E140 | Russell Packer

Episode summary | Russell Packer

Russell Packer is a former rugby league player who played for the Warriors, Tigers, Dragons and Kiwis across a 13-year professional career in the NRL.

After retiring from league two years ago, Russell returned to NZ with his family and is now a businessman, leading a property development project in his hometown of Foxton.

Russell’s footy career was divided by one major incident. In 2013 he was sentenced to two years in prison for assaulting a man outside a pub in Sydney. It’s a definitive part of Russell’s story, and the impressive man he is today is reflective of the lessons he learned about himself through his darkest days.

Russell’s life has been one hell of a ride and the thing that stuck with us is his appetite for self-improvement. His thirst for learning and growing, and being a better man is impressive.

If you only know Russell from a headline, this ep will change your perception of the man. We’re so proud to be able to help tell his story.

Show notes | Russell Packer

0:00 Birthday dinners, time keeping, smoothing out rough edges and Izzy Whitley

3:43 Golf, mastery, presence, and well-being

10:36 Wim Hof and cold immersion

14:16 A man drawn to the extremes

18:15 Taking on challenges: the MBA journey

26:20 14-years-old playing senior rugby league

36:36 Reflections on a year in jail

56:13 A return to the NRL with a new perspective

1:07:20 Finishing up at the Wests Tigers

1:14:52 The mentality of a front rower in rugby league

1:17:20 A thirst for knowledge and transitioning into the business world

1:21:59 Life with an autistic son

1:26:49 Volunteering in the community

1:30:03 Last words from Steve, Seamus, and Russell