Xavier Coates: State of Origin Star at 20, Staying Grounded & Dealing with Social Media Pressure

Xavier Coates is a professional rugby league player — and a great friend I’ve been lucky to get to know over the past year. At just 20 years old, he reached one of the highest levels in the game: State of Origin. A proud Papua New Guinean and Australian, Xavier credits his success to his parents, his upbringing, and the fierce backyard battles with his siblings that shaped his competitive edge. In this episode, we talk about his journey to debuting for the Kumuls, Broncos, and Queensland Maroons, as well as how he handles online bullying, the importance of recovery, and what keeps him grounded. It’s a powerful mix of humility, drive, and maturity beyond his years. Connect with Xavier and follow him on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xaviercoates/ About David Mead: David played 14 years of professional rugby league, representing the Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans, Catalans Dragons, and captaining the PNG Kumuls. With over 230 professional games and 15 international appearances , he’s gained valuable insight into what it takes to perform at the highest level. Now, through conversations with fellow athletes, business minds, and community leaders, David shares real stories and lessons to inspire and empower the next generation. Connect with David and follow him on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidmead411?lang=enYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@davidmeadpodcast