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.

In this episode of The FX Factor, we dive into one of the toughest questions parents face: Whose goal is it — yours or your child’s?

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of sport — trials, rep teams, academies, pathways to professional levels. But when does healthy encouragement cross the line into pressure? And how do we know if the goals we’re setting are really ours, not theirs?

We explore how to help kids develop their own ambitions, why ownership is so important for confidence, and what happens when parents drive the agenda instead of the child. You’ll also hear strategies to support kids who feel overwhelmed, discouraged, or unsure — without pushing them away from the sport they once loved.

This episode is a must-listen for any parent who wants to raise resilient, motivated kids that love sport for themselves — not just to please someone else.

In our very first episode of The FX Factor, we take on some of the biggest myths around kids and sport that cause confusion for parents and frustration for kids.

Do kids really need to specialise in one sport early to succeed? Should they already be consistent in their performance every week? Are we putting too much pressure on them too soon?

We break it all down with straight-talking insights backed by experience. You’ll hear why early specialisation can actually hold kids back, why inconsistency is a natural part of development, and how sport should be about resilience, fun, and growth — not pressure.

This episode is designed to give parents the confidence to step back, support their kids the right way, and remember that success in sport is about the process, not perfection.

The FX Factor is a bold, empowering podcast for parents, teens, and families navigating kids’ sport, movement, mindset, and motivation. It’s raw, real, and packed with no-fluff strategies to raise confident, resilient kids — both on and off the field. Hosted by a coach with over 28 years of experience, it cuts through the myths and delivers game-changing conversations about performance, parenting, pressure, and purpose. Expect grit, growth, and great advice in every episode.