Latest news with #passion
The Sun
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Topless hakas and wild celebrations – how rugby legend is bringing winning culture to Chelsea's billion pound youngsters
FROM doing a topless haka in the Chelsea dressing room to punching the dugout in celebration of the Club World Cup win, you can see the passion that Willie Isa brings to the Blues. The former world champion rugby league star, 36, started in the brand new role of player support and development officer for the Premier League club only in February. 7 7 Yet the viral videos of the Samoan demonstrate Isa is already very much at the heart of what is going on at Stamford Bridge. It comes as no surprise to Isa's former boss at Wigan Warriors that he has become so popular, so quickly in his new life in a new sport. In February 2024, head coach Matt Peet led Wigan to victory in the World Club Challenge. And Isa, who had been at the club since 2016, was the 'cultural architect' who set the standards on and off the field that underpinned the triumph. Peet told SunSport: 'It can sound vague I think, like wishy-washy words, when you talk about culture and standards. 'But it comes back to what are you willing to accept and what are you not willing to accept. 'And who's going to set where the line is and acknowledge when things fall below standard. 'Willie was someone who would be driving the cultural side of the environment, standards, behaviours, attitude, just 24/7. Those people are so important. 'We all knew he'd be an addition to any environment. So it's just fair play to Chelsea for identifying him. They had obviously done their homework.' Just weeks after Isa became a world champion with Wigan in February last year, he suffered an horrific injury. A fractured fibula and dislocated ankle put him out for months, but even then - especially then - he made sure he continued to contribute. In the autumn, after Wigan had lifted the Challenge Cup and Super League without him on the field, Isa said: 'I was elevated a few years back as a leader and, with the injury, I wanted to play a part in the team in some other way. 'The one-to-one stuff I love but also leading in the group. I make sure our principles stay intact as a club in performance and as people.' Isa returned to training but never to matches before Chelsea offered him the chance to show his off-field skills were transferable to a different sport. You could say Isa was to Wigan what James Milner was to Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp, with the former Kop boss saying Milner was absolutely vital in setting the tone and standards which propelled the Reds back to the top. It is a comparison which Peet agrees with and Isa would appreciate. Because, after joining Widnes Vikings in 2012, he became a committed Liverpool fan. He was in Madrid to watch Klopp's side win the Champions League in 2019 and long-term partner Gemma Bonner plays for the Reds' ladies side. 7 7 But now Isa finds himself working for one of Liverpool's big rivals. The average age of a Chelsea starter last season - 24 years and 36 days - was the youngest in Premier League history. And Peet believes Isa is the perfect role model, mentor and confidant for Enzo Maresca 's youthful squad. Peet said: 'Any young player, they want to be challenged to improve. They want to be shown the way to lead your life as a professional, in high performance. 'But first and foremost, they want to know that there's a genuine care there. 'That's what Willie will be good at. He'll put his arm around those that need it, but it won't be a softly, softly approach. 'It'll be driving them to be the best they can be. 'Whatever age group, whatever walk of life these players and staff are from, Willie will have a good way of engaging with people, building relationships and trust with everyone really.' That was certainly the case at Wigan, as Peet recalled: 'The story I like telling about Willie is we were having a team culture discussion one morning. 'We asked all the players to talk about something that a team-mate had done for them which no one else knew about. 'There were 25 people in the meeting that shared and probably over half of the people mentioned Willie. 'Giving them a lift to training. Borrowing them some money. Allowing them to stay at his house rent free when things had gone wrong for them... 'Or when they had moved over from another country, just catching up with the lads for a coffee or doing things for their families. 'You would think, in a meeting like that after a while, certain people would be friends with some groups more than others. 'But it was really evident that Willie was a good team-mate to a cross-section of the team.' 7 7 Behind his strapping physique and competitiveness, Isa really is a man for all seasons. Peet said: 'He's interested in his sport, no doubt. When he was in the rugby club he was 100 per cent rugby league, but then at the weekend he'd go watch Gemma or Liverpool. 'He also had a diverse range of interests. What he'd read about, what he'd talk about, politics, social issues. 'I know that weekly he'd visit homeless shelters. Not as an appearance, they wouldn't even know he was a professional athlete. He'd just go and do it off his own bat. 'He's just an interesting guy. He's happy to have a conversation about a range of subjects. 'It'll be seen as a team role that he has, linked to culture and environment. But it's really built on individual connections and that's where Willie will excel.' By all accounts, Isa is really making an impression at Chelsea. He is a daily presence at the club's training ground in Cobham and part of the backroom staff for every match. A popular figure. A leader of men. And, just months after swapping an oval ball for a round one, part of a world championship-winning team again.
The National
5 days ago
- Business
- The National
Money & Me: ‘I quit a lucrative job in the merchant navy to chase my passion in sales'
Hailing from a seafaring family, Heston Saldanha joined the merchant navy in India, but found that life on the seas was not his true calling. He quit his job in 1999 and decided to pursue his passion in sales instead. 'My entire family works in the merchant navy. Coming from that industry and deciding to take up a job on land was quite challenging in terms of going against the conventional way of thinking,' he says. 'Always follow your passion. I was fortunate to pursue what I liked doing, which is meeting people and talking. Whatever I've achieved today is purely because of my own conviction and following my passion.' Mr Saldanha, who is from the Indian city of Mumbai, initially took up a corporate sales post with Hutchison Max. He moved to Dubai in 2000 working with business conglomerate Al Futtaim. 'I decided to work in Dubai for a year to make money, but there's been no looking back since,' says the 51-year-old, who is now general manager of Sonova Consumer Hearing Middle East. He worked for Al Futtaim for 10 years and then joined audio equipment manufacturer Sennheiser to set up their consumer division in 2011. After 12 years with Sennheiser, at the end of 2021, he set up the consumer business for Sonova. Mr Saldanha's academic credentials include a postgraduate diploma in management with a focus on marketing from the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies and a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from St Xavier's College, Mumbai. He lives with his wife and daughter in Muraqqabat, Deira, and their two sons are studying in the US and UK. Did wealth feature in your childhood? What did you learn from it? I come from a seafaring family, so money was available and our house always had foreign goods. But one of the things that struck me at a very young age was my father's sacrifices, such as sailing for six to nine months at a stretch. This helped me learn the value of money. What was your first job and how much did it pay? When I was in college in Mumbai, my parents were quite conservative when it came to money. But I needed money to party and spend, so I took up a job with a company to sell marker pens at Nariman Point (the city's business district) and they paid good commission. I earned around 25 Indian rupees ($0.29) for every packet I sold. That was the first time I learnt to sell in a non-educated way. When you enjoy what you're doing, it brings the best out of you. Any early financial jolts? Yes, when I left the merchant navy, everyone asked me why, because it was a lucrative job. As a cadet then, I used to earn around 30,000 rupees. My mother asked me what I planned to do next and how I would take care of my life and my family in the future. It was a jolt knowing that my decision would have a financial implication, of not knowing what I'm going to do next. It was quite an awakening. How do you grow your wealth? I come from an old-school outlook on investing. I started investing in property, land and fixed deposits in India and then slowly moved to mutual funds. Are you a spender or a saver? I'm more of a wise spender and a good saver. If you spend wisely, you can save. I primarily spend on my kids. I have given them the best education and then let them take it forward. I would call it a good investment since I haven't taken any loans to educate my kids. Have you been wise with money? Yes, seeing my dad work in the merchant navy taught me to value money. I was never a materialistic person. For me, it's not about driving the best car or doing things to impress others. I'd probably like to impress myself and be appreciated by my family. What has been your best investment? Properties and land in Mumbai and Goa, since they have nearly tripled in value since purchase. Any cherished purchases? The calling of the sea is always present in my life. While I was on a holiday in Cyprus with my family, one of the things that caught my attention was a sea-facing apartment. One of the properties I bought in Goa is beautiful and offers a full sea view. That's a cherished purchase because it's a holiday home I can always visit with a friend or family to relax. How do you feel about money? As long as you have control over money, there's nothing that can go wrong. You have to learn to control money and not vice versa. I tell my kids not to look at what they can earn but how they can value that money instead. Any financial advice for your younger self? I should have adopted a more millennial way of investing, such as in stocks, probably six or seven years ago. But I have no regrets. Any key financial milestones? Having both my kids study abroad are bigger financial milestones to me than driving the best car. I can see the fruits of my labour put into their education without the help of any loans. These hold a higher value in life to me. What are your financial goals? To retire early and live off some of my investments.
UAE Moments
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- UAE Moments
Daily Love Tarot Reading for July 15th, 2025
The Knight of Wands signals a surge of excitement in your love life. This card urges you to embrace passion and take risks, but remember to balance the thrill with sincerity. For singles: Singles might encounter a charismatic individual who sweeps them off their feet. For couples: If you're in a relationship, expect spontaneous plans or bold declarations of love. Pro Tip for the Day: While passion is thrilling, ensure your actions align with your long-term relationship goals. Stay tuned for tomorrow's love tarot guidance and let the cards illuminate your journey! For more tarot readings, be the first to receive our newsletter straight to your inbox! Follow us on our Whatsapp channel for latest news
News.com.au
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
South Australia's biggest footy fan of 2025: Nominate now to prove your passion for the game
Do you barrack harder than anyone else in South Australian football crowds? Do you bleed your team's colours? It's time to put your passion to the test. The Advertiser on the hunt for the state's biggest footy fan and we're calling on all SA football tragics to nominate no matter what side they support. We've already crowned the state's top Auskicker or the year with five-year-old Crow fanatic Hugh O'Donnell refusing to share his prize with his Port supporter dad. Whether you've painted your house in club colours, not missed a game in decades or have a lucky scarf that's practically heritage-listed – we want all diehard fans to throw their guernsey in the ring. Nominate yourself or a mate who lives and breathes footy by filling out the form below. Bragging rights are up for grabs – it's time to kick some goals off the field. Nominations will close on Tuesday, July 22 at 8am with finalists being put to a vote. Find the full terms and conditions here. Could the Hooper trio be SA's biggest footy fans? They may be small, but this pint-sized cheer squad packs a big punch when it comes to footy fever. Stephen, 8, Thomas, 6, and Florence 'Flossie' Hooper, 4, are third-generation Crows tragics – proudly carrying the red, blue and gold baton handed down from their dad, Gordon, and embraced wholeheartedly by their American-born mum Ellen. 'We are a family of Crows fans because everyone in our family are Crows fans – this has been passed down through the generations,' Ellen said. And while Ellen grew up in a house of diehard New York Yankees supporters, she knew marrying into the Hooper family came with one important condition – back the Crows or bust. 'I went to a game nearly 20 years ago when I first visited Australia, and I've been converted ever since,' Ellen said. 'In my family, it would be completely unacceptable not to support the Yankees, so I can appreciate the need for me to also support the Crows.' From watching every game on television – sometimes twice if it's a big win – to packing the family into the car for AFLW matches, the Hoopers are always game-day ready. 'Daddy loves talking about when the Crows won back-to-back grand finals (in 1997 and 1998),' Flossie said. 'Dad always tries to take us to the games,' Thomas added. 'But we do watch every game on TV together.' Stephen, who plays for the Brighton Bombers, got to meet one of his footy heroes last year – and he's never forgotten it. 'I love Tex, the Fog, Keaysey and Rankine … they're my favourite,' Stephen said. 'Fogarty came to my club's training once last year and I got his autograph.' Do you know someone as footy-mad as the Hooper Trio?
Forbes
09-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Career Myth That's Holding You Back: Why Passion Alone Isn't Enough
The Career Myth That's Holding You Back: Why Passion Alone Isn't Enough How many times have you heard this phrase: 'Follow your passion, and you'll never work a day in your life.' It sounds so simple, but if passion alone were the secret to career success, everyone who loved what they did would have a dream job, and nobody would struggle. That's not how the real world works. The truth is passion without action means nothing. You can feel passionate about photography, writing, teaching, or any number of things. But passion alone won't pay your bills or guarantee job satisfaction. If you love taking photos but hate selling them, you will starve. Every job has parts you won't like. The difference between those who thrive and those who don't involves curiosity-driven exploration, not blind passion. Why The Passion Career Myth Creates More Confusion Than Clarity Why The Passion Career Myth Creates More Confusion Than Clarity Passion is an emotion, a feeling that makes you excited or enthusiastic about something. It's great to have, but passion by itself isn't a plan. The danger in the 'follow your passion' advice is that it encourages endless dreaming without doing. I see this all the time with people 'planning the plan to plan the plan,' stuck in a loop of talking about what they want to do instead of actually doing it. Motivation experts agree passion feels good but can quickly fade without a clear path forward. According to career psychologists, passion is unreliable as a sole guide because it depends heavily on external circumstances. If you expect passion to carry you through every task, you'll be disappointed. Real career growth depends on pairing passion with curiosity which is the drive to ask questions, experiment, and learn. Curiosity moves you from 'I love this idea' to 'How do I make this work for me?' How Curiosity Leads To Better Career Fit And Satisfaction Than The Passion Career Myth How Curiosity Leads To Better Career Fit And Satisfaction Than The Passion Career Myth Research shows that curiosity-driven exploration helps people find roles that fit their strengths, values, and preferences better than passion alone. When you're curious, you're willing to try new things, ask 'What if?' and discover what parts of work truly engage you. A study published in the Journal of Vocational Behavior found that workers who regularly explore career options and reflect on their experiences report higher job satisfaction and less burnout. Curiosity triggers learning and flexibility, making you more adaptable to change which is a huge advantage in today's fast-shifting job market. Instead of waiting to 'feel' passionate, curious people take small steps to learn what fits and what doesn't. They test new skills, shadow colleagues, volunteer for projects, or take short courses. These experiments build real-world insight instead of vague passion statements. The Passion Career Myth Without Curiosity Can Keep You Stuck The Passion Career Myth Without Curiosity Can Keep You Stuck If you only focus on passion, you risk ignoring the parts of work that feel like 'work.' Every career has tasks that aren't fun. Maybe you love coaching people but dread the paperwork. Maybe you enjoy designing but hate networking. Passion doesn't prepare you for these realities. Curiosity helps you face those challenges head-on. It opens the door to finding creative solutions or making peace with the less enjoyable parts of your role. Curious people ask themselves: 'How can I make this easier? Is there a way to delegate or automate this? What skills do I need to improve this?' Without curiosity, passion can trap you in unrealistic expectations. You might quit jobs quickly, burn out, or waste time waiting for passion to 'kick in' instead of taking action. How To Use Curiosity To Grow And Avoid The Passion Career Myth How To Use Curiosity To Grow And Avoid The Passion Career Myth Curiosity is the fuel that transforms passion into progress. Here's how you can use it in your career: Why Curiosity Matters More Than Embracing The Passion Career Myth Why Curiosity Matters More Than Embracing The Passion Career Myth With industries transforming fast, jobs changing, and AI disrupting traditional roles, the 'follow your passion' advice feels even more out of touch. Passion is static, but curiosity is dynamic. It helps you stay flexible, learn new skills, and spot emerging opportunities. People who cultivate curiosity tend to experience less fear around change and uncertainty. They focus on exploring possibilities instead of fearing failure or waiting for perfect conditions. This mindset builds resilience and keeps careers moving forward. The Passion Career Myth Without Action Means Nothing For Your Success The Passion Career Myth Without Action Means Nothing For Your Success The career advice you need requires pairing passion with curiosity and taking action. Feeling passionate is just the start. The real work is doing the exploration, testing assumptions, learning new skills, and navigating the parts you don't like. If you want a career that fits, satisfies, and sustains you, start by being curious. Ask questions, try new things, and be honest about what works and what doesn't. Curiosity-driven exploration beats passion chasing every time. Passion alone won't get you where you want to go. Curiosity-driven action will.
