Beyond the Surface is a long-form podcast hosted by Noa Woolloff, featuring some of New Zealand's biggest names. From Paddy Gower, TJ Perenara, Amelia Kerr, Bro...
#54: Malindi MacLean – Outward Bound's First Female CEO and The Reasons Why Social Media Is Harmful
Malindi MacLean is Outward Bound's first female CEO and her journey is anything but conventional. From racing as a professional cyclist sport and representing to New Zealand, to "bluffing" her way into the corporate world without a degree, she’s navigated challenges with grit and resilience. In this episode, we dive into her journey through business and leadership, including becoming a CEO while seven months pregnant in the middle of a pandemic, battling self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and overcoming the toxic realities of sexism and harassment in the workplace. We explore how she found her true purpose at Outward Bound, her vision for the organisation, and the powerful impact of challenge-based learning! If you haven't been to Outward Bound or are thinking about, take a leap and do it. It changed my life and many others, shout out to the Hillary Watch 616! We also tackle a topic Malindi is really passionate about, the impact of social media on young people. She shares her mission behind Before16, a think-tank advocating for legislative change to restrict social media access to over-16s, and the importance of keeping kids present in the real world! Hope you enjoy, a massive thank you to our sponsors, Moana Road and Kaboose Media! Moana Road – https://moanaroad.co.nz/ Kaboose Media – https://www.kaboosemedia.co.nz/ Beyond the Surface Insta – https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_surfacenz/ Beyond the Surface YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthesurfacenz Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZArq1WSsV1pMID1dkHbBL?si=ae3f007dd7794cde Noa Woolloff Insta – https://www.instagram.com/noawoolloff/
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#53: Jacob Mataiti – How Muay Thai & Outward Bound Built an Entrepreneur
Jacob Mataiti is the founder of Self-Made, a barbershop that has become a staple in Wellington’s community. But his journey to success is anything but ordinary. In this episode, we dive into his transformation from fighter to entrepreneur, the mindset that drives him, and the defining moments that shaped his path. We share our Outward Bound experiences and how the ‘solo’ changed Jacob’s perspective, inspiring him to build something bigger than himself. Jacob opens up about his fighting career, the discipline it taught him, the loss that changed his life and the mindset shifts that came with it. We also tackle tall poppy syndrome, the challenges of building something from scratch, and what it truly means to be ‘self-made’. This one’s packed with inspiration, raw honesty, and plenty of laughs. If you’re in Wellington, I highly recommend checking out Self-Made, Jacob is a legend and one of the best in the business! A big shout out to our sponsors Moana Road and Kaboose Media, go check them out! Moana Road – https://moanaroad.co.nz/ Kaboose Media – https://www.kaboosemedia.co.nz/ Jacob Mataiti Insta – https://www.instagram.com/jacobmataiti/ Beyond the Surface Insta – https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_surfacenz/ Beyond the Surface YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthesurfacenz Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZArq1WSsV1pMID1dkHbBL?si=ae3f007dd7794cde Noa Woolloff Insta – https://www.instagram.com/noawoolloff/
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#52: Anna Guenther – Co-Founder of PledgeMe, How to Get Strangers to Fund Your Dream
Anna Guenther is the Founder of PledgeMe, New Zealand’s first equity crowdfunding platform, which has pledged over $75 million for Kiwi businesses and projects. What started as a master’s thesis turned into a mission to change the way people fund what they care about. Anna’s journey is one of resilience, from moving to New Zealand after losing her mum, navigating burnout, and returning to lead PledgeMe with fresh purpose. Now, she’s on a mission to make funding more accessible, empowering women, regional businesses, and social enterprises to scale and grow. Hope you enjoy this episode, remember, we have a new episode dropping every Wednesday morning! Please remember to hit subscribe if you're enjoying the content. A must-listen for anyone who’s ever had a big idea and wondered, “How do I make this happen?” Big thanks to our partners Moana Road and Kaboose Media, go check them out! Moana Road – https://moanaroad.co.nz/ Kaboose Media – https://www.kaboosemedia.co.nz/ Beyond the Surface Insta – https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_surfacenz/ Beyond the Surface YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthesurfacenz Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZArq1WSsV1pMID1dkHbBL?si=ae3f007dd7794cde Noa Woolloff Insta – https://www.instagram.com/noawoolloff/
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#51: Dan Bradley – The CEO Who Puts Mental Health First, Entrepreneurship and 75 Hard
Dan Bradley is the Founder and Director of BPM, a project management company with offices throughout New Zealand that Dan started after blood sweat and tears. Now, Dan's revolutionising mental health and wellbeing for his staff and the construction sector in general. Dan lives by the 75 Hard Challenge, practicing it 365 days per year. An awesome kiwi success story and somebody who is leading by the front in how he encourages his staff and partners to live to their true potential. Big thanks to our partners Moana Road and Kaboose Media, go check them out! Moana Road - https://moanaroad.co.nz/ Kaboose Media - https://www.kaboosemedia.co.nz/ Dan's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/yeldarbnad/?hl=en Beyond the Surface Insta - https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_surfacenz/?hl=en Noa Woolloff Insta - https://www.instagram.com/noawoolloff/?hl=en
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#50: Ollie Puddick – Pro Firefighter Turned Coffee Entrepreneur, Founder of Innerbloom
Sat down with Ollie, former professional firefighter turned entrepreneur, taking on a $14b industry with his canned coffee 'Innerbloom'. Such an interesting chat about Ollie's life, life as a firefighter and surf athlete and the reality of bootstrapping a beverage company! Honestly, his coffee Innerbloom is top notch. We ripped into a can at about 7pm for this episode! Make sure you go check them out and find them at your local supermarket. Also, a HUGE thanks for the all the support and love as we hit the #50 episode mark! I hope these conversations have provided some value to your life and your day. Chur! New episodes every Wednesday morning, let's keep going! Moana Road - https://moanaroad.co.nz/ Kaboose Media - https://www.kaboosemedia.co.nz/ I nnerbloom Coffee - https://www.innerbloomandco.nz/?srslt... Ollie Insta - https://www.instagram.com/olliepuddic... Innerbloom Insta - https://www.instagram.com/drinkinnerb... Beyond the Surface Insta - https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_... Noa Woolloff Insta - https://www.instagram.com/noawoolloff...
Beyond the Surface is a long-form podcast hosted by Noa Woolloff, featuring some of New Zealand's biggest names. From Paddy Gower, TJ Perenara, Amelia Kerr, Brooke Roberts to Guy Williams, Noa discusses the tools, strategies and stories that have shaped their lives.
The goal: to stamp out tall poppy syndrome and create a platform for more conversations about mental health.
New Zealand