The Champion's Mindset: A Journey to Purpose and Resilience
24 – 30 March 2025 | Gdas, Bali
Unlock mental clarity, build physical strength, and master the art of
overcoming obstacles in life and sports.
Join AFL legend David Zaharakis for a powerful retreat that blends purpose-driven discovery with physical and mental strength-building. Drawing from over a decade of experience at the highest levels of professional sports, David brings a unique perspective on the importance of finding your “why”—the deeper purpose that drives success both on and off the field. Having navigated the pressures of elite sports, he understands the power of motivation, resilience, and leadership in achieving lasting results.
Over seven days, David will guide you through immersive sessions, each designed to help you uncover your true potential. With two hours of focused work per day, these sessions are carefully crafted to integrate seamlessly with the therapies and wellness activities offered at the retreat. Whether you’re pushing through a guided fitness challenge or reflecting on personal values, this retreat offers the perfect balance of introspection and physical growth, giving you the tools to apply purpose to every aspect of your life.
About David Zaharakis
David Zaharakis is best known for his AFL career with Essendon Football Club, where he played 226 games over 13 seasons (2009–2021). A respected leader, David mentored and coached younger players, fostering talent and focusing on leadership and motivation. Now a full-time athlete, David competes in triathlons and Ironman events worldwide, having completed two IRONMAN and five 70.3 Ironman races. Beyond competing, he engages in guest speaking, coaching, and ambassador roles. A Deakin University graduate in Property and Real Estate, David continues to inspire others to achieve their personal and athletic goals.
Setting the Foundation
The retreat kicks off with a deep dive into understanding the power of purpose, led by David Zaharakis himself. As a former AFL star, David shares his personal journey of discovering his own “why” during his professional career, offering insight into how purpose guided his actions, both on and off the field. Through an interactive discussion, participants are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences and think about the role purpose plays in shaping their decisions, achievements, and outlooks on life. Defining one’s values and goals is essential in aligning actions with aspirations, and participants will engage in a workshop to map out their individual foundations for success.
The day wraps up with a light physical fitness session aimed at linking the body with the mind. During this guided session, participants will focus on gentle movements like stretching and mobility exercises. This is not just about preparing physically for the days ahead but also about understanding the importance of physical health in fostering mental resilience. By establishing this connection early on, participants are set up to approach the rest of the retreat with a strong and grounded mindset, knowing that a balanced body can lead to a balanced mind.
Exploring Your Motivation
On the second day, participants delve into the core of motivation—what drives elite athletes and high performers to push beyond limits and reach new heights. Through an engaging presentation, David will discuss the factors that drive sustained success in high-performance environments. Drawing from personal experiences in the AFL and other elite sports, he highlights key psychological triggers like determination, passion, and self-discipline. The group will then reflect on their own moments of peak performance, allowing each participant to uncover the internal and external motivations that fuel their ambitions.
In the second part, attention shifts to physical strength as a means to build confidence. The group will engage in bodyweight strength exercises designed for all fitness levels, emphasising the mind-body connection. Just as motivation drives mental perseverance, strength training builds inner confidence by proving that physical progress is possible with discipline and effort. Through this combination of reflection and physical activity, participants begin to understand that true confidence comes from a balance of mental clarity and physical capability, both of which are necessary to reach their full potential.
Overcoming Challenges
This session is all about resilience—how to bounce back from challenges and push through adversity. Drawing from his experiences in professional sports, David will share proven strategies used by champions to stay mentally tough when facing setbacks. Participants will take part in a group discussion where they share their personal obstacles and reflect on how they have—or haven’t—overcome them in the past. Through this exercise, the group will explore practical tools and mindset shifts to handle pressure and defeat while maintaining focus on long-term goals.
After the discussion, the group will take part in an intermediate endurance training session designed to physically challenge their limits. Running drills and circuit training will help participants gradually build momentum, encouraging them to enhance their endurance while practicing mental clarity and focus on progressively challenging situations. This session emphasises the importance of pushing past perceived limits, both mentally and physically. The goal is not only to build endurance but to reinforce the mental toughness needed to face life’s challenges head-on, with confidence and resilience.
Teamwork and Leadership
This session transitions into the importance of teamwork and leadership. In sports and life, strong teams are built on collaboration and the ability to trust one another. David will lead a session on leadership styles, sharing insights on what makes a great leader in the world of sports. Participants will explore how to lead by example and influence others through actions rather than words. Leadership is not only about directing a team, but also about fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose. Role-play scenarios will help participants practice leading in real-time situations, testing their ability to motivate and guide others.
Following the leadership session, the group will engage in team-based fitness challenges, including relay races and collaborative exercises. These challenges are designed to foster communication, cooperation, and leadership in high-pressure situations. By working together toward a common goal, participants will experience the power of team dynamics and learn how to leverage the strengths of those around them. This day highlights the balance between individual responsibility and collective success, demonstrating that true leadership lies in empowering others while staying committed to the team’s goals.
Putting it All Together
On the final day, participants will focus on integrating everything they’ve learned throughout the retreat into their lives moving forward. The day begins with a reflective session on what has been uncovered about each person’s “why” over the past four days. Through guided reflection and group discussions, participants will solidify their understanding of purpose and craft a personal action plan for how to live with intention post-retreat. This is where purpose meets practicality—participants will map out tangible steps to carry their newfound insights into their daily lives, careers, and relationships.
The retreat concludes with a final fitness challenge, the most intense, yet tailored exercise designed to push participants beyond their comfort zones. This physical culmination of the week’s activities serves as a metaphor for the mental growth experienced throughout the retreat. By completing the challenge, participants will prove to themselves how much they are capable of when they apply mental strength, purpose, and teamwork. It’s a powerful ending that brings together everything learned about resilience, motivation, leadership, and self-discovery, leaving participants with the tools they need to pursue their goals with clarity and purpose.
Retreat Inclusions
In addition to Zacka’s Champions Program you’ll enjoy the following;
- 6 nights in a Grand Deluxe Room
- All meals -plant based
Join Zacka in these activities:
- Cooking class
- Restorative Yoga
- Sunrise Walking
- Meditation
- Pranayama
- Sunset Meditation
- Sound Healing
- Jangkep Massage
- Tampak Cokor
- Lymphatic massage
- Grounding
- Salt Room session
- Halfday Tour
- Airport Return
English