James Turner from JTurner Constructions didn’t plan to start a building business. A torn ACL and a forced shift into subbie life pushed him into it, and he built the company the way most builders do: decks, renos, extensions, then new homes.

Two and a bit years ago, he was ready to pull the pin. Bad estimating, people management gaps, COVID losses, and the mental load stacked up fast. A turning point came from an unexpected place: an eight-week men’s course (Rising Kings) that helped him rebuild structure through daily habits and exercise.

From there, Zara D’Cotta’s course sparked a new interest in the health of homes, and Future Builder gave him the systems and support to start moving toward Passive House and high-performance building.

This episode is a practical look at what it really takes to transition: filtering the noise, learning the fundamentals, marketing like a human, and selling health and comfort before you ever mention acronyms.

00:00 Intro

01:00 Meet James Turner (J Turner Constructions)

02:20 How the business started: ACL injury, subbie shift

08:45 Exit meeting shock + the pivot into carpentry

10:10 Nearly quitting: estimating, people, COVID losses

11:30 Rising Kings: structure, habits, exercise, and the mental reset

17:50 Zara DCottas course: holistic homes and health

19:00 Kids health trigger: carpet, dust, mould, air filtration

24:00 Future Builder call: systems, assets, and direction

25:15 Discovering Passive House and high-performance building

34:25 Marketing advice: document the journey, be vulnerable

36:10 Content that works: face to camera, education, long game

39:25 Fear of failure + getting comfortable in your skin

44:05 Transition risk: don't shoot yourself in the foot

49:00 PHPP as an optimisation tool + right-sizing systems

50:20 MEGT Mindful Moment: resilience and career pivots

Our Sponsors:

Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima

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Connect with James:

Website: https://jturnerconstructions.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jturnerconstructions/

Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod

Connect with Hamish:

Instagram: @sanctumhomes

Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/

Connect with Matt:

Instagram: @carlandconstructions

Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

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