It’s Mental Health Month, so we slowed down for a real conversation about how we actually cope and connect day to day. Our guest is Sean Spence, Director of Fundraising at the Bendigo Health Foundation — a former professional rugby league player whose career ended after multiple concussions, and who rebuilt his identity around purpose, service, and community.

We talk about the tension between fixing and listening, losing identity and finding it again, and why resilience can be as small as putting one foot out of bed. Sean shares the “two-minute bell” story from his playing days, the blackboard that reads Find the Reason, and how showing up — even to do the Woolies run — can change everything.

This one’s grounded, human, and a reminder that connection truly is medicine.

We unpack:
– Identity after sport: losing “who I am” and building what’s next
– Fixing vs listening: why most people just need to feel heard
– Resilience in small steps: one foot out of bed still counts
– Purpose you can feel: chasing that “two-minute bell” feeling again
– The power of showing up and doing the simple things
– Community impact: how Bendigo keeps showing up for each other
– The launch of Walk & Talk Bendigo

Quote of the episode:

“Sometimes people don’t need their problem to be fixed — they just need to be heard.”

If this one gives you something to think about, share it with a mate — or better yet, take the chat for a walk.

🎙 Follow us on Instagram:
Tim – @timmckern
Luke – @l_u_k_e_o_w_e_n_s

(And if you’re in Bendigo, come say hi at Walk & Talk Bendigo—everyone’s welcome.)

In this episode, we’re diving into the stories we tell ourselves — the ones that whisper “you can’t,” “you’re not ready,” or “you’re not enough.”

We talk about how those stories sneak into our heads, why they feel so real, and how to flip them into something that actually moves us forward. From growth mindset and imposter syndrome to the simple act of keeping one small promise, this one’s about taking back the pen and rewriting your own script.

We unpack:
– Why action comes before confidence (and why waiting to “feel ready” never works)
– How imposter syndrome shows up — even for people who look confident on the outside
– The difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset (and the magic of adding “yet”)
– The small daily actions that prove your new story true
– Why journaling and reflection help you catch your inner narrative before it runs the show
– How shared stories (like money, relationships, even nations) shape the world we live in

Quote of the episode:
“Your thoughts aren’t facts — they’re stories. And you get to choose which story to live by.”

If this one hits home, send it to a mate who needs it. Sometimes the right story is all it takes to shift someone’s week.

🎙 Follow us on Instagram:
Tim – ⁠@timmckernLuke – ⁠@l_u_k_e_o_w_e_n_s⁠

In this episode, we sit down with Mark & Emma — the duo behind the gyms Tim works at — for our very first interview. It’s the real story behind the shiny surface: leaving safe careers, backing themselves when it didn’t make sense on paper, and building a culture that actually cares.

We talk sliding-door moments (including the deal that fell through and opened a better door), the three-day wait after Mark’s cancer diagnosis and how it reset priorities, and what it looks like to keep showing up while fitting out a new club, doing chemo, and raising three kids. There’s belief and mindset too — from Thailand psychics and angel cards to the power of backing your gut — plus the partnership piece: why choosing your life partner might be the single most important decision you make.

This one’s equal parts laughs and depth — a reminder that the journey matters more than the destination, and community is everything.

We unpack:
– Leaving the “safe” path: sparky & PT → owners
– Sliding doors: when a ‘no’ becomes the best ‘yes’
– Cancer, perspective, and deciding to keep going
– Culture > everything: how their clubs feel different
– Belief & mindset (manifestation, angel cards, trusting your gut)
– Parenting three kids while opening more gyms
– Partnership, values, and growing together

Quote of the episode:
“If you risk nothing, you’re actually risking everything.”

If this one hits home, send it to someone who’s on the fence about a big leap — they might need to hear it today.

🎙 Follow us on Instagram:
Tim – ⁠@timmckern
Luke – ⁠@l_u_k_e_o_w_e_n_s⁠

In this episode, we’re diving deep into mental health — the real kind. The kind that hides behind “I’m fine,” and often goes unnoticed.

We talk about the pressure to have it all together, the masks we wear, and why it’s so important to check in on the people who seem “okay.” You’ll hear a raw conversation with Lisa from Lifeline, plus reflections on stigma, identity, and what actually helps when things feel heavy.

This one’s a reminder that no matter how it looks on the outside, most people are carrying something — and you never know the difference a real conversation can make.

We unpack:
– Why surface-level conversations aren’t enough
– The impact of stigma and why silence can be dangerous
– The pressure to always be strong — and what strength really is
– How to support a mate (even when you don’t know what to say)
– The simple things that ground us when life feels overwhelming

Quote of the episode:
“Most people aren’t looking for a fix — they’re looking to feel seen.”

If this one hits home, send it to someone you care about. You never know who might need it today.

🎙 Follow us on Instagram:
Tim – ⁠@mckerncoaching
⁠Luke – ⁠@l_u_k_e_o_w_e_n_s

In this episode, we’re diving into alignment — closing the gap between the values you say you have and the way you actually live.

We dig into what alignment really feels like — how your actions reveal your values, why discipline creates freedom, and the paradox of chasing growth but forgetting to live. Along the way, we share the unteachable lessons life only teaches the hard way, and why small choices beat big intentions every time.

We unpack:
– The invisible gap between values and actions (and the guilt that piles up there)
– Why structure isn’t restriction, it’s what gives you real freedom
– The unteachable lessons you can only learn by living them
– Why alignment is proof you’re steering your own life, not drifting through someone else’s

Quote of the episode:
“You don’t become aligned one day. You behave aligned today.”

If this one lands for you, share it with a mate who might need the reminder that alignment isn’t about rules — it’s about building a life that actually feels like yours.

🎙 Follow us on Instagram:
Tim – ⁠@mckerncoaching⁠Luke – ⁠@l_u_k_e_o_w_e_n_s

In this episode, we’re diving into the power of discomfort — why leaning into struggle is where the real growth happens.

From walking 600km in 12 days for mental health, to paying off a mortgage in 4.5 years, to the small daily choices like always taking the stairs — we explore how hard things shape who you are. It’s not about punishment, but preparation: training your mind and body to handle more than you thought possible.

We unpack:
– Why the hardest part isn’t the pain, but waking up and doing it all again
– “You don’t have to do this, you get to do this” — a mantra that pulled Tim through the darkest kilometres
– How delayed gratification (and the 1972 marshmallow experiment) plays out in real life
– The brain’s ancient wiring (amygdala) that confuses discomfort with danger
– The line between healthy growth and burnout
– Why confidence comes from action, not affirmations

Quote of the episode:
“On the other side of discomfort is freedom.”

If this one lands for you, share it with a mate who might need the reminder that growth is supposed to feel uncomfortable.

🎙 Follow us on Instagram:
Tim – ⁠@mckerncoaching⁠
Luke – ⁠@l_u_k_e_o_w_e_n_s

In this episode, we’re unpacking what it really means to feel “lost” — and why it might not be a bad thing at all.
Instead of being broken or behind, maybe you’re just in that powerful space between versions of yourself — where the old is falling away and the new is waiting to emerge.

We talk about identity shifts, uncertainty as a hidden superpower, and why the “in-between” often holds the most growth. Luke shares a raw story about losing his AFL dream overnight, and Tim opens up about leaving behind the pub life to step into the unknown.

We unpack:
– Why feeling lost can actually mean you’re growing
– How uncertainty can be reframed as possibility
– Signs you’re stepping into a new version of yourself
– Why fear often points to the right direction
– The power of unbecoming who you’re not

Quote of the episode:
“Feeling lost doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means you’re becoming.”

If this one hits home, share it with someone who might need the reminder that the in-between is exactly where they’re meant to be.

🎙 Follow us on Instagram:
Tim – ⁠⁠@mckerncoaching⁠⁠
Luke – ⁠⁠@lukeowensmusic⁠

In this episode, we’re diving into the mindset shift from chasing goals to actually enjoying the ride.

We talk about what it means to stop living for the next achievement and start finding meaning in the present — even in the chaos. From overachieving to imposter syndrome and the power of gratitude, this one’s packed with honest reflections, small wins, and real-life lessons.

Tim also shares a powerful moment from last year’s mental health walk — and how it helped reshape his view of success and connection.

We unpack:
– Why the “be happy when” trap holds us back
– How to enjoy the process without losing momentum
– Overachievement, imposter syndrome & tall poppy culture
– The power of defining your own version of a meaningful life
– Why slowing down doesn’t mean losing direction

Quote of the episode:
“The journey is the destination. So live it like you mean it.”

If this episode made you think, laugh, or feel seen — share it with a mate who’s on their own journey too. We appreciate you being here.

🎙 Follow us on Instagram:

Tim – ⁠@mckerncoaching⁠

Luke – ⁠@lukeowensmusic⁠

In their first episode, Tim and Luke, pull back the curtain on who they are, why they’re launching Beyond the Noise, and what listeners can expect from the conversations ahead. They share their journeys so far, the lessons learned through real-life challenges, and why personal growth isn’t about waiting for a distant “destination” to make you happy — it’s about finding purpose and enjoying the process right now. Whether you’re chasing big goals, trying to get unstuck, or simply want to hear two mates navigating life in real time, this episode sets the stage for everything to come.

🎙 Follow us on Instagram:
Tim – @mckerncoaching
Luke – @l_u_k_e_o_w_e_n_s