Behind the Badge

From childhood adversity to combat deployments, sniper duties, and elite-level coaching—Shaun Kober’s story is one of grit, growth, and relentless commitment to purpose.

In this episode of Behind the Badge, Shaun opens up about his military career, including deployments to Iraq, East Timor, and Afghanistan, where he earned a Commendation for Gallantry. He shares how he discovered breathwork under fire, why physical resilience is non-negotiable in tactical roles, and how he transitioned from the battlefield to training world-class athletes—including UFC champions.

This is a powerful look at what it means to push through pain, pursue excellence, and give back through service—on and off the battlefield.

You can find more about Coach Kobes here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Mindset and Performance | Athlete Development | Coached By Kobes

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠These Four Walls - Hard Rock Band Gold Coast QLD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this powerful episode of Behind the Badge, Dr. Nikki Jamieson shares the heartbreaking loss of her son, Daniel, a young soldier who died by suicide in 2014. What followed was Nikki’s own mental health crisis—and her decision to transform unimaginable grief into purpose.

Now a leading expert in moral injury and suicide prevention, Nikki unpacks the difference between PTSD and moral injury, why organisational betrayal cuts so deep, and how real healing begins with being human—not perfect. Whether you’re in service, leadership, or just someone who cares, this conversation will shift the way you think about support, identity, and what it means to truly show up.

You can find Nikki's books here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Amazon.com.au: Nikki Jamieson: books, biography, latest update

Music thanks to:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠These Four Walls - Hard Rock Band Gold Coast QLD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SmokeSoap – Australian Firefighter Decontamination Soap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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When the flames are out, the real danger often lingers.

In this episode of Behind the Badge, Dave Ridley shares the personal story behind his mission to protect firefighters from the invisible toxins they carry long after their shift ends.

After becoming aware of the elevated cancer risks faced by firefighters due to exposure to known carcinogens and other toxic chemicals, Dave set out to create a decontamination soap designed specifically for those in harm’s way.

We talk about the science behind the soap, personal accountability, and the urgent need to shift from reaction to prevention.

Find out more about Smoke Soap here:⁠⁠⁠

SmokeSoap – Australian Firefighter Decontamination Soap

Music thanks to:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠These Four Walls - Hard Rock Band Gold Coast QLD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Thanks to our sponsor:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SmokeSoap – Australian Firefighter Decontamination Soap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Discount code 'BADGE10'

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In this episode, we dive into a unique wellness approach that combines permaculture, diet, and mental health support for veterans.

Will Gold, founder of Dig in Health Co., shares how his transformative workshops are blending green therapy with nutritional guidance to help veterans improve their mental wellbeing. Learn about the measurable impacts, future plans to include first responders, and how this program is making a lasting difference for those who’ve served.

Find out more about Dig in Health Co or upcoming Paddock to Plate programs here:⁠

DIG IN HEALTH Co | Dietitian And Nutritionist | Permaculture

Music thanks to:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠These Four Walls - Hard Rock Band Gold Coast QLD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Thanks to our sponsor:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SmokeSoap – Australian Firefighter Decontamination Soap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Discount code 'BTB15'

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In this episode of Behind the Badge, we sit down with NRL legend Ryan Girdler to explore his incredible evolution—from a wide-eyed teenager in Wollongong to elite rugby league stardom, and ultimately to a new chapter grounded in healing, breathwork, and service.

Girds shares candid reflections on the mental toll of professional sport, the emotional crash after retirement, and the inner discipline that helped him find peace, purpose, and a new tribe. This one’s about more than football—it’s about how to recalibrate, reconnect, and rebuild when the roar of the crowd fades.

In this episode, we speak with Nev Jones—former Australian Army Intelligence Officer turned psychologist—about his powerful journey from military operations to inner healing.

After 20 years of service across conflict zones like Iraq, East Timor, and Afghanistan, Nev transitioned into mental health work, dedicating his practice to supporting veterans and emergency services workers.

We explore the concept of moral injury, Nev’s own mental health journey, and the unique ways he integrates outdoor therapy and green woodworking into his psychological practice. We also dive into his social enterprise, Halcyon Woodcraft Australia, and how nature, creativity, and purpose are transforming the recovery landscape for those who’ve served.

This is a conversation about service, healing, and the profound impact of doing the inner work.

Find out more about Halcyon Woodcraft here:

Halcyon Woodcraft

Music thanks to:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠These Four Walls - Hard Rock Band Gold Coast QLD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Thanks to our sponsor:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SmokeSoap – Australian Firefighter Decontamination Soap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Discount code 'BADGE10'

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Shaun O’Gorman is a high-performance coach, resilience expert, and founder of The Strong Life Project. With diverse experiences collected through law enforcement within the Queensland Police Service, corporate leadership, personal development, and growth through his own mental ill-health challenges such as PTSD, depression and suicide.In this episode we chat with Shaun about his experience within QPS, how he overcame his mental ill-health challenges, rigid accountability, what he does to continue to thrive in life now and much more.Language & content warning: We discuss topics such as mental ill-health and suicide. There is frequent explicit language use.

Get in touch with Shaun here:

HOME - The Strong Life Project

Music thanks to:

⁠⁠⁠⁠These Four Walls - Hard Rock Band Gold Coast QLD⁠⁠⁠⁠

Thanks to our sponsor:

⁠⁠⁠⁠SmokeSoap – Australian Firefighter Decontamination Soap⁠⁠⁠⁠

Discount code 'BADGE10'

⁠⁠⁠⁠The Greatest of All Tapes - Sleep Better. Perform Better. – The Greatest of all Tapes⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Dr Gina Cleo is at the forefront of habit research and behavioral change. She has a PhD in habit change and is an adjunct professor at Bond University in Australia. She is an accredited dietitian and founder of the Habit Change Institute, where she trains habit coaches, supports clients and gives keynotes on creating new habits and breaking old ones, long term and is also the Author of the best-selling book "The Habit Revolution".In this episode we chat with Gina about behavioral change, habits (good and bad) and how we can make and/or break them. We also discuss Gina's own mental health journey and how worked through PTSD by implementing some of her own expertise in habit change!

You can find out more and get in touch with Dr Gina Cleo here:

Home | Dr. Gina Cleo

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⁠⁠⁠These Four Walls - Hard Rock Band Gold Coast QLD⁠⁠⁠

Thanks to our sponsor:

⁠⁠⁠SmokeSoap – Australian Firefighter Decontamination Soap⁠⁠⁠

Discount code 'BADGE10'

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In this raw and powerful episode, we sit down with Jeff Casson—Veteran of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps and former Queensland Police Officer—as he opens up about his journey through service, trauma, and healing. Jeff shares his experiences across multiple deployments, his transition into policing and Tactical Crime Squad, and the events that led to his medical retirement. He speaks candidly about his darkest moments, including suicidal ideation, and the unconventional but transformative role that plant medicine played in his recovery. This is a story of hitting rock bottom—and rising again with purpose.Listener discretion is advised

Music thanks to:

⁠⁠⁠These Four Walls - Hard Rock Band Gold Coast QLD⁠⁠⁠

Thanks to our sponsor:

⁠⁠⁠SmokeSoap – Australian Firefighter Decontamination Soap⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode, we speak with Shaun Phillip—founder of the mental health movement The Shaka Project. What began as a personal battle with mental ill-health has grown into a nationwide platform for change, using "conversation starters," workshops, and community events to break the stigma around mental health. Shaun shares his personal story, the moments that nearly broke him, and the mission that now drives him. We explore the power of vulnerability, the importance of peer support, and why talking can truly save lives.Listener discretion is advised.

You can find more about The Shaka Project here:

The Shaka Project! | Igniting the conversation around Mental Health | ALLGOODBRO

Music thanks to:

⁠⁠These Four Walls - Hard Rock Band Gold Coast QLD⁠⁠

Thanks to our sponsor:

⁠⁠SmokeSoap – Australian Firefighter Decontamination Soap⁠⁠

Discount code 'BADGE10'

⁠⁠The Greatest of All Tapes - Sleep Better. Perform Better. – The Greatest of all Tapes⁠⁠

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