#84: The Real Cost Of Elite Sport
Wed Jan 21 2026
This week on Elevate with Mets, Mets sits down with Josh Aloiai — former NRL forward for the Wests Tigers and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, and a man who’s now redefining life beyond professional sport.
From leaving New Zealand as a teenager to chase the dream, to building an 11-year NRL career under pressure, to being forced into medical retirement after a rare and persistent shoulder/scapula injury — Josh opens up about the real story: the sacrifices, the mindset, the identity shift, and the work it takes to rebuild when the game ends.
In this deep, raw conversation, we explore:
🙏 Faith & Performance
Why faith is Josh’s foundation — and how old-school principles like work ethic, discipline, and “reaping what you sow” translate directly into elite performance and life.
👨👩👦 Family, Fatherhood & Legacy
What it means to “put the cape on” every day as a father, and why being a role model is bigger than any contract, stat line, or highlight reel.
🧠 Resilience, Pressure & Mental Toughness
The reality Polynesian athletes often carry — and how Josh built a mindset that survives injuries, setbacks, and the scrutiny that comes with playing at the highest level.
🥋 From NRL to Jiu Jitsu
Why starting again as a white belt is humbling — and how Josh is applying professional standards, consistency, and process to chase a long-term goal: earning his black belt.
📈 Business, Systems & The Student Mindset
Mets and Josh go deep on what actually builds success: doing the homework, learning fast, making mistakes, pivoting quickly, and staying process-driven without letting ego take over.
If you’re an athlete, a business owner, a father, or someone rebuilding identity after a big chapter ends — this episode will hit.
🎙️ Elevate with Mets — EPISODE 84
Now live on YouTube & Spotify
👉 Subscribe, leave a comment, and share this with someone who needs it.
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This week on Elevate with Mets, Mets sits down with Josh Aloiai — former NRL forward for the Wests Tigers and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, and a man who’s now redefining life beyond professional sport. From leaving New Zealand as a teenager to chase the dream, to building an 11-year NRL career under pressure, to being forced into medical retirement after a rare and persistent shoulder/scapula injury — Josh opens up about the real story: the sacrifices, the mindset, the identity shift, and the work it takes to rebuild when the game ends. In this deep, raw conversation, we explore: 🙏 Faith & Performance Why faith is Josh’s foundation — and how old-school principles like work ethic, discipline, and “reaping what you sow” translate directly into elite performance and life. 👨👩👦 Family, Fatherhood & Legacy What it means to “put the cape on” every day as a father, and why being a role model is bigger than any contract, stat line, or highlight reel. 🧠 Resilience, Pressure & Mental Toughness The reality Polynesian athletes often carry — and how Josh built a mindset that survives injuries, setbacks, and the scrutiny that comes with playing at the highest level. 🥋 From NRL to Jiu Jitsu Why starting again as a white belt is humbling — and how Josh is applying professional standards, consistency, and process to chase a long-term goal: earning his black belt. 📈 Business, Systems & The Student Mindset Mets and Josh go deep on what actually builds success: doing the homework, learning fast, making mistakes, pivoting quickly, and staying process-driven without letting ego take over. If you’re an athlete, a business owner, a father, or someone rebuilding identity after a big chapter ends — this episode will hit. 🎙️ Elevate with Mets — EPISODE 84 Now live on YouTube & Spotify 👉 Subscribe, leave a comment, and share this with someone who needs it.