The You Project

Some of us have spent our lives ‘almost’ doing things. And sometimes we’ve actually done it. And then we’ve undone it. Starting. Stopping. Losing. Regaining. Focused. In the zone. Out of control. Inspired. Can’t be bothered. Productive. Destructive. And not because we’re bad, weak or flawed but rather, because we’re human. This episode of TYP is a coaching session (of sorts) focusing on the cognitive, emotional, practical and behavioural components of creating lasting positive change. It turned out being longer-than-expected, so we have a part 1 and part 2 to the conversation. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I worked with Justin Peckett back in the day when he was a St. Kilda Footballer (252 games) and I was Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Saints. His high tensile hamstrings, lower back and hips were my nemesis. In those days he was a laid back (almost in a coma), introverted professional athlete who loved a drink, loved his team mates, only spoke when necessary and tended not to waste energy. On anything. Ironically, the introvert now spends his work days in front of audiences (teams, companies, organisations) talking about organisational change, leadership, teamwork and human performance. We had a fun chat. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Taylor is back and this time he and Craig explore the relationship we have with our job (career, business) and the potential impact (good or bad, positive or negative, productive or destructive) ‘work’ can have on us from a mental, emotional, physical and social perspective. Among other things, they discuss what ‘work-life balance’ (that old chestnut) actually means and whether or not it’s a good metric for creating a healthy approach to our professional life. Oh, and Paul also talks about how a specific skill he acquired in the military (blowing up submarines) hasn’t really been transferable to the corporate world. Surprising, I know.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I started thinking about this topic when I was the thirteen year-old human Labrador, eating everything he wanted and almost nothing he needed. Usually, when nobody was paying attention. Which might explain why I was called Jumbo, not Craig. Cheesecake anyone? The fascination continued as a young (and somewhat leaner) gym instructor, talking daily with club members about their ‘what, why and how’ of eating. Decades later, it’s a conversation I’ve had literally thousands of times with thousands of people and in my opinion, it’s a crucial piece of the health puzzle that doesn’t get enough air time. If you and food have an ‘interesting’ relationship, this episode is definitely for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A while back Craig chatted with Nicole Goodman from the Business Essentials Daily podcast and they had an interesting (and brief) chat around what it takes to create a business environment and culture where people feel valued, important and excited to go to work!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the fifth time Bobby has been on TYP and while he’s always great, this was (for me) the best conversation we’ve had. He is truly one of the smartest people I know (and I know a few) and his ability to bring together neuroscience, human behaviour, personal experience, story-telling and humour is quite remarkable. I’ve known him for decades and in this conversation, he shared things about himself (big things) I’d never heard. Among other things, we talk about confirmation bias, challenging beliefs, blind faith, dealing with rejection, self-worth, identity, being wrong, the online battlefield and stories from Bobby’s violent, abusive, dysfunctional childhood. So, not much at all. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Addiction doesn’t only happen around drugs, gambling, booze and sex. It also happens with food. And work. And shopping. And plastic surgery. Being in control. Attention seeking. Fame. Danger. Exercise. Stealing. Gaming. Comfort. The truth is that most of us are (have been, will be) addicted to something at some stage. It might not be one of the more familiar addictions but it’s there, it’s real and it causes us to hide decisions and behaviours because deep down, we know we’re being irrational, unhealthy and/or self-destructive. In this episode of TYP, Craig and his brother from another mother (Geoff Jowett) talk about their issues and more broadly, the capacity we all have to fall into the addiction trap.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My fascination with muscle (size, appearance, strength, power, speed, function, sporting performance, muscular endurance, health, self-esteem, confidence) started forty years ago, as an insecure and curious teenager. Apart from human behaviour, it’s maybe the thing I’ve studied most. Academically, incidentally and experientially. It’s impossible to do this topic justice in ten podcasts, let-alone one, but let’s call this a beginning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is the audio from a closing keynote Craig delivered a few years ago at the Australian Health and Wellness Summit in Melbourne. In it, he talks about bringing all the lessons, ideas and concepts shared by the other speakers (throughout the day) together and turning the theory into real-world decisions, actions and outcomes. He’s somewhat inappropriate, somewhat fun and somewhat motivating. So, normal. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ingrid Nielsen was a socially awkward kid born in South Africa in 1947. She became a nun at 16 (for five years). A medical student at 21. A Doctor at 27. Married at 30. A mother at 30. Was a forensic pathologist at 30. She completed more than 7,000 post mortems in 7 years (in Johannesburg). Was married to a cheating husband for five years. Divorced at 36. Became a single mum of three young kids (1, 2 and 4) at 35. Qualified as a Psychiatrist at 39 (after years of further study). Emigrated to Australia at 44. Was a work-aholic until 65. Was depressed for an entire year (at 55). Started working out (and having fun) at 65. Ran her first marathon at 68. Retired for two weeks at 69 and is currently working full-time as a Psychiatrist in a large hospital in Adelaide (at 72). Ingrid is an inspiration.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.