Man That Can with Lachlan Stuart
Welcome to Man That Can with Lachlan Stuart—the podcast dedicated to empowering men to break through barriers and achieve their full potential.
Hosted by Lachlan Stuart, this show dives deep into the challenges men face, offering actionable insights, real-life stories, and expert advice. Whether you're focused on fitness, business, personal growth, or fatherhood, you'll find inspiration and tools here to help you rise above any challenge and become the man that can.
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Man That Can with Lachlan Stuart
Mastering Discipline and Vision | Jacob Watson #633
Lachlan Stuart sits down with Jacob Watson, founder of WattFit Caloundra and Trainer HQ’s Entrepreneur of the Year, to discuss how discipline, vision, and resilience transformed Jacob’s life. From failing his first triathlon to running a thriving business, Jacob shares the lessons he learned about overcoming challenges, embracing failure, and building a life aligned with his values. Discover how to turn setbacks into stepping stones and the importance of creating systems for success. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a fitness enthusiast, or someone seeking inspiration, this episode is packed with actionable insights.
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Do Something Today To Be Better For Tomorrow
Welcome back to the man that Can. With Lockie Stewart, We've got a returning guest back from episode 312. Watto, can you believe our last episode was on June 7th 2021?.
Speaker 2:I can't. I knew it was some time ago. But yeah, when you say it like that and timelines and things for me, like when you're trying to reflect back things happening at different times, it's always hard to gauge. So that's cool to hear. I'm excited to be back.
Speaker 1:Mate. It's wild when I was looking back through, because I listened to it again this morning and I was like I can't believe it's already been over three years. That's scary how quickly time goes, mate. I wanted to get you back on here, one to catch up, but two to share with people, or allow you to share with people where you're at.
Speaker 1:You're one of these people that I watch in my life. You do so much more than you say, which I think is probably the most important thing in getting great results in life. You're thriving in footy, you're thriving in business and you're thriving in your personal life. And you, you're thriving in footy, you're thriving in business and you're thriving in your personal life. You're someone that inspires me. So I wanted to get you on here to give people a bit of an update on where you're at since our last chat, but also I want to pull it apart and, I guess, find out why you think the way you do. I remember one of the quotes that stood out in our last episode was the universe can get the fuck out of your way, and you appear to be living by that still. So firstly, dude, how are you?
Speaker 2:Mate, I'm great and I'm glad you mentioned all that. I really appreciate those kind words and you're an inspiration of mine as well, man, and I appreciate having you as my mentor and everything you do. But, yeah, that mindset I don't know exactly where it comes from, but it's something that it's still there. It still gets me going. It's what you know gets me out of bed in the morning to keep pressing on and off.
Speaker 2:The back of the weekend I had a really cool conference away and I guess going through and reflecting it was a time for reflection. We reflect on the year. I often forget the cool stuff that I'm doing and probably don't take enough time to actually reflect and go through things, because I am always just trying to do more and hunt more and, um, yeah, there's always things that pop up and I'm like have a conversation with someone and then I I probably don't take enough time to let that soak in and go, wow, like that's cool that I did that. I brush over that a little bit myself. So I'm excited to unpack it and going through that with you today will be really cool for me and, as you said, to share that with everyone else as well, because it is something I'm working on is I've got a cool story and sharing it I probably need to do more of and stop shying away from that so much so in a setting like this, that's going to be perfect man.
Speaker 1:For sure. Having your so much so in a setting like this, that's going to be perfect, man for sure. Having your weekend to reflect on the progress that you've made, what was one achievement that really stood out for you, that you look back and go like you know what a journey, what a ride yeah, it's a good question, uh, because it's been this year especially.
Speaker 2:Like I mean, every year I've always had a growth mindset and every year has been better than the last. But this year, uh, for me on a personal level, I feel like I've shifted into being a different person from even a year or two ago, excrementally like bigger than ever before. And I mean the award that I did win on the weekend was entrepreneur of the year for my business coaching company, and that award is my biggest achievement so far. It really is, for me personally, like done some cool stuff and being recognized for that in different ways over the last couple of years, but it has to be my biggest win, like it just, yeah, it's something that I thought was probably two or three more years away for me truly, and to win it this year I was like, wow, fuck, I am doing. It gave me validation that I am doing really good, um, especially compared to some of the amazing people that were in the running for it.
Speaker 2:Um, I often have thought about that and heard the stories and connected with these people and not ever really put myself on their level, like I always thought I I've got a bit more to give, and brushing shoulders with those sort of people is always really cool because it does does rise you up to do more.
Speaker 2:And I think now, like I mean it's only been a couple of days, but now I see myself on that level and I probably hadn't quite recognized that yet, I hadn't quite put myself there, and now you know, I can, like I can say that and uh, yeah, I think it's going to be a little bit more time before I fully dive into that and own it, but yeah, it's given me a heap of confidence and belief moving forward. But yeah, I think you know one thing that's probably it and it only just happened a couple of days ago. But the results of winning that's been so many little wins over the year that I've had just in business and personal life and yeah, as you said in footy's been really cool this year, something different. So, yeah, there's been. It's been this year's been about me and just doing more of me and taking on new experiences, um, and and being a bit more of a yes guy and just saying yes to different things. That, and then we'll work the rest out later mate, congratulations.
Speaker 1:Firstly, when I saw that, I was like, what a fucking legend like. You definitely deserve it. What does it take, what does it really take, to win that award? Because there would be people once again who are in that same program as you who look at you and they probably go, wow, I want to be there. There's probably those people on the same level as you who do probably understand what it takes For someone like me or anyone listening. What is it actually taking for you to achieve that?
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's a really good question and I guess the metric that these guys use is very much up for. You know discussion, because in my opinion and I lent into this so essentially each coach of the company nominates a client or two that they think is worthy, and for me, this is my third year in a row being nominated and I said as soon as I was nominated, like my coach man we work so closely together, carlson, he's been great for me and getting his recognition for me was a win and the win that I wanted. And then to win this as well is obviously awesome because the boys have seen the work that I've put in as well. But I think for me and my submission and this is just me personally on entrepreneurship, I've spent a lot of time helping my business and creating my business to work for me, not me work for my business, and that means I'm not going to run some of the numbers that some other people are out there in terms of revenue and members and clients and profits and whatnot, but that's not important to me. So why pursue that direction?
Speaker 2:For me, entrepreneurship is living the life that you want and you would understand this Lockie, about creating the life that you're after and everything that you do and I do with you has been a huge part of that as well, and it's about working out what makes you tick, what makes you, I guess, want to be the best version of you, what gets you up in the morning and then going all in in that direction. And for me, lifestyle is a high value of mine. I get up, I work you know five to say 10, and then I have a few hours during the middle of my day to just chill, relax. I can go to the beach, I can see people, I can catch up, I've got freedom and for me that's what really I want my business to be about. And then I go back and I do a bit more in the afternoon. And I was traveled to play footy this year.
Speaker 2:I trained a bit of half Ironman in the back end of last year and started this year, so I'm able to go and do everything that I want to do and my business complementslements that and that's what I lent into in my submission and to me that's what true entrepreneurship is, and I guess you know that was obviously received well, because I know there's a lot of people out there that think entrepreneurship is just endless, endless hours and you know you get worked over and you probably miss a lot of things in life that you don't get to go and do. And I think you, if that's you and that's what you want to do, then absolutely go for it. But for me, that's just not me and I'll always just try and be as true to me as possible. But I think for me, working out the true me has taken since before the last time we caught up 2020, whenever I joined the Academy.
Speaker 2:It's taken three years of working that out for me to, this year, finally implement it and stay true to it and follow through on it. And that's why I see this year as different to the rest, because for the first two to three years, it was just a lot of working that out and you know it's uncomfortable and you've got to go do the work on yourself and do the work on your business. And now this year, I feel like I've reaped the rewards, gone that direction and now, to be recognized it's, like you know, feels good. But it wasn't just this year, you know. It was three or four years and everything before that building you up to that, for that to work, um, so I hope that answers your question around the award and how it's awarded yeah, no, definitely does.
Speaker 1:If you were to, I guess, look at some of the actions to do that, because a thing that stood out is like you're very clear on what you want, and it does take time to achieve that. I think a lot of people never go in pursuit of figuring out what they want, because when you feel overwhelmed or you feel lost, there's so many options or so many different directions that you could take your life, and that can be overwhelming for people, and it leads to inaction. But the most important thing that you've done is you just made a decision around something that you felt you wanted, and you went all in on that, and then, over time, you've refined that to put yourself in that position. I think that's a very key point to highlight for people Get clear on what you want, even if it takes you a number of years, which it's more than likely going to.
Speaker 1:What do you feel, though, if you were a fly on the wall right and you're hanging around Watto 24-7,? What would be some of the things that have allowed you to have the success that you've had? Because, for me, it's very easy to sit on the outside and go. Okay, watto decided he wanted to have a gym. He wanted to play footy in Melbourne, so he flew down, played, trained and sent me to business. But what are, I guess, the things going on in your head, the sacrifices that you had to make, that people don't see?
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's a really good question because, like you said, I guess you're probably sitting on that macro level and you're seeing the results and it all happening. But I guess, internally and for me, I put a huge, huge focus on my discipline. I believe I'm highly self-disciplined, right down to my routines. I'm always trying to fine tune that and what works for me, especially the morning, especially at night, works for me, especially the morning, especially at night. I have that, you know, down to an art form on what I know works for me and how to stay really high energy. I guess I think that's really what is required is managing your energy levels and for me, I'm extroverted, so I'm lucky to do my job because when I'm around people I get more energy. So that helps me for sure. But right down to, as I said, just working out your morning, your night routine on a really, really simple level and then trying to vision and I spend a lot of time, I'll say, manifesting, but creating a vision for what's to come Like I can see it all for myself and I can see myself in those situations. And that award on the weekend, I've pictured myself winning that right. And last year, when I didn't win it and I was nominated. I went home and I said to my coach in an email I said I'm going to win that award one year. Like I told him that's what I was going to do. I visioned myself doing it and then I was like I know I need to up my game, but I'll work out what I need to how to up my game on the go. I just know that's I want. And then what are the action items around that? And so I think it's trying to, I guess, manifest or look ahead to what's to come.
Speaker 2:And last year, in preparation for this year, I planned my entire year out on a calendar. I wrote in things that I hadn't done yet but I wanted to do, and then I set myself towards that. And your plan to begin with is probably never going to be perfect and you don't want to spend too long working that out. I think, like you said, some people probably think that they want to do something and then go. I don't even really know how to do it, so I'm not going to bother, right? I've built my life around deciding what I'm going to do and then starting and going in that direction, and it almost never looks the way, uh, that you planned it anyway, so just start going in that direction. And going in that direction anyway is where is the best part? Like the whatever's at the end of it is great and you think that's often what you're after, but it's, it's, it's whatever you've done along the way to get there.
Speaker 2:And I really felt that when I did my half ironman at the start of this year was the most best feeling I've ever had in my life. Crossing that line, um. But then when I look back, I'm like the entire time training and committing yourself and getting your diet right and the endless hours, that was where I got more growth than the actual race itself, uh, and that probably sounds not cliche, but that's like a really common feedback in in doing things like that, and I've felt that now as well. So that would be my best advice, I think, um, is try and vision it for yourself first, create it, and it's first created up here and then out in reality man, I, I am a massive believer.
Speaker 1:I believe if you can't see it in your mind, it's going to be very hard for you to create in reality, because the the beauty of visualizing it. If you can't get it there, you need to start going to find out what the missing pieces are and you get closer to creating that picture. Yeah, rather than just going I can't see it, therefore I can't have it. It's like you can have it. You just got to fill in those missing pieces and you've got to have that first.
Speaker 2:Oh, sorry you go, no, you go. You've got to have that first, and this is what I was just thinking on. Then you've got to have that first experience of making it work, and then it's rep, you can replicate it. And I'm now in a position where I've repeatedly done it now so many times that I have no fear in going after the next thing, because I've stacked enough evidence for me to know that it works. Um. And so I guess, if it's your first time trying to commit to something, um, don't make it too big, don't make it too small, but just commit and stack the evidence and prove to yourself that you can do it, and then replicate it and replicate it, and replicate it, and replicate it, and then you can replicate it at scale. Um, and start jumping into, you know, some 10x ideas of god knows what over time. Um, which is what I'm starting to now dabble in as well. Um is like what's next, what's next?
Speaker 1:and taking the time to work that out it's cool to see as well, and as someone who has been, I guess, a bit of a fly on the wall watching you grow over the last couple years, you're very consistent. You show up on the call every week, like week in, week out, or if you don't, you you'll message me and let me know, but you're probably one of the only people who brings a game plan all the time as well, which is what we use to track our progress, yeah, and the goals that you have.
Speaker 2:Got it here always yeah yeah, yeah, always got, it, Always got it.
Speaker 1:It's when you set your goals as well. I believe they're realistic because they're always building on the next one. I don't feel like when you're setting goals, you're not just pulling random goals out of the air. You're doing something that's building on the previous one towards the next one, and that's why sorry, I got something in my throat that's why, for me, I believe you've seen such success, because you know what you want. So it's like, okay, you spoke a moment ago, watto, about if the goal seems too big, just break it down into something a bit more manageable and make that the 12-week goal, because that'll be that next step or that block into building the wall. You just go block by block or step by step, and it's a very important thing.
Speaker 1:Another thing you do really well is with the questions that you ask or the feedback that you give to people. It's like genuinely sincere questions that you ask or the feedback that you give to people. It's genuinely sincere. From my own insights, listening to that. It's when you are able to give people attention in a way that they feel valued and heard.
Speaker 1:I just can't see you going in any other way than being successful, because one of the most important parts in business and in life is how you make people feel You've got the gift of the gab with that and I know you've worked on that and you're an extrovert, but you're very good at that and you do that every week on the call, and for me it's not about highlighting that all the time on the call, but I wish people would go, okay, who's had a big year this year? And I would look at yourself or Gadi or a couple of other people and you then go, okay, well, have they been on the call every week? Yes, have they completed four game plans? Yes, are they investing in themselves? Yes, you invest in the academy. You've also got the trainer, sorry what are they called again?
Speaker 2:Trainer HQ, trainer HQ.
Speaker 1:Yeah, trainer HQ, and you're always investing in yourself and they're very important things because you need, almost like the bumper rails and keeping you focused on where you want to go and the results that you want to have in your life. No, I couldn't agree more.
Speaker 2:I just got a couple of things to say on that, Lockie. Just the framework that you provide, man, it's all there if you want it and just show up consistently enough, and that is what's going to get there. Like you said, you asked earlier around what do I if you followed me around for a day? Well, I feel this out every day, Like I don't miss days. I take it home with me, I plan my day out, I know what it looks like.
Speaker 2:I reflect on what I did yesterday and it's really really easy to do, but it's really really easy to do, but it's also really really easy not to do. And you've got to create the discipline around doing those really basic things, and they stack up over a period of time. I just had that thought while you were saying that and what you said earlier around how do you create success? Well, you don't have to do anything too crazy. To be honest. In fact, I would be prompting you to just do the basics really really well. Um, and it allows you access to do bigger things. Uh, in the after a period of time I agree, and that's what it is I.
Speaker 1:I find it fascinating that people find consistency amazing. When, when you show up and constantly do what you said you would do, or you're still building your business, you're still training, I'm doing the same people are like you're still doing it. I'm like, well, yeah, that's what I said I was going to do. It doesn't matter if it's raining or if I don't feel like doing it. When I say I'm going to do something, I'm going to do something, we don't need to overcomplicate it by throwing excuses in there or feeling like we don't need to over complicate it by throwing excuses in there or feeling like we don't have the information. You just start something and do the thing. You'll get feedback around.
Speaker 1:What do I need to learn? How can I be better? You know and the beautiful thing is as well like I was running in the rain the other day. I can't miss runs at the moment. It was piercing down, I dude on. Uh, what day was it? I had two wet runs in a row I had had Friday and Saturday and my webbing in my toe like fully ripped and I was like I don't know how the fuck that happens when your feet are together, yeah, but for me it's like I can't miss that run because I said I was going to do it and I also know that for me right now, much like you were saying a moment ago, the celebration is the run or the end result, whereas the hard work and the opportunity for growth is what you do in the lead up to that, and people quite often want the end, but they don't want to do the hard shit to get there.
Speaker 2:Matt, I couldn't agree more and, like what you were just saying, I tick the same as you. My word to me is everything, and if I do say I'm going to do something, I just have to do it. Like I just have to find a way, uh, and I think that's really, really important is having your own word to yourself, um, and, and like I said that for me, that's just staying true to me. But also, you know, if I commit, I commit, I'm all in on things and 100% I can't half-ass anything. And if I think I'm going to half-ass anything, then I'm not going to commit to it and I just completely remove myself from whatever that is, um, and put my time, energy and effort into something that I can, um, and it takes a little bit, I think, to work that out about yourself.
Speaker 2:Um, and maybe not everyone ticks like that, but, um, yeah, I just know that if you, if you do have that, if you have that feeling or that, know a desire to do a little bit more, do something different, then there probably is something there to say go and do it. And if you're going to do it, you may as well really go and do it. Like, don't fuck around, just go in that direction as hard as you can and, like you said, the results are all on the other side of that. But it's often more just up here, probably, where you're ticking over on committing in a direction. But yeah, you don't want to stay there for too long, because once you take time to decide on things, you often talk yourself out of them rather than into them.
Speaker 1:So, yeah, that's a great point talking yourself out of things rather than into it and that's a massive one. What's the biggest challenge?
Speaker 2:you faced this year and how did you respond to it? Oh, that's a good question. I'm actually going to say I'm going to look at the back end of last year a little bit as well, and into this year. So I did a half Ironman this year, just over 12 months after I actually failed my first triathlon. I don't know if you remember that, but I fainted 400 metres short of the finish line in my first triathlon and it would have been easy then to just go. You know, I nearly got there, or or you know I'll do another one maybe sometime.
Speaker 2:But I went back to the drawing board because I failed that, because I had no plan, I had an ego, around just going all guns blazing, and how I did that triathlon was how I do life. I was just gun-ho. But I went back to the drawing board board and it took 12 months um, a large part. I was training that for probably eight months because I played a bit of footy there for four months in between went back to the drawing board and said well, you know what did I do wrong last time? Um, and I'm actually committing to a half ironman this time. So I've got to do close to double of everything this time around, uh, and then execute. I created a plan and executed a plan around that that was less ego and more accomplished. And then executing that on race day because I'd failed the first race day it felt like a long way back. But to get over the line and the reason I fainted the first time was dehydration and failed to fuel up correctly on a really hot day.
Speaker 2:And then the second time, around around, there was moments off the bike where I was starting to cramp in my quads and I was rushing. I had these thoughts rushing back of fuck, it's gonna happen again. Like, I can't believe this, I can't like. I've planned and had to calm myself down and just try and breathe through and relax and within you know, five, ten minutes, the cramps had settled and I found my legs again and managed to finish off.
Speaker 2:And I just can distinctly remember that point of like, oh no, it's happening again, I'm going to fail again, I'm going to. You know, this is going to be so embarrassing, I can't believe this. Like, and I had to really try and calm myself down and overcome those thoughts and thankfully I was able to and was able to cross the line and um, that that moment, crossing the line for me was just euphoria, because I'd failed so badly 12 months earlier. To then cross and and hit the line and get that done was just like it was me overcoming and beating myself, um, and, and it was also me making a really strong comeback after failing, uh, the first time around. But so it happened in. It happened in feb this year, so it counts as this year, I think, but it was probably 12 months worth of planning and getting it right the second time around to overcome it.
Speaker 1:Oh, dude, I'm glad you brought that up. I still remember when I hit you up to see how you went the first time. You're like I fainted man. I was like I thought you were taking a piss. I was about to give some back and then one of the other boys in the group was like no, what I fainted. I was like far out, poor bastard yeah.
Speaker 2:I try and not think about it too much now. I just try and think about the one this year. But there's good lessons in it, so you've got to acknowledge it. I can laugh about it now go stung and uh. Yeah, it was uh not ideal, but there was so many lessons in it wasn't there and I was able to go and rectify that and then make it happen this year.
Speaker 1:so why weren't you defined by that failure? I think failure is a very interesting thing to look at. Many people would have had that happen and they never would have raced again. Yeah, what makes you different?
Speaker 2:it's a good question. Uh, I understand that, uh, failure is inevitable and, uh, I try and seek discomfort where I can. Not to that level again, I don't think, but, uh, but uh, I've been through, and the last time I jumped on your pod lock, he was under completely different circumstances. I lived out a life experience that was very challenging in ways that is often unimaginable, and was able to come out the other side and redefine who I was and where my life was and the direction it was going, and that experience itself was really truly life-changing. And there was a heap of adversity involved in that um that I was able to to to get through. And now I have this like feeling of like, uh, not seeking anything, like trying to find that out for myself, seeking it out, um, on my own terms, I guess, but I understand on a really deep level what it's like to find that and get through that and get through things. And I get that same sort of feeling after failing something or coming out the other side and recreating it. So I think it's, yeah, a little bit of that for sure, but, yeah, I guess it's resilience that you build as well, and I often even with a with a couple of my mates always talk about just building character and if something's not going well or something's going to be tough, I will always say it builds good character.
Speaker 2:I try and reprogram and redefine what tough and challenging things mean to me and try and seek them out, if anything, because I know that I'm going to be a better person and better for it. And it's a mindset change that you know some people might not understand but for me that's how I just try and reframe and reprogram things is well, I'm going to be better for this, and often that is on the other side of failure, but I'm going to be. I'm going to have better character, more character. So it's like a mindset shift. I think that you know isn't easy to adapt, but at the same time it can be dumb.
Speaker 2:With a bit of programming or reprogramming, I guess, around what challenges and failures actually mean to you and how they're inevitable and how often, if you're finding them constantly and getting through them, you can stack evidence to actually reprogram and shift what that actually means to you. Because if someone's facing a challenge, you know they can often go is this too much? All right, I'm not going to do it. Or to someone else that same challenge is like I'm going to get over that and through it and go the other side, and that's the two differences. I think in people that actually get what they want and achieve things that they want, rather than or don't you know spot on.
Speaker 1:It's definitely a mindset thing and understanding the lesson that is on the other side. We only know what we know and if we knew the things we needed, we would would have the results to accompany that. Obviously, when you don't have the results, it's because you don't understand things. If everyone were to get everything right the first time, there would be no such thing as failure and everyone would be wealthy, healthy and happy.
Speaker 2:The reality is if you look around.
Speaker 1:it'd be like the Truman Show You'd wake up and the same shit would be happening every day. We'd be shitting gold bricks. But the challenge of that is, if you want to be one of those one percenters, you have to shift your mindset to the point where you have a healthy relationship with failure, because in order to learn, you must fail.
Speaker 1:And the level that you can fail. So the level that you get comfortable failing is the level that you get comfortable succeeding in. So if you want to succeed quickly, you better buckle up, because you're going to fail fast and you're going to fail hard. But if you're not comfortable with that, success may be a little bit slower, and that's personal for each individual. Success may be a little bit slower, and that's personal for each individual. What I've witnessed with you over the last couple of years is you're just going hard man, like balls to the wall. What does it look like for you, now that you've spent the last couple of years getting to know who you are and what you want and what you stand for, to now having this year where you've been recognized for the work that you've done? I still don't believe that a bit of recognition changes the work ethic or who you are. You've been that person. Now people are starting to take notice, which is awesome. But what does that look like for you for 2025?
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's a really good question because that is something I've put a little bit of thought into, especially when we were reflecting Thursday, friday at the conference, then even again over the weekend, um, because I got that question. It's like, well, what's next, what's on for 2025? And I'm gonna have to take a little bit of time because, like you said, each year on year for the last few years, it's been really clear to me what I'm working towards um in terms of goals and business revenue, and personally it's been. I've known what I'm going for and to now feel like I've got a lot of alignment with that, the direction next year. To me it isn't clear yet and and I think that's really, really cool because it shows me that you know, I've got a lot of things in place that I was working towards and I think it's going to take a little bit of time now for me to decide that and and sit with that, and for now, it's just going to take a little bit of time now for me to decide that and sit with that, and for now it's just going to be more of the same.
Speaker 2:Like you said, a little bit of recognition for me is not going to change anything.
Speaker 2:If anything, I've got a level to live up to now and you know I've got a reputation to uphold and I'm going to be doing much of the same.
Speaker 2:That's got me to where I am now, and I said you got to do the basics really, really well. So not none of that will change and then I think it'll be clear in a short amount of time what's next and when it comes time to recognize that and go in that direction, I'm going to repeat the evidence that I've stacked already and going hard and fast in that direction and working the rest out along the way. Yeah, so there's not one big thing that I know yet, but I know I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing and have been doing and take a little bit of time. As I said, this time last year, I sat down, I planned out 2025 in december, um, on a calendar and everything that I wanted to do, um, and for me next year, I want to do a little bit of travel. I'm going to book that in, and I was saying on the weekend as well doing doing a month in Europe was where I want to go.
Speaker 2:For me that's an awesome personal achievement to go and do, and I'm sure I'm going to learn a lot about myself over there.
Speaker 2:But for me that's a business goal, because if I can leave my business for a month and have it operate without me, I know I've got my business to a level that is higher than I've had it before, so it's twofold for me, something like that, and that might end up just being my goal that I tick off for next year.
Speaker 2:I don't know, like I said, I don't have a really clear thing that I'm working towards for once, but I think for me also, maybe sitting with that and not having something to work towards could be a goal in itself as well, because I have been, like you said, just one thing after the other, after the after, after the other.
Speaker 2:Maybe sitting in some stillness for a month or two before it's time to connect, to commit to something, could be really cool as well. Because, like I said to you, if I'm not really ticked to do something, I won't commit to it at all, and if I create, create a goal just for the sake of creating a goal, then my chances at executing and actually doing it and sticking with it are probably going to be pretty low anyway, or less than they have before. So I think I'm just going to sit with it for a little bit and I'll plan out next year and reflect on this year. And when it comes time, you'll be one of the first to know, of course, and we'll go in that direction. And when it comes time, you'll be one of the first to know, of course, and we'll go in that direction.
Speaker 1:Can't wait to hear what it is. I think two things that jumped out for me was the first one if you're not motivated to do it, you're not going to set a goal for the sake of it. I think that's a very important thing because when you go back to evidence that you stack, or confidence that you build from completing or moving towards achieving a goal, Most people are setting goals that they think sound sexy or people will like, but they're not doing it for intrinsic reasons and they set themselves up to fail and they compound poor confidence and poor results and poor evidence. The second thing was taking time to actually think about it. When you become more successful, I would say and when I say successful I mean you're getting runs on the board and evidence on the board to support who you're becoming, in the life that you're building, you don't have to make as many goals.
Speaker 1:I don't believe, because I'm in that same boat where my life is amazing, my health is amazing, my finances are amazing, everything's great, and I definitely wanted to be better, but I don't have that same hunger.
Speaker 1:What I'm, I guess, challenging myself to do is live life and earn more in different ways.
Speaker 1:The fact that I can take more than two months off now really from proper work to focus on running around America to me is the pat on the back that you've built this business to do what it does, and like it's humbling to do that, like that's cool and yeah, maybe I'll experience the issues in January, february, march, but I would never figure that out if I didn't take the risk to do that anyway. And, much like you said, it's a business goal as much as it is a personal goal and a fundraising goal. It's just like it's all connected and it's all linked and it's just like this new version of who I want to become and I think, taking time to think about that, think about the impact of goals, and sometimes you can just give yourself a couple of months. I think when I moved to America, I gave myself probably three or four months before I actually set a hardcore goal again. I was just like wanting to enjoy myself and look at things, learn things and experience things.
Speaker 2:I couldn't agree more. Everything you just said was resonating with me so much. And, you know, the direction that you're going and what you're doing, like that inspires me as well, because you're showing us what's possible and I think that's really really cool to be able to see someone go and do that and then see that for yourself as well. And, like you said, I'm probably going to take the rest of December to, you know, really think about the next goal and I'm really keen to start next year with a bang like the first, I think, setting a year like an intention for the year and a goal.
Speaker 2:The start of this year I did 12 weeks off alcohol, completely and especially leading into the event, and I'll probably do the same again next year, I think, just to set myself up and get some real clarity and, you know, take control and do a lot of thinking and break the cycle of what I'm doing just to learn a bit more about myself, because I got so much out of that this year as well.
Speaker 2:So I think you know I can resonate with that that so much. Take the time if you've got it, and it's a cool, really cool place to be for me, um, because it does feel like I've sort of just leveled up to this level now and I can take the time to think about um, what's next? And, like I said, the idea of 10xing and going again in a really big way in a direction. I need that feeling of of fuck, that's scary, maybe like and have that self-doubt again and go through the process of potentially failing and probably failing again and get on the other side of that and then do it again on another level and repeating the process. So, yeah, it's cool to see and we'll see what comes.
Speaker 1:How do you feel 18-year-old Watto would be viewing you Like how do you feel he'd feel about you?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think he would be inspired. For sure, and that's some common feedback. I get around being inspirational and still feels uncomfortable for me to own that in a lot of ways. Even saying that just then, I, I don't fully grasp the impact that I'm having on that level for some people, um, but I would also be the most proud, I think, around my resilience. Um, and seeing someone be so resilient it gets me going. Um, I, I think so, I, I can't.
Speaker 2:I think if I was 18 to now, like I've changed so much. But it's like, it's like weight loss, like you often don't see the results in the mirror, um, when you're losing weight and then someone will say to you one time why you've lost so much weight and you'll go, oh, like, how good is that? That's how it is for me as well. Like, from 18 to now, I've just been going through and doing my thing, going this direction, and then now to think, like the change then to there. It's hard to grasp in a lot of ways, but I think, especially this year, this has been my year where I've turned from a boy to a man.
Speaker 2:I truly believe that I still think I had not immaturities, but I think I've really found myself and grown up in a lot of ways and, like you said, own who I am and I think some people don't find that out for so long, sometimes ever but for me that this year has been lining the sand sort of year, with owning that and moving into that and being able to say that to you. So yeah, and that's taken 10 years from when I was 18. So I think if I was talking to my 18 year old self, it would just be to just say look, it's all there in front of you. If you want it, you've just got to show up and do the basics and, uh, do them well that's the key if you want it.
Speaker 1:So, outside of business, what are you working on? Like you've said, you've done a couple of halves like what? Is there anything that you're training towards within 2025?
Speaker 2:yeah, really good question. I've gone, uh, I finished footy last game, um, and I've given the break body a little bit of a break off cardio. I'm about to finish up a 12-week strength program. I've been doing it with my members, um, which has been really cool to go through their experience and do all that together, um, and and feel really really strong in the body, strong in the mind. Um, I'll enter some cardio back in the start of next year and then build up for footy again, but I guess a physical goal for me now isn't really on the cards.
Speaker 2:I'm studying again at the moment, which has been cool to get back into and upskill in, because I'm always looking for ways to be a better trainer and better at what I do. I. That's really really important, uh. So I think now for now, like doing that and pushing my body in the strength direction. I've never done that before, like, I've always worked out, obviously, but I've always paired it up with cardio and playing footy and tried to do that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, do it all and, uh, at the moment I'm just seeing what I can do in that direction, um, with my movements and get really really strong in my foundations and um, take the time to focus on that and go through that with my members. So, for now, that that's cool, it's been cool to do that and do it really really well. Um, so, yeah, that's it for now, but uh, who knows, at the start of next year something might grab my attention. But yeah, like I said, going into footy season, I normally just focus on that, just play a bit of footy and, um, yeah, for me, like footy, just it's my thing. I've always done it. It's it's my, it's something that I love doing, and I want to play footy for as long as I can while my body allows me to, because you can't, you're a long time retired and uh, you know all all those physical challenges and a full Ironman is absolutely on my agenda.
Speaker 2:I will do one one day, but I want to do it and do it well and train for 12 months in the lead up and it's just right now. I don't want to overbite and try and do too much. I'll get to that one day, for sure. But I've already visioned myself crossing that full Ironman line, like I can see. That already started to create those visions. Even though I might not do one for 10 years, I already know that's on my pipeline.
Speaker 1:Oh man, that excites me. One of the biggest regrets that I live with is retiring from rugby too early, so it's awesome to hear you say that you want to. You know, play for as long as you can, because you know I quit, one because of the culture, but two more so to try and build a business, and I wish I had the head on the shoulders that you do where you realize you can do all of it. It's just about managing your time and your priorities, and my body will never be able to go back to doing that. So I've got the next however many years of my life thinking about, you know, wishing to play that, but I find you know there's other competitive outlets, so that's fine. What's the study like, man? What are you studying again?
Speaker 2:Studying a corrective exercise program essentially. So it's all self-paced. It'll probably take me six to eight months, so there's a fair bit of self-discipline required to get back into study mode. Um, so there's a fair bit of self-discipline required to get back into study mode. Um, at the moment I've just been doing two to three one hour blocks a week and, uh, just blocking everything out, sitting down and just fitting it in where I can um, but essentially it's correcting people's movement patterns from either being sedentary or overuse um, which is which is cool and you know some stuff I've already learned along the way and go oh yeah, cool, I know that and you know, I can see that. And then they provide a framework to sort of apply and the direction I see.
Speaker 2:Like I see people every day come in with broken movement patterns, especially around sitting. Like you've worked a nine-to-five in front of a desk, in front of a computer at a desk, and chair your body now, like you've heard it before, sitting as a new smoking it's, it's it's really creating some problems for people in their everyday life. So, trying to get on the front foot with, with fixing that um, because I I think there's going to be more of it to come um and being able to learn a framework and apply that and learn some new, cool little things. I think it's going to be really applicable in terms of upskilling myself as a trainer, um, and it's one of those basics I've got to do really, really well. I've got to fix people's problems, both physically and between the ears when they come to the gym. So, yeah, I saw an opportunity and I see a gap in the market because I think there's going to be more of it and it's going to be more in demand and, yeah, I'm excited to see what comes from it.
Speaker 2:I'm only just started, maybe six, eight weeks ago, but, as I said, I'm just chipping away at it and finish it sometime next year and then work out what that looks like in a business sense. Can it be applied to the business? Can I offer something in terms of programming? Take people on Automatically in my PTs. It's going to be awesome to be able to implement that straight away and help my guys some more as well. So, yeah, different cool. Getting back into that study mindset I haven't studied for God knows how long, but yeah, it's finding ways to make it complement your life I don't want to be what I'm learning about and fit there for five, six hours and study. I'm doing one hour blocks and then just try to do that two, three times a week for now.
Speaker 1:Dude.
Speaker 1:I think you've got it sorted there, man.
Speaker 1:I'm excited to see what happens, and you're continuing to invest in yourself, both financially, with the coaching and the things that you do, but also in your mind, to become a better coach, and cream rises to the top.
Speaker 1:Man, if you want to be one of those 1%ers, that's what you need to do to get ahead and to stand out and to be able to add more value to more people. And it just blows my mind that we have access to podcasts much like this, or YouTube, or courses, coaches, and we can learn all of these things that can literally change our life. Whether we do it for our own personal use learning about nutrition, movement patterns, making money, our relationships or if you're doing it to apply to your business or your career it's there and available. Yet people still don't dedicate time to using the resources that are available, and it blows my mind, but it also inspires me to see you grabbing life by the balls and doing those things so that you can be the best version of yourself and, as you said earlier, create the life that you want to live, one that you wake up jumping out of bed knowing that you've got a bit of downtime to go for a swim.
Speaker 1:You're playing the sports, but you're also having an impact in building a business that you're proud of.
Speaker 2:I couldn't agree more. We've got more access to information um, if you want it, uh than ever before. Uh, and, like I said, you're part of my morning routine. I get half an hour of a podcast in of some sort first thing in the morning around health and fitness. I've got a specific um trainer or group of trainers that I listen to and that's how I start my day and I think being intentional with how you start your day, um, and and what you're consuming is really, really, really important.
Speaker 2:Even here, I've got my values up on the wall. I see that first thing in the morning every day. Right now, I can see my calendar over here, I fill out the journal every day and so, by proximity, I've created a system around being inspired and staying on track, and if you don't do those things and take control, then you go the other direction and, unfortunately, as powerful as and how cool it is to get access to information, you are often going to be set up to fail based on algorithms if they're going the other way, because you're going to consume content that is just not helpful at all and consume more of it. And it comes down to creating that system for yourself to be empowered, and that's what I try and do, as much as I can, to try and create some self-accountability as well. But, yeah, it's all a control thing to me. I don't like not being in control of myself, and the more I see what's happening a lot of people they're not in control of any part of their life. They're just going through the cycle of life and life's happening to them and at any point it takes a second to make that decision, to switch.
Speaker 2:Um, and I think what you and I are doing is trying to inspire more of that and and try and create evidence for people that you can do it. Uh, and there's nothing special about you and I that no one else can't do. That's the thing. Um, it's just around being around those people more, and that's why I show up on the call every week, because it keeps me accountable and I'm around people that are trying to be better, and you've got to find those sort of people.
Speaker 2:And, along with everything this year, one thing I did was I created new connections with people that are like that and I made that decision to go. I need to create and get myself around more like-minded people, and that meant letting go of some, some people, putting some people in some different positions in my life, and trying to find people that give me energy and support me and then lift each other up and be part of your group. You know as much as I can because, um, you've got to try and understand that as much as you can. Otherwise, you let negativity fill you up, you let the internet just control what you're consuming, and that's the direction your life will go well said dude, well said what.
Speaker 1:Where can people find you? You're up in caloundra, but where can people one follow you if they want to work with you? How does that all work?
Speaker 2:yeah, yeah, really good question. Uh, yeah, what fit caloundra is? Uh, is my studio? Um opened that one two years ago, so if anyone wants to come check it out, I'm always in there, don't worry about that. If you want to jump in and do a sesh, my studio, I'm really, really proud of what I've created there and love showing it off. And, yeah, that's a lifetime's worth of work that's gone into that and, like you said, many failings. So even when I walk into there every day, I still feel inspired just walking in there and some of the stories around it. So, what fit Caloundra, check out what we're doing? Yeah, if you want to come in and train meet chat, I'm always open.
Speaker 2:Like you said, lucky, I just I love helping people. I really, really do, and I will always listen and I know people appreciate being heard. I believe empathy is superpower, uh, and I'm empathetic with everyone that I meet on any level. I'll take the time to chat things out and, um, yeah, it gets me going. I get more I just as much of helping someone as what they do from from my help man.
Speaker 1:I love it what I've made.
Speaker 1:It's obviously been super inspiring getting to watch firsthand, and I've been wanting to have this convo on a public platform for a long while since we did our first one, just because you've literally just made such huge improvements in your quality of life.
Speaker 1:And it just goes back to that quote where you're like the universe and get the fuck out of your way because I'm creating the life that I want and the confidence and intensity that you said that in that episode. Looking back, I'm like it's no wonder you're in the position that you're in and there's so many things that I've witnessed from consistency to filling out the game plan, to investing in yourself, to not over committing to things is the reason why I believe you've become so successful. And, for anyone listening, you're someone that I value being around. I value when we get to have phone calls because, much to your point before, I want to be around people who are doing cool shit and who are inspiring me, because it just helps me continue to lift my standards. There would have been no way I could have gone on this podcast right now and walked off not feeling more inspired. So thank you for that.
Speaker 2:Brother, thank you, and right back at you, everything you just said. You're a mentor of mine. I love everything that you're doing. Seeing what you're doing next year with the marathons, that just gets me going, you know. It makes me want to be better and you've got to be around people like that. You've got to be around people like that as much as you can, because people that make you want to be better, yeah, you've got to seek them out and spend as much time with them as you can.
Speaker 2:And you know, for me, business can be a lonely place sometimes. I'm a one-man band, but you know I seek out, you know, people like yourself and my business coach Carlson as well. I know that you guys are going to be able to, you know, make me and lift me up as much as possible. So thank you as well, brother, I really appreciate everything you do and, yeah, you've been a big part of getting to me where I am today and no doubt, whatever happens over the next few years, we could be doing this again in two, three more years and talking about God knows what.
Speaker 1:We will be brother Jacob Watson, everyone founder of what Fit Caloundra. He was the Entrepreneur of the Year at the Trainer HQ Awards and someone that I'm inspired in massive amounts. Mate, thank you so much for your time. As always, do something today to be better for tomorrow.
