Today, on Better Student Leaders, Two-time Olympian, silver medalist, and President of the Queensland Olympic Council, Paul “Gonzo” Gonzalez has spent decades studying what separates good players from great ones. From leading Australia to a baseball silver medal to delivering a record-breaking $2.2 million fundraiser in 24 hours, Gonzo’s life has been a masterclass in leadership, trust, and relentless improvement.

In this episode, we explore how elite sport teaches lessons that every leader can apply: how to build trust through shared vision, how to evolve 1% at a time, and why enjoying the journey matters as much as winning the medal.

Impactful Lessons and Quotes

“Good players inspire themselves. Great players inspire others.”

“Sometimes success isn’t doing everything perfectly - it’s doing everything 1% better than yesterday.”

“Vision is the easy part. Implementation and execution are the real skill set.”

“Team can beat talent when you’re unified to a common goal.”

“Relationships are the most underrated asset you’ll ever have.”

Key Sections & Timestamps

00:02 – Good Players vs Great Players

Gonzo unpacks his LinkedIn mantra: why leadership means lifting others and how non-verbal cues build connection and trust.

05:00 – The 1% Rule

Inside the “three pillars” framework: keep what works, improve what needs it, and try something new. How Team USA invests $50 million in AI just to find their next 1%.

11:00 – Data, Trust & Gut Feel

From Moneyball analytics to reading body language — why the best leaders blend data with intuition.

15:00 – Culture Beats Talent

The untold story of how Australia’s $2 million-rostered baseball team beat Japan’s $120 million “dream team” twice at the Olympics — and what universities can learn from it.

21:00 – Roadmaps Over Resets

Why most people scrap the whole plan instead of improving one broken part — and how Gonzo applies project-management discipline to sport, business, and life.

26:00 – Raising $2.2 Million in 24 Hours

A play-by-play of how his team built a strategy, budget, and belief system that raised record-breaking funds — and got 1% better each year.

33:00 – Mentorship, Joy & Relationships

Why every Olympian has a coach, every leader needs a mentor, and why relationships — not titles — are your biggest assets.

40:00 – Lessons from the Arena

From Michael Jordan’s mindset to boardroom battles, how to prepare, build resilience, and respond to setbacks with reflection, not fear.

46:00 – Brisbane 2032 & Beyond

A look ahead: why Queensland’s Olympic legacy starts now — not in seven years — and how trust, preparation, and small wins will define its success.