With over 25 years of executive leadership in the energy and resources sector, Janette Hewson is a seasoned director and strategic leader who knows how to navigate both boom times and tough downturns. An expert in building strong internal and external relationships, Janette thrives on collaboration to deliver business objectives and drive results.

In the boardroom, Janette brings a respectful diversity of thought, sharp strategic insight, and the ability to build consensus even on complex issues. Her broad expertise spans external affairs, stakeholder engagement, ESG, major project delivery, procurement, legal advisory, governance, risk management, internal audit, policy development, and corporate strategy.

Having led through crises, restructures, acquisitions, expansions, and closures, Janette has honed her leadership skills and a deep understanding of business transformation. She is passionate about building effective teams and transforming business units to achieve sustainable success.

Episode Summary

Janette is a dynamic leader and advocate for the Mining and Resources sector. In this episode, she shares her journey from a legal background to becoming the CEO of QRC, and how mining has not only shaped her career but also allowed her to make a meaningful impact on communities across Australia and the Pacific.

This episode explores the evolving narrative of mining, the sector’s social and economic contributions, and the exciting future ahead, particularly for young people and those passionate about sustainability, innovation, and regional development.

Key Discussion Points:

Janette’s Unconventional Path into Mining

• From Mount Isa to the highlands of Papua New Guinea.
• Transitioning from law to general counsel, and eventually into executive leadership.
• The role of serendipity and saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities.

Mining as a Platform for Social Good

• Opening a literacy library in PNG and the emotional impact of that experience.
• Supporting Indigenous communities in Australia through employment and business partnerships.
• The shared social challenges across remote communities globally, and how mining can help address them.

The Power of Belonging and Purpose

• Why Janette feels at home in the mining industry.
• The camaraderie and mission-driven culture of mining teams.
• How the sector fosters a sense of collective achievement and community.

Public Perception vs. Reality

• The challenge of misinformation and activism in shaping public opinion.
• The importance of transparency and storytelling in changing the narrative.
• How QRC and its members are engaging with schools and communities through the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA).

The Future of Mining

• Strong long-term demand across commodities: coal, gold, copper, and critical minerals.
• The rise of automation, AI, and remote operations, and to the new skills required.
• The need for policy reform, faster approvals, and global competitiveness.

Opportunities for the Next Generation

• Why now is a great time to enter the mining industry.
• The sector’s role in decarbonisation and environmental innovation.
• The global mobility and career growth potential for mining professionals.

Key Quotes

• “Every day is a school day. That’s the beauty of the industry, you’re always learning.”
• “Mining only exists because society needs it. We’re not mining for the sake of it.”
• “If you want to do good for the environment, come and join the industry and help us decarbonise the world.”

Industry Insights

• Queensland’s resources sector contributes $120 billion to the state economy.
• Supports 1 in 6 jobs across the state.

Social & Environmental Impact

• Literacy and education programs in PNG and regional Australia.
• Indigenous employment and business development.
• Rehabilitation and sustainability initiatives across mine sites.
• Repurposing historic mining assets for renewable energy projects like pumped hydro.

Resources & Links

• Queensland Resources Council (QRC): qrc.org.au
• Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA): qmea.org.au

In this episode Shaun interviews Paul Miller, highlighting his rugby career with the All Blacks, Chiefs, Highlanders, Otago, and Southland. They Paul's journey, including highs and lows, battling cancer, and his transition into life after rugby. Paul is also a team member at Stellar Recruitment.

Rugby Career & Influences

• Early Days in Gore: Raised in a tough environment, played for King’s High School, Otago, and Southland.
• Intimidation on the Field:
  • Paul was an intimidating player but recalls being wary of players like Jerry Collins and Philo Teatea.
  • Jonah Lomu was also a force to reckon with but played in a different position.
• Biggest Influences:
  • His parents played a huge role—his father was tough and stoic, and his mother was nurturing.
  • Coaches and teammates helped shape his career.

Adversity & Growth

• Handling Setbacks in Rugby:
  • Dropped from Super Rugby despite being an All Black—struggled with the sudden fall.
  • Faced career challenges but learned resilience.
• Cancer Battle & Perspective Shift:
  • Paul describes cancer as the toughest battle of his life.
  • Forced him to reflect on his lifestyle, mindset, and personal struggles.
  • Realised he had been carrying anger and unfulfillment from his playing days.

Alcohol & Mental Well-Being

• Drinking Culture in Rugby:
  • Early in his career, drinking was used as a social tool and escape.
  • Highlanders culture involved heavy drinking, which masked deeper issues.
• Changing Perspective on Alcohol:
  • Recognised the impact of binge drinking on mental and physical health.
  • Now Paul focuses on responsible drinking and helping his son navigate similar challenges.

Parenting & Legacy

• Raising His Son, Max:
  • Taking a balanced approach—supports but doesn’t push too hard.
  • Wants Max to develop humility and resilience.
• Advice to His Younger Self:
  • Work harder, don’t rely solely on talent.
  • Build sustainable habits—training, fitness, and discipline should be lifelong commitments.
  • Avoid complacency and always strive for growth.

Final Thoughts & Reflections

• Paul acknowledges that others may have it tougher, so it’s important to stay grounded.
• A favourite quote: "You only get two lives. The second begins when you realise you only have one."
• Grateful for family, friends, and the lessons life has taught him.

Trevor Hendy is a legendary Ironman champion, mentor, and wellness advocate. Trevor takes a deep dive into his journey—from a young boy afraid of competition to becoming one of the most dominant figures in surf lifesaving history.

His story doesn’t stop at sporting success, Trevor opens up about the internal battles that came with fame, the personal challenges that forced him to redefine his purpose, and how he found true fulfilment beyond competition. This episode is packed with wisdom on resilience, self-discovery, and the power of presence.

Key Takeaways & Highlights

Trevor’s Early Years & Finding His Competitive Edge

• How a reluctant eight-year-old was “volunteered” by his father to join Nippers.
• The fear of competition and how his dad’s clever strategy helped him push past his initial resistance.
• The mindset shift took him from feeling out of place to becoming a fierce competitor.

The Golden Era of Ironman Racing

• The rise of Ironman racing in Australia—huge crowds, national TV coverage, and the Kellogg’s vs. Uncle Toby’s rivalry.
• The moment Trevor realised the sport had become mainstream (spoiler: it involved 10,000 screaming fans at Bondi Junction).
• Competing on Baywatch, rubbing shoulders with Pamela Anderson, and witnessing a Hollywood whirlwind firsthand.

Kelly Slater, Peak Performance & The Power of Presence

• How Trevor and Kelly Slater formed a deep connection over their shared drive for greatness.
• The surprising secret behind Kelly Slater’s success and his ability to perform in clutch moments.
• The lesson that elite athletes, business leaders, and everyday people can learn from being truly present.

Overcoming Life’s Toughest Challenges

• The setbacks no one saw coming—divorce, bankruptcy, mental health struggles.
• Why life’s biggest challenges are actually designed to help us grow.
• His three-step process for navigating tough times:
  1. The shift from victim to the creator – stop saying “This happened TO me” and start seeing challenges as opportunities.
  2. Feel it to heal it – growth comes from facing pain, not avoiding it.
  3. Find yourself, know yourself, trust yourself – your intuition is your best guide.

Daily Rituals for Longevity, Energy & Mental Clarity

• Why he gave up alcohol, dairy, processed sugar, and gluten—and the incredible impact on his body.
• The one fitness goal that drives him: is being able to walk up any hill, surf any wave, and ski any mountain at 80 years old.
• His non-negotiables for a high-energy life:
  • Daily movement (ocean swims, yoga, breathwork).
  • Meditation & breathwork for mental clarity.
  • Nutrient-dense diet, focusing on fuel, not just food
  • Avoiding anything that slows the body down (toxins, stress, poor sleep)
  • The surprising results of his biological age test (hint: his immune system is decades younger than his actual age).

Advice to His Younger Self

• What he’d tell the driven but insecure 18-year-old version of himself.
• The powerful reminder that everyone needs to hear: “You are already enough.”
• Why real growth comes from embracing every part of the journey—even the difficult chapters.

Resources & Links Mentioned

Trevor Hendy Instagram: @handytrev
Future Lab Podcast (with Kelly Slater episode): Listen Here
Breath & Breakthrough Retreats: Learn More
Life Changing Foundation: Website
Melrose Health Supplements: Visit Here
12-Day Mini Masterclass on Victim to Creator Mindset: Watch on Instagram

In this episode, Shaun and James discuss strategies for starting the year strong, building sustainable habits, and finding purpose. James shares powerful frameworks elite performers use—from prime ministers to top athletes—to set and achieve meaningful goals.

Key Takeaways:
Reflection Before Resolution – Take stock of the past year by revisiting key moments. Ask yourself:

• What went well?
• What didn’t go well?
• What did I learn?

Start, Stop, Continue Framework – Used by Fortune 50 companies:

• Start: What new habits or actions should you introduce?
• Stop: What’s holding you back that you need to eliminate?
• Continue: What’s working that you should maintain?

Most Valued Priorities (MVPs) – Instead of setting 20+ goals, focus on 3-5 key priorities.

The Power of Visualisation & Journaling – Neurosurgeon James Doty’s method:

• Write down your goals daily.
• Read them aloud.
• Close your eyes and feel what achieving them would be like.

Accountability & Leverage – Find an accountability partner who will check in regularly. Use consequences to stay committed (e.g., James pledged to donate to a political figure he disliked if he didn’t write daily!).

Building Winning Habits – Key traits of high performers:

• Master one habit at a time.
• Stick with it for at least 66 days (University College London study).
• Meditation, journaling, exercise, and structured routines create focus and discipline.
• Understand your natural rhythm (morning vs night person) and design habits accordingly.

Discovering Purpose & Values – James emphasises:

• Purpose evolves over time—don’t put pressure on yourself to find one fixed mission.
• Identify your values by analysing where you spend time, money, and energy.
• Align actions with values for sustained motivation.

Key Quotes:
"High performers have habits that are different from low performers – they know how to sustain success."
"Write, read, and visualise your goals every day – morning and night."
"If you don’t know your values, you’re easily swayed by distractions and shiny objects."
"Pick ONE habit at a time. Master it. Then move to the next."

Connect with James Laughlin:
Lead on Purpose Podcast – Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube. Ranked #1 in New Zealand!
Instagram: @JamesLaughlin

Resources Mentioned:
- Masterclass on Setting Up Your Year – - https://www.jjlaughlin.com/2025replay
- Core Drivers Diagnostic Tool (Deeper Signals) - contact James via his website www.jjlaughlin.com
- Jonah Oliver’s Values Clarity Exercise - https://northframework.typeform.com/Stellar

About James:

James Laughlin stands at the forefront of High Performance Leadership and Personal Mastery, earning global recognition as a pioneering strategist in the field. As a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, James captivates and inspires diverse audiences worldwide with his compelling insights and transformative messages. His extensive experience spans working with elite performers and leading organizations, including professional athletes, influential CEOs, and multinational corporations, empowering them to lead with unwavering conviction and achieve remarkable success.

Jonah Oliver is a distinguished performance psychologist known for his work with elite athletes like golfer Cameron Smith, V8 teams, surgeons, business leaders, and more. Jonah brings his wealth of experience to the table, discussing the intricate details of sustained high performance.

Key Topics Covered:

• Understanding Sustained High Performance: Exploration of what sustained high-performance means and how it can be achieved.
• The Role of Failure in Success: Discussion on why failure is essential to achieving success and how it shapes high-performing individuals.
• Neurobiology of Stress: Insight into the brain's response to stress and techniques to manage and interpret stress positively.
• Psychological Flexibility: Explanation of psychological flexibility and its crucial role in maintaining high performance.
• Vision and Values: The importance of having a clear vision and strong values in both personal and professional life.
• Practical Insights and Strategies: Jonah shares practical advice on dealing with challenges, and adversity, and developing a growth mindset.
• Applying Psychological Science: How psychological principles can be applied across different contexts, from sports to surgery to business.
• Developing a Growth Mindset: The necessity of real-life exposure to stress and adversity for developing a growth mindset.

Key Quotes:

1. "Failure is a prerequisite to success. If you want to achieve great things, you have to be willing to feel the pain, the price of entry."
2. "You do not learn a growth mindset by reading a book on it. You only develop it through in situ exposure."
3. "Life is not about how hard things are. It’s about how important things are."
4. "Psychological flexibility is the beating heart of sustained high performance."
5. "Doing the things that matter with the people that matter in a values-based way is the recipe for a life of sustained high performance."

Attitude is Everything:

"A bad attitude is like a flat tyre. You can't go anywhere unless you change it." This applies to all facets of life: personal, professional, and family.

Three Basic Psychological Needs:

Relatedness: Quality of connection, feeling seen, heard, and valued.

Competence: Feeling good at something, is essential for motivation.

Autonomy: Having control over one's actions and environment.

Positive Energy vs. Energy Vampires:

• Positive Energizers: Individuals who uplift and inspire others.
• Energy Vampires: People who drain energy and enthusiasm.

Building an A+ Attitude:

• Compelling Goal: Must have a clear and motivating purpose.
• Engagement: Being fully invested in what you do.
• Progress: Continuously developing competence.
• Consistency: Regularly showing up and putting in the effort.

The 20 Mile March:
Concept of consistent, disciplined effort towards goals.

Inspirational Practices

• Daily Touch: Simple, consistent gestures of connection with loved ones.
• Positive Interactions: Showing enthusiasm and positivity in daily interactions.

Final Thoughts

• How you show up and your attitude can transform your life and those around you.
• Challenge: Implement one change based on the day’s learnings.

This episode features Jeff McKeon, who speaks on the topics of overcoming adversity and the science of happiness. Jeff's journey from a challenging childhood with an alcoholic father to dedicating his life to neuroscience and helping others reach their potential is both inspirational and educational.

Key Quotes from Jeff McKeon:

• "When you're in that moment, you question everything about your life."
• "You can't be what you can't see."
• "The strongest people are often the ones who are still kind after the world tore them apart."

The Science of Happiness:

• The importance of habits in achieving happiness.
• Explanation of the negativity bias in our brains.
• The power of choice in emotional regulation and happiness.
• Research on the set point of happiness and how daily habits influence our happiness levels.

Practical Tips for Happiness:

• Double inhale through the nose followed by a large sigh to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and calm yourself.
• Importance of gratitude and daily habits.
• The significance of interpersonal relationships as found in the Harvard Study on Adult Development.

Jeff's Conclusion:

• The value of friendships and strong bonds in achieving happiness.
• Encouragement to reflect on whether you live purposefully, love actively, and matter in your daily life.
• "Emotions are contagious. Are yours worth catching?"

Phillip Di Bella is a Director at the Di Bella Group of Companies

Phillip Di Bella is a highly respected business entrepreneur with a unique ability to visualise and commercialise what many others never see. Though initially known for the establishment of Di Bella Coffee, which became Australia’s largest specialty coffee company, Phillip’s entrepreneurial spirit has brought success to other businesses such as International Coffee Traders, Abbotsford Road Specialty Coffee in New York, and more recently The Coffee Commune.

Not satisfied with simply focusing on building his own successful businesses, Phillip has dedicated much time to supporting the growth and development of other businesses. Often referred to as an “Entrepreneur in Residence”, Phillip regularly lends his strategic thinking to businesses such as BDO Consulting, helping their clients overcome challenges, see new opportunities, and then supporting the commercialisation of these solutions.

01.50 - Phil’s journey with his weight

“Health is first, it’s the foundation. You don’t go building 10-storey buildings without laying solid foundations”.

“It’s me first so that I can give my best to my family and give more energy to work.”

“My philosophies are templates, and a lot of them apply, and they have for me, personally, professionally, and family. Same thing in business, you can have all the theories in the world, you can go to all the workshopping events and build your knowledge base in your library, but if you don't execute, it just doesn't happen.”

Shaun - “If you put the work in and have that desire, intent and willpower and you execute, you can go from here to here, and that could be finance, it could be career, it could be relationships. It could be anything, but it's having a plan. It's executing that plan, drawing on the resources around you, but being disciplined in that regard. And that's the transformation.”

7.45 - What are the daily rituals that you do to optimise yourself?

12.30 -

• It’s not about weight loss it’s about being healthy.
• We are all works in progress and we need to understand that
• Our mindset is the secret sauce in everything, it starts and finishes with the mindset

16.00 - Other rituals that bind Phil and his wife

20.15 - “Life is simple, humans just complicate it”

20.46 - Managing Priorities

• It starts with a vision.
• Work life harmony. You need to get all 3 areas of your life working in harmony.
• Chase harmony, not balance.

27.30 -

• Not every day is a happy day but every day is a day to learn
• Life is measured in moments

30 - Core philosophies in business

1 - You have to be solving a problem

2 - You have to be so relevant that if your business can’t be replicated

3 - When you get 1 and 2 right, tell the story. Marketing is the art of telling the story.

32.30 - Where people go wrong in business often comes down to poor planning

36.30 - What are you focusing on for work in 2024?

Phil is working on trying to make sure that before governments make decisions that impact people’s lives.

“I'm getting stuck into 2024 and we kick off with the release of our small business paper that we took six months to commission and we kick that off on the 19th of February to go to market. I want to see this industry sustainable.”

43.00 - Core philosophies in life

1. Health: Meaningful relationships and purpose won’t happen if you don’t have your health
2. Time
3. Money

Enough time and money to do what you want when you want.

48.00 - Shaun - “Be intentional about where you want to be and what you want to achieve then surround yourself with the right people to get there.”

50.40 - If you can’t improve the silence don’t speak

“The wealthiest place in the world is the cemetery”