Wanted: A Healthier, Higher-Performing Construction Industry Networking Standard
You’ve probably experienced this - it’s become the norm without us even realising it…
You’re looking for a way to grow your network. To yarn with like-minded people who understand the pressures of the job, or, simply make new connections.
So, you start looking at industry events - or you set up a meeting - and, colour us surprised, it’s centred around pints.
Same old sh*t, different day.
There’s not much alternative, so you cave. You head to the bar. And it hits home that actually - whilst you want to do more networking… does it really all have to revolve around booze?
Don’t get us wrong - we love a social.
But alcohol-based networking is way too prevalent. It’s become the default social glue of the industry, and it comes with a cost: poor sleep, slower recovery, reduced performance the next day (or days plural if you’re hitting that age 😅), increased injury risk and poorer long-term health.
And for many people, it’s not even enjoyable anymore - it’s just expected.
So… what if there was another way?
Performance and Wellbeing Aren’t Separate Conversations
If you work in construction, you’ll recognise the pressure without it needing to be explained.
Long hours, constant decision-making with competing priorities. Constrained by tight margins and even higher stakes. It’s an industry that demands performance - consistently and over long periods of time, yet, for all the emphasis placed on project performance, programmes and profit, far less attention is given to the performance of the people delivering them.
Across the industry, wellbeing is increasingly part of the conversation - and that’s a positive shift. Much of the focus rightly sits around support when people are already struggling.
But from our very own Mr Dan Bradley’s perspective, that can’t be the full picture.
“A lot of wellbeing initiatives focus on the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. That work matters, but we also need to be honest about prevention. If we want people to perform at a high level in this industry, we need to help them build the capacity to do so before things go wrong.”
In an industry as demanding as construction, wellbeing doesn’t sit alongside performance. It directly contributes to it.
Enter: Construction Athletes NZ (CANZ)
After exploring ways to address unproductive and unhealthy networking - and to help build a healthier, higher-performing construction industry - Dan is launching an unapologetic, performance-led movement that’s about to shake up how we connect in construction.
Construction Athletes NZ (aka CANZ) is built around a simple but powerful idea:
Doing hard things outside of work makes us better equipped to do hard things inside it.
Don’t get him wrong, he’s not out to transform you all into elite athletes, but operating at an elite level in construction does require elite habits - physically and mentally, so you don’t crash and burn.
You can even join CANZ on Strava.
As Dan puts it:
“To perform in an industry like construction - long term - you need to be fit, resilient, and mentally sharp. That doesn’t happen by accident.”
CANZ creates opportunities for people across the industry to connect through shared movement and challenges that fit into a lunch or pre-work sesh:
Track sessions.
Runs.
Training meet-ups.
HIIT workouts.
Hikes.
Cold ocean dips.
A healthier, performance-led alternative to the standard ‘meet for a beer’ catch-up.
Stronger People. Stronger Networks. Better Outcomes.
Stronger bodies mean fewer injuries, faster recovery, more consistent performance, and better focus, which in turn means better decision-making. At scale, that means better project outcomes, stronger leadership, and longer, healthier careers across the industry.
When you’re working together towards a shared goal of improving yourself, you get the benefit of building resilience - solid habits that carry over into life and work, plus with CANZ you get community and better networking.
From Dan’s perspective, CANZ isn’t about replacing existing wellbeing initiatives - it complements them by focusing on performance, prevention and personal responsibility.
“This isn’t a reaction to something being broken. It’s about raising the standard.”
And let’s be honest - stronger people and stronger networks without the hangover sounds like a win to us.
A Different Way To Connect
Construction has always been a relationship-driven industry. Networks matter.
But when you train with someone, move with them, or challenge yourself alongside them, some of the barriers fall away. The issues of hierarchy melts, conversations are more real and connections are stronger, because you’re dropping the formalities and the focus shifts to building each other up.
CANZ is focused on being practical, inclusive and aspirational. Energising you physically so you can be more productive long term.
Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or you’re an absolute weapon in the gym, there’s space for everyone.
A Movement The Industry Is Ready For
Dan’s already had plenty of conversations with people across the construction sector about bridging this gap - and the interest has been overwhelmingly positive.
There’s a clear appetite for a movement that aligns.
✔ performance
✔ healthier choices
✔ healthy connection
As Dan says:
“My hope is that CANZ helps normalise a different way of operating in construction - one where people are supported to perform well, live well, and sustain that performance over the long term.”
Because when individuals perform better, the industry performs better.
Dan’s let us know that if you’re interested in joining his crusade to access healthier networking, move more and make it count for the industry, you can. Sign up to Construction Athletes NZ newsletter.
There’s no spam, you’ll only hear from them when they’re announcing meet-ups or have something important to share.
Join the movement here.
