Wayne Gretzky—NHL Hall of Famer, four-time Stanley Cup Champion, and widely regarded as the greatest hockey player of all time—joins Brett Kelly on this episode of the Be Better Off Show. Beyond the rink, Wayne is a lead studio analyst, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and bestselling author.

Wayne openly discusses his upbringing, the role of family, and the importance of surrounding himself with the right people. He shares the mindset and habits that helped him perform under pressure, his personal motto for thriving in all areas of life, and how he's continued to grow beyond his legendary sports career.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How curiosity and lifelong learning drive continued growth
• The impact of discipline, preparation, and humility—on and off the ice
• The role of mindset, effort, and relationships in achieving your goals
• How leadership lessons from sports translate into everyday life and long-term legacy

Rolf Weber is the CEO of Marley Spoon Australia, which he co-founded in 2015 at the cusp of the meal kit delivery trend. An entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in e-commerce, SMEs and retail; Rolf openly discusses his global business journey. In this episode, you will learn:

1. Continuous learning and being hands-on are key to success.
2. By getting involved in every part of the business, you gain insights that guide your decisions.
3. Keeping sharp and ensuring your actions align with both business and customer needs.
4. Leadership isn't just about calling the shots; it's about being in the thick of it, grounding every move in real understanding and purpose.

Scott Evans is the Managing Director and Owner of Game Farm, the largest multi species game bird producer in the Southern Hemisphere. He shares both his business and his health insights in this deeply personal interview. In this episode, you will learn:

• When you're facing a health crisis, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, like there's no clear path forward.
• In those dark moments, it's crucial to dig deep and trust in your own strength.
• Surrounding yourself with the right people—those who truly understand and care—can make all the difference.
• It's not just about pushing through; it's about believing that you can overcome any obstacle with the right support and a strong mindset.

Chelsea Pottenger is a psychology postgraduate, an international motivational speaker and accredited mindfulness and meditation coach. She is a leading authority on productivity, mindfulness and well-being. In this episode, you will learn:

• How your personal well-being directly impacts your business success.

• If you don't take care of yourself, you can't take care of your business.

• Establishing sustainable habits like regular breaks, quality sleep, and mental wellness practices helps you avoid burnout, sharpen focus, and enhance leadership.

• Sustainable habits aren't just self-care—they are a strategy to ensure you're always at your best, driving your business forward.

1. Peter's journey with McDonald's Australia started with an unexpected opportunity. Despite initial doubts, he took a leap of faith, setting the foundation for a transformative career.

2. Peter emphasised that true leadership means accepting full responsibility while maintaining consistency, fairness, and justice. Leaders must project energy and foster environments where teams thrive.

3. Confronted with high labour costs, Peter committed up to 30% of annual profits to training for five years. This strategy turned McDonald's Australia into a global benchmark for productivity.

4. Peter stressed that genuine self-confidence in leadership comes from deep competence, cultivated through structured training, feedback, and measurable outcomes.

5. It took McDonald's Australia seven years to become profitable. Peter's perseverance, backed by key figures like Fred Turner, enabled the company to overcome challenges and succeed.

6. By involving partners, franchisees, and mentors, Peter ensured McDonald's was built on strong relationships that fostered shared growth and success.

7. Peter attributed McDonald's success to its willingness to test, learn, and pivot—such as recognising the pivotal role of marketing in the late 1970s.

8. Peter's commitment to community and philanthropy is exemplified by his role in establishing Ronald McDonald House Charities in Australia, which continues to support families of sick children.

9. Peter's forward-thinking approach turned McDonald's Australia from struggling stores into an industry leader by embracing global best practices and planning for the long term.

10. Despite his extraordinary achievements, Peter remains grounded, acknowledging the contributions of his team and the ongoing lessons he learns from others.

In episode #79 of the Be Better Off Show, I speak with Peter Ritchie AO, the visionary who brought McDonald's to Australia and transformed it into a powerhouse. We discuss leadership, overcoming challenges, and the impact of investing in people.

Top 10 highlights:

1. In 1961, David's mother rejected apartheid, leaving South Africa with four kids under seven—teaching him courage and the value of principles.

2. David chose UNSW over the traditional Sydney Grammar-to-Sydney University route, drawn to its hardworking, innovative "immigrant" culture.

3. Advising billionaires like Frank Lowy and Kerry Packer, David became their honest sounding board—unafraid to challenge or say no.

4. Early as a lawyer, David loved debate but learned that listening to clients, peers, and partners creates better outcomes.

5. As chairman, David sees himself as the conductor—ensuring every voice is heard while the CEO takes centre stage as the soloist.

6. David's day is planned: he leaves at 7 AM, starts with 40 minutes of quiet preparation, and is home by 7:30 PM for dinner, a commitment he keeps.

7. Three mentors shaped David: Kim Santow taught balance, Fred Street inspired thoughtful giving, and Frank Lowy guided him in strategy.

8. Trusting his children in the family office taught David that giving responsibility builds confidence and capability.

9. Inspired by his father, who worked until 86, David sees work as lifelong—shifting focus to projects that energise and inspire.

10. Despite his success, David remains grounded, valuing hard work, helping others, and community. Humility, he believes, is true leadership.

Top 10 highlights:

1. John Howard's upbringing in Earlwood, near Canterbury, shaped his early interest in politics. His family encouraged open debates about politics and religion, fostering his curiosity.
   
   

2. Cricket was a defining part of his childhood. Howard played for local teams with his brothers, relishing family connections through sport. His love for the game carried into his adult life, shaping his discipline and focus.
   
   

3. Howard credits his resilience to his upbringing and strong family bonds. Losing his father at 16 deepened his sense of responsibility and determination.
   
   

4. He believes leadership is about making your beliefs clear and staying true to them, even if controversial. "At least I know what he believes in" was a compliment he valued.
   
   

5. Howard cited Winston Churchill as his leadership model—acknowledging mistakes but getting the big decisions right. He admired Churchill's foresight during the rise of Nazism.
   
   

6. His proudest achievements include gun law reforms, tax reform, and industrial relations changes. He recalls being approached by citizens, even critics, acknowledging the importance of the gun reforms.
   
   

7. Howard values Australia's democratic system, crediting it for avoiding the pitfalls of U.S. presidential politics, which he sees as flawed.
   
   

8. On multiculturalism, Howard supports diversity but believes in integrating into a shared national identity rather than emphasizing differences.
   
   

9. Homeownership remains a critical issue for Howard. He sees restricted land supply as a root cause and believes younger generations deserve the opportunity for stability through owning property.
   
   

10. Reflecting on his career, Howard attributes his longevity in politics to maintaining strong connections with colleagues, being accessible, and remaining clear in his principles.

The Federal Treasurer, Dr Jim Chalmers handed down his third Federal Budget at 7:30PM (AEST) on 14 May 2024.

In this episode of the Be Better Off Show, hear from Brett Kelly and the Kelly+Partners Tax team as they unpack the key takeaways from the Federal Budget.

The two biggest drivers this year underpinning the Federal Budget are cost-of-living pressures and inflation. As such, it was never going to be a big-spending budget that handed out significant tax incentives that could over-stimulate the economy.

This Budget has seen the implementation of previously introduced measures, in particular:

• The stage 3 tax cuts; and
• The $20,000 instant asset write-off for small business.

The Budget also continued the government's focus on tax compliance by giving the ATO further funds to continue its existing programs. Non-residents have also been targeted, with measures being announced that affect significant global entities and non-residents making Australian capital gains.

Show notes:

• 0:06 - Introduction
• 0:47 - Initial impressions
• 3:15 - Stage 3 tax cuts
• 5:00 - Medicare levy threshold
• 5:27 - Business finance
• 6:28 - Foreign multinationals
• 9:17 - Instant asset write off
• 10:30 - Foreign residence CGT regime
• 12:57 - What's not in the budget