Andrew Crowell was tough enough to keep turning up after collapsing during his first training session with the Adelaide Crows. Tough enough to build an AFL career and to start again after a knee reconstruction brought it to an end.

Years later, after helping rebuild the culture at the Brisbane Lions and navigating the loss of a close friend, the lesson he kept returning to was not about toughness at all.

Andrew’s career has taken him from playing for the Adelaide Crows to supporting young people experiencing homelessness, helping develop players and culture at the Brisbane Lions, and becoming Head of High Performance, Wellbeing and Culture at Ray White.

In this conversation, Andrew talks honestly about resilience, grief, leadership, sacrifice and the advice he wishes he had listened to earlier.

“I reflect now and say, if I had actually made the sacrifices I needed to make, listened to my coaches, listened to the advice of those people around me, I probably would’ve played a lot better. I know I would’ve had a much longer career.”

Toughness got him in the door.

But looking back, it wasn’t what he needed more of.

CONTENT ADVICE

This episode includes a brief discussion of suicide and grief.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this episode contains the name and discussion of an Aboriginal person who has died.

If this conversation raises anything for you, Lifeline is available 24/7 on 13 11 14 or at lifeline.org.au. If life is in immediate danger, call 000.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 🏉 Andrew Crowell, Early AFL Journey

00:55 🌾 From Farm Life to AFL Aspirations

03:33 🏆 Pursuing AFL Dreams with Determination

07:08 🏉 Journey to Becoming an Adelaide Crows Player

08:37 🤔 Reflections on Football Career and Personal Challenges

10:08 😞 Personal Struggles and Lack of Commitment

12:08 💪 Reflecting on Career and Resilience

14:09 🔄 Transitioning to a New Career

17:42 🤝 Finding Purpose in Helping Others

19:26 🤝 Building Trust with Homeless Youth

20:59 🌟 Success Stories and Personal Growth

23:26 🏉 Challenges and Cultural Change at Brisbane Lions

27:13 🏉 Building a Positive Culture in AFL

29:43 🧠 Player Development and Wellbeing

33:21 🎸 Musical Journey and Cultural Connection

35:28 🎶 Memories of a Musical Friendship

36:48 📀 Preserving Musical Memories

39:16 🕯️ Keeping Memories Alive

42:23 🌊 Understanding Grief and Its Unpredictability

44:31 🤝 Dealing with Blame and Seeking Support

48:39 🏢 The Importance of Culture in Sports and Corporate Worlds

51:42 🏢 Journey to Joining Ray White

54:49 💪 Maintaining Personal Well-being

57:47 🧠 End-of-Day Reflection and Improvement

59:44 🤝 The Importance of Emotional Support and Culture

1:01:40 🏈 Reflecting on Career and Sacrifices

1:03:38 💼 Experience and Hard Work in Career Development🎸 WATCH ANDREW AND SETH PLAY TOGETHER

Andrew speaks in this episode about keeping Seth’s memory alive through stories and music. Watch a recording of Andrew and Seth performing together: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T--yUJQcwOA

🎙️ TALK TO ME WITH CHARLIE McCARRON

Real conversations with people who have lived through something worth sharing.

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Dan Withers is a 2x World Cup Champion in touch football, a successful business owner and founder of VidaFit gym.

By every measure, he was winning. But on a Friday night at Red Rooster, his partner asked one simple question, "How are you?" and he broke down in tears.

This is for anyone who has ever ticked all the boxes and still felt

like something was missing.

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In this conversation, Charlie and Dan go deep on:

→ Why success and happiness are not the same thing

→ The daily practice Dan uses to check in with himself every morning

→ What anxiety actually is and where it comes from

→ How your first 8 years of life are still running your decisions today

→ The inner world vs outer world framework for dealing with judgment

→ Why motivation comes after action — not before it

→ How to take the first step when you can't see the destination

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"We shouldn't be asking 'Are you okay?' once a year. We should be asking ourselves every single day, Am I okay?"

— Dan Withers

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 😢 Emotional Breakdown at Red Rooster

00:20 🏆 Journey to Success and Happiness

03:57 💪 Defining Success and Overcoming Doubts

08:23 💪 Proving Others Wrong

09:35 🧠 Internal vs. External Motivation

13:41 👶 Childhood Influences and Seeking Validation

16:14 👶 Parenting Challenges and Transitions

18:52 🌱 Personal Growth and Life Coaching

22:26 🧘 Understanding Anxiety and Spiritual Growth

23:50 🌅 Personal Growth Through Morning Rituals

26:31 🧘‍♂️ Understanding Meditation and Anxiety

27:44 🧠 The Nature of Anxiety and Ego

30:48 🧠 Understanding Ego and Personal Development

31:32 👶 Conditioning and Identity Formation

34:21 🤔 Judgment and Shame

37:06 📱 The Anxiety of Social Media Validation

38:27 🌍 Inner World vs. Outer World: Understanding Judgment

42:41 🔮 Making Conscious Choices and Future Pacing

44:50 🤝 Understanding Human Connection

46:27 🌱 The Value of Mentorship and Personal Growth

51:30 🏠 Challenges and Growth in Real Estate

53:23 💼 The Struggles of Balancing Work and Passion

54:26 🚀 Starting a New Venture and Facing Financial Hardships

57:05 🏆 Belief, Work Ethic, and the Journey to Success

1:00:58 🏗️ Building a Business from Scratch

1:01:42 📈 Growth and Strategy in Real Estate

1:05:33 🔄 Adapting to Market Changes

1:08:44 🏡 Real Estate Negotiation Strategies

1:09:33 📈 Coaching and Skill Development in Real Estate

1:11:20 📊 Market Dynamics and Client Communication

1:15:59 🏡 Real Estate Negotiation Strategies

1:17:14 💼 The Importance of Skillset in Real Estate

1:17:58 💪 Passion for Helping and Health Transformation

1:21:08 🏋️‍♂️ The Birth of a Fitness Journey

1:21:58 💪 Overcoming Self-Worth and Taking Action

1:25:20 🙏 Motivation and Gratitude

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Follow Dan Withers:

Instagram: danwithers25

Facebook: Daniel Withers

Website: V2Fit: www.vidafit.com.au

Talk To Me with Charlie McCarron

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Guest enquiries, sponsorship and newsletter: www.talktomewithcharlie.com

Podcast production by Beach Shack Productions

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