The You Project

Fergus Watts is a high-level problem solver. He’s an entrepreneur, team-builder, brilliant communicator, visionary and inspirational leader who asks great questions, makes hard decisions, thinks clearly, turns ideas into realities, leads with passion and most importantly, does great work with, and for, people who need it most. Fergus is a former AFL footballer with St Kilda and Adelaide Crows, the CEO of The Reach Foundation (empowering and supporting young people), the founder (and current Chairman) of the Bastion Agency (employing over 300 people across Australia, New Zealand and the USA), father of three (all under 4) and husband of one. No wonder he’s tired. I knew Ferg when he was a kid and young man, and to catch up with him twenty years later and see what he’s done, who he’s helped, what he’s created and who he’s become, was the highlight of my week. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russ Jarrett is back at TYP and this time we dust off our Exercise Science hats and discuss the ins and outs of training our bodies at a higher level. Specifically, we talk about strength and conditioning for people (competitive athletes or not) who are training at (or want to be training at) a level somewhere between intermediate and elite. That is, anyone who wants to optimise what they have to work with. Not the worst plan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Save took her business idea onto Shark Tank (the TV show), found herself a high-profile Business Partner and Coach (Janine Allis) and when the show aired, things went totally crazy in both good and bad ways. Kate is a high-performer who keeps finding a way to succeed. She is an Entrepreneur, Exercise Physiologist, Dietician, Founder and CEO of ‘Be Fit Food’ and in this episode we talk about the numerous peaks, troughs, triumphs, disasters and near misses that have been part of her personal and professional journey over the years. From a somewhat underwhelming and almost-catastrophic beginning in business, Kate and her team are now a multi award-winners, with her products sold in over a thousand outlets around Australia. This is a chat about growing something from the ground-up. Turning a plan into an outcome, a thing in your head into a thing in the world and building a multi-million dollar company in a highly-competitive market. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imposter syndrome. Feeling inadequate. Self-doubt. Self-sabotage. Insecurity. Anxiety. You. Me. All of us at some stage. Despite the fact that, Tiff and I have known each other and worked together for years and despite the fact that I coach her, support her, cheer her on and want her to succeed… despite all that, there are times and situations where she still feels uncomfortable, nervous and even anxious around me; the bloke who’s on her side. This interesting revelation is the starting point for this conversation. Lots of good and broadly relevant stuff in this one. Enjoy. *This chat is a TYP-RWTP (Roll with the Punches) co-share.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It can’t always be the other person or the other thing can it? There was a period of my life when, on a regular basis, certain components of my existence (for eg. finances, study, weight, relationships, career, training, diet) were going to sh*t but amazingly (wait for it), I was never the problem. Incredible huh? The f*cking Universe was always conspiring against me. My genetics. People who didn’t understand. My lack of opportunities. Lack of resources. Bad luck. The weather. Time. The government. Cops. Teachers. Bosses. God. And the beauty of me never being at fault was that I never had to change because clearly, I was never the problem… This episode is a solo chat by me (Harps) about being the problem (and solution) in our own lives. If you’re after a feel-good interview, this ain’t it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This was probably the funniest chat Patrick and I have had. There’s some tech talk, a few stories, some alarming admissions (Patrick has a remote-control dog that is synced to his phone and he also thinks that ‘everyone’ is talking about the new Hogwarts game), some inappropriate humour, some sound advice (not much), a little philosophy and psychological about the potential social and developmental impact of tech-overload on young minds, what schools are doing (and thinking) about ChatGPT and lots more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is part two of my Q and A sesh. I apologise in advance to the people whose questions I didn’t get to. I answered them in the order I received them and simply ran out of time. Here’s what I explore this time (and who asked)..   MAGDA: Vibrational energy. Quantum physics. Please explain, I just want to know a true Aussie bloke’s take on this. *BTW (Harps here), asking me this question is liking asking your toaster to explain time travel. Prepare to be underwhelmed. ALISON: You don’t eat lunch so interested to know what sort of breakfasts you have to keep you going all day? JAIMEE: Thoughts on GP’s prescribing exercise literally on a script pad and visiting and exercise physiologist and exercise equipment purchases (eg. TheraBand) instead of leaving with a script for medications from a pharmacy. KYLIE: Piggy backing off Martin and Matt in regards to purpose. I have heard Harps talk some about purpose and purpose does come up in my own discovery of myself and journalling and with professionals. I'd like to hear Harps view on… Is your purpose and goals the same or are they different things? Is purpose what you are on earth to do and goals ways of achieving this purpose. ERIN: What are your best ideas for breaking out of a funk? Random ones, not run-of-the-mill stuff like sleep or exercise or meditation or the like. KYLIE P: What are you views on “manifestation” after Geoff’s views on part 2 of his podcast. FRANK: What do you do for your rotator cuff that brings relief? Op or no op.. that is the question! Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A few times a year, I record a Q & A episode, exploring listener questions. This is part one (of two) and here are the questions I ponder (and from whom)… ANDREA: What are your top 5 most influential books? What will you do when your become Dr Harps? MIKE: Why do so many men over 40 still fail to manage, focus on, prioritise their wellness (food / movement / sleep / mindset) despite the overwhelming evidence of the impact on relationships, physical and mental health? CORRINNE: What podcast episode would you direct someone to who is starting their journey with personal growth and metacognition. EM: What do you feel is the best method for prompting a behaviour change in people? What motivates people to change behaviour when education and information provided doesn’t result in the desired behaviour change? BEE: How do you remain staying positive when you're going through a really tough time, I know it can't last forever but so hard to see through it when in the middle of it. SARAH: How to stay fit with a chronic illness? CARLY: If you didn't have to work to earn money, how would you spend your time? Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I talk about the idea of running an experiment with you (or some component of your life) being the focus of your experiment. Things like lifestyle, food, exercise, sleep, health, habits, rituals, choices and typical behaviours. And not in a weird Frankenstein (type of) way but rather, in a ‘what can I tweak, change and/or adjust to produce better results on Planet Me’ type of way. My first self-designed and executed experiment at fourteen resulted in me losing about thirty kilos in four months by changing two key variables. I had limited knowledge, zero coaching or support and virtually no resources, but it worked because I paid attention to the data (my results) and didn’t stop. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two fitness industry dinosaurs get together to bang on about training, function, physical optimisation, the healing power of fun, joy and laughter, human potential, fitness and food echo chambers, learning and unlearning, creating an integrative approach to health and the importance of play at any age. This episode was essentially a chat between two Mates which happened to be recorded. Enjoy. feelsoma.com/eventsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.