E115 | Marc Ellis

Episode summary | Marc Ellis

Marc Ellis is a dream guest – and he delivered in this episode! He’s said that his life can be viewed in chapters he’s done enough to have an episode dedicated to each chapter.

He played rugby for Otago, North Harbour, the Blues, the Highlanders, and the All Blacks, and crossed codes to rugby league for the Warriors and Kiwis; he was one of New Zealand’s top television stars for over a decade; and he founded Charlie’s Juice – which sold for $129 million to Asahi after 10 years in business.

Despite not needing to work again, he decided to wake up at 4.30am every morning for two years as a co-host on a breakfast radio show, before he faded out of the public spotlight to focus on his family and being a dad while running a small marketing agency.

Marc’s unpredictable brand of hijinks and gags was resurrected in this ep, and his infectiously positive and fun personality rubbed off on us both. But behind the laughs and wild stories is an incredibly driven, successful, thoughtful guy.

Show notes | Marc Ellis

2:14: A pinch yourself moment and a local speakeasy

4:21: That time Marc nearly killed himself alone with a bowling machine

7:15: The Human Cannonball, the boat, and the Round Lake Taupo cycle

15:15: The last ten years of Marc Ellis

16:57: Macca at high school

19:43: The King of Otago University

22:49: Scarfie hijinks

25:01: Otago rugby and All Blacks tours

30:01: “Suzie” at the 1995 Rugby World Cup

33:38: Setting up Charlie’s

39:34: The decision to sell Charlie’s

46:12: The Warriors, Jonah, and JK

52:34: Sports Café

1:03:59: Matthew Ridge and Marc Ellis

1:11:21: Working on More FM after becoming a multi-millionaire

1:15:32: The Rangitoto stunt

1:19:13: Media Blanco and life now

1:21:35: Fame and anonymity

1:22:49: Advice from a father to a son

1:29:40: Last words from Steve, Seamus, and Marc