Young Australian men are carrying more isolation, welfare reliance and aimless grind than many leaders realise - and that has direct consequences for workforce readiness and national resilience. In this episode of Intelligence Optimised Podcast, host Todd Crowley sits down with Lachie Stuart, founder of The Man That Can Project and former professional rugby player, to explore how purpose, responsibility and mateship rebuild capability at the individual and national level.

Drawing on lived experience from elite sport to men’s groups, Lachie breaks down a practical “resilience loop”: set a clear North Star, make the hard choice that moves you towards it, and stack small wins until confidence catches up. He explains why resilience must be outcome-specific, how honest role models across work, family and health reshape identity, and why real mateship is inconvenient service - the kind that turns up, stays late and tells the truth. Todd brings the policy and national-security lens, connecting these personal shifts to boardroom priorities: safer crews, steadier teams and a stronger leadership pipeline across defence, government and critical industries.

The conversation covers: 
✔️ Playing through setbacks when the goal matters; language, culture and isolation shocks from time overseas; 
✔️ The slide into booze and distractions when purpose is missing; 
✔️ The turnaround powered by accountability, routine and community. 
✔️ The data picture - rising welfare reliance and loneliness and points to interventions that work: early work exposure, rites of passage, activity-led catch-ups, and environments that reward contribution over posturing.

For leaders, the brief is clear. Audit where your people are at. Create training grounds, not waiting rooms. Pair young men with credible mentors. Bake in small, repeatable challenges that build competence and pride. Australia’s future strength in the Indo-Pacific will come from men who are trained to serve something bigger than themselves - at home, on site and in uniform.

Find deeper briefs inside Vaxa Bureau.