Bottled Up

In Episode 48, Sunny and Mayank sit down with Josh Balia.

Josh Balia is a powerlifter, coach and qualifying to be a sports psychologist. He has used his amazing ability to connect with people to co-found 'Weights For Mates', a program designed to combine physical activities in the gym as a vehicle to help manage anxiety and depression. In our conversation, Josh takes us on a journey on how he got into the field, and a plethora of teachings he has learnt through his experiences. Notably:

💡Owning the morning through routine and dedication, and the importance of minimising the number of 'inputs' to start the day

💡 Realising that there is no 'bad emotion' to have, rather, it is merely a balance between whether your emotions are balanced vs unbalanced

💡 Recognising that your identity can be defined by your genetics and your external environment

💡 Unpacking the relationship with his dad

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. You do not want to miss this one 💥

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You can find Josh through the following channels:

Instagram: @josh_balia

(https://www.instagram.com/josh_balia/)

Linkedin: Joshua Balia

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There are some sensitive topics we touch on regarding mental health so if there are any triggers for you please know there is support and there will be plenty of links in access below.

LifeLine - Ph: 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Banksia Project - https://thebanksiaproject.org.au/

Mr. Perfect - https://mrperfect.org.au/

______________

As always, Bottled Up is a passion project to help provide a voice to those many men who are going through the peaks and troughs of life. We are not trained professionals and if you're worried about someone close to you and their mental wellbeing, it's important to get professional advice.

Start a conversation with them and let them know that they're not alone and that there are many support resources out there - including friends, family, school chaplains and plenty more!

If you're feeling distressed or overwhelmed, Beyond Blue has a number of trained mental health professionals available 24/7 on 1800 512 348.

For immediate support, call Lifeline on 13 11 44 and in an emergency, always dial 000.

---

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

In Episode 47, Sunny and Mayank sit down with Dan 'MAMBA' Odoi.

This has truly been one of our most enjoyable conversations to date. It's almost 2hrs and jam-packed with vulnerability, authenticity and true wisdom. There's even a few things that Dan has shared for the first time.

We touch on so many AWESOME topics with Mamba, including:

💡 Taking accountability and being the maverick of this own life

💡 Navigating a biracial upbringing in Australia (Ukrainian and Ugandan)

💡 Processing death and grief after the passing of his late father

💡 Unpacking his true values and identity

💡 Navigating the switch from corporate to authentic content creation

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. You do not want to miss this one 💥

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You can find Mamba through the following channels:

Instagram: @datblackmamba (https://www.instagram.com/datblackmamba/)

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/datblackmamba

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There are some sensitive topics we touch on regarding mental health so if there are any triggers for you please know there is support and there will be plenty of links in access below.

LifeLine - Ph: 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Banksia Project - https://thebanksiaproject.org.au/

Mr. Perfect - https://mrperfect.org.au/

______________

As always, Bottled Up is a passion project to help provide a voice to those many men who are going through the peaks and troughs of life. We are not trained professionals and if you're worried about someone close to you and their mental wellbeing, it's important to get professional advice.

Start a conversation with them and let them know that they're not alone and that there are many support resources out there - including friends, family, school chaplains and plenty more!

If you're feeling distressed or overwhelmed, Beyond Blue has a number of trained mental health professionals available 24/7 on 1800 512 348.

For immediate support, call Lifeline on 13 11 44 and in an emergency, always dial 000.

---

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

In Episode 46, Sunny and Mayank sit down with Kevin Helgren.

After being diagnosed with Tourette’s in middle school, Kevin Helgren, a current Stanford and Harvard Candidate, shares how it’s changed his view of the world.

Humans are biologically wired to categorise people, places and things: safe, or unsafe? Likable, or unlikable? Similar, or different? But first impressions are, by definition, based off of incomplete data — so what if we questioned them? In this episode, Kevin discusses how having Tourette’s – a neurological condition characterised by involuntary vocal and/or motor spasms called tic – has coloured the lens through which he views both the world and those he’s lucky enough to navigate it with.

In this episode we chat:

1. Kevins upbringing in the States and his experiences as the first queer Student Body President at The University of Texas at Austin
2. How he balances his MBA at Stanford GSB and MPP at Harvard Kennedy School (we also don't know how he gets 36 hours in his day...)
3. His diagnosis with Tourette's Syndrome in sixth grade, which altered his life in more ways than one (& the role his legendary and supportive mother Sarah played)
4. Understanding Identity: Intersectionality, Neurodiversity and the Queer movement
5. Leadership lessons and what's ahead
6. Cheeky rapid fire 👀

Kevin shed's light on his lived experiences with Tourette’s; sings the neurodiversity gospel; and make three calls to action.

1. Question first impressions – they’re based off limited sets of data.

2. Take time to learn someone’s story – and do it with grace, empathy, and curiosity.

3. Actively expand your in-group – we learn from folks who look, act, think, pray, and love differently than we do.

This one is a powerful one, you do not want to miss it. Available wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 💙

______________

There are some sensitive topics we touch on regarding mental health so if there are any triggers for you please know there is support and there will be plenty of links in access below.

LifeLine - Ph: 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Banksia Project - https://thebanksiaproject.org.au/

Mr. Perfect - https://mrperfect.org.au/

______________

As always, Bottled Up is a passion project to help provide a voice to those many men who are going through the peaks and troughs of life. We are not trained professionals and if you're worried about someone close to you and their mental wellbeing, it's important to get professional advice.

Start a conversation with them and let them know that they're not alone and that there are many support resources out there - including friends, family, school chaplains and plenty more!

If you're feeling distressed or overwhelmed, Beyond Blue has a number of trained mental health professionals available 24/7 on 1800 512 348.

For immediate support, call Lifeline on 13 11 44 and in an emergency, always dial 000.

---

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

In Episode 44, Sunny and Mayank sit with Callum MacPherson. He is the host of the Young Blood - Men's Mental Health podcast and isn't used to being in the interviewee chair! Raised in Adelaide by two teachers, he is a well-read, philosophical man who knew from a young age that he had the presence and ability to write and deliver stories.

Callum's work in the media started at his local radio station Fresh 92.7 and then he moved to Port Lincoln to deliver local news before moving on to Townsville. It was in both Adelaide and Townsville that Callum worked for7NEWS and reported on news bulletins.

Callum also shares how the sudden death of his close friend to suicide impacted him and influenced his professional direction towards starting the Young Blood - Men's Mental Health Podcast. It includes discussions around steroids, trans, drugs, grief, suicide and so much more. Callum also continues to work in mental health in Adelaide and is a voice for his generation. This is a must-listen episode.

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You can get in contact with Callum by following:

Instagram: @youngbloodsmentalhealth

If you are feeling like you need extra support there are organisations that can definitely help you through some tough situations. It’s not weak to speak. Here are the links below.

______________

There are some sensitive topics we touch on regarding mental health so if there are any triggers for you please know there is support and there will be plenty of links in access below.

LifeLine - Ph: 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Banksia Project - https://thebanksiaproject.org.au/

Mr. Perfect - https://mrperfect.org.au/

______________

As always, Bottled Up is a passion project to help provide a voice to those many men who are going through the peaks and troughs of life. We are not trained professionals and if you're worried about someone close to you and their mental wellbeing, it's important to get professional advice.

Start a conversation with them and let them know that they're not alone and that there are many support resources out there - including friends, family, school chaplains and plenty more!

If you're feeling distressed or overwhelmed, Beyond Blue has a number of trained mental health professionals available 24/7 on 1800 512 348.

For immediate support, call Lifeline on 13 11 44 and in an emergency, always dial 000.

---

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

In Episode 43, Sunny and Mayank sit with Damien Bugeja. Damien is an incredibly inspiring individual who makes it his life mission to educate and inspire people about the benefits of community. Damien suffered a traumatic experience during his teen years when he lost his dad to a rare form of cancer. His pure resilience and willingness to inspire others led him to complete a 290km run from Craigieburn to Yarrawonga. Yes, that’s right 290km over 6 days!! Damien raised over $60,000 for the Peter McCullum Cancer Centre and continues to inspire the lives of many through the platform he has created.

Throughout the episode, Damien unpacks what it was like to lose the one person closest to him in this world and how the impact of such trauma generated a profound ripple effect throughout his life, leading him on the ultimate journey in which he is living, each and every day.

Damien was extremely vulnerable during today’s episode as he discusses his battles in depth. We chat all things embracing fear and vulnerability, and using these as forces for good <3

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You can get in contact with Damien by following:

Instagram: @damienbugeja, @runforjoey

Website: https://www.runforjoey.com.au

If you are feeling like you need extra support there are organisations that can definitely help you through some tough situations. It’s not weak to speak. Here are the links below.

______________

There are some sensitive topics we touch on regarding mental health so if there are any triggers for you please know there is support and there will be plenty of links in access below.

LifeLine - Ph: 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Banksia Project - https://thebanksiaproject.org.au/

Mr. Perfect - https://mrperfect.org.au/

______________

As always, Bottled Up is a passion project to help provide a voice to those many men who are going through the peaks and troughs of life. We are not trained professionals and if you're worried about someone close to you and their mental wellbeing, it's important to get professional advice.

Start a conversation with them and let them know that they're not alone and that there are many support resources out there - including friends, family, school chaplains and plenty more!

If you're feeling distressed or overwhelmed, Beyond Blue has a number of trained mental health professionals available 24/7 on 1800 512 348.

For immediate support, call Lifeline on 13 11 44 and in an emergency, always dial 000.

---

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

In Episode 43, Sunny and Mayank sit with Devian and Jagesh Panchal. The twin brothers are co-founders of Shakti Melbourne and The Brown Come Up, platforms that raise awarness on mental health within South Asian disaporas in Melbourne and around the world.

Together we discuss everything mental health from our personal journeys on mental health, communicating mental health to Brown Parents, and advice on mental health practices for young South Asians that may be struggling. You can find them:

https://www.shaktimentalhealth.com/

Instagram: @shaktimelbourne

______________

There are some sensitive topics we touch on regarding mental health so if there are any triggers for you please know there is support and there will be plenty of links in access below.

LifeLine - Ph: 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Banksia Project - https://thebanksiaproject.org.au/

Mr. Perfect - https://mrperfect.org.au/

---

As always, Bottled Up is a passion project to help provide a voice to those many men who are going through the peaks and troughs of life. We are not trained professionals and if you're worried about someone close to you and their mental wellbeing, it's important to get professional advice.

Start a conversation with them and let them know that they're not alone and that there are many support resources out there - including friends, family, school chaplains and plenty more!

If you're feeling distressed or overwhelmed, Beyond Blue has a number of trained mental health professionals available 24/7 on 1800 512 348.

For immediate support, call Lifeline on 13 11 44 and in an emergency, always dial 000.

---

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

In episode 42, Sunny and Mayank sit with Arman Vestad who was a former criminal and drug addict. He now owes his life to two of the things that made his remarkable transformation possible: running and kindness.

In the past, Arman spent a lot of his time on the run. Through a series of poor life choices and unfortunate circumstances, he had found himself dealing drugs and engaging in other kinds of criminal activity. He even gained notoriety as the infamous ‘Gunman from Molde’ after supplying a weapon that was used in a triple homicide.

While to outsiders it seemed that he was living as a criminal playboy with drugs, friends, partying, and money, he actually felt alone. His body was struggling to keep up with a devastating drug habit, and he felt that there was nobody he could trust enough to be himself around. Wanting to let go, he even contemplated suicide.

After leaving prison for the 10th time, it wasn’t long until Arman found himself under arrest once again. This time, however, a policeman on the case sat down with him and asked what he could do to help. He showed that he cared, and those few moments changed the course of Arman’s life forever.

What came next was a prolonged and difficult fight to rebuild a normal, happy existence. As he pushed himself back to health, he also embarked on a new career as a debt adviser for Norway’s welfare administration. He later became an international public speaker, an advocate for bringing reformed criminals back into work and society, and (most importantly) a father.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Arman saw that many people were struggling with the same isolation and loneliness that he felt when living life on the wrong side of the tracks. Asking for help had never been his strong point, but it only took a moment of kindness to help him change for the better.

Arman now hopes to encourage more people to smile and help one another while sharing his message: the smallest acts of friendliness and compassion multiplied many times over can change the world. Arman is proof that it is never too late to change your life.

You can follow him:

Instagram: @armanvestad

Website: https://armanv.no/

______________

There are some sensitive topics we touch on regarding mental health so if there are any triggers for you please know there is support and there will be plenty of links in access below.

LifeLine - Ph: 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Banksia Project - https://thebanksiaproject.org.au/

Mr. Perfect - https://mrperfect.org.au/

---

As always, Bottled Up is a passion project to help provide a voice to those many men who are going through the peaks and troughs of life. We are not trained professionals and if you're worried about someone close to you and their mental wellbeing, it's important to get professional advice.

Start a conversation with them and let them know that they're not alone and that there are many support resources out there - including friends, family, school chaplains and plenty more!

If you're feeling distressed or overwhelmed, Beyond Blue has a number of trained mental health professionals available 24/7 on 1800 512 348.

For immediate support, call Lifeline on 13 11 44 and in an emergency, always dial 000.

---

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

In Episode 41, Sunny and Mayank sit with Hugo Toovey.

Hugo was living a normal life and completing his training at The Australian Defence Force Academy when suddenly his life was turned upside down when he found an unusual lump on his testicle. After getting it checked out by a GP he was later diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Hugo continued his training and later underwent chemotherapy which was an incredible battle to face at such a young age of 21.

Fast forward 5 years and Hugo received his final 'all clear' and was cancer free until a few short months later he noticed an abnormality in his stools which was quickly diagnosed as bowel cancer.

Hugo shares with us the brutal truths of taking on cancer including the mental struggles, the family sacrifices, the confidence kicks and the incredible vulnerability needed to fight such a battle.

Not only has Hugo defeated cancer but he is now spreading the important message for young people to regularly get checked through his 25 Stay Alive campaign. He is key note speaking Australia wide while being an ambassador for Movember and The Jodi Lee Foundation as well as his duties of Captain in the Army.

We hope this episode touches you all and prompts each person to check themselves and encourage loved ones to get checked frequently. 

Don't forget if you like the episode it would be a huge help if you could subscribe, rate and leave a review! Stay safe and enjoy!

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This is obviously a pretty heavy topic and this chat isn’t designed to scare people. It’s just to show that we need to be more proactive with our health in general. There are some sensitive topics we touch on regarding mental health so if there are any triggers for you please know there is support and there will be plenty of links in access below.

LifeLine - Ph: 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Banksia Project - https://thebanksiaproject.org.au/

Mr. Perfect - https://mrperfect.org.au/

---

As always, Bottled Up is a passion project to help provide a voice to those many men who are going through the peaks and troughs of life. We are not trained professionals and if you're worried about someone close to you and their mental wellbeing, it's important to get professional advice.

Start a conversation with them and let them know that they're not alone and that there are many support resources out there - including friends, family, school chaplains and plenty more!

If you're feeling distressed or overwhelmed, Beyond Blue has a number of trained mental health professionals available 24/7 on 1800 512 348.

For immediate support, call Lifeline on 13 11 44 and in an emergency, always dial 000.

---

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

In Episode 40, Sunny Bahuguna sits down with close friend and serial entrepreneur, Ronnie Kintanar. Ronnie was one of the owners of Jarvis, a platform that connects the time-poor with personal cleaners to take care of chores and cleaning duties. Jarvis was successfully acquired in 2020.

Ronnie shares his story behind the startup, including his:

🔥 Upbringing in an Asian family and the values it taught him

🔥 Journey through university life (with an Arts background!)

🔥 Decision to leave his stable role in corporate role and take the plunge into startup land

🔥 Decision to join Jarvis and what he looked out for

🔥 Early years of Jarvis, including balancing leisure time and the 'hustle'

🔥 Views on hustle culture and toxic productivity

🔥 Journey navigating personal ego and pride

🔥 Perspective on relationships -- friendships, romance and everything in between

🔥 Personal lessons learnt along the way

🔥 What's next (including a new book...)

It's a powerful conversation that traverses between humility, interpreting personal success and reflecting on what matters most. Enjoy and reach out to Sunny or Bottled Up if you'd like to get in touch with Ronnie!

---

As always, Bottled Up is a passion project to help provide a voice to those many men who are going through the peaks and troughs of life. We are not trained professionals and if you're worried about someone close to you and their mental wellbeing, it's important to get professional advice.

Start a conversation with them and let them know that they're not alone and that there are many support resources out there - including friends, family, school chaplains and plenty more!

If you're feeling distressed or overwhelmed, Beyond Blue has a number of trained mental health professionals available 24/7 on 1800 512 348.

For immediate support, call Lifeline on 13 11 44 and in an emergency, always dial 000.

---

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

In Episode 39, Sunny and Mayank sit down with CEO of the Wellbeing Outfit and Chief Mental Health Advisor at EY Oceania, Jono Nicholas. Having sat down with Jono in November 2021, he is one of Australia's most prominent advocates of better mental health particularly from a public health perspective and treating it as a systemic issue. Jono is the Founder and Managing Director of the Wellbeing Outfit, an advisory firm that improves organisational performance by improving the wellbeing and resilience of staff. Through the Wellbeing Outfit he is an Executive Consultant specialising in mental health, and has advised a range of large corporate organisations on strategies to improve the mental health and wellbeing of their staff and customers.

Jono was previously the CEO of ReachOut Australia, Australia’s leading digital mental health service for young people and their parents. ReachOut is one of Future Generation Global recipient charities.

He’s also a Director of Future Generation Global. Jono has a Bachelor of Arts Honours majoring in Psychology and a Masters in Public Health.

---

As always, Bottled Up is a passion project to help provide a voice to those many men who are going through the peaks and troughs of life. We are not trained professionals and if you're worried about someone close to you and their mental wellbeing, it's important to get professional advice.

Start a conversation with them and let them know that they're not alone and that there are many support resources out there - including friends, family, school chaplains and plenty more!

If you're feeling distressed or overwhelmed, Beyond Blue has a number of trained mental health professionals available 24/7 on 1800 512 348.

For immediate support, call Lifeline on 13 11 44 and in an emergency, always dial 000.

---

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com