The You Project

I'm fascinated with human potential; what's actually possible when somebody is genuinely prepared to do the work, face the fear, embrace the pain, overcome their self-sabotaging bulls**t and completely commit to the process of optimising what they have to work with. As someone who isn't wildly talented, brilliant or genetically gifted, l've long been obsessed with the challenge of defying my innate mediocrity and getting the most out of what l've got. This is a chat about that.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it weird that at sixty-one I feel like I'm learning like a teenager? And that l'm going through a 'cognitive growth spurt'? And that my brain feels like it 'works better' than it did in my forties? While I spend much of my life teaching and coaching, l'm also a life-long learner who is still excited about what's next in my never-ending classroom. In this informal chat, Tiff and I talk about the fun, value and anti-ageing benefits of being a perpetual student. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an industry overflowing with male CEO's (Real Estate), Sally O'Connell is something of a unicorn; she is the CEO is of the very fancy-schmancy (my term, not theirs) Abercrombys Real Estate, which operates primarily at the end of the market that I won't be shopping in any time soon. This was a fun and insightful conversation with an old friend (and employee) who continues to evolve, learn and lead with a refreshing blend of intellect, empathy, common sense, passion and social intelligence. And as per the title, Sally has a no DH policy. Enjoy.abercrombys.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Exercise Science there's a concept (tool, scale) that's used to assess how hard a person thinks they're working (1-10) based on their capacity, with 10 being their (perceived) absolute physical limit. It's called the 'Rate of Perceived Exertion' (RPE) scale. It's a subjective self-assessment (which makes it makes it more science-ish, than hard science) but nonetheless, I'm always interested in how hard people 'think' they're working (or perhaps, how much of their potential they think they're using) in the gym, but also outside the gym. In life. In this TYP extravaganza, Dr. Jodi (who has a PhD. in Exercise Physiology) and I do a deep dive around this concept (and lots more).drjodirichardson.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Technology scares the crap out of Mary Harper. It's a language she doesn't speak, a skill she doesn't have and at eighty-five, she doesn't want to learn it and I don't blame her. For people like my mum, even having a conversation with someone who lacks awareness, patience and/or empathy (a person in a business or on the end of a phone call perhaps) can result in confusion, frustration, embarrassment and even anxiety. For the 3.1 million Aussies aged 70 and above, the ever-shifting technological landscape can be terrifying. As always, this is a fun chat with our resident nerd, boxer and potty-mouthed host. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Joy is a School Chaplain, ordained Baptist Minister, religious TYP listener (pun intended) and freakishly talented Sketch Artist (weird combo, I know). I might be insulting some religious folk when I say that he's uncharacteristically relatable, real and open-minded but.. oh well, I said it. Sorry, not sorry. Anyway, we decided to get together and chat all things God, religion, the validity of the bible, love, connection, the co-existence of faith and doubt, the declining numbers in (most) churches, Christianity's 'PR' problem, my church journey and plenty more. I very much liked this chat.handdrawntoday.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to Clinical Psychologist Dr. Lillian Nejad, life blockers are psychological, emotional and practical challenges, beliefs, issues and barriers that stand between us and what we want to do, be, create and change. Some of those blockers exist despite us, some because of us, and some of them only exist in our mind. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who knew that happiness is way more than just an emotional state we get in? There's so many interconnected variables and factors (emotional, psychological, sociological, biochemical, and even genetic) that influence our overall sense of happiness, including neurotransmitter activity (like dopamine and serotonin), hormonal balance, cognitive patterns, social connections, life circumstances, and even gut microbiome health. Dr. Bill knew!! Of course he did.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wow, this was an awesome chat. It's not often I talk to a guest for ninety minutes and it feels like it's been thirty. I honestly could have chatted with Leila McDougall (pronounced 'Lee-la') for hours. Her energy, outlook, personality and authenticity make her conversationally intoxicating. She is an amazing woman, doing amazing things, overcoming adversity, inspiring communities and giving help where it's needed most. Amazingly, the girl who couldn't read or write until she was fifteen (due to undiagnosed dyslexia), went on to become an actor, movie producer, script writer, fashion designer, farmer, mum, school teacher, mental health advocate, business woman, Mrs Australia winner, cancer survivor (we didn't even get to that in our chat), former 'Farmer Wants a Wife' participant (is that the right word?), the focus of a recent episode of 'Australian Story' and as the title suggests, high-level problem solver. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wow, this was an awesome chat. It's not often I talk to a guest for ninety minutes and it feels like it's been thirty. I honestly could have chatted with Leila McDougall (pronounced 'Lee-la') for hours. Her energy, outlook, personality and authenticity make her conversationally intoxicating. She is an amazing woman, doing amazing things, overcoming adversity, inspiring communities and giving help where it's needed most. Amazingly, the girl who couldn't read or write until she was fifteen (due to undiagnosed dyslexia), went on to become an actor, movie producer, script writer, fashion designer, farmer, mum, school teacher, mental health advocate, business woman, Mrs Australia winner, cancer survivor (we didn't even get to that in our chat), former 'Farmer Wants a Wife' participant (is that the right word?), the focus of a recent episode of 'Australian Story' and as the title suggests, high-level problem solver. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dietitian, Exercise Physiologist and Diabetes Educator Kate Save is normally way more polished, professional, polite and charming than the potty-mouth host but this time at TYP Central, she calls out some of the big movers and shakers in the food space, including the government) and their (apparent) lack of care factor' about the ever-expanding volume of 'food-like' substances masquerading as nutrition, filling the shelves of our supermarkets, and the stomachs of our children.befitfood.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To say that Tobias Quinn didn't have the dream childhood, grow up in an ideal situation or enjoy the warm-cosy family (model), would be an understatement. Although all things considered, he turned out pretty well. And I can speak with some confidence because we've been friends for twenty-five years. This is a very casual chat between two old friends about life, purpose, meaning, living overseas, overcoming adversity, working in security (both of us), the evolution of the fitness industry, living our values and finding happiness. So, just the small stuff (lol).  krunk.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who knew! Regularly eating eggs supports a lower risk of cardiovascular disease-related death (no, not a typo). New research from a Monash University-led team has found that a daily egg (instead of one a week) is associated with a 29 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease-related death in relatively healthy older adults. Gillespo loves this sh*t and as he so often does, he took to the nutritional dinosaurs with a verbal baseball bat over the revelation that not only won't daily eggs kill you, they're (statistically) likely to make you live longer. And in other breaking news, he's also a fan of adding (not removing) salt from our diet ('course he is). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Taylor just had open-heart surgery. It was addressing a genetic (not a self-induced lifestyle) issue but nonetheless, not everything went smoothly for Mr. ‘hard-as-a-cat's-head’ and as you'll learn in this chat, things got a little intense, serious and excruciating for a bit. This was an interesting chat where we managed to open the philosophical, psychological, physiological, medical, stoicism and psychedelic doors (all the biggies). Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Team, I had a guest pull out of today’s episode (they are unwell), so I’ve decided to re-share one of my all-time most popular monologues. I still get feedback about it, a few years on. It’s short, in-your-face and not for the precious snowflakes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's fair to say that Exercise Physiologist and Change-ologist Unna Goldsworthy and I don't see eye to eye on everything, which is perfect because (1) that would make for a boring conversation and (2) if we did, we'd be in some kind of cognitive cult or philosophical echo chamber, and nobody wants that. This was a fun episode, talking about the mind stuff and emotional stuff that drive the practical, physical and behavioural stuff. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is ambition always a good idea? Even if it leads to 'success' (whatever that means to the individual), does that necessarily guarantee happiness, joy, fulfilment? Obviously, it can be an asset in certain contexts and situations but what are the potential psychological, emotional and interpersonal 'costs' of ambition? Seems to me that some super ambitious people might not be the most balanced (or healthy) cats going around. It also seems that if 'more' is always the goal then 'enough' is not a possibility. Maybe the challenge is to balance our ambition with our gratitude for what we have and where we are, right now?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So, I thought we'd try something new on Planet TYP; something a little more practical, interactive and hands-on than the usual TYP theoretical offering. Less words and ideas, more action and outcomes. Specifically, l'm going to run a free (no-hooks or catches) 7-day team activity (program, if you like), where - those of you who want to get involved - commit to 7 days of coaching, education and 'doing' with me. I'll be leading but I'll also be participating and sharing my own progress, updates and outcomes along the way. For those of you who need a little nudge, along with some structure, encouragement, support, direction and accountability to get your 'wheels of change' turning, take a listen and jump on board. Facebook Group: The You Project PodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tai Chi-teaching, vegetable-consuming, tech-obsessed geek is back in town and this time we talk about 'digital shoplifting’, Instagram's New Video-Editing App, Tesla sales falling through the floor, the predicted lifespan of electric cars, the self-healing road that fixes its own potholes (really), China's chatbot juggernaut (DeepSeek), GhostGPT (cybercrime Al used by crooks), smart video doorbells and Patrick tries to sell me on the idea of cultivated (lab grown) meat. Hard pass thanks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Dr. Cam McDonald and I chat about the ever-present challenge of being able to teach, treat, train, support and communicate with people using a particular approach (protocol, strategy, teaching style, diet, workout) which is uniquely optimal for them, taking into account their one-of-one biology, psychology and emotional system. This kind of approach is the future of human optimisation and I really enjoyed this conversation. shae.group/dr-cam-mcdonaldSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Of course we want to protect and nurture those that we love, but at what point does that love and nurturing become a potential handicap for the growth, maturity and independence of the receiver? In this episode, we talk about when to step in and when to step back, rescuing and mollycoddling, when good intentions have bad outcomes, the growth that comes through navigating discomfort, uncertainty and mayhem and why sometimes our help is more of a hindrance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of TYP, Tiff and I chat primarily about the science of health, fitness, wellness and performance for women but we also cover some general fitness territory that will be of interest to the blokes. And while we don't 'prescribe' anything specifically, we do share enough ideas, recommendations and insights to provide a little direction and inspiration for those of you wanting to get started, and also for those of you wanting to improve your current regime.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

*LANGUAGE WARNING! Yep, I need to start with that because if you're bothered by swearing, this might not be for you. Although I hate saying that because I think it's an awesome episode with a lot of valuable insights, lessons and stories for all of us for a range of different reasons. At thirty, Mick Hall was two weeks out of prison, was physically, mentally and emotionally broken and was ‘living' at the brink of death in a heroin-induced hell in an abandoned building. In this episode, Mick and I talk about everything from prison, addiction, hitting rock bottom and co-dependency, to turning our life around, redemption, situational intelligence, washroom honesty (it's a thing), why addicts are escape artists and becoming an elite athlete at 50! Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

*LANGUAGE WARNING! Yep, I need to start with that because if you're bothered by swearing, this might not be for you. Although I hate saying that because I think it's an awesome episode with a lot of valuable insights, lessons and stories for all of us for a range of different reasons. At thirty, Mick Hall was two weeks out of prison, was physically, mentally and emotionally broken and was ‘living' at the brink of death in a heroin-induced hell in an abandoned building. In this episode, Mick and I talk about everything from prison, addiction, hitting rock bottom and co-dependency, to turning our life around, redemption, situational intelligence, washroom honesty (it's a thing), why addicts are escape artists and becoming an elite athlete at 50! Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you become an adult you’re encouraged to have a plan for advancing your career. Or business. And for managing your money. And building wealth. And managing your health. And buying a home. So many plans and not a fun plan in sight. Personally, fun is in my top five priorities and I definitely plan for it. In this TYP instalment, Dr. Jodi chat about the benefits of fun, and lots more. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This was a rather nondescript, all-over-the-place exchange between the boxer and the old bodybuilder but if you lean in, you might find something worth hearing or laughing at. Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's what I think and/or feel - "I'm unlovable, l'm a failure, I'm stupid (etc.)" - and there's what is true (evidence, data, outcomes); "some people actually love me, I have succeeded in the past and in some contexts, I'm actually quite competent, capable and even, intelligent." We humans have a curious ability (propensity?) to think we're not good enough while simultaneously having evidence to the contrary. I often think I'm useless but I know I'm not. Anyone?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we are revisiting one of my favourite chats with Deborah Hutton. In this episode, I asked the former international model if the window for my modelling career may have come and gone, and she informed me that, there was no window. Oh well, at least we cleared that up (lol). Deborah is fun. And talented. And driven.  And creative. And super smart. And I enjoyed getting to know her (a little). In this organic conversational casserole, we spoke about being an international model at 16 (and the myriad of variables and challenges around that), strategic people vs. freestyle people, experiential learning, knowing who to trust, her three rules for success, identity, self-worth and looks, lifelong learning, her skin cancer journey, saying no to people, feeling ageless, passion projects and lots more. Enjoy. deborahhutton.comcanopybay.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Captain Kill-Joy is back telling us what we can't eat and why. To be honest, he makes some pretty valid arguments and along the way, tells us what crackers (dry biscuits) are terrible and what are okay-ish (I say ‘ish'), why Coco Pops (with 24% sugar) get an astounding government-sanctioned 4 Health Stars (WTAF?), why not all calories are equal and why Gillespo suggests that inverting the health rating system (eating all the one-star foods) might not be the worst plan.  Enjoy. https://dgillespie.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At this point on my ‘learning and working' journey, I inhabit a weird space at the intersection academia, scientific research, writing, story-telling, corporate speaking, podcasting and real-world practical application. In this instalment of TYP, Tiff and I chat (in some detail) about my PhD journey over the last five years; the lessons, the surprises, the challenges, the fear, the findings (in my research) and of course, the self-doubt. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We humans have a propensity to keep doing what doesn't work. Not all the time, but some of the time. With our health. Our lifestyle. Our money. Our career. Our relationships. Our time. Our genetics. Our life. This episode is about why we keep making the same mistakes and repeating the same self-destructive behaviours, and how we might change it all for the better. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I rarely say this but this episode was a bloody ripper (IMO) and not because of me (of course), but because the good Doc smashed it out of the park with relevant, super-interesting, easy-to-understand science. As she does. I think it's a conversation that some of you will share with friends. We chatted about why constant blood glucose monitoring can be a good idea, the whys and hows of health and fitness trackers (old school and new), the link between panic attacks, hot flushes (also called flashes) and perimenopause, the impact of consistently poor sleep on our overall health (it's dramatic), we get a mini-workshop on the different types of (and uses for) magnesium and Dr. Denise shares a fascinating personal account of her own navigation of perimenopause. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Like most episodes with Patrick, Tiff and Harps, this instalment is a conversational ship without a rudder. Sure we cover some tech stuff like the evolution of 3-D printing and its criminal applications, facial recognition tech being used on the general public at the Aussie Open, a 'mirror' that provides us with real-time health updates, the UK Ministry of Defence enlisting sci-fi writers to prepare for dystopian futures, Al being used to voice audio books (it's already happening), Norway's decision to go fully electric (cars), Patrick’s emotional relationship with the scales and lots more. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is something profoundly humbling about standing at the edge of life with someone you love. In the proximity of death, things change. Time slows, priorities become clear, words are precious, perspective shifts, ego vanishes, the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary, things we don't normally notice become profound, the meaningless and forgettable become the meaningful and memorable, and minutes and moments become mental and emotional gifts to be stored in our mind and heart forever. This is a different TYP. Some of you will love it. Need it, even. Some of you won't. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Like it or not, want it or not, the best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour. When someone has treated you a certain way the last fifty times (positive or negative), there's a fair chance, that's what you'll get next interaction. And despite the historical evidence - the poor treatment we've received previously (for example) - some of us curiously (and illogically) will expect that person to magically 'be different' next time. It's one thing believe that someone can change for the better (and some will, of course), it's another thing to analyse the data from previous experiences through a lens of logic and reason and to know that statistically, we're probably in for more of the same. It’s nice to be nice, but it’s not nice to be a doormat. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My ability to coach, teach, educate and even podcast effectively, is largely dependent on my ability to be able to understand how and why other people think, act, react, communicate and experience the world around them, the way they do. As is my capacity to build rapport, trust, connection and respect with others. In short, I can't do my job if I don't understand other people. This is something of a brief workshop on, what I consider to be, a very important and broadly relevant, topic. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is fluoride in our tap water a good or bad thing? Are there risks? And if so, what are they? And what about the 'dose? How many mg (of fluoride) per litre of water is safe? Or recommended? Why are some people saying terrible things about something that most of us have been consuming for our entire lives? And do they have a point? Oh, and what about this other thing called 'raw water'? What is it and why is it 'all the rage' (for some)? As someone who is 60% water (give or take), I found this chat super interesting and btw, Doctor Bill is a brilliant Scientist, amazing Teacher and even better Human. We're super lucky to have him. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What makes something valuable? What's the difference between perceived value and intrinsic value? How do we add commercial value to whatever it is we 'sell' the world? What would make somebody pay you or me double for our time, skill and/or service? Why would somebody think that a certain label of handbag is a bargain at 'only $10,000'? What role does scarcity (or perceived scarcity) have on value? What influence does social proof, comparison and context have on what you and I think a particular thing is worth? What impact does emotion have when it comes down to what people consider to be valuable or maybe even, precious (like that handwritten letter from Grandma)? What is the IKEA effect? And finally, how does branding, marketing and group-think impact perceived value? I love this topic. It’s super fascinating (and broadly relevant). Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we are revisiting one of my favourite chats with Giaan Rooney. According to Giaan, ‘raising kids’ is the answer to the title question. Apart from being a World Champion, Olympic Gold Medallist, TV Presenter, Sports Commentator, Author, Corporate Speaker, Fashion Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Macadamia Farmer, Mum of Two and Wife of one, Giaan Rooney hasn’t really done much. Nonetheless, we had a good chat. Seriously, this conversation was a fascinating insight into (her) life before, during and after, an Olympic career. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I started my working life as a highly motivated (but minimally skilled) gym instructor in 1982. From that less-than-illustrious starting point, l've since facilitated more than seventy thousand one-on-one coaching, training and/or mentoring (etc.) sessions. This episode is an insight into some of the things l've learned along the way. I think it will be interesting for anyone (in any field, role or situation) who is tasked with the responsibility of teaching or coaching people. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sounds like a boring and not-relevant-for-most topic but it was a surprisingly interesting and relevant-for-many conversation. Did you know that some widely-used magnesium supplements contain up to forty times (40X) the RDI (recommended daily intake) of vitamin B6? Even more ridiculous when you consider that most people don't even know these products contain any B6 because they're actually trying to supplement their magnesium! And what are the potential consequences of overdosing on B6? Oh, only muscle weakness, nerve damage, numbness, tingling, nausea, loss of balance, peripheral pain, vision damage and more. Guess who just checked and (subsequently) chucked his magnesium tabs in the bin?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that the people you hang out with can (and do) influence your physical, mental and emotional health? As the title suggests, this phenomenon is called Interpersonal Neurobiology and sometimes, Social Contagion. The people you spend time with can literally impact everything from your heart rate, respiration, nervous system, stress hormone production, gut biome, brain chemistry, immune system and appetite, to your cognitive function, emotional state, anxiety levels, decision making, confidence and self-esteem. With all that in mind, this episode is a conversation that's all about the people we ‘hang out with' and the impact (positive or negative) they have on us. Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're grateful to have the amazing Dr. Jeff Gross back at TYP and this time we talk about the idea of the general population (all of us) being 'required' to spend a year learning how our mind, body, brain and emotions work, in order to improve self-awareness and understanding around personal health (our health), to make more informed decisions, to create healthier habits and to be able to self-manage and self-regulate in an intelligent manner. We also chatted about longevity and health span, biohacking, the Doc's thoughts on marijuana, his daily regime (including food, supps, exercise and lifestyle), the biggest determinants of health (given a 1-10 importance rating by the Doc) and lots more. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Gillespie from Cleanbill Media is the much-more charismatic, charming and handsome version of his old man; TYP regular, David. Not surprisingly, James is also on a mission of his own to make the world a better place and in this episode, we chat about the latest findings in 'The Blue Report'. James and his team are committed to increasing healthcare accessibility for all Aussies and with that in mind, they have created an amazing, free online resource help people find the right medical practitioner, in the right area and for the right affordability criteria. In this chat James shares some alarming insights and stats regarding where we (as a nation) are currently at when it comes our (alleged) universal healthcare system. Enjoy. Cleanbill 2025 Blue ReportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Researcher, podcaster, coach, and all-round food science guru Matty Lansdown is back on TYP, sharing his vast experience and knowledge to help us understand and navigate the often confusing and mixed-message world of nutrition.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Researcher, podcaster, coach, and all-round food science guru Matty Lansdown is back on TYP, sharing his vast experience and knowledge to help us understand and navigate the often confusing and mixed-message world of nutrition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just two nerds just chatting about nerd stuff. Sure, we're different kinds of nerds but nonetheless, that's what this episode is. Will traditional TV's disappear? The good and potential bad of glasses with built-in video cameras. Haptic suits which allow us to give someone a virtual and physical hug from thousands of miles away. USB cables that can hide hacker hardware. Scientists growing a backbone in a lab. All that and more (as they say).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TYP's resident antagonist David Gillespie is back ruffling feathers, asking the uncomfortable questions, challenging the status quo and this time, the conversation focuses on our government's amazing ability to find money to buy submarines and bail out banks but not to fund social programs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that gym tailgating is a thing? Is the practice of non-gym members (at gyms which use swipe card access and are mostly unstaffed) following a member (with a card) into the centre, either with or without that member's knowledge or consent. While this episode was intended to be a tech chat (as it usually is), Patrick and I found ourselves meandering through very eclectic range of topics and stories. I enjoyed it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This chat with Gillespo was recorded on New Year's Day and not surprisingly, the conversation took a few turns with perhaps the most interesting (and relevant for many of us) topic being that of our capacity (or lack thereof) to be able to focus, control our attention and keep our mind where we need it to be for efficiency, productivity and (in broad terms) successful outcomes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.