Elite Performance Intensive with Itamar Marani: A Deep Dive into What’s Really Holding You Back

When Itamar Marani first spoke at the NEXUS Chapter Retreat in Phuket, the reaction was electric. Dozens of EO Melbourne members reached out afterwards, all asking the same thing: “How can I work with him again?”

On 12 June, they got their answer.

Flying in from Thailand, EO Bangkok Metropolitan member Itamar returned to lead Elite Performance Intensive, a half-day, no-fluff workshop designed for founders who know they’re capable of more but feel like they’re still driving with the handbrake on.

This wasn’t another rah-rah motivational session. Itamar brought the same quiet intensity and clarity that made his Phuket presentation so impactful—only this time, we went deeper.

Drawing from his unique background as an Israeli Special Forces operative, international counter-terrorism leader, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, and now performance coach to over 100 entrepreneurs leading 7–9 figure businesses, Itamar walked EO members through a proven process to root out internal resistance and create forward momentum with focus and integrity.

Members walked away with a renewed sense of clarity and actionable strategies. They identified the single, high-leverage action they’d been avoiding—often the very thing that could unlock the next level in their business. They learned to isolate the core internal bottlenecks that have been silently sabotaging progress, and were equipped with a practical, three-step framework to separate real-world risks from the emotional noise that clouds decision-making. Rather than coping with mental blocks, they were guided to resolve them. And perhaps most powerfully, they gained a simple tool to catch fear in the moment, allowing them to move forward with decisiveness and courage instead of hesitation and doubt.

One of the most compelling aspects of the session was Itamar’s live coaching with attendees. Members opened up about personal and professional challenges, and in minutes, patterns were unpacked, reframed and resolved with precision.

His coaching style is direct but deeply respectful. He doesn’t sugar-coat, but he does listen. And when he speaks, it’s with the authority of someone who’s led Navy SEALs, managed 9-figure security operations, and walked away from it all to build a life aligned with his values.

What makes Itamar’s approach so effective is that it’s rooted in lived experience. He’s seen what happens when performance is driven by fear, ego, or external pressure, and what’s possible when it’s grounded in clarity and calm. Over the past five years, he’s helped founders around the world break out of overwhelm and step into a more strategic, centred version of themselves. EO Melbourne members got a powerful taste of that process—and many left with breakthroughs that had been years in the making.

If the post-event conversations are anything to go by, Itamar’s return was exactly what many members needed. Raw, focused, and truly transformative, the Elite Performance Intensive delivered far more than insights. It created traction.

Accelerating Growth: EO Melbourne Unlocks Leadership Growth with EOS

Every entrepreneur reaches a moment when growth feels out of reach—when strategy stalls, communication falters, or momentum slips. At our recent EO Melbourne workshop “Accelerating Growth: Unlocking Your Leadership Potential with EOS”, members took a bold step to confront these challenges head-on and walked away with the tools to lead with renewed clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Delivered by EOS Implementers Debra Chantry-Taylor and Adam Harris from EO Melbourne's Strategic Alliance Partner, Business Action, the full-day session brought together EO Melbourne members for an immersive, hands-on experience grounded in the proven principles of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Far from theory, this workshop offered real-world tools for real-world issues.

Debra and Adam led the group through the five essential leadership abilities required to break through growth ceilings, setting the tone with an EOS overview that demystified the system's practical application. Members explored how to get unstuck and re-energise their teams by identifying what truly matters—and acting on it with discipline.

One of the most resonant moments came during the Radical Candour session, where members learned to navigate tough conversations with both empathy and honesty. This powerful segment encouraged leaders to foster trust through transparency, strengthening team alignment and improving decision-making.

In the afternoon, the spotlight turned to the dynamic between Visionaries and Integrators. As Adam put it, “It takes two types of leaders to build something extraordinary.” The session helped members identify their natural tendencies and understand how to pair vision with execution to fuel sustainable growth.

Later, the Issues session tackled the uncomfortable but necessary work of removing friction—whether interpersonal or structural. By unpacking how to solve root causes rather than symptoms, participants saw how EOS can transform persistent problems into powerful breakthroughs.

The day wrapped up with a session on implementation—Pulling It All Together—where Debra and Adam shared various paths to making EOS stick, whether through self-implementation or guided support. Real-world case studies illustrated how companies like those in the room had used EOS to streamline operations, align teams, and scale with purpose.

Throughout the day, members gained practical tools and inspiring insights that challenged them to think differently, lead boldly, and take decisive steps toward growth—not just for their businesses, but for themselves as leaders.

The EOS Workshop marked another high-impact learning experience for EO Melbourne—proving once again that when entrepreneurs come together to learn and grow, breakthroughs happen.

EO Melbourne holds more learning events for its Members

EO Melbourne Member Benjamin Trinh (left) shared his “Deal of a Lifetime” during a learning event. The event was hosted by fellow EO Melbourne Member Dean Cherny (right).

A virtual “Points Hack” workshop, a talk on a “Deal of a Lifetime”, a Learning Day on Cash, and a Trainual virtual workshop. These are just some of the recent events that EO Melbourne has organised for its Members and those in its Accelerator and Key Executive programs.

Living up to its core values of “Thirst for Learning” and “Together We Grow”, EO Melbourne continues to bring to its community thought-provoking learning events that can benefit them in their growth and development.

Never fly Economy again: A Virtual 'Points Hack' Workshop with iFLYFlat

Steve Hui, Founder and CEO of iFLYflat and also known as Australia's Points Whisperer, shared with event attendees how they could turn their company into a points-generating machine and never fly Economy again.

Business owners sit on a gold mine of opportunity to use points to fly Business Class saving between $2,500 and $5,100 per trip. The fastest way to earn millions of frequent flyer points is using credit cards to pay company expenses.

His workshop allowed the participants to learn how to earn maximum points for the lowest fees and understand the numbers behind the calculations that prove the value is worth doing, select the best business credit cards, redeem points and know which points to use per destination, and many other hacks that are helpful to entrepreneurs.

The deal of a lifetime: How Ben Trinh started, scaled and sold his business to a billion-dollar company

Benjamin Trinh, Life Ready Health Group CEO, current EO Melbourne Member, and former EO Melbourne Board Member, shared his journey from when he founded his business with only $10,000 as capital, how he grew it to over $50 million in revenue and eventually sold it to one of Australia's largest private health insurance companies — in the deal of a lifetime.

The deal resulted in 12 of his friends, early investors and key employees becoming millionaires, all the while remaining as a Director and the CEO of the business.

Ben also talked about his highs and lows, as well as mistakes and wins. He also unpacked the key principles, strategies and mindsets that go into starting something that will grow and endure.

"Get your business out of your brain" Trainual virtual workshop

Chris Ronzio, Founder and CEO of Trainual, discussed how organisations could put everything about their business in one place, making it easy to cascade all the information to their teams and get them on board faster than they can imagine.

The “Get Your Business Out of Your Brain” Trainual virtual workshop enabled attendees to learn actionable tips on how to start documenting and delegating what they do so that they have time to do more of what they love. Audience participants had the opportunity to take part in exercises and Q&A with Ronzio and walked away with the ability to start building their own playbooks with the digital companion worksheet.

These learning events imparted to EO Melbourne participants hacks, tips and key insights that could help them in growing their businesses and take advantage of opportunities around them.

Level Up Your Life

Having clarity of vision and developing habits, tools and life-hacks to bring your B.H.A.G. into fruition this 2021 and beyond

As we leave 2020 and all its challenges behind, it is but apt to make 2021 a year where we level up our lives and set our minds to accomplish the things we want to achieve. Often, the big question is: where do we start? The “how” can be daunting.

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.”

– Steve Jobs

To help entrepreneurs achieve their full potential and enable transformational growth in the lives of its members, EO Melbourne recently held the virtual workshop “Level Up Your Life” where OAK Journal Founder and EO Colorado Member Keith Roberts shared the tools, structure and habits to reach one’s limitless potential through the 90-day structured OAK Journal.

One of Keith’s key takeaways from EO was having clarity of vision due to its importance for goal-setting. Through science, spirituality and generosity Keith’s vision was to help others become the best versions of themselves, which is how the OAK Journal evolved, as a tool to help guide others on their life journey.

In the process of implementing the 90-day goal, the journal aids users to find their “why” or ikigai (one’s life purpose). The focus is to set three goals for 90 days (personal, business, and family/relationships) that will lead them to achieve their Big Hairy Audacious Goal (B.H.A.G.) and, eventually, their purpose.

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

– Thomas Edison

The creators of the OAK Journal developed this tool to share over 20 years of collective experience that will empower one to achieve what they set out to do. It has taken decades of wins and failures, along with countless hours of continued education and endless consumption of reading materials and books, such as How to Win Friends and Influence People, Great By Choice, Mastering The Rockefeller Habits and Scaling Up.

Keith also touched on the importance of writing vs digital. Based on science and research, many studies have shown that writing something down almost doubles the probability of accomplishing it.

“You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”

– John C. Maxwell

Along with writing down the long-term and short-term goals, the OAK Journal provides the method of how to achieve them. One of the things it encourages everyone to do is to follow Warren Rustand’s 10-10-10, wherein 10 minutes are spent on meditating, another 10 minutes on reading and another 10 minutes for journaling.

It is all about creating healthy habits from morning routines to evening activities. Keith stresses that it is an exercise in building willpower and discipline and motivating others to finish what they have begun. The journal additionally has sections where one can write down and track their daily and weekly progress.

“Be afraid, not of failing but of never trying.”

– Adam Beasley

As Keith recommended, more than just putting pen to paper, the best way to make sure that healthy habits are being developed and that the 90-day goals are being achieved is to have an accountability partner. Finding one in EO may not be too difficult as most members of this business community have similar experiences, qualities and aspirations.

Apart from gaining access to learning events like this, one of the advantages of joining EO is being surrounded by like-minded leaders, which provides life-enhancing connections and real conversations that can help one unlock their potentials and grow beyond their personal limits.

What is your goal in 2021? How do you plan to achieve it? Share your answers in the comment box below.