The Elite Executive Podcast

“You can’t do it all — and you shouldn’t. Leadership starts with learning to say no.”In this episode, I sit down with Gillian Forde, Operations Director at Aurecon for Western Australia and the Northern Territory, to unpack her journey from Ireland to the top of one of Australia’s most respected engineering consultancies.We talk about:🛫 Leaving post-GFC Ireland to restart in Perth🔧 From structural engineer to leading 460+ people across WA & NT💡 The shift from technical work to executive leadership👩‍💼 Why women hesitate to apply unless they meet 100% of the brief🇮🇪 The Irish business network in Perth — and how Gillian helped relaunch the St. Patrick’s Day parade🏉 Playing rugby for Western Force, board work with Rugby WA, and breaking barriers🙅‍♀️ How “strategic no-saying” protects energy and impact👶 Balancing executive work and motherhood with real honestyIf you lead teams, work in engineering, or are navigating high performance with family life — this one’s for you.🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you tune in.

If you’re willing to move to the other side of the world… you’ve already proven you can succeed.”In this episode, I sit down with John O’Donnell, Group Business Manager at Kilmore Group - one of Western Australia’s fastest-growing construction firms, now employing over 110 people.We talk about:🏗️ How Kilmore grew by doing the work other builders avoid🇮🇪 John’s journey from post-GFC Ireland to building in WA🧱 From facades to full builds: evolving from subcontractor to principal contractor💼 Why perception, presentation, and paperwork matter more than you think👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What it’s really like raising 3 kids under 5 with no family nearby🌍 The immigrant mindset... and how community drives momentumIf you’re in business, construction, or chasing growth in a new country, this episode is packed with grounded wisdom, no fluff.🎧 Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your edge.

🎯 From Burnout to Beast Mode: Gian's 20kg Transformation StoryJoin us for an incredible journey with Gian, a cybersecurity leader at Telstra, who lost 20 kilos in 12 months while juggling a high-pressure executive role and raising a 2-year-old.Key Talking Points:✅ The COVID Wake-Up Call - How Melbourne lockdowns destroyed his fitness routine and led to unhealthy eating habits✅ Finding Your "Why" - Why motivation isn't enough and how becoming a new father sparked his transformation journey ✅ The November Start - Why he didn't wait for New Year's and tackled Christmas party season head-on ✅ Systems Over Motivation - Building bulletproof habits that work around demanding work schedules and family commitments✅ Identity Shift - How changing from someone who "eats for pleasure" to someone who "prioritizes protein" changed everythingPerfect listen for executives struggling to balance career success with personal health. Real talk about the challenges of leadership roles, new parenthood, and creating lasting change when life gets hectic.#ExecutiveHealth #WeightLoss #Leadership #FatherFitness #Transformation

“I never had ambitions to be a CEO. I think I probably just fell into it.”In this episode, I sat down with Niamh O’Connor, the accidental CEO of Western Force, whose journey from growing up in Ireland to leading a professional rugby organisation is anything but conventional.We dive into:🏉 Why her path to CEO wasn’t linear — and why that’s her strength🚨 The misconceptions people have about leadership roles in elite sport⚖️ The weight of responsibility when your decisions affect real lives and families🇮🇪 How growing up in Ireland shaped her work ethic, humility, and resilience🧠 Why self-awareness — not status — defines great leadershipThis episode peels back the curtain on leadership in high-performance environments — and why the best leaders are often the ones who never chased the title.Follow Niamh on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/niamh-o-connor-a4128531/

How do you know when it’s time to make a change? Tracy Fryer lives by the “3 signs” rule — and it’s guided her through business, branding, and massive personal transformation.In this episode, Tracy pulls back the curtain on her journey through corporate life, business building, and a powerful personal reset — from faith to fitness.We dive into:🔁 Her “Three Signs” framework for spotting when something in your life is off🏷️ How your personal brand is built in the quiet moments — not just the logos and taglines⚖️ The deep mindset shifts that finally unlocked long-term weight loss🙏 Why faith became the foundation for navigating uncertainty and realigning her values💡 Rebuilding self-trust after burnout and learning to listen earlier (not just when it’s loud)Tracy doesn’t just talk transformation — she lives it.Connect with Tracy at:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandingperth/