#48 - Marc Hofmann - From Intern to Entrepreneur: What It Really Takes to Succeed in Hospitality
Marc Hofmann’s story is one of passion, persistence, and creating meaning through hospitality. Arriving in Hong Kong a decade ago with little experience, Marc started as an intern at Black Sheep Restaurants — cutting bread and learning the ropes. Ten years later, he’s the Managing Director and co-creator of Jean-Pierre, one of Hong Kong’s most exciting new restaurants.In this episode, Marc shares the journey from intern to restaurateur, the sacrifices behind the glamour of dining, and the deeply personal story of naming Jean-Pierre after his father. We talk about French and Hong Kong dining cultures, the pressures of running restaurants in one of the most competitive markets in the world, and what it really takes to build a team and a concept that lasts.This is a conversation about food, culture, resilience, and why hospitality is as much about people and stories as it is about plates and menus.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Black Sheep Restaurants and Mark Hofmann03:04 Mark's Journey with Black Sheep Restaurants06:13 The Birth of Jean-Pierre08:54 The Personal Touch Behind Jean-Pierre11:50 Creating the Atmosphere and Culture at Jean-Pierre15:02 Business Insights and Early Success of Jean-Pierre17:57 Challenges and Sacrifices in the Restaurant Industry21:12 Feedback and Growth in Hospitality31:20 Navigating Feedback in the Restaurant Industry33:03 Cultural Influences on Dining Experiences37:00 The Importance of Family and Heritage in Culinary Arts39:07 Building a Restaurant with Heart and Team Spirit43:11 Lessons Learned from Challenges in the Hospitality Sector46:56 Embracing Creativity and Innovation in Restaurant Concepts51:03 The Value of Consistency in Dining Experiences55:08 Reflections on Legacy and Personal Growth57:10 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
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#47 - Nic White - The Brutal Truth About Life as a Professional Athlete
Nic White has lived the highs and lows of professional rugby. The Wallabies scrum-half with over 70 Test caps has played all over the world, won trophies in Europe, and helped Australia to famous victories — including beating the British & Irish Lions and breaking South Africa’s 62-year Ellis Park hoodoo.In this episode, Nic opens up about announcing his retirement only to be called back days later, the pressure of representing Australia during tough times, and the lessons he’s learned from both success and failure. He shares candid stories about the realities of professional sport, the importance of family, the transition athletes face after retirement, and what resilience really looks like on and off the field.Whether you’re a rugby fan or just someone chasing your own “abnormal” goals, this conversation is packed with honesty, inspiration, and life lessons.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Nic White00:58 Reflections on Retirement03:58 The Emotional Farewell09:18 The Pressure of Performance14:28 Navigating Team Dynamics18:20 The Low Points of 202321:54 Finding Balance in Life27:01 Future Plans Beyond Rugby32:21 The Excitement of Coaching34:20 The Reality of Parenting and Coaching36:41 Transitioning from Player to Coach39:52 Team Dynamics and Personal Growth42:37 Traits of Top Performers45:54 The Difference Between Great and World-Class Players49:47 Lessons from a High-Performance Career52:39 Mindset Shifts in Performance56:08 Feedback and Communication in High-Pressure Environments01:02:01 Balancing Process and Results01:05:53 Advice for Achieving Abnormal Goals
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#46 - Daniel Temm - From Pro Rugby to CEO: The Brutal Truth About Startups
From the rugby pitch to the boardroom, Daniel Temm has lived two very different lives. After a career as a professional rugby player, he stepped away from sport and into the unknown, pouring his savings and energy into building a business from scratch. Today, he’s the CEO of Puresport, one of the UK’s fastest-growing wellness brands.This episode is about more than rugby or entrepreneurship. It’s about what it really takes to keep showing up when everything feels stacked against you, and how resilience, adaptability, and purpose can carry you further than talent ever will.Chapters00:00 From Rugby to Business: A Journey of Reinvention08:12 Navigating Business with Friends: Challenges and Agreements18:48 Building a Strong Company Culture: Lessons from Sport25:55 Managing Highs and Lows in Business: Leadership Insights32:52 The Importance of Consistency in Leadership35:18 Navigating Loneliness as a CEO36:18 The Transformational Power of Mentorship40:00 The Journey from Sports to Business45:00 Finding Freedom in Performance48:29 Introducing Puresport: A New Approach to Supplements54:32 Building Community Through Authenticity01:00:57 Leaving a Lasting Impact: Dan's Vision01:04:21 Advice for the Abnormal JourneyCheck out Puresport: https://puresport.co/en-auFollow Dan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/danieltemm3/Follow Abnormal on IG: https://www.instagram.com/abnormalpod/
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#45 - Aisyah Rafaee - The Real Cost of Chasing Dreams: IVF, Fertility & the Olympics
In this episode, Aisyah Rafaee shares her incredible journey as Singapore's first Olympic rower, discussing the challenges of crowdfunding her way to the Olympics, the pressures of competing, and her experiences with mental health and IVF. Aisyah emphasises the importance of resilience, community support, and the lessons learned from her athletic career as she transitions into coaching and navigates the complexities of family planning. Her candid reflections on the emotional toll of IVF and the societal pressures faced by women in sports provide valuable insights for listeners all over the World.Chapters00:00 Aisyah's Journey to the Olympics03:02 The Pressure of Competing06:11 Mental Resilience and Journaling09:05 Transitioning from Athlete to Coach11:52 The Road to Paris 202415:06 Finding Joy in Rowing17:56 Lessons Learned Through Rowing21:06 Core Values and Life After Sports30:01 Cultural Transition: A Move to America33:00 Navigating the IVF Journey41:51 Mental Resilience in the Face of Challenges53:50 Support Systems and Community57:59 Embracing Vulnerability and Personal GrowthCheck out Aisyah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariesyah/?hl=en
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#44 - Philip Doyle - Juggling the NHS & Olympics: The World’s Most Extreme Schedule
Olympic medalist and NHS doctor Philip Doyle joins the Abnormal podcast to share the unbelievable story of how he balanced saving lives with chasing Olympic glory.Starting rowing in university, Philip went on to represent Ireland at two Olympic Games—while also working gruelling 114-hour hospital weeks, sneaking in rowing sessions at 2AM during night shifts. In this raw and powerful conversation, he opens up about pressure, burnout, building mental resilience, and the mindset needed to push beyond limits.From working in emergency medicine to standing on an Olympic podium, Philip breaks down the habits, mindset, and philosophy that kept him going when most people would quit. He also shares his “four-legged stool” framework for balance, and the unusual motivation that fuels his training (hint: it involves Ben & Jerry’s).If you're interested in high performance, elite sport, overcoming excuses, or simply want to hear one of the most inspiring stories of discipline and consistency, this episode is for you.Timestamps0:00 – Intro2:00 – Balancing medicine & Olympic training10:00 – Removing barriers & getting things done17:00 – When life crumbles & what to do about it34:00 – Mental toughness & the “monkey on your back”45:00 – Behind the scenes of winning an Olympic medal58:00 – Life after the Olympics & moving the goalposts1:04:00 – Advice for anyone chasing an “abnormal” goal
The podcast for normal people who want to do abnormal things.Hey, I am Pete Laverick, an Ex-professional athlete living a pretty normal life in Hong Kong. I talk to people who many of us view as 'abnormal', or having achieved abnormal things. I want to know if these 'abnormal' people are that much different from the rest of us, what was it that made them go from being normal people, living normal lives, to wanting to do something completely different and make that first step outside of their comfort zone.
Ireland