Tana Umaga's TEEM Talk Tana Umaga

I reflect on Season 2  of TUTT including:
- My network and the ability to get some legends to talk about their pathways to success in sport and also in life after in business.
- The issue of life after sport for athletes is real.  I was able to talk to some players on my recent trip with the Classic All Blacks to Spain and there’s still the uncertainty for a few about what to do once they hang up the boots.
- Those that had good guidance and advice from mentors were able to put things in place early in their playing careers and were able to transition more smoothly.

There was so much learning from guests which I was able to relate to and also take away and utilise in my business journey.

I give an update on our business journey over the last 6 months and some of the new experiences and happenings that have really helped with the direction of our business. 
Then I offer my 2 cents worth on the Blues making the final against the Crusaders and the recent All Black squad named to face a strong Irish squad.
I share how I'm going back to work, along with some exciting challenges for my personal growth which will include overseas travel and documenting it while on the road which could give us ideas for Season 3 of Tana Umaga's TEEM Talk. 
Make sure to listen in and please give us feedback to help us learn and grow.

What an honour to have the All Black and rugby great, Dan Carter on the podcast.
Dan shared some insight into his time with the Blues and what he saw there and how he was able to add value to the young leadership  group which put improved habits into them and how they could best serve the wider group by walking towards those hard conversations.
Dan talks about his time overseas and also lets us in on the culture changes in France and Japan that he came across.  Needing to integrate into the culture to affect change from the inside.  The need to research where you are entering and get a lay of the land before implementing your vision or philosophy.
We talk about his break out 2005 Lions series on the world stage.  How the failure at the 2007 Rugby World Cup set the tone for the All Blacks golden run in 2011 and 2015.
Now retired, he chats about the next chapter of his life and being able to connect with successful people to help him decide where to for him after his career in sport.  He chats about Web3 and NFTs opportunities with his new company, Glorious.
A truly educational listen!  The legend handing out lessons from his experiences in his life.
Don’t miss it.

Great to chat with an old friend - it’s been a while.
Kevie let us in on his motivation for the next stage of his life.  He’s getting into the ring for the first time.  Something he’s wanted to do for a long time and something he “didn’t want to die wondering about” or have any regrets about.
We chat about the feelings he went through of being named in the All Blacks for the first time and where he was at the moment his name was announced.
We discuss some moments we shared while being a part of the All Blacks, including our connection with Brian O'Driscoll and he also shares some of the learnings he and the team were able to pick up from the 4 World Cups he attended.
He shares a lot of learnings and experiences that he has been able to pick up in his life and some great insights into his journey.  He talked about what success looks like and how medals and winning championships don’t define you, the little successes along your path are just as important.  
He also shares what he’s doing now with his involvement as a business owner, a member of local body communities where he wants to make a difference in his community and, also as a board member on Auckland Rugby where he gives back to the game and community that gave him so much.
A very insightful episode and one that I really enjoyed.  I’m sure you will too. 

Hugely honoured to have the legendary Benji Marshall in his first-time as a guest on any podcast.  
You soon see why Benji has turned to Television since retiring from Rugby league in 2021.  He is a natural storyteller and it was sound advice from Channel 9 that stopped him finishing his Media Communications Degree because it was changing him into something he wasn't and losing that cheeky personality.   He has also recently started on Celebrity Apprentice Australia.
From the from small town of Whakatāne he headed to Australia at 15 years old when he was offered a contract with the West Tigers, with the goal of playing in the NRL so he could buy his mum and brothers a house. All while also being a driving force for his whānau, showing them the path to achieve their dreams.  
He tells us about his attitude to not lose his individual flare and who he is.  The touch step, the touch long pass and that back flick pass!!  While also being told he’s too small, can’t tackle and with 5 shoulder reconstructions.  His competitiveness, perseverance and resilience to stick to his dream and continue to be himself on the way.  
Benji shares so many lessons he learnt on his way to where he is now.  
Make sure you listen in to hear all about them.
A great listen indeed.

Great to catch up and reminisce about old times with Rugby League Legend  Ruben Wiki.

We talk about our early years in playing against each other for our childhood clubs, Ruben with Ōtāhuhu and myself with Wainuiomata and then together with the Junior Kiwis in 1992.

He shares about signing with the Canberra Raiders and learning from some legends and immortals of the game like coach Tim Sheens and players Mal Meninga, Ricky Stuart, Laurie Daley, Bradley Clyde, Kevin and Steve Walters, Noa Nadruku, and many more.  He speaks of his big brothers over there, Quentin Pongia and Johnny Lomax and how they looked after him and guided him when he was young.  And how he had to stand up for himself to earn their respect.

He reminisces about his decision to come home to the Warriors and want to give back to the young players in his home town.  And how his leadership style had to change when he became the spokesman for the Māori and Pasifika players as they struggled with the cultural differences with the Australian-born members of the team.

We discus Ruben’s ‘Plan B’, Wiki Workz Gym, that he started with his wife Santa, who’s been alongside him right from the start!!  He also tells us about going back to school to get his Diploma in Sports Rec this year.

Ruben opens up about the struggles of COVID and how they had to  find other work to keep things going during the lockdowns and how it affected his mental well-being.  He’s now creating workshops and programmes through the gym for the youth and adults in his South Auckland community.  He also lets us in on how his childhood memories brought him to become an Ambassador for White Ribbon.

An inspirational sharing of this legend's journey that started with the grind on the field and putting in the Mahi, what he had to do to get ahead and then using those same attributes in his working life and educating himself and others to continue to assist his family and his community.

A truly inspiring listen!!
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A great story that started at a young age.  Saia tells me that he signed with the Brumbies Academy at 14 years and 9 months old and was training with  Wallabies greats George Gregan, Stephen Larkham and George Smith.
He lets us know how his Aboriginal mother and Tongan father met and married, then raised 5 boys while living in a pub.  He shares about how his mother was their nutritionist, taxi driver, and confidante even to this day and how his father helped the boys into their first investment as 18-year-olds.
Saia shares his thoughts and memories of his time with the Queensland Reds, winning their inaugural Super Rugby title. And playing under Robbie Deans with Wallabies and what he thought about a Kiwi coaching the Australian Rugby team.
Saia and his twin brother Anthony, have founded  100% indigenous-owned and operated companies Moonyah Services, Moonyah Workforce, and Madji Furniture.  The Fainga’a twins have a business goal to be one of the first indigenous companies for labour hire traffic control to be listed on the share market.  With the passion and hearing their story, I’d bank on them achieving it.
Another awesome conversation with plenty of good learnings.
Make sure you listen to find out what they are.