What happens when your business grows faster than your peace of mind? Nikole Cassin shares the real, raw truth of building a fast-growing NDIS provider business — without losing herself along the way.

In this heartfelt and practical chat, we cover:

The cost of values-led leadership.
Why NDIS margins feel tighter than ever.
How Nikole stays calm while juggling pressure.
What she did when Xero showed red.
Why supporting your competitors might save you.

This episode is for every NDIS director who’s ever felt alone, overwhelmed, or unsure if growth is worth the cost. Nikole brings honesty, lived experience, and the reminder that you can lead with values and survive financially.

And yes, she really will have coffee with you — Zoom or in Melbourne. You’re not alone.

This episode is a raw, behind-the-scenes conversation about the reality of growing into leadership—without a playbook. Michael and Justin reflect on the emotional weight of being the go-to person, the cost of "being too nice," and what it means to let go of perfection. They cover everything from hiring mistakes and culture clashes to learning when to stop fixing everything yourself. You'll hear honest stories about crying in car parks, over-apologising, and finding your spine when the team needs more than just empathy.

If you’ve ever struggled with handing over control, building a team that actually solves problems, or shifting from being a doer to a leader—this episode will feel uncomfortably familiar. It’s not a leadership seminar. It’s real talk for the managers in the middle, trying to do the next right thing.

What if your biggest business lesson came from doing it all wrong?

In this refreshingly honest episode, Michael sits down with Tom—also known as Mr Purple—to unpack the real talk NDIS providers aren’t having enough.

They dive into:

• Why mistakes aren’t just okay—they’re your best teacher
• What NDIS directors should know about profitability and pressure
• Why scale is easy, but profit is hard
• When it’s time to walk away from your business
• And how coaching (the right kind) can actually change your life

If you're an NDIS provider, director, or someone holding it all together—you’ll feel seen in this one.

Connect with Mr Purple on LinkedIn
Or message Michael if you want an intro!

This one’s a masterclass. In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Sharman, the Jedi Knight of growth in Allied Health, to talk about what it really takes to grow a business from the ground up—without burning out your team, your family, or yourself.

Daniel shares:

• How he went from solo to 40+ staff across two states.
• The systems he had to rebuild at 50, 500, and 1,000 clients.
• What keeps him grounded (hint: horse riding lessons and AFL tackles).
• The honest truth about leadership, pressure, and what most founders get wrong.
• Why taking on every client might be hurting, not helping.

If you work in NDIS, allied health, or you’re just trying to scale something meaningful—you’ll want to listen to this.

Subscribe for more real convos with people growing things the hard way.

#NDIS #AlliedHealth #Leadership #DanielSharman #Growth #Podcast #NDISBusiness #SupportCoordinators #FoundersTruths #ScalingNDIS #BehindTheScenes #PurposeDrivenBusiness

Craig Minter joins us to unpack one of the biggest pain points in NDIS: staying profitable without burning out. If you’re a provider, director, or operations manager wondering why the numbers just don’t add up anymore — this is for you.

We talk about:

• Why “profit first” is not selfish — it’s survival.
• What a healthy profit margin actually looks like.
• What to do if your profits are about to halve.
• How to make calm financial decisions (even under pressure).
• Building the right financial team (and what your accountant isn’t telling you).

This is not just about money — it’s about protecting your time, your energy, and your relationships.

Guest: Craig Minter
https://www.thehealthybusinesslab.com
Connect on LinkedIn: Craig Minter

If you’re staring at your zero balance and wondering what’s next — watch this. Then watch it again.

In this episode, we sit down with Leesa from The Mindful OT—a business coach for occupational therapists who’s flipping the script on what leadership and success really look like.

She’s not building an empire. She’s building something better: a business that works during school bells, protects her energy, and leaves space for real life.

If you’re an NDIS provider, allied health professional, or sole trader feeling stretched too thin, this one’s for you.

We talk about:
– Why you must stop working like a bad boss to yourself
– How to reverse engineer your business around your actual life
– Setting KPIs that are kind, not punishing
– The power of spreadsheets (yes, really)
– Why unmet goals aren’t failure—they’re feedback

Whether you're a CEO or just starting out, Leesa’s approach to values-based planning and running a guilt-free business will hit home.

Find Leesa:
Website: themindfulot.au
LinkedIn & Instagram: @themindfulot.au

#NDISBusiness #OTBusinessCoach #MindfulOT #SoleTraderTips #WorkLifeBalance #BusinessWithoutBurnout #CEOWithoutTheHustle

In this episode of the NDIS Providers Growth Podcast, Stu Paul joins Michael Clark for a candid chat about overlooked opportunities in the NDIS space. If you’ve ever wondered how to build your business without burning through your budget—or what actually makes providers stand out—this one’s for you.

They explore what kind of person you need to be to grow, simple actions that open doors, and what they'd do if they had to start a provider business from scratch today.

Practical tips, real talk, and no fluff.
Hit play to learn what really works in the NDIS world.

Tania Gomez has started over 10 businesses — but only 4 were truly successful. In this honest and inspiring chat, she shares what it really takes to build, scale, and sometimes let go of the things that don’t work.

If you’ve ever thought:
“Why is my business not working?” or “Am I just not cut out for this?”

— this one’s for you.

Topics we cover:
How many businesses actually succeed.
What to do when things fail.
Why most entrepreneurs don’t hit 100%.
Tanya’s honest take on building, scaling, and starting again.

Leave a comment: What’s your business journey been like?

#EntrepreneurLife #SmallBusiness #TanyaGomez #NDISBusiness #StartupStruggles #BusinessWins

In this episode of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, host Michael Clark welcomes back mindset and leadership expert David Wolverton to tackle one of the biggest obstacles to success—our own self-talk.

David explains how negative thinking, self-doubt, and mental overload keep leaders, business owners, and professionals stuck in cycles of stress and underperformance. They explore how shifting from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset can transform not just your work but your entire life.

This episode dives into practical strategies for rewiring the way you think, setting long-term goals that actually stick, and why speaking kindly to yourself is just as important as supporting your team. Whether you're a director, manager, or someone looking to break out of old habits, this conversation will give you real tools to shift your mindset and get bigger results—without burnout.

Guest: David Wolverton – Leadership & Mindset Coach (wolverton.net.au)
Host: Michael Clark – Athletic Koala (athletickoala.com)

Tune in now and start transforming the way you think! 🎧

As the founder of NDIS Black Belt, Amy brings her straight-talking insight to one of the biggest challenges in the disability space right now: How collaboration is dying under the weight of scarcity.

In this episode, we unpack:
🧠 Why some providers are getting cutthroat
🤝 How internal silos kill collaboration
💥 The truth about 3% margins, burnt-out BDMs, and disappearing values
⚔️ What it really means to be “dangerously good” in today’s NDIS
💬 The leadership challenge no one wants to talk about

If you’ve been feeling the squeeze or wondering how to stay people-first when the system feels broken—this is the episode you need.

👉 Get ready for real talk, real strategies, and a whole lot of honesty.
#NDIS #Leadership #DisabilityServices #NDISBusiness #NDISProviders #AmyGray #NDISBlackBelt

Michael sits down with the one and only James Loveday, a creative genius when it comes to NDIS marketing strategy. If you've ever struggled to stand out as a provider, this episode is full of real, practical, outside-the-box marketing ideas that actually work – and most of them are incredibly low-cost. Tote bags at op shops, transparent coffee cups for sensory support, olive oil instead of wine, adaptive recipe books featuring participants – James has done it all.

In this episode, you'll learn why traditional approaches fall flat, and how clever branding and community insight can help build a business that people talk about for all the right reasons. Whether you're a new provider or a larger org looking for cut-through ideas, James will inspire you to think differently, act boldly, and bring your brand to life.

You won't find this kind of thinking anywhere else. James is one of a kind – and this chat proves it.

 In this episode, Michael chats with Gregg Chadwick—strategic marketer and founder of Chadwick Digital—about how NDIS providers can stop blending in and start standing out. They talk about why so many businesses look “vanilla” in 2025, what new and mid-sized providers can do to build real trust without relying on Google or Facebook ads, and how attraction-based marketing can be a better option for growing your client base. Gregg shares honest insights from building hundreds of provider websites and explains why the process—not a silver bullet—is the real shortcut. They cover how to create events that connect with the right participants, the importance of knowing your niche, and why building a community matters more than ever. If you're serious about building a people-focused, sustainable NDIS business, this episode is packed with straight-talking advice that actually works. 

NDIS providers, this episode is for you. If you’ve been hit with setbacks, struggling with marketing, or just wondering how to keep going, you NEED to hear from Jenn Donovan.

Jenn has built multiple businesses, navigated droughts, recessions, and business failures—and still came out ahead. She shares real, no-fluff advice on handling setbacks, building a strong brand, and marketing your business the smart way.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ The one-day rule – how Jenn handles setbacks without getting stuck
✅ Why NDIS providers must stop relying on word-of-mouth alone
✅ How to market smarter, not harder, without burning out
✅ The biggest mistakes businesses make with social media and branding
✅ Why LinkedIn is still the best place for NDIS growth—but not the only option

This episode is packed with gold for NDIS business owners, BDMs, and support coordinators. If you want to grow your business without losing your sanity, this is one to watch and share.

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3sruYKcihnI94xnKmL7Rv0
📩 Connect with Jenn Donovan: https://socialmediaandmarketing.com.au/
🎙️ Listen to Jenn’s Podcast: Small Business Made Simple
📖 Check out Jenn’s book: 107 Marketing Strategies You Can Actually Use

🔥 Struggling with marketing? Stuck in a setback? Drop a comment or DM me—let’s get you back on track! 🚀

If you're an NDIS provider, BDM, or support coordinator, you NEED to hear this.

In this episode, I sit down with Louis Butterfield, a LinkedIn expert who’s helping businesses go from invisible to in-demand—without spending a cent on ads. He shares practical, no-fluff strategies that NDIS providers can use to generate referrals, build trust, and grow their business on LinkedIn.

💡 Why LinkedIn?
Most NDIS providers waste time on Facebook, trying to reach participants directly—but referrals come from industry professionals like support coordinators and plan managers. LinkedIn is where they are. Louis breaks down exactly how to connect with the right people, build relationships, and get referrals without being salesy.

💬 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ Why Facebook doesn’t work anymore for NDIS businesses (and what to do instead)
✅ How to attract referrals from support coordinators and other providers
✅ What to post on LinkedIn to build trust and authority in the industry
✅ The biggest mistakes NDIS businesses make on LinkedIn (and how to avoid them)
✅ A step-by-step LinkedIn strategy that works in 2025

This is REAL, no-nonsense advice—and if you’re an NDIS business looking for more referrals, participants, and opportunities, you cannot afford to miss this one.

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3sruYKcihnI94xnKmL7Rv0
📩 Connect with Louis Butterfield on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-the-butterfield/
📩 Follow Athletic Koala on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletic-koala

🔥 Ready to stop chasing referrals and start attracting them? Drop a comment below or DM me on LinkedIn—let’s make LinkedIn WORK for your NDIS business!

In this episode, I sit down with Emma McLaurin, a powerhouse in the NDIS space who has seen what works, what doesn’t, and where providers are wasting time. Emma shares her insights on:

✅ Why copying and pasting what others are doing will sink your business
✅ How to pick a niche that actually works – and why passion plays a key role
✅ The biggest mistake providers make in their marketing
✅ How to differentiate yourself in a flooded market
✅ Why being genuine leads to long-term success – not just quick cash

Emma doesn’t just talk theory—she’s been in the trenches, working with providers to build sustainable businesses that stand out instead of blend in. If you’re an NDIS provider looking for real, no-nonsense advice on growth, branding, and making your business profitable AND impactful, this episode is a must-watch.

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3sruYKcihnI94xnKmL7Rv0
📩 Follow Athletic Koala on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletic-koala
📩 Want to join the conversation? If you have a short message or want to answer one of our podcast questions, add your voice to the show here: https://athletickoala.com.au/add-to-the-podcast/

💡 Watch, take notes, and start growing your NDIS business the right way! 🚀

In this episode, I sit down with Giuliana from Genovation, a true game-changer in the NDIS space. She’s not just running a provider business—she’s creating a future for young adults with disabilities, including her own daughter.

We dive into:
✅ The biggest fears parents have about their children’s future and how Genovation is tackling them head-on.
✅ How they’ve built a team of carers who genuinely care—not just about providing support, but about building real relationships.
✅ Why they don’t do generic activities like bowling or cinema trips and instead focus on purposeful, enriching experiences like ice skating and beach outings.
✅ The vision for an provider's future—a long-term, community-driven approach where families can truly feel secure, even decades from now.

💡 Giuliana and her husband Jake have built something that’s designed to outlive them—so their daughter and other young adults always have a place to belong.

🔥 If you’re an NDIS provider, a parent, or someone passionate about real change in disability support, this episode is a must-listen.

📩 Learn more about Genovation: https://genovation.org.au
📩 Follow Athletic Koala on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletic-koala
📩 Want to be part of the podcast? Leave a message here: https://athletickoala.com.au/add-to-the-podcast/

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3sruYKcihnI94xnKmL7Rv0?si=b6150f13f42a4cd1

Hit play, get inspired, and let’s redefine what’s possible in the NDIS space! 🚀

In this episode, I sit down with Tania Gomez, someone who has helped over 8,000 NDIS businesses get registered and grow. She’s worked with small and medium-sized providers, helping them break through the ceilings that so many get stuck under.

We dive into some of the biggest challenges NDIS providers face, from scaling a business without burning out to learning when to step back and let systems and teams do the work. Tania shares what it takes to build a business that doesn’t run you into the ground, why putting yourself first isn’t selfish, and how small providers can set themselves up for long-term success instead of just surviving month to month.

We also talk about how to get your time back, what providers should focus on first, and how finding the right balance in business and life is possible—even when juggling a million things. Tania opens up about the lessons she’s learned, the sacrifices she’s made, and the non-negotiables she won’t compromise on anymore.

This episode is packed with real-world advice, practical strategies, and a reality check for providers feeling stuck in the daily grind.

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3sruYKcihnI94xnKmL7Rv0?si=b6150f13f42a4cd1
📩 Follow Athletic Koala on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletic-koala
📩 Follow Tania Gomez Consulting on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tania-gomez-consulting/
📩 Check out Tania’s website: https://taniagomez.com

💬 Got something to say? If you have a short message or want to answer one of our podcast questions, you can add your voice to the show! Leave us a message here: https://athletickoala.com.au/add-to-the-podcast/

Give it a listen, take some notes, and let’s grow together! 🚀

In this episode of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, host Michael Clark sits down with leadership and mindset expert David Wolverton to tackle one of the biggest challenges for business owners, executives, and managers—burnout.

David shares why burnout doesn’t just affect you—it impacts your family, your staff, and your ability to lead effectively. They explore the common mistakes leaders make, from overcommitting to neglecting work-life balance, and discuss practical strategies for staying sharp for the long haul.

Key takeaways include the importance of delegation (without abdicating responsibility), setting priorities, and creating sustainable work habits that prevent exhaustion. Whether you’re leading an NDIS business or working your way up the ladder, this episode is packed with insights to help you stay focused, productive, and mentally strong.

Guest: David Wolverton – Leadership & Business Coach (wolverton.net.au)
Host: Michael Clark – Athletic Koala (athletickoala.com)

Listen now and future-proof your leadership! 🎧

In this episode of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, host Michael Clark sits down with John Gibbons, CEO of The Personnel Group, to talk about leadership, workplace culture, and how to build a team that actually cares.

John shares his journey from frontline support to CEO, offering insights on keeping staff engaged, reducing absenteeism, and creating a workplace where people feel valued. They discuss the importance of personal connection, the power of recognition, and why leadership isn’t just about policies—it’s about people.

Michael and John also tackle real-world challenges like dealing with unmotivated staff, handling difficult conversations, and maintaining a work-life balance while still being present for a growing team. This episode is packed with practical advice for NDIS business owners, managers, and leaders who want to create a workplace where both staff and participants thrive.

Guest: John Gibbons – CEO, The Personnel Group (personnelgroup.com.au)
Host: Michael Clark – Athletic Koala (athletickoala.com)

Listen now and start building a stronger team today! 

In this episode of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, host Michael Clark sits down with Paul Bryan, an expert in helping NDIS businesses grow. Paul shares how his background as a tradesman shaped his approach to collaboration and why working together is key to long-term success.

They dive into the biggest missed opportunities for medium-sized providers, the dangers of a scarcity mindset, and why many NDIS businesses struggle to differentiate themselves. Paul also shares real-world examples of providers who are thriving by focusing on their niche, building strong partnerships, and thinking outside the box.

From the myth of fake networking to the power of generosity in business, this episode is packed with insights to help NDIS providers grow sustainably. Tune in to learn how collaboration, creativity, and long-term thinking can transform your business.

Guest: Paul Bryan – NDIS Business Coach (Find him at actionintent.com.au)
Host: Michael Clark – Athletic Koala (Find us at Athletic Koala)

Listen now! 🚀

In this episode, I sit down with Stu Paull, a BDM at Plan Manage Assist, who’s become known for actually helping NDIS providers move forward instead of just talking about it. If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or like the NDIS world is too cutthroat, this one’s for you.

Stu shares why collaboration beats competition in the provider space and how small changes in the way you network can completely change your business. We also dive into the biggest mistakes providers make, why trying to offer everything doesn’t work, and what to do when your business growth slows down.

We even chat about his new podcast, NDIS TLDR —a short and sharp podcast packed with insights for busy providers.

📩 Follow Athletic Koala on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletic-koala
📩 Connect with Stu on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stu-p-a5693315b/
📩 Email Stu: spaull@planmanageassist.com.au

Give it a listen, take some notes, and let’s grow together! 🚀