“Max has an extraordinary ability to uncover the layers that hinder your development.”
Dr. Mark Van Rijmenam
The World’s #1 Futurist
Max works privately with CEOs, managing directors and senior executives on the business and personal challenges that most affect how they lead and live.
Below, they describe what changed—in their own words.
“Max has an extraordinary ability to uncover the layers that hinder your development.”
Dr. Mark Van Rijmenam
The World’s #1 Futurist
“Max’s craft is up there with the very best.”
Chris Chittenden
Ontological Theorist,
Living In The Question
“Deeply insightful and highly effective.”
Chris Barter
Co-Founder & Partner,
King River Capital
“I’ll be working with Max indefinitely — the results speak for themselves.”
Domenic Morello
Co-Founder & Partner,
Nationwide Capital
“Max brings a rare balance of intelligence and heart.”
Michael Rymer
Film Director
(Battlestar Galactica, Hannibal, AHS)
“I’ve seen Max Stephens perform under pressure, he delivers.”
Vaughan Bowen
Executive Director,
Skymesh Pty Ltd
“Max is a rare developmental talent.”
Robb Smith
CEO, Institute of Applied Metatheory
“Working with Max has fundamentally shifted how I think.”
Zane McIntyre
CEO, Commission Factory
“Max brings rare wisdom and grounded presence.”
Nicholas Thomson
CEO, Iceberg Pty Ltd
“I’ve made more progress with Max in 12 months than in the previous three years.”
Duco Van Breeman
CEO, Haymarket HQ
“Max stood by me during one of the most difficult chapters in my life.”
Sabrina Maddock
CEO, Avanti Search
“Max drills down to the truth and keeps you accountable to it.”
Edward Thirlwall
CEO, Super Easy Storage
“I see myself working with him indefinitely.”
Henry He
CEO, Medigate Medical Supplies
“Max has clearly found his calling, he truly does unlock people’s potential.”
Bradley Chan
CEO, Banna Property Group
“Max is an old soul with a very sharp mind.”
Brent Williams
CEO & Founder, Empower U
“Max helped me see and dismantle patterns that had quietly been holding me back for years.”
Jason Balara
CEO, Lark Capital Pty Ltd.
“I’ve worked with mindset, business, and performance coaches, and Max is the first to deliver all three at a high level.”
Dr. Tristan Robinson
CEO, Wagga Wagga Veterinary Hospital
“The work I do with Max continues to shift my thinking long after each conversation.”
Brendan Waights
CEO & CFO, ASX & M&A,
$1B Fund Oversight
“I wouldn’t have hit my targets without Max, his guidance fundamentally changed how I operate.”
Maddie Jones
CEO, Talent X
“Max isn’t a coach for the faint-hearted, but if you’re ready to shatter your perceived limits, he’s the first person you should call.”
John Smallwood
CEO, Intuit360
“Max is a genuine super coach, one of the smartest people I know, and every session leaves me with pages of insights and actions.”
Darren Holland
CEO, Aventus Group
“Max changed how I understand myself, my leadership and the person I want to become; he is one of the most important relationships in my life.”
Aaron Fox
CEO, Prova Group
“Max not only turned my business around; he helped me become a better mum, leader, friend, wife and athlete.”
Sophia Lafkas
CEO, The Perfect Recruit
“I’ve become unstoppable since working with Max.”
Irene Cassiotis
CEO, Elevate Brand Communications
“Within 12 months, Max helped me expand my business, hire staff and write a book; none of it was on the horizon before.”
Michael Malak
CEO, JAPM
“I learn something new in every interaction with Max; I aspire to think as clearly as he does.”
David Cordover
CEO, Upscale Solutions
How Max's work translates into economic outcomes by reducing decision risk at points of leverage.
“On paper my consultancy was thriving; internally I felt like I was constantly “on”, with little space to breathe. I loved the challenge of my field, but there was a growing gap between high performance and actual fulfilment. The ancient cliffs of Wentworth Falls would sit outside my window as a reminder of calm, yet most days I was too busy to look up from my phone.
The real issue wasn’t strategy or bandwidth; it was identity. I’d built a system around being the one who holds it all together — leaving little room for trust in my team, or space for myself.”
“I had been struggling with failing real estate deals for three years. I didn’t have the words to articulate it, but my actions were leading me down an unwinnable path. I knew I needed to take significant action to turn the corner, yet I was in a dark space and unsure how to get out.
As it turns out, I am a bully to myself. There was always a “but” attached to every win, no matter the size — while the losses felt crushing. That insight alone changed how I began to see myself, my decisions, and my future.”
“I had just been through a separation and was navigating single-dad life while trying to co-parent. I was depressed, riddled with guilt, and struggling with life without full-time custody of my child. Work was becoming secondary to emotional survival, and I felt lost in every sense.
The deeper problem was my inability to forgive myself for my part in the breakup — and that affected my confidence, my motivation, and my leadership. Everything in my life felt unstable.”
"I was caught in a spiral where my desire for an outcome that could not be achieved resulted in more self-criticism and stress. I was caught in a loop.
The biggest shift was in my relationship with myself. I learned to be kinder with myself. I came to realise that the self-criticism that had been routine throughout my life was no longer serving me — or the people around me."
"There was a lot of frustration in my work. It felt like a constant grind that cost more energy than it returned. Things would go well for a few months and then I would hit another wall that had a big emotional effect on me.
This whole process was a surprise to me. It took some pressure to become willing and open enough to see the bigger picture and its positive effects on me."
"There was a loneliness in my leadership, and it was starting to feel heavy and draining rather than motivating and rewarding. My relationships with my kids were suffering due to the amount of time and energy I was devoting to the business.
One of the biggest shifts was realising that clarity was more powerful than constant effort. I started trusting my intuition again."
"Business can be a whirlwind. It’s easy to doubt yourself, change direction too quickly and make decisions that aren’t always in the best interests of the business. For me, it wasn’t about overcoming a major crisis. It was about creating a new level of operating as an owner and pushing myself to level up.
Rather than second-guessing myself or changing course, I was able to stay focused and keep moving towards my goals."
“I’ve trusted Max’s guidance for years.”
Andrea Pozza
Managing Director,
AKL Developments
“Max is reliable, trustworthy, insightful, and caring.”
Albin Kurti
Managing Director,
Propel Funeral Partners
“Max’s guidance has been invaluable in shaping how I handle myself and others.”
Dominic Tayco
Managing Director,
Thaddeus Martin
“Max brings out exceptional performance in the people he works with.”
Ryan Henry
Managing Director,
Voyager Tennis Academy
“Excellent, smart, high impact…thank you Max.”
Nicolas Laurent
Managing Director,
Oceania Equity Partners
“When the student is ready, the teacher appears — Max has been that teacher for us.”
Ben Tindall
Managing Director,
Follo & Villager Property
“Max helped me get back to my winning self.”
Sam Martinis
Managing Director,
Grand Cru Coffee
“Max holds the space for the real work to happen.”
Mike Read
Managing Director,
Pigs Can Fly Too
“One session with Max cut through a dilemma I’d been wrestling with for a long time.”
Shane Edwards
Managing Director,
Investment Bank
“Working with Max has been inspirational.”
Laura Graham
Managing Director, Earthing Oz
“Every conversation with Max has changed the way I see the world.”
Jacqui Chaplin
Managing Director, The O Whisperer
“Max is the only coach I’ve ever introduced to others — he’s in a different league.”
Marnie Jones
Managing Director
Educate X
“Max helped me through one of my hardest periods and into opportunities that will 10x my business and give me back time for my children.”
Zaver Sima
Managing Director, Mint Invest
“Giving Max permission to expose the blind spots I couldn’t see has been an absolute game changer in every area of my life.”
Jon Tyson
Managing Director, Dominion Developments
“Max challenges me to be better, think bigger and take action, and the growth in both me and my business has been significant.”
Sharon Bae
Managing Director, Artemis Finance
“Max helped me break through fears and beliefs passed down through generations and create a fuller, freer and more prosperous life.”
Rosh Sima
Managing Director, JS Law
“Max coaches the person, not just the business, and that has changed how I operate.”
Jon Sher
Managing Director, Entelect
“Max understood both my internal and external struggles and helped me achieve significant growth, overcome trauma and face adversity.”
Emma Stephens
Managing Director, Her Wealth Hub
“Max taught me to see the progress and wins along the way, rather than allowing the hurdles to define my journey.”
Dan Annan
Managing Director, Ignition Solutions
“Working with Max has been the best decision I’ve made.”
Yianni Lafkas
Managing Director, Northpoint Finance
“I came to Max with an idea and plenty of self-doubt; he helped me build a real program, serve real clients and know I belonged there.”
Drew Griesel
Managing Director, Primal Wellness
“Max is a world class coach with an extraordinary depth of intellect.”
Brooke Hurt
Managing Director, Jessie Grace
“Max is skilful in helping you shape and articulate your thinking.”
Simon Mills
Executive Director,
Morgan Stanley
“Max brings the tools and strategy needed.”
Tim Walter
Director of Operations,
Voyager Tennis
“Max has had a profound impact on my thinking.”
Paul Korber
Sales Executive,
Microsoft
“The work I’ve done with Max has fundamentally changed how I relate to myself, my work, and my life.”
Glynn Bruce
Senior Manager,
Nationwide Capital
“What sets Max apart from every coach, mentor and psychologist I’ve worked with is that he addresses the whole person and turns insight into action.”
Ben Wickett
Senior Executive Broker, Chifley Securities
“Every week, Max challenges me to break through my own ceilings.”
Dane Warden
National Sales Manager, Prova Group
“Max’s craft is up there with the very best.”
Chris Chittenden
Ontological Theorist,
Living In The Question
“Max is a serious philosophical voice.”
Dr. Kim Durban
Associate Professor,
Federation University
“Max is a rare developmental talent.”
Robb Smith
CEO, Institute of Applied Metatheory
“Max has created a powerful model for understanding and developing high performers.”
Dr. Keith Witt
Clinical Psychologist & Co-Founder,
Integral Psychology
“Working with Max fundamentally changed my relationship with myself — and unlocked outcomes I couldn’t reach through force alone.”
Dr. Jonathan Micieli
Neuro-Ophthalmologist & Assistant Professor,
University of Toronto
This is a direct conversation to explore potential coaching, collaboration, or strategic engagement.
It is not a coaching session.
The purpose is to assess alignment and determine whether there is a fit to work together.
If no suitable time is available, Max can be contacted directly at 0424 135 050.