The Guest Speaker

In this episode of The Guest Speaker, Jessica takes us inside the pathway to becoming a physiotherapist: from choosing high-school subjects and applying for university, to practical exams, clinical placements and navigating those first years in the workforce.
She also breaks down the different areas of physiotherapy many students may never have considered - including musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and neurological physiotherapy - and shares how her own career evolved from private practice and sideline rugby into concussion rehabilitation and chronic pain management.
Jessica also opens up about a side of healthcare that isn't always taught in the classroom: the emotional weight of spending every day with people experiencing pain, learning to create boundaries, and recognising that being a great physiotherapist requires far more than simply understanding the human body.
For students considering physiotherapy, healthcare, sport or rehabilitation, this episode offers an honest look at what studying and working as a physiotherapist can really look like — and why communication, empathy and connecting with people may be some of the most important skills you can bring to the profession.

Josh Kersten shares the remarkable journey from working hands-on in New Zealand to founding Prime Platinum - an international company providing cutting-edge recovery and longevity technologies to professional athletes, wellness facilities and high-performance clients worldwide.
This conversation explores entrepreneurship, resilience, continuous learning, international business, and the future of human performance. Along the way, Josh explains the science behind cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and performance testing, while sharing practical lessons any student, entrepreneur or aspiring business owner can apply.
In this episode we discuss:
Why being a "jack of many trades" became Josh's greatest strength
How a broken laser machine changed his life
Building relationships with international manufacturers
Entrepreneurship without a university degree
The booming wellness and longevity industry
Recovery technologies used by elite athletes
Why measuring your health matters more than guessing
The habits that create long-term performance
Whether you're interested in business, entrepreneurship, sport, health or simply creating opportunities from unexpected beginnings, Josh's story is proof that curiosity, practical skills and relentless learning can take you further than you imagine.

Sharks made Dr. Riley Elliott famous - but this conversation is about much more than sharks.
Riley is one of the world's leading shark scientists, a documentary presenter for Shark Week, BBC and National Geographic, and a passionate advocate for marine conservation.
In this episode he shares how curiosity, purpose and hard work took him from a student in Hamilton, New Zealand, to researching great white sharks around the world.
Whether you're interested in science, conservation, media, university or simply finding meaningful work, this conversation is full of practical advice and inspiring stories.

Agriculture is one of New Zealand's largest industries, yet many young people have little idea of the incredible career opportunities it offers.
In this episode of The Guest Speaker, we sit down with Chloe Jones - Operations Manager at Fonterra Farms, former National Chair of New Zealand Young Farmers, and a passionate advocate for the future of the food and fibre sector.
Chloe shares her journey from a high school student unsure of what career to pursue, to studying Agricultural Science at Massey University, moving across the country for Fonterra's graduate programme, and building a career that combines leadership, strategy, business and farming.
Along the way, we discuss the realities of university, scholarships, graduate programmes, leadership in your twenties, why communication is one of the most valuable skills you can develop, and how saying "yes" to opportunities helped shape her career.
We also explore the incredible diversity within agriculture today - from science, technology and sustainability to business, operations and farm management - and why you don't need to grow up on a farm to find your place in the industry.
Whether you're considering university, looking for career inspiration, interested in agriculture, or simply trying to figure out your next step after school, Chloe offers thoughtful, practical advice that will leave you feeling encouraged about the opportunities ahead.
This conversation is a reminder that careers rarely follow a straight line - and sometimes keeping an open mind leads to opportunities you never imagined.

In this episode of The Guest Speaker, we sit down with Amy Coulton, whose journey has taken her from a high school career expo in New Zealand to working across luxury superyachts, tourism, hospitality and adventure travel around the world.
Amy shares how studying at Queenstown Resort College opened unexpected doors, what life is actually like working in tourism, the incredible highs of exploring places like French Polynesia and the Kimberley, and the very real challenges of burnout, long hours and protecting your wellbeing.
Whether you're considering tourism, hospitality, adventure travel, or simply want inspiration to create a life that's a little less ordinary, this conversation is packed with practical advice and honest insight.
In this episode we discuss:
Choosing an alternative pathway after high school
Queenstown Resort College and studying tourism
Building a career through internships and practical experience
Working in the Cook Islands, Bay of Islands and beyond
Life aboard luxury superyachts
Burnout, mental health and finding balance
Financial literacy and creating opportunities
Why diverse skills can become your greatest advantage