How do you think you would cope being locked down in another state … and not being able to get home. In fact, regulations from your own home state keep you out.

Mark Gatty had a successful corporate career before he chose to go into business for himself.

BUT the change was not an obvious progression.

He went from working on doing deals in the Terrace … to owning and running an asphalt supply and lay business. What could have been more different?

For over 13 years he successfully grew the company’s goodwill and financial success on a basis of sound, yet simple, business principles, creating a loyal workforce and quality work.

Lisa is currently the CEO of the WA Aids Council and sets her daily goals to make a real difference.

BUT, the journey to this position came through a tough period for her. Being out of work before taking this role … she was financially, emotionally and professionally challenged during this period. However, Lisa was able to take meaning, inspiration and spiritual awareness from the experience, to become the inspired leader she is today.

She has words of wisdom for everyone who at some stage is challenged in their life.

Peter and Vanessa Taylor spent nearly 5 years in Shanghai, China … on a delicate work assignment.

Dealing with the cultural issues, significant commercial pressures and living away from their two teenage daughters, it was an adventure that really influenced their lives.

Peter even lost a quarter of his body weight in a personal quest for health and fitness.

Interesting times in an interesting place.

Ryan Honschooten is a natural sailor. World champion, ocean racer and Sydney to Hobart finisher … he has done a lot to fulfil his sailing bucket list. Ryan always challenges himself and his disability to get the best out of life.

When he got the call to do the Sydney to Hobart … with only 2 weeks notice … he jumped at it.

From leaving “The Heads” in Sydney to arriving at the docks in Hobart, Ryan through himself headlong into the adventure.

His story will inspire you.

“I had some real intentions to be a player agent … I was convinced I was going to be Jerry Maguire … Australia’s version.”

“But tending to all the needs of “Jock’s” was probably not something that was going to be fulfilling.”

Cameron Britt - CEO - SFFC

The biggest issue was … “what’s Trump’s America going to be like”

Al Brien and his wife Bev retired in 2017 and took the big, bold step to travel through the US in an RV for 6 months in 2018.

Their adventure didn’t just stop in the US. Further travels through South America filled up the rest of their year.

Clare believes if we have good routines and habits…we are resting and recovering…then we learn again and grow our brains.

Just imagine what it’s like to be in a distant country, with only a limited amount of the local language and being in total lockdown. Nonetheless, during this time Gareth has still been able to support social causes and provide his unique style of enthusiasm and expertise.

Aden says:-

“ The turning point for me was the realisation we were moving into a new normal … and it would be a period measured in months and not weeks.”

This is Part 2 of Darrell Brown’s story. He tells us how his book became an Amazon No 1 seller and has influenced the lives of thousands of men around the world.

“I said straight away … mate … I’m not a writer. I just tell stories from the heart … this is just a series of stories”

Darrell Brown.

Darrell Brown has spent much of his life tuning into his wisdom. A videographer and photographer, he has spent his professional life traveling the world meeting and learning from the stories of others.

His life’s work is captured in the book “Raised by our Childhood Voices”, his first offering securing his position as an up and coming thought leader when it comes to raising confident, connected, compassionate boys. It is this that makes him a fatherhood author to watch.

This social entrepreneur is using the power of human-centred stories to deepen empathy, create dialogue on contemporary issues and spark positive change.

Jeffrey has helped over 100 not-for-profit initiatives tell their stories by designing social brands and campaigns that rally people and fund important causes.

On Max’s Island, Ryan tells us about the time on long service leave he decided to join a square rigger ship and sail from Auckland … across the Pacific … circumnavigate Cape Horn … visit the Falkland Islands and spend some time in South Georgia. And if that’s not enough, then sail across the Atlantic to Cape Town.

This is pretty special when you consider that Ryan completely lost his sight before he went to school.

“Walking from Melbourne to Perth symbolises for me the way our journey to life’s end should be – long and arduous, sometimes painful, yes, but supported all the way by empathetic, loving people who reflect on what it might be like to walk in the shoes of others.”

Peter Elliot is back with another story about his life that intersects with his trip in 1978.

As it happens, Peter was born into a family that for many generations was part of a relatively obscure offshoot of Mormonism.

Max’s island has been a fantastic creative project and in this episode to launch the new season … there are excerpts from each of the 1st five episodes. It’s a great way to start the year with a timely reminder of the interesting stories we all have within our lives.

Peter and his two mates left Perth to travel in Jan 1978. It started with a boat to Singapore and then trains and planes to Kathmandu. Here is where the adventure really begins. They boarded a “bus” in Kathmandu and got off the same bus in London … 2 months later.

Simon White reckons he’s an OK writer and an average golfer, but has a real passion for both.

During his journey around the newsrooms of Australia, Whitey even spent some time at the Brisbane Lions Football Club…And it was here where he had to tell the great Leigh Matthews that he’d made a mistake.

Steve Standing is a talent. Whilst in the day he’s a St Georges Tce lawyer, he’s best known around town as a local singer songwriter who has released two albums.

2015 - Each Waking Hour

2019 - Little Rebellion

Writing songs is a passion for him and some of his great hits … including the song used for Max’s Island Podcast - “Island” - had their beginnings in lyrics written whilst he was on the Bibbulmun Track.