NDIS providers and leaders - for directors, managers, BDMs etc - How to grow your NDIS business without losing your mind on the journey.
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Michael Clark From Athletic Koala Podcasts

1
How to Grow on LinkedIn, with Michelle Flynn (Ep 34)
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9:43What does it take to stop being invisible on LinkedIn? In this episode, Michelle shares how she went from hesitant poster to being recognised as a LinkedIn go-to person in her industry. With 15 years of marketing experience, she explains how she built confidence, created a consistent posting rhythm, and developed a supportive “village” of collabora…
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How to make a "People Come First" business that thrives, with Stacey Goulding (Ep 33)
24:06
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24:06What does it mean to put people before paperwork? In this episode, we sit down with Stacey Goulding, behavioural specialist and founder of LumaBloom, to explore her unique human-first approach to behaviour support and business. Stacey shares how she built services in the UK, transitioned into the NDIS world in Australia, and why she believes collab…
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Think 10x Bigger - Strategy and Leadership in the NDIS, with Yasser Zaki (Ep 32)
20:51
20:51
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20:51Think 10x Bigger. Stop playing small. But... How do you innovate in a system bound by strict rules? In this episode, we sit down with Yasser Zaki, global operations leader at Tender Loving Care, to unpack how he balances compliance, creativity, and purpose in the NDIS world. Yasser shares: Why disruptive management is essential for growth. How to a…
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Build an Allied Health Business That Runs on Autopilot, with Paul Wright (Ep 31)
36:47
36:47
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36:47Most health and NDIS business owners work in their business instead of building one that gives them back time, money, and life. In this episode, Paul Wright shares how he went from a single physio practice to six thriving clinics and why he eventually sold them to focus on teaching others how to earn more, work less, and enjoy life. You will hear a…
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Want NDIS Referrals? What Support Coordinators Really Think with Hannah Redford (Ep 30)
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20:34
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20:34Think sending a "we've got capacity" email will get you referrals? Think again. In this episode, Michael talks with Hannah Redford, a support coordinator with six years of experience, about what actually works when approaching support coordinators for NDIS referrals. If you are an NDIS provider trying to grow your business, this conversation will s…
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From One House to Five: How to Build a Values-First NDIS Business in 13 Months, with Stevie-Lee (Ep 29)
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21:31What happens when a former child protection worker becomes an NDIS business owner with no business background and grows faster than expected? In this honest and practical conversation, Stevie Lee shares how she: Grew from one SIL home to five in just 13 months Built her service around participant outcomes instead of profits Faced burnout and tough …
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How to Stand Out in Business Without Selling, with Steve Dart (Ep 28)
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28:04Tired of cold calls and boring marketing? Steve Dart shares how he helped a small sports brand go from unknown to Commonwealth Games legend—by launching a podcast before podcasts were cool. In this episode, Steve reveals: Why building real relationships beats selling How LinkedIn can be your most powerful tool The “HOPE” strategy he uses to grow hi…
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LinkedIn for NDIS Providers: Real Talk with Con Sotidis (Ep 27)
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42:32Want to grow your NDIS business using LinkedIn? In this episode, LinkedIn strategist and NDIS consultant Con Sotidis shares proven tips to help NDIS providers get more referrals, build strong networks, and grow their business online. You’ll learn: How to use LinkedIn to grow your NDIS business The four pillars of social selling for support provider…
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NDIS Support Work, Mental Health and Neurodiversity with James Loveday (Ep 26)
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45:03In this episode, Michael speaks with James Loveday, one of the most experienced voices in the NDIS sector, about the real challenges behind disability support work. They explore what it’s like to work in the NDIS while living with neurodiversity and mental health struggles. James shares his personal journey through burnout, addiction, and masking—a…
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How NDIS Providers Can Grow Without Spending More - with Stu Paull (Ep 15)
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16:05What would it take to go from zero to 200 participants in just six months? In this powerful episode, Michael Clark sits down with Stu Paull—BDM at Plan Manage Assist and one of the most trusted names in the NDIS space—to unpack the truth about networking, referrals, and relationship-based growth. Together, they build a hypothetical provider busines…
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Running Profitably, While Not Being A Slave To Your Business - with Leesa Tuffnell (Ep 16)
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13:24In this episode of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, Michael Clark sits down with Leesa from The Mindful OT—a business coach helping occupational therapists and sole traders build businesses that don’t burn them out. Leesa isn’t chasing hustle culture. She’s designing her business around school bells, energy levels, and a guilt-free mindset—and teachin…
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Profit First Mindset in NDIS with Craig Minter (Ep 17)
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33:20In this episode of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, Michael Clark sits down with Craig Minter from The Healthy Business Lab to tackle the uncomfortable question too many providers are asking: “Why am I working so hard and still broke?” Whether you're a director, ops manager, or provider, this episode dives into the reality behind low margins, rising c…
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How Daniel Sharman Grew to 1,000 NDIS Clients Without Losing His Mind (Ep 18)
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24:14In this masterclass episode, I sit down with Daniel Sharman – the Jedi Knight of growth in Allied Health – to talk about scaling with purpose. He grew from solo operator to over 40 staff across two states, supporting 1,000+ clients. But it didn’t come easy. We talk about: ✅ The systems he had to rebuild at 50, 500, and 1,000 clients ✅ How leadershi…
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How NOT to Run an NDIS Business (And Why That’s Okay) with Mr Purple on Mistakeology (Ep 19)
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14:18What if your biggest business breakthrough came from getting it all wrong? In this brutally honest episode, Michael sits down with Tom—aka Mr Purple—to talk about the lessons most NDIS providers are too afraid to say out loud. This one is for the directors, founders, and managers who are holding everything together behind the scenes. We talk about:…
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From People Pleaser to Practical Leader with Justin Boulos (Ep 20)
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28:23In this raw, behind-the-scenes episode, Michael sits down with Justin from Willie Works to talk about the emotional weight of leadership—and why most of us are figuring it out as we go. They dive deep into the stuff we don’t usually talk about: ✅ Crying in car parks and over-apologising ✅ Hiring mistakes and shifting from fixer to leader ✅ Building…
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How Nikole Cassin Grew an NDIS Business Without Burning Out (Ep 21)
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17:23In this episode, Michael sits down with Nicole Cassin—NDIS director, leader, and absolute powerhouse. Nicole shares what it’s really like to grow fast in the NDIS world… without letting the stress destroy your health, values, or team. 🎯 What You'll Learn: ✅ Why growing fast can be exciting and terrifying ✅ The mindset shift Nicole made to stay calm…
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How To Grow Your NDIS Business By Getting Your Best People Doing THIS with Paul Bryan (Ep 22)
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15:29In this episode, Michael sits down with Paul Bryan—NDIS business coach and the man behind Provider X. They talk about how to grow your business without losing your sanity, and why the secret to success might be other providers. 🎯 What You’ll Hear: ✅ Why generosity (not ego) drives real business success ✅ What Paul learned from being the outsider at…
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What Actually Makes a Family Work While Running A Business, with Amelia Clark and Michael Clark (Ep 23)
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8:13
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8:13What really makes a family work? In this honest and funny conversation, a dad and daughter sit down to talk about what matters most—connection, tech-free time, and why weekends off might just be the dream. From running a business and feeling burned out, to sending a simple text to your brother, this episode is packed with little reminders that rela…
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How Kezia Built a Bold NDIS Business in 15 Months, with Kezia Tieck (Ep 24)
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26:44Kezia didn’t just grow fast—she did it differently. In just 15 months, she went from a solo OT to leading a thriving NDIS business with 17 staff, 80 clients, a leafy green expo garden… and zero interest in playing by boring provider rules. In this energising and refreshingly honest episode, Kezia shares how she: – Grew Staying Independent into a st…
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Why Scaling Your NDIS Business Might Be a Mistake, with Vanessa Norman (Ep 25)
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34:06
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34:06Is growing your NDIS business always the right move? In this honest and practical conversation, Michael speaks with Vanessa Norman, a former NDIS provider who built a successful business, then chose to walk away. They unpack the realities of scaling in the NDIS sector, from burnout and financial strain to identity loss and the pressure to look succ…
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Why NDIS Providers Are Missing Referrals | Paul Bryan (Episode 1)
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16:24
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16:24In this first episode of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, host Michael Clark chats with Paul Bryan — an NDIS business coach who helps providers grow through clear strategy, creative thinking, and real collaboration. Paul shares how his experience as a tradesman shaped his no-nonsense approach to business. Together, they unpack the biggest missed oppor…
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The Only Leadership Skills You'll Need - For NDIS Providers | John Gibbons (Episode 2)
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15:23
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15:23In this episode of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, host Michael Clark sits down with John Gibbons, CEO of The Personnel Group, to talk leadership, culture, and what it really takes to build a team that cares. John shares his journey from frontline support to CEO, offering hard-earned insights on staff engagement, absenteeism, and how to create a work…
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Dealing with Burnout in Leadership | David Wolverton (Episode 3)
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12:30In this episode of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, host Michael Clark is joined by leadership and mindset coach David Wolverton to talk about one of the biggest threats to long-term success — burnout. David unpacks how burnout doesn’t just affect you. It ripples out to your team, your family, and the culture of your entire organisation. They explore …
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How To Make 100 Real Provider Connections (with Stu Paull) Episode 4
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16:16In this episode of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, host Michael Clark sits down with Stu Paull, a BDM at Plan Manage Assist who’s built a reputation for helping providers move forward — not just talking in circles. If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or like the NDIS sector is too competitive, this episode is a refreshingly honest look at what act…
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How To Run A Growing Business Without Ruining Your Life - With Tania Gomez (Ep 5)
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21:57In this episode of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, Michael Clark sits down with Tania Gomez — a powerhouse who has helped over 8,000 NDIS businesses get registered, grow, and break through the ceilings so many providers get stuck under. They dive deep into what it really takes to grow a business that doesn’t run you into the ground. Tania shares prac…
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Building a Future for Young Adults with Disabilities | Giuliana Ferretti (Ep 6)
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21:11In this episode of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, Michael Clark sits down with Giuliana from Genovation — a provider reshaping what disability support looks like for young adults. Inspired by her own daughter, Giuliana and her husband Jake have built a community that’s designed to last long after they’re gone. This isn’t just another day program. It…
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Starting An NDIS Business From Scratch - with Emma McLaurin (Ep 7)
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11:26In this episode of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, host Michael Clark sits down with Emma McLaurin — a straight-talking NDIS expert who has seen it all: the trends, the traps, and the time-wasters. If you’ve been tempted to copy what other providers are doing, this episode will snap you out of it. Emma shares what actually works in a flooded market, …
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How To Use LinkedIn To Get More Referrals Than You'd Believe - with Louis Butterfield (Ep 8)
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25:46
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25:46If you're an NDIS provider, support coordinator, or BDM, this is the episode you can’t afford to skip. In this episode of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, Michael Clark chats with Louis Butterfield — a LinkedIn expert helping businesses go from invisible to in-demand without paying a cent for ads. Louis breaks down exactly how NDIS providers can use L…
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How to Handle Setbacks and Grow Your NDIS Business – with Jenn Donovan (Ep 9)
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17:33NDIS providers — if you’ve been hit with setbacks, burnt out from marketing, or stuck relying on word-of-mouth, this episode is for you. In this episode of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, Michael Clark sits down with Jenn Donovan — a business and marketing strategist who has built multiple businesses, weathered droughts, recessions, and failure, and …
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NDIS Businesses Are Missing These Marketing Shortcuts - with Greg Chadwick (Ep 10)
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15:26If your website looks like every other NDIS provider… this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. In Episode 10 of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, host Michael Clark chats with Gregg Chadwick, founder of Chadwick Digital, about how to actually stand out in the NDIS space—without throwing cash at Facebook or Google ads. 💬 What You’ll Hear in This Epi…
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The Wildest NDIS Marketing Brain in Australia - With James Loveday (Ep11)
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15:45If you think marketing in the NDIS world has to be boring, safe, or expensive… you haven’t met James Loveday. In this episode of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, Michael sits down with creative strategist James Loveday, the mind behind some of the most out-there (and effective) ideas in NDIS marketing. Tote bags at op shops, transparent coffee cups de…
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Scarcity, Silos & Being "Dangerously Good" with Amy Gray (Ep 12)
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17:14In this brutally honest episode of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, Michael sits down with Amy Gray, founder of NDIS Black Belt, to dig deep into what’s going wrong with collaboration in the NDIS world—and what we can actually do about it. Amy brings her no-fluff insight to the table as they unpack the reality facing many providers in 2025: 🧠 Why some…
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Real Leadership Skills Starts With This (with David Wolverton) - Ep13
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10:34In this episode of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, Michael Clark welcomes back leadership and mindset coach David Wolverton for a deep dive into the internal dialogue that’s holding so many leaders back. They unpack: 🧠 Why self-talk shapes success more than strategy 🔁 How to shift from fixed thinking to growth 📉 The hidden cost of negative thinking a…
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The Truth About Building Something That Lasts with Tania Gomez (Ep 14)
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20:13
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20:13Tania Gomez has started over 10 businesses—but only 4 were successful. In this honest and practical conversation, she shares what most people won’t: sometimes, things fail—and that’s part of the process. If you’ve ever thought: “Why isn’t my business working?” or “Am I cut out for this?” —this one’s for you. We unpack: 💥 The truth about failure and…
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