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In this episode of The Resource Podcast, host Becky Felstead sits down with elite rugby union coach Tim Sampson for a raw, grounded conversation about leadership, loss, and what it really means to coach humans — not just athletes.

Tim’s career has taken him from the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels to now leading the Fijian Drua, but his philosophy has always stayed the same: values first, people first.

Together, they unpack:

• Losing his mum at 18 and a close friend on the rugby field
• How grief shaped his leadership and coaching style
• Making tough decisions — cutting players, delivering hard news, and leading through uncertainty
• Why “family” isn’t just a word on the wall
• Coaching high-performance teams under pressure — without losing humanity
• What working in Fiji has taught him about gratitude, culture, and joy

This episode is for anyone navigating leadership, pressure, grief, or responsibility — whether in sport, work, or life.

If you’ve ever wondered how to stay grounded when the stakes are high, this conversation will stay with you.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.

00:00 – Welcome to The Resource Podcast
02:10 – Life as a Rugby Coach & Leader
05:30 – The Call That Changed Everything (Western Force)
08:20 – Coaching Philosophy & Staying Grounded
11:05 – Losing His Mum at 18
14:40 – Losing a Teammate on the Field
18:35 – Family First: Values That Shape Leadership
23:50 – Tim’s TRUE Framework (Trust, Respect, Understanding, Enjoyment)
27:10 – Handling Pressure & Coaching Anxiety
31:20 – Building Teams That Never Give Up
35:45 – Success Beyond Wins & Losses
39:10 – Delivering the Hardest Conversations as a Coach
42:30 – Moving to the Melbourne Rebels
45:30 – Being a Dad While Coaching at the Top
49:00 – Coaching in Fiji: Culture, Gratitude & Perspective
55:40 – What Fiji Has Taught Him About Life & Leadership

👋 About Becky Felstead | The Resource Podcast host
Becky launched The Resource Podcast during the FIFO Inquiry to spark real talk about culture, mental health, and the hard stuff no one wants to touch. Think truth bombs, tough convos, and healing with humour.
Now she’s back, flipping the script again.

After 40 episodes and 15,000 mining crew later, the podcast is diving deeper into money stress, mindset shifts, relationships, and the stories we tell ourselves.

Expect raw chats, zero fluff, and life-saving honesty. If you’ve ever felt stuck, broke, or burnt out, this one’s for you.

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🌐 Learn more at: https://www.beckyfelstead.com/podcast
📩 Reach out to Becky for podcast & speaking enquiries here: becky@beckyfelstead.com

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