We end 2018 with some reflection, picking up on an episode we recorded almost a year ago to the day.

It was episode 100, when Rooster Radio co-host James Begley unpacked what was the hardest year of his life, in raw detail.

A number of our listeners were a bit stunned - it seems not many people understand the financial and personal impact that running a startup can have. After posting the episode, there were more than a few phone calls from concerned mates asking if Begs was holding up ok.

(But there are many gold nuggets on business and resilience in that episode, so make sure you wind back to episode 100 if you haven't already - here's the link.)

Now, a year later, a lot has happened since that fateful episode. The rollercoaster has continued, but this time with more amazing successes and achievements. James' startup PickStar got funded, launched new tech, grew significantly and the future looks bright .. and yet, of course, 'the unknown' always remains.

So in this episode, Andrew put Begs under the microscope ... enjoy the insights and reflections.

Rooster Radio is hosted by Andrew Montesi and James Begley - visit http://roosterradio.biz

Connect with Rooster Radio - sign up to our mailing list at http://roosterradio.biz and join our Facebook community at http://facebook.com/roosterradioHQ

For podcasting strategy, production and commercial services, visit Apiro Media http://apiropodcasts.com

For other content and marketing services, visit Apiro Consulting http://apiroconsulting.com (Andrew Montesi).

For leadership and and high performance services, connect with James Begley http://jamesbegley.com.au

Tobi Pearce and his fiancee Kayla Itsines are behind the remarkable Adelaide based fitness empire Sweat, which is hitting around $100 million in annual revenue, and saw the couple's wealth valued at $486 million on the AFR Young Rich List in 2018.

The company was initially built on the back of Kayla's unbelievable social media presence (which by the way has passed 10 million followers on Instagram and 23 million on Facebook) and their product, the Bikini Body Guide - giving users a work out plan, nutrition information, recipes and more.

Now, Sweat is becoming the 'Netflix of health and fitness' with millions around the world consuming content on a monthly subscription via the Sweat app.

It is hard to believe that just 10 years ago, Tobi was homeless and trying to find his way in life.

We talk about his personal journey and meeting Kayla.

We go deep into the mechanics of how the duo built this amazing company and the strategy behind it.

Tobi also talks about managing rapid growth, leadership, dealing with success and the limelight, building in Adelaide and so much more.

Tobi is a fascinating guy with plenty of surprises, including a musical background which may just be one of the secrets to his success.

Rooster Radio is hosted by Andrew Montesi and James Begley - visit http://roosterradio.biz

Connect with Rooster Radio - sign up to our mailing list at http://roosterradio.biz and join our Facebook community at http://facebook.com/roosterradioHQ

For podcasting strategy, production and commercial services, visit Apiro Media http://apiropodcasts.com

For other content and marketing services, visit Apiro Consulting http://apiroconsulting.com (Andrew Montesi).

For leadership and and high performance services, connect with James Begley http://jamesbegley.com.au

Dr Michelle Perugini is an academic, entrepreneur, and an internationally renowned expert in health, medical research, advanced analytics, and cognitive AI.

Michelle spent the first 13 years of her career in health and medical research, specialising in predictive genetics and translational medicine.

Michelle then co-founded global technology company ISD Analytics with her husband Don, who is also an accomplished scientist, selling the business to Ernst and Young (EY) in 2015.

With little time to rest, the Perugini's founded Life Whisperer, a company that uses technology to help improve the chances of IVF couples having children. This is AI-driven, cloud based image analysis that improves the accuracy of healthy embryo selection in IVF. In conjunction with Life Whisperer, the duo also launched another AI company, Presagen.

It has been a remarkable journey for someone who didn't feel born for entrepreneurship. Michelle shares her story, the naivety of her approach to her first company, and the learnings from that experience that she has taken into Life Whisperer and Presagen today.

Michelle is speaking at Southstart in 2018, a conference that celebrates the collision of people, ideas and technology on 22 and 23 November 2018 in Adelaide. Make sure you join and support Adelaide's startup community.

More on Life Whisperer - https://www.lifewhisperer.co/

More on Presagen - https://www.presagen.com/

More info here https://southstart.co

Rooster Radio is hosted by Andrew Montesi and James Begley - visit http://roosterradio.biz

Connect with Rooster Radio - sign up to our mailing list at http://roosterradio.biz and join our Facebook community at http://facebook.com/roosterradioHQ

For podcasting strategy, production and commercial services, visit Apiro Media http://apiropodcasts.com

For other content and marketing services, visit Apiro Consulting http://apiroconsulting.com (Andrew Montesi).

For leadership and and high performance services, connect with James Begley http://jamesbegley.com.au

"I opened my cab door that morning, and watched the first plane crash into the building above our heads."

Antony Ceravolo was living the corporate life as an investment banker in New York's World Trade Center when he saw the 9/11 attacks happen in front of his eyes. It was the series of moments that would change the world, including his own. In the fallout, many investment bankers lost their jobs and Antony was forced to turn to his own business ideas.

Now, Antony is known for building global tech companies. First there was Red Bus Media, an out of home media network, and then LoveFilm, a DVD distribution and video streaming company that Antony sold to Amazon for around $AU300 million.

He could've comfortably stopped there. Instead, he moved home to Adelaide and built his next company, Sine, developing technology to make it easy for visitors, contractors and staff to check in to the everyday locations they attend. Sine has checked in more than 20 million visitors, working with some of the world's biggest brands as well as every day businesses.

Antony shares his amazing story, as well as insights about winning early customers, scaling businesses and dealing with growing pains, why he has chosen Adelaide to build his global business .. and much, much more.

Antony is speaking at Southstart in 2018, a conference that celebrates the collision of people, ideas and technology on 22 and 23 November 2018 in Adelaide. Make sure you join and support Adelaide's startup community.

More info here https://southstart.co

Rooster Radio is hosted by Andrew Montesi and James Begley - visit http://roosterradio.biz

Connect with Rooster Radio - sign up to our mailing list at http://roosterradio.biz and join our Facebook community at http://facebook.com/roosterradioHQ

For podcasting strategy, production and commercial services, visit Apiro Media http://apiropodcasts.com

For other content and marketing services, visit Apiro Consulting http://apiroconsulting.com (Andrew Montesi).

For leadership and and high performance services, connect with James Begley http://jamesbegley.com.au

It has been quite some time since our last episode (sorry), we took a break from Rooster HQ to focus on our REAL businesses.

But now we're back with our SouthStart series, which we're excited about. We're interviewing some of the stars of the Southstart Conference, which celebrates the collision of people, ideas and technology in Adelaide on November 21 to 23.

And first cab off the rank is the man behind SouthStart in 2018, Craig Swann. SouthStart fell into the hands of Craig and his business partners last year, and he has done an amazing job pulling together a world class event and activating an 'interesting' startup community in Adelaide.

Craig is a highly successful global innovator, in his own right. The Canadian founded companies in New York City, including award winning interactive agency CRASHMEDIA and the internet's first online music studio, Looplabs.

Millions of people have benefited from Craig's innovations, including Steve Jobs, who demoed Looplabs for the launch of the Safari Browser at an Apple Keynote. Craig has since become an industry thought leader in the interactive music space; authoring books, speaking internationally, teaching, curating technology events and developing and licensing customized online music experiences for top global brands.

He has received special recognition at SxSW and has won the prestigious Webby Award.

Before we get into Craig's fascinating story, make sure you open your browser now and check out southstart.co. Southstart is activating Adelaide's startup community by bringing together innovators, creators, founders and investors on November 22 and 23, in 2018 .. get involved, grab a ticket and we'll see you there. If you're late to this interview and have realised you've missed the event, make sure you sign up to the mailing list and follow Southstart on social media, and join the community.

More info on SouthStart here https://southstart.co

Check out Looplabs https://www.looplabs.com/

Rooster Radio is hosted by Andrew Montesi and James Begley - visit http://roosterradio.biz

Connect with Rooster Radio - sign up to our mailing list at http://roosterradio.biz and join our Facebook community at http://facebook.com/roosterradioHQ

For podcasting strategy, production and commercial services, visit Apiro Media http://apiropodcasts.com

For other content and marketing services, visit Apiro Consulting http://apiroconsulting.com (Andrew Montesi).

For leadership and and high performance services, connect with James Begley http://jamesbegley.com.au

Dr Phillp Alvelda is one of America's Leading tech engineers and minds.

A pioneer in Artificial Intelligence, Dr Alvelda has been developing anthropomorphic AI and machine learning tools, digital twins, and synthetic personalities.

He is the founding CEO of Cortical.AI, and is formerly of NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Agency (a department of the US Defence Force). He also founded Mobi TV, the first company to bring live TV to mobile devices.

Dr Alvelda is at the forefront of a world where technology is advancing mankind, pioneering a brain-machine interface industry that helps the blind see, the deaf hear and the paralysed regain movement.

And yet fear of AI and a perceived threat of robots remains, concerns that Dr Alvelda addresses in our interview.

We cover that and a range of other issues including the future of anthropomorphic AI, opportunities, ethical considerations and much more.

Dr Alvelda will be in Adelaide sharing his insights at Hybrid World, a tech conference held on July 23 and 24, 2018. Find out more at the Hybrid World website. http://hybridworldadelaide.org

Most governments and leaders are grappling with the challenge of transitioning to a culture innovation where both people and business prosper. Finland has done this, and more.Rooster Radio jumped onto Skype and called in to Helsinki for an interview with Andrew Noel-Chaker, who has spent more than 25 years living in Finland studying it’s business culture.His books, The Finnish Miracle and The Finnish Miracle - One Hundred Years of Success, are best sellers, revealing Nordic insights into achieving business and personal success.You’re probably asking .. why Finland and why should we care?Andre tells us that Finland has developed a culture of entrepreneurship, courage, trust and invested heavily into it’s people. The economic and social outcomes have been remarkable, and there is much for countries like Australia to learn.Andre will be in Adelaide sharing his insights at Hybrid World, a tech conference held on July 23 and 24, 2018.Also within the event is HWA LAB, which brings together entrepreneurs and mentors to collaborate and develop new projects, products and plans that use digital technology to further advance their industry.Find out more about Hybrid World: http://hybridworldadelaide.orgRooster Radio is hosted by Andrew Montesi and James Begley - visit http://roosterradio.biz Connect with Rooster Radio - sign up to our mailing list at http://roosterradio.biz and join our Facebook community at http://facebook.com/roosterradioHQ For podcasting strategy, production and commercial services, visit Apiro Media http://apiropodcasts.com For other content and marketing services, visit Apiro Consulting http://apiroconsulting.com (Andrew Montesi).For leadership and and high performance services, connect with James Begley http://jamesbegley.com.au

Most governments and leaders are grappling with the challenge of transitioning to a culture of innovation where both people and business prosper. Finland has done this, and more.Rooster Radio jumped onto Skype and called in to Helsinki for an interview with Andre Noel Chaker, who has spent more than 25 years living in Finland studying it’s business culture.His books, The Finnish Miracle and The Finnish Miracle - One Hundred Years of Success, are best sellers, revealing Nordic insights into achieving business and personal success.You’re probably asking .. why Finland and why should we care?Andre tells us that Finland has developed a culture of entrepreneurship, courage, trust and invested heavily into its people. The economic and social outcomes have been remarkable, and there is much for countries like Australia to learn.Andre will be in Adelaide sharing his insights at Hybrid World, a tech conference held on July 23 and 24, 2018.Also within the event is HWA LAB, which brings together entrepreneurs and mentors to collaborate and develop new projects, products and plans that use digital technology to further advance their industry.Find out more about Hybrid World: http://hybridworldadelaide.orgRooster Radio is hosted by Andrew Montesi and James Begley - visit http://roosterradio.biz Connect with Rooster Radio - sign up to our mailing list at http://roosterradio.biz and join our Facebook community at http://facebook.com/roosterradioHQ For podcasting strategy, production and commercial services, visit Apiro Media http://apiropodcasts.com For other content and marketing services, visit Apiro Consulting http://apiroconsulting.com (Andrew Montesi).For leadership and and high performance services, connect with James Begley http://jamesbegley.com.au

Most governments and leaders are grappling with the challenge of transitioning to a culture of innovation where both people and business prosper. Finland has done this, and more.

Rooster Radio jumped onto Skype and called in to Helsinki for an interview with Andre Noel Chaker, who has spent more than 25 years living in Finland studying it's business culture.

His books, The Finnish Miracle and The Finnish Miracle - One Hundred Years of Success, are best sellers, revealing Nordic insights into achieving business and personal success.

You're probably asking .. why Finland and why should we care?

Andre tells us that Finland has developed a culture of entrepreneurship, courage, trust and invested heavily into its people. The economic and social outcomes have been remarkable, and there is much for countries like Australia to learn.

Andre will be in Adelaide sharing his insights at Hybrid World, a tech conference held on July 23 and 24, 2018.

Find out more about Hybrid World: http://hybridworldadelaide.org

Rooster Radio is hosted by Andrew Montesi and James Begley - visit http://roosterradio.biz

Connect with Rooster Radio - sign up to our mailing list at http://roosterradio.biz and join our Facebook community at http://facebook.com/roosterradioHQ

For podcasting strategy, production and commercial services, visit Apiro Media http://apiropodcasts.com

For other content and marketing services, visit Apiro Consulting http://apiroconsulting.com (Andrew Montesi).

For leadership and and high performance services, connect with James Begley http://jamesbegley.com.au

Back in episode 86 we talked to Paul van der Linden, who quit his job at IBM to start his own technology company, outThought.

At the time, Paul talked about the hopes, fears and challenges of leaving the corporate life to pursue his dreams (If you missed the chat, click here http://roosterradio.biz/blog/2017/7/24/ep-86-the-jump-case-study-part-1-paul-van-der-lindens-hopes-and-fears-after-quitting-ibm)

Almost a year later, we sit down with Paul again for Part 2 to talk about how his journey has progressed - expectations versus the reality of starting his company, which is at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence, virtual assistants and bot technology.

Paul talks about winning his first clients, the early successes, struggles and evolution of the business ... as well as his own personal development throughout the process.

Go back to Part 1 here http://roosterradio.biz/blog/2017/7/24/ep-86-the-jump-case-study-part-1-paul-van-der-lindens-hopes-and-fears-after-quitting-ibm

Find out more about outThought - http://outthought.co

Rooster Radio is hosted by Andrew Montesi and James Begley - visit http://roosterradio.biz

Connect with Rooster Radio - sign up to our mailing list at http://roosterradio.biz and join our Facebook community at http://facebook.com/roosterradioHQ

For podcasting strategy, production and commercial services, visit Apiro Media http://apiropodcasts.com

For other content and marketing services, visit Apiro Consulting http://apiroconsulting.com (Andrew Montesi).

For leadership and and high performance services, connect with James Begley http://jamesbegley.com.au