Former Wallaby, international rugby star, and now Investment Specialist... Luke Jones joins us for the second episode of From the Field to Finance!

After a 14-year professional rugby career that spanned Australia and France, Luke made the leap from elite sport into the world of Finance. Now an Investment Specialist at Fawkner Property, he’s responsible for raising millions in capital and thriving in a new kind of pressure environment.

In this episode, Luke reflects on the identity shift that comes with life after sport, the steep learning curve of entering the corporate world, and the discipline and resilience that elite rugby instilled in him.

Luke shares the honest and often humorous realities of navigating a second career, what drives him now, and why staying curious and connected has been key to his reinvention.

Whether you're an athlete, an investor, or simply curious about what it takes to reinvent yourself, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Follow Luke Jones on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukejones91/
Learn more about Fawkner Property: https://www.fawknerproperty.com.au/

Enjoyed the episode? Follow Finance Friends Podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok for daily updates and more inspiring conversations. Got questions or ideas for future episodes? Send us a DM @financefriendspodcast!

He needs absolutely no introduction...

A two-time Brownlow Medallist, premiership captain, and one of the greatest to ever play the game, AFL legend, Chris Judd, kicks off our exclusive third season: From the Field to Finance.

Judd's transition from AFL superstar to successful portfolio manager and Founder of the Cerutty Macro Fund, reveals striking parallels between elite sport and financial markets. He shares his strategic thinking and competitive drive to investment management that made him a football legend.

In this episode, Judd shares what it was like stepping away from the game, the identity shift that followed, and how he carved out a new path in the world of finance. From leadership on the field to decision-making under pressure, he offers rare insight into what it takes to succeed in both arenas.

Whether you’re a sports fan, finance enthusiast, or just curious about what reinvention and success really looks like — this one’s not to be missed.

Visit the Cerutty Macro Fund website today: https://ceruttymacrofund.com.au/

Enjoyed the episode? Follow Finance Friends Podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok for daily updates and more inspiring conversations. Got questions or ideas for future episodes? Send us a DM @financefriendspodcast!

Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of a finance podcast? Host Fabian and producer Sienna pull back the curtain to share the Finance Friends journey and preview an extraordinary new season featuring sports stars who've conquered the finance world.

Want the inside scoop on which sports stars are joining us? Follow Finance Friends Podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok for daily updates and subscribe on your favourite podcast platform to be first in line when Season 3 drops in just a few weeks!

Got questions or ideas for future episodes? Send us a DM @financefriendspodcast!

What does it take to rise from a call centre agent to the head of marketing at a major investment firm? Nat Jollow's journey shatters expectations and offers a refreshingly honest look at career development in financial services.

This episode delves deep into how modern marketing within financial services has evolved beyond creative campaigns to become a strategic, data-driven function. As Head of Marketing at GlobalX, Nat candidly discusses the importance of building stakeholder relationships, and managing a specialised team of six across different marketing disciplines.

For anyone considering a marketing career or leadership role in financial services, Nat's insights are gold. She emphasises the importance of adaptability, recommends aspiring marketers stay flexible, network extensively, and develop broad skills. Nat shares how her experience proves that non-linear career paths often lead to the most rewarding destinations, sometimes the detours become the main road to success!

Enjoyed the episode? Follow Finance Friends Podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok for daily updates and more inspiring conversations. Got questions or ideas for future episodes? Send us a DM @financefriendspodcast!

What happens when a financial advisor goes viral? James Wrigley has amassed over 220,000 followers across social media platforms with his refreshingly authentic approach to financial advice, reaching millions of people worldwide with every post. But his success story begins far from the spotlight.

Now, James is a principal advisor helping clients navigate the complex relationship between money and life satisfaction. His most powerful insight? Financial advice isn't just about numbers—it's about helping people understand what they truly want from life.

For those interested in financial advising careers, James offers practical wisdom: "The hardest job to get is the first one." He encourages saying yes to opportunities, even when they seem daunting. His own social media success came from abandoning polished, corporate content in favour of authentic videos often recorded while walking to the gym or working in his garden. These raw, unfiltered moments connect most powerfully with his audience.

Follow James on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn today!

Enjoyed the episode? Follow Finance Friends Podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok for daily updates and more inspiring conversations. Got questions or ideas for future episodes? Send us a DM @financefriendspodcast!

Join us as we sit down with Nadia Jaworski, joint founder and partner of Maverick Advisors, who pulls back the curtain on the fascinating world of social infrastructure development. With over 25 years of experience working across both government and private sectors, Nadia offers rare insights into how essential community facilities move from idea to reality.

The conversation delves into the challenges facing infrastructure development today, from fiscal constraints to climate considerations. Nadia shares how COVID disrupted construction supply chains and budgets, requiring greater innovation and risk management.

For aspiring professionals, Nadia's advice is refreshingly practical: "Just give anything a go." Her own story demonstrates how taking on challenging projects and building networks can lead to remarkable career success. As a passionate advocate for diversity, she discusses how Maverick Advisors maintains 50% female leadership and her commitment to mentoring the next generation of women in infrastructure.

Enjoyed the episode? Follow Finance Friends Podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok for daily updates and more inspiring conversations. Got questions or ideas for future episodes? Send us a DM @financefriendspodcast!

What separates a great property purchase from a costly mistake? Ray Becher, Property Advisor and Senior Buyer's Agent at Cohen Handler, reveals the strategic depth behind successful property transactions that most buyers never consider.

Drawing on three generations of property knowledge, Ray takes us through his fascinating journey from performance studies graduate to marketing professional to trusted property advisor.

Ray's approach transcends simple transactions. He delves into the psychology of buying versus selling, explaining why understanding human motivation is crucial to negotiation.

For those considering a career pivot, Ray offers invaluable wisdom: surround yourself with mentors you can learn from, have confidence to back yourself regardless of age, and most importantly, pursue what genuinely inspires you. His philosophy that "it takes as long as it takes" to find the right property reflects the patience and expertise that have made him a standout in his field.

Enjoyed the episode? Follow Finance Friends Podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok for daily updates and more inspiring conversations. Got questions or ideas for future episodes? Send us a DM @financefriendspodcast!

Career journeys are rarely straightforward, and Marc Olynyk's path from accounting to academia proves just that.

In this weeks episode, our host Fabian Ruggieri chats with his past professor Marc, now the Senior Lecturer and Course Director at Deakin University's renowned financial planning program. Marc takes us through the unexpected twists that led him to his passion.

What makes Marc's story particularly valuable for aspiring financial planners is his practical advice on breaking into the industry, he advises students every day who struggle to find their first opportunity. Having guided countless students into successful careers, Marc emphasises that relationship-building skills are integral in determining long-term success.

The conversation provides a fascinating look at how financial planning education has evolved—from minimal requirements in the 1990s to today's comprehensive degree programs. A field he initially knew little about but would come to shape for decades.

For any of our listeners considering financial planning as a career, Marc offers this reassurance: finding your passion may take time but your career path, like Marc's journey from pub audits to professorship, can take unexpected but rewarding turns.

Enjoyed the episode? Follow Finance Friends Podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok for daily updates and more inspiring conversations. Got questions or ideas for future episodes? Send us a DM @financefriendspodcast!