After a long journey in the education system, Janine started her company, Coaching Focus. Promotion due to seniority and skills does not always equip someone with the ability to lead people. Taking the role of a principal is, in many ways, like being the manager of an organisation, not just the senior educator.  Janine felt that promotion was common, but personal and professional development in leadership skills was not. Hence, Coaching Focus was created for Senior Educators to be equipped with the skills that matched their responsibilities. Now, after many years of working with lead teachers and Deputy Principals, Janine has turned the industry around and equipped senior leaders in private schools to be prepared for their promotion and equipped for success.  Janine was a client of mine for 2 1/2 years just prior to and during the COVID Pandemic. Her tenacious passion for her clients and her industry kept her relevant and passionate during the COVID-19 Pandemic. When many others in her industry folded, Janine pivoted and kept supporting her clientele through an extremely difficult season in education, thrusting her even further forward as a respected pioneer in leadership development in education.  Please enjoy our conversation.

David Christie is the owner of the SA Toy Museum in Wilmington South Australia. David owns the largest Private Toy museum in Australia. His collection is both diverse and extensive. His collections include all types of toys extending to 130 years of toy manufacturing. I have never seen anything that could match this amazing collection.  Starting as a hobby he now has attracted international recognition for his range of toys from Dinky, Matchbox, Hornby, and hundreds of other manufacturers. David has bought joy, tears, laughter and quiet reflection moments to people as they browse through lanes of memories and moments. I hope you enjoy our conversation which is a mix of advice on how to build a business from a passion and how to keep on keeping on through all the trials and tribulations of economies that often don't favour tourism.  David has a soft heart and a firm resolve, which is typical of many people who follow the passion for business to bring delight and joy to others.

Amy Christopherson is the founder and owner of Amy Jane HR who specialises in empowering small business owners to move the needle forward in their business by embracing and nurturing their human resources. Amy created an award-winning business that embraces a flexible business model. This model allowed her and her family to do a Lazy Lap of Oz and experience all Australia has to give in their tiny home on wheels.    Inspired by a failed trip to Cape York, Amy and her family decided to plan for the trip of a lifetime. This trip was a success and today’s conversation is a reflection on what it means to step out of your comfort zone, think bigger than average, pack up the family, and then decide to open a business and shift your working model, whilst on an adventure of a lifetime.    So many people dream of doing their lap but never have the courage to just give it a go. It was not all sunshine and rainbows. There were plenty of obstacles along the way but success in life is found when we decide to be bigger than the problems we face. The experiences, learning and knowledge that we can overcome anything together outweigh any of the challenges, business or personal, that Amy and her family faced along the way.   You can experience a little more of Amy’s Lazy Lap of Oz on Facebook and Instagram @lazylapofoz, and connect with her in the business world at www.amyjanehr.com.au.

Well, this time I had the tables turned. The interviewer became the interviewee! Several of my interviewees, clients, and listeners have asked, “So when are we going to hear your story?”. I love to be the one asking the questions and not answering them, but we had a small gap in our 'I Decided' conversations schedule and I thought I would let someone interview me.  When thinking about who this might be, I thought of several people, but in the end, who else could be better than my daughter Jasmine? I have been with Jasmine all her life I suppose but very deliberately in Business with Inspire Ability ever since she started. Jasmine is truly an amazing businesswoman and has applied all of the ideas we have discussed since she started her business. She has grown a $20,000 Hobbie into a million-dollar-plus business, impacting the lives of hundreds of children and employing over 15 staff over 2 business locations.  My business journey started 40 years ago, but my coaching journey started 30 years ago. I have 3 diplomas in coaching and I am working on a fourth. I love helping people 'Planalife they want to live in, through a Business on Purpose.' We have had 4 start-up businesses ourselves, growing three of them to well over a Million Dollars across our 40 years in business and all have been very successful and profitable. We have three amazing married children and 9 little Grandrascals.  I now love coaching others to grow their “Glimpse of what could be” in their mind into a fully-fledged vision. Anything is possible, but what is probable is what you plan.  It was fun having a conversation with Jasmine and I hope you enjoy it too. If you have any questions that arrive from the discussion please feel free to send me an email. I am only too happy to help you with your journey in Business.  I am traveling through the outback of NSW, South Australia, and Victoria at the moment and have met some pretty amazing people that I hope we can interview for 'B.O.P I Decided' in the future.  I met Adrian the owner of the 'Mad Max 2 Museum' in Silverton NSW and Paul from the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Broken Hill and I am hoping to interview them both. I am hoping to convince a Man called John who is a rare vintage car restorer to talk with me. He is very shy and doesn't feel what he has done is that great, but he is amazing and I believe his story should be told.  So until next month, live life above average. Become all you can be and love living life.  Thanks for supporting our 'I Decided' podcasts and please share with a friend.  Cheers, Ian.

It is a pleasure to share with you in our “I Decide Series” for 2023 Michelle McDonell story this month. Michelle is the CEO of Home-Start Family Services Australia.  Home-Start exists for parents, single mums and single dads, and New Australian families who haven’t established their new tribe yet and who are finding it difficult to cope. It has been operating across the world for 48 years and is in 22 countries.  They have free professional and volunteer services available for people in their homes. They provide training and support to their volunteers to equip and release them to take a journey with a family one family at a time.  Their primary focus is to support families whatever shape they take with children under the age of 8 years. Michelle is a national and international speaker with a wealth of experience backed up by a passion for making a living and a difference. Michelle was born and raised in our local area of Lake Macquarie. She trained as a teacher but didn’t find her passion until she started studying social work and social welfare.  Now our local lass has a voice of influence to the world in a space that has the potential to rebuild communities one family at a time.  Michelle inspired, challenged, and educated me with a perspective of unconditional love and respect for so many people who are vital to our community but fly under the radar overlooked and misunderstood.  I hope you enjoy and consider how you may be able to know more about this amazing work.  Enjoy Michelle’s story.

I would like to introduce you to a very close friend and a truly amazing person. He typifies everything these “I decided” podcasts are about.   Alan Clements started his working life as an Electrical Fitter Mechanic in Townsville.  He then joined the Air Force in 1985 as a trainee pilot. He subsequently served in the Royal Australian Air Force for over 35 years reaching the rank of Air Vice-Marshal. After his initial training in 1985 and tours as a transport pilot and basic flying instructor, he went on to several tours as a F/A-18 pilot/instructor and Squadron executive. His operational commands included 77 F/A-18 Fighter Squadron and “Number 78 Wing” responsible for lead-in fighter training and fast jet ground crew training.  Throughout his career, he undertook multiple roles in future capability/requirements development, Chief of Staff of Air Combat Group, Director of Defence Aviation and Air Force Safety.  His senior command appointment’s included: Director General of the Force Structure ReviewCommandant Australian Defence Force AcademyDefence Attaché to the United States of America, and Deputy Commander of the COVID Task Force. Leaving full-time service Air Force in 2020 Alan started a company HARD Consultants aimed at providing national security and strategic advice to various companies, institutions and universities.  He subsequently joined L3Harris in May 2021 and took over as Managing Director L3Harris Technologies Australia in July 2021. Alan was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2016 Queens Birthday honours list for his leadership at the Australian Defence Force Academy and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2021 Queens Birthday honours. He remains a member of the Air Force Reserves and is actively involved in flying vintage warbirds and competition aerobatics. He is married to Helene and they have two beautiful daughters. We had a very insightful and enjoyable conversation, I hope you enjoy!

Alan Craig's story came to me through a very close friend of mine Allan Hogan who has written a biography of Alan Craig's life.  As a young man, I used to race Motor X and my Bike was a Suzuki RM 125. Al Craig was the local Suzuki dealer. His shop was directly next door to our dentist so each time I visited the dentist I would stick my head in the door and see what the latest bikes were.  Never did I imagine that one day I would have the privilege of interviewing the owner of this Suzuki dealership and discover that he is one of the most dedicated, courageous, and business-savvy people I would ever meet. Alan is determined, dogged, and creative in his approach to business. He is from the old school that didn’t know have to give up - you simply worked hard and tried several approaches, explored new paradigms, searched for solutions, and experimented until there was a breakthrough and you found the result you were looking for.  Alan is a very skilled tradesman, inventor, innovator, entrepreneur, advocate, business leader, and a living legend in motorsports locally and nationally. He is one of our unsung heroes whose story could have been lost. However, due to having a great mate like Al Hogan, Al Craig's story has been preserved forever. Alan thanks for your inspiration, and encouragement and for living a life well lived. It was great to meet you and “Have a chat” together.  I hope you enjoy our conversation as we wander through the emerging motorbike racing history of Australia, not just Newcastle. As we learn what it means to have a “Never Say Die” attitude in Life and Business. Please Enjoy Al Craig’s Story, Cheers Ian. Merry Christmas!  I have a great conversation with Allan Clements - Ex-Fighter Pilot, Commandant of the Australian Defence Force Academy, Acrobatics Pilot, and Attache to the Australian Ambassador during the Trump Administration in the USA coming your way in Jan 2023.

What do you do when you have the skill, talent, ability, and opportunity and you have just secured the professional sporting career you have always dreamed of and worked towards but then your body breaks down and no one can even really tell you why. Ryan Stig dreamed of wearing the N07 jersey for the Newcastle Knights for many many years. It’s a jersey that had been worn by some of the most famous players in the NRL, notably Andrew Johns.  Ryan played a year for the Northern Pride in Queensland Cup with success and was contracted back to Newcastle and into reserve grade. Then the big chance arrived on Round 15 - 2011. “The Stig” as he affectionately became known, burst onto scenes later in the season and became a local boy crowd favourite. Over the next 6 months, he secured the No 7 role and resigned to play under Wayne Bennet in his inaugural year as coach of the Knights. After some end-of-season operations, Ryan was training hard and preparing for the 2012 NRL season when disaster hit. Ryan’s body at the peak of his fitness broke down. Please grab a cuppa and enjoy the conversation I had with Ryan and the insights he shared about dealing with Discouragement, Disappointment, Sickness and the journey to recovery. Please enjoy… Ian

Dr Bateman has both an undergraduate medical degree and a post-graduate doctorate in Medicine from Sydney University and is a member of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists. He is the Director of MRI, at Hunter New England Health and a Conjoint Associate Professor, at the University of Newcastle. Dr Bateman is also a consultant neuroradiologist based at John Hunter hospital in Newcastle. He specialises in brain and spine MRIs. Dr Bateman is an active researcher in the areas of CSF cerebrospinal fluid pressure and flow disorders as well as cerebral hydrodynamics and has published over 70 papers in peer-reviewed journals. This was a fascinating conversation that I had with Dr Grant Bateman. He shares how difficult change management is in the medical world, the importance of continuing research, how critical it is to stay determined when you meet opposition, to get in the ears and in front of the eyes of people who want to listen to your new ideas even when you have been rejected in other areas and never give up.  He also shares how success is the intersection of opportunity and preparation. If you do the prep when the opportunity arrives you are ready even if you are a little green.   I hope you enjoy this conversation and would love your feedback. Thanks again for listening to our “I decided series”. We have just recorded some great conversations that you will be able to hear over the next few months.

Wes is a very unassuming gentle businessman. He loves sailing, family and his business…. Now! Version one of Wes’s business was very much around organic and unplanned growth. He grew because more work came his way. He eventually got BUSY - Buried Under Saying Yes. He had got to a point in business where he was “Sick and tired of being sick and tired”.  I once mentioned to Wes, “Something changes when something changes”. Wes knew he wanted something to change. So Wes set about planning and life he wants to live in, through a Business on Purpose and now, through Version 2 of his business, he is beginning to achieve it. He is enjoying his business now and not just there to endure it anymore.  It is a privilege to work with Wes and SMS Plumbing, a local Newcastle Business, and today in our 'I Decided' conversation we share about life and business transformation in a simple and honest conversation.  Wes is married with two boys and his greatest desire is to be a great husband and father. He also desires to be a great leader to his team at SMS Plumbing and help them achieve their dreams as he pursues his. I hope you enjoy this new episode!

Alan’s next sailing adventure was to sail around the world alone in the BOC Challenge, a single-handed yacht race. 27000 nautical miles of sailing in 4 stages Alan started the race in September 1994. Alan and 19 others sailed out of Charleston Harbour, in South Carolina USA and after 181 days at sea, Alan arrived back to see the lights of Charleston again after an epic voyage. Many times not knowing if he could but knowing inside that he would.  The complete story of the voyage is laid out in his book “Against All Odds”.  Alan raised the funds from multiple contributors and community support. Alan started building his Yacht,  “Newcastle Australia” with a huge step of faith and belief this would happen. Through many trials and tribulations, he built it. He sailed to the start line in South Carolina halfway around the world to begin his solo BOC Challenge Race arriving 1 ½ hour before the cut-off time. So I guess you could say he has sailed 1 and a half times around the world that year.  Alan didn’t win the race, he placed 4th, but won the hearts and respect of all who sailed with him in the race. Alan won two medals for seamanship. The first for saving the life of a fellow competitor and the second for sailing jury-rigged around Cape Horn. Alan’s alternator died, his computer failed, he could not receive weather reports or fleet updates for several weeks, had to deal with 50-foot plus waves, cyclonic winds, snow, hail, being dismasted, losing a rudder, seas that rolled the boat over and over, surviving the doldrums and missing his wife and family for nine months of racing during preparation for the race and during the race.  I invited Alan into this podcast series because of all the people I know, Alan depicts someone for me who decided to plan a life he wants to live in. He is the most determined person I have ever met.  I enjoyed Part 2 of the discussion with Alan just as much as the first, I hope you enjoy as well.

Alan is an avid sailor and a very practical no-frills type of person. When I asked him to share with us on this podcast he said ”Well I haven’t really done anything that special!”. By the end of this podcast, parts 1 and 2, you will begin to realise how understated that comment was.  I first met Alan in the early 90s. From the first time we met, I noticed something different about Alan. He had a quiet demeanour but a fierce determination and a passion for sailing.   A few years earlier Alan had met his wife Cindy and within 10 weeks they were married and set off to sail across the Pacific to the USA and Canada.  As they hadn't really known each other long before they were married, Alan and Cindy got to know each other extremely well over the next 6 months on this epic voyage across the Pacific.  Alan and Cindy lived on their boat, a Top Hat 25 ft small cruising yacht, for several years while attending Bible College and working in Canada and the USA. After college Alan sailed regularly up and down the West Coast of the USA professionally delivering boats for yacht builders and brokers to their new owners. They sailed back to Australia via Mexico and the Pacific Islands with Cindy and their infant daughter Anny.  Settling back into the Lake Macquarie area and working in a family business for a time, Alan felt the seas calling him again. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with Alan, and I hope you enjoy Part 1 of our conversation.

Susanne Knowles is an educational, counselling and organisational psychologist and the Chair and Founder of the Australian Institute of Professional Coaches. With a PhD in Management and three Masters degrees in Education, Psychology and Business Administration, she is focused on assisting individuals to achieve their personal and professional goals, motivating teams to peak performance, and supporting organisations to increase employee engagement, retain talent and improve profitability. Susanne has held teaching positions at various Universities, held senior executive positions in government and private sector organisations and served as a Board member on several government, not-for-profit and professional services firms. Susanne’s PhD thesis, which she completed at the University of Queensland, investigated how organisations develop and embed a coaching culture for competitive advantage and cultural change. Susanne's aim in founding AIPC was to position coaching as a developmental process which promotes self-awareness and insight, leading to personal discovery and growth. We had a very insightful and interesting conversation that I hope you enjoy.

Geoff Passfield is a very ordinary bloke. He completed his trade as a motor mechanic and went on to be a teacher in the mechanical trades at TAFE. Enjoying the teaching more than the trade, Geoff retrained as a secondary school teacher in the areas of industrial arts, design and technology. Geoff went back into teaching in the local area before feeling a call to go to Bourke. He took up a position at Bourke High School to re-establish this faculty as a Head Teacher until last year when, due to wanting to stay vaccine free, Geoff like many other very valuable teachers was dismissed. They were dismissed for no other reason than they believed, “My Body is my Choice.” When the current Liberal government made vaccination mandatory for teachers, police, the fire and ambulance departments, nurses, and doctors in fact all health professionals, Geoff had to reinvent his life. Together, Geoff and his wife Pip own Newcastle Florists at Maitland and he slotted back into a support role for Pip until an opportunity arose to serve people in a different role. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he'd become the local representative for United Australia for the Hunter Region. Geoff has lived and been connected all his life to the Hunter region and is passionate about this homeland. He feels responsible to represent its people and their future. Due to the labour stronghold in this region, he believes the people are no longer represented as well as they could be.  Enjoy my conversation with Geoff Passfield; The tradie teacher and businessman who decided to make a difference in the world of politics.

Dr Ralph Gourlay is the Director of Surgery at Calvary Mater Hospital. He is the Supervisor of Surgical Training and has over 20 years experience in Breast and General Surgery. He is appointed at Hunter Breast Screen and Lake Macquarie Private Hospital and has been involved with Breast Cancer Clinical Trials for 22 years. Dr Gourlay set up the original multidisciplinary breast cancer clinics in the Hunter and is an active member of the multidisciplinary team meetings now. He studied at the University of Newcastle and graduated with Honours. He then undertook international training in leading breast units in Cardiff Wales and Sheffield England. In 2013 Dr Gourlay was a finalist in the Alumni awards in the category of Regional Leadership. Over the last 5 years, Ralph has pursued further training in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery and has introduced these techniques to The Calvary Mater and his private practice and has been a strong advocate for making breast reconstruction much more widely available in our community. He also is a senior specialist with appointments to Newcastle Melanoma Unit and Newcastle Endoscopy Centre and is a Conjoint Lecturer at the University of Newcastle.

Born in Sydney but raised in Newcastle, Mark attended Macquarie University and was admitted into practice in 1992 and has worked in Newcastle since 1995 initially as an employed solicitor with Baker Love Solicitors. In 1996 Mark opened his own law firm. In 1999 he incorporated into his practice the longstanding Newcastle law firm of Borthwick, Wilson, Smith and Bates. Mark is married with 2 adult children and spends his free time with his family and friends, enjoying heavy metal music, weight training as well as being an avid Sea Eagles supporter!

Simon is the CEO of ATUNE Health Centres, Newcastle's leading integrated health care centre. Since its inception, ATUNE has grown from a single employee in 2006 to over 60 team members with 2 locations and 17 different health professions and is now a multi-award-winning centre. Simon has experienced illness during his life and it was through this lived experience that he had a vision of what better healthcare could look like. Simon could see how improvements could be made to a person's healthcare journey if lifestyle factors were considered in a holistic way. He is incredibly passionate about health and seeing individuals, and the community, discover the truth about their health, restoring lives one at a time.

Assoc. Prof. Mark Baker is a University of Newcastle Research Fellow in the Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science. For the last 20 years, Mark has been extensively researching infertility, reproduction, contraception, the beginning of life, the formation of embryos, how to work with infertile men rather than only have a primary focus on women when families are hoping to conceive and how to make it possible for couples to conceive more naturally than the process of IVF which saves millions of dollars and produces more natural outcome for couples wanting to start their family.  Mark is a passionate person about life. I have had the pleasure of knowing Mark for many years. We have surfed and fished together. He is very humble and unassuming in his walk through life but is passionate and brilliant in his field of expertise. It was an honour to be able to interview Mark.

Jasmine founded occupational therapy business, Inspire Ability and has grown it to a team of 13 across two clinics. Outside of work, Jasmine is a loving wife and adoring Mum to three beautiful children. Jasmine has a strong faith and love for God and this has been a constant strength and encouragement in her life. Many times in her life, Jasmine has felt that tap on the shoulder to take on some pretty courageous steps and these challenges have allowed her to live a very exciting life here in Australia and abroad - travelling around the world to over 20 countries for voluntary mission work and on vacation. Jasmine has always held a special passion for working with children with Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder and has completed extensive research into these areas. She is a passionate advocate for understanding children’s sensory needs uniquely and helping them to have well-regulated sensory systems as the foundation for engagement in learning activities. We had a wonderful and inspiring conversation that I'm sure you'll enjoy.

In this month's episode, Ian chats with longtime friend, Richard Prosser. Rick started his journey as a Pastry Cook, and within a few years, was elevated to the role of Area Manager - Bakeries for Woolworths in South East Queensland.  Rick was managing 12 stores including Toowoomba, which was the largest bakery for Woolworths on a national scale. Rick felt a tap on the shoulder to go to Bible College in 1997. He accepted a role as a Youth Pastor in a Baptist Church in Charlestown where he grew and developed in leadership to eventually become the Associate Pastor and moved into the executive leadership of the church which also grew to about 1000 in congregation.  Rick worked on several community boards from 2003 to 2007, and in 2004 started Rush Mentoring: ministry outreach to kids at risk in high schools. In January 2011, Rick established Kingdom Works, a ministry to community and church and the inspiration behind the Newcastle Prayer Breakfast.  Over the years, in parallel with his role in ministry, Rick has worked with many people and organisations sharing principles in leadership and inspiring volunteers.  In 2013, Rick received the Newcastle Citizen of the Year Award for community services such as City Serve. City Serve is where Community, Church, local business and local Council work together on community-based projects such as repainting surf clubs and local soccer clubs, and community facilities.  Rick's now CEO of Soul Cafe in Newcastle and is also the pastor of Life Church.