James Begley is the founder of sports talent marketplace PickStar, a leadership consultant and former AFL footballer.

James was drafted to St Kilda before moving back home to play with Adelaide in the AFL, playing 61 games before his career was cut short by injuries.

Not wanting a ‘real job’, James backpacked around the world before deciding to pursue leadership development. He has been sought-after as an adviser in the corporate world as well as by a number of elite sports teams, including AFL clubs Fremantle and Geelong, as well as the Thunderbirds in the Super Netball league.

In this conversation, James talks about:

• His AFL beginnings

• Battling injuries

• Leadership is elite sport and what it means to be a leader

• The story of PickStar

• Networking in sport

• How to move out of the clinical world and create long term work opportunities

• Much more!

The High Performance Project takes you into the world of sports science and elite sport, through the stories and experiences of the most influential people in the sports industry.

The High Performance Project is powered by Lumin Sports. Follow them on Instagram, LinkedIn or visit them at luminsports.com.

Hosted by Ben Tripodi and Jack Shephard.