12 Million Viral Views to 140+ Clients: Richard’s Muscle Lab

Yeah, there was a bit of a time where we where we lost contact when there was no social media, but now contact is [music] >> is up and running and we talk every now and again. We're both very busy. He's very successful as well, >> running a couple of businesses or three now. >> That history that long history with someone, >> you can't you can't pay for that. >> No, >> money can't buy that. >> No, it's insane. >> Yeah. And [music] that's what I see that like a lot of successful people, they don't have those circles anymore and they get soaked. On today's episode, we have Richard Dering all the way from Germany. Just kidding. He's been here for a while. He is the FO trainer with his muscle lab. He's doing well. He's doing really well. We talk about social media and his success and how he's been able to acquire some customers and figure out that the niche in the FIFO space is his based on a viral video that he released that got over 12 million views. He's also discussed his journey from the land of the Germans to here to back again and back here once more with his parents and how a life of uh being frugal has got him to a point of uh wanting to do his diesel mechanic work and then pivoting into the personal training space because he's loved the gym all his life and he's a bodybuilder too. If any of these keywords are resonating with you, this episode is a must. But for anyone that's looking to start a business or also develop a business or you're in the FIFO space and you want to see if uh this man is all legit, this is the episode for you. Look forward to uh hearing what you have to think about it. Anyway, let's start the episode. Richard Dittering Detergent, they called you in school. >> Yeah, high school. Someone thought they were funny. I'm giving this guy way too much uh air time. >> Yeah, >> I think I've mentioned it a couple times. Yeah. Speaking of air time, how did you find about find out about this place? >> I just put up a story. I wanted to do some more podcasts this year. Um, just talk some [ __ ] you know, get to know some people and >> put out some more content in that sense. I do a lot of scripted content, although it's not scripted. It's very planned out. So, just good to, you know, just talk and, yeah, put that story up. Uh, had about six recommendations and you were one of them. So, >> I win. >> Right. And uh how are you finding the podcast circuit so far? >> Yeah, good, good. It's interesting. It's cool because everyone has a bit of a different way they go about things. Um you know, I only have one story to tell, but I don't think I've really repeated myself too many times. I think that obviously the story stays the same, but the way different people ask questions and all that kind of stuff >> is is cool. So, >> yeah. So, your background is in FIFO. You you're an immigrant. Mhm. >> Your second language is English. >> I've ever been called an immigrant, but yeah, 100% I am. Yeah. >> What's important is we're establishing a relatability. >> Oh, he's an immigrant. Cool. I'm going to listen to this. We're relating now. >> I'd love that. >> How old are you? >> 28. >> 28. Right. And how old were you when you first migrated to Australia? >> I think I was six. >> Six. I was six. >> Six years old. Yeah. So, just starting pre- primary. >> I think I was a bit too old. >> And you didn't speak English? No English. >> What language do you speak? >> German. >> German. So you you come from Germany. >> Amazing. >> Background is German. Yeah. I was born in Namibia, uh, which actually used to be a German colony back in the day. So, a lot of Germans there. Used to speak predominantly German there. Um, everyone, a lot of people still do. A lot of German infrastructure there. If you go to certain places, it looks very European. The houses and the buildings, that kind of stuff. So, >> German background. Um, and yeah, came to Australia, not a word of English. And I was I've always been very uh good with language and and learning new languages cuz parents had a hunting and safari farm in Africa. So guests would come from all over the world and I would play with the kids when I was a little and I'd pick up their language like within a day or two just be able to communicate with them. >> Oh, nice. So no accent though. That's good. >> Yeah, because when I moved to Australia, obviously started uh pre- primary uh prep and then >> learned the Australian English. So the English that I learned was the Australian Austral. Yeah. With the Aussie accent. That's why a lot of people, they're like, "No way. English is your second language." So, >> I get the same thing. I I came in, didn't speak a lick of English, still can't properly. [laughter] And yeah, Russian boy coming in as the Russian tall kid. And >> yeah, >> and the first thing the first words I learned were, >> you know, all the swear words. And I would be in the office the whole time cuz the kids said, "Hey, should you go say this to the teacher? It's good. >> I say this and Yeah. >> Damn. >> But it was good. Like Yeah. Well, I I just say that I'm uh waiting for Putin's uh code >> to activate me. >> Yeah. >> Sleeper agent. >> Yeah. Yeah. I've heard about them a bit recently. >> Yeah. >> That's funny. >> And then when and then they ask me, "How do you get so tall?" I'm like, "Chernobbile." >> Yeah. >> So, just, you know, carry it. I'm not really um I'm not really ashamed of my heritage. Russia's got one of the oldest cultures in the world. >> Yeah. >> And the culture is sick. Dolls and >> the Zar. That's why the studio is called Bright Zar Studios. >> Oh, true. >> Yeah, that makes sense. >> I'm a bright zar. >> Even though, you know, the last one was executed back in uh in uh just after the first world war started. Oh, good old Nikolai. >> Yeah. >> Old mate Rasputin. And do you know much history about that? >> No, not fascinating stuff. the Bolsheviks. Yeah. >> The uh the Green Party, the Red Party, the White Party. It's a good read. It's a good read. >> And speaking of history, uh your German history, what what sort of uh like things did your parents do back home? >> What were they what what were their jobs? What why why did they migrate to Australia? >> So, they like I said, they had a hunting and safari farm. So, they were in, you know, the the hospitality >> uh sort of industry there. >> Mhm. Um, and then when they came over here, they came over on a 457 visa. So, starting a business and proving to Australia that you can, you know, provide some a value to the country. >> And what was the business? >> A cafe. >> Cafe >> in the CBD of Melbourne. >> Wow. >> Yeah. Awesome. Awesome cafe. But >> do they still have it? >> No, unfortunately not. No, they sold it um after 6 and 1/2 years. Um, it didn't go too well. Didn't end well cuz they the there was a bunch of unfortunate events. So when they came in the the government a couple years after I think changed the laws around the 457 visa made it a lot easier for people to come in a lot less rules but for some reason because they came in on the old one they had to follow the old rules. So it was like a minimum of x amount of full-time employees when the business doesn't do well you still have to pay them. So um and full-time employees are a lot harder to let go. So you know they had some people that were stealing money from them out of the till that kind of stuff. and you can't just evidence stuff like that. So, it made it very hard and when they started out, they were one of the only cafes in the area. >> But then over the years, they had a McDonald's open up and a Wworth's deli. I don't know if you've seen those in the >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. >> So, people would go to Wworth Deli for their sandwiches. They'd go to McDonald's for a cheap coffee and all the business just dispersed. >> So, it made it really hard. Um but it's it's they they did really well um given those sort of circumstances but then yeah just had to sell it and move on. I think it was just before the GFC 2008 they sold it. So not the most ideal time to sell a cafe. Um >> where did they pivot to? >> So they opened another business uh doing cleaning. So house cleaning and whatnot in we moved to Touumba lived there for 9 months but GFC had hit uh there wasn't a lot of work around so it was just tough to you know run your own business in Australia during that time um so then my my grandma actually got really sick and then we decided to move to Germany for 20 months cuz she had lung cancer >> and we were the only children that hadn't really spent any time with her growing up so uh parents were like well there's nothing going on around here we might as well So moved to Germany, see if anything, you know, happens there for us and, you know, look after look after my grandma. Um, so >> yeah, lived there for 20 months and >> how old were you at that time? >> This was 2009. So I would have been around that like >> 11, 12 year old. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So still quite young. >> So you're still you still did you just go straight into school in Germany? >> Yeah. So the way the way it worked, it's funny actually. I've never been in a year 7 class like in year 7 because of all the moves. So >> year 7 is such a dumb year. It's weird. It shouldn't be in high school. It should still be the top of um in primary school. But yeah, you weren't you weren't in year seven. Yeah. Okay. >> So in Melbourne I finished up in year six or I was in year six >> uh or year five, sorry. And then when we moved to Queensland, I continued year five or six, I can't remember now. And then because we moved to Germany, the curriculum's so far ahead that I moved back back a year >> then did two years there and then we moved to Perth and then obviously because the curriculum's ahead here uh sorry ahead in Germany I moved uh ahead here. >> So just all the moves I skipped year 7 went straight into year eight here because I think it was just an age thing >> because here I would have fit into the year 8 age bracket. >> So they just said yeah go straight into year eight. >> Right. And how did you find that back and forth between Australia and Germany? Again, >> looking back at it, I think it was cool um to have lived in another country like that. Completely different culture, completely different school system. >> And you were still fluent. >> Yeah. Yeah, 100%. So, >> and you still are now? >> Yeah. >> That's so cool, man. I I am not as fluent as I wish I was with Russian. It's my only regret. >> I speak German with my parents. >> That's dope. I >> I can still read it and write it, all that kind of stuff as well. I can I can understand the conversations, >> but I just can't articulate the way that I Yeah. So, so if anyone migrates from somewhere else and you speak that foreign language, keep it. It's >> bilingual is is like very good. >> Especially when you think about German as a language. I was reminded of this by my parents the other day. To speak English, you need 12,000 words basic. To speak German, you need 36,000 basic German. So, it just goes to show how hard of a language it is. Um, but yeah, so the moves, they were good and they built character and it was good to sort of move around. But I do think that there's some childhood trauma that came from that. Moving so much, moving around so much and never really having those friends cuz I moved back here, uh, not back here, we moved here, year 8. Everyone's just come from year 7. Everyone has their like seven years worth of friendship that they've had with these with their friends from, you know, uh, primary school and I was the new kid. So, everyone had these groups and you had to sort of try and fit in. >> How'd you handle that? >> Um, interestingly, um, I I told everyone that I used to ride BMX cuz I thought that was cool. Um, I never rode BMX. I was terrible. So, I was placed with someone uh on the first day and he actually sort of left me just to he was like, "Dude, you're on your own now." Like I don't know why the school appointed him to be the guy to look after the the new kids. I don't know. He was a part of the the cool kids group. And so after a while I was sort of just tailgating him. And after a few days he was like, "Bro, you got to sort of find your own friends now. Like I'm not your guy anymore." >> You're not cool enough. >> No. No. I was a weird German kid. >> Yeah. >> And I think I was still a little bit chubby then. Still a little bit uh overweight. This before I started my gym journey. So yeah, I was just the weird German kid. Um, which is so interesting because in Germany I was the cool English- speakaking kid, >> right? >> Everyone was like, "Bro, you can speak English. This is so cool." >> Wow. >> So, cuz English is a second language there and then they do a third language. Um, either Spanish or uh what's it the the Roman Catholic language? The Pope speaks it. >> Um, what's it called? Um >> I forgot now. >> Yeah, it's on the tip of my tongue, but yeah. Go on. >> Yeah. So, that was your choice. either Spanish or that language. >> Um, >> so yeah, everyone was like, "Dude, you can you can speak English. You can I was correcting the teacher with some of the things she was writing on the board and stuff like that." So, I was a cool kid. And here, uh, I came to came to Perth and I was the weird German kid. So, it was a bit of a reset. So, I just started from the bottom. Just sat with the the weirder kids. And I don't I don't even want to say that. No, no one's weird, but just sat with the people that would take me on and accept me for who I was. >> Yeah. And and that's still a hierarchy at school. Like they are there are the weird kids. >> Yeah. >> But I was a former school teacher, you know, there's groups of of the kids who just play sports and that's all they think about and you call them you can put them as the jocks. But you can also have like the clicks like the footy guys and the girls who are into their makeup and the >> girls that are into getting into depends on what year group as well >> of course transitions. >> Yeah, especially with the puberty stuff. >> Uh but then you have like the middle of the the range and th those middle of the range are kind of like >> they're trying to figure themselves out still. They're not the weird kids but they're not the the sporty kids. Yeah, >> they're interesting, too, >> of course. You know, and then you got the weird kids. They're the most interesting. I've always found the weird kids the most [clears throat] interesting cuz they're the most creative. >> Yeah. Yeah. 100%. Yeah. >> Uh but also >> being a creative like myself, I was a [ __ ] weird kid. I'm still the weirdo here. I try. >> Being weird as a as an older person is cool. As long as you're not too weird like down down the the wrong side of the spectrum. >> I'm I can I can put that on. But >> when people don't understand that, they think that you're like, >> "Are you all right, bro?" >> Yeah. First impressions are a bit >> Yeah. The humor, the humor is like, and really you got to figure out their where their politics are and their how dark their humor is and sarcasm. And >> I I keep making the mistake of just unapologetically being myself. And it's I'm I've never really cared about what other people think. So, it's either you love me or you hate me straight off the bat. And a lot of people the first time they meet they go I [ __ ] hated you when I met you. I thought you were the biggest whatever I was doing. >> What was the reason? Did you get data on that? >> I think it was I I think it's because I am quite confident, loud, outgoing, that kind of thing. So I crack a lot of jokes sometimes take the piss out of myself or other people. And if someone comes in and they're new and we're good friends and I'm taking the piss out of you and he's just like, "What the [ __ ] is going on?" You know what I Like I just give a really hectic first impression and then after a while when they get to know me they're like, "Oh, this guy's actually quite normal. He's a cool dude." Whatever it is, like he's not just this loud, obnoxious guy. >> I have the same [snorts] similar problems. Actually on the Christmas break, me and my brother-in-law were mucking around down south on the beach. >> Yeah. >> Um he we had our babies with us. We we just became both became dads last last year. Sick. Yeah. >> And he kept splashing me and and I was like, "Don't stop it. Please stop doing that." >> Like serious. And he just kept doing it. And I just like I got louder and louder and louder. >> Yeah. >> But it was all just a piss tank. >> And there's there's people on the beach are like, >> "Should we go like help him?" >> Yeah. >> Like they audly said, "Got an issue." Yeah. And [laughter] >> and they audibly said that and they're like and and my wife, which is um um the sister, she was like a little bit embarrassed, but that's his goal to embarrass her. So it's it's funny. [laughter] >> But yeah, I I like in public like last week uh the girls uh were having a hen's lunch at the uh EP Epicurion at the Crown. >> Uh please sponsor me. And uh >> it is a nice place. >> Yeah. And I I uh did the dad thing and sat like nearby with the with the baby. So if the the breastfeeding um h is needed to happen, she's right there. And but also so my wife can have a good time with the girls. >> Of course. >> Uh when the girls rock up, they come to me and say hello and they hug me. But I audibly go, "OH MY GOD, HELLO. Thank oh like just just that's my piss take." >> Everyone around just stops going, >> "The [ __ ] >> Oh god, is that right?" >> But but these girls know me. and I'm trying to embarrass them, but >> they've been around the block so many times now they're just like used to it. But like everyone else is just like, >> "Who's this guy?" >> But then when you go to America, that's all it is. >> It's all it is. Have you been to the States? >> Ages ago. Yeah. Yeah. >> I love me some American culture. They just they're just chilling there and they >> and they just talk so loud. Yeah. >> You go to Italy or something and you see the American tourists, they talk so loud. >> Yeah. You can always spot them. >> Yeah. And then I also I audibly go really loudly, man. There's so there's way too many Americans here. >> And my wife's right next to me going, "Fuck, here we go." >> She gets stabbed. >> Yeah. Yeah. But I can hear them going, "How rude." Like or the way that they do. Oh, excuse you. Like like under their breath. And I'm just like, >> you know, you know that I'm a weird troll. Yeah. >> My favorite thing to do is not ruin someone's day, but make them like kind of go in passing like, "What the fuck?" >> Yeah. Give them something to think about. >> That's my favorite. Like that's my humor. Like if the algorithm sends me that [ __ ] it's great. If someone's like purposely disrupting someone's day like like [ __ ] around, that's that's annoying. >> Yeah. >> But when someone's like doing their thing, but like >> I don't know, just spazzing out or something. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> It's so funny. >> Anyway, back to your story. Um, you're you're the you're the weird German kid in Australia. You get through school >> and your parents are pivoting with their window cleaning business. What are they are they retired now or are they still working? >> No, they're still working. I'm actually working on retiring them. So, >> that's the goal, right? >> That's the goal. Yeah, 100%. >> What are they doing now? >> So, they sold the window cleaning business or window cleaning the cleaning business. Um, dad works as a traffic controller and mom uh she's currently actually this will be the first uh mention of but she's got a she's been through the interview for a custody care officer >> cuz she actually I I don't know if you saw the real I did might have popped up. I don't know if this was before I reached out but last year start of last year um mom was working FIFO as a assistant camp manager um for a really [ __ ] company. I won't name them. Everyone knows about the company. But yeah, she was working in a in a very toxic workplace. Um, so being bullied and, you know, not uh feeling like she fit in and she'd do the work and it just wasn't, you know, no one was keeping up with her and all that kind of stuff. She was in a manager role, but then had to clean as well. So the company was very mismanaged, short staffed, everything. It was just a nightmare. So she called me up one time and I could hear that she was crying on the phone middle of the day. And you know, I don't know if you've had to speak to your mom while she was crying, but it's a it's a [ __ ] up thing. It's terrible. So, I was like, I told her to to catch the next flight home. I was like, I don't want you to work there anymore. Um, I'll look after you. And I paid her the same wage that she was getting there for all of 2025. Still am still am paying her that much. And I'm really grateful to be in that position to be able to pay my mom a full-time sort of wage. >> Um, while she was looking for another job, but being that she's 60, it's a lot harder. Dude, my mom's 60 as well. >> Harder to find a job. Um, >> so in that sense, I I she found a job at Maya, Christmas casual, so cool, do the work over Christmas. It was good. And she did get some casual work afterwards, >> but she doesn't want to sit at home. She wants to go out. She wants to work. She She loves working and she loves doing something and feeling accomplished. So, um, I think it was a month ago, I chucked up an Instagram reel. I was like, "Fuck it. I've got an audience. Might as well reach out. see if anyone can help her out. Put her qualifications into the into the uh the text on the reel and had a whole bunch of people reach out. So, shout out to those people. It was really cool to see, you know, everyone getting around it, people sharing it, people reposting it. It's really cool. I love that. Um and my fiance's auntie reached out and she said, "Hey, I'm a supervisor at uh one of the prisons here. I can see if I can get her into the custody care role. I think she'd be good for that." And that was funnily enough, mom was actually looking at doing that, but she didn't really have >> connections >> connections, but also didn't have a full scope of what the job would entail. So, she didn't know if, you know, what that would, you know, working in a prison can be quite scary. So, >> but no, she's gone through the interview. Um, interview went really well and now she's doing her pre-employment medical. So, yeah, she's pretty much got it. >> Wow. Amazing. That's the power of social media and and also not just creating a a space to vlog or showcase your stuff to sell, but like if you're a genuine person and people follow you for your authenticity. >> Yeah. >> They're going to open up their [snorts] >> whatever resources they may have to go, "Oh, I can help you." That's powerful. >> You couldn't do that like 20 years ago. >> Yeah. Exactly. Exactly. And that's that's sort of what I was thinking. I was thinking about it for a while. It was just how do you go about it? And you know, mom was still applying for jobs, so I was like, I'll just leave it. Um, but then I was like, no, enough is enough. Let's just let's do something about it. >> So, let's get on to what you actually do. >> Now, for the people at home, I'm going to be the curious, naive expert and ask you like, I don't know. >> That's the way I'm going to do it. >> Yeah. >> I know exactly what you do. Um, but I'm going to do it in a way that the audience feels like they're involved. Yeah. >> You have semi-retired your mom for a year. >> Yeah. >> And she obviously wants to do her thing, which kind of takes the pressure off of you. >> Yeah. >> But how did you how did you get to where you are now? >> Uh let's go through your 20ies first. >> Yeah. >> And then we'll unravel your job. >> So >> you finished school. >> Yeah. Finished school. Um and wanted to become a mechanic. Actually finished school. Did my waist exams cuz mom was like mom and dad were like finish high school to the best of your ability. Mhm. >> Big mistake. Wish I did my trade sh trade trade >> apprentichip a lot earlier because now I'd finished high school um finished exams and I was all right time for me to start looking for an apprentichip. >> People had done that 6 months ago cuz that was the recommendation for the people that wanted apprentichips. Start 6 months ago. >> So I got really lucky and one of my good friends um his dad owns a really big uh company that is in the in the heavy diesel mechanic space. they fix automatic transmissions. Um, and he said, "Yeah, we we'll get you on. We'll get you started here." And I was working there for about 2 and a half years and just felt a little bit restricted. Um, especially with being an apprentice, you want to learn all aspects of being a heavy duty mechanic. And because they highly focus on automatic transmissions, it was just one aspect. So, >> after 2 and a half years, I got an opportunity come up with a different company uh that was a mining company. So, I was like, "Oh, that's where I want to go." Anyway, always had that idea of wanting to go into mining um as a lot of people do. So, I was like, "Yo, it'd be cool if I can transfer over and I did finish my apprenticeship um and started yeah, moved into mining and whatnot and was super stingy with my money. Um, >> good." >> Saved it up and when I turned 21, a month after I turned 21, I bought my first house. >> Amazing. What got you to the mindset of being super stingy with your money at that young age? >> My parents didn't have any money. >> Okay. >> Yeah, that was the biggest thing. So, >> so that perspective >> Yeah. They they lost a lot of money coming over to this country like I was saying earlier that the conditions of the visa that they had it yeah cost them a lot of money. Every time you move not just interstate but international it's going to cost you 30 40 50 grand cuz we had a lot of stuff to move as well. Originally, parents came over with so many things, two 40ft shipping containers worth of stuff because they were hoping to open a bed and breakfast here. So, they had like curtains and linen and all this kind of stuff that they bought over from our previous business. So, that cost a lot of money to move around. So, they lost a lot of money there. And I guess they because they're a little bit older, they never really had the opportunity to invest or do this and that, things that you can do when you have time on your hands. >> Um, take risks, all that kind of stuff. So I guess from a young age it was it was something that I was uh taught or you know given that knowledge around money. Um so yeah that's sort of sort of what led me to >> what an absolute gift >> in hindsight. >> Yeah of course. >> So part of my 20s was at the age of 19 I I got a car right and it was a VSSs Commodore. >> Yeah. >> V8 manual. >> Yeah. Perfect. And I got it because my mom was a guarantor. >> Mh. >> So, and like she was a teacher and we obviously came here with little money, but we had, you know, someone that could that could h help us. Like like my stepdad already had established stuff, >> but he wasn't the best with money either, >> like you know. And after finishing school, the first thing I did was get a job. My mom said, "Get go to uni or get a job." I got a job. I was a lifeguard. Um I didn't and I lived in Calguli, so I had the opportunity to do mining jobs. I did a couple of shutdowns. Yeah. >> That paid me a lot of money. Yeah. >> And I was like, "Oh." Cuz I did sentry work, which is, you know, you just literally sit there. >> Yeah. Yeah. March. >> And it was boring as [ __ ] And I didn't do my uh I did my waist, but I didn't get into uni because >> I just didn't [ __ ] enjoy school. >> Yeah. I enjoyed hanging out with my mates. Um I did I did still study and all that, but I just didn't focus on um TE or at >> Yeah. >> And um yeah, I was like, "All right, let's get a job. We'll see what happens." I had no plan. >> And then I just kind of followed my nose. And then yeah, at 19, I had a job and a little bit of an income which warranted me getting something. >> Yeah. >> I get a car and I couldn't afford that car unless I got a guarantor. And for eight [ __ ] years, I was paying $918 a month. >> Yeah. Right. Yeah. Just paying it off, >> bro. You put that in index funds. >> That would be it'd be >> right now I'd be super stuck. >> Well done. Yeah. >> But also in hindsight, I learned how to be stingy with money now. >> Yeah, of course. >> Obviously, I wish I was stingier back then. >> Yeah, >> cuz then maybe I would have bought a house. I I'm not a big fan of property myself at the moment. maybe because I can't afford it or whatever, but it's because I have other investment opportunities like the business or like index funds. >> I see more value in them and >> less value in having debt that has equity, but also if you know what to do with it, then you can grow. It's just not my game. >> So, you bought your house at 21. >> Mhm. >> Uh you're you're a qualified diesel mechanic by then or >> No. >> So, what happened in the next few years? So yeah, I guess I got qualified uh finished my apprenticeship, continued working in the mines. Uh did a total of six and a half years all up in the mines. Um and during uh I think it was around 2020 I think I got my my dream job um at the time which was working for a very big mining giant in the iron ore industry. They pay really good uh salaries and they have a really cool bonus scheme where they you can get shares and stuff like that. So really cool job. Loved it there. And we were moving from a two in one roster to a two and two roster. So even time. And one of the biggest things everyone always said, the old guys on site were like, "Oh, you're going to start drinking. You're going to spend all your money. Two and two sucks. You know, you're at home for too long." So then my idea was I need to have a hobby or I need to do something so that I can offset that, you know, extra time at home. and my fiance at the time, at the time she still is, but at the time she was studying, she was studying uh to be a a PT. So, I was like, "Oh, [ __ ] I'll just do that." Like, I already had people reaching out to me saying that I was motivational or this or that, posting certain things on Instagram. Uh and by that time, I'd already been in the gym for about 9 years, I think. So, had some consistency, all that kind of stuff. So, >> what got you into the gym in what got you into the gym initially? >> Being being a chubby kid, wanted to do something. I was never good at sport cuz I never played sport as a kid cuz we're moving around so much and just didn't really commit cuz uh parents, you know, dad's not like one of those sport freaks that watches soccer, watches this way. He's not interested in sport at all. Yeah. >> So, he wouldn't have pushed me into that. But, um yeah, just never played sport and always just wanted to to get into the lifting side of things. Dad had a bit of a home gym, you know, one of those all you can do machines. So, I was playing around on that for about a year before I got stuck into the gym. Uh a guy I was working with at the time, uh I've mentioned this a few times. He was working at a butcher. I was just cleaning for $7 an hour or something. And he was like, "Hey, do you want to come to the gym with me? I'm keen to start. I've never been. Do you want to go?" And I said, "Yeah." And the rest is history. Yeah. >> Amazing. >> Did that I did that when I was 16. So started when I was 16 in the gym. >> There's a photo of me somewhere where I'm started the gym. I think I was like 14 or 15, >> around the [clears throat] same age. And man, I look so lanky, so skinny. Yeah, some people say I still do, but uh and I >> like I started going to the gym before most people in my in my school. >> And I did it specifically because I wanted to get into the higher level of football. >> Yeah. >> And it was it was a chore. It was tedious. I wasn't consistent. But man, >> going back to back then, like until now, like, man, start as early as you can. >> Yeah. Like if you find a gym that has uh you know kid-friendly that that is >> suited for kids who want to become more athletic >> Athletic Institute Wangara shout outs >> another >> um the the value in that is massive and >> and for you to be able to do that and then that that translate that love and that experience in 9 years >> you knew the >> you learned the ropes yourself. >> Yeah. So then you you got your PT ticket. >> Yeah. >> All right. How old were you when you got your PT ticket? >> This was 2023. >> Nice. >> Yeah. >> Quite recent. Yeah. I only started my business 2 and a half years ago. >> Man, so good. >> So, but the thing is I'd already been through the motions in [clears throat] many different aspects. I'd done it with a plan. I'd done it without a plan. I'd done it off YouTube videos. >> You tested it on yourself >> in a way that you understand your body. >> Exactly. And I think the biggest thing that really catapulted my business at the start was my own testimonial. >> Just being like, "Hey, I I I've been fat. I've been skinny. I've been the small kid. I've been, you know, the big kid." All that kind of stuff. So just posting that and showing that off got a lot of people on board early because they were like, "Hey, if he can do it with himself, maybe, just maybe, he can do it with me." >> That's the way that service-based businesses usually go. >> Uh the best ones anyway. You start with yourself. >> Yeah. >> You validate it. >> Yeah. >> For yourself, no, no one else. and then go, "Ooh, I wonder if I can help someone else." >> Yeah. >> And then you >> It's funny cuz it started with other people just reaching out just being like, "Hey man, like what should I do here? >> Can you do, you know, can you give me some tips here?" And then I was like, "Hey, maybe I could, you know, do this." >> But you're covering. So my whole background to this podcast is there's three main pillars. There's your self-awareness, which is your background, your upbringing, >> your everything leading up to right now in this moment. >> And then your financial fitness. >> Yeah. >> You smash that and were stingy with money, but then you saved up and you have a house. You still own that house. >> I sold it, bought another house. >> There you go. Yeah. >> Right. And then you were able to pivot, >> right? So, you got your self-awareness to a point where you're like, "Oo, I'm good at the gym. I like doing the gym." And you also didn't really want to do the other stuff. >> It was Yeah, it sort of pivoted because I I still love the whole mechanic side of things and I think there might be a time when I'm a bit less busy. I might start tinkering with my own stuff again. >> But it was just everything that went into it sort of took away from bodybuilding and that kind of stuff. >> And I just really love helping people. Getting that satisfaction from changing someone's life is it's awesome. It's you can't you can't compare that to fixing a machine and getting it out the workshop. So >> yeah, >> but that's again that's self-awareness. Other people would say I feel like I changed someone's life by fixing their car. >> Yeah, of course. For sure. But working for a mining company, >> there is no satisfaction in that sense. Cuz >> even sometimes sometimes the supervisors that you'll get will just be like, "All right, cool. Here's your next job." >> Yeah. >> There's no And I'm not expecting a pat on the back. I'm not expecting a gold medal. I'm just here to fix [ __ ] But there's more satisfaction in doing other things. So that's why you know the pivot was was crucial. >> It's interesting you mentioned workshop. When I was 20 I started working in Wangara as a window manufacturer for window doors and windows >> and I learned the ropes pretty quickly and I got pretty good at it and it was just job after job after job >> 7 a.m. 400 p.m. 7 4 7 4 wake up at 6:00 leave the house by 6:30 at the latest >> to make sure you get there 1 minute before you start. Yeah. >> And I would blink and 4 weeks would go past. >> Yeah. >> That's not how you live. >> No, not at all. >> And the weekends they weren't boozed up even though, you know, early 20s, whatever, yolo. >> Uh but I also was playing footy. >> Yeah. >> That wasn't helpful for my footy. >> And also the $918 a month >> for that car >> kept me in that job. I needed I needed to keep that job. >> And >> that's where a lot of people get stuck. >> That's it. And then that's when I heard a an ad on the radio when I was driving a car and uh it said, "Yeah, get your PT ticket." >> And I was like, >> "I am a footballer. I'm fit. I do weights. I've been doing weights since I was a kid." >> Yeah. >> And I can get other people fit. I can just take the workouts. >> Probably dumb them down a little bit from the, you know, >> footy knowledge. Yeah. >> And I was like, why not? Let's give it a go. did the course. Took me 12 months. Should have taken me six weeks, [laughter] >> but also, you know, when you're really desperate, you'll do whatever it takes. >> So, I did it. >> Quit my job, found a gym, got lucky with that. And >> even though the overheads were massive, and >> the people in there were really cool. I met I met some awesome people that I like my good mates today. >> Yeah. >> And the reason why I left the gym was the overheads were way too much. the owner was not my guy >> and I built it out of my um investment property that my parents had. So I got lucky in that department where they had that property. They still lived in Calguli and I was able to build that business out of that house. >> And because [clears throat] I'd grown up in that house throughout my childhood, all my neighbors knew me. So they weren't going to um >> you know pull the pull the flag up to go there are way too many cars going through this property. What's going on? You >> know. And um that was 5 years of learning my first business >> and I [clears throat] got out to and this is 2013 where things were really just like early day social media. People are still social media. Wasn't >> scared of it. >> Yeah. It wasn't about you know leveraging it for for business. >> And I came across this guy. He he charged me a hundred bucks a month for SEO. >> And I was like what the [ __ ] is SEO? three months later it wasn't working but he told me it usually takes three months. Yeah. >> After the third month I was the number one rank >> in Perth on Google when you type in personal training Perth. >> True. >> I had people from all over the place and I had 50 sessions a week. I was making two and a half grand a week. Yeah. >> And I was at uni by that time as well cuz when you get a Cert 4 >> Yeah. >> that's like a like a Oh, you're not a dumbass. >> You can you can apply for uni. I didn't even know that. True. >> And I was like, cool. So then I went I went and did my teaching and everybody knows the story, but um >> back to back to you with your self-awareness and your financial fitness >> and now your pivot into something that's more fulfilling, which is your personal training. >> And that's your main thing that you do now? >> Yeah, that's the only thing I do now. >> Right. And that's the other thing that you mentioned is it's focus. It's the only thing that you do now. Do you still compete? Do you still do your bodybuilding stuff? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, I skipped uh the the early the season coming up now. I think it's about 8 weeks away >> cuz I got a my best friend is getting married in South Africa and that would have been at 4 weeks out and I was like, I'm going to hate the wedding cuz I'll be starving >> and there's not a lot of facilities where the wedding will be. >> Plus, I'll probably won't probably won't look the best. So, I was like, this is >> a good mate of yours. >> Yeah. Yeah. He's actually bringing it back to the early days. He was the first guy I talked to in year 8 that actually gave me a chance. >> Nice. that was like, "Hey, like you're kind of cool." So, been best mates ever since. >> And the guy that recommended you come to this podcast, Josh Hamilton, was my first >> kid that I talked to when I migrated to Australia. >> Yeah. >> What a what a moment. Uh, yes, shout out Josh. And he's he's massive. >> I call him I call him Big Horse. >> Big horse. >> Big horse. every time I see his bloody >> they banned him from [laughter] doing it at the gym on site where he's got his shirt off posing. >> But it's so surreal seeing a mate who I grew up with >> um when we would like bash each other on the trampoline, try to drown each other in the pool >> uh and just seeing his physique. I'm like far out. >> He's so humble about it as well. >> Yeah. But like I see him as like I still see him as a as a like as a kid like we were kids. Yeah. you know, and it's important because th those connections, you you can't you shouldn't lose those connections. >> I still have one of those as well. Yeah. >> My best friend from Melbourne. Um, known him since I was Yeah. 6 years old. >> Yeah. Sorry to interrupt one last time. This is actually a sponsor post. If you need to run ads for your service-based business and you don't know how, there is one agency I would trust in the entire country and the world probably where you spelled wh h e r e and then the letter u. They literally teach you how to run Facebook ads, Instagram ads, and create a whole funnel for you to get more business. And I use them myself. They've taught me how to do it. and I get all of the business, which is fantastic. If you want to learn how to run ads properly and dominate your industry and win all of the clients, hit up where you back to the episode. >> There was a bit of a time where we where we lost contact when there was no social media, but now contact is >> is up and running and we talk every now and again. We're both very busy. He's very successful as well, >> running a couple of businesses or three now. that history, that long history with someone. >> Yeah. >> You can't you can't pay for that. >> No. >> Money can't buy that. >> No. It's insane. >> Yeah. That's why I see that like a lot of successful people, they don't have those circles anymore and they get so lonely. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And they they they don't hate they they they do they hate themselves. >> Yeah. >> Um >> so that's sort of why I pulled out of the season a U is what they call it, the the first one of the year. >> Um so I'm competing at the end of the year, >> aiming for that. So, what's your um I'm trying to know my remember my bodybuilding stuff. >> Um is that the IFBB or whatever it is? Yeah. Yeah. Cool. Pro. Um who's the GOAT? >> Who's the GOAT in Australia? >> Ever. It everyone's going to say Seabbum. Um but for me personally, I think Jay Cutler is >> Sebum's Chris Bumfield, by the way. Yeah. >> Just for the audience. >> Yeah. Chris Chris Bumstead. He everyone everyone knows Bumfield. >> That's right. I I skipped that. >> Everyone knows him. He brought a lot more of the gen pop into bodybuilding and into the gym, which is really cool. And I do think he is the goat. But for me personally, I I really like what Jay Cutler's done. And >> yeah, Jay Cutler's >> and his physique still like he's, you know, uh stood the test of time, if you will. >> He's uh 50 now or something. He's still got an insane physique. So, it's cool to see. >> Kai Green's up there, too. >> He is. Yeah. Yeah. >> Never never got the dub. >> No, he didn't. No, >> but um I always I always like the uh >> these chats of him coming back. He he said for the right money I'll come back. But [laughter] >> that's anyone. Yeah. >> Yeah, that's cool. But um I I was always interested in that scene um as a like a like a [ __ ] yeah. That's that's [clears throat] sick. Would never do it myself. >> Too tall. >> Too tall. That's right. >> In saying that though, there's some tall bodybuilders going around. I don't know if you know Tyler >> Tyler Vis Viskovich I think his name is. He's 6 foot seven. 67 >> or 6'8. I'm not too sure. >> I'm 610, so I'm tall. Oh, okay. >> You got to be I feel like to really do it, you got to be perfectly proportionate. >> You do. >> Um, and you have a better chance of doing that >> when you're shorter. Yeah. >> You just you just fill out your frame a lot quicker. Like >> Yeah. And I'm And I'm like I think I'm more of a ectomorph. >> Yeah. [clears throat] >> Makes it harder for you to >> Yeah. And and like >> get into it. >> I mean, if you 150 kilos peeled, you do quite well. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But I >> to get there it just be >> too much work. >> What I've I've witnessed uh a a proper run at this twice um through a couple of friends. One [clears throat] um my mate Chris Ormsby, one of my like trainers that he he's a he's a exercise physiologist at Athletic Institute >> and um he did it back then like like over 10 years ago. There's a picture of me and him. He's looking like a orange carrot um next to me and he did his competition. It was cool. >> And then another guy, Ethan Brown. You may have heard of Ethan. He's in the uh creative circuit. He does all the content. Yeah. Brownie. >> Yeah. >> Brownie Gains. >> I know. Brownie Gains. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Brownie. Um I I discovered him when he was 14. >> Um he came to one of my um tours. I used to do photography tours. >> Oh yeah. >> He gave me his business card and the business card like had like flare on it. Like had like >> texture on it. The camera had like a little >> different >> indent. I was like, "Yeah, >> this kid, >> this is my guy." >> Sick. >> And then I um I guess you'd say mentored him for those uh years and I'd help him out. And then finally he he got uh he he turned 18. I was like, "Yes, no more school. Let's do shit." You know, >> and um he was helping me with editing, wedding photography, and he saw the come up >> of my Tik Tok [ __ ] >> Yeah. >> And um and and Yeah. But then then he got into bodybuilding and he did it as well. I remember he'd come over uh and edit my photos and he'd be bringing his chicken and knife >> and he was so strict. He was so it was it was a good personality trait though, you know, like the discipline in that. >> So, and now he's like a successful um creator for that circuit. >> Yeah. >> And he's doing well. He's doing um workshops for his um for the creative stuff. >> Yeah. Yeah. He's done a lot of things. It's cool. >> Yeah. So, it's cool that that you know him. Shout outs to to >> um Ethan. But, um with your stuff, uh >> now that you're doing your personal training and you're doing it specifically niched in the FIFO industry. >> Yeah. >> Right. Yeah. >> What made you go right, I'm going to do that specifically in that field? >> It was a piece of content that went viral that sort of pushed me in that direction. >> I was working with someone who was teaching me about content. I don't know if you've heard of Simon Strong Media. Y >> he's in the UK. >> Y >> so he uh I did his course back when he was quite actually just starting. I think it was like his first year or something. 16e course. How to edit, how to upload, when to upload, where to find training audios, all that kind of stuff. >> And they did a uh talking uh voice over reel of my day-to-day day in the life FIFO worker. And it got over 12 million views across all platforms. So >> far out >> that really brought in a lot of FIFO workers to my following. And then he was like, "Go hard. This is it. This is you now." And I was like, "Okay." >> So, how do you feel that? Yeah. >> Just like there was no one back then. I I like to think I was one of the first that really specialized in that niche. 6 years of FIFO experience as a heavy diesel mechanic. So, one of the harder jobs on the minds to stay on track with your fitness cuz you're you're [ __ ] after a full day's work. You don't want to go to the gym. So, I had that experience and then obviously the the PT experience after that. So, and I saw the problem. I saw the issue and I saw the gap in the market, if you will. the FIFO workers, they're faced with a lot of challenges that normal people don't have and normal people don't understand. That's the biggest thing I see time and time again is certain some of the guys have had a PT before who was telling them to do all this [ __ ] and they're like, I can't. And then boom, you automatically there's a disconnect between the two and obviously I can relate and a lot of the times it's just about having a bit of [ __ ] empathy. Just be like, yeah, you know, I've done that before. Relax. It's cool. >> We'll start again tomorrow. >> Yeah. So that really helped and uh helped really it really helped me um you know gain that audience and you know gain their trust and people wanted to work with me then. So yeah just really went hard on that niche. Um and I can still see there was a statistic I heard the other day that um a larger majority of people that work FIFO are overweight than the general population. So a lot of the jobs are stationary. You're sitting down, you're driving a truck, you're driving a machine, whatever. You're not moving around. So >> yeah, lots of Yeah. Yeah. So you're you got into this niche and like the way that I train um my clients when when they try to get viral and get more audience is they have to attract to the target audience that they want. >> But you didn't know what your target audience was. >> You just you just >> I just posting what I wanted. >> Yeah. >> And how do you feel that now that it's niche there? Money aside, you You [clears throat] obviously you have a successful business. Money aside, do you still like this specific niche? >> Yeah, 100%. Yeah, I definitely do. Like I still sort of um I I feel not feel sorry. I don't know what the right word is here, but I can I can relate to the workers, the fight for workers. I know I've been in that position. >> That's important. >> Um and I see their struggles and being able to help them is so [ __ ] cool. So, um, the one thing I do get sick of every now and again is the FIFO outfit. I don't know if you know the one. Um, just certain people just instantly judge me and just don't think I know what I'm talking about or they're like, "Oh, this guy's a [ __ ] weirdo." And then I'm like, "Am I losing credibility here?" But the margin of people that think that I'm an idiot or they don't listen to me because of the outfit is so small that I just get out of my head and just keep moving forward cuz it's on on brand now. you know, people know that that's us. Uh, or that's who >> I reckon the shorts should be shorter. >> You say that. It's funny. I I brought the wrong ones the other day when we were filming at the airport. They trunk. >> So, I have a pair that fit okay. And then I have a pair that don't fit at all. And it was like, "Hey, we're at the airport. It's make or break. Like, you got to you got to film in these." So, yeah. A lot of the airport videos, you can see the shorts are so short. It's so bad. It's funny, though. It's funny. I I I see the humor in it. A lot of obviously all my clients do and a lot of people do. >> Does the miss like it? >> She sees the humor for sure. Um but yeah, obviously a lot of those comments are just interesting from people. It's good engagement. That's why I've kept it in. You know, it's always that like recognizability, if that's a word. Uh people recognize me instantly when they see the videos. And it's also just a point of for people to engage, >> whether that's hate or not. >> Yeah. I mean, I started a jiu-jitsu page. Mh. >> A month ago. >> I saw that. Yeah. >> A month ago. And it got 230,000 views in the first post. >> The first post. >> Yeah. >> And >> was a fluke. >> 2600 2600 followers. >> Yeah. >> And Yeah. I did a follow-up post yesterday, which was the 6th of Feb. >> It's gaining traction already the same way the first one did. >> Yeah. And you mentioned the word fluke and I agree because it's such a tough thing like people like I've been teaching people how to do this stuff for ages but I haven't been going down the path of this is how you go viral. >> It's how you become as searchable as possible. >> Number one is genuinely keyword the [ __ ] out of all of your posts >> to the niche that you're trying to hit. For you it's FO. For you it's mining, for you it's >> exercise, gym, all of that, fitness, all at the same time. >> And then that creates that niche. >> For me it was just jiu-jitsu done, >> right? Beginner white belt jiu-jitsu. Yeah. >> And I didn't expect it to work. I was like, you know what? >> And and I and this is my strategy since the dawn of me posting anything. I'm just posting because I like it. >> I'm just posting because it's interesting to me. But there are two different ways to to strategize. Number one is the journeyman. >> Yeah. >> So you're you're showcasing you're vlogging. This is me. Yeah. So your viral video was your vlog. >> Yeah. >> Right. It's a journeyman video. People want to go, "Oh, [ __ ] yeah. That's relatable to me. I'm going to watch it." >> Yeah. >> Right. And then also uh the other one is >> the educator. >> So you did both. >> Yeah. >> You went from journeyman to educator. And you can still do the journey, man, as you educate and build your business. >> See, that's one thing I struggle with at the moment is doing the journey, man, and like showcasing what I do without pivoting away from the FIFO side of things cuz I'm not a business coach. Like, if I'm constantly posting about my business and how I'm doing and how I'm growing and this kind of stuff, it's going to attract a different audience. So, >> but your your business doesn't you don't the journeyman doesn't have to be about your business. It can be about a challenge that you set yourself >> for your fitness >> like day one of me doing this next challenge for myself >> and then people jump on and go oh have you seen this guy he's trying to do this thing he's a >> and you know he dresses in the FO clothes so that's the relatability >> right so I agree with you like the whole business thing you don't want to pivot into that >> it's not your game but yeah that's that's what I see that's what I see potentially growth >> yeah% and there's a few people that have been on a generational recent spons,000 followers in the last like 2 months, 3 months, whatever it is. >> Um, just from talking to the camera and just, you know, speaking his mind. >> Yeah. >> So, it's cool to see. >> It's how you attract them at the start. Obviously, the hook. Yeah. >> How important is the hook? >> 100%. Very important. Yeah. >> It's the most important thing. >> Like the way that I tell people in my workshops is >> when you're scrolling, you're looking for the reason to stop. >> Yeah. And a lot of people have almost everyone everyone has a back of their mind problem that they have >> in different departments whether it's their >> their health or their relationships or their work or maybe like a a quest that they're on. >> But they put it away because >> they feel like they can't accomplish it right now. They don't want to deal with a problem. So they scroll. >> Yeah. >> And then you come up with a solution. >> Yeah. >> The hook needs to be the solution. >> Yeah. >> Or the hook needs to be the identifier that this video is about to help them. M >> oh yeah, I should. >> You make you got to make them feel stupid >> to keep scrolling. >> Yeah, >> because you're literally right there going >> telling them, >> right? >> But how do you do that as a journeyman? Well, you got to go, oh, I do jiu-jitsu. Oh, I was a beginner once. >> I want to watch this. >> Or this is more of my audience because this is where all of my DMs are. I'm thinking about starting or ah I started but I stopped but this has given me more motivation >> and I'm like sick that's my audience. Yeah. Right. So people come in though as a business already and they go [ __ ] I have to make content now. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> What do I do? It's like listen to your audience. >> Yeah I understand. >> I don't have an audience. Go to every competitor that has successful social media and look at what their audience is saying. M >> that's it. >> That's it. >> Solve solve their problems. >> Solve their problems. And it doesn't have to be viral. Like I've monetized the jiu-jitsu channel already >> and I didn't have anything to sell. >> Yeah. >> Don't. >> Yeah. >> No, it's not hard. >> No, it's it's not. And and the reason the other reason um in hindsight I swear to God in hindsight >> that I made this um jiu-jitsu p I realize is it was a proof of concept that I still know what I'm talking about. Yeah. Because I I see a lot of coaches, online coaches, gurus, social media [ __ ] Even in the fitness online industry, they don't really have any to show. They just talk. >> Yeah. Yeah. Cuz it's easy. Anyone could talk. >> Like, and they they they take it from an article or chatb or some [ __ ] like that. It's like, >> you need to practice what you preach. >> Yeah. >> If you don't practice what you preach, you just >> you're lost. >> You're Yeah. You >> even if the stuff is good, it decays. But it also but feels generic because you don't have a story. >> Yeah. Because there's 10 other people 10 other people doing the exact same thing. Same chat GPT script. >> Yeah. So, and that's where the difference is. You you go on site and you you document it, you vlog it. The journeyman makes it real. >> You can't fake the journey man. Well, you can, but >> you're on a whole different level of strategy if you're trying to do that. Yeah. >> You know, so your your business started in 2023 and now you're at how many how many clients do you have? >> Currently we're around 140. >> 140. Wow. And what's your usual package? Do you want to talk about this money bit? >> It really depends cuz that's that's one of the biggest questions I always get. >> What's your most popular package? Straight off the bat, it's the the when people ask that question, I really wish I could ask them a follow-up question because it's like, "Well, how much does it cost to build a house?" >> Mhm. >> Oh, 300 grand. Okay, but I want eight bedrooms. Cool. Done. Do it for 300 grand. So, it's one of those things where I like to see where they're at, see where they want to get to. >> So, you're diagn Yeah. Exactly. And then sort of see what they need and and certain people don't want the frequent check-ins and all that kind of stuff. Um, so that's sort of where, yeah, we jump on a call first and I sort of see where they're at because the thing is as well, one of the you mentioned it earlier, um, I don't think it was on the podcast, but being in a position where we don't have to actually take on clients. Like we're very, very, very busy. I'm currently hiring uh a second coach. Um, so three all up. We are busy and we are sort of continuing to grow, but we're now in a position where we can have those conversations with people. And I had one the other day where I was like, "Dude, I don't think we can help you." Like, I honestly think what you're doing right now is fine for your situation and you don't have the time to invest in yourself right now to be able to follow a plan that I'm going to give you. So, you know, having those calls is important cuz if we just take on everyone, then, you know, you're going to end up um having a bunch of people that aren't really fit for your coaching or >> and they fail. And do you do you reflect that back on you? during the early days taking on everyone you the biggest thing that I've learned and something that I'm really teaching uh my other coach now Tim is not everyone's the exact same person so for him and for me in the early days the expectation is in line with what I do so we treat everyone as an athlete but some people just want to do a little bit of this and they're happy with that and you just got to meet them where they are so if you treat everyone the same or if you uh expect the same of everyone one, then you're going to fail and you're going to be disappointed in yourself because you're like, "Ah, I'm not getting enough out of this guy." Like, he's only lost 500. That's cool. He only wants to lose 500 g. That's f He probably doesn't, but with the effort that he's putting in, that is all that he can accomplish. So having uh or being able to be like water, if you will, that old saying, you know, treat people differently uh and have different expectations for different people because certain people don't want to be a [ __ ] bodybuilder. And that's fine. That is completely fine. Some people are just happy having that program in place, having a bit of accountability, and just working towards their goal because before when they came to us, they were going backwards or just flatline. So >> yeah. >> Okay. And when you're uh when you're on boarding them, >> uh what's the biggest thing that you look for? Is it capability? Is it willingness? >> Their reason. Literally, what is your reason for wanting to do this? If someone comes to me and they go, I want to lose a bit of body fat cuz maybe, you know, when I take my shirt off, you know, some chicks might see it. That's cool. I'm like, that's not a reason. You're not going to work hard. you're not you're not going to really put in the effort and when things get hard you're not going to push through because you want to lose a bit of weight just cause. >> Do you have a favorite reason someone's given you once? >> There I think there's a lot of good ones. Um when people have a family and they have kids. I feel like that's a really [ __ ] good reason. >> That's my reason for jiu-jitsu. being healthy, being around for longer, being able to keep up with your kids, not disappointing them, and setting that [ __ ] st setting the role model, like being the role model and being like, "Hey, you're going to be healthy because I'm going to be healthy." That kind of thing. Cuz life can get away >> and life can really [ __ ] take a turn for the worse or, you know, you get busy or misses leaves, whatever. There's different reasons why people get unhealthy, but it's then about making that change, having the right reason. That's what the call's for as well. A lot of people don't know their reason and it's my job to help them figure out their reason cuz when they have that reason the results are 10 times better, 100 times better because they keep reflecting on why they're there. >> Yeah, absolutely. And do you do you ever record your um your your calls? >> Yeah, every single one of them. Yeah, cuz the way it normally works is I record it so that I can review it if they're if I'm setting up a few people. Um, but I also record it because if I'm sending a client to Tim, then he needs to see the call. What's their reason? What do they want to do? What what sort of split do they want? Meal plan, all that kind of stuff. So, >> do you ever use it as content? >> I have plugged my scripts into chat GBT to make content. Yeah. Yeah. >> Nice. Nice. So, what I what I teach is um there's questions that they ask you >> and when they ask you, you got to answer them. Yeah, >> you answer them authentically with your eyes closed >> and you need to make that as content. >> So the same as now the content I give you, they're called framed podcast clips. >> They're not framed, but I guess cuz I've framed them in my mind. >> Most people want to create podcasts to clip them. Yeah. >> There's no strategy behind it. >> I've got a whole map of how I'm going to [laughter] ask you questions. But but with the authentic side of content, you need to uh be able to go, right? When am I candidly >> giving information that more people will want to hear? >> Yeah. >> In your sales calls, >> sales calls and check-in replies. >> Check-in replies >> cuz they're Loom videos, so they have a transcript. So >> yeah, how good is Loom? Loom is amazing. >> It's Yeah, I rate the the concept and the idea, but apparently Teller is better. Yeah, >> apparently I haven't moved over cuz I'm like, man, I'm so established on Loom, I don't care. [laughter] >> Yeah, >> tell her free subscription uh two month trial will plug you. [laughter] >> I I say this stuff because the transcript of this can be discovered now through AI search. >> Oh, really? >> Yeah. >> True. >> Yeah, >> there you go. >> You know, so your business um let's go a little bit deeper into the FIFO side of things. Uh because it's a really important topic for me. Uh when you're not your healthiest, when you're just going there going through the motions, you're doing a two in one or whatever, three in one, four in one, >> and you get there and they feed you feed you whatever. It's like there's no limit. >> There's no limit. >> No one's telling you off. >> No one's telling you off. And and you you're probably snoring. and you're aching and you're going home and you're drinking. >> Um, do you see a lot of those clients come through with you? >> Yeah, 100%. I'd say over half, >> what is what is their kind of mental state at the time when they first call you? >> It's I'd say it's very it's 50/50, honestly. There's some guys that are just like uh maybe they're just good at acting this kind of way, but they're just like unbothered. They're like, you know, this is what it is. These are the changes I'm going to make. This is why I'm here. Help me out. But there is some guys that are just like, "Man, I'm so [ __ ] sick of being this way. Like, I have no energy. Can't keep up with my kids. My MS hates me." You know, it comes up at work. I can't fit under the machine. All that kind of stuff. So, I don't dive too deep um with most people cuz as guys mining FIFO, you a lot of them don't want to open up. So, it is hard to get down and, you know, deep with those kind of conversations around mental health. But I do see it quite often where where guys are it affects them. And I'm like, well, let's change that. And that's the biggest initial thing that we see with guys that jump on board with us is they have more energy, they have more clarity, they feel good when they wake up, they're ready to attack the day. >> That's the outcome. >> What are the actions that you have your average um member take >> once they've been on boarded? >> So, we create them a meal plan, a workout, give them some step and >> meal plan. So you got nutritionist background as well. >> Um it is non-medical advice. >> Mhm. >> So it's just it's there is that like uh what's it called? >> You a great area. >> Yeah. Yeah. Um the thing is we prescribe whole foods. We prescribe a little bit of uh 20% of non-hole foods. So the thing is with those kind of diets you really can't [ __ ] up. It's not nothing extreme. All that kind of stuff. >> What about if you collaborated with a nutritionist? that could definitely be that something that we look at for sure. Um, and I definitely think that is something that we can do in the future as long as the nutritionists views and knowledge aligns with with ours. Obviously, I have that in the trenches knowledge. I've been there. I've done that. Um, I've seen I've had a lot of clients sign up and they said they've had a nutritionist before and they did this and that and I was like, "Well, did it work?" No, it didn't work. So, I'm not saying all nutritionists are bad, but some of them just have a bit of a textbook knowledge that they've learned um through study or whatever, >> right? I agree 100%. And this is uh off before we turned the cameras on, we spoke about my new pivot in my personal brand of being a people broker. >> Yeah. >> Right. A PB. someone that connects you with the right people because I have vetted them myself. Yeah. >> And I know that they're not textbook. >> They have textbook >> principles, but they also have new age stuff that I personally have seen work. >> So, there's a nutritionist uh that I invested in, >> her name's Lisel, >> uh uh Reframed. Her business is called Reframed. Um, and I took photos of her bis uh her personal training business years ago. She was hired me for a photographer >> and yeah, we've been like mates ever since just kind of following each other on Instagram and then >> she's starting this new business. I was like, you know what? And South Africans because she is one. I was like, >> she's intimidating. I like that. >> I'm going to give it a go. Yeah. Right. and she gave me the whole um we need to reset your your body. We need to get rid of the withdrawals >> um because hunger is a withdrawal symptom >> right? Not many people know that. >> Yeah. >> So what am I withdrawing from? Carbs, sugar, alcohol, >> three time a day meals. >> Yeah. >> So she goes, "Let's let's give that a go. Let's weed you off of this stuff." Mhm. >> So, we went low carb and we eased into it. >> Mhm. >> And I'm like, "Okay, I've done this before, by the way, like the keto thing." >> And I know it works for me, >> but I'm like, "I need this accountability." >> Yeah. >> So, first month, yep, good. Uh, got rid of the withdrawals, whatever, whatever. And I love meat. Who doesn't? Except for vegan. >> Absolutely. >> Uh, and then she goes, "Right, I want you to do one meal a day." >> Mhm. It's like, >> I mean, I don't really eat until after lunch anyway because I'm not hungry. >> Yeah. >> So, but I'm probably going to do this. I'm like, I get pretty hungry around, like 12, 1:00. She goes, that's okay. Have a black coffee. >> Yeah. >> I [ __ ] hate black coffee. You don't even drink coffee. You get it. >> Yeah. >> But I I need milk. She goes, "No, milk turns into sugar." And I'm like, >> "Okay, fine. I'll do it." >> But she convinced me. Yeah. >> And then later recently, I I'm still on one meal a day. >> My habit is one meal a day. >> See, I don't like that approach. >> Yeah. >> Personally, I but that's my approach. >> Of course, and it works for certain people. >> But she doesn't she doesn't tell that to everybody. >> She's not a textbook. Okay, everybody does one meal a day, right? >> So, but I but I understand why you would say that as well. >> And for for me, it works. When someone else asked me, oh, how'd you you're looking so good, Seth? your energy's up. Like this >> truthfully this podcast >> last year around this time I'd be [ __ ] zoning out. [laughter] >> I'm like I'm in. >> Yeah. Your focus. >> My focus. And also I did jiu-jitsu this morning. >> Yeah. >> Didn't carb up. Didn't have a banana or any of that. Didn't fuel up for it. Didn't have creatine. The only thing I have was electrolytes in my water and it's pure. Like no flavoring or any sugar [ __ ] >> True. >> Just straight salt. Yeah, >> out of a packet that I spent [ __ ] too much on. I'm just going to start doing just salt from now on. >> But anyway, >> it works for me. I sleep well. I eat at night at 1000 p.m. >> I've got the Terry Cruz window at the moment. So, between 2:00 p.m. and 1000 p.m. is my open window. So, it's not one meal anymore. It's uh like a soft meal at the start like uh uh in the afternoon and then a bigger meal. >> It works for me. >> And That's sweet. For sure. Cuz your goals align with that kind of stuff as well. >> And I'm getting stronger. I don't feel like I'm losing body uh muscle mass, >> right? And >> like and and for her, I'm like, "Okay, cool." But I haven't got enough data for how she's helped other people, including FIFO workers. >> Yeah. >> Um but yeah, >> cuz that's the thing. When you work FIFO, you're from, you know, 5:00 a.m. you're slogging away. You're working away. So people that skip breakfast, I'm like, >> "Yeah, >> you know, eat some breakfast. Tell me how you feel." They feel amazing. >> Yeah. And I'd say 70 to 80% of the guys that sign up with us want to lose body fat but also gain some muscle. Yeah. Now although that is, you know, a lot harder than if you just focus on either one, >> if you're eating the right amount of food and you spread it out throughout the day, you're eating a good good amount of protein, you are going to get stronger and maintain or build some muscle during that time. Cuz a lot of these people, they come to us, >> they're quite new to structure structured gym training. So if you just go around and do whatever, you can accomplish something. But adding structure in really helps you level up in that sense. So if you're fueling yourself throughout the day, you're eating your four or five meals, whatever it is, >> awesome. >> If it works for you, it works for you. >> But consistency, >> the proof is in the pudding. >> Yeah. >> How long does it take for you to get them to um that habit state that you're after so they can get that consistency? >> Some people start from day dot, day one. I'm like, and I let them know as well. I'm like, "Dude, this is not normal. This is sick." Not normal though. Um, and we just set the expectation of, hey, we're throwing a bunch of new challenges your way. Bunch of changes, a bunch of new habits, all that kind of stuff. Just ease into it and aim to be that 1% better every single week. And I guess that's where the weekly check-ins come in. And that's why they're so good because we track everything on a weekly basis. And I can tell them, hey, this week you did this really well. Let's improve here next week. >> Setting them small goals. >> And you set it all up. Um, how do you keep track of it all? What sort of program? >> It's on an app. >> Yeah. >> So, you built the app as well? No, it's just a coaching app that I use. Yeah. >> Train Heroic. >> It's called One Fit. >> One Fit. >> Yeah. Yeah. I found I >> I used uh Traineriz to begin with, but at the time when I was using it, they just didn't have a lot of features that I really wanted in there, like being able to create meal plans and >> inapp checkins. It was always external. So, you'd have six different apps to run one sort of system. >> So, this is all in one app, which is cool. So, >> you've mentioned the outcomes of your clients. Just go through them quickly again. After how how generally how long on average >> people see it in the first week when the energy >> Yeah. energy levels about cuz they're eating you know a good amount of food. They're eating the right food. Um you're getting away from all the processed [ __ ] or beers or you know all that kind of stuff. So a lot of the people do see it within the first week or two. And with that, depending on how bad their diet was before, you'll see a lot of weight drop as well from the inflammation, from the water retention, from the all that kind of stuff. So, yeah, I'd say first week or two, if not the first month, they will see, you know, crazy benefits. >> Let's talk about the results of the [snorts] results. >> What do they tell you >> in what way? >> So, they feel better, >> but then what happens to them? >> Well, it just seeps into all aspects of life. And that's one of the biggest things that I say when I am uh talking to them on the call is like you're thinking about, you know, losing 20 kilos and trying to keep up with your kids, but all of a sudden your work improves, your relationship improves, your just everything improves. So, um, losing the weight is one thing, but seeing how it affects you or the doors it can open is a whole another thing because that a lot of times you don't even know what doors it's going to open for you um when you start. You know, certain people they start running or they start working towards another goal or they get a new hobby or anything like that. They can go to the beach and take their shirt off or you know, >> give me one give me one story. Give me one story client. Yeah, you you don't have to mention their names, but just tell me >> through the entire process >> from that thing who who has a good story. >> Um I have I have I have a relatively funny story. So um I don't think he'll mind me mentioning him. His name is Brendan. He actually came and bought my car off me originally and we were just talking while he was doing the uh settling the the the paperwork and whatnot. And he was like, "Oh [ __ ] you're a coach. Yeah, I' I'd love to get on board." And I'm like, "Yeah, okay. Everyone says that. No worries." He's like, "Give me two months. I'm going to uh I'm going to do a little bit myself." I was like, "Okay, cool. I'll enjoy the car. I'll see you never." And then 3 months later, like almost to the day he messaged me. He's like, "Hey, man. I'm down about 7 kilos. I've hit a massive plateau. I don't know where I can go from here. Can you help me?" I was like, "Oh, whoa, you're back." Yeah. >> Sick. Still has my car to this day. Um, so he signed up and this is would have been a year and a half ago. So we've been working together for a while. Um, he ended up dropping another [sighs] I don't know the exact figure. It was around 15 kilos that he dropped as well. He got proper lean and this is a guy that can adhere to. >> So you so you he plateaued at seven and you helped him get an further 15 kilos. >> Either 15 in total with that seven or It was a lot. It was definitely a lot. He got lean, >> but you helped him break the plateau. Yeah, 100%. >> Right. Okay. >> Really cool. Got lean as [ __ ] abs, everything, muscles, straight, all that kind of stuff. Really cool. And then we built back up. He wanted to do his first proper bulk. We got back up to 90 kilos. Um, he still had some abs. He was looking good. Um, long story short, we did a couple more of them and now he's actually uh competing at the end of the year in a bodybuilding show. So, >> he went from a non-competitor at all to now getting >> he was interested in it, but he never really knew the process and didn't have the physique for it, all that kind of stuff. So yeah, awesome. And now he's even looking at I don't know if this is still his plan, but he's looking at doing some PT stuff as well. So moving into it, really cool for you. >> It's cool. It's really cool cuz I'm now good friends with him. You know, I've seen him a couple times. He still has my car. So really cool to see that he's looking after that. And you know, I was able to help him um completely shift his life and like like I said, you don't know what doors are going to open for you. He's now looking at a career change. So really awesome to see. Money can't buy that experience. >> No, not at all. >> Congratulations, man. >> That's awesome. And >> and it's just like you don't even think about that. Like I probably have, you know, I don't want to say hundred stories, but a lot of stories like that. Um, and I just keep ticking along. Like we're just doing it. >> How many times have you told that story recorded? >> I think maybe once, but I'm not too sure cuz we're now I don't I haven't told the story of him competing. That's only a this year thing. >> So here's here's what I recommend for your business and marketing. you're crushing it anyway. But here's >> if if you do find a for some reason a plateau. >> Yeah. >> Those stories like literally as I'm listening to that, I'm going >> [ __ ] it. I want to sign up to this. >> You know, I've actually made a real about it now that I think about it. Brendan's Brendan's story >> more. You said you had 100. I want all of them. >> Yeah. And this is you. It's funny you say that cuz I I film my content with um one of my good friends, Liam Dugan. Dugan Fit. You might have seen him around. Um he's he's the content goat in my opinion. He I go to him uh with no ideas and we come up with six to eight reels every single week. We film on a Wednesday. >> Liam Dugan is he is he a fitness guy or is he a comedian? >> Fitness. >> Okay. Yeah. Cool. >> He's a bit of a comedian, but he doesn't doesn't film that. >> I've I've I've had a couple of PT clients um that I've helped with their marketing. And the one idea, the one idea I'm really, no one's still tested it >> is, this is more of like an in gym PT, but you start off at the face >> and you slowly zoom out. And the caption at the top is guess what workout I'm doing or guess what exercise I'm doing. >> And you have to like figure it out before it like zooms out to reveal it. >> I reckon that'd be cool. >> I'll run that 100%. Yeah, I think that's cool. Yeah. >> Yeah, I think it'll make it happen. >> Yeah. And if >> it goes viral, I'll be back here. do like 10 of them though to test it. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Of course. >> Slowly and then just like and then just like um I I would test a couple of variables. One is >> being a weirdo eye contact like the whole time like >> dead straight. Yeah. >> Yeah. Um and maybe another one would just be like I mean if you do it with with a chick that that's got her hair all done up and stuff that would be funny meme. >> But um yeah. Oh okay. I'm going to go through some random questions just about the fitness industry and and the whole >> the whole thing. So, just I'm just going to fire away. >> Thoughts on those [snorts] um short leggings that make the butt a bubble? >> Yeah. >> [ __ ] bubble thing that chicks do right now. That's the current trend. >> Um I am very biased cuz one of my close friends uh owns Velocity so she created that bubble butt look. Scrunch shorts. >> Yeah. >> No, I rate them. Um, I think there's a lot of people that are outside of the gym that might sexualize them because it's not in their capability to realize that cheeks can wear some shorter shorts >> because it's a good way to train. >> I wear short shorts in the gym as well. >> It's not that it's not that they're short. It's the fact that the the elastic at the bottom is so tight. It keeps it up. >> And I'm like, it's like contouring for your bum. >> Yeah. >> Right. I mean, if you got good glutes, you got good glutes, of course. and just that little extra over the edge is just like >> I think um with that I think the design of the shorts matter. I've seen a lot of companies I don't want to throw shade here but there's a lot of companies that haven't designed them properly where it's literally restricting restricting the bottom >> uh the legs but um no I really rate Velocity's um shorts they've gone through years of uh perfecting it >> but it also comes down to the owner of the shorts buying the right size. There you go. Calling out the women that are not buying the right size cuz that is, bro, just go a size up. >> Is that the equivalent of a dude who purposely gets a smaller shirt to make his arms look bigger? >> I think so. Possibly. Yeah, I think. But in saying that, I used to be that guy >> when I was literally 80 kilos ring and wet or maybe 70. I don't know. I was doing that when I was small. Now, it's funny you pivot from doing that to wearing oversized shirts so that you look smaller. >> I mean, right now I can see myself on camera. my my arms >> jacked. >> But I I just look at that. I'm like, man, I look bigger in a shirt and the the singlet. Maybe it's the angle. I don't know. >> Maybe it's the lighting. [laughter] >> Look pasty. Oh, dude. My my I have gained muscle just doing jiu-jitsu. It's crazy. >> Of course. >> And it's physical sport. >> And I haven't been to the gym in two weeks. And I feel guilty, but at the same time, my trainer's like, "No, it's okay." >> Yeah. You're doing other things, >> but I do need to do some like maintenance, like mobility stuff. >> Yeah. And it's important, but um is there like I asked I asked a guy that does BJJ and is a FIFO worker. He's like, "Do they do rolling on site somewhere?" >> That'd be a thing. >> That would be funny. That'd be sick. >> Just seeing that cuz the gyms Some of the gyms are as big as this studio. >> So, you just got a guy rolling around in the corner. He's You might bump into him. >> Not even on purpose. Yeah. >> You like rock up at the gym at 5:00 a.m. You see these dude dudes going at it. Yeah. The thing is it'd be 2:00 a.m. 5 a.m. you start work. >> Oh, yeah. True, true. >> 2 a.m. That's what would make it even wilder. Just getting up at 2 a.m. to roll around on the floor. >> Now, careing care being careful how I word [clears throat] this, >> my whole philosophy on FIFO work is you need a plan to get out. >> Because if you don't plan to get out, you'll get the golden handcuffs. M >> what that looks like is you get your house, you get your Hilux, you get your jet skis, >> you get your whatever else you want, >> and all of a sudden you have debt >> and you have no choice but to keep >> to service it. Service. >> How often do you see that happen? >> 95%. I see that purely that statement gets confirmed by how viral every one of my videos around that topic go. I posted one last week or this week, I can't remember. I think it's around 250,000 views. Um, just being like, POV, you just get home from your first swing and it's just me at the jet ski dealership, the Land Cruiser dealership, and the Ford Ranger dealership. So, and yeah, I think that video has 6,000 likes or something like that. Shared to [ __ ] So, it's relatable. It is. It is very relatable. And if people haven't experienced it themselves, it is just the stigma that's put around, you know, FIFO workers. >> Yeah. And my most viral video about FIFO topic has been with Josh >> sitting across from me. We talked about it. >> Yeah. >> And then another video that I interviewed a kid on the on the street. He he [clears throat] was thinking about doing FIFO. >> I said the same lines. It went viral. Right. It's relatable. Yeah. Right. And it's one of the most popular industries in Australia. So no [ __ ] Right. >> Of course. >> But going back to the important part of the topic, 95% of them >> are shackled. >> Yeah. How important is their mental and physical health to help them unshackle? >> I think it's very important. I think it's it's one of the most important things that people might not even consider to be important because if you have those kind of things in check, you know, everything that comes with having a good physique is discipline, is consistency, is drive, motivation, doing the hard thing when you don't want to. And that is I think what ultimately set me up for creating that exit plan cuz I was working three jobs for a while. Uh for 6 months I was working three jobs uh before I quit FO. So I was doing the FO job. I was working at a as a group fitness trainer. Um and I was coaching people online while still filming content and doing all that kind of stuff. You made the pivot, but you were you were you were clear, you were focused, >> you were fit, you were healthy, >> consistent, >> you were sleeping well >> mostly, right? >> Not on site. >> Yeah. >> But >> no, but even then like I made time to sleep right on site. There's different times when you can get a bit of extra sleep and certain people just don't. >> Yeah. >> So, >> what got you to finally take the leap and leave FIFO to start your business? >> I got too busy. Literally got too busy. And I like I've said this a few times, but um I only upon reflection figured out why I was so successful and why I left at the right time. I left January 16th, new year, new me. Everyone wants to get in shape. And I was the guy last >> 2024. Okay. >> January 2024. So >> when I left at the time, I was like, "Oh [ __ ] this is what it is when you do full when you just commit full-time." Like I think I was signing between six and at the peak it was 12 people per week. So I was filling up real quick. And um at the time I was like oh this is just me being a full-time PT. I guess this is quite normal. The second January I did I was like oh okay last year I was like cool this is when everyone wants to make the start wants to get into it. Whatever reason it is. And it's funny because it's linear and it increases until about May because May people are like, "Holy moly, it's we're five months in and I haven't done anything. I need to do something now." So the the biggest signups or the most amount of signups we got was actually May, >> right, >> last year. >> So you've done two full laps of the sun. >> Um what's been the the biggest challenge uh for your business in those two years? >> That's a good question because we've had a lot of challenges. Um, I think just the the the overarching challenge is finding the right people to listen to and to take advice from. So, I had a few people that I've listened to in the past that gave me terrible advice >> on what like the business or >> on the business and how to go about it and and all those kind of things. It might not have been terrible advice, but for the long run, it's definitely not good advice. And uh >> the wrong advice is terrible advice. Also, you have to sometimes take that advice to to test it to discover that it's the wrong advice >> because without any advice, you're guessing anyway. >> Exactly. >> And it's better to, you know, take >> and and is the advice from someone else's experience in the same field. >> It is, but they went about it differently. So, it's funny because like you said, any advice is better than no advice because with my mindset and how I go about things, I took that advice and I still pushed myself ahead. So, just having someone there being like, "Hey, you need to do this." And I was confident that what they were saying was the correct thing. I still 3x my revenue listening to that listening to that advice or still did this and that. Still did different things. But then now reflecting back, I'm like, "Okay, if I didn't do that and I had the advice I have now, I would have gone about things completely different and I'd be in a completely different spot." >> Yeah. Okay. And I like how you reflect on that, too. That's very important. >> You ever go down like this rabbit hole where you go and pinpoint the exact moment this whole thing started and you're like, "Wow, if it wasn't for that, it wouldn't been here or whatever." And and like you meet this person and like um your your mate with the car. Um, but also the wrong advice can lead you to a really good outcome. >> Yeah, of course. >> So, you got you got you got to take it. You got to you just run with it. >> As long as you're still in an okay position now. >> Of course. Yeah. You got to you got to look look at the risks. >> I was talking to my mate this morning on our Jacob's ladder >> um session and uh it's it's all about looking at that risk analysis and going right this is sounds like good advice. What is worst case scenario? >> Best case scenario obviously is nice. Yeah. >> But what's the worst case scenario? Can we afford if that happened? >> See, I a lot of times I I don't consider that or I haven't considered that >> um in the past. And I think that's where I've just put too much trust in certain people um and possibly just taking advice blindly >> um which has led to big monetary losses. >> Potential losses or actual losses. >> Actual losses. And it's funny you mentioned a marketing agency because I got absolutely burnt by one. Um, we were talking about that before. >> Um, >> tell me the bad habits, not the agency. >> So, I've actually never not spoken about this publicly, but um, someone recommended to me to jump on board with um, this marketing agency because he was like, "Look, you have a lot of disposable cash. Let's try and get someone to just run your ads." Cuz I taught myself. >> Yep. >> Sort of. I had someone teach me ads otherwise I'd be so lost, but I just wasn't doing anything with them. I had ads running and they were just running for themselves. They were pretty good and they were doing well. They were bringing in leads and the cost of the ads were covering the leads and then everything after that was profit. So the original sign up from those clients was covering ad spend. So doing well, everything was going fine. But um we were like, you know, let's try and level that up. You've got the disposable cash. Let's just do it. And um the agency itself charged I forgot the number now. >> I can't remember $6,000 or $8,000 a month. >> Y >> um just to utilize them plus ad spend. And at the time it was around $120 a day. >> Right. >> So it added up across the minimum term of the contract 3 months ended up being around $30 $35,000 that I invested into ads and the agency. And during the three months we had zero row wires. >> And why was that not alarmed in the first month? >> It was but then there was a contract and the guy being like um no no it'll work. It just needs to pick up. You know the old you know the first month we just trial some things >> and then the second month in the second month I knew I was like this is dead. This is completely dead. And it's so dead to the point where my meta ads account uh is now struggling to get out of the learning phase with certain ad sets because um it doesn't know who my audience is. >> Yeah, it's funny uh you mention uh this uh the sponsor of this podcast is actually where you uh you would have seen the uh the real halfway through this episode. Again, if you're a service-based business, go check out where you and do the workshop and you'll get leads before the workshop finishes most likely. Check out their landing page. It's longer than me. Back to you. >> I love doing that [ __ ] But um yeah, that is the most common problem that when when businesses come to me to ask for help. >> I don't run ads, but I don't do the ads. I teach organic. Yeah. Right. Organic is trust >> and organic is when you do it right, which I have done over and over, >> you don't need ads. >> Correct. And when you have organic in in line, when when your organic is good, the ads can >> Yeah. Exactly. So, both is optimal. >> Uh having organic rolling on ongoing. >> It's like if because I booked out my business without a single ad. M I tried ads at the very start. Five grand, [ __ ] nothing. >> This was 5 years ago. I was furious. I was like, "Fuck this ad shit." >> And then I met um obviously Brandon and I was like, >> "No, I'm going to give this a crack again." >> Cuz every single other attempt, it was just like, "No, >> he's the only one that's actually made me rorowass," which was >> four, five times, >> like consistently four to five times. Yeah. >> But he teaches you how to do it. >> He doesn't [ __ ] do it for you. >> And that agency that stitched you up, >> it happens more and more now than ever before. And >> I feel so terrible hearing this >> from these businesses that come in. I'm like, >> man, like 15 grand, 30 grand. It's like >> you need to come in and and understand what you what is going to be measured >> and how is success defined and how soon it will happen and what's the guarantee. >> They're going to say, "No, what's the guarantee?" The three-month thing, it's a classic stitch up, >> but it shouldn't take 3 months at all. >> No, it it shouldn't have it shouldn't have The thing is it was working before. That's the thing. >> And they and they >> and they [ __ ] it. >> Yeah. So now now you're Would you say you're getting more leads organically? Well, the way that I'm running my ads at the moment is uh just what are they called? Awareness ads. So, I'm no longer running DM ads or form ads. So, I am just showing people what I do. Awareness just being like, "Hey, I'm that guy. >> Drop me a follow maybe." And I have someone that then from there, you know, talks to those people, books them on calls, all that kind of stuff. So, I do still get a lot more uh people organically. Um especially when something goes viral, obviously pretty simple. Um I'm really good friends with the owner of FO Oz, which is the biggest FIFO Instagram page on Instagram in Australia. I think they have 400 over 400,000 followers. So, every time I collab with them, huge influx. >> So, collaboration is such a awesome tactic. Like I've got a friend, his name's Scott. He owns uh he runs a Facebook page for mining underground miners Australia or something or WA and he's got over like a 100,000 members in there. Could be a good connection. >> Yeah. >> Um shout out after [laughter] >> but yeah, that's his business model. He like does that and and sees that. But the the problem is >> there's no measurement >> of where you get the leads from. So, um whether whether you already know this or not, um it's very helpful to understand where your leads come from. >> Yeah. I I actually know where mine come from. >> Right. Yeah. >> And and and a lot of people, they don't >> they don't know. They're just like, "Oh, I've got this this literally happened the other day. Oh, this agency, I've been with them for three years and they charge me $800 a month, but I don't know if I'm getting leads from them." >> Yeah. >> What the [ __ ] uh why don't you ask them or why don't you figure out how you can measure it cuz there are >> yeah and then and then they're like oh I don't want to stop it because what if I am >> it's like >> holy [ __ ] >> holy [ __ ] I can do so much more with that 800 than this >> agency stuff but let's go away from agency bashing and let's go back to um your career where do you see your um self in the next three or four years with growth. More growth. Um I think and something cool. Again, I'm just throwing out um >> exclusive news here. Something I haven't talked about yet. >> So many firsts on this episode. It means I'm good at this. >> Um I'm currently working on an app, uh my own app, the Richard's Muscle Lab app, which will be a >> it'll be uh an entry point, a lower entry point. um things are a little bit more automated in in a sense. >> Um and I'm hoping to grow that in a I'm not going to talk about how because I don't want anyone to steal that idea just yet. I love it. >> But um so yeah, really really grow that. Um impact more people >> in a good way. Um and yeah, just continue to to to be that guy to be that >> to be the person that people look to for their health and fitness help if they work FIFO or not. We have a lot of guys that don't work FIFO as well. >> It's a great It's a great niche, man. And with your with your business ventures, what's been your biggest win since starting the business? >> Biggest win? That's a good question. There've been so many small ones um just along the along the way, but the you'll like this one. My biggest win is hiring Tim um for a lot of reasons. Um, so I actually, long story short, I I he came to me at 8 weeks out. He was prepping for a competition. Um, I'd already been speaking to him a bit, but I was like, "Hey, you're doing cool. You're doing everything right. Don't worry about it. Um, I can't help you anymore." His coaches stopped checking in on him. He was 8 weeks out. They hadn't done anything with his food, and he was like, "I don't even know if I want to compete anymore. Like, I'm not I'm not ready." So, I took him on. He crushed it. He won the overall in Bumbrey. He came second in WA and then fifth or sixth in Australia. >> Wow. >> During his competition time, he nailed it. So, I was like, "This guy is cool. He's got the values that I want. He's a bodybuilder. He is absolutely uh like really really keen on the bodybuilding side of things. He's strict and consistent. >> Um, he's a better body bodybuilder than I am like on many different levels. And he's loyal as [ __ ] He was one of the guys that bought the first shirt and then I bought out another range and he some different colors and he bought everything. He wanted to be a part of the brand. He loved the brand, all that kind of stuff. He was always repping it. So I was like, "You are my guy. I want to offer you the job." >> And he originally mentioned that he wanted to move into the coaching space. He was working in mining himself. Um, and I was like, I had to hold my tongue because I didn't want to distract him from the competition. But after he finished competing, I offered him the job and he he took it up. So, props to Tim for being uh a good mate and a really good uh head coach of RML. I was learning a lot. I've never hired anyone. I've never, you know, done anything like that. And there is so much involved with that. I've only recently actually now taken him on as a full-time employee with the right guidance uh from my business mentor who I'm with right now. So, yeah, really cool. I was able to within less than 6 months give him the opportunity to leave his full-time uh mining job and move into something that he's passionate about full-time. So, that's honestly my biggest win, being able to uh you know, give him the opportunity to take that. And the the coolest thing from that is he's taken that uh fully on board. Like he's loved it, the opportunity. He's not taken it for granted. he goes above and beyond and does anything he can to, you know, uplift the brand and and continue to grow and scale, all that kind of stuff. So, I think that's that's been one of the the coolest things that I have done in the last two years since starting the business. >> Yeah, [snorts] definitely send that clip to him. >> Yeah, he'll love that. >> The uh the benefits of finding someone who's loyal, who matches what you're after, and >> and all the rest. That was a long list of green flags. >> And finding that on seek is almost impossible. >> Yeah. >> You do that through connecting through, you know, building solid relationships. >> The two employees that I have, >> um, one, I don't like to call them employees. >> They work with me as >> people that are just making everything easier. >> Yeah. And >> it was through a journey >> and collaborating and networking. Yeah. >> Um and you know one one of them I remember I was doing some advisory for a business and um they said we need a full-time creator. >> All right let's do seek. I guess this is the first time I'm like probably doing it. >> [ __ ] >> Yeah. >> And all these people came in and did >> interview them. Oh man. And they just like when someone interviews uh a creator as a business owner, >> almost no one knows what they're looking for. >> Yeah, of course. >> I know exactly what I'm looking for. >> And the first thing I expect is >> do you have a portfolio? >> Do you have videos? I can see cuz that's all you're going to be doing the whole time. You're a creator. >> If you have no videos, you're out. I don't care who you are. >> Don't rock up to the interview. >> Don't I don't care if you graduated uni or whatever. honors if you don't have a social media account cuz that's what you're going to be doing. >> Exactly. >> I'm not teaching you this. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That'll take that'll take years time. >> Anyway, my guy nailed it. He was there for 18 months. >> And then he decided to leave and do something else and said, "Sir, I want to work with you." >> Yeah. >> He said, "For you." I was like, "No, no, you're working with me >> cuz I want you to kick my ass." >> And that's who I look for, people that can kick my ass >> to to make me better. >> Yeah. And um yeah, dude, what a cool story, man. Um >> Luca, the other guy or the first guy I'll talk about is Frasier. Luca, the other guy, um he does all the podcast stuff. >> He's just come in and just like smashed out. He's just like taken it on and just >> figured it out and he's u coming out of his shell a little bit. He's younger >> and and but then there's like I obviously mentioned Ethan. M >> those guys. Um Ethan is unemployable. >> Yeah, that's a good >> in a good way. >> Good way to be uh >> in a good way. >> Um because he's his own he's running his own thing. >> And there's there's so many others that are like just unicorns out there. You need to like capture them >> or not capture them, but like leverage them, but give them back as well. >> The the take them on board, get them on your team. >> And that's that's what I've done now. Um, I've sort of announced this, but not really. Another first video. >> I've hired another Tim or am hiring another Tim. >> His name is also >> His name's Tim. Yeah, we're going to have T1 and T2. It's going to be [ __ ] sick. Um, he another >> Terminator [clears throat] joke in that. >> Exactly. The >> point at which I needed to hire a second coach came up. >> Yeah. >> And the advice is and what I've taken from obviously hiring T1 is look internally. like you've said, you can't find these people on Seek. >> And yeah, the the other team came up and I was like, this guy works FIFO. He's a qualified PT. >> He runs his own thing, but doesn't hasn't really gone all in. >> So yeah, I had a chat with him and he's like, yeah, look, I love what you guys do. I'd love to be a part of the team. >> And the coolest thing about T2 is he uh specializes in endurance sport, running, high rocks, marathons, triathlons, all that kind of stuff. >> Such a such a good niche, too. >> Awesome niche. Something I have no idea about. That's something on the up like big time. I see more and more people do triathlons and stuff like a friend of mine he um his name's Alex um Alex Co. Shout out to Alex. I used to play footie with him. He he did a he built a brand called Sub 10 Loading. >> Yeah. >> And I was like, man, I haven't I haven't spoken to this guy in a few years, but >> I'm [ __ ] in. I'm I'm rooting for this guy. And then he just did the um the Bumbrey one. >> Yeah. >> Uh Bustleton, I think one. sub nine. He went sub nine >> by like three minutes. >> Yeah. Right. >> And I was like, "Fuck yeah." It was a sick clip of him. >> But um yeah, I'm seeing more and more people do the uh Yeah. >> do the journey. And I'm like, "Far out. That's >> that's hectic. I don't know if I could ever do triathlon." >> No. >> But but jiu-jitsu, man, again, like for me, I said to my trainer, shout out Mel, Athlete X. I was like, "Right, I need to not get killed." M >> uh but also more importantly not get injured cuz you get injured, you're killed anyway. >> You're out. Yeah. >> And like today's open mat session, I just got sat on again by dudes that are bigger than me >> and or slightly smaller than me, >> but they just leverage better. So that's technique, right? That you learn that on the mats. >> But what you don't learn on the mats is how to prevent injury. >> And I And that's like huge. >> Yeah. >> Right. And people that want to do hobby sports, preventative injury training >> or mobility work, >> yeah, >> is something that is not really looked at at the moment. >> Like, yeah, there's Pilates and [ __ ] but that's for more for the >> I'm really big on um remedial massage, dry >> needling. >> I've been doing that for pretty much five years now. >> At least once a week, >> man. That deep tissue as well. >> Yeah. Yeah. Oh, dude. >> But I've never had an injury. Touchwood, where's your >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. My all my injuries come from blunt trauma. >> Yeah. >> So, ACL reconstruction was a landing that went wrong. >> Yeah. >> And you can't train for that. >> No. >> And then someone landed on my ankle full body as I'm trying to hurt all over him. Ankle reconstruction. Fell off my skateboard. >> Yeah. >> Wrist reconstruction. >> But everything else is fine. >> Yeah. >> But, you know, at 35, I'm >> doing all right. >> I'm doing all right. My lower back could be better. My posture could be better. >> Yeah. >> But that's I'm looking down at everybody. So, >> it's all man. Yeah. >> Yeah. Uh but yeah, the FIFO thing. Um you're doing a good job, man. And >> I'm I'm stoked to have you in here. There's so many more questions, but I reckon uh are you are you based in Perth? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Oh, sick. >> Yeah. Run it back. And um >> this is the first podcast recording I've done this year >> for myself. So, this is >> another first. >> Another first. >> Yeah. And uh for everybody listening at home, I am making the pivot to really push um stage one of business development. So if you're looking to start a business service specifically, uh hit me up. Um let's do a brainstorming session and um I can give you some feedback on uh what you've got and how you can mathematically map out exactly the next steps that you need to do. Um, I found some quick wins over the last one to two years experimenting with this with my mates and they're getting some solid wins out of it. So now I'm like, cool, I've done it for myself. I've done it for some other people >> and now it's time to uh yeah, productize it. >> And uh the other stage is stage two. So, if you already have a business, but you feel like you're plateauing and you're looking to increase your capacity, uh the marketing side, easy, no problem. We can work that out. But it's also the next steps. Should you raise your prices? Should you add more value? Or should you increase your uh capacity in terms of people that you hire? Um, I've mathematically figured out how to calculate all of this properly and we can do it all in one session. So, I guess I'm sponsoring myself for this episode as well. >> Um, but, uh, it's been good to have you on, man. And, uh, >> it's been a good chat. >> How'd you find the studio? Um, set up. >> Yeah, love it. It's sick. Yeah, like I said, I've got a plan to film something with a good friend of mine. Shout out to Pat. We'll be in here. Pat, if you're listening, it'll be good. >> Sick. Sick. And uh for everybody else at home, go have a look at the show notes. All the chapters are in the the YouTube video. Apologies for the back and forth as usual, but it's the way we go. You just go here, go there, go backwards, you know, and um if you found this episode useful or helpful or insightful, leave a comment, share why, and reach out. The notes are in there. How do we reach out to you specifically? >> Instagram's best. Yeah, I'm very active on Instagram. >> Yep. The URL is going to be in the description, whether it's on YouTube or on Spotify. If you got this far in the episode, I'd like you to comment the word muscle lab on the episode [music] and uh we'll uh we might give you a little bit of a surprise. Haven't figured out what it is yet. I just came up with that. >> Yeah. >> Uh but yeah, if you have, then comment and yeah, let's go from there. Love your work and thanks [music] for listening. Leave a review if you haven't yet. It helps. I should really start posting more episodes. >> Cool. [music]