Sporting Max

Sporting Max
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Our host Max Becker takes us on the journey of the lives of sporting stars, their careers, struggles, growing up and of course a few laughs along the way!

  1. 1d ago

    Damien Austin: How the Brisbane Lions Built a Dynasty | #261

    In episode 261, Max chats with Brisbane Lions Head of High Performance Damian Austin. From rebuilding the Brisbane Lions into a premiership team to managing elite athletes through the biggest moments of their careers, Damian provides a rare insight into what it takes to build a high-performance environment in the AFL. We dive into the Lions' rise from the bottom of the ladder to the 2024 premiership, the philosophy behind creating a winning culture, why relationships matter more than data, the club's remarkable turnaround after a 2–5 start, and the mindset that drove sustained success. Plus, Damian shares behind-the-scenes stories on Lachie Neale's race against time to play in the Grand Final, the famous GWS finals comeback, developing young players, and the lessons he's learned across more than three decades in elite sport. A fascinating conversation on leadership, high performance, resilience and building championship teams. All this and much more in episode 261 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

  2. Jul 15

    Joel Khalu: Inside the Illawarra Hawks' Championship Culture | #260

    In episode 260, Max chats with Illawarra Hawks Assistant Coach Joel Khalu! From growing up in Cairns and discovering basketball as a teenager, to playing college basketball in the United States, leading programmes across Australia and Papua New Guinea, and helping guide the Illawarra Hawks to an NBL championship, Joel's journey is a remarkable story of persistence, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to developing people through basketball. Joel takes us inside the Hawks' championship-winning culture, reflecting on the challenges of defending a title, integrating JaVale McGee into the roster, the leadership of Tyler Harvey, and the standards that helped build one of the NBL's best teams. We also dive into his coaching philosophy, the influence of mentors including Justin Tatum, why authenticity has become the foundation of his leadership style, and the lessons he's taken from coaching at every level of the game. Plus, Joel shares fascinating stories from his time leading the Papua New Guinea national team, founding the Hoop Dreaming Project, working throughout Indigenous communities in Far North Queensland, and how basketball has become a vehicle for creating opportunities and changing lives. A fascinating conversation on leadership, high performance, player development, culture, resilience, and building winning basketball programmes. All this and much more in episode 260 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

  3. Jul 10

    Lisa Willis: From the WNBA & Team USA to Coaching the New York Knicks | #259

    In episode 259, Max chats with former WNBA star, Team USA gold medallist, UCLA legend, and former New York Knicks assistant coach Lisa Willis! From dominating high school basketball in California to becoming one of the greatest defenders in UCLA history, being selected fifth overall in the WNBA Draft, and representing Team USA on the international stage, Lisa's journey is one of relentless self-improvement, resilience, and an obsession with mastering her craft. Lisa takes us inside the mindset that drove her career, including the lessons her father instilled from a young age, developing an elite basketball IQ, competing against some of the best players in the world, and why she always believed the game was won by understanding the "game within the game." We also dive into her experiences at UCLA, winning a Pac-10 Championship, representing Team USA, hearing her name called on WNBA Draft night, adjusting to life in the WNBA, leading the league in three-point shooting, and the realities of competing professionally across the United States, Russia, and Greece. Lisa also shares fascinating insights into becoming the first woman to coach in the New York Knicks organisation, earning the respect of NBA players, transitioning out of professional sport, and the identity challenges many athletes face once their playing careers come to an end. Plus, we discuss resilience, leadership, confidence under pressure, developing elite performers, and the principles behind her SPORT Method, which she now uses to help Fortune 500 executives, CEOs, and elite athletes recover from setbacks and perform at their best. A fascinating conversation on leadership, resilience, high performance, mindset, and what it really takes to succeed at the highest level. All this and much more in episode 259 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

  4. Jul 6

    Dillon Boucher: Inside the New Zealand Breakers' Championship Rebuild | #258

    In episode 258, Max chats with New Zealand Breakers General Manager Dillon Boucher for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at one of the biggest offseasons in the NBL! From appointing FIBA World Cup-winning coach Gordon Herbert to landing DJ Vasiljević and reigning NBL champion Kouat Noi, Dillon explains the philosophy behind every major decision and how the Breakers identified leadership, shooting, and experience as the areas that needed to improve. We also dive into what makes Gordon Herbert one of the world's most respected coaches, why DJ Vasiljević became an immediate priority when he became available, the importance of maintaining a strong Kiwi core, and the championship expectations surrounding the club heading into NBL27. Plus, Dillon shares insights into modern list building, balancing local identity with elite talent, and the process of constructing a roster capable of competing for a championship. A fascinating behind-the-scenes conversation on leadership, recruitment, culture, and building a winning basketball program. All this and much more in episode 258 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

  5. Jun 29

    John Giramondo: Inside AFL Recruiting & How The Sydney Swans Build a Contender | #257

    In episode 257, Max chats with Sydney Swans National Recruiting Manager John Giromondo! After building his career through North Melbourne, Brisbane and the GWS Giants, John now leads recruiting at one of the AFL's most consistently successful clubs. John takes us inside the world of AFL recruiting, explaining what clubs are really looking for when identifying talent, how draft decisions are made, and why recruiting is about far more than simply watching highlights and reading statistics. We dive into the evolution of recruiting, how clubs assess character, personality and athletic potential, and the growing role of GPS data, testing metrics and psychological profiling in modern talent identification. John also shares insights into recruiting players such as Aaron Cadman and Finn Callaghan, what stood out about them as prospects, and how recruiters balance upside, potential and proven performance when making career-defining decisions. Plus, we discuss the rise of mature-age recruiting, life inside AFL draft rooms, how recruiting teams prepare for draft night, handling criticism when decisions don't work out, and the challenge of building a list capable of sustained success. A fascinating behind-the-scenes conversation on talent identification, decision making, leadership and the realities of AFL recruiting. All this and much more in episode 255 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

  6. Jun 23

    Sam Radford: Inside AFL Player Development, Harley Reid & Building West Coast's Future | #256

    In episode 256, Max chats with West Coast Eagles Assistant Coach Sam Radford! After spending nine years at Melbourne Football Club and being part of the Demons' 2021 premiership program, Sam made the move west to join Andrew McQualter's coaching staff at the Eagles with the midfield. Sam takes us inside one of the AFL's youngest lists, discussing the challenge of developing emerging talent while remaining competitive, and the role experienced leaders such as Tim Kelly, Elliot Yeo and Jack Graham play in accelerating the growth of the next generation. We dive into the rise of Harley Reid and Willem Duursma, why player development is rarely linear, and what coaches are really looking for when identifying players capable of maximising their talent at AFL level. Sam also shares insights into modern midfield coaching, how offensive ball movement continues to evolve across the competition, and why the best teams are able to adapt their game style to whatever the opposition presents. Away from West Coast, Sam reflects on his own coaching journey - from teaching and local football, to Casey Demons, Melbourne's AFL program, and eventually becoming an assistant coach at the highest level. He discusses the crossover between teaching and coaching, the importance of relationships, communication and feedback, and why young coaches can sometimes become too focused on tactics at the expense of connection. Plus, we revisit Melbourne's 2021 premiership campaign, what made that group so special, lessons learned from Simon Goodwin and Andrew McQualter, and what it really takes to build a successful football program. A fascinating conversation on coaching, leadership, player development and building sustainable success in the AFL. All this and much more in episode 256 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

  7. Jun 15

    David Payne: Inside the IPL, Winning with the Perth Scorchers & Playing for England | #255

    In episode 255, Max chats with England international cricketer and Perth Scorchers star David Payne! From playing club cricket in Dorset to representing England on the international stage, David's journey is a story of perseverance, resilience and taking advantage of every opportunity that came his way. David takes us inside his recent IPL experience with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, including what it was like sharing a dressing room with Pat Cummins and Travis Head, making his IPL debut, taking his first wicket, and the emotions of having his tournament cut short through injury. We also dive into his remarkable cricket journey, from earning an England Under-19 World Cup selection alongside future stars Ben Stokes, Joe Root and Jos Buttler, to navigating the challenges of county cricket, dealing with setbacks, and eventually earning his England debut after years of persistence. David shares incredible stories from inside the England setup, the lessons he learned from some of the game's biggest names, and the mindset that helped him establish himself as one of the world's leading T20 bowlers. Plus, we discuss the pressure of bowling at the death, winning championships with the Perth Scorchers, the realities of franchise cricket, handling expectations, and why mindset and resilience are often the difference between success and failure in professional sport. A fascinating conversation on high performance, leadership, overcoming setbacks, and life at the highest level of world cricket. All this and much more in episode 255 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

  8. Jun 13

    Eric Pincus: Giannis Trade Scenarios, LeBron's Future & The NBA's New Lottery Rules | #254

    In episode 254, Max chats with Bleacher Report National NBA Writer Eric Pincus! One of the most respected and well-connected journalists in basketball, Eric has spent decades covering the NBA, working closely with executives, agents, front offices and decision-makers across the league. Fresh off attending the NBA Draft Combine, Eric shares his insights into some of the biggest stories shaping the future of the NBA. We dive into the league's proposed lottery changes, the unstoppable Knicks, Victor Wembanyama's rapid development, and why many believe the NBA is entering a new era led by a new generation of superstars. Eric also discusses the futures of Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James, potential roster-building strategies around Luka Dončić in Los Angeles, and what teams are looking for when evaluating talent in today's NBA. Plus, we explore the evolution of international basketball, front office decision-making, team building, player development, championship windows, and the challenges facing organisations across the league. A fascinating conversation filled with elite basketball insight, behind-the-scenes perspective, and analysis from one of the NBA's leading voices. All this and much more in episode 254 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

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About

Our host Max Becker takes us on the journey of the lives of sporting stars, their careers, struggles, growing up and of course a few laughs along the way!

Information

  • Creator
    Sporting Max
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    275
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Sporting Max

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