#58 James McDiarmid: He Lost 130kg and Changed His Life

#58 James McDiarmid: He Lost 130kg and Changed His Life

At nearly 300kg, James McDiarmid was told he might not make it out of hospital. He feared dying on his son’s birthday and leaving his family behind. Today, he’s lost 130kg, works alongside Dave at BBM, and is helping others transform their lives through the very programme that changed his own. In this episode, Dave sits down with James to talk about hitting rock bottom, finding the courage to ask for help, the power of consistency, and how one decision completely changed the course of his life. A powerful kōrero about resilience, hope, and proving that it’s never too late to change. Please help us keep Unfiltered going: ⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredwithdave⁠⁠ [https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredwithdave] This podcast is produced by the team at ⁠⁠Fanaticals⁠⁠ [https://www.fanaticals.co.nz]. Let us know what you thought of the conversation in the comments!

#57 Eugene Bareman: The Story Behind NZ's City Kickboxing & UFC Champions

Eugene Bareman is the head coach of City Kickboxing — one of the world’s most respected combat sports gyms, producing UFC champions and elite fighters on the global stage. Israel Adesanya. Dan Hooker. Kai Kara-France. Carlos Ulberg. Navajo Stirling… and many more. In this episode, Dave sits down with Eugene to talk about building City Kickboxing from the ground up, the culture behind its success, what separates their champions, and some incredible stories from inside the fight game. Eugene also opens up about the tragic loss of Fau Vake, how it changed his life, and the work they're doing with the Walk Without Fear Trust to create lasting change. An epic kōrero about leadership, resilience, and what it takes to be a champion. Please help us keep Unfiltered going: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredwithdave⁠ [https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredwithdave] This podcast is produced by the team at ⁠Fanaticals⁠ [https://www.fanaticals.co.nz] Let us know what you thought of the conversation in the comments!

#56 Dr Timoti Te Moke: From Gangs & Prison to Becoming a Doctor at 56

Dr Timoti Te Moke’s story is one of the most remarkable we’ve ever shared on Unfiltered. Growing up surrounded by violence, abuse and poverty, Timoti became involved in gangs, spent time in prison, and was told his future had already been written. Against all odds, he turned his life around, became a paramedic, and went on to qualify as a doctor at 56 years old. In this episode, Dave sits down with Timoti to talk about resilience, the power of education, overcoming adversity, and why no child’s future should ever be determined by the circumstances they’re born into. A powerful kōrero about hope, perseverance, and the belief that it’s never too late to change your life. Please help us keep Unfiltered going: https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredwithdave [https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredwithdave] This podcast is produced by the team at Fanaticals [https://www.fanaticals.co.nz] Let us know what you thought of the conversation in the comments!

#55 Lolo Heimuli: The Man Behind New Zealand’s Greatest Fighters

For decades, Lolo Heimuli has been one of the most respected figures in New Zealand combat sports — training more than 100 national champions and 10 world champions, including names like Ray Sefo, Mark Hunt, Shane Cameron, and future coaching great Eugene Bareman. In this episode, Dave sits down with Lolo to talk about his journey from Tonga to New Zealand, building Balmoral Lee Gar Gym from a church hall, the sacrifices behind a lifetime of coaching, and shares some hilarious stories from the golden era of New Zealand fighting. A powerful kōrero about purpose, sacrifice, and helping others succeed. Podcast produced by Fanaticals [https://fanaticals.co.nz/contact].

#54 Mike Bennetts: The CEO Advice I Needed To Hear | Ex-CEO, Z Energy

It’s tough out there right now. So Dave sat down with Mike Bennetts — Ex-CEO of Z Energy and one of New Zealand’s most experienced business leaders — to ask the questions every business owner is thinking about. From leading one of New Zealand’s largest companies through economic uncertainty, to coaching leaders and founders today, Mike shares practical advice on navigating tough times, looking after your people, using AI to your advantage, and why working harder isn’t always the answer. Whether you’re running a business, leading a team, or trying to build something from the ground up, there’s plenty in this episode that could save you time, money, and a few mistakes.