Make It Happen - The podcast for action sports athletes from ESM Australia

About Make It Happen - The podcast for action sports athletes from ESM Australia

Make it Happen is a podcast for aspiring, up and coming, and current action sports athletes looking to make a career and fulfil their potential. We'll be sharing tips, insights, tools, and interviews to help you create a career in action sports. Helping Athletes refine their goals, improve their performance, and build their athlete brand to attract sponsors. www.esm-australia.com

Publisher

ESM Australia Co

Category

sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Feb 2022

Latest episode

9 Oct 2025

Latest episodes

11 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   9 Oct 2025

   09 - How to Stand Out and Get Sponsored in Action Sports (Athlete Branding Explained)

   These days, there are more good clips than ever before. Everyone is landing tricks, dropping edits, and filling up the feed. But here’s the truth: talent alone won’t make you stand out anymore.That’s where athlete branding comes in. If you're a skateboarder, surfer, snowboarder, downhill biker, or anyone in Action and Adventure Sports looking to build a career, then have a listen. Build your Personal Athlete Brand Here: www.esm-australia.com/athletebrand Music Credits: CFM Production - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hMc7AQVRNw

2. 

   25 Sept 2023

   3 Tips for Improving Contest Performance as an Action Sports Athlete - Monday Motivation 2

   Following on from a week away at the Rumble on the Reef Aussie Skate Championships contest, this episode has 3 quick tips for you to work on to improve your contest performances and results. Hope it helps, have a great day, and Make It Happen.

3. 

   11 Sept 2023

   3 Things to do today to build your career as an action sports athlete. Monday Motivation 1

   Getting the ESM Make It Happen Podcast going again, and kicking things off with a Monday Motivation of 3 quick things to help you build your action sports future right now. Enjoy and Make It Happen.

4. 

   13 Apr 2022

   08 - How To Get Sponsored In Action Sports - Guide To Going Pro

   In this Episode of the Make It Happen Podcast, we're talking about how to get sponsored. From your first sponsor to your big pro contract a well thought out strategy will make all the difference. We break down what it takes to get sponsored. Additional resources and links from episode: Full article and access to getting sponsored worksheet - https://www.esm-australia.com/articles/how-to-get-sponsored Watch Paul Rodriguez - How I Became The Michael Jordan of Pro Skateboarding and got 10 Pro Shoes on Nike SB (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC4ydav1JxM) - This interview with Skate Legend P Rod is well worth listening too. Paul’s had a no nonsense, hard work approach since day with a laser focused intention and it’s paid off. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC4ydav1JxM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC4ydav1JxM) Read 1,000 true fans - by Kevin Kelly (https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/) A great explanation of how it only takes a small following to really build a career. Check it out here: https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/ (https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/) Listen Money in Skateboarding | The AVNI Interviews 0038 with Mikey Taylor & Eric Borke - (https://www.esm-australia.com/articles/Money%20in%20Skateboarding%20|%20The%20AVNI%20Interviews%200038%20with%20Mikey%20Taylor%20&%20Eric%20Bork) A long in depth discussion about skateboarding, money, and pro careers. This is well worth listening to to understand the landscape and help choose an approach. This clip is also available as a podcast on iTunes etc if you need to listen via podcasts. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUYVz3ui0KA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUYVz3ui0KA)

5. 

   8 Apr 2022

   07 - How To Stay Authentic In Your Athlete Brand - Make Money without Selling Out

   In this Episode of the Make It Happen Podcast, we're talking about how to stay authentic, whilst building your personal athlete brand. Top tips on how to make sure you don't become a sellout kook when you try to make your career happen. Earning money as an action sports athlete is hard, doing it and staying true to yourself is even hard, so let us help you. Additional Resources Watch ‘Dark Side of the Lens’ by Mickey Smith (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaZSJkoMFIE) - This short film by surf photographer Mikey Smith is one of the best displays of authentic pursuit. Super inspiring and well worth watching. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaZSJkoMFIE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaZSJkoMFIE) Read ‘The Mutt: How To Skateboard and Not Kill Yourself’ by Rodney Mullen and Sean Mortimer (https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-mutt-how-to-skateboard-and-not-kill-yourself-rodney-mullen/book/9780060556198.html) - This is the biography of skateboard Legend Rodney Mullen and is a great lesson in how to live authentically as yourself. He’s a great example of being himself and having a huge impact. Check it out here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-mutt-how-to-skateboard-and-not-kill-yourself-rodney-mullen/book/9780060556198.html (https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-mutt-how-to-skateboard-and-not-kill-yourself-rodney-mullen/book/9780060556198.html) Listen ‘Ego Is The Enemy’ by Ryan Holiday [Audiobook] (https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Ego-Is-the-Enemy-Audiobook/B01GSIV8Y4?pf_rd_p=771c6463-05d7-4981-9b47-920dc34a70f1&pf_rd_r=WG9XQE9SGC44FZAS1F0Q&qid=1646700517&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&sr=1-1) - The biggest threat to our authenticity is our Ego. Our desire to please others and been seen as popular. If you can master your Ego, you can stay true to yourself. Check it out here: https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Ego-Is-the-Enemy-Audiobook/B01GSIV8Y4?qid=1646700517&sr=1-1&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=771c6463-05d7-4981-9b47-920dc34a70f1&pf_rd_r=WG9XQE9SGC44FZAS1F0Q (https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Ego-Is-the-Enemy-Audiobook/B01GSIV8Y4?pf_rd_p=771c6463-05d7-4981-9b47-920dc34a70f1&pf_rd_r=WG9XQE9SGC44FZAS1F0Q&qid=1646700517&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&sr=1-1) Music Credits: CFM Production - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hMc7AQVRNw

6. 

   28 Mar 2022

   06 - Sharing Your Athlete Brand - What To Post To Social Media

   This episode is looking at how you share your athlete brand. What sort of topics should you be posting about, how do you work it out and how often do you post? Read the accompanying article here and download the worksheet: https://www.esm-australia.com/articles/athlete-brand-content-plan Watch ‘How Athletes should use social media to build their brands’ - by Gary Vee ( Vaynerchuck) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noVToUCCUXk) - This 3 minute video shows exactly how athletes can build their brand by ENGAGING with fans. Giving back rather than always pushing. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noVToUCCUXk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noVToUCCUXk) Read Content Pillars for Social Media - From Later (https://later.com/blog/content-pillars-for-social-media/) If you’re struggling to define your personality into content pillars, this article can help you approach it with a more detached, business focussed mindset. You could use this approach to get going, then inject more personality as your confidence builds. Check it out here: https://later.com/blog/content-pillars-for-social-media/ (https://later.com/blog/content-pillars-for-social-media/) Listen A Social Media Strategy for People Who Feel Uncomfortable on Camera (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-social-media-strategy-for-people-who-feel/id928159684?i=1000517606002) - The Gary See Audio Experience - Yes, another Gary Vee Resource but it’s hard to go past him for actionable advice. This quick podcast gives you some ways to get into making content if you’re shy. Check it out here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-social-media-strategy-for-people-who-feel/id928159684?i=1000517606002 (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-social-media-strategy-for-people-who-feel/id928159684?i=1000517606002) Music Credits: CFM Production - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hMc7AQVRNw

7. 

   10 Mar 2022

   05 - Defining Your Athlete Brand - The 4 Key Questions to ask yourself

   This episode is looking at how you define your athlete brand. What questions you should be asking yourself and where you should be looking to help create your identity. Read the accompanying article here and download the worksheet: https://www.esm-australia.com/articles/define-athlete-brand Watch Who is Andy Anderson - From the Berries (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrxbLshkY1g) - Not only is this a great insight into who Andy is as a skater, it’s a perfect example of showing your background, interests and inspirations to create a strong athlete brand. Where you like him or not, you can’t deny Andy has an incredibly strong brand. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrxbLshkY1g (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrxbLshkY1g) Read Le Bron, Inc (https://www.booktopia.com.au/lebron-inc--brian-windhorst/book/9781472132444.html) If you like reading books, I’d highly recommend this book about Lebron James. It’s a fascinating insight into what shaped him as an athlete and how he built his million dollar brand. Check it out here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/lebron-inc--brian-windhorst/book/9781472132444.html (https://www.booktopia.com.au/lebron-inc--brian-windhorst/book/9781472132444.html) Listen The Lineup with Sally Fitzgibbons (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/sally-fitzgibbons-her-constant-title-chase-surfing/id1485675188?i=1000518791384) - This episode of The WSLs podcast with Dave Prodan gives a great insight into Sally Fitzgibbons. Half way through the episode she gives a really interesting insight into how she shaped her own brand as her career developed. Check it out here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/sally-fitzgibbons-her-constant-title-chase-surfing/id1485675188?i=1000518791384 (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/sally-fitzgibbons-her-constant-title-chase-surfing/id1485675188?i=1000518791384) Music Credits: CFM Production - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hMc7AQVRNw

8. 

   6 Mar 2022

   04 - What is the Athlete Brand - Introduction to Athlete Branding

   This episode is looking at What is the Athlete Brand. What is athlete branding, why does it matter, how do you discover your brand as an action sports athlete. Read the accompanying article here and download the worksheet: https://www.esm-australia.com/articles/athlete-brand-overview Watch Postcards From Morgs - Rip Curl This surf clip from Rip Curl staring new CT Rookie Morgan Cibilic was a stroke of genius by Vaughan Blakey. The concept and script was an amazing way to introduce some of the new team whilst immediately giving them loveable personalities. It's a great example of how good athlete branding, doesn't feeling like athlete branding, it just feels real. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxLj2N_8wK0 Read sallyfitzgibbons.com - The website of professional surfer Sally Fitzgibbons While it may seem odd to say 'read this website', I feel it's a great display of how Sally curates her personal brand. She is one of the female surfers with an incredibly strong personal brand, and a very smart awareness and intention towards it that has helped her become so successful. Well worth a read. Check it out here: sallyfitzgibbons.com Listen Ken Block - The art of marketing with a DC Shoes and Gymkhana Legend - The Tim Ferriss Show It's hard to think about athlete branding without thinking about one of the most successful athletes and entrepreneurs in the industry, Ken Block. Bear in mind every side business and brand is just an extension of his personal brand and feeds his own brand. A mastermind in the business. Check it out here: https://tim.blog/2019/01/31/ken-block-gymkhana/ Music Credits: CFM Production - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hMc7AQVRNw

9. 

   19 Feb 2022

   03 - Daily Habits for Big Goals in Action Sports - How to win each day

   This episode is all about creating habits that stick. How we break down big goals into small actions and create habits to help us make big changes. Read the accompanying article here: https://www.esm-australia.com/articles/daily-habits-for-big-goals Watch Summary of Atomic Habits (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ7lDrwYdZc) - IF you’re not much of a reader, this short summary video will help you smash your new habits. Check it out here: (https://tim.blog/2017/05/15/fear-setting/)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ7lDrwYdZc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ7lDrwYdZc) Read ‘Atomic Habits’ - By James Clear (https://www.booktopia.com.au/atomic-habits-james-clear/book/9781847941831.html) ”In The Art of Impossible, Steven Kotler has managed to articulate what many peak performers intuitively know but can't explain: that there's a formula for impossible. Kotler demystifies the mythic, breaking down that formula and giving readers exactly the tools they need to accomplish their dreams, no matter how big.” - Laird Hamilton Check it out here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/atomic-habits-james-clear/book/9781847941831.html (https://www.booktopia.com.au/atomic-habits-james-clear/book/9781847941831.html) Listen ‘THE SCIENCE OF MAKING & BREAKING HABITS’ Podcast from Huberman Lab (https://hubermanlab.com/the-science-of-making-and-breaking-habits/) - This podcast episode from Andrew Huberman is a great breakdown of the science behind making and breaking habits. Check it out here: https://hubermanlab.com/the-science-of-making-and-breaking-habits/ (https://hubermanlab.com/the-science-of-making-and-breaking-habits/) Music Credits: CFM Production - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hMc7AQVRNw

10. 

    16 Feb 2022

    02 - Growth Mindset for Elite Performance in Action Sports

    This episode is all about the difference between a fixed and a growth mindset, and how athletes can use a growth mindset to reach their potential. Read the article on the ESM site here: https://www.esm-australia.com/articles/growth-mindset-for-elite-performance Shownotes: Watch Michael Jordan: Growth Mindset (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3FCbP8rdRU) - An inspiring 2 minute edit with 2 Micheal Jordan commercials exemplifying Carol Dweck's Growth Mindset. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3FCbP8rdRU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3FCbP8rdRU) Read ‘Mindset: The new psychology of success (https://www.booktopia.com.au/mindset-carol-s-dweck-phd-/book/9780345472328.html)’ by Carol S. Dweck Ph.D. A classic when it comes to talking about mindset and one of the breakthrough books about the power of the growth mindset. Well worth reading and applying. Check it out here: www.booktopia.com.au/mindset-carol-s-dweck-phd-/book/9780345472328.html (https://www.booktopia.com.au/mindset-carol-s-dweck-phd-/book/9780345472328.html) Listen Know What Drives You with Michael Gervais - The Chase Jarvis Show (https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1s&v=FMZnDUy-9ds) - This interview with Michael Gervais is a great introduction to his thinking. He is a high performance psychologist working with some of the best in the world, training the mindset skills and practices essential to pursuing and revealing one’s potential. His clients include world record holders, Olympians, internationally acclaimed artists and musicians, MVPs from every major sport and Fortune 100 CEOs. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMZnDUy-9ds&t=1s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1s&v=FMZnDUy-9ds) Music Credits: CFM Production - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hMc7AQVRNw Tony Hawk interview clip from 'WakeUpTime' - Limit - https://open.spotify.com/track/6waddMqxJNf4PpQ8A82Z61

11. 

    11 Feb 2022

    01 - Goal Setting for Action Sports Athletes

    This episode is all about goal setting. Helping you create a strategy and plan to reach your goals this year. Article on ESM site - https://www.esm-australia.com/articles/goal-setting-for-action-sports-athletes Watch ‘FEAR Setting’ (https://tim.blog/2017/05/15/fear-setting/) - This technique from Tim Ferriss is a great addition to goal setting as it helps overcome any fears for taking action you might have. Check it out here: https://tim.blog/2017/05/15/fear-setting/ (https://tim.blog/2017/05/15/fear-setting/) Read ‘The Art of Impossible’ - By Steven Kotler (https://www.theartofimpossible.com/) ”In The Art of Impossible, Steven Kotler has managed to articulate what many peak performers intuitively know but can't explain: that there's a formula for impossible. Kotler demystifies the mythic, breaking down that formula and giving readers exactly the tools they need to accomplish their dreams, no matter how big.” - Laird Hamilton Check it out here: (https://tim.blog/2017/05/15/fear-setting/)https://www.theartofimpossible.com (https://www.theartofimpossible.com/) Listen ‘THE SCIENCE OF SETTING & ACHIEVING GOALS’ (https://hubermanlab.com/the-science-of-setting-and-achieving-goals/) - Huberman Lab Podcast - In this episode Dr. Huberman discusses the science of setting, assessing, and pursuing goals. He covers a range of topics around goal setting including visualisation, multi-tasking, and rewards. Ever since Huberman had an episode on The Nine Club and we heard more about his skating background he’s felt much more relatable. I’d highly recommend giving him a listen. Check it out here: (https://tim.blog/2017/05/15/fear-setting/)https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huberman-lab/id1545953110?i=1000548096071 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huberman-lab/id1545953110?i=1000548096071) Music Credits: CFM Production - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hMc7AQVRNw

Contact Make It Happen - The podcast for action sports athletes from ESM Australia

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.