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The Dom Harvey Podcast
NZ Mountain bike Legend - Brook Macdonald on Overcoming Paralysis & Becoming a Millionaire by 30
Brook Macdonald on the Crash That Changed His Life, Racing Again & Resilience
In this episode, legendary Kiwi downhill mountain biker Brook Macdonald (aka The Bulldog) opens up like never before.
He talks about:
đ Becoming a professional athlete and millionaire by age 30
đ„ The horrific 2019 crash that broke his back at World Champs
đ§ The mental and physical battle to walk â and race â again
đ„ Red Bull sponsorship, mindset, money mistakes & whatâs next
From chasing World Cup podiums to learning how to walk again, Brookeâs story is one of resilience, mindset, and insane determination.
Whether youâre into sport, rehab stories, or just love hearing people whoâve pushed the limits, you'll love this chat with "The Bulldog"
00:00 â Intro: Brooke MacDonald aka "The Bulldog"
02:15 â The niche challenge of mountain biking and chasing sponsors
03:35 â Why Red Bull is more than just a logo sponsor
05:30 â Early life: Rugby dreams vs mountain bike obsession
10:15 â Turning pro as teen: $125K contract + early career grind
15:12 â Financial lessons: Millionaire by 30 and no regrets?
22:00 â The crash that changed everything: 2019 World Champs
27:40 â 5 hours on the mountain in agony: The rescue disaster
34:15 â âAm I paralyzed?â Coming to terms with a broken back
41:00 â Learning to walk again â and race again
46:50 â Survivorâs guilt at Burwood Spinal Unit
50:45 â How mindset, discipline and quiet confidence fueled recovery
56:15 â Getting back on the bike: Fear, setbacks & progress
1:03:40 â Whatâs next after racing? Business, adrenaline & legacy
1:08:20 â Final reflections: Mental toughness, pride & how Brooke wants to be remembered
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Matty J Ruys: Discovered KâLee & Brooke Fraser, Named OMC, Then NZ Forgot Him
01:57:28|You might remember Matty J Ruys from his music in the â90s.Behind the scenes, heâs also helped shape the careers of artists including KâLee, Brooke Fraser, Dei Hamo and Elemeno P.Now heâs preparing to release his first solo album in 30 years, Beautiful Mess (It's out Friday November 6, 2026)We talk about his tough upbringing, the brutal attack that left him with 7 years of seizures, fatherhood, loneliness, and the highs and heartbreaks of the music business - including his time managing Brooke Fraser.There are some great laughs too: getting banned from the Parachute Christian music festival, appearing on a TV dating show Blind Date as a robot, and the reality of being famous in New Zealand while still catching the bus.***This episode has been sponsored by Generate- a six time winner of the Consumer NZ Peopleâs Choice award for KiwiSaverGenerate have over 200,000 Kiwi clients, including myself, my partner my mum and most of my close friends!I switched over when they began sponsoring the podcast, and Iâve convinced most of the people I care about to make the switch too!Generate have a strong track record of longâterm performance. You can check out their latest returns online, or book a noâobligation chat with one of their advisers at https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/domNo pressure, no hard sell, no judgement - just clear advice to help you feel confident that youâre on track without any judgement for leaving this on the toâdo list a bit longer than planned.The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their PDS and Financial Advice Provider info see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/disclosures.Past performance does not guarantee future returns.And remember, Iâm not a financial adviser, so this is just general information. I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.
Winston Peters: The Questions He Wasnât Expecting
01:21:04|Thanks to Odoo for sponsoring this episode: https://www.odoo.com/r/mgSMy guest today is Winston Peters. And in almost 400 episodes I donât think Iâve ever had my research corrected quite so many times. This is most definitely the most combative guest Iâve had on the podcast!Whatever your opinion of Winston as a political figure, I was keen to get to know the person behind the suit and the 50-year public career that has seen him work alongside a total of 12 different Prime Ministers.We talk about growing up as one of 11 kids, the lessons from his mum and dad, ageing, faith, regrets, what keeps him going and how heâd like to be remembered. Thereâs plenty of banter, a few prickly moments, and a lot of questions Winston would have preferred I didnât ask.***This episode is proudly brought to you by the legends at Odoo.If you run a business, hereâs a question: How many different bits of software are you paying for right now?One for accounting. One for sales. Another for projects. Another for inventory. Another for your website.Odoo is designed to simplify all of that.Itâs a user-friendly, all-in-one business management solution, with a huge range of apps that are fully integrated and designed to work together.So instead of building your business around a pile of disconnected tools, you can manage it from one platform.Have a look for yourself! You can try Odoo free for 15 days, with no credit card required, at https://www.odoo.com/r/mgS
Mike King: The Stroke, The Rock Breakdown & His âGod Complexâ
02:16:23|Mike King is back for his second appearance on the podcast.Mike was one of my very first guests when I launched the podcast in 2022, and a lot has happened since then. In this conversation, we get into his charity I Am Hope and Gumboot Friday, the criticism that comes with his work, and whether being so outspoken sometimes gets in the way of what heâs trying to achieve.But some of my favourite parts are much more personal. Mike talks about waiting 45 years to hear his dad say âI love youâ, his regrets as a father, getting sober, and the counsellor he credits with saving his life.There are some big laughs, some uncomfortable questions, and A LOT of brutal unfiltered honesty.***Massive thanks to my longâterm podcast sponsor, Generate. Like a lot of Kiwis, I spent years saying, âIâll look at my KiwiSaver account later.â Turns out later comes around faster than you think, and the decisions you make now could be the difference between counting every dollar in retirement or having the freedom to take that trip you've always talked about. I switched my KiwiSaver account to Generate after they came on board, and honestly, I shouldâve done it sooner. Theyâre an award-winning KiwiSaver provider with strong longâterm performance. You can check out their latest returns online, or book a noâobligation chat with one of their friendly advisers at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom. No pressure, no judgement â theyâre just there to help wherever youâre at in your investing journey. The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. You can view their Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Advice Provider information at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/disclosures. Past performance does not guarantee future returns. And just a reminder â Iâm a podcast host, not a financial adviser. This is general information only, and I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.
Chlöe Opens Up: Lost Teenager, Dad Who Raised Her & The Road to Parliament
01:29:47|Chances are you know the name. And chances are you have an opinion on Chloe Swarbrick.This podcast is very light on politics - My goal here was to get know know more about who Chloe is as a person and what makes her tick.We get into her childhood, the dad who raised her- her hero, finding her biological dad at 21, her mental health struggles as a teenager, love and heartbreak, and the toll of life in politics.We also talk about why sheâll stop and talk to people who hate her, and what keeps her going when the job gets tough.I really enjoyed getting to know the person behind the politics and I hope you do too. ***This episode is proudly brought to you by the legends at Odoo.https://www.odoo.com/r/8xaIf you run a business, hereâs a question: How many different bits of software are you paying for right now?One for accounting. One for sales. Another for projects. Another for inventory. Another for your website.Odoo is designed to simplify all of that.Itâs a user-friendly, all-in-one business management solution, with a huge range of apps that are fully integrated and designed to work together.So instead of building your business around a pile of disconnected tools, you can manage it from one platform.Have a look for yourself! You can try Odoo free for 15 days, with no credit card required, at https://www.odoo.com/r/8xaOdoo. All your business, on one platform.
Colin & Manu On The Brutal Kitchens That Made Them
01:43:08|Colin Fassnidge and Manu Feildel are two of Australiaâs biggest stars. You might know them from the TV shows My Kitchen Rules or Off the Grid. They're hilarious together, and their friendship truly is something special. But it wasn't always that way. In fact, they started out as enemies. We talk about how that feud turned into a beautiful bromance.Colin opens up about his recent drug controversy and the impact it had on his family and his mental health. And Manu shares some incredibly personal stories about his childhood, his absent father, and a career setback that sent him into a dark place.There's plenty of laughs in this one, but there's also a lot of honesty and vulnerability. Youâll love this episode.***Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsor, Generate. Weâve all got that one mate whoâs convinced theyâve worked out how to beat the market, usually with a lot of confidence and no actual expertise. So, here's your reminder not to get caught up in the noise and trust the real investment experts at Generate. I sat down with a Generate KiwiSaver adviser when they came on as sponsor in 2023, and it was one of those conversations that made me think, why didnât I do this earlier? A Generate adviser can help you figure out what fund type is best suited to your KiwiSaver goals. Start planning nowâBook a no cost chat with an adviser at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their PDS and Financial Advice Provider info see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/disclosures. Past performance does not guarantee future returns. And remember, Iâm not a financial adviser, so this is just general information. I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.
Mark Law: NZs Youngest SAS Solider To Whakaari White Island Hero
02:10:34|Mark Law is a former NZSAS soldier. Heâs survived an armed ambush in Africa, he nearly died from a flesh-eating disease, and built a helicopter business that included owning a Black Hawk.But he's probably best known for what he did on December 9, 2019, when Whakaari White Island erupted. Mark flew his helicopter into the danger zone and helped rescue people who were trapped on the island.In this conversation, he takes us inside that horrific day, the controversial WorkSafe prosecution that followed, and shares some incredible stories from his life.The biggest surprise for me was his answer when I asked him about the hardest thing he's ever been throughâŠand it wasn't any of those experiences.***This episode is proudly brought to you by the legends at Odoo.. https://www.odoo.com/r/iyAeIf you run a business, hereâs a question: How many different bits of software are you paying for right now?One for accounting. One for sales. Another for projects. Another for inventory. Another for your website.Odoo is designed to simplify all of that.Itâs a user-friendly, all-in-one business management solution, with a huge range of apps that are fully integrated and designed to work together.So instead of building your business around a pile of disconnected tools, you can manage it from one platform.Have a look for yourself! You can try Odoo free for 15 days, with no credit card required, at https://www.odoo.com/r/iyAeOdoo. All your business, on one platform.
Rocky Horror Creator At 84: Richard O'Brien On Fame, Money & Being "70% Male"
02:06:47|Even if you donât know the name you most definitely know this guests work! Iâd almost guarantee you have sung or danced to his song, The Time Warp!Richard OâBrien is the creator and writer of The Rocky Horror Show. A show he wrote more than 50 years ago that is still an international cult classic.This is Richards first ever long form podcast and it was an absolute honor that he chose mine.Richard is 84. He is sharp as ever, funny, opinionated, occasionally outrageous - and completely comfortable saying exactly what he thinks***Massive thanks to my longâterm podcast sponsor, Generate. Like a lot of Kiwis, I spent years saying, âIâll look at my KiwiSaver account later.â Turns out later comes around faster than you think, and the decisions you make now could be the difference between counting every dollar in retirement or having the freedom to take that trip you've always talked about. I switched my KiwiSaver account to Generate after they came on board, and honestly, I shouldâve done it sooner. Theyâre an award-winning KiwiSaver provider with strong longâterm performance. You can check out their latest returns online, or book a noâobligation chat with one of their friendly advisers at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom. No pressure, no judgement. They are just there to help wherever youâre at in your investing journey. The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. You can view their Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Advice Provider information at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/disclosures. Past performance does not guarantee future returns. And just a reminder â Iâm a podcast host, not a financial adviser. This is general information only, and I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.
"I Gave Him $300,000. The Next Day I Found Out Who He Really Was" - Emma Ferris & A Tinder Swindler
01:36:43|Todayâs guest has one of those stories where, if it was a Netflix series, youâd probably say the writers had gone a bit too far.Emma Ferris is a physio, business owner, mum of two, and a smart, switched-on, capable person. And definitely not the sort of person you would think was an easy target for a scammer.But after coming out of a divorce, Emma met a guy on Tinder.He was charming. Successful. Interesting. And over time, he worked his way into her life.There was just one fairly major problem: Almost everything about him was BULLSHIT!His name. His history. His business dealings. His money. His stories.And eventually Emma would discover that the man she thought she knew was actually a convicted conman.By then, she had transferred him hundreds of thousands of dollars.What happened next is absolutely wild.This episode isn't really about the money. It's about what happens when somebody completely destroys your ability to trust your own judgment.And how you rebuild yourself after discovering that someone you let into your life was never actually the person they claimed to be.If you've ever heard about somebody being scammed and thought, âHow could anyone fall for that?â âthis episode might completely change the way you think about it.This is Emma Ferris.
Shot At, Stabbed, Threatened By Pirates, Bitten By Snake: Craziest Kiwi You've Never Heard Of - Pete Bethune 2
02:07:15|Pete Bethune is a New Zealand conservationist now based largely in Costa Rica, where he lives aboard his ship and works tackling illegal fishing, poaching and environmental crime. We spoke for two and a half hours on his first podcast appearance and somehow barely scratched the surface (actually, if you missed that when it came out it is well worth going back and checking it out). And in Part Two, the stories somehow get even crazier.Pete tells me about being bitten by one of the most dangerous snakes in Central America, then crawling for hours through the jungle while genuinely believing he might die. At the hospital, things got so bad that one of the doctors basically said goodbye to him.We talk about being stabbed in Brazil, coming face-to-face with armed pirates, corruption, illegal gold mining, wildlife trafficking and why, at 61, Pete still has absolutely no interest in slowing down.But underneath all the unbelievable adventure, I think thereâs an interesting conversation here about how to live.Pete owns virtually nothing. He doesnât earn a salary. And yet he genuinely believes heâs one of the luckiest people alive.At one point he asks a question that really stuck with me: Is the world a better place because you were in it? ***Massive thanks to my longâterm podcast sponsor, Generate. Like a lot of Kiwis, I spent years saying, âIâll look at my KiwiSaver account later.â Turns out later comes around faster than you think, and the decisions you make now could be the difference between counting every dollar in retirement or having the freedom to take that trip you've always talked about. I switched my KiwiSaver account to Generate after they came on board, and honestly, I shouldâve done it sooner. Theyâre an award-winning KiwiSaver provider with strong longâterm performance. You can check out their latest returns online, or book a noâobligation chat with one of their friendly advisers at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom. No pressure, no judgement â theyâre just there to help wherever youâre at in your investing journey. The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. You can view their Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Advice Provider information at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/disclosures. Past performance does not guarantee future returns. And just a reminder â Iâm a podcast host, not a financial adviser. This is general information only, and I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.