Share
Life, Money & Love with Dylan Mullan
Blake Austin: From Mount Druitt To The World: Exploring The Life & Career Of A Rugby League Enigma
In this episode, I sat down with Blake Austin. Blake is a Rugby League star who played 122 games in the NRL, 113 in the Super League and 2 for Great Britain.
Whilst Blake will be the first to admit his career had it's fair share of ups and downs but for a period he was one of the best players in the game. In 2015 Blake was named the Daly M, Five-Eighth of the year before leading the Canberra Raiders to a 10 game win streak, falling just 2 points short of a grand final birth, after losing in a tight game to the Melbourne Storm the following year in 2016.
From his humble beginnings in Mount Druitt, Blake shares his incredible journey of overcoming challenges and achieving success against all odds. Blake talks about growing up with limited resources and how that motivated him to strive for greatness. He opens up about the sacrifices and hard work it took to make it as a professional athlete and discusses his transition from rugby league to mentoring the next generation, sharing the most valuable lessons that he learned along the way.
In this episode:
- What life looked like growing up in Mount Druitt and why growing up out West drive him to succeed.
- The MENTAL EDGE that drove his success as a professional athlete.
- Coming through the grades at Penrith and the 3 year period that saw his career stagnate and almost end before it began.
- What Ricky Stuart said that convinced Blake to sign with the Canberra Raiders.
- What good leadership looks like and the reason Canberra got the best out of him.
- Trying to balance SELF-CONFIDENCE with being coachable & fitting into a system.
- "I used to lay in my hotel room in tears" - The reality of dealing with the PRESSURE and JUDGEMENT of being a first grade half.
- "I Loved Rugby League More Than I Loved PLAYING Rugby League" - Why Blake is so happy in retirement and what his next chapter of impact looks like.
- The current NRL team that Blake thinks would get the best out of him.
---
Apply to be mentored by Dylan to start & scale your own E-commerce brand, Limited spots available! 👇
https://calendly.com/viralbrandbuilder/applyformentorship
Follow the channel here👇
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifemoneyandlove/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifemoneyandlove
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3oNnDapuoEEdcLqGsTg30Q
Follow me here👇
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylanmullan
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dylanmullan
Follow Blake here👇
More episodes
View all episodes
How Who Is Elijah Did $1,200,000 In Sales In A SINGLE Day With Just $27,000 Ad Spend! w/ Adam Bouris
51:57|Adam Bouris the CEO of Who Is Elijah one of Australia's fastest growing e-commerce brands and the hottest new fragrance brand in country!Adam has taken Who Is Elijah to heights that most can only dream of. From humble beginnings to smashing a record breaking $3.8 million in sales during Black Friday, with 31,000 orders shipped in just 20 days! From the outside looking in it was a wild success but it wasn’t all smooth sailing. From wild marketing experiments to nail biting last minute challenges, Adam shares the highs, the lows, and everything in between.In this candid chat, Adam pulls back the curtain on the strategies that made his record breaking sale possible. He explains exactly how he and his team meticulously prepared for months and executed their most ambitious Black Friday plan ever which resulted in Who Is Elijah doing $1,200,000 in sales on their very first day of their Black Friday sale from an astonishing figure of only $27,000 in ad spend!In this episode:The exact strategies Adam used to scale Who Is Elijah to $3.8M in Black Friday sales including $1.2M in a single day!Breaking down exactly how Who Is Elijah achieved their first million dollar day and what it meant for the business.Overcoming logistical nightmares during high volume sales periods. Adam breaks down how him and his team handled 31,000 orders in just 20 days including a last minute change of plan to save thousands orders.How to build hype pre-sale and why it’s crucial for long-term success. Adam explains the power of anticipation and how it turned into massive returns.How Adam inspires a team with an average age of 21.Adam’s honest take on the emotional toll of being a CEO during high stakes moments.Mistakes that almost cost them millions and how Adam turned them around.The creative campaigns that captured attention and drove record sales. Adam shares the exact content strategies that worked — and the ones that didn’t.The lessons Adam is taking into next year’s sales strategy. Get his blueprint on how he plans to improve and scale even further in 2025.---Apply to be mentored by Dylan to start & scale your own E-commerce brand, Limited spots available! 👇https://calendly.com/viralbrandbuilder/applyformentorshipFollow the channel here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifemoneyandlove/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifemoneyandloveYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3oNnDapuoEEdcLqGsTg30QFollow me here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylanmullanTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dylanmullanFollow Adam Bouris here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adambouris/?hl=enFollow Who Is Elijah here 👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whoiselijahparfum/?hl=enThe Art of Freelancing: How Kat Haddad Quit Her 9-5 & Built Her Dream Career So She Never Has To “Work” Again!
01:34:50|Meet Kat Haddad – a trailblazer in the world of sports media. Kat is a presenter for Optus Sport, SBS, BeIN Sports and is a cult-hero as the "The Rook" in her role as an on-air producer for the extremely popular, Rugby League Guru podcast. Kat has turned her passion for football and storytelling into a dynamic career that has taken her from local radio to hosting at FIFA World Cups, Premier League events, and more.In this episode, Kat shares her remarkable journey from dreaming about sports as a kid to making it a reality in an industry often dominated by men. She opens up about the challenges she faced along the way, from working in sales, to breaking into the competitive world of sports media. You’ll hear how a bold move to Spain became the turning point that led her to her dream career.We dive deep into how Kat mastered the art of networking, built her personal brand, and used persistence to secure opportunities others thought impossible. She reveals how she balances her personal faith, passion for sports, and the constant pressure of freelancing while offering practical advice for anyone chasing a dream.In this episode: How falling in love with football at a young age sparked a dream in her that should could never shake.From University to working at Nova FM: Kat reveals her biggest lessons from here time working in media sales for one of Australia's largest radio stations.What Kat did in her 12 months leading up to her quitting her 9-5 to up-skill, grow her network and prepare her for a life as a freelancer.The highs, lows & lessons from her year working overseas.Career success: Breaking down how Kat landed roles at Optus Sport, SBS, BeIN Sports and started working with the Rugby League Guru.How to build your personal brand in any industry.How to stand out as a new content creator in an established market.The Pro's & Cons of the Freelancing business model.How to monetise as a freelance content creator (you can make a lot more money than you think)Interviewing Rio Ferdinand: How she landed the interview and prepared for one of the biggest interviews of her life.EPL chat: Will Liverpool win the League and will Ange finally win a Trophy for Tottenham?Kat's Hot takes and predictions for the 2025 NRL Season. ---Apply to be mentored by Dylan to start & scale your own E-commerce brand, Limited spots available! 👇https://calendly.com/viralbrandbuilder/applyformentorshipFollow the channel here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifemoneyandlove/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifemoneyandloveYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3oNnDapuoEEdcLqGsTg30QFollow me here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylanmullanTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dylanmullanFollow Kat here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathaddad/?hl=enTBH Skincare Founder: "We 10 X’d Ecom Growth & Did $22M Last Year" - How To Build An 8-Figure Ecommerce Brand In A Saturated Market!
01:43:24|Rachael Wild is the incredible Co-founder of TBH Skincare & York Street Brands. At just 23, Rachael took a leap of faith, partnered with her mum, and created a solution focused skincare brand that’s taken the beauty world by storm. Now, she’s grown her company to dominate both the e-commerce and retail space, earning her a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.Rachael shares how she saw an opportunity to use cutting-edge medical grade technology to disrupt one of the most competitive industries on the planet. From finding a unique niche in a saturated market to scaling operations to 1,200 retail stores, Rachael reveals the key decisions that fuelled TBH Skincare’s explosive growth. We dive into how Rachael and her mum learned the ropes of manufacturing and branding on the fly, and the pivotal moments that turned their dream into an 8-figure success. Rachael also talks about the game-changing partnership with BoostLab and the power of combining strengths with complementary teams.In this episode:Building an 8-figure brand starting with $250k - How Rachael turned an idea from her old job into a $22M business in just a few years.The untapped customer niche that helped TBH Skincare dominate the saturated skincare market - How focusing on overlooked demographics unlocked massive growth.Disrupting the skincare industry using cutting-edge biofilm technology - How medical innovation fuelled her brand’s unique selling point.Explosive growth into 1,200 retail locations - How to form strategic partnerships with big retailers like Priceline.Starting with no experience to Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur - How Rachael's resourcefulness and determination to build a brand trumped expertise.Raising capital and finding the right investors - The truth about equity crowdfunding.How to build a brand that succeeds in a saturated market - How Rachael’s fresh approach to branding attracted loyal customers.Scaling operations and overcoming inventory and cash flow challenges - Insights for growing your own business sustainably.---Apply to be mentored by Dylan to start & scale your own E-commerce brand, Limited spots available! 👇https://calendly.com/viralbrandbuilder/applyformentorshipFollow the channel here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifemoneyandlove/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifemoneyandloveYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3oNnDapuoEEdcLqGsTg30QFollow me here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylanmullanTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dylanmullanFollow Rachael Wilde here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachhwilde/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbhskincare_/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tbhskincare?lang=en“We Sold Out In Less Than A Minute” - How Malakai Watene-Zelezniak Went From The NRL To Making MILLIONS Selling Luxury Watches!
01:16:40|In this episode, I sat down with Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, a former NRL star turned entrepreneur who risked everything to build his own luxury watch brand, W Zelezniak. Malakai’s journey is one of incredible transformation: from the thrill of the rugby league field to the challenges of creating a business from scratch. After a serious health scare forced him into early retirement, Malakai was left wondering what would come next. Malakai shares stories of his rugby league career, including playing alongside his brother, representing his heritage on the international stage, and the physical demands of professional sports. He also opens up about his transition out of rugby, the uncertainty he faced, and why taking risks became a necessary part of his journey. With no background in business, he started from scratch, researching the watch industry, meeting manufacturers, and taking the bold leap to invest $20,000 to make his dream a reality. Now, his watches, including his sold-out Swiss-made line, have become a symbol of his dedication and grit.In this episode:The Health Scare That Changed Everything – How a dangerous health crisis pushed Malakai into early retirement and a whole new path.Transitioning from Rugby to Business – Why Malakai took the leap from professional sports to building a brand from scratch.Building W Zalesniak Watches – How Malakai turned his passion for watches into a thriving luxury brand, despite intense competition.Risking $20K to Chase a Dream – The story behind Malakai’s $20,000 investment and the courage it took to believe in himself.The Challenge of Launching in a Saturated Market – Why launching a watch brand is incredibly difficult and the secrets to standing out.From Field to Founder: Using Sports Lessons in Business – How Malakai applied the resilience and discipline he learned in rugby to succeed in business.Creating a Sold-Out Swiss-Made Watch Line – Why his high-end, Swiss-made watches sold out fast, and what that success means for the brand.Using Networking to Build a Brand – Malakai’s advice on using connections and corporate events to grow your business faster.---Apply to be mentored by Dylan to start & scale your own E-commerce brand, Limited spots available! 👇https://calendly.com/viralbrandbuilder/applyformentorshipFollow the channel here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifemoneyandlove/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifemoneyandloveYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3oNnDapuoEEdcLqGsTg30QFollow me here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylanmullanTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dylanmullanFollow Malakai Watene-Zelezniak here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malakaiwatenezelezniakW Zelezniak: https://www.instagram.com/wzelezniakwatches/”We Did $2.2M Last Black Friday” - How Raquel & Adam Bouris Built a $20 MILLION Ecommerce Empire & Achieved 400% YOY Growth! (Who Is Elijah)
01:30:03|In this episode I sat down with Adam & Raquel Bouris again, the brilliant minds behind Who Is Elijah, one of Australia’s most exciting fragrance brands. From building their company out of pure passion to scaling it into a global sensation, Adam and Raquel share their incredible story filled with highs, lows, and the lessons they learned along the way.Adam and Raquel reveal the toughest choices they've faced, including cutting 30% of their revenue overnight and letting go of 23 team members in one day. They talk openly about the $80,000 mistake that nearly crippled their business and how they pushed through moments of financial chaos, leaning on each other and their unshakeable belief in their product. In this episode:The $80,000 Mistake: How Adam and Raquel Bouris made a decision that nearly broke their business and what they learned from it.Scaling Challenges: Why they had to let go of 23 employees in a single day to save their brand.Risk and Reward: The story behind cutting 30% of their revenue overnight and why it was the turning point they needed.Creating a content machine: The 20 content pillars that have enabled them to unlocked tremendous amounts of scale and the system they use to create so much content.Hacking Meta Ads: Adam reveals exactly what they did and the content the used to turn Facebook Ad performance around.Overcoming Financial Chaos: How they managed short-term loans and survived the most financially draining year of their journey.Building Resilience: Why failing fast became their biggest asset and how it fueled their long-term success.Hiring Mistakes: The lessons learned from bringing on team members who weren’t aligned with their vision and the impact on the business.Mastering Prioritisation: Adam's journey to learning how to focus on the most important issues and set boundaries for deep work.Delegating and Empowering: How Raquel stepped back from day-to-day operations and what it did for her creativity and confidence.Breaking into Global Markets: The strategy behind expanding into Europe and why they decided to move their family to the UK.---Apply to be mentored by Dylan to start & scale your own E-commerce brand, Limited spots available! 👇https://calendly.com/viralbrandbuilder/applyformentorshipFollow the channel here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifemoneyandlove/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifemoneyandloveYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3oNnDapuoEEdcLqGsTg30QFollow me here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylanmullanTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dylanmullanFollow Adam & Raquel here👇Adam: https://www.instagram.com/adambouris/?hl=enRaquel: https://www.instagram.com/raaaquelbouris/?hl=enWIE: https://www.instagram.com/whoiselijahparfum/?hl=enHealth Conspiracy Theories Exposed: Sunscreen, Fluoride, Seed Oils, Deodorant, Cholesterol & More! w/ Sandor Earl
01:02:26|In this episode Sandor & Dylan discuss the biggest health conspiracies that we are faced with today and break down some of the fundamental truths and un-truths around health, wellness and freedom.In this episode:Sunscreen: How chemical sunscreens work vs physical sunscreens and the risks associated with ingredients like benzene.Shocking Johnson & Johnson statistics: Breaking down how much money large companies like J&J make from their skincare products vs pharmaceuticals (this truth with shock you)Censorship: Discussing Anthony Albanese's Misinformation & Disinformation Bill and the impacts it would have on the freedom's of Australian's.Tap water: Sydney's tap water currently has worse standards than in many places in the United States for chemicals like Fluoride and Chlorine!Dentists, Fluoride & Cavaties. GP's: Great for broken bones and prescribing medicine but just how much training do they have of nutrition and holistic health?Seed Oils: The hidden dangers of seed oils and why they cause so much inflammation.Butter vs Margarine: Which is really the healthier option?Aluminium Based Deodorant/Anti-Perspirant: What are the long term risks? + the best natural alternatives on the market.Cholesterol: Is it really that bad for or is it essential for brain health? Discussing new studies that indicate a potential link between Cholesterol lowering medication and Alzheimer's.The Unbelievable Healing Power of Breath. The link between self-talk and success. ---Apply to be mentored by Dylan to start & scale your own E-commerce brand, Limited spots available! 👇https://calendly.com/viralbrandbuilder/applyformentorshipFollow the channel here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifemoneyandlove/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifemoneyandloveYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3oNnDapuoEEdcLqGsTg30QFollow me here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylanmullanTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dylanmullanFollow Sandor here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandor_earl/?hl=enAnimal Fuel: https://www.instagram.com/animal_fuel/“Mass Produced Foods Are KILLING You” - How To Sky-Rocket Energy, Productivity & Focus, Reduce Inflammation AND Achieve an Average HRV of 200! w/ Sandor Earl
36:50|*This episode is part 1 of a 2 part series with Sandor Earl. Sandor is a former NRL Player, turned Health & Wellness Entrepreneur that has transformed the lives of over 15,000 people through is Mind & Body Success Blueprint. He is the Head of Performance at Airlocker Altitude Training, a Co-Founder of Animal Fuel and the star of hit TV show Australian Gladiators.In this episode:Sandor’s Journey from NRL to Entrepreneurship – How Sandor Earl went from being an NRL player to building a successful fitness and wellness business.The Power of Altitude Training – Sandor shares how altitude training became a game-changer for both athletes and everyday people looking to manage stress and boost performance.Creating the Mind and Body Success Blueprint – Discover how Sandor’s resilience coaching program has transformed the lives of over 15,000 people by combining mental and physical training.The Total Health & Performance Protocol behind his average HRV of over 200From Vegan to Animal-Based Diet – Sandor explains how shifting to an animal-based diet dramatically improved his energy, reduced inflammation, and enhanced his overall performance.Lessons from Melbourne Storm – Sandor reflects on his time with Melbourne Storm and how their winning culture shaped his mindset for success in both sports and business.Overcoming Setbacks and Reinventing Yourself – Learn how Sandor turned his NRL ban into a stepping stone for building a thriving fitness brand and becoming a resilience coach.Building Airlocker Altitude Training – Sandor reveals the vision and challenges behind launching Airlocker, and how it’s pioneering a new wave in the health and fitness industry.The Importance of Self-Awareness – Sandor dives into why self-awareness is the most powerful tool for personal and professional growth, and how it helped him rebuild his life.Creating a Scalable Health Business – How Sandor is scaling his fitness empire with innovative products and strategies, while helping others improve their health and mindset.The Future of Wellness and Fitness – Sandor shares his vision for the future of wellness, including how controlled stress environments like altitude training could revolutionize mental health treatment.---Apply to be mentored by Dylan to start & scale your own E-commerce brand, Limited spots available! 👇https://calendly.com/viralbrandbuilder/applyformentorshipFollow the channel here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifemoneyandlove/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifemoneyandloveYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3oNnDapuoEEdcLqGsTg30QFollow me here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylanmullanTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dylanmullanFollow Sandor here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandor_earl/?hl=en“We Scaled To $3M Per MONTH” - Mastering The Art of Ecommerce Ads, Product Launches & Scaling Ecom Brands! w/ Manu Verma
01:47:14|In this episode, I sat down with Manu Verma, the Founder and CEO of Nuver Digital, an e-commerce growth agency helping brands scale to 7 figure per month and beyond!From getting sued by The Iconic to building a business that helps e-commerce brands grow to $3M a month, Manu’s story is packed with jaw-dropping moments, practical insights, and valuable lessons for anyone looking to make it big in the digital world.Starting as a junior marketer fresh out of university, Manu quickly climbed the ranks and became the head of marketing in just two years! But corporate life wasn’t for him. He walked away from a promising career in corporate to follow his passion for e-commerce and digital marketing.Manu shares the highs and lows of his entrepreneurial journey, including the moment he received a lawsuit from The Iconic, and how he bounced back stronger than ever. He dives deep into the secrets behind his success, revealing the strategies that helped him scale multiple brands to seven figures. From the power of Facebook ads to the importance of landing pages and creative strategies, Manu provides actionable advice that can transform any business.Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your e-commerce brand to new heights, this episode is filled with motivational stories and practical advice that will inspire you to take the next step.In this episode:How Manu went from building websites for his mom’s business to scaling e-commerce brands to $3M/month.Getting sued by The Iconic: How Manu’s first venture led to a lawsuit and what he learned from it.Why Manu left a corporate career at Optus to follow his passion for e-commerce and digital marketing.The truth about building an agency: Why Manu chooses a lifestyle business over rapid growth and massive scaling.How Manu transformed failing businesses into seven-figure brands using strategic Facebook ads and creative marketing.The secret to scaling fast: Manu’s strategy for taking brands from $0 to $200K/month in just three months.How to master paid ads: The key to running successful campaigns across Facebook, Google, TikTok, and more.Overcoming failure: Manu’s mindset shift that turned his mistakes into stepping stones for success.The power of creative diversity: How Manu helps brands stand out and win with high-impact ads and content.What it really takes to run a profitable e-commerce brand: Manu’s practical advice for founders in today’s market.---Apply to be mentored by Dylan to start & scale your own E-commerce brand, Limited spots available! 👇https://calendly.com/viralbrandbuilder/applyformentorshipFollow the channel here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifemoneyandlove/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifemoneyandloveYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3oNnDapuoEEdcLqGsTg30QFollow me here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylanmullanTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dylanmullanFollow Manu here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manuvermaa/Reni Maitua on the 2004 Premiership, Off-Field Incidents, His Biggest Life Lessons & The Bulldogs 2024 Season Review!
01:48:44|In this episode, I sat down with Canterbury Bulldogs legend, Reni Maitua. Reni played 174 games in the NRL, representing Australia, Samoa and NSW City in the process.In this episode:What is was like joining the Bulldogs in 2002 while the club was in the midst of the salary cap scandal that saw the team stripped off all their points and sent to the bottom of the league.What is was like coming through the grades with Sonny Bill Williams, Jonathan Thurston & Braith Anasta.The situation that led to him making his first grade with less than an hour notice.A behind the scenes look at the 2004 season and what made that group so special.The 2004 grand final experience - the fatigue levels, his disbelief and the celebrations that followed.The biggest "alpha" and best players Reni ever played with or Against.How his off-field behaviour got him sacked from the Bulldogs in 2008.His 2 years suspensions - the truth behind what happened, the behaviours that led up to it and how it trigged a year "off the rails".His mission to return to the NRL and prove everyone wrong.How he almost ended up back at the Bulldogs and why that deal fell through.Joining the Parramatta Eels and being named Co-Captain.The burden of leadership: How speaking up led to Reni falling out with Ricky Stewart.The homecoming - Reni's final stint at the Bulldogs before heading of to the Super League.The night Willie Tonga saved Reni's life and the impact that Reni going public with the story."I only had $8 in my bank account" - the post retirements struggles Reni faced and how he found his feet.Finding passion in podcasting – Why Reni turned to podcasting and how it gave him a platform to share his story and connect with others.---Apply to be mentored by Dylan to start & scale your own E-commerce brand, Limited spots available! 👇https://calendly.com/viralbrandbuilder/applyformentorshipFollow the channel here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifemoneyandlove/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifemoneyandloveYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3oNnDapuoEEdcLqGsTg30QFollow me here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylanmullanTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dylanmullanFollow Reni here👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renimaitua/?hl=en