Aussie Ambitions Podcast

EPISODE 40. MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN MENTAL HEALTH --> For Uni Student and Aspiring Psychiatrist, Silvija Bojanic, overcoming anxiety with the assistance of a psychiatrist created a desire within her to help others in the same way. Currently studying an under-graduate degree in Health Science, on its completion her goal is to head to Medical School.

Silvija discusses with us what is required to get into Medical School, people’s perceptions of psychiatry, addiction and her thoughts on medication. Whilst drug treatments have their place, Silvija believes a wholistic approach to overall health is an avenue that needs to be explored and would like to be an instrument in changing perceptions towards the profession. With a desire to work with serious cases in a high-stress hospital environment, she feels that although it would be challenging and confronting work, the ability to help these people would be incredibly rewarding.

What sort of motivation and study commitment is required? How has COVID-19 affected university life? How does social media affect mental health? What is the GAMSAT exam?

Knowing there is a long road ahead towards completion of her studies, Silvija is prepared to go anywhere and do anything required for the job, with her personal happiness the ultimate goal.

Guest links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/silvija-bojanic-9a8aa61b3/

EPISODE 39. THE PATHWAY TO A NEW LIFE --> Coming to Australia from India as a university student 23 years ago, Registered Migration Agent Seema Chauhan has first hand experience of the migration process. Passionate about Gold Coast life and calling herself founder and “co-dreamer” of her business Abode Australia Migration through which she journeys with people in the processes required to fulfil their dreams of a life in Australia.

Seema shares with us the benefits of using a Migration Agent in your applications for residency and visas. What are the migration pathways available? What are the challenges? How can you bring your business to Australia? What are the skills requirements? Always up-to-date with current Government legislation, Seema will guide and reassure you through the process, celebrating with you your successful application.

A super-connector, networking comes naturally to Seema who loves to contribute to the community she lives in. A big believer in giving back, she also contributes to her home community in India and has received awards in Australia in recognition of her work here.

Whilst travel restrictions are currently in place, there will come a time when the opportunity to migrate to Australia will open up again. Would you like to make Australia your new home?

*** Editorial Note: This is a general conversation on the topic of Migration in Australia. For professional advice please contact a Registered Migration Agent. You can contact Seema Chauhan, MARN 0850953 at Abode Australia Migration.

Guest links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/seema-chauhan-gold-coast/

https://www.facebook.com/AbodeAustraliaMigration/

EPISODE 38. HIGH PERFORMANCE RACING --> Juggling his school work with his career as a Professional Race Car Driver leaves 17-year old Bayley Hall a very busy young man.  In his final year at school, Bayley is also a member of the Porsche team for McElrea Racing taking part in the Michelin Sprint Challenge around Australia.

With a passion for all things racing, Bayley started at 6 years old with go kart racing.  How did he progress from that to where he is today?  What sort of training does he have to do and where do simulators fit in?  Very much a team sport, Bayley tells us about the preparation for a race weekend, the monitoring required for driver and car performance and dealing with media and fans.  What is his dream goal?  And where does sponsorship fit in?

Very appreciative of the support he has received from his parents and others over the years, Bayley tries to repay them by maintaining peak performance.  Bayley tells us what it takes: you have to have the “balls” to do it!  If you would like to have a go, get into go kart racing really young and just “get out there and give it a crack”!

Guest links:

http://bayleyhallracing.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/bayleyhallracing

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bayley-hall-375b231a1/

EPISODE 37. EFOILING ADVENTURES ON THE WATER --> It is a marriage between business and lifestyle for eFoiling Expert and Business Operator Vasco Vellez. With his office the ocean, for him his business has to be fun and he gets such a kick out of seeing the enjoyment others get from learning how to eFoil.

Always seeking after knowledge, hear about Vasco’s journey from kite-surfing on to eFoiling and being one of the first to get the newly produced boards in 2018. He tells us about how eFoils work, showing us some amazing video footage in the Gold Coast surf. Who can learn to eFoil? Are there any risks? How does eFoiling compare to surfing and riding the waves?

One who likes to capture time on the water, Vasco takes amazing videos of his experiences and those of his students. Check out the “Hero Moments” student video gallery on his website. Having access to the best gear in the world, Vascoe has just launched his new e-store selling eFoil boards, parts, batteries and other equipment. As Vasco regales us with stories of the different ways he has used his board, you get a real sense of the enjoyment he has with his eFoiling lifestyle.

Has this peaked your interest? Want to try eFoiling? Go to Vasco’s website eFoilGC.com and purchase a voucher for a hydrofoiling lesson. As he says “the things we regret are the things we haven’t done”.

Guest links:

https://efoilgc.com/

https://www.facebook.com/efoilgc

https://www.instagram.com/efoilgc/

EPISODE 36. CREATING HEALTHY DIGITAL HABITS -->

A Digital Wellness Educator is how Leigh-Chantelle describes herself. She is passionate about cyberpsychology, digital wellbeing and digital communication, most particularly mindful and conscious use of technology. She is currently completing her PHD and aims to be a lecturer in cyberpsychology. As part of her studies, Leigh-Chantelle is currently looking into behavioural change and technology acceptance of autonomous vehicles and blockchain technology. Would you go in a driverless vehicle? What is the blockchain used for?

With an early goal to be a rock star and embracing the vegan movement in its formative stage, Leigh-Chantelle’s stage experience led her into the world of public speaking and marketing and into the digital world. A long-time interest in psychology led her to question the impact social media has on users. She is about to launch her new website DigitalEqulibrium.com, utilising this medium to educate people on creating lifelong healthy digital habits to thrive online and beyond. What are your social media habits? How is your screen time looking?

As Leigh-Chantelle tells us “If you are using social media as a tool, that’s being productive. Letting it use you is a whole other thing!”

Guest links:

https://www.epicentreequilibrium.com/

https://www.leigh-chantelle.com/

https://www.vivalavegan.net/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighchantelle/

EPISODE 35. A FRESH LOOK ON SALES COACHING --> “Changing the perception of sales” is the mission of Business Owner Ryan Tuckwood’s business, SWISH Sales Coaching (Selling With Integrity, Selling Honestly). With a desire to help struggling sales people, six years ago Ryan and his business partner, Jack Corbett, set up their business, formerly known as ISR Training, firmly believing that they could make a positive impact in the sales industry with ethical sales coaching.

Having created their own methodology and course content, Ryan trains sales people how to communicate and connect with people to express the value they can offer to them rather than a direct sales pitch benefiting them not only in their business but in their personal lives as well. Why is it necessary to receive sales training? How important is role-playing? How can you overcome objections?

Fortunate to have appeared on the television program Shark Tank and now backed by three of their investors, their business has grown exponentially. Through the SWISH Academy, Ryan talks about the move from physical coaching into the digital world and its great advantages. Taking on the world of podcasting in July last year, Ryan believes it to be the best thing they have ever done.

A very structured person, Ryan ensures his days are extremely productive, whilst deliberately preserving his precious time with his family.  Passionate about their base on the Gold Coast, Ryan still has ambitions of taking their coaching internationally.

Would you like to SWISH yourself into a new level of sales?

Guest links:

https://www.swishsalescoaching.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/swishsalescoaching/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-tuckwood/

https://www.facebook.com/SWISHSalesCoaching/

https://www.instagram.com/swishsalescoaching/

EPISODE 34. AUSTRALIAN FINE FOODS --> Mysterious, magic and alluring are some of the words that Truffle Hunter and Business Owner Debbie Oliver uses to describe truffles.  Passionate about fine foods, Debbie took the plunge and moved from a corporate job, 5 years ago creating her business, Lady Truffle Fine Foods. 

Join with us as we hear about all things related to truffles and other fine foods.  Where does she source her truffles?  What is truffle hunting?  How can truffles be used?  What kind of fish does caviar come from?  Wanting to share her excitement, Debbie gets a buzz out of educating others from chefs, through to dinner guests about these “dirt diamonds” and other exotic foods.

As a business woman, she has a personal drive to achieve and shares her philosophies on how to connect with restaurants, chefs and even other rivals to support each other to be successful in their business.  How did COVID-19 affect her business and the hospitality industry on the Gold Coast?  What is the “Truffle Kerfuffle”?

With their own unique flavour and fragrance, Debbie will entice your curiosity about truffles.  Have you tasted them before?  Give them a try next time you dine out!!

Guest links:

http://debbieoliver.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/debbieolivergc/

https://www.instagram.com/ladytruffle_finefoods/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-oliver-b1a45128/

EPISODE 33. AN ENHANCED REALITY --> “It’s all about connecting people with people” is the motto behind AR specialist Ken Lee’s recently launched business Austech Connect. Having fallen into his Virtual Reality business Austech VR almost by accident some years ago, personal circumstances and with COVID-19 hitting the world for Ken it was time to rethink and embark on something new, the world of AR.

Believing that AR is a big opportunity for sales and marketing, Ken is creating an experience that is accessible via your phone that can also be used for training. Partnering with local government, Ken has been using AR to enhance sports training with opportunities arising to take this technology internationally. What sort of team do you need behind you to make this happen? And what sort of platforms do you need to use?

Utilizing this technology in these current times for such things as virtual conferencing and trade booths, Ken also shares his thoughts on the future of AR. Hear also about the various uses for VR headsets from sports to business and more. What is Oculus?

Are you keen to dabble in the world of AR yourself? Check out 8^th Wall.

Guest links:

https://austechconnect.com.au/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/austechvr/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenleevr/

https://www.facebook.com/AustechVR

https://www.instagram.com/austechconnect/

EPISODE 32. SAILING THROUGH LIFE --> From the mountains of Canada, to the waves at Bali, if you have got your laptop you can travel and work as long as its fun and you fulfil your obligations to your clients, Company Director John Nayler tells us about his “digital nomad” lifestyle.

John shares his thoughts on digital marketing, SEO and Google, how to build your business through these platforms and some of the secrets he has discovered. Determined to make the most out of life, he tells us of the epiphany he had on how to lighten his work load.  How can you create for yourself a 5 hour work week?

With a life that is always on the go, often adventurous and sometimes spontaneous, John entertains us with his stories of a lifestyle balanced over work.  And the future?  Keep an eye out for him in Greece in 5 years time on his dream boat, a 45 ft catamaran.

Guest links:

https://www.ecentral.com.au/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnayler/

EPISODE 31. BEAUTY FROM THE INSIDE OUT ---> Having been in the industry for 21 years, it was a natural progression for Beauty and Makeup Artist Jodie Watkins to have the desire to use that knowledge to create her own organic skin care brand, Urth Skin. Being very aware that consumers of skin care products are not informed about the ingredients and the use of products, as a beauty trainer Jodie has set out to not only provide good natural products but to also educate people. 

Proud that 99% of the ingredients for her products come from Australian organic plant, fruit and flowers, she also sources her packaging from Australian suppliers, thus creating a product wholly Australian made. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? What is her market? 

As a freelance Makeup Artist, Jodie also tells us of her overseas travels in the industry and her role as a Judge for the Australian Beauty Industry Awards. What advice does she have for those wishing to embark on a career in makeup artistry?

Guest links:

https://www.urth-skin.com/

http://www.jodiewatkinsmakeup.com/

https://www.graft-a-lash.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodie-watkins-3752583b/

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/urthskin/

https://www.facebook.com/urthskin