Shots With Shaun: Recent Episodes
Shaun Melwani
A podcast series where I have quality conversations and banter with a variety of interesting people from all walks of life (while getting drunk together!)
We discuss topics ranging from fitness, travel, food, mindfulness, sports and more.
I had been trying to get this podcast with Dan for a while but finally it was worth the wait. Dan and I know each other from our footballing days. A former professional himself and now a full time teacher we discussed about the mind and body perception. We’ve both had serious injuries that had required us to have invasive surgery. In this episode we went a little deeper talking about different routes to healing the body, through acknowledgement of psychosomatic disorders, external and internal cognitive traumas and the role of nutrition to reduce inflammation and mood. I’m sure we could’ve gone on for longer on other topics!
It’s been a while guys! After a long lay off and Hong Kong opening up to the rest of the world, I sat down with the head managers at hybrid, Gabriel and Dave along with Jamie one of the mentor coaches. The post covid area has people trying to figure out what health really is. In this short but intriguing discussion we touched upon the role of sugar, the parameters of strength training on an athlete, and how food and resistance training can keep you away from the doctor for a longer life.
Professional MMA fighter Lucas Calu from Fortaleza, Brazil was kind enough to share his stories with me in such an unforgiving sport. Motivated by fear and adrenaline Lucas describes when he first started his journey into fighting. We also touch upon the different arts of striking, wrestling, and jujitsu. What’s it like to prepare not only physically but mentally before an event, and why weight cutting is harder than the actual fight itself!
Another closure down in Hong Kong, the HK premier league has once again come to an abrupt holt. I managed to find some time to talk to players from Southern FC current league leaders of the HK Premier league. It was a wonderful time being able to listen to what Jack Sealy, James Ha and Toby Down had to say and hear what most fans/casuals don't see behind closed doors. From development of sports science, to pre match rituals and their toughest opponents they've faced on the pitch. Di Maria, Jack Grealish and John Terry to name a few!
What a year it’s been. With 2022 looming around the corner, what better way to complete the last episode with two of my closest friends, who I see as family, Aarjav and Leo. Both such insightful and intelligent individuals we covered what the most positive thing that has come out of covid these past two years. Lots of laughs and banter we also touched up upon how the world is changing so fast that it’s important to embrace your loved ones and not take life too seriously!
It was a long time coming, but finally Adam, Eddie and Simon cleared out their busy schedule as sports physiotherapist working at Joint Dynamics to discuss what they their occupation has taught them. We could’ve gone on for hours, but one of the many interesting topics we covered, was how the body heals, invasive vs non invasive procedures, WHY movement is better than ICING an injury and the numerous benefits of trying out physiotherapy.
During the end of September I travelled to one of the outlying islands of Hong Kong, Mui Wo where married couple Jérôme and Fleur de Clarens live. Having known Jérôme through our football days, he invited me over to their cozy home away from the bustling city. The perfect setting, us three covered topics within the wellness industry. Fleur on her passion for osteopathy and Jérôme on his interesting story on how he became a life coach making big decisions that shaped his family’s bright future together!
Ian Nam the co-founder of Strength Culture, a strongman and powerlifting gym that has a close-kint unique community behind it, kindly invited me to their new second location. Ian one of the strongest people I know not only coaches clients while running the gym, also competes in strongman events. It was great touching up on topics such as the reasoning behind certain types of training that can cross over onto athletic based sports such as football rugby and much more.
On a late Friday evening Stephanie Poelman, owner of Pherform and Maria Brusuelas, club manager of GO24 Fitness took the time to sit down with me and dive deep into what the female side of training is like. Two such influential women in the fitness industry we were able to cover why women are afraid to train, the benefits it has mentally and physically, education and understanding of training and community, transgender athletes competing in different classes and much more.
After a late night training session at Versus Gym, Rehaan Lulla, Adrian Wu and Michael Dacuno obligingly took the time to talk about the life of being a fighter. Time went by fast as we touched upon prepping for fights, what emotions you go through before a fight and what their favourite moves are in the ring.
After HKFC Albion were crowned champions of the Yau Yee amateur football league in Hong Kong, I took some time out of our celebrations and sat down with striker Michael Hampshire, captain Thomas McGilly, and manager Nick Day. We had a fun time discussing amateur football in Hong Kong, our success on and off the pitch, team bonding and what aspirations we had throughout a stop start season.
I travelled to the South side on a beautiful day in Shek ‘O Hong Kong, where old time friend and professional Rugby player Max Woodward spends his time. We engaged in a number of topics ranging from Rugby training, Covid-19, nutrition, injuries and mindset for athletes alike.
I was lucky enough to catch up with my brother and co-founder of IKIGAI Gianni along with long time friend Aveen. We shared interesting ideas of what mindfulness and meditation truly is, and what profound effects it has on society.
Fast forward 4 lockdowns and gyms being reopened, I sat down with renowned Hong Kong personal trainers Jefferson, Issac, Amanda and Martin.
All of them have competed in bodybuilding shows around the world. I picked their brains on the preparation aspect of competing in these competitions. An ever growing sport that has one of the biggest social media followings in the world!
After recently opening their new barbershop - SAUCE, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jack, Sean and Chris to discuss what the life of being a barber is like, history of hairstyles and beards, fashion and much more!
Had a great time talking to Russell and Louis. I’ve known them for about 4 years now and I’ve always looked up to them. In this episode we not only learn about the success they have achieved in their respective fields, but also recall funny stories together!
Apologies for the sound quality of the first two episodes, we had some technical issues with the mics. It has been amended in further episodes