What a Lad

Jeremy Manning’s rugby journey is anything but ordinary. At just 16 years old he was playing against for the Marlborough Red Devils in the NPC which included playing in a Ranfurly Shield game against Canterbury while still being at school. He made the NZ secondary schools team on the wing ahead of Hosea Gear and out of school decided to take up a year offer with the Munster academy. Fast forward a few years later and he's doing the Haka against the All Blacks for Munster in a match!

In this episode, we dive into:

- Growing up in Marlborough and spending hours kicking goals alone
- What it was like being a 16 year old playing with men under Grizz Wylie
- Making New Zealand Schools and then missing out on U19s and how that shaped his path
- Moving to Ireland and joining Munster
- Winning Heineken Cups and learning behind Ronan O’Gara
- Playing against the All Blacks for Munster and performing a Haka
- Why his time at Newcastle Falcons turned him off rugby
- Life after rugby, including working with the Royal Family
- Helping Fiji Sevens during their Olympic success
- The emotional journey of IVF, surrogacy, and becoming a father

Jeremy is a massive lad with an incredible story. His story is different to most and has had some unique challenges. The way he shares his story with such honesty and vulnerability is super powerful. I know you'll enjoy this one, so let me know what you thought in the comments.
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Cam McBride is the very talented man behind the camera responsible for bringing the Crusaders to life every week.

In this episode of What a Lad, Cam talks about his time in the police, finding a new career through content creation, and working behind the scenes at the Crusaders.

In this episode, we cover…
- What he's noticed from his first year working with the Crusader
- How he started working as a sports masseuse with sports teams
- Why he joined the New Zealand Police and working frontline for nearly a decade
- The toll it took on him and how hard it was witnessing some horrible scenes.
- Shooting everything from local rugby to weddings while still policing
- Applying for the Crusaders role and what set him apart
- Stepping into big shoes and overcoming imposter syndrome
- How trust with players is built behind the scenes
- What game day really looks like for a Super Rugby content creator
- Capturing iconic Crusaders moments — including finals runs
- His vision for the future of Crusaders content

This episode is an awesome insight into what's involved with being a content creator, huge insight, plenty of tips and all from a massive lad!
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produced and after this episode it’s easy to see why.
A 108-test All Black, multiple-time World Cup winner, and a cornerstone of the Crusaders’ most dominant era. Owen built his career on work ethic, consistency, and doing whatever it took to get himself in the best position to perform week in and week out.

In this episode of What a Lad, Owen opens up like never before. From earning respect as a young All Black, to facing a battle far bigger than rugby when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. This is a rare look at what it actually takes to stay at the top — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

In this episode, we cover…
- Growing up in Motueka with his brother Ben
- How he put on the size to become a front rower
- The brutal start to professional rugby dislocating his elbow in his first Canterbury scrum
- His All Blacks debut and why he never felt overawed
- What the All Blacks environment is really like behind closed doors
- Earning respect, driving standards, and ruthless competition
- Walking out for World Cup finals
- Why he went to the gym the next day after World Cup glory
- The battle that came with being diagnosed with testicular cancer
- Why chemotherapy was tougher than any rugby pain
- Life after rugby, coaching, and a new perspective

This is one of the most inspiring episodes ever from a man who was (along with his brother) certainly the most professional player I ever saw. He’s someone who deserved every bit of success he got and I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one!
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Holly Parkes and Greg Johnson are two of the most purpose-driven people you’ll ever hear from.

Holly Parkes first came on the podcast during one of the toughest times of her life, sharing what it was really like trying to support someone battling a serious brain injury and searching for answers that never seemed to come. Greg is a former NZ SAS operator who spent years exposed to explosive blasts, before discovering his own brain injury had been misdiagnosed for years.

Together, they are now doing incredible work helping players, veterans, and everyday people who have struggled with brain injuries

From believing there was no hope to discovering a clinic that is actually helping people recover, this conversation is full of knowledge, and deeply important.

In this episode we dive into:

- Greg’s SAS career and how repeated blast exposure damaged his brain
- Being misdiagnosed with mental health issues instead of brain injury
- What brain injury actually does to your body, energy, personality and relationships
- Why so many athletes and veterans are slipping through broken pathways
- How Holly desperately searched for help and finally found a clinic doing things differently
- The Brain Health & Biofeedback Clinic in Dunedin and how it works
- Real people they are helping right now and the changes they’re already seeing
- Why brain injuries are not a death sentence
- What needs to change in sport, medicine, and support systems
And heaps more.

As you'll hear these two are super passionate about this topic which I know is a topic of relevance for many. The best thing about this episode is that if you are concerned or worried about your head there is hope!
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Reuben O’Neill has one of the most interesting stories in New Zealand rugby! A proud Taranaki lad, a cult hero in every team he’s played in, and a man who battled more adversity than most ever knew. From crippling cramps, constant injuries, and being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes — to somehow rising all the way into an All Blacks camp before he’d even played Super Rugby.

In this episode some of the things we talk about were..
- How he's always embraced being himself
- Being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and having no idea how to manage it
- The shock All Blacks call-up having played just a few NPC games
- The setbacks of a Neck fusion surgery, Achilles issues, stress fractures and how he kept coming back
- How injuries turned him into a DJ, a truck driver, a nutritionist and more
- The story behind “DJ Mince on Toast”
- Why he believes the Crusaders have had more success than the Chiefs
And he answers all your questions!

Rueben is a unique human, always happy to be himself, enjoys taking the piss and is not afraid of awkwardness. He's genuine lad and someone who makes every environment better in his own unique way. I'm sure you will enjoy this inspiring story from this great man!
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