NIOA Unloaded

Unloaded Awards 2025 | NIOA Unloaded Ep.13

Ladies and gentlemen… colleagues, critics, and confused bystanders — welcome to the most prestigious night in NIOA podcasting. Suits optional. Opinions mandatory.
In this episode of NIOA Unloaded, we roll out the red carpet for the Unloaded Awards 2025 — celebrating the moments, people, products, and incidents that defined the year… for better or worse. From ideas that absolutely should not be repeated, to gear that genuinely raised the bar, and guests who somehow carried entire episodes while we nodded along — nothing (and no one) is safe from Academy judgement.
Expect:
🏆 Awards nobody asked for but everyone earned
😬 Moments that caused mild panic…
🎙️ A look back at 2025’s highlights and a teaser of what’s coming in 2026
🎬 Dramatic build-ups, questionable decisions, and zero rehearsals
So sit back, applaud politely, and remember — if your name gets called, this is legally binding and cannot be appealed.
Welcome to the 1st Annual Unloaded Awards.

Ciao Perazzi | NIOA Unloaded Ep.12

In this episode of the NIOA Unloaded Podcast, NIOA’s newly appointed Perazzi Sports Sales Manager, Keith Grundy, and Gunsmith, Trevor Cook take you behind the scenes of their unforgettable trip to Italy, home of the legendary brand, Perazzi. From eating their way through some amazing (and a few questionable) local dishes, to mastering the art of driving on the wrong side of the road — the boys experience Italy the only way they know how: full throttle. Inside the Perazzi factory, they see firsthand how craftsmanship, precision, and passion have built a shotgun that’s claimed more Olympic gold medals than any other. And back home, they talk about the brand-new NIOA Perazzi Truck — now hitting events across Australia to keep Perazzi owners shooting at their best. So grab an espresso, buckle up, and join Matt, Brad, Keith and Trev for a trip filled with laughs, lessons, and a whole lot of Italian flair.

Chilly bin (feat. JE Wilds) | NIOA Unloaded Ep.11

In this episode of the NIOA Unloaded Podcast, we’re joined by New Zealand hunting and fishing legend JE Wilds — real name Joe Edlington — for an unfiltered deep dive into life in the wild and a few hilarious fails (yes, he accidentally called himself Australian on camera!).
Joe takes us from fishing with his dad on NZ’s west coast to the massive growth of his outdoor YouTube empire — and the epic moments, epic hunts and fatherhood updates in between.
So grab your gumboots, crack open a L&P and settle in for tales that hit harder than a jandal blowout mid-hunt.

The last showman (feat. Fred Brophy) | NIOA Unloaded Ep.10

In this episode, we sit down with the legendary Fred Brophy — tent boxing promoter, fourth-generation showman and the last of his kind. From Canberra to the Birdsville Races, Fred’s been dodging the law, fists and bullets all while keeping an Aussie tradition going longer than most of us have been alive. Funny, raw, and 100% Aussie – this is a MUST listen. You’ll hear: Fred's first sideshow, the "Mice Circus". The tale of the "Bad Brothers". Why after more than 40 years, his "wife" won't marry him. How he lost 2 of his fingers. Jump in the ring, hit play and ‘square up’ for a round with a true Aussie icon.

Be Relentless (feat. Leupold) | NIOA Unloaded Ep.9

What does it take to be the most trusted name in optics?
In this episode of the NIOA Unloaded Podcast, we go behind the scenes with Jon and Janos of Leupold—an American optics icon that's been setting the standard in scopes and sighting systems for over a century. This is your all-access pass to one of the world’s most respected and relentless optics brands.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NIOASportingAndOutdoor Disclaimer: NIOA Nominees Pty Ltd holds the copyright to the following video and associated images. Any unauthorised broadcast of this video, associated images or part thereof, is strictly prohibited.

This is Sparta (feat. Mr G) | NIOA Unloaded Ep.8

In this episode of the NIOA Unloaded Podcast, we’re joined by Rob Gearing, the mastermind behind Spartan Precision Equipment. Known for his wild hunting adventures and innovative gear, Rob takes us through his journey from creating top-tier bipods and tripods to his unique approach to life—complete with a rather unconventional diet.
From adrenaline-fueled hunting stories to insights into the Spartan Precision range, Rob's passion for the outdoors and precision engineering shines through. Whether you’re a hunting enthusiast or a gear fanatic, this episode has something for everyone.

I love a fight (feat. Bob Katter) | NIOA Unloaded Ep.7

Bob Katter MP joins the NIOA Unloaded Podcast for a no-holds-barred chat on politics, guns, and the fight for Australia's future. From his first Diana air rifle to shaking up Parliament, Bob shares wild stories and fiery opinions on manufacturing, coal shutdowns, and self-defence laws. Plus, hear about his legendary political clashes, his take on supermarket duopolies, and the interview he walked out of while reading his own book. Raw, unfiltered, vintage Bob Katter-don't miss it!

Men at work | NIOA Unloaded Ep.6

Get ready for an epic recap of 2024 on the NIOA Unloaded Podcast! Brad, Matt, and Keith take you on a wild ride through action-packed magpie geese hunting adventures in the Northern Territory (0:03:02), exclusive behind-the-scenes insights from their tours of Federal Ammunition, RCBS, and Barrett factories (0:10:30), and the year's highlights featuring special guests like Toby Price and Mark Donaldson VC (0:20:28). Plus, don’t miss the suspense as they reveal who takes home the crown in the 60-second challenge! (0:12:27)
 
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Website: https://sporting.nioa.com.au/

Pursuit of precision (feat. Shawn Lawson & Guy Jackson) | NIOA Unloaded Ep.5

In this episode of the NIOA Unloaded Podcast, we're joined by two legends in Australian PRS: Shawn Lawson and Guy Jackson. Together, we dive into the world of Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and NRL 22, two disciplines where precision is paramount.
Shawn and Guy share insights from their experiences, covering everything from gear setups to the mental strategies essential for precision shooting. We take an in-depth look at the Leupold Mark 4 HD and discuss the Leupold Custom Shop.
If you're passionate about PRS, you’re in the right place. Set your sights and get ready to unload with the NIOA Unloaded Podcast!

The funny things (feat. Mark Donaldson VC) | NIOA Unloaded Ep.4

In this special episode of the NIOA Unloaded Podcast, we sit down with Mark Donaldson VC, and trust us – it’s one you don’t want to miss. Mark shares the gripping story of the day that led to him being awarded the Victoria Cross. (0:03:04) We dive deep into his journey growing up, touching on the challenges and tragedies he faced along the way, (0:33:33) and what led him to join the S.A.S. (0:54:46) But it’s not all heavy – we hit the range for the 60-second, 10-shot challenge, and see if Mark’s shooting is as sharp as his courage. (1:04:38) Mark also gives us the lowdown on what gear he uses when he’s out hunting. And yes, we even get the story of when he met the Queen! (1:15:30) Set your sights, and get ready for an inspiring, action-packed episode of NIOA Unloaded!