The best way to describe Jamie Milne is probably how he signed his Polaroid photo after our podcast- “The Maori David Goggins.”

This kid from Rotorua, abandoned by his mum and raised in poverty by a solo dad has grown up to become a man who is addicted to doing hard and uncomfortable stuff.

He is a multiple world record holder: his WRs include running the fastest 100km ultramarathon with a 20kg pack, doing the most push ups in an hour (over 1000) and doing over 4000 pull ups in 24 hours.

He has also ran the length of New Zealand twice, has done over 100 ultramarathons and attempted SAS selection at the age of 37

This conversation is a small part of the Jamie Milne story- a life shaped by hardship, failure, discipline, and an unrelenting drive to go always a little further.

Some of the stuff we talk about includes his up bringing without stability and learning resilience early

+ His rock-bottom moments and radical self-honesty

+ Alcohol addiction, recovery, and redefining identity

+ And why toughness is built, not inherited

Jamie Milne is built different- in the best possible way- you are going to love this episode.

***

Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.

If I could ask you to do one big favour — for me and for yourself — it would be to consider getting KiwiSaver advice from Generate, like I did.

The decisions you make with your KiwiSaver now could have a big impact on how much you have to live on in retirement. And if you’ve never had KiwiSaver advice before, you could be missing out.

Generate has a strong track record of long-term performance — You can check out their latest returns on their website.

They also have advisers who can come to you and help you figure out the right KiwiSaver setup for your goals — no pressure, just good advice.

I met with one when Generate came on board as a sponsor back in 2023 — and honestly, I wish I’d done it sooner.

Head to generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom to book a chat

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

And just a reminder — everyone’s situation is different, so I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Gilmour is one of New Zealand’s motorsport GOATs: a national rally champion, the first female factory driver for McLaren, a business owner and just a great Kiwi.

The day before we recorded this, Emma took me for a ride in her rally car, which if I’m being honest was more frightening than it was fun. I mean, afterwards it was fun- once I survived. So, it was nice to turn the tables and put Emma out of her comfort zone for this conversation.

We cover a lot of ground in this podcast and some pretty deep and confrontational stuff:

+ The mental and physical toll of two major concussions

+ Surviving an 8-roll crash at 120km/h

+ Her experiences in rallying as a woman in a male-dominated sport

+ Building her business- a Suzuki dealership in Dunedin from scratch

+ The friendships, failures, therapy sessions and tough decisions that shaped her life. And so much more.

Whether you’re a familiar with Emma Gilmour or not, I have no doubt you’ll walk away from this episode inspired- she’s a bloody legend.

****

Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.

Generate is an award-winning KiwiSaver provider with a track record of delivering strong long-term returns for their clients- you can see their latest returns for yourself on their website.

I became a client when they came on board as the show sponsor and it’s been a gamechanger for me personally- I’m kicking myself for not doing it years earlier.

You can book a no obligation chat with one of their awesome KiwiSaver advisers at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds

Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

And just a reminder, I’m a podcast host, not a financial adviser, so this is just general advice. I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steven Setu is one of the most polarizing voices in New Zealand social media: part comedian, part shock-jock, part internet troll. Love him or hate him, Steven Setu gets clicks and people watch...and watch...and watch!

In this brutally honest conversation, Steven opens up in ways he never has before.

Between the hot takes, the outrageous claims and the controversy, we meet the little boy from West Auckland who grew up without a father, was bullied, struggled with weight and identity, and built an exterior as thick as concrete.

But we also see the softness that sits just beneath the surface, especially when he speaks about his mother, his family, and his desire to “never give up.”

Across nearly two hours, Steven and I discuss masculinity, mental health, cancel culture, freedom of speech, bullying, body image, resilience and much much more.

As always with these conversations- the goal remains the same- to get a greater understanding of a person, their actions and their thought processes through non- judgmental long form conversation.

This is Steven Setu: unfiltered, challenged, and closer than ever before.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is Shaun Winstanley's first podcast and its an honour to have him on mine, because as you will learn within a few short minutes- Shaun is not a man who is comfortable talking about himself. He is a guest who represents what it means to come back from the unthinkable.

On July 20 2023, detective and tactical operator Shaun Winstanley ran into a busy high rise building in Central Auckland’s commercial bay area after an active shooter opened fire.

Minutes later, in a dark lift shaft, Shaun was shot in the face at point-blank range. He survived. Barely. And somehow, he found a way not just to recover, but to rebuild.

In this episode, Shaun takes us inside that day with remarkable clarity:

From racing into the CBD at high speed with sirens blasting, to passing terrified victims on the stairwell, to the exact moment the gunman fired and Shaun realized his teeth were shattered. This conversation is gripping, it’s confronting… and unbelievably human.

Shaun talks about::

The THREE rules that helped him stay mentally strong.

The long slow recovery.

His feelings about the gunman

Why he created a game-changing beverage as part of his healing process. And why he still feels the pull to return to the police. 

***

Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.

Generate has a strong track record of long-term performance: You can check out their latest returns on their website.

They also have advisers who can come to you and help you figure out the right KiwiSaver setup for your goals. No pressure, just good advice.

Head to generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom to book a chat

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

And just a reminder, everyone’s situation is different, so I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.The emotional moment he reunited with his sons after waking from a coma.

And why he still feels the pull to return to the police. And the game-changing protein-coffee beverage "Firebird" he has poured all his energy into as part of his healing process

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brando Pericic (AKA The Balkin Bear) is a UFC fighter. 

He made his debut in Perth in September.  

He won it in under 2 minutes in an explosive, violent and very fast fight.

This conversation is an intriguing look into the mindset of a very exciting UFC fighter with a huge future ahead of him.                                                                 

He has a goal and a dream to be the best in the world…and after connecting with him I have no doubt that he will succeed.

In this conversation, we talk about his viral post-fight speech that included a smattering of words that earned him a telling off from his family in Adelaide.

His backstory which helped build the man he is today- things like the grief of losing close friends, going to visit his father in jail, being stabbed, finding himself homeless and some brutal mental health battles that almost cost him his life. 

We talk sacrifice, purpose and the dream he’s chasing now to become one of the greatest heavyweights on Earth.

This conversation has so many layers to it: it’s emotional, inspiring, confronting, funny, and unbelievably honest.                                                                                   I promise you, after listening to this episode you will be fan and follower of "The Balkin Bear" for his entire career.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martin Snedden is a man who’s been at the centre of some of the biggest moments in New Zealand sport.

He played cricket for NZ in through the 1980s and was part of the infamous 1981 underarm match against Australia. He was one of the original members of the Beige Brigade and he’s got stories about playing with legends like Hadlee, Cairns and Crowe that are absolutely priceless.

But that’s only chapter one of his life.

After he retired as a player, Martin became CEO of New Zealand Cricket. He dealt with player strikes, bomb blasts outside team hotels, billion-dollar broadcast deals, and the politics behind international sport.

Then he took on the job of running the 2011 Rugby World Cup, the tournament that turned New Zealand into a “stadium of four million” and became one of this country’s great success stories.

Now in his 60s he’s as sharp, driven and purpose-filled as ever.

This conversation is full of nostalgia, leadership lessons, wild behind-the-scenes stories, and some really vulnerable reflections near the end about family, fear, purpose and what matters most.

I loved this chat: Snedds is generous, thoughtful, funny, and genuinely one of the good guys.

****

Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.

Generate is an award-winning KiwiSaver provider with a track record of delivering strong long-term returns for their clients- you can see their latest returns for yourself on their website.

I became a client when they came on board as the show sponsor and it’s been a gamechanger for me personally- I wish I’d done it ’m kicking myself for not doing it years earlier.

You can book a no obligation chat with one of their awesome KiwiSaver advisers at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds

Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

And just a reminder — I’m a podcast host, not a financial adviser, so this is just general advice. I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s episode is a genuine honour.

I’m joined by Amanda McLaren, the daughter and the only child of legendary Kiwi motorsport pioneer Bruce McLaren, the man whose name still sits proudly on the nose of every McLaren Formula One car.

This conversation goes far deeper than F1 racing. Amanda shares stories that only she can tell, including:

+ How Bruce overcame Perthes Disease as a child: bedridden for two years and told he may never walk again.

+ What he was really like as a husband and a father, through Amanda’s memories, her mother’s stories, and the letters he wrote home from overseas.

+ The day her father died, and how she slowly pieced together what had happened through books and films rather than being told directly.

+ The remarkable strength of her mother, Patty, who not only lost Bruce but also lost a second child in the same period.

+ Behind-the-scenes stories from inside the McLaren Technology Centre.

+ And does she cheer for Liam Lawson when no one’s watching.

This is one of those rare interviews where history, innovation, family legacy, and emotion all collide in the most beautiful way.

It’s a privilege to help share the story of the Kiwi boy from Remuera who changed motorsport forever - through the daughter who carries his name.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this deeply moving and also surprisingly funny episode, Mark Wilson joins me on the podcast.

Better known by his nickname “Wobbles”, a title he has proudly reclaimed.

Mark has cerebral palsy, but he makes it clear from the outset: this isn’t a sad story. It’s a story about grit, love, resilience, savage humour, and carving out a life he’s genuinely proud of.

Mark’s new book Wobbles pulls back the curtain on his early years, the intense therapy program that defined his childhood, the brutal bullying that shaped his teens, and the enormous sacrifices his parents made to give him a fighting chance.

Today, Mark is a business analyst at ANZ, drives a V8 Holden Kingswood, loves Devilskin, and is raising a blended family with his partner Elise.

Mark’s honesty is a gift: especially when he speaks about finding self-worth, surviving suicidal ideation and navigating dating with CP.

****

Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.

Generate is an award-winning KiwiSaver provider with a track record of delivering strong long-term returns for their clients- you can see their latest returns for yourself on their website.

I became a client when they came on board as the show sponsor and it’s been a gamechanger for me personally- I’m kicking myself for not doing it years earlier.

You can book a no obligation chat with one of their awesome KiwiSaver advisers at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds

Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

And just a reminder — I’m a podcast host, not a financial adviser, so this is just general advice. I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jay Pukepuke went from a rugby league player with huge potential- he was a Warriors age-grade star and on track for a career in the NRL. 

Then he went off the rails and committed 15 armed robberies which saw him incarcerated for six years across some of New Zealand’s toughest prisons.

Since then he has become a father, a mentor, an author, and the co-founder of an organization called “Bros for Change.”

Inside this episode, Jay opens up about::

The adrenaline addiction that drove him into crime

Hearing another inmate being beaten to death in a neighboring cell

The shame he still carries for the victims

The moment he finally realized he had to change and so much more!

His book Inner Warrior captures this journey on the page, but hearing him speak it is something else entirely. Jay is funny, confronting, and incredibly honest about the man he used to be… and the man he’s become.

If you like redemption arcs, this one is as authentic as they come.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She built a fashion empire from a farm shed.

She survived public pile-ons that would crush most people.

She made millions, lost millions, and found her true purpose inside New Zealand’s women’s prisons.

At 65, Anna Stretton is sharper, tougher, funnier, and more unapologetically herself than ever…and her story is wild.

In this conversation, Annah S opens up about:

The thrill of making $500,000 profit in her first year

The humiliation of a cease-and-desist when she ripped off an American shoe brand.

What she’s learned from 12 years working with incarcerated women. And so much more!

This is an absolute masterclass in entrepreneurship, resilience, reinvention, and staying relentlessly true to yourself, especially when the world tries to knock you down.

****

Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.

Generate is an award-winning KiwiSaver provider with a track record of delivering strong long-term returns for their clients- you can see their latest returns for yourself on their website.

I became a client when they came on board as the show sponsor and it’s been a gamechanger for me personally- I’m kicking myself for not doing it years earlier.

You can book a no obligation chat with one of their awesome KiwiSaver advisers at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds

Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

And just a reminder — I’m a podcast host, not a financial adviser, so this is just general advice. I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.