The JRNY

Paul Cohalan

Welcome to THE JRNY — Risk, Roadblocks & Resilience. A space built on a simple truth: every one of us carries chapters — personal, business, and everything in between. Some chapters are messy, some are triumphant, and some reshape us in ways we never expected. But together, they form the story of who we are and who we’re becoming. This podcast digs into the pivotal moments — the risks you took, the roadblocks you hit, and the resilience those experiences forged. Because success was never meant to be a destination. It’s a journey. Your journey. Our journey. This is THE JRNY. Let’s turn the p

  1. 2 days ago

    Episode 16: Pro Boxing and the Pursuit of Greatness With Jackson England

    In this episode of JRNY, host Paul sits down with professional boxer Jackson England for a raw conversation about resilience, family lineage and overcoming personal adversity. From growing up across Western Sydney and Mandurah to finding his path through difficult times, Jackson shares how boxing became his ultimate escape and purpose.Jackson opens up about his fighting lineage, turning pro, the mental discipline required to excel in the ring, and how he channels inspiration from icons like Michael Jackson into his movement and mindset. Beyond the sport, Jackson speaks candidly about his hardest battles outside the ring: making tough decisions to protect his mental health and relearning self-worth.In this episode, we cover:- Growing up in Sydney & Mandurah and finding boxing at age 13- Honouring an iconic Australian fighting lineage- Using music, dance, and perfectionism to sharpen fighting instincts- Turning ring losses into fuel for unshakeable self-belief

  2. 4 days ago

    Episode 20: From Barista to Designer: Unbreakable Resilience, Kicks & Fatherhood with Leo Gonzalez

    In Episode 20, host Paul sits down with self-taught sneaker designer and creative force Leo to break down his raw, inspiring journey from the Dominican Republic to New York City and Perth.From sneaking a look at a friend’s Timberland sketchbook on a basketball court to teaching himself design on an Apple G5 at 4 AM while working as a barista, Leo's story is a masterclass in relentless passion and resilience. In this episode, Leo opens up about: - Finding the Spark: Moving from the Dominican Republic to NYC, learning to draw anatomy, and self-teaching shoe design while working at Starbucks. - The Mayweather Era: Flying to the U.S. to live with and design custom kicks for Floyd Mayweather's Money Team. - Building "Live of Viral": Relocating to Perth, launching Labyrinth Footwear, and creating the "Live of Viral" (LV) brand. - Pivots & Hustle: Running a unique barbershop inside a Victoria Park pub and going viral with Dominican rapper Lapis Conciente. - Mastering the Craft: Shoe lasts, sole construction, glow-in-the-dark soles, money-printed bottoms, and designing luxury sneakers while colourblind. - Life, Family & Mindset: The power of a supportive mother, raising his kids in Perth, taking radical self-accountability, and why quitting is never an option. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment with your favourite moment from Leo's story!

  3. 3 Sept

    Episode 19: How She Built a Multi-Million Dollar Career After Moving Out at 13 with Vee Venture

    At 13 years old, Vee moved out of home and had to learn self-reliance overnight. Instead of letting childhood trauma dictate her future, she channelled that focus into building a multi-million dollar business career and mentoring others to hit 6-figure milestones. In Episode 19 of The JRNY, host Paul Cohalan sits down with Vee for a powerful, no-nonsense conversation on: Moving out at 13 and breaking the victim mentality Helping clients build financial independence and generate $1M in 10 weeks Applying hard business metrics, discipline, and structure to non-traditional industries De-risking investments, real estate foundations, and avoiding financial traps Balancing high-stakes entrepreneurship with motherhood "If you want anything in life, the only person that’s going to get you there is yourself."

  4. 1 Sept

    Episode 18: The Brutal Reality of Hospitality: Coffee, Growth & Hard Lessons with Simone Sichel

    In Episode 18 of The JRNY, Paul sits down with Simone Sichel, owner of Cup & Co Cafe and Avalon Perth.   From starting his career in resort entertainment across the globe to building a thriving hospitality and wholesale brand in Perth, Simone shares a candid, no-nonsense look into the realities of the industry. They dive deep into the real numbers behind running a venue today, from tight profit margins and soaring overheads to the logistical feat of producing 4,000 wholesale sandwiches a week. Simone also discusses finding the right business partner, quality control, customer experience, and what it takes to survive in a high-risk industry.   Key Topics Covered: The Reality of Hospitality: The brutal truth about opening a cafe today, high failure rates, and why 6% profit margins leave no room for error.  Lessons from Resort Life: Managing massive international resorts across the Maldives and Europe, and transitioning into business ownership in Milan and Spain.  Rising Operational Overhead: Navigating superannuation changes, doubling electricity costs, and the GST structure impacting retail food businesses.  Partnership & Equity Strategy: Why bringing on the right operational partner was game-changing, and how to scale without losing control over quality.  Building Avalon Perth: Fulfilling a 25-year dream, securing a Golden Plate nomination, and curating an unforgettable customer experience.  The Evolution of Coffee: How complex milk preferences, multiple cup sizes, and speed expectations changed the barista workflow.  Scaling Wholesale Logistics: Running an Osborne Park kitchen facility that operates 24/7 to deliver 4,000 fresh food items daily across Perth.

  5. 26 Aug

    Episode 17: Overcoming Trauma, Fighting in 100+ Matches, & Skydiving Thrills With Wes Capper

    In Episode 17 of The JRNY podcast, host Paul sits down with Wes Capper, founder of The Barn Fitness and veteran of over 100 fights. Wes dives deep into his journey from getting suspended in school and leaving high school early to building a thriving gym, navigating life as a fighter and father of three, and chasing extreme thrills through solo skydiving. Key Topics Covered: - The Fighting Mindset: What it takes to survive 100+ fights across MMA, Muay Thai, and boxing, and why digging deep in the ring builds real character. - Building The Barn Fitness: How a push from a mentor turned passion into an 8-year business legacy. - Fatherhood & Modern Discipline: Navigating parenting, screen-time boundaries, and raising resilient kids. - Family Dynamics & Personal Growth: Unpacking childhood trauma, single-parent upbringings, and learning to let go. - Chasing the Next Thrill: The hilarious origins of his iconic propeller fight hat and his transition into skydiving.

  6. 17 Aug

    Episode 15 - From Electrical Shock to Global Vision: Keoni Upton’s Story

    "Everything can change so quickly. Why be held back by fear?" On Episode 15 of The JRNY, Paul is joined by 20-year-old content strategist Keoni Upton to unpack how adversity shapes high performers. After surviving a 240-volt shock during his electrical apprenticeship, Keoni completely shifted his life’s trajectory - stepping away from the trade to build a global vision in video production and podcasting. Key Conversation Highlights: Reframing Roadblocks: Turning dyslexia and early academic struggles into an innate ability to connect, communicate, and build rapport. The Near-Miss Perspective: How a life-threatening trade incident eliminated the fear of failure and judgment. AI & Modern Learning: Why leveraging AI as a tool is essential for the next generation of business and education. Organic Trust: How business owners can build real authority and client relationships through video. Listen in for an honest, insightful chat on resilience, vulnerability, and betting on yourself.

  7. 29 Jul

    Episode 14 - 35 Years Sober, Live Shucking, & Building an Icon | Jerry Fraser "The Oyster King"

    Gerald "Jerry" Fraser, Perth’s legendary "Oyster King," joins Paul for a deep dive into resilience, life on the floor, and the art of live shucking. Jerry opens up about his 35-year journey in sobriety following a life-changing Boxing Day ultimatum, his romantic 38-year partnership with his wife Fiona, and how he pioneered WA's fresh oyster bar culture. Jerry breaks down the differences between Australian oyster regions (from Albany Rocks to St. Helens), demonstrates the right way to shuck and taste a fresh oyster, and reflects on why true hospitality is all about human connection.

  8. 22 Jul

    Episode 13 - How to Build a Customer-First Culture That Scales with Chris Smoje

    Welcome to Episode 13 of The JRNY! In this episode, we sit down with customer service expert, author, and speaker Chris Smoje to break down what it truly takes to create a customer-first mindset in business today. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or leader looking to transform your team's culture and elevate customer retention, Chris shares actionable strategies on service leadership, human connection, and operational excellence.🔥 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:• Why customer service is a culture, not just a department• The biggest mistakes businesses make when handling customer experience• How leaders can empower teams to deliver exceptional service consistently• Practical tips to turn standard service interactions into long-term customer loyalty

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About

Welcome to THE JRNY — Risk, Roadblocks & Resilience. A space built on a simple truth: every one of us carries chapters — personal, business, and everything in between. Some chapters are messy, some are triumphant, and some reshape us in ways we never expected. But together, they form the story of who we are and who we’re becoming. This podcast digs into the pivotal moments — the risks you took, the roadblocks you hit, and the resilience those experiences forged. Because success was never meant to be a destination. It’s a journey. Your journey. Our journey. This is THE JRNY. Let’s turn the p

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Cohalan
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Paul Cohalan
  • Show Website
    The JRNY

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