Champions Connect Podcast

What if the man who has covered 14 years of crime on this island told you he has never met an evil person?

Mark Laurence Zammit is Malta’s most influential Journalist. Before that he spent years at Xarabank under Peppi Azzopardi, where he learned his craft on the hardest stories in the country. In 14 years of journalism he has sat across from the people we read about in headlines, the ones the comment section calls monsters. He has never found one.

In this conversation he explains how a story can be factually correct and still not be true. He breaks down the gap between accuracy and honesty, and why that gap is where the real damage happens. He talks about how we went from two news bulletins a day to a feed that never stops, and what that volume is doing to us emotionally. He explains why party media is loyal to the leader and not to the people. And he tells you the three questions you should ask before you believe anything you read.

He tells the story that changed everything. A boy the whole country wanted locked away. A crime that made national news. Mark walked into the interview room expecting evil. By the end of that conversation he told himself: if I had gone through all of this, I would have probably done the same. That interview was blocked by court order. It never aired. But it rewired everything he believed.

He describes the afternoon Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed by a car bomb in Bidnija. The text message that confirmed what nobody wanted to believe. And the quiet shift in his daily life since that day. He still checks under his car before work.

He shares the story of a deepfake video that used his face and the Prime Minister's to promote a scam. People were about to invest real money. He spent a week glued to his phone telling everyone it was fake. His conclusion: the collapse of trust could end civilisation before climate change does.

But the most striking moment had nothing to do with headlines or politics. It was a quiet statement from a man who has seen more of this country's darkness than most people ever will. After all of it, he says there are no evil people. Only good people who did very bad things. Only childhoods nobody asked about. Only systems that failed before the crime began.

This is not a journalism episode. This is an episode about what you find when you sit across from the people everyone else has already judged.

The most dangerous thing about a headline is not what it says. It is what it leaves out.

Partners:ALLIANCE - https://contact.openinapp.link/alliancexcc_______________________________SOCIALSSSSS !!!MAIN CHANNELSYouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ChampionsConnectYT Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/championsconnect_/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/Champions-Connect-61556568009290/Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@championsconnect_ Website - www.teamchampionsconnect.com CHAMPS+ https://www.instagram.com/champsplustv/_________________________________What if the funniest man in the room is the one carrying the most?Kevin Naudi has made hundreds of thousands of people laugh. He filled the biggest rooms in Malta, sold out the MCC, and became the first solo comedian to headline it in 30 years, going from 200 seats to 800 in just three years. From the outside it looks like the easiest job in the world: walk on stage, say the funny thing, walk off to applause. In this conversation he drops the act completely and shows you the weight he carries underneath it.He performed his biggest special while going through a full mental breakdown, and nobody in the room could tell. He talks about Miguel, the best friend he lost to an overdose at 24, and how he keeps him so alive that his own daughter feels she knew him. He opens up about being the overlooked fourth of five children, the mistake after three, the father who quietly picked a favourite, the 55 fights, and the chip on his shoulder he only understood years later in therapy.And he takes us to the hardest night of his life, the moment his two year old daughter had a seizure in front of him, the single thought that crossed his mind, and why he walked out of the room so his wife would not see him break.But this is not a heavy episode. It is a funny, raw, wide open conversation about why comedy is the most honest thing there is, the reason a comedian can say what the rest of us think but never will. About the rush of making 800 strangers laugh at once. About fatherhood, and why he says his real life only started when he had kids. About the wedding where a passed microphone changed his life, going from comfortably unhappy to uncomfortably happy, and the simple answer he gives when Luca asks him the meaning of life.The funniest people are rarely the happiest. They are the ones who learned early that if you can make the room laugh, the room can't see what they are carrying.

What if the island everyone in power is fighting to grow is already full?

During the 2020 COVID airport shut down we had no Tourism. Today Malta carries 4.5 million tourists a year, and this January alone it saw more of them than in August 2012, its old peak month. The population has passed 588,000, up 31% since 2000. A home that once cost 7 years of salary now costs 14. The numbers went vertical, and almost nobody stopped to ask what it would cost the people living underneath them.

That alone should keep you up at night.

Philip Fenech has spent 40 years inside Malta's tourism and nightlife. He didn't build it. He lived it. He helped bring Ryanair to the island, he opened one of the first clubs in Paceville, and he watched Malta go from empty airports to one of the most crowded countries in Europe. And in this conversation he does not hold back. He says the thing most people in his position are too careful to say: the island cannot carry any more.

We go into over tourism and where the ceiling really is. The population nobody can accurately count. Why a 30 year old can't buy a home anymore. The businesses that look packed while they quietly lose money. The foreign workers holding up an economy that can't run without them. And what every fast growing country on earth is about to learn from Malta.

But the most unsettling moment had nothing to do with tourists or numbers. It was about a whole generation that can't afford to build a life in the country they were born in, and the honest answer that nobody is coming to rescue them.

This is not a tourism episode. This is an episode about home. About freedom. About whether a country still belongs to the people who live in it, or to whoever can afford it next.

The most dangerous thing about a boom is not the crowds. It is the silence before a generation realises the island grew for everyone except them.

What if the people building the most powerful technology in human history do not actually know how to stop it?

Sam Altman, the man running OpenAI, told the world in 2021 that AI would wipe out entire job categories. Then in 2026 he said the opposite. Then he admitted his own predictions were wrong. This is the person with more power over the future than almost any human alive. And he is publicly changing his mind in real time.

That alone should keep you up at night.

Dr. Gege Gatt has built his career inside AI. Not writing about it. Not commenting on it. Actually building with it, deploying it, and watching from the inside what the rest of us are only starting to feel on the outside. And in this conversation he does not hold back.

We go into the Oppenheimer moment. AGI. Whether any government on earth can pull the plug if this goes sideways. AI loneliness. AI relationships. A world where you cannot trust what you see or hear. And what happens to a human being when there is nothing left to do.

This is not a tech episode. This is an episode about control. About freedom. About what gets decided in the next five years that the rest of humanity will have no vote on.

The most dangerous thing about AI is not the robots. It is the silence before people realise what has already happened.

_____________________________

Partners:MOTILEO - https://gamify.openinapp.link/motileo-ccALLIANCE - https://contact.openinapp.link/alliancexccBOOST - https://boost.openinapp.link/cc10

Partners:MOTILEO - https://gamify.openinapp.link/motileo-ccALLIANCE - https://contact.openinapp.link/alliancexccBOOST - https://boost.openinapp.link/cc10_______________________________SOCIALSSSSS !!!MAIN CHANNELSYouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ChampionsConnectYT Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/championsconnect_/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/Champions-Connect-61556568009290/Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@championsconnect_ Website - www.teamchampionsconnect.com CHAMPS+ https://www.instagram.com/champsplustv/________________________________Michael Stivala built one of Malta's most powerful business empires. And he did it using other people's money.In this episode, Michael takes us back to growing up inside a family built on hard work, watching his father Carmelo build something from nothing, and learning what business really meant before he ever had a title. He spent 24 years running the machine before he was ever handed the keys to it. Then in 2017 he became Chairman and CEO of the Stivala Group and started using debt as a weapon to scale at a pace most people would never have the courage to attempt.While others were afraid to borrow, he was signing deals.Hotels. Short lets. Development. A half a billion dollar empire built on calculated risk, borrowed capital, and an understanding of money that most people never reach.Then came the moments that tested everything. Loosing MILLIONS in COVID,  his brother walked away from the family business and a man who had spent his life building had to sit with things no business decision could solve.But the most powerful moment in this conversation had nothing to do with money. It was a father talking about what it means to carry everything and still show up.This episode is about debt and what it really means when you use it right. About family and what happens when business and blood collide. About building at a scale that scares most people. And about what it truly costs a man to reach the top and stay there.

Partners:MOTILEO - https://gamify.openinapp.link/motileo-ccALLIANCE - https://contact.openinapp.link/alliancexcc_______________________________Joseph Muscat was Malta's most powerful man. Then everything fell apart.This is not just a conversation about politics or what the headlines said. This is not a courtroom. This is not another opinion piece.This is the man himself. Sitting down. For the first time.In this episode, Joseph takes us back to late 70s Malta. An only child, a father who was his toughest mentor, and a boy who grew up watching what sacrifice actually looked like. By 39 he was Prime Minister with the biggest majority Malta had seen in 55 years.Then came the years nobody fully understood from the outside.The resignations. Through all of it, his father was fighting to stay alive.Joseph was criminally charged. His father died six days later.But the most powerful moment in this conversation had nothing to do with politics. It was a son talking about his father. About the visits in the final weeks. About the last real conversation they had. About what it means to lose the one person who told you the truth when nobody else would.Today Joseph is rebuilding. A husband. A father. A man who has sat at the very top and knows exactly what it cost him to get there and what it cost him to fall.This episode is about power and what it does to a person. About the people who stay and the people who disappear. About daughters, and a marriage tested under a spotlight most couples will never know. About a father and a son. And about what you hold onto when everything else is gone.

Partners:MOTILEO - https://gamify.openinapp.link/motileo-ccALLIANCE - https://masterplan.openinapp.link/cc-allianceBOOST - https://boost.openinapp.link/cc10_________________________SOCIALSSSSS !!!MAIN CHANNELSYouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ChampionsConnectYT Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/championsconnect_/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/Champions-Connect-61556568009290/Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@championsconnect_ Website - www.teamchampionsconnect.com CHAMPS+ https://www.instagram.com/champsplustv/_________________________Josh opens up on the life that shaped him long before people knew him as an entrepreneur.This is not just a conversation about success or building companies.It is a conversation about addiction, failure, fatherhood, and rebuilding from the darkest version of yourself.In this episode, Josh shares how leaving Malta at 18 changed his life, how Manchester shaped him, and how ambition slowly turned into pressure. He speaks about building companies, failing, losing €100,000, and going through a chapter of addiction that nearly destroyed everything around him.But the most powerful moment came when Josh opened up about the pain he caused his family during his addiction.And live on the episode, he apologised to his mum.Today, Josh is a father to a young daughter, the co-founder of Motileo, the man behind Growth Gurus, and someone who turned his worst moments into purpose, discipline, and responsibility.This episode is about anxiety, addiction, losing yourself, apologising to the people you hurt, becoming a father, and proving that even when life breaks you completely, you can still come back stronger.The end is special…

Partners:Success Blueprint to Gamify Your Business - https://www.motileo.com/blog/peak-performance-success-blueprint----------------------------------Alex Borg opens up on the life that shaped him long before people knew him as one of Malta's most powerful political voices.This is not just a conversation about politics or ambition.It is a conversation about grief, responsibility, pressure, and choosing to lead when no one expects you to.In this episode, Alex shares how losing his father at just 23 years old cracked something open inside him. How grief became the fuel. How the weight of an absent father became the weight of an entire mission. He speaks about stepping into a role most people his age wouldn't dare touch, carrying the pressure of a country in crisis, and doing it all while still processing the loss of the man who mattered most.He speaks about what it really means to be 30, unproven, and opposition leader. About the doubt, the isolation, the people who told him to wait. And about why he said no.But through all the pain and pressure, one thing became clear.The mission.What started as grief became purpose. What started as loss became direction. And what started as a broken moment at 23 became a movement at 30.This episode is about the father wound, the cost of ambition, surviving political war, and proving that the youngest person in the room can still be the most dangerous one in it.In this episode, you'll hear:How losing his father at 23 defined everything that came afterWhat it really costs to lead a country at 30 years oldWhy Alex stepped forward when everyone else told him to waitHow Malta's crisis made his mission impossible to ignoreWhat grief, purpose, and leadership look like when they collideWatch until the end.

Daniel opens up on the life that shaped him long before people knew him as one of Malta’s most respected chefs.This is not just a conversation about food or success.It is a conversation about pain, rejection, survival, and rebuilding from rock bottom.In this episode, Daniel shares how his parents’ separation affected him deeply, how the absence of stability pushed him into anger, bad decisions, stealing to survive, homelessness, and incarceration. He speaks about losing himself, being judged, and having to rebuild his name from nothing.But through all the chaos, he found something that changed everything.The kitchen.What started as survival became purpose.What started as pain became discipline.And what started as a broken life became one rebuilt through hard work, love, and self-respect.This episode is about the father wound, being unwanted, surviving the darkest moments, and proving that no matter how far someone falls, they are never beyond rebuilding.In this episode, you’ll hear:•⁠ ⁠How childhood pain shaped Daniel’s identity•⁠ ⁠What homelessness, survival, and incarceration really do to a person•⁠ ⁠How cooking gave him purpose and a second chance•⁠ ⁠What it takes to rebuild your reputation after losing everything•⁠ ⁠Why your past does not have to define your futureWatch until the end.________________________________Partners:Success Blueprint to Gamify Your Business - https://www.motileo.com/blog/peak-performance-success-blueprintBuy your Supplements with Boost+ using Code (CC10) for 10% OFF - https://boost.com.mt/

How did I sell €500,000,000 in property in just 365 days?

Through failure.

In this episode, I sit down with Michael Bonello.

Last year his team reached €500,000,000 in property sales in Malta in a single year.

But this conversation is not just about numbers.

We speak about the journey behind the success. The failed businesses, the risks, the lessons, and the moments that shaped him both in business and in life.

We also discuss family, fatherhood, personal loss including the passing of his mother, and how those experiences changed the way he sees success, responsibility and leadership.

By the end of the episode Michael shares five simple steps for anyone looking to start their entrepreneurial journey.

In this episode

€500,000,000 in property sales in one year

Lessons from business failures

The reality of building something from nothing

Family, fatherhood and personal loss

The property industry in Malta

Five steps to start your entrepreneurial journey

Subscribe for more conversations about business, life lessons and the stories behind success.

Most people think the music industry is talent and luck. It isn’t. It’s business, leverage, timing, and the ability to survive the game.

In this episode, EDD breaks down how he went from a law graduate in Malta to building a real global DJ career: major record deals, millions of Spotify streams, and a track featured on the FIFA 23 soundtrack.

He was also named in BBC Radio 1’s Top 10 Future Artists list in 2022, which tells you this isn’t hype, it’s real momentum.

We talk about what it actually takes to escape a small-island mindset, how the industry really works behind the scenes, and why most upcoming artists get trapped chasing clout instead of building a career.

But this isn’t just a success story.

EDD opens up about losing his father young, the pressure that created, and how that pain turned into fuel. Now he’s playing some of the biggest stages and clubs in the world, from Ibiza to Space Miami, and he’s still aiming higher.

We also get real about the future. AI is about to flip the music industry upside down, and most artists are not ready.

If you’re a DJ, producer, creator, or anyone trying to build a career in a brutal industry, this episode will change how you see the game.

What It Takes to Be a World Great

Joseph Calleja became one of the greatest tenors in the world. But his story did not begin on grand stages or in moments of applause.

He grew up in a home shaped by silence, uncertainty, and emotional depth. As a young boy, he did not dream of opera. He dreamed of freedom. Of music without pressure. Of a life untouched by expectation. Then he discovered a voice, not just a gift, but a responsibility that would shape the rest of his life.

Choosing music meant choosing uncertainty. While others followed safe paths, Joseph walked into risk, discipline, and a world where perfection is the minimum requirement. Behind the success came sacrifice, years of pressure, fear of failure, time spent away from family, and moments at home that could never be replayed.

In this episode, Joseph opens up about the hidden cost of excellence.

From the weight of performing at the highest level to the emotional reality of absence, pressure, and expectation, this conversation goes beyond opera. It explores what it truly means to pursue greatness and what that pursuit demands in return.

This is a story about discipline, sacrifice, identity, and the price of becoming one of the best in the world.

If you have ever chased excellence, questioned your path, or wondered what greatness really costs, this conversation is for you.

Buy your Supplements with Boost+ using Code (CC10) for 10% OFF - https://boost.com.mt/

In this episode, we strip everything back and challenge the systems, beliefs, and comforts that keep people stuck in average lives, often without them even realising it.

Liam Cutajar breaks down why average living is one of the most dangerous traps there is, how culture, media, and comfort quietly shape behaviour and limit ambition, and why discipline, responsibility, and long term focus are the real dividing lines between those who move forward and those who stay stuck.

The conversation goes deeper into why most people do not actually want freedom, they want certainty and comfort, and how modern views on masculinity, success, pressure, and roles are shaping an entire generation. Liam also opens up about how personal hardship forces clarity when life becomes bigger than business, and why pain often becomes the turning point most people try to avoid.

This is not motivation.

It is confrontation.

If you have ever felt like the game is rigged or that you are capable of more but constantly surrounded by noise, this episode is a wake up call.

⚠️ Warning: This conversation challenges comfort, excuses, and average thinking.

After 10 Years of Failure, I Faced My Biggest Fear

In this episode, Edward shares the raw story of a decade defined by insecurity, failure, and feeling lost. Growing up overweight, struggling with acne, and being bullied for his appearance, he carried deep self doubt into adulthood. With no clear direction or purpose, he spent years waking up unmotivated and disconnected from himself.

His insecurities were most visible in how he viewed his body. Edward was so uncomfortable with his appearance that he could not take his shirt off even in front of his own girlfriend. The fear of being seen and judged controlled his life.

What followed were ten years of trying and failing. He launched multiple businesses that never worked, worked jobs that did not fulfill him, and lost relationships that mattered to him. Each setback deepened his doubts and sense of being stuck.

Everything changed when Edward chose to face his biggest fear. While still obese and insecure, he took a risk few would take and stepped into the public eye by featuring on Love Island. Showing his body to an entire country became the turning point that reshaped his mindset, his confidence, and his life. That decision pushed him to build the best physique he had ever achieved and inspired hundreds of people by proving that change is possible.

Edward also reflects on love, heartbreak, family, and why support and connection are just as important as ambition. This episode is a powerful reminder that facing the fear you avoid most can become the moment everything finally changes.

I Was Ready to Die, Then I Chose Life

Justin grew up in a strong and loving family. Then everything changed.

At a young age, his sister fell into anorexia and later a severe drug addiction. The family shifted into survival mode. His parents were present, but emotionally consumed by crisis. Justin did not lose his family by abandonment. He lost them while still living at home.

Left to handle anxiety, loneliness, and fear on his own, Justin struggled quietly. Depression, financial loss, and isolation piled up until he reached one moment with a suicide note in his hands, believing ending his life was the only way to escape the pain.

In this episode, Justin opens up about that day and what stopped him.

Instead of ending his life, he chose to change it. Through fitness, discipline, and responsibility, Justin turned pain into purpose. Today, he mentors over two hundred people, helping them transform both mentally and physically.

This conversation is about loneliness, addiction, depression, and the choice to keep going when everything feels lost.

If you are struggling or feel alone, you are not weak and you are not alone.

Is It Ever Too Late to Build a Winning Business? (BRUTAL) | Andrew Azzopardi

• From homemade wine to supplying the world’s most luxurious superyachts

• How a late start at 40 became his greatest advantage

• The truth about luxury, ego, and what people really buy

• Why success without patience is just luck

• The 38KM swim that redefined his mindset and discipline

• The lessons that turned loss, risk, and chaos into Vintage’82

Andrew Azzopardi is the founder and CEO of Vintage’82 Wines, a brand now serving elite clients across the Mediterranean from Michelin-star restaurants to private yacht collectors.

But his journey didn’t start with glamour. It began in his father’s garage, making homemade wine and dreaming far beyond what anyone expected.

At 40, when most people settle, Andrew started over, turning passion and patience into a global business supplying wines and spirits to the world’s most exclusive superyachts.

His story is one of loss, grit, and second chances, proof that success has no deadline and that real value isn’t on the label, it’s in the experience.

In this brutally honest conversation, Andrew opens up about the pain of losing his mother young, the struggles of depression and self-doubt, and the madness it takes to rebuild your life and business from scratch.

He shares what the ultra-wealthy really seek when they buy luxury, the psychology behind wine and power, and how he’s learned to balance ambition with awareness.

And yes, Andrew challenged me to some fun too, putting my wine knowledge to the test in a few surprising ways that will definitely make you laugh.

We go beyond business into discipline, endurance, and perspective.

From swimming 38KM unassisted around Gozo to navigating the chaos of entrepreneurship, Andrew reveals the mindset that turned failure into fuel.

This is more than a story about wine.

It’s a story about resilience, timing, and the courage to start again, no matter where you are in life.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to chase your dream or rebuild your purpose, this episode will challenge everything you believe about success.

• The reality behind Malta’s greatest water polo career

• How Stevie built resilience through pressure and failure

• Why humility can be both power and weakness

• The mindset that separates ego from excellence

• The moments that nearly broke him and what rebuilt him

• What success really means when the spotlight fades

Stevie Camilleri is a name every Maltese sports fan knows. A dominant force in water polo, he represented Malta across Europe, scored against world champions, and led Neptunes to countless victories. From Belgrade to Italy’s Serie A1, he lived the dream every young athlete chases. But behind the glory was a very different story.

In this episode, Stevie reveals the truth behind the medals and the mindset it takes to survive at the top. He opens up about the pressure of expectations, the loneliness of life abroad, and the internal battles that tested his love for the sport. He shares how ego and identity shaped his early years, why humility became both his strength and his struggle, and what it really means to redefine winning when the fame fades.

We dive into his evolution from a fearless teenager to a leader and mentor. From learning under world-class champions to guiding the next generation, Stevie explains what true discipline looks like and why success without self-awareness means nothing.

This is more than a sports story.

It’s a conversation about growth, resilience, and purpose. About learning when to push harder, when to let go, and how to keep your integrity in a world obsessed with winning.

If you’ve ever chased success, questioned your purpose, or wondered whether humility still has a place at the top, this episode will hit home.

In This Episode:

• How to go from failure to $10K per month

• The 4 step roadmap to scale fast

• Why most entrepreneurs stop one step away from gold

• The power of community and mentorship

• Sam’s biggest lessons, mistakes, and comeback story

-------

Sam Urpani looked like he had cracked the code. Young, ambitious, and running digital businesses while most were still figuring out what they wanted to do. But behind the scenes, his first ventures were falling apart.

The money came fast, but so did the mistakes. What looked like success was really the start of a breakdown.When his first business collapsed, Sam faced the same question every entrepreneur eventually does: what now? Instead of giving up, he rebuilt from zero.

Through relentless reinvention and community building, Sam discovered the roadmap to turn failure into fuel and built a system that helps others go from $0 to $10K per month in just 90 days.In this episode, Sam opens up about the mindset shifts that changed everything, the lessons learned from early failure, and the exact steps he uses to scale businesses smarter, faster, and stronger.

From a carefree teenager to a leader guiding hundreds of entrepreneurs, this is the story of what it really takes to build a comeback.This isn’t just a conversation about business.It’s about resilience, reinvention, and the formula for real success.

Sam's Masterclass - https://www.skool.com/clearscale-4019/

Sam's Playlist To Success - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJt4BH3BRWU&list=PLDbzPpqAQMCov1CEgvB_1O_qTlIjcyA28

From the outside Andy Grech had it all, one of Malta’s brightest young athletes destined for the Olympics. He gave everything for that dream, even joining the army to push his body beyond its limits. But in one cruel twist of fate, injury shattered it all. The dream he had chased his entire life was gone in an instant.

In this episode Andy opens up about the heartbreak of going from 100 to zero, the pain of watching his Olympic hopes slip away, and the dark reality of losing the identity he had built since childhood. Yet through that pain came transformation. Andy rebuilt himself through education, leadership, and purpose, from becoming my teacher to leading Athletics Malta as President and now working with AIMS to fight corruption, match fixing and doping in sport.

This is not just the story of an athlete’s downfall. It is the story of who Andy Grech really is when the dream dies and how he found meaning again.

Fans Are Abandoning Football (HIDDEN TRUTH) | Malta’s All-Time Great Gilbert Agius

Gilbert Agius, Valletta’s eternal number 7, Malta’s all-time great and the most decorated footballer the island has ever produced, sits down for his most honest and emotional interview yet.

From a boy growing up in Valletta, to leading his country with 120 caps, to 769 games of loyalty for one club, Agius opens up about the pain, pressure and sacrifices that shaped his life in football.

In this exclusive conversation he speaks the truth about the state of football today, why fans are abandoning the game, the struggles Maltese football faces, and what it really cost him to stay loyal for decades.

We also dive into his journey as a coach, from winning titles with Valletta, to leading Malta’s U21s, to experiencing the chaos and culture shock of coaching in Indonesia with PSIS Semarang.

This is the story behind the goals, the glory and the silence, a side of Gilbert Agius that fans have never seen before.

Robert Abela is Malta’s 14th Prime Minister, but long before Castille he was a teenager shaped by family legacy, discipline, and an unlikely passion for bodybuilding. From the gym floor to the highest office in the country, his journey has been anything but ordinary.

In this brutally honest conversation, Robert opens up about stepping into power during one of Malta’s most fragile moments, the weight of carrying a nation through COVID, and the darkest nights when the job felt too heavy to bear. For the first time, he reveals the human cost of politics, the pressure of living up to his father’s legacy, and the single question that left him speechless.

Robert also goes unfiltered on Malta’s booming economy, the hidden sacrifices behind growth, and what he believes the country will look like in five years. He shares how bodybuilding discipline fuels his politics, the criticism that cut the deepest, and why life on the boat still matters more than politics.

From bodybuilder to Prime Minister.

From fatherhood to frontline leadership.

From public power to private pressure.

This is the story of Robert Abela, raw, vulnerable, unfiltered, and more human than ever.

Peter Jan Grech is one of branding’s sharpest minds, known across Malta and beyond as the visionary CEO of BRND WGN, the island’s leading branding agency. A pioneer in shaping both personal and commercial brands, he has guided some of Malta’s biggest names and now shares his insights with the world.

In this revealing conversation, Peter breaks down the foundations of building a personal brand from zero, the mistakes most people make when trying to monetise too quickly, and the difference between brands that burn out and those that endure for decades. For the first time, he opens up about what makes a brand truly timeless, how consistency and relatability are reshaping 2025, and why the future of branding will be built on authenticity rather than hype.

Peter also goes unfiltered on the state of branding today, from creators chasing short term clout, to the dangerous rise of copycat brands, to the role of AI in shaping the next decade. He gives his no BS view on how entrepreneurs, professionals, and creators can future proof their brand, and why personal reputation has become the most powerful asset in business.

From unknown to unforgettable.

From recognition to revenue.

From hype to lasting legacy.

This is the story of Peter Jan Grech, strategic, visionary, brutally honest, and more determined than ever to show the world how to build a brand that truly wins.

Joe Cordina is one of boxing’s most gifted fighters, known worldwide as “The Welsh Wizard.” A two time IBF world champion, he never lost his belts inside the ropes until Anthony Cacace.In this brutally honest conversation, Joe opens up about the knockout that put him on the global stage, the heartbreak of losing titles outside the ring, and the night in Riyadh that tested everything he thought he was. For the first time he reveals the fight that truly changed his life, what it really feels like to lose a world title in the ring, the sacrifices his family make behind the glory, the obsession and perfectionism that fuel him and sometimes almost break him.Joe also goes unfiltered on the state of boxing today, speaking about Jake Paul’s influence on the sport, the opportunities being stolen from real fighters, and his own fearless call outs of Tank Davis and Shakur Stevenson.From broke beginnings to world champion.From doubt to dominance.From near quitting to chasing history.This is the story of Joe Cordina, raw, vulnerable, outspoken and more determined than ever.

Everything you thought about the future is about to change.Glenn Micallef is the European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport. In this conversation, he reveals how artificial intelligence is quietly reshaping our world.We spoke about how AI is taking over sports, influence, and work. From machine-led athletic performance to the fading power of human role models, this is a wake-up call for anyone who thinks they’re safe.This isn’t science fiction. It’s happening now.In this episode, Glenn shares how AI is transforming elite sports behind the scenes, why influencers and athletes are being replaced, what Europe is doing to protect the next generation, and how humans can still stay relevant in an AI-powered world.This might be the most urgent conversation we’ve ever had.

3 Things You’ll Never Hear in School | From the Champions Connect PodcastSchool gave us information but left out the lessons that actually matter.In this video, I share 3 powerful truths taken from real conversations on the Champions Connect Podcast. These are the kinds of insights that shape mindset, drive success, and help you see the world differently. And yet, no one ever mentioned them in a classroom.These lessons aren’t motivational fluff. They’re raw, practical, and deeply personal. Each one is tied to a story, a struggle, and a breakthrough.Lesson 1 comes from Ben Camille, who shared a 4-step method for solving problems that can help you face anything with clarity instead of stress or confusion.Lesson 2 is from Fabio Morena, who revealed what it really takes to become a disruptor in any industry and why blending in is the fastest way to be forgotten.Lesson 3 comes from Emma Hogg, who explained how life has become too comfortable and why that’s quietly killing our resilience, mental strength, and sense of purpose.These conversations changed how I think. Now they’re here to change how you think too.If school never taught you how to actually navigate life, this is where you start.Subscribe for more conversations, insights, and truths that challenge the way we’re taught to live.Comment below and let me know which of the 3 lessons hit you the hardest.

What kind of mindset allows someone to do what 99.9999999625% of the population never will?

In this episode, we explore the mental mechanics of Fabio Spiteri, Malta’s leading ultra-endurance athlete, fresh off completing one of the rarest athletic feats on Earth: the Deca Ultratriathlon,ten full Ironman triathlons in a row.

That’s 38 km of swimming, 1,800 km of cycling, and 422 km of running.

Fabio finished the race in 233 hours, 10 minutes, and 25 seconds, placing second overall and breaking his own national record by more than 31 hours.

But here’s what makes this even more extraordinary:

Statistically, only 0.0000000375% of the global population has completed a Deca Ultra. That’s fewer people than have climbed Everest, run a marathon, or gone to space.

So how does someone prepare for something almost no one else can even finish?

This conversation isn’t about fitness, it’s about focus, mental discipline, and how to stay in control when everything else breaks down. Fabio walks us through:

How he structures his mind across 10 days of continuous racing

The dark internal conversations no one sees and how he responds

Why motivation is useless, and what he relies on instead

The rituals, systems, and self-talk that carry him through extreme suffering

What this kind of endurance teaches you about life, identity, and fear

This episode offers a rare glimpse into the mind of someone who doesn’t just flirt with limits, he lives beyond them.

If you want to learn how to keep going when 99.9999999625% would stop, this one is essential.

We say we want connection. We say we want love.

But in reality, we’re building a world that’s making both harder to find.

In this episode, Emma Hogg, psychologist and lifestyle strategist, sits down to reveal why we’re feeling more disconnected, more depressed, and more emotionally starved than ever, and how we’re part of the problem. Through her years of clinical insight and real human stories, Emma explains how our daily habits, beliefs, and cultural shifts are quietly creating a loveless, lonely world one decision at a time.

We explore:

• Why so many people feel unseen and emotionally exhausted

• How empowered women are reshaping relationships and why that matters

• The psychology behind depression, self-worth, and emotional burnout

• What “showing up” really means and why most of us don’t

• Why self-love isn’t soft, it’s strategic

• The mindset shift that could radically change your life

If you’ve ever felt like something’s missing in your work, your relationships, or yourself, this conversation will hit hard. Because the truth is, we’re not just surviving in a loveless world

We’re building it

Want to go deeper with Emma?

Explore her course “Build Your Kick-Ass Career” here: https://alifeichoose.com/kickasscareer/

Use code CC10 at checkout for 10% off

What does it truly take to lead a nation, not just in title, but in pressure, sacrifice, and integrity?In this episode, Matthew Guillaumier, captain of the Maltese National Football Team, reveals the journey most people never see. From juggling early school mornings with training, to travelling the world for football while building a stable home life. Matthew’s story isn’t about hype. It’s about cost. The cost of consistency. The cost of leadership. And the cost of letting go.He opens up about the moments of doubt, the quiet sacrifices, and the internal battles that come with carrying a nation’s hopes and being human at the same time.We talk: • What separates the good from the great • The hidden mental toll of high-performance sports • Learning to lead while still learning yourself • Why growth often requires painful sacrifice • And what he would tell his younger self todayThis isn’t just a story about football.It’s a blueprint for anyone chasing real success and what they’ll need to leave behind to get there.This is The Blueprint That Built a Captain of a Nation.

Lydon “Beqqu” Chircop has stepped into the ring countless times — but this conversation isn’t about the fights under bright lights or the roar of the crowd. It’s about a different kind of fight — the quiet, personal battles that don’t make headlines but shape the man you become.

For the first time, Beqqu shares what it’s like carrying the weight of being “the strong one,” even when everything inside feels like it’s falling apart. He talks honestly about the struggle to stay focused, to keep showing up, and to hold yourself together when life gives you every reason not to.

This is a reflection on the relationships that challenged him, the moments that humbled him, and the lessons that came when no one else was around to see them. It’s about rebuilding from the inside out — not for a title, but for yourself.

This isn’t just a story about a fighter. It’s a story about what it takes to become the man you want to be — honest, disciplined, and true to your values, even when no one’s watching.

Ben Camille is a household name in Malta — known for Love Island, Peppa Pig, and prime-time TV. But behind the public success is a far more personal journey of building something meaningful from the ground up.

In this conversation, Ben opens up like never before — about business, identity, ambition, and the pressure of being “the face” while also trying to build a future.

He shares:

 • How he turned media attention into a real business

 • The exact moves that helped scale to a 7-figure brand

 • The emotional weight of balancing fame and family

 • What people still get wrong about him

 • The truth about launching Love Island Malta and licensing Peppa Pig in Maltese 

 • How he rebuilt his mindset when things didn’t go to plan

This isn’t just a story about media. It’s a story about resilience, self-belief, and building something no one else can see — until it’s too big to ignore.

If you’re an entrepreneur, creative, or someone trying to figure it out — this episode will speak to you.

🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify.

👇 Let us know your biggest takeaway in the comments.

And if this episode hits home — share it with someone who needs it.

What would you do if you arrived in a new country with nothing but €1.50 in your pocket?

In this episode, we sit down with Feras Toboli, a former refugee from Libya who landed on the shores of Malta with no home, no money, and no connections — just a will to survive.

Now? He’s flipping homes, dominating the real estate game, and generating millions in revenue through subletting and house flipping. From living on the edge to owning blocks, Feras’ rise is one of the most unbelievable and inspiring stories you’ll ever hear.

➡️ How did he turn €1.50 into a real estate empire?

➡️ What mindset kept him going through the hardest days?

➡️ And what’s next for the man who defied every odd?

This isn’t just a story — it’s a blueprint for hustle, grit, and total transformation.

👀 Watch until the end for Feras’ top real estate tips, his most painful setbacks, and the one moment that changed everything.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe if you love real stories of people beating the odds and building wealth from nothing.

What does it take to turn a dream into reality—when the world doesn’t even know where you’re from?In this powerful episode of the Champions Training Podcast, host Luca Camilleri sits down with Maria Farrugia, the rising star of women’s football who went from the remote island of Gozo—a tiny, often-overlooked corner of Malta—to scoring the Goal of the Season in the English Women’s Championship.Growing up on a small island with limited resources, fewer opportunities, and little visibility in the world of elite sports, Maria had every reason to stay small. But she didn’t. With relentless ambition, grit, and belief, she charted her own path—breaking out of obscurity and landing on one of football’s most competitive stages.This episode dives into: • Maria’s early life and training on Gozo • The struggles of being an underdog in a male-dominated football world • Her breakthrough moment in England’s Championship • What it felt like to win Goal of the Season • How she’s inspiring a new generation of athletes from small communities • The mindset, routines, and sacrifices behind her success • Why belief matters more than locationMaria’s story is more than a football journey—it’s a masterclass in self-belief, perseverance, and proving that greatness can come from the most unexpected places.If you’re an athlete, coach, dreamer—or just someone who’s ever been told “you’re too small, your world is too small”—this episode is for you.

🎙 From the Struggle to the Studio – Ben Miller’s Truth

In this raw and unfiltered episode, I sit down with my cousin and rising rap star Ben Miller to uncover the real story behind the music. We dive deep into his past trauma, the battles he’s faced, and how he turned that pain into powerful, unapologetic bars.

Ben opens up about everything — from family scars to the grind behind his growth, showing how music became more than just an outlet… it became his lifeline. We also talk about our bond as cousins, how we push each other creatively, and why staying real is the most powerful move in today’s world.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever faced the dark — and chose to create light.

🎧 Real talk. Real pain. Real music. Don’t miss this one.

🎙️ Episode 8 – Broke at 18, Millionaire by 20: The Fabio Morena Story

At 18, Fabio Morena was broke and waiting tables. Two years later, he had made his first million dollars — with no rich parents, no degree, and no backup plan. In this raw and inspiring episode of Champions Connect, Fabio reveals the untold story behind his rapid rise to wealth.

We dive deep into:

• The mindset shift that changed everything

• The hustle behind his first $70K month

• How he built a business from scratch while working nights • The sacrifices nobody talks about

• And the harsh truths about money, success, and staying hungry

If you’re tired of fluff and want real talk from someone who actually did it, this episode will hit different.📈 Success has a blueprint.

Fabio just gave you the first page.

At the peak of his career, Miguel Mifsud wore his country’s jersey, living every young footballer’s dream. But what the world didn’t see was the silent spiral that would nearly destroy him.

What starts as a story of glory becomes one of addiction, crime, and rock bottom. Hooked on heroin. Dealing drugs to survive. Facing prison. Losing everything. Including himself.

But this isn’t a tragedy. It’s a rebirth.

In this raw, no-holds-barred conversation, Miguel opens up like never before. He reveals how he clawed his way back from the edge, got sober, and did something almost no one believed he could do: run 100 miles. Not for fame. Not for money. But to prove that the human spirit — even when broken — can come back stronger.

This is not just a story about football. Or addiction. Or redemption.

This is a story about what it means to be human.

🔥Malik Zinad RETURNS with a game-changing announcement!🔥

In this explosive episode of the Champions Connect Podcast, the undefeated powerhouse, Malik Zinad, is coming for Dmitry Bivol once again! After his upcoming Saudi world title shot, Zinad has his eyes locked on rematch with Bivol—and he’s not holding back on what’s next. 💥

What does it take to challenge a world champion like Dmitry Bivol after everything that’s happened? Malik breaks it down, shares his thoughts on redemption, and reveals how he plans to dominate the world stage this summer in Saudi Arabia. 👑 But here’s the twist—this isn’t just about winning the title; it’s about unfinished business with one of the sport’s toughest fighters.

👊 This episode is PACKED with fiery insights, bold predictions, and a killer mindset. From Saudi dreams to Bivol revenge, Zinad isn’t pulling punches. Get ready to hear about the fight that’s going to shake the world.

Don’t miss this exclusive conversation where Malik Zinad drops bombs, makes his boldest challenge yet, and takes us behind the scenes of his journey to become a world champion.

⚡️ Is Bivol next? You don’t want to miss this. Tune in NOW. 🔥

This is the WILDEST story you’ll hear today! Imagine having everything—success, fame, and a bright future—only to watch it all come crashing down. One mistake. One wrong move. And everything is gone.

In this episode of Champions Connect, we dive deep into an INSANE rollercoaster of success, failure, and the fight to rise again. What went wrong? Could it have been avoided? And most importantly… did he make the ultimate comeback?

🔥 This episode is packed with:
✅ A shocking rise to success
✅ An unexpected, brutal downfall
✅ Lessons that could change YOUR life

💬 Drop a comment below—what’s the biggest lesson you take from this? Let’s talk!

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more jaw-dropping stories of champions who risked it all!

"I spent my whole life chasing a dream. The moment I achieved it… I lost the person I loved the most."

Steve Martin’s story is one of triumph and tragedy, victory and grief. He trained for years, sacrificed everything, and finally became a world champion. But just days after reaching the pinnacle of his career, his world was turned upside down—his mother passed away. In this raw and deeply personal conversation on Champions Connect, Steve opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of winning and losing in the same breath, the unseen struggles behind success, and how he found meaning in the pain.

This is the kind of conversation that goes beyond sports—it’s about life, loss, and what truly matters. It’s about the moments that define us and the resilience that keeps us moving forward.

Listen now. This one will change the way you think about success.

Everyone sees the highlights—the contracts, the stadiums, the victories. But what about the sacrifices, the struggles, and the unseen battles that come with playing football abroad?

In this episode, Andrew Hogg opens up about the realities of an international football career—the mental and physical toll, the pressure to perform, and the relentless need for discipline. He shares his experiences of adapting to different cultures, managing time effectively, and staying ready for the toughest moments.

This is a raw and unfiltered look at what it really takes to succeed as a professional athlete on foreign soil. From overcoming mistakes to dealing with setbacks, this episode is packed with lessons for anyone chasing their dreams—on or off the pitch.

📌 Topics covered:

🔹 The truth about playing football overseas

🔹 Mastering time management as a pro athlete

🔹 How to prepare for your toughest moments

🔹 Overcoming mistakes and staying mentally strong

This is more than football—this is about resilience, mindset, and what it takes to thrive under pressure.

🎧 Watch, listen, and subscribe for more eye-opening conversations with the world’s best athletes.

#Football #AndrewHogg #ChampionsConnect #OverseasFootball #Mindset #Resilience

In this episode of Champions Connect Podcast, Adam Sullivan, Co-Founder of BulletProof Culture, dives deep into the world of the Creator Economy. Adam shares his unique journey of building a successful brand from the ground up, revealing the power of storytelling and its role in connecting with audiences. He opens up about the challenges, lessons learned, and key strategies for standing out in today’s competitive digital landscape. Whether you're a creator, entrepreneur, or simply interested in the evolving world of online business, this episode offers valuable insights on how to navigate the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and build lasting success.

Kindly Follow and Leave a Comment to stay Notified with our Episodes :)

🎙 Welcome to theChampions Connect Podcast – In this powerful episode, we sit down with professional footballer Zach Muscat to explore how football has shaped his life in ways most people never see.From the glory on the pitch to the struggles off it, Zach shares a raw and emotional account of how football gave him everything he dreamed of—and tested him in ways he never expected. We dive deep into the highs and lows of his journey, covering topics that go far beyond the game.In This Episode, We Discuss:How football impacted Zach’s relationships with family and loved ones.The role of religion and faith in his life and career.Battling depression while living the dream as a professional footballer.The toll of fame and success on personal relationships.Lessons Zach learned about sacrifice, resilience, and mental health.This episode is a heartfelt, unfiltered look at life as a pro footballer—covering the good, the bad, and the deeply personal. Whether you’re an athlete, a football fan, or someone navigating their own challenges in life, Zach’s story will resonate on a profound level.Join the conversation: Share your thoughts and biggest takeaways in the comments below!Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more inspiring and eye-opening conversations.