Tall Poppy Syndrome, it's a social phenomenon, we all know, but don't often unpack. Kia ora, my name is Grace Lewis and I am on a mission to change the conversation around tall poppy syndrome. By focusing on the positives, rather than weaponising people's success, we can grow more Tall Poppies and fuel a culture that is based on genuine celebration of people's achievements. Join me as I interview legendary people who are [tall poppies] in their field, about their experience - & the lessons they've learned along the way.
Operating at the Elite Level with Jess Cerra | Pro Cyclist, Elite VP at Salt Stick, Chef & Community Leader
Jess Cerra is a former professional cyclist, chef, entrepreneur, and now VP of Product & Community at SaltStick — but what threads it all together isn’t titles. It’s nourishment.
In this episode, we unpack the “high performance bubble,” what happens when it bursts, and how Jess evolved (not retired) from pro cycling into building purpose-driven community. We talk female fueling, breaking the “smaller is faster” myth, building a gravel race that’s raised over $130,000 in scholarships, and why high performance is powerful — but not balanced. Jess shares what it really takes to nourish yourself long-term, how community carried her through every chapter, and why you’re allowed to feel like a beast.
This one is for the athletes, the evolvers, and anyone learning to perform without losing themselves.
#womeninsport #cyclist #podcast #business #saltstick #nutrition #fuel #tallpoppytalk
13 Feb 2026
The Mind of a Kiwi Filmmaker with Matt Hicks
Matt Hicks - Filmmaker, DJ, Producer & Creative - joins Tall Poppy Talk to unpack risk, storytelling, and backing yourself before anyone else does.
#podcast
#creative
#producer
#film
#newzealand
4 Dec 2025
How James Oliver Built a Million-Dollar Nutrition Brand
“You’re lucky to have the chance to even try. So don’t waste it.”
Welcome James Oliver to Tall Poppy Talk!! CEO and founder of Atlas, what started as a personal need became a fast-scaling, million-dollar business rooted in science, low sugar, clean ingredients, and a founder who literally eats his product every day.
James shares the real picture behind building Atlas, the psychology of starting from zero, driving Uber at 4 a.m., selling bars out of his car, navigating feedback, and why the first stage is always the hardest. From 24-hour races in Iceland to the creative process behind flavour development, James opens up about discipline, resilience, tall poppy syndrome, and the mindset that keeps him pushing past discomfort, in business and in sport.
Take home message: Anyone who ever accomplished anything, had critics.
Listen to the full interview on Spotify, iHeart Radio, or Apple Podcasts.
#motivation #founder #entepreneur #ceo #podcast #iheartradio #confidence #mentalperformance #tallpoppytalk #mentalhealthmatters #quote #newzealand
Who has been a guest on Tall Poppy Talk
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Kate Mason
Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds
Rachel Lancaster
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
16,138
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
4.8 / 5
41 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 69 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
78
Social presence
0
YouTube
72
Engagement
77
Contact Tall Poppy Talk
Guest appearances
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