Ep 21 Charles Piutau - All Black, Wasps, Ulster, Bristol, Tonga and and co-founder of RuggerNFT's.

04/21/22 • 57 min

It was great to connect with Charles again since the last time we talked was in my role as Blues Coach and having one last chat with him before he decided to back himself and go overseas to Wasps and Ulster in Europe.
He shares about the decision-making process he went through. The difficulties in leaving his comfort zone and support structures of family and the battle within, whether he stays in NZ and strives for the dream of playing at a World Cup or takes the challenge up of earning money he never thought would be possible at his age and stage of his career. He backed himself and signed to go but missed out on that dream of playing at the World Cup.
He uses that to drive him to become one of the marquee players of Europe with Wasps, Ulster, and now Bristol and also being one of the highest-paid players in the world. He also has the opportunity to achieve that childhood dream of playing at a World Cup with Tonga after the recent change in eligibility rules by World Rugby.
He also talks about his thoughts about life after sport and how he’s got into NFT’s and the property market.
An enjoyable episode that we get to hear about his journey which was not the normal pathway that we’re used to seeing but he’s made the most of it through his determined mindset, a chip on his shoulder, and skills as his currency.
Make sure to listen in.

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Previous Episode

undefined - Ep 20 Sulu Tone - Fitzpatrick - Played her first test for New Zealand Netball's Silver Ferns when she was 19. Has won 3 ANZ Premierships with 3 different teams. Captain of the Auckland Mystics. Co-founder of Gray Builders Ltd.

Ep 20 Sulu Tone - Fitzpatrick - Played her first test for New Zealand Netball's Silver Ferns when she was 19. Has won 3 ANZ Premierships with 3 different teams. Captain of the Auckland Mystics. Co-founder of Gray Builders Ltd.

A very honest and open conversation with current NZ Netball Silver Fern and Auckland Mystic Captain Sulu Tone - Fitzpartick.
It was great to hear her story of growth, resilience, determination, and discovery as she takes us through her journey.
Through her early years of becoming a professional netballer straight of high school as a teenager with huge potential and talent to taking the opportunity for granted and moving away from home to get more playing opportunities. Then became a mother of twins and dabbled in another sport (rugby) before she realized what she wanted to do in her life. She educated herself about what she needed to do to get her where she wanted to be. She went back to her culture and faith and with the continued support of her family she found her way through to where she wants to be, not just as a sports person but more importantly as a person and a mother.
Sulu achieved the highest individual award in 2021 being awarded the Dame Lois Muir trophy for the standout netball player in New Zealand, she is also one of the most respected. A true testament to her work ethic and tenacity.
I thoroughly enjoyed our chat and was able to pick up some gold nuggets from her story. Truly inspiring and motivating.
Make sure to have a listen.

Next Episode

undefined - Ep 22 Jeremy Christie - Former All White, Wellington Phoenix, Tampa Bay Rowdie and 2011 FIFA World Cup squad member. Now a Co-founder of FC Highland, a youth Soccer Club which runs skills programmes in Orlando, U.S.A

Ep 22 Jeremy Christie - Former All White, Wellington Phoenix, Tampa Bay Rowdie and 2011 FIFA World Cup squad member. Now a Co-founder of FC Highland, a youth Soccer Club which runs skills programmes in Orlando, U.S.A

Talking to former All White Jeremy Christie was a really refreshing chat, hearing about his journey from Whangarei and around the world to settling in Orlando, USA for the time being.

He talks about growing up in Northland and playing soccer as a youngster, to moving to Auckland and into the football academy at Mount Albert Grammar school which was run by Rory Fallon, then, at the age of 16, traveling to England and signing with the Barnsley FC Academy with a couple of mates he’d played with in NZ age-group teams.

Jeremy shares how he returned home to be a part of the first New Zealand professional football team, the Football Kings. He went on to be the only player to represent all 3 NZ Pro football teams; Football Kings, Football Knights, and the @wellingtonPhoenix. He lets us in on what it took to be a part of the 2011 World Cup squad and what it was like to play at such a pinnacle event, being the highlight of his career if not his life.

When he finished playing soccer, he started working in the medical sales industry, where he had already made some contacts. But he felt that wasn’t fulfilling enough and he started coaching at a local high school and then found that’s what he really wanted to do. He started up Highland FC with the father of one of his players, who became his business partner and it’s grown from there. Highland FC have a partnership with Everton F.C to help further develop the youth on his program, not just on the field but off it as well.

This is a great listen from someone who committed himself to his passion and has been able to make a living out of it even after the playing days are finished.

Enjoy.