Sam Eyles never set out to become a YouTube creator.
He grabbed a camera on a two-month off-road trip with his mates, uploaded the footage to share with family, and accidentally sparked one of Australia's best known channels in the 4x4 scene, Built Not Bought.
What you might not realise is that before all this, he was training as a musician in classical guitar and went to university to become an engineer.
There's a lot more to his story than wild V8 swaps.
I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
🎙 All Red Everything Podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@speyles9e28bf
youtube.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builtnotbought_au/9458e2
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sam_eyles/4f45d5
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/builtnotbought4x472b13a
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sammyeyles716e2a
tiktok.com
Not just any numbers man, my numbers man.
James McKenzie is an accountant who has taught me more about business since I met him than anyone else.
His experience is impressive, however its been his focus on interpersonal skills, mental heath and wellbeing of business owners that has been surprising.
Its why I asked him to be a guest on the show, because as a small business owner, I know just how lonely and brutal that path is. James has become an indispensable part of my own advisory team and when he talk, I can promise you I listen.
You can find him at Dickenson's Accountants
More than 20 years ago, I first met Stuart Fraser. Over the years in country town Brisbane, our paths have continued to cross. Recently he shared that he was looking to run for the position of senator in the upcoming federal election and naturally I asked why on earth he'd want to do that.
The story he told was unexpected, so I asked him to join me on the show.
I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
https://online.lnp.org.au/stuartfraser
https://www.facebook.com/StuartFraserLNP
https://www.instagram.com/stuartfraserlnp/
Mark Hocking runs a business with a focus on special vehicles. His great joy is finding unique and special cars for his clients nd much of this is a result of moving to Japan in the 90s.
This story has many more twists and turns, especially in the mountains of Japan. When you mention touge, Wangan, Top Secret, HKS and see a glint in his eye, you know that this will be a great story!
I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
Links
https://markhockingspecialvehicles.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/MarkHockingSpecialVehicles
Creative artist and mad scientist? As I try to figure out a way to describe Sketch Coleman, this feels like it sums it up. He spent a fair portion of his life as a musician with producer duo Bombs Away. His day job with Aus Video Co isn't doing things by halves either.
What I really enjoy is his deep dive into hotting up electric bikes. He's on another level with this stuff.
In ARE tradition, we explore many topics and as always a fascinating discussion.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/BombsAwayMusicSketch/
https://ausvideo.co/
Scott Mitchell is a photographer and cinematographer.
His story has a few twists and turns, especially the bit about being a skipper and how that career came to a close, before picking up a camera and heading to the track with some mates.
Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeert
Growing up in Guernsey, Marcus was born for adventure. He quickly realised as a boy, that he wanted to be a fighter pilot. A career in the military was the obvious next step.
So how he came to work in Bermuda, become a BMW team driver, race for Aston Martin Test Centre and Kessel Racing Ferrari is a whole other story.
Then to find himself flying warbirds in South-East Queensland. That's another story.
Did I mention he wrote a book on the Russian MiG 29? You guessed it, that's another story.
A very special conversation, with a wonderful man. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.
Michael's family came from Romania to Australia when he was a boy. From humble beginnings, his father showed him how to work, and if you wanted something - how to make it.
MDS Fab is the business that Michael has built and his expertise is a sight to behold.
https://www.facebook.com/Mdsfab/
Owner of FiveDimes.co, Cat shares the story of making, creating, finding your way and the complexity of walking your own path.
With a father who owned a speed shop and loved all things automotive, it was something that was clearly in the blood.
A winding path and a catastrophic car accident set in motion a whole new direction for Grant.
I hope you enjoy this chat about family, choices and consequences and finding purpose.
Himmy has great taste in 90s vehicles.
Turns out there's quite a story of how he came to be the custodian of some very special cars and as always, it's never a straight line. From moving to Australia from Fiji with his family at a young age, helping to run the family shop, becoming a chef and then finally finishing uni and going on to advise government around environmental strategies to improve energy efficiency.
There's a lot more to this story and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
https://www.instagram.com/h.i.m.m.y/
https://www.facebook.com/himaansu
Fresh from the opening round of GT World Challenge Australia, Liam shares his thoughts and experiences from the weekend at Phillip Island.
Behind the wheel of the Arise Racing GT Ferrari 296 GT3, Liam is kicking off 2024 as part of a new team, in a new car, but a familiar marque.
With significant GT experience in a prancing horse, Liam managed find some impressive pace over the weekend, setting a lap record, scoring a podium with a 1 -2 for Arise Racing.
I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
https://www.instagram.com/liamtalbotracing/
https://www.facebook.com/liamtalbotracing/
https://www.gt-world-challenge-australia.com/
https://ariseracing.com.au/
https://liamtalbotracing.com.au/
Born in the United States, Kris Frome moved to New South Wales at 9 years of age. It was the ocean that called to him first.
Surfing, music, sound engineering led to opportunities in electronics. Anyone else remember Brashs?
Kris also found himself in the world of car audio, starting a journey that would take him to building a serious AutoSalon competitor.
This same car, built with an exquisite attention to detail would then become a vehicle to chase a new passion in motorsport. It's safe to say that Kris gave it everything and that showcar became a blown monster, built to go sideways.
Now a little older, with a few more responsibilities, you can take the man out of the drift car, but you cant take the spirit of drifting out of the man.
Kris has been invited to judge the national Hi-Tec Oils All Stars Drift Series as part of the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series.
Will we see him behind the wheel again? You just never know!
I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
https://www.instagram.com/kris_frome/
https://www.facebook.com/HiTecDriftingAustralia/
Scott Robinson from Modern Classic Motorsport is a BMW man through and through. Doesn't mind an old Porsche or Ferrari either, as long as it's from the 70's, 80's or 90's. My kind of guy.
Having spent many years supporting his friend David Harris, with whom Scott assisted in purchasing, refreshing and then campaigning the BMW Group A 325i. This vehicle was built by Frank Gardener's BMW Team JPS and driven by Tony Longhurst.
1986 winner of the Amscar series and 4th place in the Australian Touring Car Championship.
Scott helped David to prepare and also run the car at the track. When David passed, Scott asked his family if the time ever came up, that perhaps he could be considered to purchase the car from the family estate.
In 2023, the opportunity arose. Scott didn't hesitate to become the new custodian, and to campaign the car in the Australian Heritage Touring Cars Championship.
Late in 2023, Scott had been unwell and declining. Come December '23, Scott began chemotherapy on one condition.
Work the dates of his chemo around his 2024 race calendar.
https://www.instagram.com/modernclassicmotorsport/
https://www.instagram.com/bmw_jps_325i/
https://www.heritagetouringcars.com.au/
Shaun Maluga hails from Gladstone in Queensland and cannot be persuaded that a LandCruiser is a superior choice to an International Harvester Scout.
Despite his confusion, Shaun shares his journey through creative industries, learning to work faster and just how much it takes to build a career as a retoucher and photographer.
With a global portfolio of work, spanning portraiture, advertising and automotive, a seven-year stint in the USA led him to this little side quest with this 4x4 called the Scout.
Now back in Australia with two Z cars, three Land Rovers and a serious need for a 60 Series. We look back with an eye to the future and plans to travel, photograph and explore this beautiful country we call home. Western Australia is up the top of that list just quietly
I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
You can follow Shaun around the web here: https://linktr.ee/shaunmaluga
Turbo Yoda has found himself in a place where he is ready for change. Having announced his retirement from The Skid Factory, Alan is ready to explore new possibilities.
It's just time to refocus on what's important and to take a moment away from an insane content creation schedule.
We go back in time and discuss a boy from Gympie, growing up on a farm and riding BMX. Gaining an apprenticeship, dating the Dealer Principal's daughter, an obsession with Subaru's, cheap half cuts, and engine swaps.
Internet forums, Mighty Car Mods, MCM TV2 and becoming Turbo Yoda, The Skid Factory, the magic of twin downdraft webbers and so much more.
Not only did Alan and I talk rubbish for three hours, he even brought beers! An absolute legend and a privilege to share his story as he transitions to a different gear at the end of his Skid Factory journey. He certainly isn't planning on stopping, with plans to keep building projects and make a few guest appearances on Mighty Car Mods and The Skid Factory.
I hope you enjoy our long, meandering conversation as we jump down rabbit holes talking life and cars.
If you already miss Al you'll be pleased to know that he's going to fire up his Instagram and keep you up to date with his new projects.
I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
Jamie Jeffreys grew up in Camira in south-east Queensland. He recalls the moment when out on his pushbike as a boy, he heard that rhythmic, thumping rumble that resonated with every ounce of his being.
Leaving school in grade 10 to pursue an apprenticeship as a painter, he enjoyed the work however it wasn't quite right.
Resigning from the paint shop and not wanting to go home to report his lack of employment to his parents, he signed up to a PT Training course before he went home that day.
So began the next chapter to take us through the next 14 years as he found his place building Prodigy PT.
https://www.facebook.com/jamie.jeffreys.94
https://www.facebook.com/ProdigyPersonalTraining/
https://www.instagram.com/jamieprodigy/
Todd Hazelwood drives for a living. He's been hauling around as fast as he can since he was 7 years old. There was only ever one goal in his mind, to race at the highest levels.
With six seasons so far in the top tier of Australian motorsport, Todd has worked his way through the ranks with pure perseverance.
From selling Freddo Frogs at school to raise money for karting, to negotiating deals to take the grid at Supercars, I'm blown away at just how hard Todd has worked to bring his dreams to life.
I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
Follow Todd:
https://www.facebook.com/ToddHazelwoodRacing
https://www.instagram.com/toddhazelwood/
