In this episode Shaun interviews Paul Miller, highlighting his rugby career with the All Blacks, Chiefs, Highlanders, Otago, and Southland. They Paul's journey, including highs and lows, battling cancer, and his transition into life after rugby. Paul is also a team member at Stellar Recruitment.

Rugby Career & Influences

• Early Days in Gore: Raised in a tough environment, played for King’s High School, Otago, and Southland.
• Intimidation on the Field:
  • Paul was an intimidating player but recalls being wary of players like Jerry Collins and Philo Teatea.
  • Jonah Lomu was also a force to reckon with but played in a different position.
• Biggest Influences:
  • His parents played a huge role—his father was tough and stoic, and his mother was nurturing.
  • Coaches and teammates helped shape his career.

Adversity & Growth

• Handling Setbacks in Rugby:
  • Dropped from Super Rugby despite being an All Black—struggled with the sudden fall.
  • Faced career challenges but learned resilience.
• Cancer Battle & Perspective Shift:
  • Paul describes cancer as the toughest battle of his life.
  • Forced him to reflect on his lifestyle, mindset, and personal struggles.
  • Realised he had been carrying anger and unfulfillment from his playing days.

Alcohol & Mental Well-Being

• Drinking Culture in Rugby:
  • Early in his career, drinking was used as a social tool and escape.
  • Highlanders culture involved heavy drinking, which masked deeper issues.
• Changing Perspective on Alcohol:
  • Recognised the impact of binge drinking on mental and physical health.
  • Now Paul focuses on responsible drinking and helping his son navigate similar challenges.

Parenting & Legacy

• Raising His Son, Max:
  • Taking a balanced approach—supports but doesn’t push too hard.
  • Wants Max to develop humility and resilience.
• Advice to His Younger Self:
  • Work harder, don’t rely solely on talent.
  • Build sustainable habits—training, fitness, and discipline should be lifelong commitments.
  • Avoid complacency and always strive for growth.

Final Thoughts & Reflections

• Paul acknowledges that others may have it tougher, so it’s important to stay grounded.
• A favourite quote: "You only get two lives. The second begins when you realise you only have one."
• Grateful for family, friends, and the lessons life has taught him.

Trevor Hendy is a legendary Ironman champion, mentor, and wellness advocate. Trevor takes a deep dive into his journey—from a young boy afraid of competition to becoming one of the most dominant figures in surf lifesaving history.

His story doesn’t stop at sporting success, Trevor opens up about the internal battles that came with fame, the personal challenges that forced him to redefine his purpose, and how he found true fulfilment beyond competition. This episode is packed with wisdom on resilience, self-discovery, and the power of presence.

Key Takeaways & Highlights

Trevor’s Early Years & Finding His Competitive Edge

• How a reluctant eight-year-old was “volunteered” by his father to join Nippers.
• The fear of competition and how his dad’s clever strategy helped him push past his initial resistance.
• The mindset shift took him from feeling out of place to becoming a fierce competitor.

The Golden Era of Ironman Racing

• The rise of Ironman racing in Australia—huge crowds, national TV coverage, and the Kellogg’s vs. Uncle Toby’s rivalry.
• The moment Trevor realised the sport had become mainstream (spoiler: it involved 10,000 screaming fans at Bondi Junction).
• Competing on Baywatch, rubbing shoulders with Pamela Anderson, and witnessing a Hollywood whirlwind firsthand.

Kelly Slater, Peak Performance & The Power of Presence

• How Trevor and Kelly Slater formed a deep connection over their shared drive for greatness.
• The surprising secret behind Kelly Slater’s success and his ability to perform in clutch moments.
• The lesson that elite athletes, business leaders, and everyday people can learn from being truly present.

Overcoming Life’s Toughest Challenges

• The setbacks no one saw coming—divorce, bankruptcy, mental health struggles.
• Why life’s biggest challenges are actually designed to help us grow.
• His three-step process for navigating tough times:
  1. The shift from victim to the creator – stop saying “This happened TO me” and start seeing challenges as opportunities.
  2. Feel it to heal it – growth comes from facing pain, not avoiding it.
  3. Find yourself, know yourself, trust yourself – your intuition is your best guide.

Daily Rituals for Longevity, Energy & Mental Clarity

• Why he gave up alcohol, dairy, processed sugar, and gluten—and the incredible impact on his body.
• The one fitness goal that drives him: is being able to walk up any hill, surf any wave, and ski any mountain at 80 years old.
• His non-negotiables for a high-energy life:
  • Daily movement (ocean swims, yoga, breathwork).
  • Meditation & breathwork for mental clarity.
  • Nutrient-dense diet, focusing on fuel, not just food
  • Avoiding anything that slows the body down (toxins, stress, poor sleep)
  • The surprising results of his biological age test (hint: his immune system is decades younger than his actual age).

Advice to His Younger Self

• What he’d tell the driven but insecure 18-year-old version of himself.
• The powerful reminder that everyone needs to hear: “You are already enough.”
• Why real growth comes from embracing every part of the journey—even the difficult chapters.

Resources & Links Mentioned

Trevor Hendy Instagram: @handytrev
Future Lab Podcast (with Kelly Slater episode): Listen Here
Breath & Breakthrough Retreats: Learn More
Life Changing Foundation: Website
Melrose Health Supplements: Visit Here
12-Day Mini Masterclass on Victim to Creator Mindset: Watch on Instagram

In this episode, Shaun and James discuss strategies for starting the year strong, building sustainable habits, and finding purpose. James shares powerful frameworks elite performers use—from prime ministers to top athletes—to set and achieve meaningful goals.

Key Takeaways:
Reflection Before Resolution – Take stock of the past year by revisiting key moments. Ask yourself:

• What went well?
• What didn’t go well?
• What did I learn?

Start, Stop, Continue Framework – Used by Fortune 50 companies:

• Start: What new habits or actions should you introduce?
• Stop: What’s holding you back that you need to eliminate?
• Continue: What’s working that you should maintain?

Most Valued Priorities (MVPs) – Instead of setting 20+ goals, focus on 3-5 key priorities.

The Power of Visualisation & Journaling – Neurosurgeon James Doty’s method:

• Write down your goals daily.
• Read them aloud.
• Close your eyes and feel what achieving them would be like.

Accountability & Leverage – Find an accountability partner who will check in regularly. Use consequences to stay committed (e.g., James pledged to donate to a political figure he disliked if he didn’t write daily!).

Building Winning Habits – Key traits of high performers:

• Master one habit at a time.
• Stick with it for at least 66 days (University College London study).
• Meditation, journaling, exercise, and structured routines create focus and discipline.
• Understand your natural rhythm (morning vs night person) and design habits accordingly.

Discovering Purpose & Values – James emphasises:

• Purpose evolves over time—don’t put pressure on yourself to find one fixed mission.
• Identify your values by analysing where you spend time, money, and energy.
• Align actions with values for sustained motivation.

Key Quotes:
"High performers have habits that are different from low performers – they know how to sustain success."
"Write, read, and visualise your goals every day – morning and night."
"If you don’t know your values, you’re easily swayed by distractions and shiny objects."
"Pick ONE habit at a time. Master it. Then move to the next."

Connect with James Laughlin:
Lead on Purpose Podcast – Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube. Ranked #1 in New Zealand!
Instagram: @JamesLaughlin

Resources Mentioned:
- Masterclass on Setting Up Your Year – - https://www.jjlaughlin.com/2025replay
- Core Drivers Diagnostic Tool (Deeper Signals) - contact James via his website www.jjlaughlin.com
- Jonah Oliver’s Values Clarity Exercise - https://northframework.typeform.com/Stellar

About James:

James Laughlin stands at the forefront of High Performance Leadership and Personal Mastery, earning global recognition as a pioneering strategist in the field. As a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, James captivates and inspires diverse audiences worldwide with his compelling insights and transformative messages. His extensive experience spans working with elite performers and leading organizations, including professional athletes, influential CEOs, and multinational corporations, empowering them to lead with unwavering conviction and achieve remarkable success.