood.com.au/ 

https://cubes.co/ 

Owen Foxwell is taking one of the most unconventional paths in modern basketball - leaving an established professional career in Australia to become a college athlete in the United States.At just 22, Owen departs the South East Melbourne Phoenix after five seasons and 110 NBL games. He joined the club as an 18-year-old development player, earned a full roster position, became its starting point guard and finished as the longest-serving player on the Phoenix roster. He was also only the fourth player in franchise history to reach 100 games.During his breakout NBL26 campaign, Owen averaged 10.8 points, 4.5 assists and 3 rebounds per game, establishing himself as one of Australia’s most promising young guards. His performances earned nominations for both the NBL Next Generation Award and Most Improved Player.Now, the 188 cm point guard is heading to the University of Wisconsin to play NCAA Division I basketball for the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Conference. He will reunite with former Phoenix teammate and fellow Australian Austin Rapp, bringing five years of professional experience into one of the biggest stages in American college sport.Owen’s résumé extends well beyond the NBL. He helped the Eltham Wildcats win the 2024 NBL1 South Championship, producing 26 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals in the Grand Final. Across that season, he averaged 20.4 points, 5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2 steals per game.In New Zealand, Owen delivered 17.6 points and a league-leading 8 assists per game for the Taranaki Airs. He also represented the Australian Boomers at the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, averaging 7.8 points, 3.2 assists and 2.7 rebounds as Australia secured the gold medal.This is not a step backwards. It is a different runway.College basketball has changed dramatically through NIL opportunities, increased international recruitment and greater global exposure. Owen arrives in Wisconsin not simply with potential, but with the composure, leadership and competitive experience built through more than 100 professional games.On this episode of Hear Me ROAR, Owen joins Kate and Tobi to unpack the courage required to change direction, the lessons learned inside professional basketball, his connection to the Phoenix and why the next stage of his journey will take place in the United States.It is a conversation about ambition, timing, resilience and recognising when an unexpected opportunity may be the right one.Subscribe to Hear Me ROAR for more honest conversations with athletes, entrepreneurs and leaders building their careers on their own terms...Connect With Owen:https://www.instagram.com/owenfoxwell Connect With Kate:https://www.linkedin.com/in/katesavebefitfood/ Connect With Tobi:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobiskovron/ .Show Links:https://befitfood.com.au/ https://cubes.co/

On this episode of Hear Me ROAR, we sit down with Olga Abeysekera, a powerhouse in higher education, professional pathways, management consulting and business development.With deep experience helping people and organisations unlock progress, Olga brings a sharp lens to learning, growth, career direction and continuous improvement. Through her work with Dr Progress, she is helping people move from uncertainty to clarity, and from potential to real momentum.This conversation is about more than education. It is about backing yourself, building pathways, staying curious and creating progress with purpose.Pull up a seat. This one is full of wisdom, energy and real-world perspective.Connect With Olga:https://www.linkedin.com/in/olga-abeysekera-9889441b4/ Connect With Kate:https://www.linkedin.com/in/katesavebefitfood/ Connect With Tobi:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobiskovron/ Show Links:drprogress.com.au https://befitfood.com.au/ https://cubes.co/