In 1997, I took one of the biggest risks of my life.

I was headhunted to move to Malaysia and join Tanco Resorts after spending years building my career in the timeshare industry. I packed up my life and moved across the world with Carmen, my then-wife, and our baby daughter.

Not long after we arrived, the Asian Financial Crisis hit.

The currency collapsed, cash flow became incredibly difficult and for months the company couldn’t even pay me. I could have walked away- but something in my gut told me to stay.

I believed there was an opportunity.

What happened next became one of the defining chapters of my life.

We built a huge team, recruited hundreds of people in those first months and generated tens of millions of dollars in sales. Over the following years, the organisation grew dramatically, thousands of people came through the business and the vacation club expanded to tens of thousands of members.

But none of that happened because of one person.

I had incredible people around me, including my friend Mark Bingham, and together we completely changed the way the organisation operated.

Years later, the New Straits Times would call me “The Billion-Dollar Man.”

But this episode isn't really about that title.

It's about what can happen when you believe in people.

One person can walk into an organisation and start something...but when you recruit, train, inspire and genuinely care about the people around you, the impact can become far bigger than you ever imagined.

I watched people transform their lives, build careers and create wealth for themselves and their families. That's the part I'm most proud of.

In this episode, I'm telling the true story of my time in Malaysia, the risks we took, the people who helped make it happen and the lessons that period of my life taught me about leadership, belief and possibility.

You can achieve far more than you think - but very rarely do you achieve it alone!

Welcome to the next episode of How to be a Hero in Real Life. I was out on a walk in nature and found myself thinking about a story I’ve never really told properly.

Back in 2014, life looked very different. I’d made a lot of money, I wanted to invest it, and one of the things I’d always dreamed of doing was opening a restaurant.

What followed was a journey involving love, heartbreak, betrayal, rebuilding myself, getting into the best shape of my life, modelling, taking a risk on a completely new concept and eventually creating "NAKED", a restaurant that went on to win Tatler’s Best Restaurant and become known far beyond Malaysia.

But this story isn’t just about a restaurant.

It’s about what can grow from failure, heartbreak and taking risks.

NAKED eventually led to other ventures, including Naked Diablo Tequila and Naked Diablo Airlines, but the journey wasn’t without its losses. Covid hit the restaurant incredibly hard, I continued paying staff while we were unable to open, and eventually, in 2022, we had to close the doors.

There have been plenty of stories, opinions and rumours online about what happened, so in this episode I wanted to tell the story from my perspective and put the facts straight.

Some things work. Some things don’t. We win some and we lose some.

But sometimes the thing that appears to have failed can create opportunities you never could have imagined.

Believe in yourself. Trust your gut. And whatever you decide to build, aim to make it the highest quality it can possibly be!

In this episode, I want to talk about something that has followed me in different forms throughout my life-bullying, criticism and the opinions of other people.

As a kid, I was small, ginger-haired and constantly the new boy at school. My mum had left my biological father because of his gambling, we moved around a lot, and for a period of time she was couch surfing while trying to create a better life for us. I was bullied, I struggled to fight back, and sometimes the only thing I could do was run — so I learned to run fast.

But I also learned how to survive. My mum taught me chess, and by 10 years old I became a school champion. Those early experiences started to teach me something I've carried with me ever since: you can't always control what happens to you, but you can decide what you do next.

Today, the playground looks different. I've dealt with keyboard warriors, online bullying, people trying to tear me down, being labelled controversial and even being blackmailed. And sometimes the people who try to hold you back aren't strangers — they can be the people closest to you.

But here's what I've learned: you cannot build your life around the opinions of other people.

If you have a dream, go after it. If you have something to say, say it. If you want to build something, build it. Be careful who you allow into your closest circle, because the people you spend your life around can have a huge influence on the person you become and the direction you take.

And when the criticism comes, don't automatically see it as a reason to stop. Sometimes it's a sign that you're being seen, that your message is travelling further and that you're inspiring people you may never even know about.

Life is too short to shrink yourself to make other people comfortable.

Be who you are. Go after what you want. Document your journey, protect yourself, stand by your truth — and whatever you do, don't let the bullies, the haters or the keyboard warriors stop you from living the life you know you're capable of.

You only get one. Don't waste it living for somebody else's approval!

In this episode, I sit down with my client and good friend Jennifer Bates, whose story is one of resilience, reinvention, adventure and having the courage to start again when life doesn’t go to plan.

Born in New Zealand, Jennifer moved to Australia as a young woman and began building a life for herself from an early age. After meeting her partner in Sydney, the two of them drove across the country to Perth in 1976 with very little to their name, even sleeping in their car near the beach while they searched for work and somewhere to live. From those humble beginnings, they went on to build successful businesses together, including a building company and later a fruit and vegetable business that supplied food to international airlines. Jennifer also raised two children while helping to run the businesses behind the scenes.

But after 21 years together, everything changed. Following their separation, Jennifer discovered that assets had been moved and she had effectively been pushed out of the businesses she had helped build. Faced with losing almost everything, she made the decision to fight back. What followed was two years of stressful and expensive litigation while she worked part-time and tried to hold everything together for her family. Eventually, she won her case in court and was able to begin rebuilding her life on her own terms.

And that was only the beginning of Jennifer’s next chapter. She bought the property she had been renting, later purchased a café in the centre of Perth, and decided to learn how to fly. That decision eventually led her to Romania, where she lived on and off for many years, travelled extensively and experienced a completely different way of life. From stories of having to take a suitcase of cash to the bank to buy a car, to travelling the world and embracing opportunities she never could have predicted, Jennifer’s life has certainly taken the scenic route.

Throughout it all, writing has always been part of her life. Jennifer began writing poetry when she was younger and continued during her travels, capturing her experiences, observations, adventures and her ability to find humour even during difficult times. After conversations around the Start Over series, she finally decided to publish her work, resulting in her book She Took the Long Way Home, which contains more than 100 poems inspired by her extraordinary life.

In this conversation, we talk about what it really means to start over, dealing with betrayal and loss, fighting for yourself, taking risks, embracing change and refusing to let your circumstances determine the rest of your story. Jennifer also shares the mindset that has carried her through so many different chapters of her life: finding a way forward, maintaining a sense of humour and remembering that you have a right to make decisions for yourself.

Her message is simple but powerful: “In the end, it’s your life. Stick up for yourself. You are as important as anyone else. You can’t blame the other person all the time.”

You can connect with Jennifer and follow her poetry at @JenniferWritesPoetry.

In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Margaritas to discuss a subject that is finally beginning to receive the attention it deserves: perimenopause.

Lauren grew up in Melbourne, Australia, in a proud Greek family. Like many of us, she absorbed the beliefs, values and expectations of the people around her. She was naturally loud, expressive and full of life, but was often told to quieten down.

Then, in her forties, things began to change.

Lauren started experiencing brain fog and forgetfulness. Her confidence disappeared, anxiety and depression began to build, and she gradually lost her motivation to go out and enjoy life. She describes becoming a shell of the person she once was.

She was exhausted, struggling with tinnitus and unable to sleep properly. She developed tennis elbow, followed by frozen shoulder, and was placed on high doses of medication. For around two years, her symptoms were dismissed as a midlife crisis, with doctors suggesting she simply take tablets and carry on.

Eventually, Lauren reached rock bottom. She struggled to get out of bed and felt as though she had lost her will to live.

On Christmas night, while sitting with her family, she realised she could not continue living this way. She had to make a choice.

Lauren left her successful career in lending at one of Australia’s major banks—a decision that brought fear and guilt because so much of her self-worth had become connected to her income. For the first time in years, she allowed herself to slow down, spend meaningful time with her family and rediscover who she was.

Podcasts played a huge role in changing her life. Instead of listening to music while driving, she began listening to conversations that helped her understand her body, challenge her beliefs and find a new sense of purpose.

By learning to listen to the messages her body was sending her, Lauren began to transform her health naturally. Today, she is free from the pain and rheumatoid symptoms she once experienced, although she is honest that managing hormonal changes is still something she works on every day.

We discuss the difference between menopause and perimenopause, the physical and emotional symptoms women may experience, and why so many women are still being dismissed or misunderstood.

Lauren is now studying further certifications and coaching women one-to-one through their own transition into menopause. Her work also incorporates areas such as the law of attraction, human design and Mind Movies, helping women understand themselves and find practical ways to create change.

Her message is clear: you do not have to suffer silently through perimenopause or menopause. Your body is communicating with you, and with the right support, understanding and action, there can be something much better on the other side.

Lauren also shares why she contributed her story to the Start Over books and what it meant to speak at the Start Over Sydney live event. Her mission is to help women realise that they are not alone and to reach as many people as possible with her story.

You can connect with Lauren on Instagram at @lauren_theperimenopausecoach or visit laurenmargaritas.com.

In this episode, I sit down with the wonderful Amanda, someone I first met through the Start Over Movement. From the moment we connected, I knew her story would inspire others.

Amanda grew up in a family of eleven, where life was filled with adversity. She shares the challenges her family faced, from siblings being taken into care to witnessing addiction, illness, and loss. Through it all, her faith gave her strength and hope.

Amanda also opens up about surviving an abusive relationship, finding the courage to walk away, and rebuilding her life after one of its darkest chapters. Her journey is a powerful reminder that our past doesn't have to define our future.

Today, Amanda is living with purpose, travelling the world, helping others through health and fitness, and encouraging people to choose joy, gratitude, and self-awareness every single day.

I'm incredibly grateful our paths crossed, and I know you'll take something meaningful from this conversation.

You can connect with Amanda here: @HappyAmanda8.

In this deeply honest and inspiring episode, we sit down with Melanie Gilchrist to explore a lifetime of adversity, healing and transformation.

Growing up, Melanie experienced significant family trauma, including her father's schizophrenia, her sister's bipolar disorder and the emotional weight of taking on responsibility from a young age. As the years went on, she found herself battling relentless depression, chronic stress, domestic abuse, grief and a series of debilitating health conditions that left her feeling completely disconnected from herself.

After years of searching for answers, Melanie began to discover the powerful connection between emotional wellbeing, the nervous system and physical health. Through changes to her lifestyle, nutrition, running, psychological support and energy healing, she gradually rebuilt her life and found a renewed sense of purpose.

Today, Melanie is a Reiki Master Teacher, transformational therapist, speaker and mentor who helps women reconnect with themselves, build confidence and realise their true potential. Her own experiences have shaped a mission to help others understand that healing is possible, even after years of suffering.

In this conversation we discuss:

• Growing up surrounded by trauma and mental illness.
• Living with relentless depression and chronic stress.
• Domestic abuse, shame and finding the strength to leave.
• The impact stress can have on physical health and the immune system.
• Living with conditions including Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) and PMDD.
• Her journey away from antidepressants alongside professional support and lifestyle changes.
• The role of nutrition, movement, psychology and Reiki in her recovery.
• Why she now believes our greatest challenges can become our greatest gifts.
• Helping women transform their lives through healing, confidence and self-belief.

Melanie's story is one of remarkable resilience. It's a reminder that while healing rarely happens overnight, it is possible to move from surviving to truly living. If you've ever struggled with your mental health, experienced trauma or wondered whether change is possible, this conversation will leave you feeling hopeful and inspired.

Learn more about Melanie:

🌐 melaniegilchrist.com

📱 Instagram: @melaniegilchristreiki

A couple of years ago, I met Barry- and his story has stuck with me ever since.

Barry Carey, a number one bestselling author in the Start Over Series (Volume 4), is originally from Northern Ireland and moved to Australia in 2008, planning to stay for just a year. Like many, that year turned into something much bigger- but not without its challenges.

What started as a lifestyle of partying in his early 20s quickly spiralled into heavy drinking, anxiety, and declining mental health. After a series of difficult events, including a car crash and struggles with depression, Barry reached a breaking point.

But that wasn’t the end of his story.

Through running and discipline, Barry began to rebuild, training at an elite level and completely shifting his mindset. Yet even after physical progress, he faced further setbacks, including injury, trauma, and deep depression that led to hospitalisation.

After surviving a life-threatening accident, Barry had a realisation: if he was still here, there had to be a reason.

From that moment, everything changed.

He committed to working on his mind, rebuilding his life through fitness, mental health support, and personal growth. Today, he’s a speaker, author, and advocate, helping others find their way through dark times.

In this episode, we talk about rock bottom, resilience, and what it really takes to start over.

Barry’s message is simple:

Never give up on yourself. Ask for help — and keep going.

Connect with Barry on Instagram: @careybarry