Shooting the Breeze with Andrew James

"Life is about seizing opportunities." In this episode of Shooting the Breeze, Andrew James speaks with Katie Mactier, former Olympic cyclist and now a successful real estate professional.  Katie shares her journey from a late start in cycling to becoming a world champion and Olympic silver medalist. She reflects on her transition from high-pressure sports to the real estate industry, ho...

“Food has always been, for me, an introduction into another place.” In this episode of Shooting the Breeze, host Andrew James interviews renowned Australian chef Gary Mehigan , who shares his culinary journey from Hayling Island, England, to becoming a household name in Australia. Gary discusses his early inspirations, the challenges he faced in the restaurant industry, and the impact of MasterChe...

"I've never worked a day, it's a hobby." In this episode of Shooting the Breeze, host Andrew James is joined by Nick Johnstone of Nick Johnstone Real Estate for an engaging conversation reflecting on their extensive careers in the real estate industry. Together, they discuss the evolution of the industry and how they’ve navigated the changes, the importance of building genuine re...

"Data is the new oil." In this episode of Shooting the Breeze, host Andrew James speaks with Chris Hume, Director of Champion Data , who shares his journey from a passion for sports and numbers to leading a company that has revolutionised sports analytics. Chris reflects on the growth of Champion Data, the value of leadership in building a strong team and the impact of COVID-19 on the bu...

"The club comes first in every decision." In this episode of Shooting the Breeze, host Andrew James speaks with Andy Gowers , President of the Hawthorn Football Club , about his journey from a successful playing career to leadership in sports administration. Andy shares insights on teamwork, the importance of empowering others, and the challenges of leading one of the AFL’s most successf...

“I just wanted to give back.” In this inspiring episode of Shooting the Breeze, host Andrew James speaks with Mill Chen, founder of Mill’s Kitchen , a community initiative raising funds for the Royal Melbourne Hospital through mouth-watering cooking events. Mill shares her cooking journey, the inspiration behind Mill’s Kitchen, and the role food can play as a powerful connector in the community. S...

“I didn’t want to be at the football on Saturday, I wanted to be at the races!” In this episode of Shooting the Breeze, host Andrew James speaks with leading Melbourne bookmaker Mark Sampieri about his unique journey from a childhood spent at the racetrack with his bookmaker father, to a career in physiotherapy to becoming a prominent figure in the betting industry himself. Mark discusses the evol...

"The harder you work, the luckier you get." In this debut episode of Shooting the Breeze, host Andrew James speaks with Paul Connors, founder of Connors Sports Management , about his journey in AFL player management. Paul shares insights on building his agency, identifying and securing talent, adapting to changes in the industry, and the importance of financial education for players. He...