Lead on Purpose with James Laughlin

Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goalsIn this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with my partner in life and business, Caroline, for a conversation we usually have off camera.We look back on 2025 and reflect on what really went well, what didn’t, and the lessons we’ve learned from running a business together while building a life together.We talk openly about growth, pressure, boundaries, clarity, and why success often looks very different behind the scenes than it does on the outside. We also share a personal update that we haven’t spoken about publicly before.This episode is honest, reflective, and very real.What we cover:The biggest highs and hardest moments from 2025, personally and professionallyWhat running a business together has taught us about communication, boundaries, and trustThe pressure points that show up when work and life collide, and how we navigate themWhy clarity is so rare, how distraction keeps people stuck, and what actually helpsThe lessons we’re taking into 2026, and how reflection creates better goalsA personal milestone that made 2025 one we’ll never forgetIf you’re building something meaningful, navigating a relationship alongside ambition, or simply wanting to reflect before setting your next goals, this conversation will give you perspective, reassurance, and a few hard truths you might need to hear.Here is the list of book recommendations:Habits of High Performers – James LaughlinMain Street Millionaire – Cody SanchezUnreasonable Hospitality – Will GuidaraThe Alchemist – Paulo CoelhoVisualize – Maya RaichooraThe Untethered Soul – Michael A. SingerBreaking the Habit of Being Yourself – Dr. Joe DispenzaThe Wealth Money Can’t Buy – Robin SharmaThrough Shifts and Shocks – Steve VamosThe Psychology of Money – Morgan HouselIf you’re interested in having me deliver a keynote or workshop for your team contact Caroline at [email protected]: https://www.jjlaughlin.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GETJbxpgulYcYc6QAKLHA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesLaughlinOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslaughlinofficial/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/life-on-purpose-with-james-laughlin/id1547874035 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WBElxcvhCHtJWBac3nOlF?si=hotcGzHVRACeAx4GvybVOQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslaughlincoaching/James Laughlin is a High Performance Leadership Coach, FoSend me a personal text messageJoin me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals - If you're interested in booking me for a keynote or workshop, contact Caroline at [email protected] the show

Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goalsIn this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with former Olympic Team Physiotherapist and author of The Back Fix, Antony Bush, to explore some big questions.Why do one in five of us suffer chronic pain? Why is back pain now the world’s greatest disability? How does movement and strength shape our pain, happiness and even mortality?Antony breaks down what it means to be an analog creature struggling in a digital age and how we can reclaim our health through simple, science backed habits.What we cover:Why modern living has turned back pain into the world’s number one disability and how sitting, screens and stress drive chronic painHow movement, walking, micro exercise and the Big Six strength moves reduce pain, improve mood and extend lifespanHow the brain creates pain, why MRIs often show harmless “wrinkles,” and why movement outperforms passive treatmentsThe mindset side of recovery, including the wishbone, backbone and funny bone model for resilience and why movement is medicineIf you want to reduce pain, boost your energy and future proof your health, this conversation will shift how you move and how you live.Learn more about Antony here - https://thebackfix.com/about-1Connect with Antony on LinkedIn here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/antony-bush/Grab your copy of The Back Fix here - https://thebackfix.comIf you’re interested in having me deliver a keynote or workshop for your team contact Caroline at [email protected]: https://www.jjlaughlin.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GETJbxpgulYcYc6QAKLHA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesLaughlinOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslaughlinofficial/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/life-on-purpose-with-james-laughlin/id1547874035 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WBElxcvhCHtJWBac3nOlF?si=hotcGzHVRACeAx4GvybVOQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslaughlincoaching/James Laughlin is a High Performance Leadership Coach, Former 7-Time World Champion, Host of the Lead On Purpose Podcast and an Executive Coach to high performers and leaders. James is based in Christchurch, New Zealand.Send me a personal text messageJoin me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals - If you're interested in booking me for a keynote or workshop, contact Caroline at [email protected] the show

Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goalsIn this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with former UK Special Forces operator and performance coach Simon Jefferies to unpack how to perform under pressure without burning out.From surviving brutal SBS selection to building simple systems for state control, mindset and habits, Simon shares how anyone can train their mind like an elite operator.What we cover:Why fewer than ten percent pass UK Special Forces selection and why robustness beats raw fitnessThe mindset that separates quitters from finishers, including emotional control and self disciplineSimon’s three part model for high performance, state regulation, mindset work and simple daily systemsPractical tools for pressure, reframing, self talk, controlling the controllables and after action reviewsHow to protect your energy with intentional mornings, deep work, boundaries with tech and real recoveryWhy journalling, breath work and honest reflection help you align who you are with how you liveIf you are ready to lead with clarity, composure and purpose, this conversation is a masterclass.Learn more about Simon here - https://thenaturaledge.comConnect with Simon on LinkedIn here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonjeffries/Connect with Simon on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/the.natural.edge/If you’re interested in having me deliver a keynote or workshop for your team contact Caroline at [email protected]: https://www.jjlaughlin.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GETJbxpgulYcYc6QAKLHA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesLaughlinOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslaughlinofficial/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/life-on-purpose-with-james-laughlin/id1547874035 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WBElxcvhCHtJWBac3nOlF?si=hotcGzHVRACeAx4GvybVOQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslaughlincoaching/James Laughlin is a High Performance Leadership Coach, Former 7-Time World Champion, Host of the Lead On Purpose Podcast and an Executive Coach to high performers and leaders. James is based in Christchurch, New Zealand.Send me a personal text messageJoin me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goalsSupport the show

Order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with former All American wrestler and high performance coach Jim Harshaw Jr to unpack what it really takes to go from good to great without burning out.From a blue collar upbringing to the NCAA podium and training as an Olympic hopeful, Jim shares how he rebuilt his entire life through structure, coaching and an environment of excellence.What we cover:Jim’s journey from feeling out of his depth at a top university to becoming an All American, double graduate and Olympic hopefulThe four part framework for high performance: radical vision, aligned goals, an environment of excellence and a long term follow through planThe “miracle day,” billion dollar and funeral exercises that unlock what you really want from life and workWhy failure is a necessary ingredient for success and how to run a simple review so you actually learn from it instead of shrinking your goalsThe power of the “productive pause,” coaching and community, plus the daily habits and bookends Jim uses to keep performing at a high levelIf we can reframe failure, choose our environment and protect time to think, high performance stops being a grind and starts becoming the natural result of how we live.Learn more about Jim here - https://jimharshawjr.comListen to Jim’s podcast here - https://jimharshawjr.com/podcast/Apply for a free coaching call with Jim - https://jimharshawjr.net/callAction Plans + Success Through Failure Exercise - https://jimharshawjr.net/action-plan-landing-page1729264671370If you’re interested in having me deliver a keynote or workshop for your team contact Caroline at [email protected]: https://www.jjlaughlin.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GETJbxpgulYcYc6QAKLHA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesLaughlinOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslaughlinofficial/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/life-on-purpose-with-james-laughlin/id1547874035 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WBElxcvhCHtJWBac3nOlF?si=hotcGzHVRACeAx4GvybVOQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslaughlincoaching/James Laughlin is a High Performance Leadership Coach, Former 7-Time World Champion, Host of the Lead On Purpose Podcast and an Executive Coach to high performers and leaders. James is based in Christchurch, New Zealand.Send me a personal text messageJoin me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals - If you're interested in booking me for a keynote or workshop, contact Caroline at [email protected] the show

Order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with ADHD coach Sharon from The Functional Family to unpack what ADHD really is, why the old labels do more harm than good, and how leaders can create environments where neurodivergent people actually thrive. With over 20 years of study, formal ADDCA training, and the lived experience of raising three boys with ADHD, Sharon blends science, systems, and humour to turn daily chaos into connection and function.We dive into executive function, interest based brains, and very practical tools you can use at home and at work.What we cover:Why ADHD is not an attention deficit and why “disorder” misses the pointThe three ADHD presentations and how they show up in everyday lifeExecutive function, time awareness and why so many ADHD adults feel like they are always behindSharon’s open, closed and neutral brain model and how it helps with regulation at home and at workHow leaders can support ADHD team members with strengths based tasks, sprints, body doubling and smart accommodationsPractical tools including AI and Goblin Tools to break tasks down, reduce shame and build sustainable systems If we can better understand how different brains work, we unlock potential, deepen compassion and create environments where everyone can win.Learn more about Sharon here - https://www.thefunctionalfamily.comListen to Sharon’s podcast here - https://www.thefunctionalfamily.com/podcastTake the Clifton strengths test here - https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/252137/home.aspxFind an accredited ADHD coach here - https://adhdcoachesaustralasia.onlineFollow Sharon on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalfamily/If you’re interested in having me deliver a keynote or workshop for your team contact Caroline at [email protected]: https://www.jjlaughlin.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GETJbxpgulYcYc6QAKLHA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesLaughlinOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslaughlinofficial/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/life-on-purpose-with-james-laughlin/id1547874035 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WBElxcvhCHtJWBac3nOlF?si=hotcGzHVRACeAx4GvybVOQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslaughlincoaching/James Laughlin is a High PerforSend me a personal text messageJoin me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals - If you're interested in booking me for a keynote or workshop, contact Caroline at [email protected] the show