Between Two Beers Podcast

Pita is best known as the oiled up, shirtless Tongan flagbearer who achieved worldwide fame at the Rio Olympics in 2016, but that’s only scratching the surface of his story. Show notes | Episode 57 | Pita Taufatofua| 1.52 Seamus as one of millions who tagged Pita on Instagram back in 2016 and Steven learns about his exploits over the past 48 hours5.41 The 24 hours after the opening ceremony in Rio de Janeiro16.18 Would you do anything differently?17.59 On being a sex symbol and getting objectified in the media22.20 Growing up in Tonga and the influence of his family27.32 “20 years of work for 30 seconds of shine”31.03 The start of the Olympic dream in 199634.35 Turning down a million dollar Hollywood opportunity post-Olympics41.15 Giving back: using his platform as leverage to talk about social causes46.05 From taekwondo to cross country skiing54.10 Dealing with criticism57.07 The last race in Iceland to qualify for the Winter Olympics1.10.42 Sacrifice: $40,000 of credit card debt and losing people along the way1.15.37 Famous faces along the way: Snoop Dogg & Kevin Hart, Morgan Freeman, Prince Harry & Meghan Markle1.22.26 Trying to qualify for a third Olympics in sprint kayaking1.26.02 Pita on the Olympics and mental health1.29.48 Next steps? Paris 2024? Training facilities in the Pacific1.33.32 Last words from Steven, Seamus and PitaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we talk to Eugene Bareman, businessman, fighter and coach of two current UFC champions.Show notes:1.50 Between Three Beards?3.46 Training professional fighters in Level 4 lockdown9.27 The link to Eugene through his sister Sarai Bareman11.06 Back at Massey High School: rugby, study, and the turning point of his life21.45 Family fundamentals: Provide for your children, back yourself, learn from your mistakes25.15 Law school and falling in love with fighting31.07 Eugene Bareman: the fighter35.06 On mental toughness39.32 The ambition to get to 50 fights43.26 Has this journey gone better than imagined?46.13 Getting into the UFC51.00 Israel Adesanya1.00.05 Behind the scenes of a UFC fight night: locker room and between rounds1.12.13 Reacting to losses in combat sports1.18.53 City Kickboxing: Changing lives1.26.10 The weight of responsibility1.29.52 Hard work, pranks and banter1.34.23 The role of the trainer in combat sports1.39.37 Getting recognised overseas1.41.31 Last words from Steven, Seamus and EugeneSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we find out why Paddy is best known for saying 'this is the fuckin news', what Steve experienced when he went to a Hamilton pub with Paddy after midnight, how All Black Conrad Smith helped him prepare for the leaders debate, the time he left his passport behind when travelling with John Key in Iraq, the breakdown that led to him quitting as Newshub Political Editor, the horror interview he’ll never forget and much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we talk about how Jimmy went from the brink of retirement to almost delivering New Zealand the 2019 World Cup, what it’s like to get a spray from Brendon McCullum as a young player, how his social media following got so GIGANTIC – and the time he was mobbed on the streets of India, the heartbreak of missing out on NZ’s home World Cup and his future goals for red-ball cricket.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we talked about Sarah's rugged Fielding farm-girl upbringing, why Honey Hireme-Smiler considers her the greatest leader she’s ever played with, the emotional rollercoaster of the last six months after tragically losing her mum, how the eccentric Ruby Tui won the world’s heart and all the best yarns from leading the Black Ferns sevens to gold in Tokyo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we talk about BJ's ‘perfect’ career arc, his short-form cricket regrets, what happened in the changing room after the WTC win, what happened when a ND coach tried to stop him from smoking, what he talked about in between overs with Brendon McCullum during their epic 352-rin partnership and why he was Baz’s favourite oplayer, the toughest bowler he ever faced and so much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We talk about why Piney decided to leave NZME after 28 years of service, and then why he decided to leave his new job at SENZ radio station within a few months. He gives his thoughts on former SENZ producer Sam Casey’s controversial column on women’s rugby that saw him lose his job, the best stories from working at the 2010 World Cup and *that* night against Bahrain in 2009, how he knew Hilary Barry was going to be a big star, dealing with the loss of friend and mentor Graeme Moody, why he gets so angry at indoor football and much, much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We hear Ryan's best stories from eight years in the EPL, his frustrations with the All Whites in 2010, what it was like playing with Tugay, Gareth Bale, Harry Kane and Luke Modric, and against Henry and Berkamp, Ronaldinho and Neymar, the time he 'made the moves' on Chelsea Clinton at Stanford university, fought El Hadji Djouf at Everton and so, so many other cracking yarns from an incredible career.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rebecca was the Football Ferns goalkeeper from 1994-96, before switching codes to cricket, and playing over 100 games for the White Ferns where she won a World Cup. Then, at the age of 36 she returned to football, 16 years after walking away from the game, and went to a further two Olympic Games and one Football World Cup. She’s also worked for 10 years with the NZ police and held senior positions at the Ministry of Health, Serious Fraud Office and Department of Corrections. She is also a Director of NZ Cricket, about to start a new job as the Diversity and inclusion manager at Sport NZ and is a commentator for Spark Sport.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeremy was the lead singer of Midnight Youth, who were probably NZ’s biggest rock band from 2009-2012. In this episode we talk about the band's wild ride; Jeremy’s transition from journalist to musician, the fame – and attention he got on night's out, stories from backstage at the Big Day Out, the manager who ripped them off and why the band split up. We find out why he walked away from music to make coffee in Canada for a few years, and the break-up that brought him back to his guitar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.