At 21 years of age, Hugo Toovey discovered a small lump. Like many young men, he ignored it.

What followed was a life-changing cancer diagnosis, months of chemotherapy, major surgery, and a lesson that would ultimately shape the rest of his life: never ignore the signs when something doesn't feel right.

In this powerful Men's Health Week conversation, Hugo shares his journey through not one but two cancer diagnoses before the age of 30, the physical and emotional toll of treatment, and the challenges of rebuilding his life after years of surgeries and recovery.

But this episode is about far more than cancer.

Hugo speaks openly about the impact serious illness had on his mental health, the pressure many men feel to appear strong when they are struggling, and the turning point that taught him the importance of asking for help.

Today, Hugo is the founder of 25 Stay Alive, a charity dedicated to changing the way young Australians think about their health. His mission is simple: encourage people to take ownership of their wellbeing earlier in life, advocate for themselves when something doesn't feel right, and understand that the choices we make today shape our health decades into the future.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why early detection saves lives
• Learning to trust your instincts and advocate for your own health
• The hidden mental health impact of serious illness
• Resilience, recovery and finding purpose through adversity
• The mission behind 25 Stay Alive and why "25 is the new 50"

This is an honest, courageous and deeply human conversation about health, resilience, and making the most of the life we're given.

Link to 25 Stay Alive - https://www.25stayalive.com/

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What happens when the workplace that is meant to support you becomes the very thing that breaks you?

In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with Jane Phipps, author of The Heart-Centered Leader, to explore a topic that affects more people than we often realise: toxic workplace cultures and the lasting impact they can have on our wellbeing, confidence, and sense of self.

Drawing on her own experiences of workplace bullying, narcissistic leadership, and growing up in an environment shaped by control and fear, Jane shares how those experiences influenced her leadership philosophy and ultimately led her to a very different way of leading.

Together, we discuss psychological safety, emotional intelligence, accountability without fear, and why trust remains one of the most important foundations of leadership. Jane also shares the moment her body told her something was wrong before her mind was ready to acknowledge it, and how that experience changed the way she views work, leadership, and personal responsibility.

We explore why many people stay in unhealthy workplaces longer than they should, the hidden cost this can have on women, carers, and those who cannot simply walk away, and what leaders can do to create environments where people feel safe to contribute, challenge ideas, and bring their whole selves to work.

This is an honest conversation about courage, recovery, self-awareness, and the kind of leadership the future requires. One built not on control, but on trust, kindness, and humanity.

Guest: Jane Phipps
Book: The Heart-Centered Leader: Transformation and Healing from Narcissistic Abuse to Self-Empowerment

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Leaders as Creators, Not Controllers

In this episode of Future Fit Leadership, I sit down with Matt Hart, founder of Better Ideas Faster, innovation strategist, and creative thinker who has worked with some of the world's most recognised brands across media, technology, education, and entertainment.

At the heart of this conversation is a challenge to the way many of us think about leadership.

For years, leadership has been built around expertise, experience, and control. But as AI takes over more of the knowledge-based work, Matt argues that the leaders who thrive will be those who can create, not just direct.

We explore why creativity is no longer a skill reserved for artists, designers, or marketers. It is a human capability that exists in all of us. The challenge is that many of us have stopped trusting it, using it, or even recognising it in ourselves.

Matt shares why curiosity, empathy, collaboration, and resilience are becoming the defining capabilities of future-fit leaders, how organisations unintentionally suppress creative thinking, and what leaders can do to create environments where people feel confident contributing ideas and solving problems together.

We also discuss the opportunities and risks of AI, the importance of maintaining critical thinking in an age of cognitive offloading, what younger generations are teaching us about identity and work, and why leadership today requires far more range than it did a decade ago.

This is a conversation about human potential, the future of work, and why reconnecting with our creativity may be one of the most important leadership skills of the next decade.

If you've ever wondered how to unlock better thinking, stronger cultures, and more innovative teams, this conversation is for you.

Bought to you with Saxton Speakers

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