Life Long Learner

Life Long Learner

A podcast that explores education, learning and growth. They explore the notion that everyone is an educator and learning happens all the time. Each week they tackle a new topic, and have guests on their show to share what education and learning means to them.

  1. Ep. 120 Out Of Class - The Work Behind the Work

    11/19/2025

    Ep. 120 Out Of Class - The Work Behind the Work

    🎙️ Out of Class — The Work Behind the Work In this Out of Class episode, we dive into a raw and honest debrief of Ben’s weekend stepping back on stage for the Mr Universe Men’s Physique Masters. What started as a quick “How was it?” turned into a powerful conversation on discipline, ritual, body image, lifestyle choices, and what it really takes to chase something extraordinary. Fresh off competition day—with the tan barely faded—Ben shares the highs, the heartbreaks, and the brutal honesty of the sport. We unpack: Why the real marathon isn’t show day… it’s the 14-16 weeks of grinding, cutting, polishing, and the relentless routines no one sees. Ben breaks down his results, what he learned from the judging, and the surprising gap that cost him the win. We go deep into the world of food scales, macros, carb cycling, and the mental clarity that comes from eliminating “What should I eat?” from your daily bandwidth. A powerful conversation on why anything worth having requires being all in—in bodybuilding, in business, in relationships, in life.If you want something exceptional, you can’t toe-dip. You have to commit. From discipline to lifestyle design to why most people never reach epic in any area of life—this episode cuts through the noise and sits in the truth:You’ve got to do the work. Full stop. If you’ve ever set a goal, quit on a goal, or wondered why consistency is so damn hard… this one will hit home. 🏆 The Journey > The Stage Why the real marathon isn’t show day… it’s the 14-16 weeks of grinding, cutting, polishing, and the relentless routines no one sees.🥇 When Second Place Still Stings Ben breaks down his results, what he learned from the judging, and the surprising gap that cost him the win. 🥚 Eggs, Rice & Rituals We go deep into the world of food scales, macros, carb cycling, and the mental clarity that comes from eliminating “What should I eat?” from your daily bandwidth. 🔥 The Truth About Hard Work A powerful conversation on why anything worth having requires being all in—in bodybuilding, in business, in relationships, in life. 💡 Biggest Lessons From discipline to lifestyle design to why most people never reach epic in any area of life—this episode cuts through the noise and sits in the truth:You’ve got to do the work. Full stop If you want something exceptional, you can’t toe-dip. You have to commit. If you’ve ever set a goal, quit on a goal, or wondered why consistency is so damn hard… this one will hit home. 🚀 Tune in now and subscribe at lifelonglearnerpodcast.com This episode is brought to you by Make It Happen GroupEmpowering professionals and business leaders to achieve their full potential through strategic coaching and performance development.Explore more at makeithappengroup.org 🔹 Stay Connected & Join the Conversation🌐 Website – lifelonglearnerpodcast.com📌 Facebook – facebook.com/lifelonglearnernow📌 Instagram – instagram.com/lifelonglearner.podcast 💬 Got a thought, a laugh, or a question for us?Send it through to: hello@lifelonglearnerpodcast.com

    31 min
  2. Ep. 119 Out Of Class - Choose Your Freedom: Business Leaps, Bali Bugs, and Body Aches

    08/18/2025

    Ep. 119 Out Of Class - Choose Your Freedom: Business Leaps, Bali Bugs, and Body Aches

    This week on the Out of Class edition of Lifelong Learner, we crack open the raw realities of transition, freedom, and the aches that remind us we’re alive. What starts as light banter about backgrounds and early morning texts quickly unravels into a conversation about endings, new beginnings, and the gritty in-between. Fresh off closing the chapter at The Summit, Gines shares the nerves and excitement of buying an electrical business—learning new systems, tackling debt, and asking all the naïve questions that spark both confusion and growth. Meanwhile, Matt recounts a brutal week struck down by Bali food poisoning, a spiral into health anxiety, and the surprising gratitude that comes when your body finally bounces back. And Ben? He’s juggling bodybuilding prep, heavy chiropractic practice loads, and the mental “hangover” that lingers long after work should be over—all while dreaming of snow trips and the freedom to fly, literally. In this episode, we unpack: ⚡ Gines’ jump into a new industry—what it feels like to buy a business you don’t yet understand.🤒 Matt’s gastro saga in Bali, the $800 IV bill, and how illness can reset your perspective.💪 Ben’s season of competing, practice pressures, and what it means to carry work hangovers in both body and mind.🎿 Why resets—whether it’s snow trips or small breaks—are essential for staying sane in the grind.🛠️ The constant trade-off between building something meaningful and not being consumed by it.🔑 The mindset shift of choosing your freedom—and remembering to appreciate what you already have. This episode is raw, hilarious, and quietly grounding—three mates navigating business, health, and identity while asking the same question we all face: how do you build a life of freedom without losing yourself in the process? Because yes, there will always be aches. But wisdom lies in choosing which aches are worth it—and which freedoms really matter. 🚀 Tune in now and subscribe at lifelonglearnerpodcast.com 🎧 This episode is brought to you by Make It Happen GroupEmpowering professionals and business leaders to achieve their full potential through strategic coaching and performance development.Explore more at makeithappengroup.org 🔹 Stay Connected & Join the Conversation🌐 Website – lifelonglearnerpodcast.com📌 Facebook – facebook.com/lifelonglearnernow📌 Instagram – instagram.com/lifelonglearner.podcast 💬 Got a thought, a laugh, or a question for us?Send it through to: hello@lifelonglearnerpodcast.com

    39 min
  3. 07/01/2025

    Ep. 118 Out Of Class - From Waffle to Wisdom – Comfort, Chaos & the Cost of Not Acting

    This week on the Out of Class edition of Lifelong Learner, we tumble down the rabbit hole of uncertainty, comfort culture, and the chasm between knowledge and wisdom. What starts off feeling like a blend of banter and metaphor overload slowly unfolds into a rich, reflective conversation about what it really takes to grow in a world that rewards shortcuts and quick fixes. From career transitions and emotional limbo to ancient war theories and gym avoidance strategies, Gines, Ben, and Matt dig deep into the hard stuff—while keeping it light, cheeky, and real. If you’ve ever felt stuck in knowing what to do but not doing it, this episode will feel uncomfortably familiar… and strangely empowering. In this episode, we unpack: 🧠 The identity gap between knowledge and wisdom—and why application is everything🔥 Why we retreat to comfort (Netflix, Scotch, Uber Eats) when discomfort holds the key to change🛠️ Gines’ behind-the-scenes reality of transitioning out of leadership—and what it’s really like to be in limbo🔄 How to create certainty in uncertain seasons (hint: it starts with your body and your habits)💣 Are we on the brink of collapse? A dive into the Fourth Turning theory and what history may be trying to teach us📉 The ripple effect of convenience culture—and the danger of outsourcing effort👣 Why we repeat cycles in relationships, health, and leadership—and how to break them🍅 The tomato analogy that might just change how you think about wisdom forever This episode is honest, hilarious, and more grounded than it first appears—three mates wrestling with modern life’s contradictions while trying not to lose their edge (or their minds). Because yes, knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit.But wisdom? Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. 🚀 Tune in now and subscribe at lifelonglearnerpodcast.com 🎧 This episode is brought to you by Make It Happen GroupEmpowering professionals and business leaders to achieve their full potential through strategic coaching and performance development.Explore more at makeithappengroup.org 🔹 Stay Connected & Join the Conversation🌐 Website – lifelonglearnerpodcast.com📌 Facebook – facebook.com/lifelonglearnernow📌 Instagram – instagram.com/lifelonglearner.podcast 💬 Got a thought, a laugh, or a question for us?Send it through to: hello@lifelonglearnerpodcast.com

    35 min
  4. Ep. 117: Out of Class – Masculinity, Media & the Meaning Crisis

    06/22/2025

    Ep. 117: Out of Class – Masculinity, Media & the Meaning Crisis

    In this firecracker of a conversation, we dive deep into one of the most loaded (and misunderstood) topics in modern culture: masculinity. What started with a cheeky “If you were the devil, how would you destroy men?” clip quickly snowballed into a thought-provoking exploration of what’s really happening to men—and society—today. From the erosion of brotherhood and rites of passage to the rise of comfort, convenience, and clickbait culture, this episode isn’t about packaged solutions—it’s about raising important questions and challenging the narratives we’re swimming in. In this episode, we unpack: 🧠 The identity crisis facing modern men—and how we got here💥 Toxic masculinity vs. true masculinity: what’s the difference (and who’s defining it)?📱 Algorithms, attention, and the cost of endless scrolling🧍 Why both men and women are afraid to truly own their energy🔄 The role of media, marketing, and money in shaping the norm🔥 How to challenge your echo chamber and think for yourself👨‍👧 What’s at stake if we don’t get this right—for our daughters, sons, and the generations to come This one’s honest, raw, and reflective—three mates asking better questions, challenging their own thinking, and holding space for nuance in an increasingly binary world. Because growth starts with awareness. And awareness starts with conversation. 🚀 Tune in now and subscribe at lifelonglearnerpodcast.com 🎧 This episode is brought to you by Make It Happen GroupEmpowering professionals and business leaders to achieve their full potential through strategic coaching and performance development.Learn more at makeithappengroup.org 🔹 Stay Connected & Join the Conversation:🌐 Website – lifelonglearnerpodcast.com📌 Facebook – www.facebook.com/lifelonglearnernow📌 Instagram – www.instagram.com/lifelonglearner.podcast 💬 Got a thought, a laugh, or a question for us? Email: hello@lifelonglearnerpodcast.com

    38 min
  5. Ep. 116: Out of Class – Time, Transitions & Knowing When to Let Go

    06/18/2025

    Ep. 116: Out of Class – Time, Transitions & Knowing When to Let Go

    This week, we’re back out of the classroom and into life’s messier, more meaningful moments. Ben reflects on becoming a grandfather—a milestone that’s not just joyful, but deeply perspective-shifting. From baby cuddles to existential wonderings, he opens up about how this new chapter has reframed his relationship with time, mortality, and meaning. What does it mean to see life continue beyond you? And how would you live if this was all there is? Matt takes us behind the scenes of building a barefoot-luxury retreat in Lombok—where creativity meets chaos. From Ramadan's quiet rhythm to budget blowouts, unexpected design changes, and woodwork-induced stress levels, he shares how the real challenge isn't just bricks and mortar—it’s knowing when to hold the vision and when to let go. Turns out, fewer walls might just lead to better views (and better lessons). Gines opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of stepping out of a long-held leadership role. As his GM transition nears the final stretch, he’s navigating the unexpected paradox of being more sought-after than ever—while preparing to let go. What do you do when the furniture moves out before you do? When people trust you more as you leave than when you were in charge? It’s a candid look at identity, legacy, and learning to speak up—then let go. Together, we riff on: 👶 Generational shifts and seeing life through a longer lens🧘‍♂️ Letting go vs holding on (in business and mindset)🛠️ Building in Bali, barefoot project pivots, and creative construction🌀 Transitioning leadership without losing yourself in the process🕰️ Making time count—and how your relationship with it evolves This episode is equal parts raw reflection and cheeky banter—because what’s life without a few laughs between the lessons? 🚀 Tune in now and subscribe at lifelonglearnerpodcast.com 🎧 This episode is brought to you by Make It Happen GroupEmpowering professionals and business leaders to achieve their full potential through strategic coaching and performance development.Learn more at makeithappengroup.org 🔹 Stay Connected & Join the Conversation:🌐 Website – lifelonglearnerpodcast.com📌 Facebook – www.facebook.com/lifelonglearnernow📌 Instagram – www.instagram.com/lifelonglearner.podcast 💬 Got a thought, a laugh, or a question for us? Email: hello@lifelonglearnerpodcast.com

    42 min
  6. 05/12/2025

    Ep. 115 Out Of Class - Hard Things, Risky Things & the Power of Contrast

    In this Out of Class edition of the Lifelong Learner podcast, Gines and Ben reunite after a short break with an episode that dives deep into leadership, resilience, and the unexpected power of doing hard things. Fresh from an off-track, high-stakes mountain adventure in Tasmania, Ben unpacks what it was like organising and leading a group of 11 men—many of whom had never hiked before—through sleet, steep boulder-strewn climbs, and moments of real physical and mental challenge. But this isn’t a story about gear or maps. It’s about people. What happens when pressure is on? When the path disappears? When fear kicks in? We explore: Why a beginner’s mindset isn’t just for kids—it’s essential for great leaders How we all show up differently under pressure: some lead, some help, and some freeze The surprising difference between doing something hard vs. doing something risky What contrast teaches us—about ourselves, about joy, and about what really matters Why comfort might be killing your growth (and what to do about it) We also zoom out to reflect on how this plays out in parenting, business, and life. Gines shares what it felt like to walk away from a big client instead of compromising core values. It wasn’t easy—but it was worth it. We discuss the cost of avoiding discomfort, the epidemic of “pandering” to ease, and the truth that learning—real, deep, human learning—comes when we stretch. Whether you’re hiking mountains, building businesses, or raising kids in a world that loves to avoid discomfort, this conversation is a timely reminder that: 🔥 Growth happens outside the comfort zone🌧 Joy hits harder when you’ve tasted hardship🧠 And risk isn’t something to avoid—it’s something to understand 🚀 Tune in now and subscribe at lifelonglearnerpodcast.com This episode is brought to you by Make It Happen Group.Empowering professionals and business leaders to achieve their full potential through strategic coaching and performance development.🔗 Learn more at makeithappengroup.org 🔹 Stay Connected & Join the Conversation:🌐 Website – lifelonglearnerpodcast.com📌 Facebook – facebook.com/lifelonglearnernow📌 Instagram – instagram.com/lifelonglearner.podcast 💬 We’d love to hear from you!If you wanna say hello, share a joke, or ask us a question, send us an email at hello@lifelonglearnerpodcast.com

    41 min
  7. 05/01/2025

    Ep 114. Out Of Class - The Morning , Cortisol, Confidence & Creating Space

    Welcome to another special Out of Class edition of the Lifelong Learner Podcast! Ben, Gines, and Matt reconnect after a few busy weeks, bringing you an episode filled with engaging reflections, insightful discussions, and plenty of humor. The conversation begins with personal updates, as Ben shares his thrilling experiences competing in recent bodybuilding events, giving listeners an entertaining glimpse behind the scenes of the fitness world. Ben reflects on his favorite moments from Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival, highlighting the enjoyment of dressing up, betting excitement, and soaking in the vibrant atmosphere. Diving deeper, the trio explores the importance of morning routines, managing stress, and making deliberate choices to foster positivity and productivity in daily life. They unpack the effects of cortisol, discuss why stress can become addictive, and share practical strategies for shifting mindset from anxiety to inspiration. The episode also examines the narratives we build about our lives, discussing how social media can reinforce negative thinking, and offering advice on changing perspective through intentional daily practices. Filled with relatable stories, practical tips, and motivational insights, this episode promises to inspire continuous growth, self-awareness, and lifelong learning. 🚀 Tune in now and subscribe at lifelonglearnerpodcast.com This episode is brought to you by Make It Happen Group. Empowering professionals and business leaders to achieve their full potential through strategic coaching and performance development. Learn more at makeithappengroup.org 🔹 Stay Connected & Join the Conversation:🌐 Website – lifelonglearnerpodcast.com📌 Facebook – www.facebook.com/lifelonglearnernow📌 Instagram – www.instagram.com/lifelonglearner.podcast 💬 We’d love to hear from you! If you wanna say hello, share a joke, or ask us a question, send us an email at hello@lifelonglearnerpodcast.com

    37 min
  8. 03/24/2025

    Ep 113. Out of Class - Communication, Transitions & Life’s Unexpected Moments

    In this special Out of Class edition, Ben, Gines, and Matt come together for their first-ever in-person recording—an episode filled with laughs, deep dives, and unexpected twists. The conversation kicks off with the challenges of navigating major life transitions, including Gines’ personal journey of stepping away from a long-term leadership role. The guys reflect on how difficult it can be to manage shifting expectations, both for yourself and those around you. From there, they tackle the fascinating complexities of communication—how cultural backgrounds, personal experiences, and even something as simple as ordering jam at a café can shape the way we interact. They also explore why saying "I don’t care" can mean a whole lot more than it seems, and why true leadership is often about adapting your message to the person in front of you. And if that wasn’t enough action, Ben shares a jaw-dropping story about saving someone’s life on the Gold Coast—proving that sometimes, being in the right place at the right time (with the right knowledge) can make all the difference. It’s a raw, insightful, and hilarious episode filled with real talk about life, leadership, and learning to embrace the unexpected. 🚀 Tune in now and subscribe at lifelonglearnerpodcast.com This episode is brought to you by Make It Happen Group Helping professionals and business leaders unlock their full potential through strategic coaching and performance development. Learn more at makeithappengroup.org 🔹 Stay Connected & Join the Conversation: 🌐 Website – lifelonglearnerpodcast.com 📌 Facebook – www.facebook.com/lifelonglearnernow 📌 Instagram – www.instagram.com/lifelonglearner.podcast 💬 We’d love to hear from you! If you wanna say hello, share a joke, or ask us a question, send us an email at hello@lifelonglearnerpodcast.com

    51 min

About

A podcast that explores education, learning and growth. They explore the notion that everyone is an educator and learning happens all the time. Each week they tackle a new topic, and have guests on their show to share what education and learning means to them.