In this episode of The FX Factor, I sit down with former Socceroo and Melbourne Victory captain Adrian Leijer to explore his journey from grassroots football to the world stage — and what life looks like beyond professional sport.

Adrian shares what shaped his career, the highs and lows of elite football, and the values that carried him through. But this conversation goes deeper than sport — we talk about entrepreneurship, leadership, and balance. Adrian opens up about building his business after football, the work ethic and discipline that transitioned seamlessly from the pitch into business ownership, and how he continues to mentor and inspire young athletes today.

We’ll dive into lessons for parents, coaches, and kids: how resilience and coachability matter at every level, what sport can really teach us about life, and why the transition from player to business leader is more connected than you might think. Adrian also shares what’s next for him, and the vision he has for making a broader impact in sport and beyond.

If you want to hear first-hand from someone who’s lived the athlete’s dream — and successfully built a second career beyond it — this episode is a must.

In Episode 4 of The FX Factor, we dive deep into the key developmental stages every child goes through in sport and movement — and why recognising them can be the difference between a kid who thrives and one who walks away.

We break down the physical changes, the shifts in coordination, strength, and confidence, and how parents can set clear expectations that evolve as their child’s body and mind grow. But it’s not just about muscles and milestones — we’ll also explore social development: learning respect, saying hello to coaches, listening, and becoming coachable.

Parents play a massive role in this journey, and we’ll unpack exactly how you can support your child through the tougher phases — from awkward growth spurts to dips in motivation — without pushing too hard or stepping back too far. We’ll also touch on when it’s the right time to challenge your child to play “up” an age group, and when it’s better to hold them back to protect their confidence and development.

This episode is all about giving you the insights, tools, and truths to guide your child through every stage of growth — physically, mentally, and socially — so they not only stay in the game but build resilience, confidence, and lifelong skills along the way.

In Episode 3 of The FX Factor, we get into the art (and challenge) of helping kids set goals that are truly theirs — not just what sounds good, looks good, or keeps parents happy.

We talk about what healthy goal setting looks like at different ages, why mini-milestones matter more than big lofty targets, and how to balance ambition with fun. You’ll learn how to spot the difference between a goal that motivates and one that crushes, and how to reframe setbacks so kids don’t give up before they’ve really begun.

This episode also covers the power of consistency, the importance of celebrating small wins, and why the journey often teaches more than the outcome itself. Parents will walk away with practical strategies to support kids — from the sporty ones with big dreams to those who just want to move and feel good about themselves.