In this episode of The Accountant That Builds, Shannon Smit sits down with Olympic champion
turned business leader Grant Hackett to explore what it takes to perform at the highest level and
sustain it over time. From breaking world records in the pool to leading an ASX-listed financial
services company, Grant shares the mindset, discipline and leadership lessons that have shaped
his journey from elite athlete to CEO.
Grant reflects on his transition from sport to business, why he now finds greater fulfilment in
leadership, and how the habits built through elite training became the foundation for his approach
in the corporate world. He also shares a defining career moment where he was given the chance
to prove himself, delivering strong results and setting the foundation for long-term business
growth.
The conversation dives into what separates high performers from the rest, highlighting the
importance of consistency, clear goals, and disciplined routines. Grant also shares a powerful
lesson from the Olympic stage about blind spots and awareness, and how that experience
continues to shape his decision-making in business today.
Grant Hackett will be speaking live at the B.I.T.E. Business Conference at Mornington
Racecourse on 5 August, where he’ll expand on these insights and share practical leadership
strategies for business owners and leaders.

In this episode of The Accountant That Builds, Shannon Smit sits down with Olympic champion turned business leader Grant Hackett to explore what it takes to perform at the highest level and sustain it over time. From breaking world records in the pool to leading an ASX-listed financial services company, Grant shares the mindset, discipline and leadership lessons that have shaped his journey from elite athlete to CEO. Grant reflects on his transition from sport to business, why he now finds greater fulfilment in leadership, and how the habits built through elite training became the foundation for his approach in the corporate world. He also shares a defining career moment where he was given the chance to prove himself, delivering strong results and setting the foundation for long-term business growth. The conversation dives into what separates high performers from the rest, highlighting the importance of consistency, clear goals, and disciplined routines. Grant also shares a powerful lesson from the Olympic stage about blind spots and awareness, and how that experience continues to shape his decision-making in business today. Grant Hackett will be speaking live at the B.I.T.E. Business Conference at Mornington Racecourse on 5 August, where he&rsquo;ll expand on these insights and share practical leadership strategies for business owners and leaders.

Welcome to The Accountant That Builds, a workshop style business and finance podcast focused on providing actionable advice to empower individuals and business owners to build lives and businesses they really love.

When host Shannon Smit decided to start her own accounting and business advisory firm, she had a vision from the beginning. With a career spanning global firms in New York, Prague, Amsterdam and Melbourne, Shannon chose to forgo a partner position at a Big 4 firm in New York, in favour of setting up a globally minded, local approach firm offering strategic tax, business and financial advisory in her local region, Mornington Peninsula. She wanted to give local business owners access an advisor with extensive global expertise, without having to travel to the city.  17 years on, and she’s got stories to tell about business and wealth building! Are you ready to build your business and your wealth?  

www.smartbusinesssolutions.com.au/podcast

Welcome to The Accountant That Builds, a workshop style business and finance podcast focused on providing actionable advice to empower individuals and business owners to build lives and businesses they really love.
When host Shannon Smit decided to start her own accounting and business advisory firm, she had a vision from the beginning. With a career spanning global firms in New York, Prague, Amsterdam and Melbourne, Shannon chose to forgo a partner position at a Big 4 firm in New York, in favour of setting up a globally minded, local approach firm offering strategic tax, business and financial advisory in her local region, Mornington Peninsula. She wanted to give local business owners access an advisor with extensive global expertise, without having to travel to the city.  17 years on, and she’s got stories to tell about business and wealth building! Are you ready to build your business and your wealth?  
<a href="https://www.smartbusinesssolutions.com.au/podcast/">www.smartbusinesssolutions.com.au/podcast</a>

The Accountant That Builds

Welcome to The Accountant That Builds, a workshop style business and finance podcast focused on providing actionable advice to empower individuals and business owners to build lives and businesses they really love.

When host Shannon Smit decided to start her own accounting and business advisory firm, she had a vision from the beginning. With a career spanning global firms in New York, Prague, Amsterdam and Melbourne, Shannon chose to forgo a partner position at a Big 4 firm in New York, in favour of setting up a globally minded, local approach firm offering strategic tax, business and financial advisory in her local region, Mornington Peninsula. She wanted to give local business owners access an advisor with extensive global expertise, without having to travel to the city.

17 years on, and she’s got stories to tell about business and wealth building! Are you ready to build your business and your wealth?  

Welcome to The Accountant That Builds, a workshop style business and finance podcast focused on providing actionable advice to empower individuals and business owners to build lives and businesses they really love.
When host Shannon Smit decided to start her own accounting and business advisory firm, she had a vision from the beginning. With a career spanning global firms in New York, Prague, Amsterdam and Melbourne, Shannon chose to forgo a partner position at a Big 4 firm in New York, in favour of setting up a globally minded, local approach firm offering strategic tax, business and financial advisory in her local region, Mornington Peninsula. She wanted to give local business owners access an advisor with extensive global expertise, without having to travel to the city.
17 years on, and she’s got stories to tell about business and wealth building! Are you ready to build your business and your wealth?