One True Measure

Blake and the team sit down to discuss the conversation with Ben Franks. In the chat the team talk through what actually builds a winning culture like the All Blacks', the discipline and preparation behind absorbing punishment in one of rugby's toughest positions, and why consistency often matters more than talent at the elite level. They also unpack Ben's transition from two-time World Cup winner to coach, and what he believes separates great teams from merely good ones.

The One True Measure:

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Blake and the team sit down to discuss the conversation with David Knoff.In the chat, the team talk through what it takes to lead a team of 24 through an Antarctic winter with no way home, the difference between leading in a war zone versus leading in total isolation, and why uncertainty tests resilience more than danger ever does. They also unpack the lessons from 537 Days of Winter and why David believes humanity's most extreme environments have the most to teach us about ourselves.

The One True Measure:

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Blake and the team sit down to discuss the conversation with Dr William von Hippel.In the chat, the team talk through why our evolutionary wiring still shapes modern happiness, the tension between social status and social connection, and what Bill's research reveals about why humans are wired to care so deeply about what others think. They also unpack the ideas behind The Social Paradox and why understanding our ancestral past might be the key to a happier present.

The One True Measure:

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Blake and the team sit down to discuss the conversation with Peter Scott, their takeaways, key learnings, as well as going deep on leadership.In the chat, the team talk through what it takes to lead a crew through fires, floods, and explosions hundreds of metres underwater, the mindset behind passing Perisher, the world's toughest command course and how command at sea translates to leadership on land. They also unpack Peter's shift from submarine commander to executive coach, and why he believes real leadership comes down to trust built long before the crisis hits.

The One True Measure:

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Blake and the team sit down to discuss the conversation with Jenny and episode 2, their takeaways, key learns as well as heading down a few philosophical rabbit holes.

In the chat the team talk through the reality of burnout even for the experts, the importance of prevention over cure, rebuilding identity beyond your career, and how. In Jenny's words, a thriving mind starts with the small stuff.

The One True Measure:

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Blake and the team sit down to discuss the conversation with Ben and episode 1, their takeaways, key learns as well as a heading down a few philosophical rabbit holes.

In the chat the team talk through the importance of authenticity, humility in the face of success, the importance of Resilience in modern life and how to in Ben's words, To go always a little further!

The One True Measure:

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Dr Dan Pronk is a former Australian Army Special Forces combat doctor, author, entrepreneur, and leadership speaker.

Dan originally pursued his goal of competing professionally in Trialathon before gaining an Army scholarship to study medicine. Following his medical training, Dan then went on to complete the demanding SASR selection course before joining special operations.

During his military career, he served alongside both the SASR and the 2nd Commando Regiment, providing frontline medical care in high-risk combat environments on four deployments to Afghanistan. On his second deployment, he was awarded the Commendation for Distinguished Service for leadership in action.

Following his military service, Dan transitioned to civilian medicine, working in emergency departments and medical leadership roles. He is also a part-owner and Medical Director of TacMed Australia, starred as the on-set doctor for the hit television program SAS Australia, and regularly delivers presentations on resilience, leadership, and high performance.

As an author, Dan has written several books, including The Combat Doctor, a memoir about battlefield medicine and the psychological effects of war; The Resilience Shield with his brother Ben and Tim Curtis, which outlines practical strategies for building resilience; and Average 70kg D**khead, which shares lessons on goal setting, discipline, and personal development.
Dan has spoken openly about his own struggles with post-traumatic stress and the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life.

Through his writing, public speaking, and clinical work, he advocates for evidence-based approaches to resilience, mental health, and performance for veterans, emergency responders, and the wider community.

Dan holds a Bachelor of Exercise Science, A Bachelor of Medicine, a Bachelor of Surgery, A Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, a Master of Business Administration, and an Associate Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators.

Dan is married to a very tolerant wife, the proud father of three boys, ice bath officnado, car enthusiast, and owner of three businesses and counting.

The One True Measure:

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Mark Direen is a former member of the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) who served for 20 years in the Australian Army.

Mark enlisted in the Australian Army in 1993. After completing infantry training, he was posted to 1 RAR. While serving as an infantry sniper, he completed the demanding SASR selection process in 1997. Mark deployed on operations, including: security operations during the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, East Timor and five deployments to Afghanistan.

In 2007, while serving in Afghanistan, Mark was seriously wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED). Despite his injuries, he recovered and returned to operational service, completing further deployments.

In 2009, Mark worked as a security team leader at the Australian Embassy in Kabul, but later returned to the SAS to train new operators before deploying to Afghanistan once again. Mark spent almost two decades in Afghanistan, both with the SAS and as a security contractor and has a deep understanding of the people and culture.

After leaving the Army, Mark became an expedition guide leading remote expeditions in places such as Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, and Tasmania. He also founded a leadership and resilience business called Point Assist. Wrote the thought-provoking book What’s the Point?, and created a Whiskey company honouring the sacrifice and service of those he served with, naming it Dog Tag Whiskey.

Mark has become a respected speaker on leadership, teamwork, resilience, and high-performance decision-making. Through interviews and public appearances, he has discussed both the demands of Special Forces service and the transition to civilian life, emphasising continuous learning and adapting after adversity.

The One True Measure:

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Julian Pace is the Founder and CEO of Happiness Co, a Perth-based social enterprise dedicated to improving mental health, wellbeing, and human connection. Inspired by his personal journey through profound loss, Julian has transformed adversity into a mission to help others build happier, more fulfilling lives.

Since founding Happiness Co in 2017, Julian has become one of Australia's leading voices in happiness, emotional wellbeing, and lived-experience mental health. An award-winning speaker, he has presented across 10 countries, reaching more than 63,000 people through keynote presentations, workshops, schools, community programs, and corporate events.

Julian has been featured on Sunrise, Today Tonight, SCA radio, multiple Seven West sites, and several other highly regarded channels on the topic of happiness. Known for his authentic storytelling and practical approach, Julian empowers individuals and organisations to take ownership of their wellbeing, develop resilience, and create positive change.
His work has earned recognition as an Australian of the Year Local Hero finalist, Mentor of the Year award winner, and National Small Business Champion. Happiness Co was also named as a finalist in the Telstra Business Award for the Social Change Maker category and is Perth’s Optus Stadium’s official “Purpose Partner”.

Today, Julian continues to lead Happiness Co's mission to create happier, healthier communities through education, coaching, events, and mental health initiatives across Australia, with the goal of positively impacting 10 million lives over the next 10 years.

Julian has also recently returned from hiking to the Everest and Annapurna base camps, raising awareness and over 165k for charity. When he is not doing all of these things, Julian is a husband and proud dad who is striving to balance family life and his passion for helping others live a happier life.

The One True Measure:

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James Jensen is a former Australian Army soldier and Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) Patrol Commander with more than 20 years of service in the Australian Army.

After graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy and the Royal Military College, James changed his career path, deciding instead to serve not as an officer but on the front line as an infantry soldier. He served in the infantry at 1RAR, deploying on operations to East Timor and Afghanistan before successfully completing SAS selection in 2010.

Over the following 14 years in the SAS, Jensen undertook multiple operational deployments, including tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, eventually rising to the role of Patrol Commander. James’s evolution from a junior leader in East Timor to leading some of Australia’s most elite teams at the SAS reshaped his understanding of what true leadership means.

Today, as a sought-after consultant, James works with organisations across various industries, helping leaders unlock their full potential and inspire greatness in their teams. His leadership expertise is still highly valued by the SAS, where he continues to train and mentor the next generation of SAS leaders. Following his military career, he founded K6 Consulting, where he helps organisations develop resilient leaders and high-performing teams.

Jensen is a widely recognised keynote speaker, with presentations that specialise in leadership under pressure, decision-making, accountability, and translating the principles of elite military units into practical strategies for business and organisational success.

The One True Measure:

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