Series 9 Ep 1: From Professional Rugby Player to Owner of Café Burra: Jake Heenan

Jake is the first professional sports person I’ve had on the podcast and I was fascinated to learn all the ins and outs of how you go from turning a passion like rugby into a career.   And what a career he has had. Jake grew up in New Zealand and admits he didn’t really have a plan B. He just wanted to play the game he loved. He was captain for New Zealand under-20s before he moved to Ireland to become a full-time professional and then to Bristol. He now owns Café Burra in Bristol with his lovely wife Adele and team-mate Luke Morahan. It’s been voted Bristol café of the year and they’ve opened a second one too. We talk about what it’s like to walk out in front of a crowd of thousands and how he tackles his fears. How he copes when he doesn’t get the result he wants.  And we also discuss the importance of continual learning - it was only when he read a book about business that he realised rugby had already taught him enough to open his own. (Plus, we also talk about Jake and Adele’s Next Next Chapter – becoming parents to the gorgeous baby Max.) Jake is honest, open and humble. He gives his thoughts about parents and what he believes we can do to get the best out of our children when it comes from sport. Plus we talk about The Ugly Zone – and how if we can just push through it – that’s when the magic can really happen. To learn more about Café Burra and their story click here: https://burrabristol.co.uk/ (PS. it’s one of our very favourites and this is not an ad!!) And  just in case you were wondering you can find me and my books at elliebarkerwrites.com