S1 Ep8: From Farmer to Founder – Chris Baker on Cold Water, Startups & Taking the Road Less Travelled

This final episode of Season One is a little different. My guest is earlier in his journey than most of my guests. But I wanted to end the season with a story that reflects something we all wrestle with, no matter our age: what it means to take responsibility for our own path, and to build something aligned with our values.

 

"Recognising the responsibility that you have over your life is a constant evolution. Learning to take responsibility for what I can influence has probably been my biggest change."

 

In this episode of Change Unfiltered, I’m joined by Chris Baker, Founder and CEO of Water Mate™ — a startup focused on building stress resilience through cold water exposure.

Chris’s path has been anything but linear. From a childhood spent on a sheep farm to studying agriculture, and now leading a purpose-led startup, his story is a reminder that change doesn’t wait for the ‘right’ time — and that sometimes, the boldest decisions are the ones that shape us most.

 

In this conversation, we explore:

• Choosing between tradition and reinvention — and trusting your instincts

• Cold water immersion as a tool for physical and emotional resilience

• The unpredictable rollercoaster of early-stage entrepreneurship

• How personal loss, optimism, and curiosity fuel Chris’s vision

• What it takes to build something real, without a clear map

 

This is a reflective, energising conversation about courage, clarity, and building from the ground up.