Meet Evan Sutter
Author, keynote speaker, wellbeing coach, and founder of The Happiness Compass + Hapzly, Evan combines passion and purpose to inspire change. A Starboard Ocean Ambassador and ultra-athlete, he’s now studying a Graduate Diploma in Psychology to deepen his impact on wellbeing and thriving.
Personal development thrives on steady effort and intentional strategies to sustain growth. Building habits that resonate with your core values create a sense of purpose and drive. Periodically evaluating your objectives ensures they stay meaningful and flexible as circumstances evolve. Connecting with encouraging individuals strengthens your resolve and reinforces positive actions. Reflecting on achievements cultivates self-assurance and energizes your ongoing journey.
Read MoreThis insightful article explores the transformative power of presence in our fast-paced world. By embracing mindfulness and cultivating small patches of peace daily, we can sharpen our senses, deepen our relationships, and find joy in life’s simple moments. Highlighting practical practices like walking meditation and supported by scientific research, the piece reveals how mindfulness not only improves personal well-being but also fosters empathy and interconnectedness. A journey toward living fully, it encourages readers to savor life and “suck the marrow out of it,” one step and one breath at a time.
Read MoreIn a world overwhelmed by distractions and competition, finding meaning has become both more challenging and more essential. This article explores the contrast between two modes of existence—superficial "Everyday" living and the deeper, more purposeful "Ontological" mode—as articulated by philosophers like Heidegger and thinkers like Thich Nhat Hanh. It critiques modern society's obsession with self-improvement and competition, offering actionable steps to cultivate authenticity, happiness, and connection. Through practices like gratitude and "watering flowers" (acknowledging and appreciating others), the piece encourages readers to reclaim tranquility, foster meaningful relationships, and live with intention in the present moment.
Read More"Know Yourself" explores the timeless wisdom of self-awareness, drawing on teachings from Aristotle, Greek philosophers, and modern psychology. In a world dominated by distractions and superficial desires, the article challenges readers to move beyond quick fixes and consumer culture to cultivate a deeper understanding of their emotions and motivations. It emphasizes the importance of solitude, mindfulness, and intentional living, offering practical strategies like tech-free zones and reflective writing practices. By embracing discomfort and rejecting "band-aid" solutions, we can uncover authentic joy, resilience, and connection to ourselves, others, and the world around us.
Read MoreIn a fast-paced world filled with distractions, true fulfillment comes from exploring not just the external, but the internal. Drawing on insights from Socrates, Carl Jung, and personal experiences, this article delves into the transformative power of self-reflection and curiosity. From redefining success to embracing playfulness and creativity, it offers practical steps and thought-provoking questions to help you navigate life’s complexities with clarity and purpose. Discover how holistic exploration can turn your life into a masterpiece—and how my coaching can guide you on this transformative journey.
Read MoreIn this thought-provoking piece, we explore the unsettling parallels between modern professional boxing and the ancient gladiatorial games of Rome. While today's fighters, like Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, are celebrated champions earning significant paydays, the reality for most boxers is starkly different. Promoters like Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn profit immensely from pay-per-view events, ticket sales, and management fees, while countless fighters in their stables endure punishing conditions, risking brain damage and broken bodies for modest earnings and the faint promise of fame. Once their usefulness wanes, these fighters are discarded, replaced by the next prospect in line. The spectacle remains, the crowd cheers, and the rich grow richer.
Read MoreThe Capitalism Regime: A Modern Dictatorship of the Mind explores how capitalism and neoliberalism, often celebrated for fostering freedom and prosperity, actually function as an invisible regime that undermines human well-being. Through the relentless promotion of self-interest, competition, and consumption, these systems erode empathy, social connection, and mental health, contributing to rising rates of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. The article argues that countries like the U.S., Australia, and the UK—despite being labeled democracies—operate more as oligarchies, prioritizing profits and elite interests over the well-being of the majority. It critiques GDP for measuring everything except what makes life meaningful and highlights how free-market convenience is destroying communities and connection. Ultimately, it calls for reclaiming our humanity through cooperation, purpose, and new ways of measuring progress beyond material wealth.
Read MoreThis article explores the hidden dangers of LinkedIn, arguing that while we focus on protecting young people from the harmful effects of Instagram and Facebook, adults are quietly suffering under the weight of LinkedIn’s relentless pressure to achieve. Framed as a professional tool, LinkedIn promotes an endless chase for status, success, and validation, trapping users in a cycle of comparison, burnout, and dissatisfaction. Just as teens seek popularity on Instagram, professionals on LinkedIn pursue career perfection, driven by the belief that they must become something more to be worthy. The piece humorously asks, “Who will save the adults from LinkedIn?” and challenges readers to rethink the modern obsession with constant self-improvement and embrace the idea of being enough.
Read MoreOur modern world is increasingly driven by the relentless pursuit of pleasure, from instant gratification in food, entertainment, and technology to the constant desire for comfort and ease. In this article, we explore how these cravings, while seemingly harmless, can trap us in cycles of dependency that limit our freedom, growth, and fulfillment. Drawing on psychological insights and societal trends, we delve into the ways our obsession with pleasure erodes resilience, creativity, and the zest for life, and offer actionable steps for breaking free from this pleasure trap to reclaim autonomy and purpose.
Read MoreThe rise of electric bikes among young people reflects our society's obsession with convenience, but this seemingly harmless trend may have hidden costs. By opting for electric over traditional pedal bikes, we are potentially stunting the physical and mental development of the next generation. Historically, human bodies evolved in response to environmental challenges, growing stronger, faster, and more resilient. Today, however, kids who no longer rely on their lungs, muscles, and cardiovascular systems risk losing the natural fitness that has shaped humanity. This article explores the evolutionary repercussions of this trend, linking it to broader societal consequences of convenience culture, where ease and efficiency come at the cost of long-term human potential.
Read MoreThis article explores how capitalism shapes modern society's perception of success, revealing the hidden costs it imposes on our mental health, well-being, and freedom. It delves into the emotional toll of chasing success in a system that values profit over people, the commodification of well-being as a quick fix for deeper societal issues, and how capitalism has redefined freedom and individuality through consumerism and work culture. Ultimately, it calls for a redefinition of success, one that prioritizes personal fulfillment, mental health, and a life that feels truly worth living.
Read MoreIn "Fatherhood Unfiltered: 12 Months of Surviving Noise, Chaos, and Life's Unexpected Lessons," I dive into the hilarious, frustrating, and deeply rewarding journey of my first year as a dad. From the newfound sensitivity to loud trucks and oblivious runners, to realizing that most people are in their own bubble of distraction, this piece explores the unexpected challenges of fatherhood. Through the noise and chaos, I’ve discovered that parenting isn’t about following expert advice—it’s about showing up, being present, and adapting to the constant change that life with a baby brings.
Read MoreThe high cost of university education, especially in countries like Australia and the US, is not only a financial burden but a societal trap, keeping people stuck in unfulfilling jobs and lives. As tuition fees soar, many who dream of changing careers or pursuing passions are deterred by the looming threat of debt. This sense of entrapment breeds widespread misery, affecting relationships, mental health, and contributing to societal issues like domestic violence, depression, and an overburdened health system. Once a gateway to opportunity, universities have become commodified institutions prioritizing profits over learning, leaving people living lives of quiet desperation. It’s time to rethink how we value education and explore alternative pathways to success.
Read MoreThis article critically examines Nedd Brockmann’s marathon across Australia, questioning whether his mission to help the homeless was driven by genuine care or a desire for fame and personal gain. It explores the rise of performative activism, where individuals promote causes for self-benefit rather than meaningful change, highlighting the contradictions in Brockmann’s actions—such as raising money for homelessness while endorsing the Melbourne Cup, an event tied to gambling, addiction, and social harm. The piece delves into the commodification of virtue in a capitalist society, the erosion of public trust in false heroes, and the need for authentic activism that aligns actions with values, urging readers to look beyond surface narratives and scrutinize the true motivations behind public figures.
Read MoreThis piece explores the far-reaching impact of consumption on health and wellbeing, while emphasizing the interconnected nature of everything we consume—from food and media to everyday products. It’s an invitation to shift towards mindful, intentional living.
Read MoreIn a world where earbuds and earpods have become our constant companions, we may be more connected than ever—but ironically, we're also more disconnected from reality. This article explores the hidden cost of tuning into podcasts, music, and external content while tuning out the world around us. From running on autopilot to shopping in a social vacuum, we miss out on the sounds, sensations, and spontaneous connections that make life rich and meaningful. The very tools we use to "improve" ourselves often detach us from the present moment and our own inner wisdom. By always seeking external input, we risk losing touch with the most important voices—those of our bodies, minds, and the world directly around us.
Read MoreIn this blog post, I share my decision to quit social media after years of being caught between its unethical practices and the pressure to maintain an online presence for my business. While platforms like Instagram and Facebook promised success, I found little reward in terms of real engagement or sales and began questioning whether paid ads and constant posting were worth my time. As I stepped away, I realized that social media had distracted me from meaningful human connections and alternative ways to promote my work. This piece explores how quitting social media has allowed me to focus on what truly matters for my business and well-being.
In today’s society, the definition of success has been distorted by capitalist and neoliberal systems that reward traits like narcissism, selfishness, and arrogance, elevating figures such as CEOs, politicians, and influencers who embody these characteristics. This shift has sidelined virtues like compassion, honesty, and generosity, replacing them with louder, more deceptive qualities that thrive in the fast-paced, attention-grabbing culture of social media. As a result, we are raising generations who look up to anti-heroes that prioritize wealth and fame over integrity. The article questions whether teaching our children values like kindness and integrity still holds relevance in a world driven by competition and greed, while suggesting that true fulfillment and a life well-lived come from fostering deeper connections and authentic joy over material success.
Read MoreThis article delves into the often-overlooked aspect of Craig Bellamy’s coaching legacy at the Melbourne Storm, highlighting how his success has been significantly shaped by the club’s deliberate salary cap breaches. While Bellamy is praised for his meticulous coaching and culture-building, the article argues that much of his triumphs stem from the unfair advantages gained during the years of cheating. Stripping premierships may remove trophies, but it cannot take away the invaluable experience, confidence, and composure his players developed during grand finals. This tainted foundation continues to benefit the Storm as they head into the 2024 grand final, casting a shadow over Bellamy’s legacy.
Read MoreThis piece challenges the consumer-driven culture perpetuated by television, urging readers to make radical choices for a more meaningful life. By pointing out how TV fosters unhealthy habits, superficial values, and a cycle of endless work and consumption, the article encourages people to reject this lifestyle in favor of simplicity, authentic experiences, and personal well-being. It calls for a conscious shift away from materialism, advocating for time over money, human connection over possessions, and living with purpose by rethinking what we truly value.
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