What a Lad

Two absolute lads on one outrageous mission. Alex and Ben decided they wanted to do something that would really push them to their limits for Movember so became the first ever to walk across New Zealand in a straight line. What followed was six days of chaos: rafting rivers in a leaking dinghy, crawling through blackberry, dodging bulls, and getting zapped by electric fences, all to raise money and awareness for men’s health.

In this episode they open up about around the challenges they have faced which included losing loved ones to prostate cancer and suicide. They found these challenges and Movember has given them a purpose bigger than themselves. They also reveal their next wild challenge as they continue their mission to get blokes talking and checking in.

Some bits that stood out for me were..

• Why they decided to walk in a perfectly straight line across NZ

• The madness of rafting rivers, bulls, and electric fences

• How the six-day adventure raised over $11,000 for Movember

• The deeper reason behind their mission – losing loved ones to men’s health battles

• The power of mateship during difficult times

• What they've got planned in the future

And heaps more!

It’s raw, funny and bloody inspiring. These lads are a serious reminder to talk to your mates, get checked, and step outside your comfort zone. If you've been thinking about getting something checked then get it checked today!

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Steve Devine is one of the toughest men to ever pull on a rugby jersey. A proud Aussie who moved over to NZ for an opportunity with Auckland, where he quickly made NZ home. Where the fearless competitive halfback played a huge part in Auckland and the Blues success. From that came an his chance to wear the All Black jersey which he managed to do 10 times.

But behind that toughness was a brutal reality, years of repeated head knocks that left him battling crippling migraines, light sensitivity, and a fight just to feel human again.

In this episode, Steve opens up on:

- Life growing up in Australia and why the move to NZ

- Stories from the Auckland and Blues glory days

- The 40+ concussions that changed his life

- The miracle treatment that helped him get his life back

- How he’s now leading the charge with NeuroCheck, a game-changing concussion scanner

- How he's found his transition with life after rugby becoming a fireman

And heaps more

Steve story is honest, powerful, emotional and even shocking at times. Sharing his story from a place of just wanting to help others and for no one having to go through what he has been through. He is such a champion lad and let me know what you thought of the episode in the comments.

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Tom Christie is one of the toughest workhorses in New Zealand rugby.

In this episode the multiple Super Rugby champion opens up on leadership, injuries, and why he’s leaving the Crusaders to chase a new challenge with Newcastle’s Red Bulls.

From captaining the NZ U20s to battling setbacks and rediscovering his love for the game, this is Tom Christie like you’ve never heard him before.

In this episode we chat about...

How he learnt to tackle as a young fella

What it meant leading the NZ U20s side

Life at the Crusaders and what it takes to stay consistent

How his mindset has changed around topping the tackle count

The injury battles and how he rebuilt his confidence

His honest reflections on missing All Blacks selection

How he's handled non selection better than anyone I have worked with

Why he's decide to move to Newcastle and the next chapter of his journey

And heaps more.

As you'll hear, Tom is such a champion and has played a massive part of the Crusaders success during his time. He's one of the most self aware and articulate players I have coached. While players love playing with him cause they just know he will never let you down. He is a lad!

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Mitchell Scott was one of the most talented outside backs in New Zealand rugby, electric pace, unreal footwork, and a try-scoring instinct few could match. But behind the highlight reels was a rollercoaster journey through tragedy, addiction, injuries, and redemption.

From losing his father at just three years old, to wearing an ankle bracelet just months before representing New Zealand U20s in one of the greatest teams ever assembled. Mitch’s story is raw, honest and full of lessons.

In this episode we dive into:

- His early years and the loss that shaped his drive.

- The influence of drugs and alcohol from a young age

- How he made the NZ 20s after just coming off home detention.

- Why he had to get out of Perth while playing for the force

- Addiction, psychosis and recovery

- Finding peace, purpose and passion again through coaching in Otago

- The power of mental health, routine, and clean living

- How he’s preparing for fatherhood and helping young players avoid his mistakes

And heaps more.

This episode sums up what the What a Lad podcast is all about, it’s brutally honest, funny, emotional, and inspiring, a true What a Lad story!

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Jacob Ellison is one of Wellington’s great unsung heroes – a tough, mobile front-rower who gave absolutely everything every time he pulled on a jersey. From the Wellington Lions and Hurricanes to the Highlanders, the Māori All Blacks and several seasons in Japan, Jacob built a reputation as the ultimate team man.

But this chat is about far more than scrums. Jacob opens up about his remarkable life:

His unusual pathway from the wing to the front row

The shift from Hurricanes to Highlanders and life as a “middle-ground” pro

How he's managed having epilepsy throughout his career

His powerful and emotional journey with IVF, loss and finally becoming a dad

The key to managing the life after rugby transition

Some classic stories including an interesting epilepsy diagnosis from a Japanese doctor

Learning the hard way about agents, contracts and preparing for life after rugby

And heaps more including your questions!

It’s funny, raw and inspiring – from yellow-jersey court sessions to Jamie Joseph’s sniper-rifle pep talks, right through to the lessons he passes on to young players today.

If you love genuine stories from genuine people, this is a special listen.

#WhatALad #RugbyPodcast #JacobEllison

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Kylem O’Donnell is a lad who has truly lived the highs and lows of chasing the rugby dream. From starring at Hamilton Boys’ High to winning an NPC title with Taranaki and travelling the world with the All Blacks Sevens, he looked destined for it all. But behind the speed, fitness and flair, Kylem’s story is one of setbacks, mental battles, and resilience.

In this episode he opens up like never before from the challenge of dealing with injuries and non-selection, to a being on the receiving end of brutal bouncer assault. He even shares some incredibly hard moments in his life including a terrifying drug-induced psychosis that had him running along the motorway naked! However the most powerful of all are the moments where Kylem shares his raw struggles with mental health, including times he nearly didn’t make it through, and the support that helped him fight back.

This episode is not just about the rugby it’s about honesty, vulnerability, and rediscovering who you are. An incredible chat with a man who is now using his own journey to inspire and help others.

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Mark Hammett has done it all in the game. With 81 games for the Crusaders, 4 Super Rugby titles, 29 Tests for the All Blacks and now a spot in the Crusaders Hall of Fame, Hammer’s rugby journey is an incredible one. Add in a coaching career that’s taken him from the Crusaders, Hurricanes, Cardiff Blues, Sunwolves, Tasman and Highlanders, the influence he has had on each side has been huge!

In this episode we dive into his remarkable journey: from a soccer player, to the early days of professional rugby, and the mindset that carried him through as both player and coach.

In this episode we go through..

The competitive edge that drove the Crusaders dynasty

What he learnt from coaches like Robbie Deans and Wayne Smith

The realities of early professional rugby contracts and suspensions

All Black memories including the infamous SAS camp

His move to coach the Hurricanes & the controversial decisions around Ma’a Nonu and Andrew Hore

His stints overseas with Cardiff and Japan’s Sunwolves

Lessons learned at the Highlanders and what he’d do differently

His passion for neuroscience, brain health and life after rugby

What he’s most proud of and the advice he lives by

And heaps more

Hammer is humble, competitive, brutally honest and one of the most authentic leaders you’ll hear from. There's so much gold in this one for everyone and whether you loved him or not as a player or a coach I know you'll have a new found respect for him after this one!

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Will Genia is one of the all-time great halfbacks and after this conversation I'm sure you'll understand why. With over 100 Tests for the Wallabies, a Super Rugby title with the Reds and stints with the Rebels, Stade Francais and the Kintetsu Liners Will had a bit of everything in his career!

In this episode we dive into his remarkable journey: from growing up in Papua New Guinea where he dreamt of becoming a cricketer, to falling in love with Rugby and the insane work ethic that took him from Colts to the Wallabies in the blink of an eye.

In this episode we go through..

One of the strongest mindsets to continually get better I have hear.

His journey through the grades and how he felt like an imposter at each step.

Winning super rugby and that incredible try that he scored in that final!

The highs and heartbreaks of three Rugby World Cups

His brutal ACL injury and his comeback to star against the Lions

Life in France and six more years in Japan

Why he walked away when he still could’ve played on

His transition into coaching alongside Quade Cooper

And heaps more.

If you think you work hard this episode might question that, Wills work ethic and drive blew me away. He's also humble, honest, insightful and just one of the absolute great lads!

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In this powerful episode I’m joined by Holly Parkes, someone who lived through the reality of caring for Shane Christie in his final years. Holly has bravely come on the podcast not for herself, but to continue Shane’s mission, to shine a light on the devastating impact of brain injuries and to give others a clearer understanding of what life with CTE really looks like.

She opens up about what it was like supporting Shane day-to-day, the heartbreaking changes she witnessed, and the strength it took to stand by him as he fought through some heavy paranoia episodes. Holly also shares her own journey — the lessons, the love, and the hope she wants to pass on to players, families, and anyone impacted by brain injury.

This was the hands down the heaviest podcast I've ever done. It’s raw, honest and emotional, but above all it’s a conversation that Holly wanted to have so that Shane’s suffering wasn’t in vain. This is an episode that will move you, challenge you, and hopefully help those who might be facing similar battles.

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Du’Plessis Kirifi has had one of the more inspiring journeys to the top and is one heck of lad to top it off. From growing up in Taranaki and spending part of his childhood in Samoa, to working three jobs while chasing his rugby dream, Dups has had anything but a straight road to the top.

He opens up on the setbacks that shaped him — missing out on NZ U20s after being told he was “good enough but a bit of a dickhead”, the grind of trying to pack on size when everyone said he was too small, and the lessons he learned from competing hard in his early Hurricanes days.

But through sheer hard work and resilience, he’s gone from labouring on worksites and sleeping in mates’ garages to captaining Wellington, becoming a leader at the Hurricanes, and finally achieving his All Black dream.

In this episode we chat about…

• Growing up between Samoa and Taranaki, and the values his family instilled in him
• The brutal honesty that sparked his turnaround after missing NZ U20s
• The conscious effort he puts into his speaking
• The near move to Japan and the moment that kept him in New Zealand
• The call from Razor
• How he got such big Quads!
• And heaps more

An inspiring story of perseverance, self-awareness — this is such a good epiosde. Dups is not only a competitor on the field but also one of the most thoughtful and articulate players in the game. What a lad!

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