This episode is a raw, behind-the-scenes conversation about the reality of growing into leadership—without a playbook. Michael and Justin reflect on the emotional weight of being the go-to person, the cost of "being too nice," and what it means to let go of perfection. They cover everything from hiring mistakes and culture clashes to learning when to stop fixing everything yourself. You'll hear honest stories about crying in car parks, over-apologising, and finding your spine when the team needs more than just empathy.

If you’ve ever struggled with handing over control, building a team that actually solves problems, or shifting from being a doer to a leader—this episode will feel uncomfortably familiar. It’s not a leadership seminar. It’s real talk for the managers in the middle, trying to do the next right thing.

What if your biggest business lesson came from doing it all wrong?

In this refreshingly honest episode, Michael sits down with Tom—also known as Mr Purple—to unpack the real talk NDIS providers aren’t having enough.

They dive into:

• Why mistakes aren’t just okay—they’re your best teacher
• What NDIS directors should know about profitability and pressure
• Why scale is easy, but profit is hard
• When it’s time to walk away from your business
• And how coaching (the right kind) can actually change your life

If you're an NDIS provider, director, or someone holding it all together—you’ll feel seen in this one.

Connect with Mr Purple on LinkedIn
Or message Michael if you want an intro!

This one’s a masterclass. In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Sharman, the Jedi Knight of growth in Allied Health, to talk about what it really takes to grow a business from the ground up—without burning out your team, your family, or yourself.

Daniel shares:

• How he went from solo to 40+ staff across two states.
• The systems he had to rebuild at 50, 500, and 1,000 clients.
• What keeps him grounded (hint: horse riding lessons and AFL tackles).
• The honest truth about leadership, pressure, and what most founders get wrong.
• Why taking on every client might be hurting, not helping.

If you work in NDIS, allied health, or you’re just trying to scale something meaningful—you’ll want to listen to this.

Subscribe for more real convos with people growing things the hard way.

#NDIS #AlliedHealth #Leadership #DanielSharman #Growth #Podcast #NDISBusiness #SupportCoordinators #FoundersTruths #ScalingNDIS #BehindTheScenes #PurposeDrivenBusiness

Craig Minter joins us to unpack one of the biggest pain points in NDIS: staying profitable without burning out. If you’re a provider, director, or operations manager wondering why the numbers just don’t add up anymore — this is for you.

We talk about:

• Why “profit first” is not selfish — it’s survival.
• What a healthy profit margin actually looks like.
• What to do if your profits are about to halve.
• How to make calm financial decisions (even under pressure).
• Building the right financial team (and what your accountant isn’t telling you).

This is not just about money — it’s about protecting your time, your energy, and your relationships.

Guest: Craig Minter
https://www.thehealthybusinesslab.com
Connect on LinkedIn: Craig Minter

If you’re staring at your zero balance and wondering what’s next — watch this. Then watch it again.

In this episode, we sit down with Leesa from The Mindful OT—a business coach for occupational therapists who’s flipping the script on what leadership and success really look like.

She’s not building an empire. She’s building something better: a business that works during school bells, protects her energy, and leaves space for real life.

If you’re an NDIS provider, allied health professional, or sole trader feeling stretched too thin, this one’s for you.

We talk about:
– Why you must stop working like a bad boss to yourself
– How to reverse engineer your business around your actual life
– Setting KPIs that are kind, not punishing
– The power of spreadsheets (yes, really)
– Why unmet goals aren’t failure—they’re feedback

Whether you're a CEO or just starting out, Leesa’s approach to values-based planning and running a guilt-free business will hit home.

Find Leesa:
Website: themindfulot.au
LinkedIn & Instagram: @themindfulot.au

#NDISBusiness #OTBusinessCoach #MindfulOT #SoleTraderTips #WorkLifeBalance #BusinessWithoutBurnout #CEOWithoutTheHustle

In this episode of the NDIS Providers Growth Podcast, Stu Paul joins Michael Clark for a candid chat about overlooked opportunities in the NDIS space. If you’ve ever wondered how to build your business without burning through your budget—or what actually makes providers stand out—this one’s for you.

They explore what kind of person you need to be to grow, simple actions that open doors, and what they'd do if they had to start a provider business from scratch today.

Practical tips, real talk, and no fluff.
Hit play to learn what really works in the NDIS world.

Tania Gomez has started over 10 businesses — but only 4 were truly successful. In this honest and inspiring chat, she shares what it really takes to build, scale, and sometimes let go of the things that don’t work.

If you’ve ever thought:
“Why is my business not working?” or “Am I just not cut out for this?”

— this one’s for you.

Topics we cover:
How many businesses actually succeed.
What to do when things fail.
Why most entrepreneurs don’t hit 100%.
Tanya’s honest take on building, scaling, and starting again.

Leave a comment: What’s your business journey been like?

#EntrepreneurLife #SmallBusiness #TanyaGomez #NDISBusiness #StartupStruggles #BusinessWins

In this episode of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, host Michael Clark welcomes back mindset and leadership expert David Wolverton to tackle one of the biggest obstacles to success—our own self-talk.

David explains how negative thinking, self-doubt, and mental overload keep leaders, business owners, and professionals stuck in cycles of stress and underperformance. They explore how shifting from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset can transform not just your work but your entire life.

This episode dives into practical strategies for rewiring the way you think, setting long-term goals that actually stick, and why speaking kindly to yourself is just as important as supporting your team. Whether you're a director, manager, or someone looking to break out of old habits, this conversation will give you real tools to shift your mindset and get bigger results—without burnout.

Guest: David Wolverton – Leadership & Mindset Coach (wolverton.net.au)
Host: Michael Clark – Athletic Koala (athletickoala.com)

Tune in now and start transforming the way you think! 🎧