Episode 7: Rodney Cottam & Chris Paterson – Resilience, Leadership & Mental Strength
Join us for a powerful conversation with Rodney Cot and Chris Paterson of Run Rocket Run about resilience, leadership, mindset, and the strength it takes to keep moving forward through life’s toughest moments. Rodney shares his journey from military service through a life-changing accident to building high-performing teams, while Chris brings perspective from professional rugby league. Together, they’ve built Run Rocket Run, working with individuals and organizations to strengthen mindset and develop resilient leaders.
Key Topics & Timestamps:
0:00 – Introduction to Rodney Cottam and Chris Paterson
1:32 – Rodney’s military background and early career experiences
3:10 – The life-changing accident and long road to recovery
6:05 – Rebuilding physically and mentally through rehab
8:10 – Transitioning into a 20-year career in finance
11:20 – Finding purpose beyond corporate life
13:45 – The origin of Run Rocket Run and endurance challenges
16:30 – Partnering with Invictus Australia and giving back
18:50 – Chris Paterson’s journey from professional sport
21:10 – Lessons from setbacks, discipline, and performance
24:00 – From corporate careers to building a purpose-driven business
27:15 – The “corporate athlete” mindset explained
30:20 – Accountability vs excuses in modern society
33:10 – Leadership: putting people first and serving your team
36:45 – Building strong culture within organisations
40:10 – Transparency, trust, and leading by example
43:30 – Why resilience must be built, not given
46:50 – Daily non-negotiables: steps, sleep, and hydration
50:15 – Prevention vs treatment in healthcare
53:20 – What “happy healthcare” looks like
56:00 – Final reflections on discipline, growth, and purpose
Key Takeaways:
- Resilience is built through doing hard things consistently
- Leadership is about service, not authority
- Culture is created by everyone—not just management
- Discipline in small habits drives long-term performance
- You must take ownership of your growth—no one else can do it for you
