Success x Happiness

Ben Norris built one of the fastest-rising gym equipment brands in the world after spending 18 months barely selling a single machine. In this conversation, the founder of Citadel Strength opens up about autism, getting bullied through school, learning human interaction from scratch, and turning blind self-belief into a global manufacturing company now operating in 21+ countries. Ben shares how he...

Chris Harris is back to break down the 2026 federal budget and what it actually means for everyday Australians.   From property investing and negative gearing to CGT, inflation, interest rates and discretionary trusts, Chris unpacks the real-world impact behind the headlines.   -   Get in touch with Chris Harris https://www.ords.com.au/adviser/chris-harris   -   Chris’ Quick Fire Answers What does...

Jarrod Lee turned adversity into fuel, building a 35+ person business empire from a small-town upbringing, relentless work ethic, and an obsession with growth. From buying a business during COVID after losing his job, to navigating leadership, fatherhood, and the pressure of scaling companies, Jarrod shares the mindset that keeps him moving forward no matter how hard things get.   -   Get in touch...

Sam Coward’s life was shaped by chasing attention—until a single moment with his daughter completely changed his purpose. From theatre stages to becoming one of the Sunshine Coast’s most recognisable radio voices, Sam’s journey is filled with raw lessons on identity, authenticity, and redefining success.   -   Get in touch with Sam Coward https://www.instagram.com/samcowardxs/   -   Sam’s Quick Fi...

Ferre De Deyne’s journey from Belgium to the Sunshine Coast is a story of adventure, entrepreneurship, and a relentless pursuit of happiness. From adrenaline-fuelled business ventures to building one of the most significant Indigenous art collections, Ferre shares how following passion can shape an extraordinary life.   In this episode, Ferre dives into his migration story, building iconic tourism...

From building a dessert empire to losing it all, Adriano Zumbo’s story is a masterclass in resilience. Adriano shares the highs of rapid success and the brutal lessons of losing everything. In this episode, we revisit one of our most powerful early conversations with Adriano Zumbo, exploring his journey from humble beginnings to national fame, the collapse of his business empire, and how he’s rebu...

He turned unimaginable loss into a movement that’s saving thousands of young lives. Dr Leon Stensholm shares his journey from self-doubt, career-ending injuries, and the devastating loss of his brother to suicide, into building a life of purpose through mental health advocacy. This episode reveals how pain, when faced head-on, can become a force for impact.   Get in touch with Dr Leon Stensholm at...

She went from growing up in a blended family of 19 to leading a family law division - Alicia Lucas brings both lived experience and legal expertise to some of life’s hardest conversations. Her journey into law and family law reveals a deep understanding of relationships, conflict, and what truly helps people move forward. This episode is a masterclass in communication, separation, and building str...

In this solo episode, we break down the 9 standards Rich is trying to live by every day.   From doing hard things and managing your emotions, to building strong relationships, staying grateful, and actually enjoying the process — these are the principles shaping how I show up in life and business.   -   Listen To The Podcast https://pod.link/1683066164?view=apps&sort=popularity   -   Find Us O...

Rich Burrows is redefining how we understand performance under pressure. From coaching elite athletes to building Resistance Lab, Rich’s journey is all about mastering your internal state to perform when it matters most.   You’ll learn how to regulate your nervous system, build resilience through daily practice, and develop the ability to perform on command.   -   Get in touch with Rich Burrows -...

Mark Sowerby lost his billion-dollar company, his public reputation, and most of his wealth — and rebuilt himself by swimming some of the most dangerous oceans on earth. From founding the ASX-listed investment firm Blue Sky to becoming one of the few people pursuing the brutal Ocean Seven marathon swims, Mark’s story is about resilience, identity, and what happens when life pulls the rug out from...

Ava Black is one of the most exciting young athletes in Australian netball, but her journey to the Suncorp Super Netball league came with years of sacrifice, relentless grind, and a devastating ACL injury just as momentum was building. From growing up on a farm near Toowoomba to chasing a professional dream, Ava’s story is a powerful lesson in resilience, identity beyond sport, and the unseen work...

Leadership philosophy is built on radical self-belief, resilience, and redefining success on your own terms. From surviving a traumatic school bus accident at 12 to becoming a global high-performance strategist, keynote speaker, and author of Radical Self-Belief, Nikki Fodgen-Moore’s story is one of grit, gratitude, and conscious leadership.   In this episode we unpack what real leadership looks l...

The future of work is neurodiverse, and most leaders aren’t ready for it.   Vicky Little’s story is one of lived experience, late diagnosis, and a career dedicated to transforming workplaces from the inside out. As a nationally recognised neuroinclusion specialist who has partnered with over 500 organisations, Vicky combines personal insight with two decades of frontline expertise to challenge out...

Adrian Nisbet nearly lost the family business before he learned what the “end game” really meant. From working in his parents’ factory at age ten to putting wages on a personal credit card, Adrian has lived the pressure most founders quietly carry. In this episode, he shares how defining your end game isn’t about selling — it’s about building a business that serves your life.   In this episode, Ad...

From surviving the GFC to rebuilding from the brink, Michael Kain’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and long-term thinking. Growing up on the Sunshine Coast in an Italian family that valued hard work and community, Michael went on to build Devcon into one of the region’s most respected development and construction businesses.   In this episode, Michael shares the realities of n...

She’s shaped generations of young people by putting character before credentials. Michelle Carroll’s story spans decades of educational leadership, from leading elite girls’ schools in Melbourne to becoming Principal of Matthew Flinders Anglican College here on the Sunshine Coast. Her work is centred on one powerful belief: great education builds great humans.   In this episode, Michelle shares wh...

From the outside, mastery looks effortless, but the real story is written in sacrifice.   Sam Lucas is a world-class cellist whose life has been shaped by obsession, discipline, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence. From growing up in a deeply musical household to performing and studying across Europe, Sam’s journey reveals what it truly costs to chase greatness, and why fulfilment isn’t found...

From turning grief into colour, Kirsten Jackson’s art proves that pain can become purpose. After losing her Mum at just 14, Kirsten found refuge in painting. A practice that would evolve into a globally recognised abstract art career built on flow, endurance and creative truth. Her story is one of resilience, patience, and trusting the long game.   In this episode, Kirsten shares her journey from...

Great leaders don’t fail under pressure, their brains do. Today David Watson returns to unpack what actually happens in your mind when stress hits, and how the best leaders learn to regulate themselves before leading others.   In this episode, David shares hard-earned insights from working across eight countries in some of the world’s highest-pressure environments. We dive deep into emotional inte...

He survived 650 days falsely accused of spying and imprisoned in a foreign country, an experience that reshaped his understanding of resilience, meaning, and the human spirit.   Professor Sean Turnell’s journey from Australian economist to political prisoner in Myanmar is one of the most extraordinary stories of endurance in modern times.   In this episode, Sean shares how imagination, history, an...

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Success x Happiness crew. As tradition dictates, Rich is joined by his two eldest kids, Teddy and Franks, for a Christmas Eve yarn about life, school, fears, goals, siblings, and what it’s really like being a kid right now. From surprisingly deep life lessons to absolute chaos, this conversation is equal parts heartfelt and hilarious. Headphone listene...

For decades, we’ve treated mental health like guesswork, but what if the science has been pointing somewhere else all along?   Dr Jim Lagopoulos has spent his career challenging the foundations of modern psychiatry, using brain imaging, neuroscience and precision treatments to reshape how we understand mental illness.   In this conversation, you’ll learn why traditional approaches are failing, wha...

From surviving family bankruptcy at age 11 to becoming one of Australia’s most innovative orthodontists, Dr Vas Srinivasan’s story is a masterclass in resilience, courage, and possibility. Raised in a traditional Indian household, shaped by hardship and responsibility, and driven by the opportunities of the Western world, Vas carved an extraordinary path across India, the US, the UK, and ultimatel...

Kris Carver is the CEO of ENTAG and one of the Sunshine Coast’s most quietly influential leaders. Going from paying payroll on an Amex to steering a 150-person tech powerhouse backed by Anchorage Capital. His story is a masterclass in resilience, execution, and trusting yourself even when the odds don’t.   In this episode, Kris shares raw, grounded perspectives on leadership, risk, scaling, and th...