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Proper True Yarn
Beyond the Ring | Clay Waterman’s Mission to Change Australia Through Boxing & Culture
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the Proper True Yarn Podcast, world-title-winning boxer Clay Waterman steps away from fight talk and lays out his bold vision to change lives far beyond the ring.
Clay opens up about building a long-term backup plan outside of boxing, leading to the creation of the Manna Foundation - a purpose-driven initiative focused on youth programs, cultural education, and community-first gyms across Australia. Drawing from his Māori, Aboriginal, and European heritage, Clay explains how boxing can be used as a tool to teach discipline, respect, identity, and leadership.
He breaks down his flagship 10-week boxing and cultural program, designed to bring young people from all backgrounds together, reconnect them with culture, remove ego, and build real-world life skills - all culminating in a respectful, structured fight night. This episode tackles culture, unity, leadership, execution, and why helping others is the real definition of success.
If you’re into purpose-driven business, boxing-based youth programs, leadership mindset, cultural education, Australian community stories, or real conversations about change, this episode hits hard in the best way.
This isn’t just a plan - it’s a mission.
A proper true yarn about legacy, leadership, and changing Australia for the better.
#propertrueyarn
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428. Silly Saturday #15: Cracktivities, Croc Attacks & Close Calls
12:03||Ep. 428It’s another loose Silly Saturday on the Proper True Yarn Podcast, and this one’s absolute chaos from start to finish. Knuckles and Zak dive into wild listener stories including late-night street “cracktivities,” a brutal croc attack in the NT, a caravan park spa yarn you won’t forget, and a near-miss with a roadside drug bus. Plus, plenty of banter, stitch-ups, and classic Aussie humour.If you love outrageous real-life stories, unfiltered laughs, and proper true yarns from around Australia, this episode delivers big time.📞 Get involved🎤 Send a voice message to the boysDrop us a yarn or question and you might feature on the show.📧 Enquiries: propertrueyarn@gmail.com🌐 Website: linktr.ee/propertrueyarn📲 Follow the PodcastInstagram: @propertrueyarnTikTok: @propertrueyarnFacebook: Proper True Yarn PodcastYouTube: Proper True Yarn Podcast🤠 Meet the HostsKnuckles – Country Trucker CapsInstagram: @countrytruckercapsTikTok: @knucklesctcZak PalmasInstagram: @zpdigitalsTikTok: @zakpal
427. Make It Happen | Craig Membrey on Loss, Lessons, Legends & Living All In
09:18||Ep. 427In this powerful and wide-ranging episode of the Proper True Yarn Podcast, we sit down again with Australian transport heavyweight Craig Membrey for a raw, honest conversation that moves from wild stories to deeply personal reflection.Craig answers listener questions that dig into the moments that shaped him - from the biggest lessons of his life to the people he’s admired, the mistakes that still sit with him, and the experiences money can’t buy. He opens up candidly about losing his son Rowan, the realities of grief, regret, parenting, and how perspective changes after surviving multiple heart attacks. This isn’t filtered or polished - it’s real talk about life, responsibility, and learning to live with what you can’t change.The episode also delivers classic Craig yarns, including his unbelievable run-in with Michael Schumacher at the Melbourne Grand Prix, where a freak crash, a tow truck, the media, and a chance encounter led to a moment most people would never believe. It’s one of those stories that sounds made up - until you hear it told properly.Craig also reflects on meeting influential figures like Lindsay Fox, rubbing shoulders with global industry leaders, attending no-expense-spared parties in Las Vegas, and why his personal motto - Make It Happen - has guided every decision he’s made. When asked who would play him in a movie about his life, his answer is pure Australian: Paul Hogan.Balancing humour with honesty, this episode covers success, failure, loyalty, enemies, second chances, and why Craig values people over possessions. It’s a fitting close to a series of conversations that capture exactly what the podcast is about - unfiltered stories, lived experience, and proper true yarns.If you’re into Australian podcast interviews, real-life success stories, business lessons, grief and resilience, wild true stories, or larger-than-life characters, this episode hits hard and stays with you.Uncensored. Honest. Human. A proper true yarn from start to finish.
426. The Wildest 60th Ever | Craig Membrey’s B'Day Party That Went Off the Rails
10:54||Ep. 426In this unforgettable episode of the Proper True Yarn Podcast, Australian transport identity Craig Membrey takes us inside what may be one of the most outrageous 60th birthday celebrations ever thrown.Craig breaks down the full story behind the party - from exploding birthday cakes and last-minute chaos to tattoo artists giving permanent reminders, casino tables, Vegas-style showgirls, comedians, stretch Hummers, supercars, cranes on display, and over 400 hand-picked guests. Hosted at the legendary car museum owned by Lindsay Fox, this wasn’t just a party - it was a full-scale production.Beyond the madness, Craig explains why milestones matter more as you get older, how surviving multiple heart attacks reshaped his outlook on life, and why he believes money is best spent creating memories and rewarding loyalty. He opens up about celebrating life after loss, surrounding yourself with the right people, and refusing to do anything “small” - especially when it comes to gratitude.From mates mistakenly thinking real tattoos were fake, to friends flying in from all over Australia, to giving every guest something meaningful to take home, this episode perfectly captures Craig’s philosophy: go all in, or don’t bother.If you’re into wild Australian yarns, larger-than-life personalities, outrageous party stories, business success, or real conversations about living life properly, this episode is an absolute standout.Raw, ridiculous, and unforgettable - a proper true yarn from start to finish.
425. From One Crane to a Fleet | Craig Membrey on Business, Vegas & Chasing Big Dreams
11:51||Ep. 425In this second sit-down with Craig Membrey, we peel back the layers on how a young bloke with no tickets and a big dream built one of Australia’s most respected crane and transport businesses — and lived a hell of a life along the way.Craig breaks down his journey from leaving school at 14, taking over a small family operation, and growing it into a massive fleet spanning cranes, trucks, trailers, forklifts, and heavy gear across Australia. He shares raw lessons on leadership, hiring the right people, backing yourself, and why passion beats formal education every day of the week.The conversation then rolls into wild international yarns - from countless trips to Las Vegas, shooting machine guns from helicopters, and driving stretch Hummers across the desert, to meeting legends like Neil Armstrong, hanging backstage with ZZ Top, and crossing paths with Lionel Richie.Craig also shares his love for American road trips - from Nashville and Broadway, to the SEMA Show, the Mid-America Truck Show, and old-school towns like Lynchburg, home of Jack Daniel’s. Along the way, he talks travel, culture, risk-taking, business mistakes, and why young people should stop wasting weekends and start seeing the world.If you’re into business podcasts, Australian success stories, transport industry yarns, Vegas stories, American road trips, or no-BS life lessons, this episode delivers big time.Straight talk. Big laughs. A proper true yarn about building something real - and enjoying the ride while you’re at it.#propertrueyarn
424. Silly Saturday #14 Coriander Conspiracies, Viagra Jam & Deep Heat Disasters
14:29||Ep. 424This week on Proper True Yarn – Silly Saturday, Knuckles and Zak rip into another round of outrageous listener yarns. From the great “fuck coriander” debate to a bloke secretly dosing his housemate’s strawberry jam with Viagra, the stories just keep getting wilder.There’s also a cracking tale about a Deep Heat disaster that went horribly wrong, plus shoutouts to the legends rocking Country Trucker Caps (CTC) around Australia. The boys chat beers, dodgy decisions, and why simple lagers still beat fancy fruit-salad craft beers any day of the week.If you love wild Australian stories, raw comedy podcasts, and proper true yarns from everyday legends, this Silly Saturday episode delivers plenty of laughs and questionable life choices.Get involvedA Send a voice message to the boysDrop us a yarn or question and you might feature on the show.Enquiries: propertrueyarn@gmail.comWebsite: linktr.ee/propertrueyarn睡Follow the PodcastInstagram: @propertrueyarnTikTok: @propertrueyarnFacebook: Proper True Yarn PodcastYouTube: Proper True Yarn PodcastMeet the HostsKnuckles - Country Trucker CapsInstagram: @countrytruckercapsTikTok: @knucklesctoZak PalmasInstagram: @zpdigitalsTikTok: @zakpal
423. The Bling King’s Legacy | Craig Membrey, Mental Health, Loss & Making It Happen
19:12||Ep. 423This is one of the most emotional and important conversations ever recorded on the Proper True Yarn Podcast.In this powerful episode, we sit down with trucking identity and industry legend Craig Membrey, known by many as The Bling King, as he opens up about loss, purpose, and turning pain into action.Craig shares the deeply personal story of losing his son Rowan to suicide, a moment that forever changed his life. From that heartbreak came a mission - to create awareness, spark conversations, and save lives. That mission led to the creation of a one-of-a-kind 2000th Franna crane, built in honour of Rowan and wrapped in the colours of Beyond Blue, standing as a moving symbol for mental health awareness across Australia.This episode goes far beyond trucks and cranes. Craig speaks openly about depression, dark moments, seeking help, survivor’s guilt, and the ripple effects suicide leaves behind on families, friends, and communities. He explains why awareness matters more than donations, why starting conversations can save lives, and why men especially need to learn how to speak up.You’ll also hear how a simple trucker cap became a conversation starter, a symbol of remembrance, and a tool for change - worn not for fashion, but for meaning.⚠️ This episode discusses suicide and mental health. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.This isn’t just a yarn - it’s a legacy piece. Raw. Honest. Necessary.#propertrueyarn
422. Fighters, Fame & Fast Lives | Clay Waterman on Ali, Miami Nights & Sparring Legends
11:45||Ep. 422In this laid-back but revealing episode of the Proper True Yarn Podcast, Australian boxing talent Clay Waterman drops the guard and answers the kind of questions fans rarely get to hear.Clay opens up about the man who inspired him most - Muhammad Ali - and why Ali’s impact went far beyond boxing. He shares stories from wild nights in Miami, brushes with global fame, and what it was really like sparring elite fighters including Terence Crawford and crossing paths with the Mayweather camp.From growing up as a late bloomer, explosive teenage growth, tattoos, and fighting tough opponents who just wouldn’t stay down, to honest reflections on mistakes, values, discipline, and staying grounded - this episode shows the human side of a man most people only see as a fighter.If you’re into boxing culture, fighter Q&As, behind-the-scenes fight stories, Miami party tales, sparring world champions, or real conversations with elite athletes, this episode delivers a proper true yarn from start to finish.No hype. No ego. Just stories, laughs, and a rare glimpse behind the gloves.#propertrueyarn
420. Silly Saturday #13 – Truckie Road Rage, Servo Car Thief & The Scottish Tongue Twister
12:24||Ep. 420Welcome back to Silly Saturday on the Proper True Yarn Podcast, where Knuckles and Zak play the funniest, wildest and most ridiculous listener phone calls from around Australia and beyond.This episode kicks off with a mysterious Scottish tongue twister before diving into a serious yarn from a truck driver about dangerous overtaking on Aussie highways and the risks truckies face every day on the road. The boys share their own close-call stories and talk about why drivers need to show a bit more respect for the big rigs keeping the country moving.There’s also a classic pub joke involving an Englishman, a German and an Aussie, a chaotic hospital mishap that’ll have you cringing, and a bloke who accidentally jumps into the wrong car at a servo and nearly drives off with it.As always, the yarns come straight from listeners — truck drivers, farmers, tradies and everyday legends across Australia — bringing the chaos, comedy and unbelievable moments that make Proper True Yarn what it is.If you love Australian humour, wild outback stories, truckie yarns, tradie banter and ridiculous real-life moments, this episode is for you.🥩 SponsorTo wrap, the boys plug Our Cow: use code YARN for $50 off your first box over $200, and the Yarn of the Month scores a free meat box — plus a reminder to send your own yarns in.📞 Get involved🎤 Send a voice message to the boysDrop us a yarn or question and you might feature on the show.📧 Enquiries: propertrueyarn@gmail.com🌐 Website: linktr.ee/propertrueyarn📲 Follow the PodcastInstagram: @propertrueyarnTikTok: @propertrueyarnFacebook: Proper True Yarn PodcastYouTube: Proper True Yarn Podcast🤠 Meet the HostsKnuckles – Country Trucker CapsInstagram: @countrytruckercapsTikTok: @knucklesctcZak PalmasInstagram: @zpdigitalsTikTok: @zakpal