Between Two Beers Podcast

Daniel Kereopa is a special person. You’ll hear it straight away. His messaging is subtle, captivating and deep. He’s disarming with his humour and self-depreciation, but behind it is real authenticity and humility. And he’s got an incredible story to tell. Daniel was one of New Zealand’s best surfers across the late 90s and early 2000s and travelled the world competing against the best. But in 2008 his world came crashing down. Across two years he lost all his sponsors, his marriage fell apart, he lost connection with his kids and came about as close to death as possible after a freak accident. In the midst of a deep depression, and a burnt heart, Daniel fell out of love with surfing, but used the structure and discipline of karate to help piece his life back together. After becoming a black belt, he returned to the water in 2015 to be crowned The Ultimate Waterman – beating nine of the world’s best water-athletes across five different ocean disciplines. Now Daniel’s life is all about helping. Teaching kids to surf, to love, and be safe, in the ocean and become better people – through his DK surf school. But he’s also under-utilised. He’s keen to do more public speaking, mentoring and ‘helping’. Show notes | Episode 96 | Daniel Kereopa 2:04 No Wikipedia page, memories of 90s and 00s DK 5:10 The ability to read people 8:39 From farm to ocean: Building a picture of DK the surfer 18:31 Becoming a professional surfer 29:03 Losing it all 36:21 Coming back from the dead and leading with aroha 50:42 The Ultimate Waterman win 1:01:49 DK Surf School: Teaching people how to connect with the water 1:06:31 DK on asking for help, helping others, parenthood, and Raglan 1:13:48 What does the future hold? 1:17:09 Living in the real world 1:20:52 Gratitude and last words from Steven, Seamus and DKSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brad Smeele was a world champion wakeboarder at the top of his game. His life was an endless summer of travel, competing, modelling, building and meeting women when a catastrophic accident changed his life and left him a quadriplegic in 2014. Brad talks about the astonishingly raw and honest book about his journey – Owning It – The Ride That Changed My Life. The mental and physical challenges of losing mobility, the realities of life without the use of limbs, his sex-life, what it looks like now and why he included so much of it in the book, the darkest thoughts he had – and how he overcame them, and his incredible path to happiness, fulfilment and being present. And how he got there. This is a chat that really left us speechless. Brad suffered just about the worst possible thing that could happen to a young man in the prime of his life – and has found a way to turn it into a positive. It certainly put our own struggles into perspective and we both left the episode feeling incredibly inspired. Show notes | Episode 95 | Brad Smeele 2:03 A busy week for Brad Smeele: the book launch, media appearances, and going head-to-head with Ross Taylor 5:00 Sex (and other reflections on the book) 11:42 Painting a picture of pre-accident Brad Smeele 21:59 A pause for breakdown on naming conventions for wakeboard tricks 24:29 A preamble to the accident: opening up, shitting yourself, and having real conversations with your mates 31:40 The accident 40:16 The initial recovery post-accident 53:12 Steve loops back to sex chat 55:36 Finding inspiration from tragedy: transitioning back to life in New Zealand 1:13:33 Helping other people deal with their shit 1:17:46 Owning It: the process of writing, editing, and launching the book (and Steve triples down on sex chat!) 1:22:30 Looking back at the accident 1:26:05 Last words from Steven, Seamus and BradSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Hooker has been a professional fighter for the last 13 years, forging a path to becoming one of the best UFC lightweight fighters in the world through kickboxing, Muay Thai, and mixed martial arts. Dan gives us an insight into the realities of fighting for a living including reflections on dealing with head trauma, and all of his back catalogue in fight sports from featherweight all the way through to a heavyweight bout with an opponent who weighed over 130kg! He also takes us behind the scenes of the UFC machine all the way from signing his first contract in 2014 at UFC Auckland all the way to the PPV cards and his upcoming fight at UFC 281, press conferences with Conor McGregor, and training with Israel Adesanya. Dan is unique in the New Zealand sporting landscape. An athlete at the top of his field that calls it as he sees it. His thoughtful, introspective answers to some big questions revealed an incredibly likeable, warm guy. Show notes | Episode 94 | Dan Hooker 1:34: An appreciation for Export Gold! 2:23: Comparing a day at The Wiggles to a UFC PPV 7:11: Dan Hooker’s podcast history and some social media gold 10:50: Tricks of the trade as a doorman in downtown Auckland 15:52: Frenemies and training with Israel Adesanya 22:03: Taking a leg kick from Dan Hooker 24:37: Pre-combat sports Dan Hooker and the influence of The Ultimate Fighter 32:14: Dan Hooker v the 130kg heavyweight 37:42: Getting the call up to the UFC in 2014 44:39: The Edson Barboza fight 52:25: The aftermath of a big fight: Dustin Poirier and Paul Felder 57:48: Reflections on the management of a mixed martial arts career 1:04:34: Is the UFC a viable career for future athletes? 1:08:35: Backstage at the UFC 1:17:25: The importance of Eugene Bareman 1:21:47: The psychology of the weigh-in and the dynamic change with Conor McGregor on the card? 1:25:24: Cutting weight (and missing weight) 1:29:04: Head trauma, CTE, and combat sports 1:36:30: Fighting, family, public profile, and upcoming fights 1:41:10: Last words from Steven, Seamus and DanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We talk to Ross Taylor about the response he’s had to his new book ‘Black and White’, the joy of dominating schoolboy cricket with a teenage Jesse Ryder, the hidden agendas which led to him being ousted as Black Caps captain, becoming an overnight millionaire in the IPL auction, the best memories of the late Sir Martin Crowe, deep convos with Kane Williamson, what life after cricket looks like and much, much more. Show notes | Episode 93 | Ross Taylor 1:51: Is Ross Taylor a HAMbassador? 4:06: The journey after launching the new book Black and White 10:23: The process of writing the book and pulling out transcripts after eight years  13:25: The fallout after the first five days 14:54: Will Ross Taylor still pay for half of Seamus’ wedding?  17:20: What’s The Time Mr. Wolf? 19:58: Opportunity costs and getting used to life at home 26:41: The change in Ross Taylor from the start of his career to the end 27:57: Rising through the ranks at Central Districts and growing up with Jesse Ryder  36:48: Early sponsorships, why Ross could never play rugby, and being available for domestic cricket 43:06: The mechanics of an IPL auction 48:45: The captaincy saga 56:11: Similarities to the Ian Foster All Blacks coaching situation  1:00:19: Does time heal old wounds? 1:06:55: Racism, culture, and identity 1:16:48: Ross Taylor on the late Sir Martin Crowe 1:23:46: The relationship with NZ Cricket 1:26:12: Ian Smith, Andy Haden, and Leanne McGoldrick 1:30:28: A conversation between Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson 1:33:23: The long, bumpy road to retirement  1:44:08: What’s next for Ross Taylor? 1:46:25: Some quick yarns the boom box in the Long Room at Lords, Peter Andre’s Mysterious Girl, and a near miss in St Kitts  1.54.03: Last words from Steven, Seamus and RossSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eliza is a professional pole vaulter and one of the very best in the world.  She burst onto the scene as a 19-year old, taking home bronze from the Rio Olympics, before winning silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and smashing indoor and outdoor Oceania records.  In this episode we talk about going to school with Lorde, the time she accidentally stumbled on a nude beach, why her coach made her tell a joke each week, her rise to the top of the pole vaulting world and the whirlwind of fame that followed her Olympic bronze.  Eliza's career has stalled recently with an unfortunate run of injuries that prevented her from competing at this year’s Commonwealth Games. We talk about the mental and physical struggle of dealing with injuries, and the inspiring rebuild that’s happening now.  Eliza is such good company and we both really loved this chat. In the second half we go quite deep on the injury situation, and you’ll get a really clear picture of what a tough few years it's been for her. This was actually her first ever podcast appearance, and we’re really grateful she came on to share her story.  Show notes | Episode 92 | Eliza McCartney 1:43 Steven’s pole vault research comes to the fore off the back of the Commonwealth Games 4:20 Growing up with Lorde and Eliza’s childhood sporting background 6:26 Seamus navigates watching Eliza at training and Steven’s Rio recollection 8:59 Eliza the comedian 13:01 Some thoughts on Chelsea Lane and that time she lead Eliza astray in Vancouver 18:44 From North Island Champs to World Juniors: The rapid rise to success in pole vault 27:24 The “block” before qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics 33:30 Expectations and on the day preparations 37:08 Day two of Rio and claiming the bronze medal 47:03 The medal ceremony and blowing up on social media like Pita Taufatofua 50:16 A cheeseburger challenge interlude with Seamus and Roland Jeffrey 51:21 Reflection on the bronze medal success and the whirlwind on Eliza’s eventual return to New Zealand 57:38 Post Rio Olympics: personal bests including the fifth best vault of all-time! 1:01:18 Highs and lows: charting the injury story 1:10:45 Navigating the challenge of having to share your battles publicly with friends and family 1:15:17 How close to retirement did Eliza get? 1:18:15 The rebuild of Eliza McCartney 1:26:03 Advice for young athletes 1:27:35 The social campaigner and environmentalist with a deep appreciation for Te Ao Maori 1:35:24 The Italian Job: on the kite foil Olympic campaign trail with Lukas Walton-Keim 1:37:50 Influencing a generation of kiwi female pole vaulters 1:39:00 Last words from Steven, Seamus and ElizaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason Hoyte is a screen, and voice, actor, radio host, comedian, stage performer, former cricket umpire and father of four.  In this episode we talk about Jason’s infamous scene with Nadia Lim on Late NIght Big Breakfast, the chaotic early days of comedy with Sugar and Spice, his relationship with Leigh Hart and the trials and tribulations of putting Bhuja together, working with Ryan Gosling on Young Hercules, His experiences with the ACC, never being too old for smut talk and some love, and life advice.  Jase is a guest we’ve wanted on the show since we started it  - and we weren’t disappointed. He’s so often ‘in character’ in his public-facing roles, so it was a real treat to peak behind the curtain to find out what really makes him tick. Jase has been a big influence on both of us, he’s been involved in many of our favourite productions and just generally cracks us up. He’s also lived a hell of a life.  Show notes | Episode 91 | Jason Hoyte 1:38 Jason throws some heat at Mike Lane about the state of the Export Beer Garden Studio 3:08 The influence of Jason on the everyday lexicon – backbone! 5:40 An impressive body of screen acting work 8:46 One of the most well-known voices in New Zealand 13:23 Setting the foundations at Dilworth: maths poetry and school productions 19:47 Sugar & Spice 30:33 West Auckland Hollywood: Xena, Hercules and Young Hercules 34:54 Killing people on Shortland Street 38:12 A breadth of work from Seven Periods with Mr. Gormsby to Power Rangers 41:36 Leigh Hart, Moon TV, and The Late Night Big Breakfast 51:53 Jason and Nadia Lim 55:26 The transition to radio: Bhuja via the Alternative Commentary Collective 1:04:55 Hüsker Dü: The art of throwing people under the bus 1:07:41 The success of the Alternative Commentary Collective 1:14:04 The Big Show with Mike Minogue and Keyzie 1.18.18 Last words from Steven, Seamus and JasonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Between Two Beers we’re re-winding the clock to November 2021 when we sat down with Chelsea Lane.   Chelsea was in the news last week when it was announced she’d been appointed as the Head of High Performance at Basketball NZ and we thought it was a great reason to re-share her extraordinary story.  After working in NZ for over a decade as a physio, and with High-Performance Sport NZ, she got an email from the NBA champion Golden State Warriors in 2015, asking for her help. Within a year, she was working with some of the biggest sport stars in the world as a performance therapist, within two years she was running the whole operation, leading a team of 25 and within three years she had two NBA Championship rings and was one of the NBA’s most coveted backroom staffers. She was then headhunted by the Atlanta Hawks, offered an executive role and within five years of leaving New Zealand was the Vice President of an NBA franchise.   In this episode we talk about why she walked away from it all, the close personal relationships she developed with Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Andre Igoudala and Vince Carter, behind the scenes stories of team-talks with Steve Kerr, the magic she saw from Durante and Curry at training every day, how she celebarted her two NBA championships, how she navgiated 100-hour work weeks, and why so many NBA stars are so emphatic with their praise of her and her work.   It will quickly become apparent why Chelsea has had the success she has. She's one of the most impressive guests we’ve ever had on the show – and we feel Basketball NZ have done a great bit of business.   Show notes | Chelsea Lane 2.06 Tennis lessons, living life “off the grid”, being absent from social media. 6.46 Chelsea Lane in their words: Steph Curry, Andre Igoudala, and Sarah Cowley-Ross 10.17 Receiving an email from the Golden State Warriors and meeting head coach Steve Kerr 16.57 Why did the Golden State Warriors chase Chelsea Lane? 19.45 Progressing through the ranks in the role 26.38 Being female in the NBA 33.29 What did the role actually look like? 37.33 Is US professional sports as cold as it sounds? 42.31 In the huddle: pearls of wisdom from Steve Kerr and others 52.02 In the locker room: routines, winning NBA championships 1.03.08 The realities of working in the NBA 1.08.27 Chelsea Lane on Kevin Durant 1.11.38 From hands on treatment to the boardroom: Shifting to the Atlanta Hawks 1.22.17 Comparing Golden State to Atlanta 1.24.45 Getting Vince Carter fit for an 82 game season at age 42 1.28.00 Leaving the NBA 1.32.43 Is there a dream job here for Chelsea in New Zealand? 1.37.03 An interlude: Booking accommodation in Switzerland 1.38.26 Other kiwis in the NBA: Steven Adams and Sean Marks 1.39.42 A bit of Steph Curry 1.42.10 Last words from Steven, Seamus and ChelseaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Moorman is one of the most successful poker players of all time. He has won over $42 million dollars playing cards and is widely considered to be the best online tournament player ever, but he’s also crossed over successfully into live tournaments – winning over $1 million on three separate occasions. At one point, Moorman was also one of the biggest 'backers' in the online poker scene, and tells the incredible story of how some amateur money-management and sloppy decision-making cost him around $3 million.Chris is a poker legend; driven, humble, insightful and a great storyteller.  We hear all his best stories from his 15 years as a poker pro, the mental-skills coach that helped him to his first big live win, the time he lost a backpack with $60,000 in it, playing against his wife for $20,000 and so much more. Show notes | Episode 90 | Chris Moorman 2.01 Drama at the World Series of Poker 4.50 Putting some context on Chris Moorman the poker player 7.31 When Steven and Moorman lived in the same poker house in Papamoa and Queenstown 12.29 Reflecting on the early years 18.05 Horses, stables, and staking players 26.10 Horses going into makeup, writing off debt, and big swings 33.07 Shaun Goldsbury on Moorman losing a backpack with $60,000 cash and poker chips in it 45.20 Transitioning from online poker to live tournaments 55.06 Bringing on a mental skills coach and the immediate improvement it had 1.04.29 Black Friday and the impact on online poker 1.07.51 A short selection of poker stories from over the years 1.11.41 Lessons from some of the best players in history 1.18.53 Last words from Steven, Seamus and MoormanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brodie Kane has built a hugely successful career in the media over the past 15 years. She was runner-up in the latest edition of Dancing with the Stars. She left mainstream media to start her own company – Brodie Kane Media – where she hosts the very popular The Girls Uninterrupted and Kiwi Yarns podcasts, and produces two other podcasts, Three Gals One Beehive, and Out the Gayte. Before that she had an extensive career in radio and television where she hosted The Hits Breakfast show in Christchurch and worked at TVNZ for five years as a sports presenter on Breakfast, a roving reporter on Seven Sharp, an investigative reporter on Fair Go, and associate producer on Q+A. Her no-nonsense yet down-to-earth approach is unique in the industry and you can be guaranteed that what you see is what you get. Show notes | Episode 89 | Brodie Kane 1:39: Brodie Kane – the everywhere girl right now 5:20: Dancing with the Stars 9:59: The realest of the reality shows 12:09: Proud Mary 18:30: Jo Kane swims the Cook Strait at 40 22:06: Clubbies with Lisa Carrington 27:21: Leading the open women’s surf lifesaving nationals 32:58: Brodie Kane and Richie McCaw 39:15: Lessons from the New Zealand army 52:22: Starting out in journalism and a career of heavy subject matter 1:02:30: A shift from hard news to being in front of the camera on Seven Sharp 1:07:47: Moving through the ranks: from Fair Go to Breakfast 1:15:40: The horrible side of fame and calling people out 1:27:07: Controlling your own destiny: Brodie Kane Media 1:35:23: Brodie on podcasts 1:41:28: What does the future hold and actively managing your brand 1:52:29: Last words from Steven, Seamus and BrodieSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric Salizzo is New Zealand sports broadcasting royalty – journalist, television presenter and producer – turned rugby consultant in New York. Ric started his career as a journalist with TVNZ before becoming the All Blacks’ first ever media liaison officer in 1992. Prior to that he pioneered sports media coverage producing the behind-the-scenes documentary The Good, the Bad and the Rugby which kickstarted a series of follow ups over the years. After four years inside the All Blacks camp he then created, and hosted the wildly popular Sports Café, a cult hit which ran for 11 years creating some memorable TV moments and turned Marc Ellis and Leigh Hart into household names. He then moved behind the camera as the executive producer of The Crowd Goes Wild, which has been running for 16 years. Now based in New York working in Major League Rugby, Ric shared some of the best bits from his career. Show notes | Episode 88 | Ric Salizzo 1.47 Rugby New York and the realities of Major League Rugby 6.10 Moving to the US to “get away from rugby” and what the All Blacks can learn from US sport 13.26 Sport in New York 18.20 Newsreader Ric at TVNZ in the 80s 25.10 The first ever All Blacks media liaison officer 31.19 Inside the All Blacks camp 36.03 Jonah Lomu and the 1995 Rugby World Cup 41.18 The original All of Nothing series: The Good, the Bad and the Rugby 45.24 The origins of Sports Café: “…after being the media liaison officer everyone hated me…” 50.09 The genius of Leigh Hart 58.03 The perfect end of Sports Café and the brief return in 2008 1.01.00 Sugar Shack: “one of the most important things I’ve ever done” 1.03.43 Going behind the camera with The Crowd Goes Wild and letting go 1.08.14 Last words from Steven, Seamus and RicSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.