In this episode of The Vitality Collective Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Bettle sits down with Simon Kearney, a veteran of elite Australian sport and the founder of Readiness. They explore how performance strategies used in professional sports can be applied to everyday life and business, focusing on psychological wellbeing and the power of proactive monitoring. The conversation unpacks the evolution of wellness questionnaires in elite sport, the importance of individualized wellbeing data, and how Readiness is helping organizations build thriving, resilient workforces. If you’re looking to optimize performance through better mental health, this episode is a game-changer.

Simon Kearney is the founder of Readiness, a mental wellbeing and performance platform that brings the science of elite sport into workplaces. With over 20 years in elite Australian sport—including roles in AFL, NRL, tennis, and basketball—Simon specialized in sports science and conditioning, holding senior positions at clubs like Melbourne Storm and St. Kilda. After experiencing burnout, Simon transitioned into corporate wellbeing, founding Readiness with the goal of helping people monitor and manage their holistic health using data-driven tools and evidence-based interventions.

• Website: https://www.readiness.com.au
  
  

• LinkedIn: Readiness on LinkedIn

• Email: simon.kearney@readiness.com.au
  
  

1. Check in with yourself and others regularly – Use a consistent, simple method like a wellbeing survey or brief reflection to stay aware of your mental state.
   
   

2. Treat performance like an athlete would – Understand that every meeting, project, and decision is a performance moment. Optimize your body and mind to show up strong.
   
   

3. Lead with empathy – Whether you’re an employee or employer, recognize the human behind the role. Personalized, compassionate support drives better outcomes.
   
   

• Monitoring psychological wellbeing proactively is just as critical as tracking physical health—especially for sustained performance.
  
  

• The wellbeing questionnaire, born in elite sport, helps capture trends in mood, stress, sleep, and more to make timely interventions.
  
  

• Burnout and stress often arise unnoticed; having data can highlight small changes before they spiral.
  
  

• Organizations that engage employees in mental wellbeing on company time see better engagement and performance.
  
  

• Financial stress, work-life balance, and the ability to handle trauma are the top stressors reported across industries.
  
  

• The buddy system within Readiness creates human connection and support, key to mental health improvement.
  
  

• Employers can use anonymous data to guide strategic decisions—like adjusting work schedules or investing in sleep education.
  
  

• Tech must be paired with human follow-up; data without action leads to disengagement.
  
  

• Legislation in Australia is pushing psychosocial safety, making proactive wellbeing programs not just smart—but required.
  
  

• Performance, whether in sport or business, is built on the same human principles—rest, recovery, preparation, and support.