#48: Agni Bhorkar – Co-Founder of the Social Project, Reality of Entrepreneurship in NZ and Mindset
Release Date: 01/14/2025
#70: Lizi Guest – Building a Business Through Chaos and Daughters Health Mystery
Beyond the Surface
At 20, Lizi became pregnant while studying, went on the benefit, finished her degree, and launched an award-winning agency by 27 and cleared her debt, all while being a young Mum. But life changed again when her eldest daughter (12) suddenly lost her memory every few days, in a bizarre condition that they are still seeking answers for. Lizi shares some business lessons, what resilience really looks like, and how she keeps moving forward when life refuses to slow down. Lizi's story about her daughter is devastating, but I know they will find a solution soon! Please remember to hit subscribe,...
info_outline
#69: Melodownz – The Price of NZ Fame, Collabs With Denzel Curry and Untold Stories
Beyond the Surface
Melodownz has been on my guest hitlist since starting the show. From tagging in Tāmaki to collaborating with Denzel Curry and Israel Adesanya, and launching a hot sauce brand, running Kava Corner interviewing some of NZ's biggest names, Melowdownz has never been one to stay in his lane. In this episode, we unpack his journey from growing up in Avondale by his solo Mum, the impact of losing close friends to violence and suicide, to the deep personal reflections that have shaped his work today and advice for young people. We explore his early influences, mental health, youth...
info_outline
#67: Jase Te Patu – Fixing NZ’s Mental Health Crisis, Tips For Mental Wellness and Purpose
Beyond the Surface
Jase Te Patu has lived many lives. World-class athlete, international performer, TEDx speaker, and founder of one of Aotearoa’s most impactful mental health programmes for youth, Hauora Aotearoa. But his story starts in Whanganui, raised by his Nan and Koro, having never met his mum and losing his dad to absence. In this conversation, Jase opens up about the belief he carried for years, that he was unworthy and unlovable, and how that pain drove his pursuit of excellence. We talk about grief, identity, and the state of youth mental health in New Zealand. We also talk about hope, what...
info_outline
#67: Barbara Edmonds – NZ's Future Finance Minister, Growing Up Broke, What Jacinda Was Really Like
Beyond the Surface
The first "honourable" guest on the pod, Barbara Edmonds wears many hats, former Cabinet Minister, specialist tax lawyer, and mother of eight. In this episode, she shares her path into politics, from living in poverty to what she’s learned along the way, and the often unseen realities of life in Parliament. We unpack what it was like working alongside Jacinda Ardern, how she balances family and public service, and the pressures that come with both. Barbara also offers her take on what many young people misunderstand about politics and the economy, and why bridging that gap matters. A...
info_outline
#66: Max Tebbs – How I Built a 6 Figure Business At 18 and Worst Mistake With a Supercar
Beyond the Surface
From Cleaning Cars at 13 to Building a Business at 18 – Max Tebbs’ Unfiltered Story. At just 18 years old, Max Tebbs has already built one of Wellington’s leading car detailing businesses. But behind the five-star reviews and growing team is a teenager who started with nothing more than a sponge, a goal, and a relentless drive to prove what’s possible. In this episode, Max opens up about the early days of fundraising for refugees by washing cars at 13, the grind of signing his first studio lease at 17, and the lessons he’s learned from building a business while still finishing high...
info_outline
#65: Mungo Bates – Building The Uber of Moving, Going Broke Young and Rebuilding
Beyond the Surface
Kaboose Media – Mungo Bates Insta – Noa Woolloff Insta – Beyond the Surface Insta – Beyond the Surface YouTube – Spotify –
info_outline
#64: Corin Braddick – Fighting in a Thailand Warehouse With Dan Hooker, Viral Fights & Mental Health
Beyond the Surface
If you only listen to one episode of the podcast, let it be this one. Corin is the first repeat guest to ever feature on Beyond the Surface, from episode #9 – episode #64! In this raw and honest, conversation, Corin Braddick takes us deep into the chaos of his recent trip to Thailand, where he was personally selected by UFC fighter Dan Hooker to compete in a viral underground fight show. Think 4-ounce gloves, one-minute rounds, no breaks, and a warehouse full of killers. But this episode is about so much more than fighting. Corin opens up about his experience with family violence in his...
info_outline
#63: Rowan Simpson – How I Made Millions Backing NZ Startups and NZ’s Tall Poppy Problem
Beyond the Surface
Rowan Simpson is one of the most influential figures in New Zealand’s startup scene, employee #3 at Trade Me and early shareholder, and an investor in Xero, Vend, and Timely. Some might call him New Zealand's very own Warren Buffett?! Rowan opens up about his journey from startup employee to multi-multi millionaire, how success changed (and didn’t change) his life, and why he believes more Kiwis need to challenge tall poppy syndrome. I've got massive respect for Rowan, I find his perspective very refreshing and I hope you do too! We also dive into his new book 'How to be wrong', his...
info_outline
#62: Richard Corney – How Flight Coffee Took Off and The Dark Side of the Coffee Industry
Beyond the Surface
Richard Corney is the founder of Flight Coffee and a globally respected figure in the specialty coffee world. In this episode, we unpack Richard’s journey from joining the Navy straight out of high school, to opening his first café by the age of 20, to building one of Aotearoa’s most beloved coffee brands 'Flight Coffee'. He shares candid reflections on the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, his recent ADHD and autism diagnosis, the challenges of scaling a values-led business, and what years of judging the World Barista Championships have taught him about excellence. We dive into the...
info_outline
#61: Rangimarie Dougall-Mita – The Truth Behind the Jersey, Beyond Basketball and Overcoming Mental Health
Beyond the Surface
Rangimarie "Marnie" Dougall-Mita is a professional basketball player for the Wellington Saints, content creator, and someone who's been on a powerful journey of self-discovery. Honestly, could have yarned to Marnie for a couple more hours – it's almost like he runs his own podcast (check it out, Yarns with Marns). In this episode, we unpack the defining moments that have shaped him — from a devastating knee injury that left him sidelined and spiraling mentally, to rebuilding himself through self-development, vulnerability, and spiritual growth. Marnie opens up about the pressure of...
info_outlineKicking off 2025 with Agni Bhorkar, entrepreneur and Founder of the Social Project!
Agni has a background in the health and fitness industry, starting his business journey opening a few gyms up north and seeing how many gyms don't do enough to make transformation changes in their members health and wellbeing. Agni addressed this by launching the Social Project, a lifestyle club that's disrupting the fitness industry in New Zealand.
If you haven't been to a SP club before, check them out! Sauna's, cold plunge, pilates, good coffee and compression therapy all under one roof – Agni and the team are behind some incredible stuff.
Through this episode, we cover Agni's approach to business, his journey so far and the reality of being an entrepreneur in New Zealand.
Hope you enjoy this episode, make sure you subscribe or hit follow and check out our sponsor Moana Road for the goods!
Moana Road – https://moanaroad.co.nz/
Kaboose Media – https://www.kaboosemedia.co.nz/
Social Project – https://www.socialproject.nz/
Agni's Insta – https://www.instagram.com/agnibhorkar/
Beyond the Surface Insta – https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_surfacenz/
Noa Woolloff Insta – https://www.instagram.com/noawoolloff/
Beyond the Surface YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthesurfacenz
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZArq1WSsV1pMID1dkHbBL?si=ae3f007dd7794cde