Episode 5: From Pro Football to Purpose: A Conversation with Adrian Leijer

In this episode of The FX Factor, I sit down with former Socceroo and Melbourne Victory captain Adrian Leijer to explore his journey from grassroots football to the world stage — and what life looks like beyond professional sport.Adrian shares what shaped his career, the highs and lows of elite football, and the values that carried him through. But this conversation goes deeper than sport — we talk about entrepreneurship, leadership, and balance. Adrian opens up about building his business after football, the work ethic and discipline that transitioned seamlessly from the pitch into business ownership, and how he continues to mentor and inspire young athletes today.We’ll dive into lessons for parents, coaches, and kids: how resilience and coachability matter at every level, what sport can really teach us about life, and why the transition from player to business leader is more connected than you might think. Adrian also shares what’s next for him, and the vision he has for making a broader impact in sport and beyond.If you want to hear first-hand from someone who’s lived the athlete’s dream — and successfully built a second career beyond it — this episode is a must.