#47 - Nic White - The Brutal Truth About Life as a Professional Athlete
Nic White has lived the highs and lows of professional rugby. The Wallabies scrum-half with over 70 Test caps has played all over the world, won trophies in Europe, and helped Australia to famous victories — including beating the British & Irish Lions and breaking South Africa’s 62-year Ellis Park hoodoo.In this episode, Nic opens up about announcing his retirement only to be called back days later, the pressure of representing Australia during tough times, and the lessons he’s learned from both success and failure. He shares candid stories about the realities of professional sport, the importance of family, the transition athletes face after retirement, and what resilience really looks like on and off the field.Whether you’re a rugby fan or just someone chasing your own “abnormal” goals, this conversation is packed with honesty, inspiration, and life lessons.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Nic White00:58 Reflections on Retirement03:58 The Emotional Farewell09:18 The Pressure of Performance14:28 Navigating Team Dynamics18:20 The Low Points of 202321:54 Finding Balance in Life27:01 Future Plans Beyond Rugby32:21 The Excitement of Coaching34:20 The Reality of Parenting and Coaching36:41 Transitioning from Player to Coach39:52 Team Dynamics and Personal Growth42:37 Traits of Top Performers45:54 The Difference Between Great and World-Class Players49:47 Lessons from a High-Performance Career52:39 Mindset Shifts in Performance56:08 Feedback and Communication in High-Pressure Environments01:02:01 Balancing Process and Results01:05:53 Advice for Achieving Abnormal Goals
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#46 - Daniel Temm - From Pro Rugby to CEO: The Brutal Truth About Startups
From the rugby pitch to the boardroom, Daniel Temm has lived two very different lives. After a career as a professional rugby player, he stepped away from sport and into the unknown, pouring his savings and energy into building a business from scratch. Today, he’s the CEO of Puresport, one of the UK’s fastest-growing wellness brands.This episode is about more than rugby or entrepreneurship. It’s about what it really takes to keep showing up when everything feels stacked against you, and how resilience, adaptability, and purpose can carry you further than talent ever will.Chapters00:00 From Rugby to Business: A Journey of Reinvention08:12 Navigating Business with Friends: Challenges and Agreements18:48 Building a Strong Company Culture: Lessons from Sport25:55 Managing Highs and Lows in Business: Leadership Insights32:52 The Importance of Consistency in Leadership35:18 Navigating Loneliness as a CEO36:18 The Transformational Power of Mentorship40:00 The Journey from Sports to Business45:00 Finding Freedom in Performance48:29 Introducing Puresport: A New Approach to Supplements54:32 Building Community Through Authenticity01:00:57 Leaving a Lasting Impact: Dan's Vision01:04:21 Advice for the Abnormal JourneyCheck out Puresport: https://puresport.co/en-auFollow Dan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/danieltemm3/Follow Abnormal on IG: https://www.instagram.com/abnormalpod/
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#45 - Aisyah Rafaee - The Real Cost of Chasing Dreams: IVF, Fertility & the Olympics
In this episode, Aisyah Rafaee shares her incredible journey as Singapore's first Olympic rower, discussing the challenges of crowdfunding her way to the Olympics, the pressures of competing, and her experiences with mental health and IVF. Aisyah emphasises the importance of resilience, community support, and the lessons learned from her athletic career as she transitions into coaching and navigates the complexities of family planning. Her candid reflections on the emotional toll of IVF and the societal pressures faced by women in sports provide valuable insights for listeners all over the World.Chapters00:00 Aisyah's Journey to the Olympics03:02 The Pressure of Competing06:11 Mental Resilience and Journaling09:05 Transitioning from Athlete to Coach11:52 The Road to Paris 202415:06 Finding Joy in Rowing17:56 Lessons Learned Through Rowing21:06 Core Values and Life After Sports30:01 Cultural Transition: A Move to America33:00 Navigating the IVF Journey41:51 Mental Resilience in the Face of Challenges53:50 Support Systems and Community57:59 Embracing Vulnerability and Personal GrowthCheck out Aisyah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariesyah/?hl=en
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#44 - Philip Doyle - Juggling the NHS & Olympics: The World’s Most Extreme Schedule
Olympic medalist and NHS doctor Philip Doyle joins the Abnormal podcast to share the unbelievable story of how he balanced saving lives with chasing Olympic glory.Starting rowing in university, Philip went on to represent Ireland at two Olympic Games—while also working gruelling 114-hour hospital weeks, sneaking in rowing sessions at 2AM during night shifts. In this raw and powerful conversation, he opens up about pressure, burnout, building mental resilience, and the mindset needed to push beyond limits.From working in emergency medicine to standing on an Olympic podium, Philip breaks down the habits, mindset, and philosophy that kept him going when most people would quit. He also shares his “four-legged stool” framework for balance, and the unusual motivation that fuels his training (hint: it involves Ben & Jerry’s).If you're interested in high performance, elite sport, overcoming excuses, or simply want to hear one of the most inspiring stories of discipline and consistency, this episode is for you.Timestamps0:00 – Intro2:00 – Balancing medicine & Olympic training10:00 – Removing barriers & getting things done17:00 – When life crumbles & what to do about it34:00 – Mental toughness & the “monkey on your back”45:00 – Behind the scenes of winning an Olympic medal58:00 – Life after the Olympics & moving the goalposts1:04:00 – Advice for anyone chasing an “abnormal” goal
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#43 - Andrew Glaze - How the #1 Runner on Strava Balances 100 Miles a Week with Firefighting
Andrew Glaze is a full-time firefighter, ultramarathon runner, and one of the most consistent endurance athletes on the planet, with a streak of running 100+ miles per week for over 280 consecutive weeks.In this raw, powerful conversation, Andrew shares how running helped him overcome trauma, cope with PTSD, and find peace through pain. We talk about the mindset it takes to run for hours on end, balancing family with extremes, and how movement became his therapy.Whether you’re a runner, a first responder, or just someone looking for a reason to keep going, this one will stick with you.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Andrew Glaze's Journey03:00 The 281-Week Streak: Consistency and Mindset05:46 Overcoming Obstacles: Injury and Recovery Strategies09:07 The Impact of COVID-19 on Running and Mental Health12:12 Recovery Protocols: What Works for Andrew15:06 Personal Philosophy on Training and Time Management18:03 Running as a Lifesaver: Andrew's Transformation21:10 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Runners23:59 The Turning Point: From Struggles to Strength30:04 The Power of Movement: Exercise as Medicine33:35 Mental Health and Ultra Running: Finding Peace in Pain40:08 The Journey of Self-Discovery: Lessons from Life and Running50:00 Building Resilience: Overcoming Mental Barriers57:07 Spreading Positivity: The Ripple Effect of KindnessFREE Goal Setting Framework: https://www.petelaverick.com/product-page/the-abnormal-discipline-code-your-no-bs-blueprint-to-crushing-goals
The podcast for normal people who want to do abnormal things.Hey, I am Pete Laverick, an Ex-professional athlete living a pretty normal life in Hong Kong. I talk to people who many of us view as 'abnormal', or having achieved abnormal things. I want to know if these 'abnormal' people are that much different from the rest of us, what was it that made them go from being normal people, living normal lives, to wanting to do something completely different and make that first step outside of their comfort zone.
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