The Top 1% Podcast

• Ep 12 | Corey Thompson: From Underdog to Elite - 180 games in the NRL

  From barefoot beginnings to NRL Grand Final glory, Corey Thompson shares his remarkable 10-year professional rugby league journey. Discover how a late-blooming athlete with wires in both ankles and a metal plate in his hand conquered the NRL and Super League across 180 professional caps. Corey reveals the brutal reality of post-retirement at just 33 — losing identity, purpose, and fighting through a dark year before finding his way back. Learn the visualisation techniques that prepared him for the biggest games, why he went alcohol-free for 18 months, and the competitive mindset that separates elite athletes from everyone else. This episode unpacks the hidden sacrifices behind professional sports success and offers powerful lessons on resilience, goal-setting, and rebuilding your life after your dreams are fulfilled. 00:00:00 - Introduction to Corey Thompson's career 00:04:58 - Childhood in Brisbane and family challenges 00:14:15 - Breaking into professional rugby league 00:21:42 - Grand final experience and first NRL contract 00:29:05 - Challenges of playing in England and returning home 00:35:47 - The toughest opponents and most difficult games 00:42:12 - Post-retirement struggles and identity crisis 00:51:21 - Mental preparation and visualization techniques 00:57:09 - Leadership insights and coaching wisdom 01:09:24 - The competitive mindset of elite athletes 01:22:57 - Life lessons and goal-setting strategies 01:31:43 - What separates the true greats from everyone else 01:36:58 - Finding purpose after retirement and new career path Want to learn my exact strategy for building a successful property portfolio? Check out School of Property for a step-by-step investing blueprint that's helped thousands of Aussies start and scale their investments: https://schoolofproperty.com.au Follow me for more investing & business insights: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samgordonproperty Business: https://www.instagram.com/australianpropertyscout Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thetoponepercentpodcast Follow Corey Thompson: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corey_thompson15 #NRL #CoreyThompson #RugbyLeague #MentalToughness #TopOnePercent #RetirementTransition #Resilience #ProfessionalAthlete #Bulldogs #TitansNRL #SportsPerformance The content provided on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial, business, or legal advice. The hosts and guests of the podcast are sharing their personal opinions and experiences, which may not be applicable to your unique situation. We strongly recommend that you seek the advice of a qualified financial advisor, business consultant, or legal professional before making any financial or business decisions. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is solely at your own risk. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information provided. All information is provided "as is" without any guarantees of completeness, accuracy, timeliness, or results obtained from the use of this information. Any references to specific financial products, companies, or services are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast or its hosts. By listening to this podcast, you agree that the podcast and its affiliates are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided in this podcast.

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• Ep 11 | Solo Sammy: 10 Episodes. 10 Life Changing Lessons.

  From overcoming fear to building 8-figure empires, this special episode breaks down the key lessons from our first 10 interviews with world-class performers. Discover how an Olympic BMX champion conquered crippling fear, how a refugee built a $3B real estate empire, and why one entrepreneur went from $40M success to rock bottom. Learn the common traits of the top 1%: resilience through adversity, sustainable scaling strategies, and why pressure is a privilege. Every mistake is just a lesson with a price tag. 00:00:00 - Intro to our top 1% performers 00:02:47 - The power of resilience and hard work 00:06:34 - Why every mistake is just a lesson 00:09:24 - From pub crawls to 8-figure entrepreneur 00:14:27 - Pressure is a privilege: lessons from pro sports 00:19:03 - Building a $3B business from refugee roots 00:24:52 - Turning $800K loss into massive comeback 00:30:55 - Sustainable scaling vs rapid burnout 00:42:01 - The art of building and empowering teams 00:47:05 - Brutal truths I wish I knew in my 20s 00:51:04 - Olympic gold through overcoming fear Want to learn my exact strategy for building a successful property portfolio? Check out School of Property for a step-by-step investing blueprint that's helped thousands of Aussies start and scale their investments: https://schoolofproperty.com.au Follow me for more investing & business insights: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samgordonproperty Business: https://www.instagram.com/australianpropertyscout Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thetoponepercentpodcast #Top1Percent #SuccessMindset #HighPerformance #BusinessLessons #EntrepreneurTips #OlympicMindset #ResilienceStories The content provided on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial, business, or legal advice. The hosts and guests of the podcast are sharing their personal opinions and experiences, which may not be applicable to your unique situation. We strongly recommend that you seek the advice of a qualified financial advisor, business consultant, or legal professional before making any financial or business decisions. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is solely at your own risk. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information provided. All information is provided "as is" without any guarantees of completeness, accuracy, timeliness, or results obtained from the use of this information. Any references to specific financial products, companies, or services are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast or its hosts. By listening to this podcast, you agree that the podcast and its affiliates are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided in this podcast.

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• Ep 10 | Saya Sakakibara: Olympic Gold Medalist & 2x BMX World Champion

  From nearly walking away from BMX after a concussion to becoming Olympic Gold Medallist and 2x World Champion — Saya Sakakibara’s story is one of fear, failure, and unstoppable resilience. In this episode, Saya gets raw and real about the mental battle behind elite performance. She opens up about her brother’s life-changing crash, her own terrifying head injury at the Tokyo Games, and how she almost gave up on the sport she grew up in. What changed? A mindset coach. A new mission. And the belief that the gold is on the other side of fear. If you're an athlete, entrepreneur, or anyone chasing big goals — this is a conversation you’ll feel in your gut. 00:00:00 – Saya’s Olympic victory & famous speech 00:04:00 – Fear, doubt & mental prep before the final 00:12:00 – Childhood, competition & starting BMX in Japan 00:19:00 – The mindset coach that changed everything 00:27:00 – Crashing out in Tokyo & rebuilding confidence 00:41:00 – Flow state, fun, and the race of a lifetime 00:48:00 – How support systems create champions 00:52:00 – Romain’s bronze + Saya’s gold = power couple 00:58:00 – Managing stress and anxiety like a pro 01:08:00 – Her #1 trait of a top 1% performer 01:15:00 – The advice she’d give the next generation 01:17:00 – What’s next: a world championship + a book Want to learn my exact strategy for building a successful property portfolio? Check out School of Property for a step-by-step investing blueprint that's helped thousands of Aussies start and scale their investments: https://schoolofproperty.com.au Follow me for more investing & business insights: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samgordonproperty Business: https://www.instagram.com/australianpropertyscout Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thetoponepercentpodcast Follow Saya Sakakibara: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sayasakakibara YouTube: www.youtube.com/@sayabmx #SayaSakakibara #OlympicChampion #BMXRacing #FearlessMindset #Top1PercentPodcast #MentalResilience #ComebackStory #GoldMedalMindset #HighPerformanceHabits #PeakPerformance The content provided on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial, business, or legal advice. The hosts and guests of the podcast are sharing their personal opinions and experiences, which may not be applicable to your unique situation. We strongly recommend that you seek the advice of a qualified financial advisor, business consultant, or legal professional before making any financial or business decisions. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is solely at your own risk. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information provided. All information is provided "as is" without any guarantees of completeness, accuracy, timeliness, or results obtained from the use of this information. Any references to specific financial products, companies, or services are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast or its hosts. By listening to this podcast, you agree that the podcast and its affiliates are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided in this podcast.

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• Ep 09 | 10 Brutal Truths I Wish I Knew in My 20's!

  In this episode, I sit down with Jimmy Ibrahim—long-time mate, property investor, and returning guest - for one of our most unfiltered conversations yet: 10 brutal truths that will change your life if you let them. Together, we break down the lessons we wish someone told us in our 20s - truths that still apply whether you’re 25 or 55. From compounding to career, risk-taking to resilience, this is the stuff that actually moves the needle. Jimmy opens up about the real reason he didn’t start investing properly until 40 and how he still built a 20+ property portfolio in just a few years. I share some of my biggest regrets, wins, and the mindset shifts that made the biggest difference along the way. This episode is for anyone who’s ambitious, hungry for growth, and tired of surface-level advice. 0:00 - Intro: 10 brutal truths that can drastically change your life 4:20 - TRUTH #1: Take more risks - you have time to absorb losses 9:54 - TRUTH #2: Knowledge is power 15:15 - TRUTH #3: The power of compounding 20:50 - TRUTH #4: Don't pursue something you're not passionate about 28:38 - TRUTH #5: Stop the comparison game 35:08 - TRUTH #6: Don't look at what something costs you, but what it makes you 38:17 - TRUTH #7: You are in the exact position from all decisions you've made 45:50 - TRUTH #8: A loss is only a loss if you don't learn from it 48:20 - TRUTH #9: Don't set yourself up to lose the game 52:52 - TRUTH #10: Only take advice from those who have achieved what you want 56:57 - Closing thoughts Want to learn my exact strategy for building a successful property portfolio? Check out School of Property for a step-by-step investing blueprint that's helped thousands of Aussies start and scale their investments: https://schoolofproperty.com.au Follow me for more investing & business insights: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samgordonproperty Business: https://www.instagram.com/australianpropertyscout Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thetoponepercentpodcast Follow James Ibrahim: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslukeibrahim #Top1Percent #WealthBuilding #RiskVsReward #SelfDevelopment #PropertyInvestment #MindsetMatters #LifeLessons #ExecutionOverIdeas #Entrepreneurship The content provided on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial, business, or legal advice. The hosts and guests of the podcast are sharing their personal opinions and experiences, which may not be applicable to your unique situation. We strongly recommend that you seek the advice of a qualified financial advisor, business consultant, or legal professional before making any financial or business decisions. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is solely at your own risk. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information provided. All information is provided "as is" without any guarantees of completeness, accuracy, timeliness, or results obtained from the use of this information. Any references to specific financial products, companies, or services are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast or its hosts. By listening to this podcast, you agree that the podcast and its affiliates are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided in this podcast.

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• Ep 8 | Avi Khan: 9 Businesses, 1 Playbook — Here’s How He Did It

  In this episode, I sit down with Avi Khan, CEO of the AKG Group and one of Australia's most dynamic real estate entrepreneurs. Avi shares his remarkable journey from Fiji to becoming a powerhouse in the Australian real estate market, building a thriving business with five offices and over 200 employees across multiple ventures. Avi doesn't hold back on the challenges of scaling his real estate empire. We dive into his unique approach to talent development, the strategic decisions that fueled his growth, and his philosophy on leadership that earned him Principal of the Year across the country. This conversation goes beyond surface-level success stories. Avi reveals his "telephone terrorist" prospecting methods, his unconventional hiring strategy focused on attitude over experience, and the mental frameworks that helped him navigate the toughest business challenges. Whether you're in real estate, running your own business, or simply fascinated by what it takes to build something extraordinary from scratch, this episode delivers actionable insights from someone who's transformed from solo agent to business leader. 00:00:00 Intro and Avi's achievements 00:04:46 "Telephone terrorist" - Avi's prospecting approach 00:10:14 From Fiji to Australia - Avi's journey 00:19:54 Early business strategy and differentiation 00:28:12 AI implementation for data-driven decisions 00:33:32 Developing talent and building superstars 00:43:11 The tattoo shop acquisition story 00:54:06 Bringing competitors in to train your team 00:57:54 From one office to five - creating specialized hubs 01:11:22 Sell and Buy Legal - solving conveyancing problems 01:17:33 "People leave leaders, not companies" 01:21:22 The "One" conference - from in-house to 800+ attendees 01:29:42 Finding your firefighters - handling business crises 01:35:38 The power of good debt 01:38:14 Top real estate agents' #1 trait: listening Want to learn my exact strategy for building a successful property portfolio? Check out School of Property for a step-by-step investing blueprint that's helped thousands of Aussies start and scale their investments: https://schoolofproperty.com.au Follow me for more investing & business insights: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samgordonproperty Business: https://www.instagram.com/australianpropertyscout Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thetoponepercentpodcast Follow Avi Khan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avikhan  #RealEstate #PropertyInvestment #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipSkills #TalentDevelopment #WealthCreation #Entrepreneurship #Top1Percent #AviKhan The content provided on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial, business, or legal advice. The hosts and guests of the podcast are sharing their personal opinions and experiences, which may not be applicable to your unique situation. We strongly recommend that you seek the advice of a qualified financial advisor, business consultant, or legal professional before making any financial or business decisions. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is solely at your own risk. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information provided. All information is provided "as is" without any guarantees of completeness, accuracy, timeliness, or results obtained from the use of this information. Any references to specific financial products, companies, or services are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast or its hosts. By listening to this podcast, you agree that the podcast and its affiliates are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided in this podcast.

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