No plan B with Mat Rogers

The Shaun McCambridge Podcast

Mat Rogers is one inspiring individual, not just inspiring as a sportsman or father but inspiring as the man beneath it all.
From an ex-Wallabies player to a father of four, tune into this episode to hear why his drive and resilience are something we can all aspire to.

2.00 - The highlight or achievement of Mat's footy career:

"Staying on the path, not getting distracted - not dragged away by the influence around you. I stayed committed to what I wanted to achieve. The only way to succeed is to put all your eggs in one basket and make it happen. Focus on one thing at a time and if one doesn't work out you focus on another egg. Zero in on your focus as there is so much going on in the world. That's what I am the most grateful for."

When it comes to the people around him:

"I didn't change my goal I changed my friends

Forget a Plan B - stay true to your path"

5.40 -Who was the hardest bloke you had to tackle?

"Defence is an attitude, if you want to stop something you will put everything you can into it. Stand in the way enough to slow them down…

…Tony Brown made my life challenging. Every player out there is a competitor and is going to be tough to take down.

Be completely relentless"

8.45 - What was the most inspiring thing about your dad?

"He didn't just influence through words, would influence through actions. Showing me not just telling me.

After seeing it I knew I wanted to do it, I knew how much needed to go into it.

I focused on the end goal because I saw my dad doing it. I remember seeing the work he would put in and the extras he would go through. "

11.40 - You earn every win, no one is just going to give it to you.

"He role-modelled greatness. Not everyone gets ribbons in life, you have to earn them."

Matt's resilience has been the cornerstone of his achievements, he has faced so many challenges in his life.

14.10 - "The reality is even when you have challenges, the world is going to keep turning. I like working under stress, through the tough times it's about just living again. I need my next goal, something to fire me up.

I want people around me that are focussed and motivated and fired up about something."

Living an intentional life rather than just existing.

Intrinsic or Evolved ability to work under pressure?

"I rise to the thought of pressure. It was something from a young age.

Reframed situations are usually ones that people avoid"

What happens if we don't win? What happens if we do? Use it as an opportunity to thrive.

20.40 - "I don't want to voice out negativity into the world. You just tell yourself that you aren't going to, so you won't.

The power of the voice. I want to put the books in my favour. Learned to be internally positive and rub off on those around me."

"If all the people around you are positive then you can lift each other.
Be way more positive than negative from the outset and even if there are some doubts, I will keep them to myself because the people around me might not have those doubts, so as soon as I voice them, all of a sudden they have them too. They might have the positive feedback to help me get over the bump."

24 .00 - Mental health

Mat exercises every morning for an hour with his friend. They have a pact that they don't have any negativity in their morning routines.

The busier you are, the more important it is as you have less of your own time. It allows you to reflect on the day before and plan the day. Having me time in the morning is key.

29.10 - Team sports allow you to have a goal set for you every week.

Having the game gave him purpose and when he retired he realised he didn't have that purpose in his life anymore. You need a goal with substance, work back from it and celebrate the milestones on the way. Put a date on it and a timeframe otherwise it's not a goal it's a wish.

Goals in concrete and plans in the sand because life can change.

"I perform best when the whip is lashed and setting a goal allows for this."

34.40 - Key realisations as a parent

"I grew into adulthood resenting my childhood however when I wrote the book I realised it was what made me.

You want your children to know what it feels like to get hurt."

"I feel like I have set an example for my kids of what it feels like to succeed… I haven't told them I have shown them. And I need to step back a bit…I have laid a platform for them to succeed and I am always here to guide and advise when needed but don't want to overstep."

Shaun - "It is a moving target. You talk about resilience, inner belief and work ethic and that's portrayed in your success so far. How do you build the muscles around them along with good manners and being a good human?"

40.00 - "Be respectful and build have good manners.
Skills can be taught but a bad attitude can't be. Telling kids what to do doesn't work, you have to model it. Model behaviours you want your kids to live up to."

42.00 - "Modelling is the best form of teaching, barking is the worst. Treat people with respect despite their role. You have a short time in leadership if that's how you lead."

Shaun - "Leading by example means if you can get one thing right to set the tone to set the example hopefully and it will resonate with those around you. If you are living and breathing it that's more important."

45.00 - "Every single time where I have gotten advice from someone that has what I have wanted, on how they did what they did and got what they have, and I did it, it has materialised. Every time. You can't cut corners."

"Change is great when it's done."

"There is not much joy in comfort. But comfort does not breathe."

"Be uncomfortable in the process of change."

48.00 - Matt talks about facing the challenge of working through his son, Max's autism, whilst still juggling all other elements of his life and his family's.

56.00 - Life after football.

The longevity of his career was based on being a professional athlete not just a professional football player. Lifestyle needs to equate to a career. Invest time into investing in yourselves.

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Let's make an impact together