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Episode Summary:

In this week’s review, Ian Hawkins and Steve dive straight into a wild two days of Ashes cricket, unpacking the intensity, the momentum swings, and the brutal reality of facing England’s lightning-quick pace attack. From Australia’s early struggles to their composed second-innings fightback, the pair break down what really shifted the match and what it means heading into a pink-ball Test in Brisbane. They explore selection pressure on Usman Khawaja, Travis Head’s elevation as the people’s champ, and why Australia’s balance may need a rethink.

Away from the Ashes, Ian and Steve also weave through EPL chaos, including teammate blow-ups and iconic football fights from past eras, and touch on the state of rugby league’s R360 saga, player movement whispers, and the ongoing turbulence in Wallabies land. The episode balances insight, humour, and strong opinions, giving listeners both an analytical and entertaining wrap-up of a massive week in sport.

The conversation finishes with a look ahead to the next Test, the conditions at the Gabba, and what Australia must prepare for if England are going to unleash their quicks again. It’s a sharp, high-energy breakdown for fans who love sport, strategy, and a bit of banter along the way.

About the Host:

Ian Hawkins is dedicated to showing how sports can transform lives. With extensive experience as an athlete, a coach, PE teacher, community volunteer, and manager at Fox Sports, Ian brings a wealth of knowledge to the podcast. His journey began in his backyard, mentored by his older brother, and has since evolved into coaching elite athletes and business leaders. Ian's commitment to sports and personal development is evident in his roles as a performance coach and active community member. Through "Sport Is Life," Ian shares inspiring stories and valuable lessons to help listeners apply sports principles to all areas of life.

Join the 2025 Planning Session here https://www.facebook.com/share/1C6AqzhGeY/

Check Me Out On:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianhawkinscoaching  

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportIsLife-IanHawkins

Theme Music Artist:

One Day Kings https://www.instagram.com/onedaykings/

See https://www.captivate.fm/privacy-policy-for-listeners for privacy information.

If you want to get support directly from us to remove your repetitive self-doubt, join our FREE community: The Sport Is Life Movement - https://www.facebook.com/groups/sportislife

Ready to gain the clarity and direction to move forward with purpose, especially when life throws you a curveball? Join the Game Plan training today. https://www.ianhawkinscoaching.com/gameplanmembership

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Ian breaks down Travis Head’s extraordinary Ashes innings, not just as a standout performance, but as a masterclass in conviction, clarity, and backing your strengths. Using Travis Head’s bold approach at the crease as the anchor, Ian explores what happens when an athlete stops trying to be someone else and commits fully to their natural game. From reading conditions to simplifying his plan to playing without fear, Head’s mindset becomes a lens for high performance in sport and life.

Ian also unpacks the mental patterns that derail everyday performers, overthinking, drifting from your natural strengths, losing confidence under pressure, and contrasts them with the freedom that comes from clarity and self-belief. He looks at the decisions behind Head volunteering to open the batting, the leadership call to back him, and what it takes for anyone to step up with conviction when big moments arrive.

This episode becomes a practical blueprint: know what brings out your best; keep your plan simple; back yourself with intent. And if you struggle with that last part, Ian shares why belief is often borrowed first, from a coach, teammate, or mentor, until your own self-trust kicks in. A powerful, relatable, and actionable conversation on living your life the way Travis Head bats: with clarity, confidence, and the courage to play your own game.

About the Host:

Ian Hawkins is dedicated to showing how sports can transform lives. With extensive experience as an athlete, a coach, PE teacher, community volunteer, and manager at Fox Sports, Ian brings a wealth of knowledge to the podcast. His journey began in his backyard, mentored by his older brother, and has since evolved into coaching elite athletes and business leaders. Ian's commitment to sports and personal development is evident in his roles as a performance coach and active community member. Through "Sport Is Life," Ian shares inspiring stories and valuable lessons to help listeners apply sports principles to all areas of life.

Join the 2025 Planning Session here https://www.facebook.com/share/1C6AqzhGeY/

Check Me Out On:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianhawkinscoaching  

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportIsLife-IanHawkins

Theme Music Artist:

One Day Kings https://www.instagram.com/onedaykings/

See https://www.captivate.fm/privacy-policy-for-listeners for privacy information.

If you want to get support directly from us to remove your repetitive self-doubt, join our FREE community: The Sport Is Life Movement - https://www.facebook.com/groups/sportislife

Ready to gain the clarity and direction to move forward with purpose, especially when life throws you a curveball? Join the Game Plan training today. https://www.ianhawkinscoaching.com/gameplanmembership

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Ian breaks down the powerful scenes of Graham Arnold being embraced by his Iraqi players and staff after guiding Iraq into the next stage of World Cup qualifying. What looked like pure celebration was actually something deeper, a masterclass in leadership, unity, and human connection. Ian explores why moments like this don’t happen by chance; they’re built on trust, belonging, and a leader’s ability to bring people together around a shared purpose.

Drawing on stories from Australia’s own 2005 World Cup qualification, Ian uses the Arnold moment to highlight how teams, families, organisations, and communities can lift when everyone feels part of something bigger. He unpacks what genuine buy-in looks like, how culture shapes performance, and why great leadership starts at the top but grows through every layer of the group. The episode closes with a practical framework you can apply right now, whether you're leading a team, coaching athletes, running a business, or shaping the energy inside your own home, to create unity, remove friction, and build an environment where people thrive.

About the Host:

Ian Hawkins is dedicated to showing how sports can transform lives. With extensive experience as an athlete, a coach, PE teacher, community volunteer, and manager at Fox Sports, Ian brings a wealth of knowledge to the podcast. His journey began in his backyard, mentored by his older brother, and has since evolved into coaching elite athletes and business leaders. Ian's commitment to sports and personal development is evident in his roles as a performance coach and active community member. Through "Sport Is Life," Ian shares inspiring stories and valuable lessons to help listeners apply sports principles to all areas of life.

Join the 2025 Planning Session here https://www.facebook.com/share/1C6AqzhGeY/

Check Me Out On:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianhawkinscoaching  

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportIsLife-IanHawkins

Theme Music Artist:

One Day Kings https://www.instagram.com/onedaykings/

See https://www.captivate.fm/privacy-policy-for-listeners for privacy information.

If you want to get support directly from us to remove your repetitive self-doubt, join our FREE community: The Sport Is Life Movement - https://www.facebook.com/groups/sportislife

Ready to gain the clarity and direction to move forward with purpose, especially when life throws you a curveball? Join the Game Plan training today. https://www.ianhawkinscoaching.com/gameplanmembership

Episode Summary:

In this week’s solo review, Ian dives into a big week in rugby league and cricket, starting with the hype around Fox League’s Rugby 360 documentary. He unpacks why behind-the-scenes access is so addictive for fans, how it shapes the narrative of players and coaches, and what it reveals about the pressure cooker of the modern NRL environment. From there, he shifts to the ongoing saga of the North Sydney Bears, highlighting the frustration around their lack of signings and what it says about expansion, identity, and the politics around bringing a foundation club back to the top level.

The conversation then takes a sharp turn into the circus of crossover combat sports, as Ian reacts to the talk of Jake Paul fighting Anthony Joshua. He calls out the mismatch for what it is – entertainment dressed up as sport – and explores what these “events” mean for how we value genuine high performance versus social media hype. To close, he looks ahead to the Ashes, breaking down Pat Cummins’ absence, Scott Boland’s incredible record in Australia, and Steve Smith stepping in as captain with an even better batting average when he leads. It’s a blend of opinion, humour, and insight that ties together fan passion, media narratives, and the mental load on elite athletes as another massive summer of cricket looms.

About the Host:

Ian Hawkins is dedicated to showing how sports can transform lives. With extensive experience as an athlete, a coach, PE teacher, community volunteer, and manager at Fox Sports, Ian brings a wealth of knowledge to the podcast. His journey began in his backyard, mentored by his older brother, and has since evolved into coaching elite athletes and business leaders. Ian's commitment to sports and personal development is evident in his roles as a performance coach and active community member. Through "Sport Is Life," Ian shares inspiring stories and valuable lessons to help listeners apply sports principles to all areas of life.

Join the 2025 Planning Session here https://www.facebook.com/share/1C6AqzhGeY/

Check Me Out On:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianhawkinscoaching  

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportIsLife-IanHawkins

Theme Music Artist:

One Day Kings https://www.instagram.com/onedaykings/

See https://www.captivate.fm/privacy-policy-for-listeners for privacy information.

If you want to get support directly from us to remove your repetitive self-doubt, join our FREE community: The Sport Is Life Movement - https://www.facebook.com/groups/sportislife

Ready to gain the clarity and direction to move forward with purpose, especially when life throws you a curveball? Join the Game Plan training today. https://www.ianhawkinscoaching.com/gameplanmembership

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Sport Is Life, Ian Hawkins sits down with legendary Australian cricket captain Ian Chappell for a raw, insightful, and often hilarious masterclass in leadership, instinct, and the evolution of cricket. Chappell opens up about his famous attacking philosophy long before the modern “Bazball” narrative, explaining why aggressive cricket has been part of Australia’s DNA since the nineteenth century. He dives deep into the mental side of batting, his early coaching, the importance of a strong defensive foundation, and how instinct, not analytics, has always been the heart of great captaincy.

The conversation is packed with stories from the dressing room, the commentary box, and behind the scenes of historic moments in world cricket. Chappell reflects on playing with his brother Greg, learning from greats like Richie Benaud and Bob Cowper, and facing fast-bowling icons like Jon Snow and Andy Roberts. He also shares incredible anecdotes involving Rodney Marsh, Jeff Boycott, Dennis Lillee, and Shane Warne, revealing the mindset, humour, and grit behind some of cricket’s most defining characters.

Chappell also discusses leadership off the field, including his role in the player-pay revolution and the early days of World Series Cricket. He speaks candidly about truth-telling, team culture, learning through conversation, and the value of common sense. From gut-feel captaincy to television mishaps, this episode delivers rare honesty, sporting wisdom, and classic Chappell storytelling, making it essential listening for cricket lovers, leaders, and fans of straight talk.

About the Guest:

Ian Chappell

Former Cricketer

Ian Michael Chappell (born 26 September 1943) is a legendary former Australian cricketer and one of the game's most influential captains. Known as “Chappelli,” he led Australia from 1971 to 1975 and played a key role in establishing World Series Cricket, helping usher in a new era of professionalism. A right-handed batsman who flourished at number three, Chappell was admired for his honesty, competitive spirit, and sharp cricketing mind.

A skilled slip fielder and technically strong batsman, he built his game on solid defense and powerful stroke play, especially the hook shot. After retiring in 1980, he became a respected commentator and journalist, shaping cricket conversations for decades.

Chappell’s impact on the sport has been widely recognised with inductions into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame (1986), FICA Cricket Hall of Fame (2000), Australian Cricket Hall of Fame (2003), and ICC Cricket Hall of Fame (2009).

About the Host:

Ian Hawkins is dedicated to showing how sports can transform lives. With extensive experience as an athlete, a coach, PE teacher, community volunteer, and manager at Fox Sports, Ian brings a wealth of knowledge to the podcast. His journey began in his backyard, mentored by his older brother, and has since evolved into coaching elite athletes and business leaders. Ian's commitment to sports and personal development is evident in his roles as a performance coach and active community member. Through "Sport Is Life," Ian shares inspiring stories and valuable lessons to help listeners apply sports principles to all areas of life.

Join the 2025 Planning Session here https://www.facebook.com/share/1C6AqzhGeY/

Check Me Out On:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianhawkinscoaching  

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportIsLife-IanHawkins

Theme Music Artist:

One Day Kings https://www.instagram.com/onedaykings/

See https://www.captivate.fm/privacy-policy-for-listeners for privacy information.

If you want to get support directly from us to remove your repetitive self-doubt, join our FREE community: The Sport Is Life Movement - https://www.facebook.com/groups/sportislife

Ready to gain the clarity and direction to move forward with purpose, especially when life throws you a curveball? Join the Game Plan training today. https://www.ianhawkinscoaching.com/gameplanmembership

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Ian opens up about a pivotal moment early in his coaching career, a setback that shook his confidence, held him back for years, and ultimately taught him what true high performance really looks like. He shares the story of helping a young elite footballer get into a high-performance state, only for the athlete to be sent off six minutes into the game. Instead of seeing the bigger picture, Ian internalised the outcome, blamed himself, and unconsciously began playing small.

Through revisiting that moment years later, Ian reveals how setbacks can distort your self-perception and why high performers often take failures too personally. He explores the psychology behind “over-arousal” in performance, the danger of tying your identity to outcomes, and the importance of recognising what’s actually within your control.

This episode is a practical blueprint for anyone who has ever felt derailed by doubt: how to review the reality, disrupt the pattern, reset your direction, and move forward with clarity. Ian breaks down how elite principles apply far beyond sport, into parenting, leadership, self-belief, and taking ownership of your growth.

About the Host:

Ian Hawkins is dedicated to showing how sports can transform lives. With extensive experience as an athlete, a coach, PE teacher, community volunteer, and manager at Fox Sports, Ian brings a wealth of knowledge to the podcast. His journey began in his backyard, mentored by his older brother, and has since evolved into coaching elite athletes and business leaders. Ian's commitment to sports and personal development is evident in his roles as a performance coach and active community member. Through "Sport Is Life," Ian shares inspiring stories and valuable lessons to help listeners apply sports principles to all areas of life.

Join the 2025 Planning Session here https://www.facebook.com/share/1C6AqzhGeY/

Check Me Out On:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianhawkinscoaching  

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportIsLife-IanHawkins

Theme Music Artist:

One Day Kings https://www.instagram.com/onedaykings/

See https://www.captivate.fm/privacy-policy-for-listeners for privacy information.

If you want to get support directly from us to remove your repetitive self-doubt, join our FREE community: The Sport Is Life Movement - https://www.facebook.com/groups/sportislife

Ready to gain the clarity and direction to move forward with purpose, especially when life throws you a curveball? Join the Game Plan training today. https://www.ianhawkinscoaching.com/gameplanmembership

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Ian shares a powerful story about a client who was scheduled for major neck-fusion surgery, the type that requires operating through the front of the throat and permanently reduces mobility. What unfolded became a reminder of how deeply our physical symptoms are tied to emotional stress, unresolved conflict, and the identity patterns we carry. Through coaching, this client shifted from stubbornness and emotional tension during a difficult relationship breakdown to clarity, flexibility, and calm. As those changes took place, the chronic neck pain that once seemed unfixable dramatically improved, enough for him to cancel the surgery altogether.

Ian breaks down how emotional strain shows up physically; how flexibility in life mirrors flexibility in the body; and how unresolved stress, boundaries, truthfulness, and self-kindness directly impact healing. He also explores his own journey of overcoming chronic injuries and why he now helps others release old mental and emotional patterns so their bodies can move toward recovery. This episode is a reminder that you’re not stuck, your body is capable of far more than you think, and with the right plan and support, healing is possible.

About the Host:

Ian Hawkins is dedicated to showing how sports can transform lives. With extensive experience as an athlete, a coach, PE teacher, community volunteer, and manager at Fox Sports, Ian brings a wealth of knowledge to the podcast. His journey began in his backyard, mentored by his older brother, and has since evolved into coaching elite athletes and business leaders. Ian's commitment to sports and personal development is evident in his roles as a performance coach and active community member. Through "Sport Is Life," Ian shares inspiring stories and valuable lessons to help listeners apply sports principles to all areas of life.

Join the 2025 Planning Session here https://www.facebook.com/share/1C6AqzhGeY/

Check Me Out On:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianhawkinscoaching  

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportIsLife-IanHawkins

Theme Music Artist:

One Day Kings https://www.instagram.com/onedaykings/

See https://www.captivate.fm/privacy-policy-for-listeners for privacy information.

If you want to get support directly from us to remove your repetitive self-doubt, join our FREE community: The Sport Is Life Movement - https://www.facebook.com/groups/sportislife

Ready to gain the clarity and direction to move forward with purpose, especially when life throws you a curveball? Join the Game Plan training today. https://www.ianhawkinscoaching.com/gameplanmembership

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Ian dives into a powerful truth many leaders, parents, and athletes overlook, the impact of simply telling people what they’re doing well. After reconnecting with an old cricket mate who revealed he once admired Ian’s confidence, Ian reflects on how different life might look if we heard more of the right words at the right time. He unpacks why so many high performers undervalue their strengths and why leaders often hesitate to give genuine recognition, even when they see something great.

Through personal stories and practical insight, Ian explains why validation, encouragement, and recognition are essential ingredients in sport, business, and everyday life. He challenges listeners to rethink their instinct to criticise, hold back, or assume people already “know” their strengths. Instead, he shares how positive feedback builds identity, deepens connection, and elevates performance, and how failing to give it can cost someone years of confidence, momentum, or belief.

By the end of the episode, listeners are encouraged to step into real leadership: to speak up, lift others, and become the kind of person whose words can change a life, not decades later but right now.

About the Host:

Ian Hawkins is dedicated to showing how sports can transform lives. With extensive experience as an athlete, a coach, PE teacher, community volunteer, and manager at Fox Sports, Ian brings a wealth of knowledge to the podcast. His journey began in his backyard, mentored by his older brother, and has since evolved into coaching elite athletes and business leaders. Ian's commitment to sports and personal development is evident in his roles as a performance coach and active community member. Through "Sport Is Life," Ian shares inspiring stories and valuable lessons to help listeners apply sports principles to all areas of life.

Join the 2025 Planning Session here https://www.facebook.com/share/1C6AqzhGeY/

Check Me Out On:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianhawkinscoaching  

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportIsLife-IanHawkins

Theme Music Artist:

One Day Kings https://www.instagram.com/onedaykings/

See https://www.captivate.fm/privacy-policy-for-listeners for privacy information.

If you want to get support directly from us to remove your repetitive self-doubt, join our FREE community: The Sport Is Life Movement - https://www.facebook.com/groups/sportislife

Ready to gain the clarity and direction to move forward with purpose, especially when life throws you a curveball? Join the Game Plan training today. https://www.ianhawkinscoaching.com/gameplanmembership

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Ian breaks down one of the most important mindset shifts high performers need to make: moving away from the illusion of “safety” and embracing a mindset of diversification. Drawing on his own journey, 40 years of playing it safe, staying in his comfort zone, and capping his own potential, he unpacks the quote that changed everything: “Everyone thinks multiple income streams is risky. Know what’s risky? One income stream controlled by someone else.”

Through personal stories from his corporate years, redundancy in the Australian media industry, and the evolution of his own wealth and personal growth journey, Ian explains why relying on one path in life leaves you vulnerable; not just financially, but mentally and emotionally. He highlights the thinking traps that keep people stuck, the generational patterns that limit ambition, and the fear of stepping out of the predictable and into something greater.

Ian then dives into what a true high-performance mindset looks like, diversifying not just income, but identity, purpose, and effort across every part of life. He breaks down why calculated stretch, faith, and recalibrated beliefs open doors that staying “safe” never will. If you’ve been feeling trapped, capped, or like you’re meant for more, this episode acts as both a wake-up call and a blueprint for bold, intentional growth.

About the Host:

Ian Hawkins is dedicated to showing how sports can transform lives. With extensive experience as an athlete, a coach, PE teacher, community volunteer, and manager at Fox Sports, Ian brings a wealth of knowledge to the podcast. His journey began in his backyard, mentored by his older brother, and has since evolved into coaching elite athletes and business leaders. Ian's commitment to sports and personal development is evident in his roles as a performance coach and active community member. Through "Sport Is Life," Ian shares inspiring stories and valuable lessons to help listeners apply sports principles to all areas of life.

Join the 2025 Planning Session here https://www.facebook.com/share/1C6AqzhGeY/

Check Me Out On:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianhawkinscoaching  

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportIsLife-IanHawkins

Theme Music Artist:

One Day Kings https://www.instagram.com/onedaykings/

See https://www.captivate.fm/privacy-policy-for-listeners for privacy information.

If you want to get support directly from us to remove your repetitive self-doubt, join our FREE community: The Sport Is Life Movement - https://www.facebook.com/groups/sportislife

Ready to gain the clarity and direction to move forward with purpose, especially when life throws you a curveball? Join the Game Plan training today. https://www.ianhawkinscoaching.com/gameplanmembership

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Ian sits down with communications expert and bestselling author Amit Chitre, whose new book The Other Playbook is reshaping how young athletes understand their identity, value, and influence both on and off the field. Amit shares the moment that sparked the idea, delivering a corporate branding workshop to his three sons, and realising that the lessons taught to executives were even more powerful when given to teenagers.

Amit explains how young athletes are constantly being watched, assessed, and judged, whether they realise it or not. He breaks down the concept of seeing yourself as a “product,” understanding who your “customers” are, and becoming intentional about how coaches, teachers, teammates, and even future employers perceive you. Through relatable stories, including personal examples and youth sport moments, he highlights the importance of brand values, daily behaviours, and self-awareness.

Together, Ian and Amit explore leadership, communication, personal responsibility, and the role parents and coaches play in shaping an athlete’s character. Packed with practical advice, this episode empowers young athletes to build clarity, confidence, and purpose in sport, school, and life.

About the Guest:

Amit Chitre

Founder/CEO

Amit Chitre is a communications expert with a breadth of experience in television news, public relations, crisis management, and leadership training. He’s worked with young professionals, mid-level managers, and senior executives to build their personal brands and help them achieve personal and professional success. As a father of competitive student-athletes, he is now applying the same skills he brought to those Fortune 500 employees to student-athletes. Amit's book, "The Other Playbook - Brand Lessons Every Student-Athlete Needs (But No One Teaches)" shows student-athletes how to build the best version of themselves to succeed in sports, school, and life.

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitchitre/

Websites: https://r3communications.pro/ | https://theotherplaybook.pro/

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Other-Playbook-Lessons-Student-Athlete-Teaches-ebook/dp/B0FMM1CDNT

About the Host:

Ian Hawkins is dedicated to showing how sports can transform lives. With extensive experience as an athlete, a coach, PE teacher, community volunteer, and manager at Fox Sports, Ian brings a wealth of knowledge to the podcast. His journey began in his backyard, mentored by his older brother, and has since evolved into coaching elite athletes and business leaders. Ian's commitment to sports and personal development is evident in his roles as a performance coach and active community member. Through "Sport Is Life," Ian shares inspiring stories and valuable lessons to help listeners apply sports principles to all areas of life.

Join the 2025 Planning Session here https://www.facebook.com/share/1C6AqzhGeY/

Check Me Out On:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianhawkinscoaching  

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportIsLife-IanHawkins

Theme Music Artist:

One Day Kings https://www.instagram.com/onedaykings/

See https://www.captivate.fm/privacy-policy-for-listeners for privacy information.