What the World Taught Waikato NPC Rugby Coach Leon Holden

What the World Taught Waikato NPC Rugby Coach Leon Holden

Leon Holden joins the Shed Life Podcast for a proper rugby yarn about the journey from Hauraki North to coaching Waikato in the NPC. In this episode, Leon talks through his early days in club rugby, the people who shaped him, coaching in New Zealand, Japan and England, his time with London Wasps, the pressure of professional rugby, and why grassroots clubs still matter so much to the future of the game.Karl Johnston, Jason and Leon also dig into Waikato rugby, the importance of community, what makes good players and good coaches, and why rugby is about far more than just the 80 minutes on the field.

rom the Cowshed to the Classroom | Ngaire Harris on Teaching, Character & Community

In this special Shed Life episode, Jason sits down inside Kaihere School with Ngaire Harris, a local education legend whose story began on a dairy farm and led to a lifetime of teaching, leadership, and service.From helping her younger brother with maths to ending up with around 100 kids at her house each week, Nairi’s path into teaching was anything but ordinary. What followed was more than 30 years in education, a deep commitment to young people, and a powerful belief in character, boundaries, hard work, and community.This conversation explores what it means to raise secure kids, build strong foundations, do the right thing even when it’s hard, and create schools where every child has the chance to become their best self.A brilliant conversation about education, parenting, resilience, community, and the power of good people working hard.

The Secret Behind NZ’s Best Speakers | Shaun O’Neill

In this episode of ShedLife, Jason and KJ sit down with Shaun O'Neill, founder of Essential Talent, one of New Zealand’s leading keynote speaker agencies.Sean shares his journey from growing up in Timaru, sneaking away to listen to talkback radio in a tin shed, starting out in radio as a copywriter, and eventually building a business that works with some of New Zealand’s biggest names in sport, leadership, media, and entertainment.This conversation covers radio, business, reputation, manners, taking risks, backing yourself, and why doing things properly still matters. Sean also shares lessons from his late father, the importance of trust in business, and what it takes to go all in when there is no plan B.Music Credit:Exciting Trailer by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100494Artist: http://incompetech.com/

First Female CEO of Waikato Rugby | Dr Amy Marfell on Leadership, Rugby & Sideline Behaviour

In this episode of ShedLife, Jason sits down with Dr Amy Marfell, CEO of Waikato Rugby, to talk about leadership, women in sport, junior rugby, sideline behaviour, and the future of the game in the Waikato.Amy shares her journey from academia and Sport Waikato into becoming the first female CEO of Waikato Rugby, and what it means to lead an organisation that stretches from junior rugby and community clubs right through to NPC and FPC pathways.They discuss the growth of women’s rugby, the success of Waikato’s FPC team, the importance of creating safe and inclusive sporting environments, and why the jersey means so much to the players who wear it.Amy also speaks strongly about sideline behaviour in junior sport, why abuse of referees, coaches and young players needs to stop, and how parents, coaches and supporters can help create better experiences for kids.This is a powerful conversation about rugby, leadership, community, resilience, and the role sport plays in shaping people.Follow Waikato Rugby:Website: mooloo.co.nzFollow Shed Life for more conversations with good people working hard.

Sheila Yama: From Papua New Guinea to World Title Contender

In this episode of Shed Life, Jason sits down with Sheila Yama, the Papua New Guinea-born, Hamilton-based unbeaten boxer who is quickly rising through the professional ranks.Sheila shares her journey from growing up in a village in Papua New Guinea, training as a nurse, moving through the Cook Islands and New Zealand, and eventually finding her way into boxing. Now 7-0 as a professional and fresh off winning the IBF International Super Lightweight Title, Sheila talks about discipline, pressure, post-fight blues, life as a fighter, and what it takes to keep showing up when motivation disappears.