I help HR leaders create healthier, happier, and more productive workforces by replacing outdated EAPs with evidence-based wellbeing strategies that deliver real results.

Since 2011, I’ve worked across industries from mining to pharmaceuticals to early learning - designing programs for tens of thousands of employees that improve wellbeing, boost engagement, and cut turnover.

If you want to work with me, here are the ways you can:

1. Replace your EAP with our Wellbeing Enrichment Program - guaranteed higher engagement, value, and results than any EAP on the market (yes, even that one). 

2. Hire me as a consultant: To help you figure out where to start, what to do and how to do it when it comes to workplace wellbeing.

3. Access our Sustainable High Performance program - a 12-week, value-packed program that teaches your entire organisation how to perform at a high level without burning out. 

4. Get your very own Workplace Wellbeing Specialist: To upskill your people in health and wellbeing (through regular individual consultations) and work with you to optimise your work environment to make it easier for your people to be healthy and well.

5. Book me as a speaker: This is my favourite way to engage people and give them a whole lot of value in a short space of time. Our talks and workshops focus on practical knowledge and skills your people can use to improve their wellbeing and performance. 

6. Get some wellbeing initiatives: Want to book a massage therapist? Skin checks? Health checks? Meditation sessions? Group yoga? Group training? Healthy cooking demonstrations? Mental Health First Aid training? Regular First Aid training? Easy. We do it all so just ask.

If any of these look like something you could use, send me a DM.

Phil Wolffe

Welp, if there’s a better way to start the year, I don’t know what it is. 

We’d planned to go to the South Coast for a week with friends when a client asked if I would run a workshop to get their team switched on and ready for a big year - on the South Coast. 

Since that’s my favourite part of this job (and it was literally on the way to holidays) I of course said yes. 

Word got out and 1 workshop turned into 4 and a quick stop into 2 full days but still, pretty good universal alignment, I would say. 

Here’s to plenty more of that this year and to choosing the work that makes you happy. 

Let’s go!

Workplace Wellbeing Specialist | Building Sustainable High Performance in Teams | Replacing EAP with a Better Way

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Something that's not talked about much with burnout is how it erodes your sense of purpose.

That's what it does to a lot of people and that's why it can be so hard to shake - because you lose a big piece of yourself.

Shelley Johnson and I talked about this and heaps more when we caught up to talk all things work and wellbeing.

This one's for the leaders, the workers, and anyone trying to figure out how to work well while staying healthy.

Give it a listen and let us know what you thought in the comments (which is where the link will be).

#burnout #leadership

Giving 100% effort at work is a trap.

Not only do you get diminsihing returns over time, but there's nowhere to go but down.

I'm a real 85% type of guy.

You can give that level of effort indefinitely and it gives you room to ramp things up when you need to.

Plus, chances are you'll actually enjoy your work and your life if you're not absolutely spent at the end of each day.

Shelley and I talked about this and heaps more in our chat, so make sure you check it out and let me know your views!

#burnout

I don’t put a lot of stock in awards. 

I think most of them are performative nonsense you can easily buy - but this one I’ll gladly accept. 

My nieces think I’m smart, kind and funny. 

As far as recognition goes, that’s about as good as it gets.

I thought 2024 was going to be the best year ever, and it was. 

Then, I thought 2025 was going to be even better, and it was.

Now, I reckon 2026 is going to be even better than those two. 

This is not a wait-and-hope type thing.

I'm sowing the seeds of the life I want to live, and actively working to create the conditions to make that life a reality.

That means two things above all:

1. Saying no to things that don't align with the life I want to live, even if they're easy and/or tempting.

2. Saying yes to things that do align with the life I want to live, even if they're hard and/or scary.

I don't always get to do what I want (none of us do) but I've made a conscious choice to build a life that allows me to do more of what I want to do.

So, for that reason, I reckon 2026 is going to be the best year ever. 

Let's see how it pans out.

Ahh January 27th, the day the year actually starts.

And it's going to be a big year!

This is what we're doing at Kinex Health:

1. An alternative to outdated EAPs
I'm sick of reactive, low-value programs that don't do what they say on the tin - so we created something proactive, holistic, and accountable instead. It's called the Welbeing Enrichment Program and its the end of traditional EAPs. 

2. Backing early childhood educators (with Macquarie Uni)
We've co-designed a comprehenisive wellbeing program with the Early Childhood Educators Wellbeing Project and we're running an RCT to prove that it works. 

3. Showing up for regional and remote communities
Phil and Ciara are taking Kinex on the road all around Australia with a roving office (caravan) to reach communities that often miss out on PD and wellbeing initiatives. 

4. Sustainable high performance
We’re expanding our Sustainable High Performance Program and teaching teams how to perform at a high level without burning out. 

5. Elevating great practitioners
We’re backing the people doing wellbeing properly and bringing more and more exceptional practitioners into our work this year. 

2026 is going to be our biggest year yet, and I can't wait to get stuck in. 

If any of this piques your interest or aligns with what you're tackling this year, send me a DM and let's chat.

This is a PSA to all the extroverts from us introverts. 

You’re great. 

We like you. 

We love spending time with you. 

But it’s an energy cost for us. 

So if we say no to stuff, it doesn’t mean we don’t want to hang out. 

It just means we need to replenish our energy.

Sincerely, the people who pretend they’re busy when they’re home on the couch recharging.

My best longevity hack for anyone in (or wanting to be in) business for themselves:

Do whatever it takes to maintain enthusiasm in what you do.

That might mean:

- Changing your environment.

- Taking more breaks or holidays. 

- Tweaking your offerings so they excite you again. 

- Outsourcing or automating the tasks you hate.

- Finding an audience that you vibe with more. 

It might mean you move more slowly than you thought.

It might mean you make less money than you thought.

But it might also mean you stay in business longer.

And it'll definitely mean you have more fun doing it. 

If you like it, it's a lot easier to find the energy to do it.

If you hate it, everyday is a battle.

Find a way to do s**t you like and business gets easier.

Do away with the 'new year, new me' garbage and make this year a good one not by hoping, but by following a process.

Check out the article for some practical steps to get you off to a good start.

View newsletter: Workplace Wellbeing Specialist

The magic you’ve been looking for is in the work you've been avoiding. There’s something powerful about the start of a new year. A clean slate. A psyc

Open article: How to Make 2026 a Good Year by Phil Wolffe • 3 min read

Most businesses pay for an EAP.

The problem is the s**t ones cost the same as the good ones.

Here’s a quick checklist to separate a “tick box” EAP from a modern support system.

What to look for in an EAP (or EAP alternative):

- Fast access
If support isn’t available within 48 hours, it’s often too late to be useful.

- Multiple ways to engage
Not just appointments. Look for options like a 24/7 text line, email support, short resources, and self-paced courses so people can start small and build trust.

- Proactive support (not just crisis counselling)
Modern programs help prevent burnout and injuries before they become claims, with practical support across stress, sleep, habits, physical niggles, nutrition, workload management and more.

- A strong onboarding and activation plan
If the provider just “turns it on” and hopes people use it, engagement will be low. Look for a proper launch, education, and ongoing prompts so the benefit actually gets used.

- Tailored support (needs discovery, not generic content)
The best programs start by understanding what your people are dealing with, then tailor resources, training, and focus areas to match.

- Leader support and clinical supervision
Managers need backup too. Supervision, coaching, and upskilling helps leaders handle workload stress, tough conversations, and early mental health flags without becoming the therapist.

- Critical incident capability
If something serious happens, leaders need a clear, supported response pathway, plus training before the incident occurs.

- Psychosocial hazard controls
A modern EAP should support identification, reporting, risk assessment, and mitigation of psychosocial hazards, plus practical training for managers.

- Zero waste pricing
Avoid pay-up-front models where you prepay for sessions you never use. Pay-as-you-go keeps incentives aligned with engagement and impact.

- Monthly reporting that’s actually usable
Not just annual utilisation stats and a bill for the next year. Look for themes, emerging risks, what’s working, what isn’t, and clear recommendations. 

If you’re reviewing your EAP this year, this list will make sure you get a lot more out of the same budget.

What’s the one feature you wish your EAP had, but doesn’t?



P.S. You may have worked out that Kinex Health has an EAP alternative that hits all of these points.
Check it out in the comments and ask any questions you like.

If the only way to learn resilience is to go through hard things, then the only way to teach resilience is to make people go through hard things.

Not a great strategy as a leader.

Instead, look at resilience not just as ‘grit’ or the ability to bounce back, but as a set of skills that can be taught. 

That’s what functional resilience is.

What we generally mean when we say “resilience” is actually: “How much s**t can this person take before they break?”

If that’s the case, then resilience can be broken down like this:

Resilience = energy + skills + grit + connection x purpose

As a leader, this is a much more practical view that allows you to actually intervene. 

Energy: help people understand and optimise for energy, and allow them the flexibility to work within their performance patterns.

Skills: teach performance and self-management skills (conflict management, communication, good habits, health and wellbeing fundamentals, nervous system regulation etc.).

Grit: Can’t be taught but can be learned.

Connection: provide meaningful support and connection (internal and external) at different levels and with various touch points. 

Purpose: connect people to the overall purpose of their work i.e. get clear on where you’re headed and (crucially) why.

Resilience is a set of skills that can be learned, and the sooner we realise this the sooner we can start teaching/acquiring these skills.


BTW, this is exactly the kind of thing we do at Kinex Health, so reach out if you want to bring this to your team.

We specialise in the recruitment of exceptional people in Accounting, Finance, Sales and Marketing, Human Resources and Executive roles.

We are passionate about the industries we support and are advocates for creating healthy, progressive, and happy workplaces.

Whether you are a fresh graduate ready to embark on your career journey or a seasoned professional leading the charge at a senior level, or anywhere in between, we are here to support you and find you the best, most culturally suitable opportunities.

It's all about attitude and aptitude. We invest the time to really get to know our candidates and dig way deeper than what's on their resumes. This allows us to make well-suited introductions that form long-term partnerships.

If you are wondering what's next for you in your career or are looking to grow your team and are a little tired of the 'standard' recruitment process, we would love to hear from you.

Jesse Herrick

Too many candidates wait for the perfect role to appear. They hit apply. They sit back. Then nothing happens.

This is passive. This is comfortable. And it rarely works.

Real progress starts when you get uncomfortable.

Reach out to hiring managers directly. Pitch yourself even if you don't tick every box. Ask for feedback after rejection. Pick up the phone. Start conversations. Build relationships.

Yes, it's awkward. Yes, it takes effort. Most people won't bother.

That's exactly why it works.

I see it every week. The candidates who hustle, follow up, and step outside their comfort zone are the ones who get noticed. They land the interviews. They get the offers.

Stop waiting for the perfect job to find you.

Start making your own luck.

Calidus Group

#careers #talent #recruitment

Director | Recruiter | Talent Sourcer | Connector

First week back blunders…


I came roaring into last week like a baby giraffe taking its first steps!

Not only did I write 2025 more times than I care to admit, I also managed to:

Call people at the wrong time.

Send emails with the wrong attachments.

Send meeting invitations without actually inviting anyone.

Book a flight on the wrong date.

Call someone by the wrong name, twice. 

Pull my calf while trialling a new gym. 

All in all though, it was a good week. 

Like a rusty old locomotive, it took some effort to get moving and this week I have high hopes for many less blunders!

Give yourself a break if this is your first week back. It takes a minute for the fog from the holidays to clear.

I’d love to hear how your first week went?

#januarybrain #holidays

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Director

Here's something most hiring managers never hear.

Candidates talk. They swap notes about interviews, company culture, and the way they're treated.

The ugly truth, most leaders have no idea what impressions they're leaving behind.

Candidates wish you knew how small things shape your reputation.

Prompt feedback, even if it's a rejection. A five-minute call beats a generic email.

Clarity on the process, instead of leaving people in the dark.

Real conversation, not a checklist interrogation. 

Genuine interest in why someone might join, not just what they can deliver.

The best candidates are picky. They want you to respect their time. They want honesty about the job, warts and all. They want a clear sense of your expectations, and where their career could actually go.

No fancy perks or shiny job title will make up for a bad process.

If you want top talent, start listening. Not to your gut, but to the whispers candidates leave behind. 
That's where your employer brand is being built. 
Or torn down.

#talent #recruitment

🚨 New Opportunity - People & Culture Business Partner 🚨

📍Brisbane, Sydney or Newcastle 

We are thrilled to be supporting one of our valued clients, who is a large mid-tier accounting and advisory firm. 

They have a progressive, supportive and fast-paced culture, and are expanding rapidly.

The role is a healthy blend of operational and strategic HR, spanning the full employee life cycle. 

If you love implementing people and policy frameworks, supporting leaders with organisational improvements, helping people to perform at their best, L&D, and ER, this one is for you! If you have experience with Employment Hero, that would be a bonus. 

They offer flexible working options and a competitive salary package. 

Interested? 

Please get in touch for more info:

0421 713 236 
Jesse@calidusgroup.com.au 

Calidus Group

#HRopportunities #peopleandculture

Calidus Group

I've been reading Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell over the weekend…


It’s fascinating to read that IQ, after a certain number, doesn’t usually lead to greater success. A high IQ coupled with high emotional intelligence, the ability to deal well with people and think divergently, or outside of the box, is far more likely to lead to high achievement.

Another interesting point is that timing, or rather being at the right place at the right time, has a huge impact on overall success.

Malcolm says that often exceptionally talented and successful people put in the work over many years, up to 10,000 hours or more of practising their craft before the opportunities arrive. They were also bold enough to take risks and embrace the opportunities as they came. 

So if you're putting in the work and haven't yet made it to where you want to go or you're looking for evidence to help you keep trudging along, just remember you're putting in the work to set you up for success when the opportunities arise!

Calidus Group

#mondaymotivation #outliers #talent

What’s one thing you would tell your younger self when setting out to build a career?

I would say, get out there and try your hand at many professions. 

The more you explore, learn, get uncomfortable, go broke and embarrass yourself, the better off you will be!

What would you say? 

Calidus Group 

#careersuccess

When I grow up, I want to be a recruiter, said no kid ever! 


Recruitment is a job many people fall into. I know I did. I had a sales and real estate career before choosing recruitment and building Calidus Group.  

It has its ups and downs, well, more like major peaks and troughs, but that’s just sales.

One thing that makes recruitment an especially challenging job is the fact that we are essentially selling people. 

People are unpredictable, and when it comes to our careers, choosing the right job opportunity is up there with major decisions, like buying a house. 

All we can do is help by presenting great opportunities, being open and honest about all of the pros and cons, and matching great talent with cultures where they will thrive.

It doesn’t always go to plan, but when it does, it makes it all worthwhile!

If you love recruitment and share our passion, we are growing our accounting and finance team and would love to chat!

#careers #talent #accounting #finance

A few things you could do this week to audit your job…


As we fly into the year and all of our New Year’s resolutions become memories, don’t let comfort and routine slow down your growth. 

A quick job audit can work wonders to help you figure out if it’s time to stay or go.

1 - Do you know what career growth looks like over the next 12 months and how to get there?

2 - Are you aligned with the leaders and the culture of the business?

3 - Are you earning the money you are worth? 

4 - Are you comfortable and going through the motions or learning and growing? 

The people who build the most successful careers constantly evaluate and know when it’s time to stay or to go!

Calidus Group 

#talent #recruitment #careers

Everyone talks about "culture fit".

But most companies leave it to chance.

If you want to build a team that actually lasts, make culture part of your process, not just your pitch.

Here's how:

Get specific about your culture. Write down the real behaviours that matter in your business. Do you reward initiative? Care about straight talk? Spell it out.

Turn these traits into interview prompts. Ask for real examples. "Tell me about the toughest piece of feedback you've given" beats "Do you handle feedback well?"

Bring team members into the process. They spot what outsiders miss. Let them question, not just observe.

Reference checks? Don't just tick boxes. Ask about how they worked with others, not just if they hit targets.

Most culture issues start at the hiring stage. They can end there, too, if you're serious.

Make culture your filter, not your afterthought.

Calidus Group

#culture #talent #interviews

🚨 New Opportunity - Sales Consultant 🚨

📍Northern Beaches, Sydney 

We are thrilled to be partnering with a family-owned Australian business that is an award-winning leader in the louvre industry. 

Their range of opening and closing roof systems has been transforming outdoor spaces for more than 30 years. 

This is a great opportunity for someone who has an interest in design, manufacturing and construction. 

All sales leads are supplied, and you have the full support of the internal sales team. 

The role offers autonomy, huge earning potential and the opportunity to work with a market leader who has a healthy culture. 

Please reach out for more info:

0421 713 236
Jesse@calidusgroup.com.au

https://lnkd.in/dV6ccsRU
Calidus Group

#salesopportunities

calidusgroup.com.au

Job Search

We are thrilled to announce that we have joined the Four Pillars Group Investments portfolio. 

Exciting times ahead as we partner to supercharge our growth and bring maximum value and support to our clients and candidates.

If you share our passion for recruitment, our accounting and finance team is hiring, and we would love to chat!

Calidus Group

#hiring #growth #opportinities

View company: Four Pillars Group Investments

Four Pillars Group welcomes Calidus Group as the newest business to join the group’s portfolio.

Founded by Jesse Herrick, Calidus Group has built a strong presence in the market, recognised for its specialist focus and disciplined approach to recruitment.

The partnership reflects a shared view on how founder led portfolio businesses scale, balancing autonomy with the support, structure and capability of the group.

Darren James and Gareth Chambers share their perspective on the partnership and what this next phase means for the portfolio.

Swipe through to learn more.

#FourPillarsGroup #CalidusGroup #PortfolioBusinesses #FounderLed #RecruitmentLeadership

Calidus Group joins the Four Pillars Group Portfolio

🚨 New Opportunity - Business Development Manager 🚨

📍Silverwater, NSW 


We are thrilled to be supporting one of our valued clients who is a leading supplier of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety solutions across multiple industries, including mining, construction, manufacturing, and more.

With ambitious growth plans, they are focused on bringing the latest innovations to the market, solving customer challenges, and driving business success for their clients.

This is an exciting opportunity for a driven BDM to grow the company’s distribution network, secure new business opportunities, and nurture strong relationships with existing customers. 

On offer is a generous salary package, uncapped commissions and a company car. 

If this sounds like you, please reach out for a chat:

0421 713 236
Jesse@calidusgroup.com.au 
https://lnkd.in/dj8gHdW2

Calidus Group

#salesopportunities #BDM

We are #hiring and would love to chat with any ambitious and driven recruiters!

🚨 We are Hiring - Associate Recruitment Consultant 🚨
📍Sydney, CBD 

If you're looking to supercharge your career and are passionate about supporting top talent to secure life-enhancing opportunities, this is for you!

Calidus Group is going through a growth phase and is looking for motivated and talented recruiters who are keen to come along on the journey with us. 

Please check out the ad for more details: 

https://lnkd.in/d-jsTjUS

If you're looking for a change and would like more info, please reach out to Jesse Herrick:

0421 713 236
Jesse@calidusgroup.com.au 

#hiring #recruitment #accounting

Open article: Job Search by calidusgroup.com.au

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The Battle

Phil Wolffe

Jesse Herrick

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Engagements

Likes

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