What a Lad

The life after sport transition is something that plays on all athletes minds. It's hard to prepare for and you don't really know what you're in for until you're in it.

For Filipo Levi he has gone through his transition and he has put all the valuable knowledge from his experience in to the recently published book, called "Tackle your Success". 

In this episode, Filipo shares some tips on how to have a successful career change and that doesn't have to been from sport. He talks about some of the challenges he faced and what helped him get through.

We also go through the big mans rugby career which saw him play for Otago, the Highlanders, the Black Rams, Ospreys, the Tasman Mako, the Pacific Islanders and of course Samoa. From all those teams he has plenty of good stories that he shares throughout.

I learnt a lot from this one and I hope you do too. If you do enjoy this episode, as always please give it a share. If you really enjoy what Filipo has to say make sure you get your hands on his book.

https://www.filipolevi.com/tackleyoursuccess

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We're trying something a bit different with this one and giving you a Marshall brother preview Super Rugby Pacific. We preview the games and highlight a key member from each team. We also give our predictions for top try scorer, niggle goat and Lad of the year.

On top of that we also talk about our fantasy rugby sides and why we have picked up who we have and if you are keen to join the What a Lad comp follow this link and set one up https://sportsdeck.com/rugby/dreamteam/?action=join-group&code=224984

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Was it a try, or did he drop it? That has been the question that has followed Elliot Dixon since his incredible try to win the Highlanders their first ever Super Rugby title.

However, the great Southern lad is much more than one try! He's has an outstanding career in NZ with the Southland Stags, the Highlanders, the NZ Maoris and of course the All Blacks. I found it super interesting hearing Elliot talk about his time in the All Blacks and why he didn't quite have the All Black career that many of us expected.

He has also spent time in Japan with the Black Rams and he is now over in France with Biaritz. Through his travels he has plenty of great stories to share and to be honest not many tell a more honest and enjoyable yarn than Dicko.

I throughly enjoyed this one, lots of laughs and some deeper moments as well. One thing I can guarantee you will learn from this episode, is that Elliot Dixon is an absolute lad! If you do find this episode enjoyable then please get it a share 🙏🏼

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Professional sport always sounds like the dream lifestyle but as you'll hear, in this episode from Denny Solomona, it does come with it's challenges.

The honesty that Denny speaks with in this episode is so admirable and refreshing. It was crazy to hear what he was putting his body through, yet whenever he got on the field he was consistently one of the best.

Having been signed with the Melbourne Storm at 15, it's fair to say everything happened pretty quickly. However struggling to ever get any game time behind the great Billy Slater, he headed over to the London Broncos. A move that in hindsight wasn't the best idea. Denny missed his family, his side was getting pumped and he struggled with the use of  drugs and alcohol. 
However he still had plenty of success on the field in the Super League scoring a record number of tries in a season and being in the running for the Man of Steel award.

Denny then changed codes, moving to Sale and instantly made an impact, making the England international side very quickly. However he was still suffering with mental health issues, a topic that he is very open about. 

Now he's in a great space heading back to NZ to give NZ rugby a crack and personally I cant wait to see him out there doing his thing.

I really enjoyed this chat with Denny, I think there will be a lot of people who can relate to plenty in this episode. If you enjoy it or you know someone who would please give it a share, it's very much appreciated.

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Most fans will know Victor Vito as the big physical beast, who is big fast and strong and has all the skills in the world. The Victor Vito you are about to hear is the very well educated, absolute lad, who gives a very open and honest breakdown of his rugby career to date.

Most will remember the day Victor burst on the the World stage at the 2009 Wellington 7's, where he put on an absolute clinic. From that tournament he was instantly headlined as the next big thing, even labelled as the next "Jonah"

Fast forward 13 years and Victor can look back on an incredibly successful rugby career. He's a Super Rugby winner and centurion at the Hurricanes, a double RWC winner with the All Blacks in 2011 & 2015 and since moving to La Rochelle in France he has played some of his best footy, playing well over 100 games.

Anyone who knows Victor will know that he is a very intelligent man and is a real thinker. What really fascinated me in this episode, was that on reflection, how he felt that had held him back in his career. Often over thinking the game instead of backing his natural instincts.

I really enjoyed this chat with the Wellington great, plenty of good yarns in this one. If you do enjoy the episode please give it a share on your socials and tag What a Lad. This episode is also out on YouTube as all my episodes from now on will be so go subscribe to the What a Lad channel and give this video a watch/like/comment if you can.

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Season 3 of What a Lad is here and there is no better way to start the new season, than with one of the biggest lads to walk this earth, the great Ethan Blackadder! So many of you have been requesting Ethan to come on and for good reason, as he is the ultimate lad. 

Not only is Ethan a lad but he also has an incredible rugby journey. One that I think can have a positive impact on so many young players coming through. Although his dad, Todd Blackadder, was the All Black captain and Crusader legend, Ethan didn't enjoy playing rugby as a young fella, so he stopped. Only finding his love for the game, while playing 3rd XV rugby with his mates. Now an All Black himself, it's been awesome to see his journey, which started in the 'Nelson Rugby Football Club' B team and to see where he is now. I'm also really excited to see where he can get to. 

There is so many good yarns in this one and I loved trying to tap into the mindset of this special man because he just does things different.

Anyway I hope you enjoy this episode, if you do please give it a share and lets make season 3 the best yet for What a Lad.

If you want to support the podcast head over to www.whatalad.com

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James Lowe has had an incredible journey to becoming the Irish International winger!

 
The kid gifted with size, speed and skill, was always going to have a successful sporting career. However, getting there wasn't without some significant bumps in the road. At around 14 years old James was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis, which had him bed ridden on and off for around 3 years. For a kid who was extremely active, it was a very difficult stage in his life.

He got through that once he found the right medication and was back on his rugby journey. Although after being the star of the NZ u20 trials, he missed out on selection, which to this day still puzzles him and anyone who trialed that day.
He put that aside and put in some big performances for the Tasman Mako, which earned himself a Chiefs contract. His form for the Chiefs was so good, that he was literally on the edge of making the All Blacks for 2 years. He didn’t, and then decided to take up a contract in Ireland with Leinster. A fascinating story.

Now playing for Ireland on the international stage, it’s been an incredible journey from the proud Nelsonian. If you enjoy this episode please give it share. Also thanks to everyone who has tuned in over the year, it’s been a pleasure bringing you so many absolute lads!

Remember to head over to www.whatalad.com if you're keen to support the podcast.

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The lads just keep coming and honestly they don't get much bigger than Ardie Savea. The man who is leading the way for NZ athletes on and off the field, inspiring many, including myself, along the way.

It was awesome to get Ardie on, who is no stranger to a podcast as he has one of the best going around, with the Ardie Savea podcast. 

In this episode we talk about Ardie signing on with NZ rugby for another 4 years and how he found the process of being his own agent. We obviously chat rugby and go through his incredible career which has seen him consistently be one of the best players in the world. And of course there was plenty to chat about off the field with his clothing business ASAV clothing and even some exciting plans going forward.

As you'll hear and as you probably already know Ardie is an absolute lad who has had a incredible career with plenty more ahead.

If you enjoy this episode please give it a share and if you want to support the podcast head over to www.whatalad.com 

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Jordie Barrett, yes the great Jordie Barrett, has come on what a lad and as he has always done on the field, he has well and truely delivered with this yarn!

I throughly enjoyed listening back to this episode and we spoke about so much that it's hard to know where to start. What else is hard, is to believe that Jordie is only 24 years old! It feels like he has been around for ever and he certainly has some experiences from along the way.

In his first ever podcast, Jordie opens up about some key moments throughout his career to date and openly discusses the future, which has had me thinking for days what's best for the great Hurricane and All Black going forward.

As you'll hear Jordie is such a lad and if you enjoy this episode which I'm sure you will, please give it a share that helps the podcast out massively so it's very much appreciated.

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There aren’t too many players who make the game of rugby look as easy as Will Jordan does, his speed and acceleration look effortless as he often leaves opposition scrambling. His rise to the top of international rugby has been special to watch.
On top of that he is also great role model and one heck of a lad so it was great to get him on What a Lad and go through his journey.

There are plenty of good yarns in this one and a very interesting insight into the path of a professional rugby player. Will shares some great advice throughout and speaks very openly about moments and decisions that he has faced.

If you enjoy this episode please give it a share and make sure you tag what a lad on whatever platform you use so I can thank you personally 🙌🏼

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