For the first time in 4 years we are pausing the podcast for a couple of weeks. I love doing it, but sometimes life has other plans. There is a lot going on behind the scenes, and while I am ok, I need to free up space for family and medical appointments.

I’m not fully disappearing and will be recording in advance. While I’m away we are releasing some of our most listened to episodes.

Trigger warning: this episode discusses excessive alcohol use.

In society we are well aware of the term ‘alcoholic’, but have you heard of Grey Area Drinking?

This episode’s guest is Grey Area Drinking Coach, Motivational Speaker, Workshop Facilitator and host of a community of over 20,000 women, Sarah Rusbatch

After years of dysfunctional drinking, falling hard for ‘Mummy Wine Culture’ and using alcohol as a crutch to manage stress, overwhelm and anxiety, Sarah finally made the decision to remove alcohol from her life in April 2019.

In this episode Sarah shares:

-      Her long history with alcohol and how it shaped her life growing up

-      The moment she realised her relationship with alcohol was not benefiting her

-      The stop and start process she went through trying to stop drinking for short periods of time

-      The difference between alcoholism and grey area drinking

-      How the subtle messaging of alcohol and mum culture is dangerous

-      Her advice on the work you have to do to improve remove alcohol from your life

Key Quotes

“It turns out that your boozy friends don’t like it when you don’t drink anymore.”

“I would just drink and smoke until I didn’t feel anymore.”

“In the end I realised it's easier to say none than it is to say 1.”

Find out more about Sarah

If you want to know about her grey drinking coaching you can find out more here: https://sarahrusbatch.com/

You can also follow her on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahrusbatchcoach

And on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahrusbatch/

You can get involved with the podcast online

On facebook in our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/challengesthatchangeus

Or on Instagram: @challengesthatchangeus

If you want to find out more about what Ali does, check out her business via the website:

http://www.trialtitudeperformance.com.au

For her other business you can find it through the websites:

www.altitudefitnessarmidale.com.au

Or you can follow them on Instagram:

@Altitudefitnessarmidale

@trialtitudeperformance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first time in 4 years we are pausing the podcast for a couple of weeks. I love doing it, but sometimes life has other plans. There is a lot going on behind the scenes, and while I am ok, I need to free up space for family and medical appointments.

I’m not fully disappearing and will be recording in advance. While I’m away we are releasing some of our most listened to episodes.

Trigger warning; domestic violence

It’s so often the case that one trauma can result in an entirely different one down the track.

That is the case for Marleen Mour, a 38yr old single mum who ran away from Egypt and an unwanted engagement at age 19 to build her life in Australia.

She battled obesity, binge eating and self-loathing for decades before she finally discovered the power of self love for Permanent weight loss and lost 49kg/ 108lbs which she’s kept off for 13 years now, even after becoming a mum.

Today she’s helped over 1,000 women of all ages to Permanently lose weight by healing their relationship with food, their bodies and themselves.

In this episode she shares:

-      Why her mum took her children and escaped to Australia for 4 years

-      How her difficult home life created emotional eating for her

-      The huge opportunity that helped her finance her escape

-      How her family repeatedly attempted to prevent her escape

-      How she managed to make it to Australia with $100 cash

-      Why her eating problems continued and grew after she moved to Australia

-      The climactic moment that she realised how badly she was treating herself

-      The journey she went on to process her emotions rather than eat them,

-      How her journey has evolved to a point where she helps others with their emotional eating

-      The tools and strategies she point in place to manage her emotional eating

Key Quotes

“I thought I'd left the abuse behind but here I was abusing myself”

“The night of my flight my mum deadbolted the doors and took the keys until my flight took off without me.”

“We think we're unhappy because we're overweight but really we’re overweight because we're unhappy.”

More about Marleen

Website: http://www.marleenmourcoaching.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marleen.nour

You can get involved with the podcast online

On facebook in our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/challengesthatchangeus

Or on Instagram: @challengesthatchangeus

If you want to contact the podcast, email us here: [email protected]

Or check out our website: www.Challengesthatchangeus.com

If you want to find out more about what Ali does, check out her business via the website:

http://www.trialtitudeperformance.com.au

For her other business you can find it through the websites:

www.altitudefitnessarmidale.com.au

@trialtitudeperformance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first time in 4 years we are pausing the podcast for a couple of weeks. I love doing it, but sometimes life has other plans. There is a lot going on behind the scenes, and while I am ok, I need to free up space for family and medical appointments.

I’m not fully disappearing and will be recording in advance. While I’m away we are releasing some of our most listened to episodes.

Battling any illness is a challenges in and of itself, but when it comes to often unknown autonomic conditions, the medical field can leave patients feeling lost, ignored and forgotten.

Combine that with trying to seek medical help in the 90’s in a second world country like Uzbekistan and you might begin to imagine the overwhelming challenge that Marie Claire faced in her journey to be diagnosed with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome).

Marie-Claire is a Clinical Nurse consultant who has previously held several specialist clinical nurse roles including in emergency nursing, clinical education and academia. She coheads a multi-disciplinary practice in Adelaide, SA which specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Long Covid. She is undertaking her PhD at The University of Adelaide where she is exploring the association between autonomic disorders and post-acute sequalae of Covid-19.

Marie-Claire has a keen interest in reducing time to diagnosis and in improving outcomes for those living with POTS and associated environmentally triggered syndromes

She believes in the power of the 'lived experience' researcher and has established The Australian POTS Foundation

In today’s episode Marie-Claire shares:

-      Her time in Romania and other similar countries shortly after the ball of the Berlin wall

-      The distinct moment she felt herself develop POTS

-      The extremely long and difficult process of seeking a medical diagnosis overseas

-      The sexist diagnosis practices she encountered in Australia that left her undiagnosed for years

-      How POTS and long covid are connected

-      Her advice on treatment and management for POTS

-      Information on Australia’s first POTS conference this year.

Key Quotes

“I remember that feeling of thinking how can you not know what’s just happened because it was so dramatic and loud in my ears.”

“I don’t tend to seek help which is typical of country people”

“I feel like I was accused of murder, I was stood up to give my defence and the judge says no you cant have a defence, you're guilty.”

“Just telling them their not mad is a great thing in terms of their ability to cope with this condition.”

Find out more about Marie-Claire Seeley

You can find out more about Marie-Claire and the Australian Pots Foundation here: https://potsfoundation.org.au/

You can also follow them on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/australianpotsfoundation/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082147502638

You can get involved with the podcast online

On facebook in our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/challengesthatchangeus

Or on Instagram: @challengesthatchangeus

If you want to find out more about what Ali does, check out her business via the website:

http://www.trialtitudeperformance.com.au/personality-performance

For her other business you can find it through the websites:

www.altitudefitnessarmidale.com.au

Or you can follow them on Instagram:

@Altitudefitnessarmidale

@trialtitudeperformance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first time in 4 years we are pausing the podcast for a couple of weeks. I love doing it, but sometimes life has other plans. There is a lot going on behind the scenes, and while I am ok, I need to free up space for family and medical appointments.

I’m not fully disappearing and will be recording in advance. While I’m away we are releasing some of our most listened to episodes.

Trigger warning – depression and suicide

We have been honoured to have a few guests share their stories of mental health battles, this week’s episode is a truly detailed and immersive story of what it’s like to live with a parent who is battling depression.

Meg Southcombe is currently the Where There’s A Will There’s A Way Ambassador and it is her story of coming to terms with her father’s depression that has allowed her to have such an impact with the organisation.

She attended St Joseph’s High School Aberdeen and was a WTAW student leader and takes every opportunity afforded to her to promote WTAW’s approach to community wellbeing and lobbies for every Australian school to adopt an evidenced based approach to

wellbeing education.

Meg is the Recipient of the National Council of Women, Dame Marie Bashir Peace Award for work on international women’s day , mental health, and homelessness advocation.

She is also a panellist for The Australian Broadcasting Commission – ‘The Drum.

In this episode Meg shares:

-      Her Father's illness and the impact it had on her

-      Feeling trapped and unable to escape the situation

-      Embracing vulnerability and honesty

-      Sharing their experiences to help others relate and understand their struggles

-      Emphasising the importance of reaching out for support

-      Working with the organisation "Where There's a Will"

Key Quotes

“You see, I was so caught up in presenting a picture-perfect life because I was embarrassed and didn't want to be associated with anything negative. I felt trapped, unable to escape the situation at home.”

“It wasn't until I started working closely with a program that teaches coping methods to kids that I truly began to understand the importance of opening up and talking about our struggles.”

“It was important for me to be seen as positive and a go-getter, but deep down, I was struggling. I would cope with stress on my own, not reaching out for support when I desperately needed it.”

More about Meg

You can follow her on social media

Instagram: @meg_southcombe

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-southcombe-538663269?originalSubdomain=au

You can check out the charity, Where There’s A Will” here: https://uhwheretheresawill.com.au/

You can get involved with the podcast online

On facebook in our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/challengesthatchangeus

Or on Instagram: @challengesthatchangeus

If you want to find out more about what Ali does, check out her business via the website:

http://www.trialtitudeperformance.com.au

For her other business you can find it through the websites:

www.altitudefitnessarmidale.com.au

Or you can follow them on Instagram:

@Altitudefitnessarmidale

@trialtitudeperformance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first time in 4 years we are pausing the podcast for a couple of weeks. I love doing it, but sometimes life has other plans. There is a lot going on behind the scenes, and while I am ok, I need to free up space for family and medical appointments.

I’m not fully disappearing and will be recording in advance. While I’m away we are releasing some of our most listened to episodes.

Returning to normal life after a big challenge is hard for any of us, but what happens when your ‘normal’ is competing in sports at the Olympic level?

That was exactly what happened to Sami Kennedy-Sim who, after competing as an Olympic level skier, found herself in hospital recovering from a stroke at the age of 24.

Somehow, after that, she returned to the Olympics.

In this episode Sami shares:

-      Her journey to becoming an Olympian

-      Why it’s ok to want to quit

-      The exact moment she started having a stroke

-      How she was told she would not be an Olympian again

-      Her journey to returning to the Olympics

Key Quotes

“You can choose to see obstacles as speed bumps or road blocks. A speed bump you slow down and then you carry on. A road block, you may have to quit altogether.”

“Unless you give people the experience to challenge themselves they’re living in comfort zone land.”

Find out more about Sami

You can find out about Sami’s coaching and other businesses here: https://www.samikennedysim.com/

Or you can follow her on Instagram: @samikennedysim

Disc Workshop

If you want to take part in our next Disc workshop check it out here: https://trialtitude.as.me/DISCprofile

You can get involved with the podcast online

On facebook in our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/challengesthatchangeus

Or on Instagram: @challengesthatchangeus

If you want to find out more about what Ali does, check out her business via the website:

http://www.trialtitudeperformance.com.au

For her other business you can find it through the websites:

www.altitudefitnessarmidale.com.au

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first time in 4 years we are pausing the podcast for a couple of weeks. I love doing it, but sometimes life has other plans. There is a lot going on behind the scenes, and while I am ok, I need to free up space for family and medical appointments.

I’m not fully disappearing and will be recording in advance. While I’m away we are releasing some of our most listened to episodes.

Trigger warning: Anorexia, perfectionism, panic attacks

Body image disorders can occur for a number of reasons and can slip quietly and insidiously into our lives through a number of ways.

One space that can often make it hard to identify the issue is the sport and fitness space. Afterall, there is never a straight black line that determines what is and isn’t too much.

On this episode we’ll be speaking to Dr. Kelly Kessler, a licensed physical therapist, transformation coach, host of the podcast Rewiring Health, the owner of Optimal You Health and Wellness, LLC and a mom of two boys. Inspired by her own journey of recovering from persistent negative thoughts, perfectionist beliefs, an eating disorder, chronic back pain, and panic attacks, Kelly has helped women harness their profound ability to shift from survival mode to thriving.

In this episode Dr Kelly Kessler shares:

-      The way that her eating disorder snuck into her life through athleticism without her realising

-      How her eating disorder had a profound impact on her life, both physically and mentally.

-      The way the stress from her eating disorder contributed to chronic back pain and other physical issues.

-      The perfectionist mentality she has that made her constantly feel inadequate and pushed her too hard without allowing for rest.

-      How perfectionism played a role in her eating disorder and the subsequent physical and mental struggles she experienced.

-      The moment she started experiencing panic attacks

-      The importance of putting herself first and practicing self-care.

-      The significant role that gratitude and mindfulness played in her recovery.

Key Quotes

“Stress is a huge producer of pain.”

“What’s the smallest action from today, that can move you forward.”

“No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.”

More about Dr. Kelly Kessler

Podcast:

Rewiring Health

🎙️@rewiringhealthpodcast

https://tr.ee/yYmZ0i1VBK

Website:

www.optimalyouhealthandwellness.com

YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@drkellykessler

Instagram:

@drkellyKessler

More about the podcast

On facebook in our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/challengesthatchangeus

Or on Instagram: @challengesthatchangeus

If you want to contact the podcast, email us here: [email protected]

Or check out our website: www.Challengesthatchangeus.com

If you want to find out more about what Ali does, check out her business via the website:

http://www.trialtitudeperformance.com.au

For her other business you can find it through the websites:

www.altitudefitnessarmidale.com.au

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first time in 4 years we are pausing the podcast for a couple of weeks. I love doing it, but sometimes life has other plans. There is a lot going on behind the scenes, and while I am ok, I need to free up space for family and medical appointments.

I’m not fully disappearing and will be recording in advance. While I’m away we are releasing some of our most listened to episodes.

Trigger warning: domestic violence

We have talked on this podcast before about abuse, but domestic violence between partners is something is simultaneously incredibly prevalent in society, whilst also barely understood.

To help us shine a light on this we have the incredibly brave Jess Patz joining us on the podcast.

Jess may be a passionate philanthropist, energetic podcast host and electric motivational speaker, but at home she’s a busy mom of four and wife. Jess has found a beautiful way to inspire others through her story of domestic abuse survival and loss. She teaches men and women how to redefine life’s low moments and use them as tools to ignite the future of their dreams.

One of the many ways Jess helps others everyday, is through her "I Choose Hope" Foundation. An organization dedicated to helping domestic abuse victims and their families in need of emergency assistance. Jess is thrilled to share her story of hope, heartache, and healing with you!

In this episode Jess shares:

-      How her mother passing away led to trauma, and wanting someone to love her and be the centre of her world which was an abusers dream come true. 

-      The starting point of her abusive relationship and how the abuse started

-      The layers of manipulation, guilt, and religious abuse that survivors often face.

-      She shares how she navigated a difficult situation and is now a survivor of abuse. 

-      The outrageous response after she reported him for strangling her

-      The way she started to recognise and eventually leave an abusive relationship,

-      Why finances, logistics and resources made it difficult to leave

-      What she did when leaving her abused that she recommends others do not do

-      The importance of safety plans and having a support system when escaping abusive situations.

-      What happened after her abused was taken to court

-      What her life looks like now

Key Quotes

 “I got strangled with his hands, she got strangled with the belt”

“The truth only goes so far it's about what you can prove and who can tell the better story.”

“It was always my fault, if I wouldn’t have done A he wouldn’t have done B”

More about Jess

Podcast:

All The Things Jess: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/all-the-things-with-jess-patz/id1667999453

Get in Touch with Jess

https://www.instagram.com/_jesspatz/

https://www.facebook.com/jpatzell

https://www.jesspatz.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-patz/

If you know someone in a DV situation, or are in one yourself you can use the below help lines

1800 Respect- (1800 737 732) The National Sexual Assault, Family & Domestic Violence Counselling Line

1800 FULL STOP (1800 385 578)

NSW Sexual Violence Helpline

(Formerly NSW Rape Crisis)

1800 424 017

To get involved in the podcast

On facebook in our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/challengesthatchangeus

Or on Instagram: @challengesthatchangeus

If you want to contact the podcast, email us here: [email protected]

Or check out our website: www.Challengesthatchangeus.com

If you want to find out more about what Ali does, check out her business via the website:

http://www.trialtitudeperformance.com.au

For her other business you can find it through the websites:

www.altitudefitnessarmidale.com.au

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first time in 4 years we are pausing the podcast for a couple of weeks. I love doing it, but sometimes life has other plans. There is a lot going on behind the scenes, and while I am ok, I need to free up space for family and medical appointments.

I’m not fully disappearing and will be recording in advance. While I’m away we are releasing some of our most listened to episodes.

Trigger warning: this episode discusses miscarriage, child abuse and domestic abuse.

This episode’s guest is Tim Elliott, a senior writer at Good Weekend, the Saturday magazine for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, where he has won two Kennedy Awards and been nominated for a Walkley. His work has also appeared in London's The Financial Times, The Sunday Times, and The Australian. He has won multiple awards, including Best Feature at the Australian Magazine Awards and has many other accolades.

But he is also the host of Inside The Tribe a podcast detailing the inner workings of international religious sect The 12 Tribes.

Having worked closely with people who have been trapped inside the 12 tribes for this podcast, Tim has a fascinating insight what actually happens in these highly controlling groups.

In this episode Tim shares:

-      How he first heard about The 12 Tribes and why he didn’t believe what he heard

-      The way every day people are lured in

-      The horrifying practices that take place inside these kinds of groups

-      How people are prevented from leaving

Key Quotes

“I cannot get any meaningful response form the police and people who have escaped the cult are just baffled.”

“Most of us at some point in our lives will be vulnerable to that kind of entreaty.”

“They isolate you from your loved ones. Completely…That allows the cult to have full control of the information you’re receiving.”

Find out more about Tim and Inside The Tribe

If you want to hear more about this in detail you can listen to the podcast Inside The Tribe: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/inside-the-tribe/id1533629268

You can also follow Tim on his socials

Twitter: @TimElliottSMH

Insta: @timelliottsmh

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tim.elliott.927/

You can get involved with the podcast online

On facebook in our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/challengesthatchangeus

Or on Instagram: @challengesthatchangeus

If you want to find out more about what Ali does, check out her business via the website:

http://www.trialtitudeperformance.com.au

For her other business you can find it through the websites:

www.altitudefitnessarmidale.com.au

Or you can follow them on Instagram:

@Altitudefitnessarmidale

@trialtitudeperformance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first time in 4 years we are pausing the podcast for a couple of weeks. I love doing it, but sometimes life has other plans. There is a lot going on behind the scenes, and while I am ok, I need to free up space for family and medical appointments.

I’m not fully disappearing and will be recording in advance. While I’m away we are releasing some of our most listened to episodes.

Trigger warning: Drug crimes and false arrests

This episode is a story that took me completely by surprise and had my jaw absolutely on the flaw.

Our guest is Brenda Denbesten, a chemical engineer with over 15 years' experience in the mining and manufacturing industries, and a Women in STEM advocate and driver for change

Brenda is a best-selling author of ‘the FIFO wives tale’s’ and creator of 'Chronicles of a Female Engineer', a YouTube series that demystifies what an engineer does plus how to get ahead in traditional and male dominated fields.

But one day, years so, nearly saw everything she had worked towards snatched away when she was confronted by police about a crime she did not commit.

In today’s episode Brenda shares:

-      The wild story of how she was used and left to take the fall for a crime she didn’t commit

-      Her dealings with the Australian justice system

-      The lessons she learnt from overcoming this enormous challenge

-      Her advice for anyone else who has gone through similar trauma

Key Quotes

“We've all got a unique purpose on this world and the more we copy others you're only dimming down the reason you are on this earth.”

“Your past doesn’t determine your future.”

“The next minute I knew I was getting hand cuffed and being put in the back of a paddy wagon.”

Find out more about Brenda

You can find out everything about Brenda here:  www.linktree.com/brendadenbesten

You can get involved with the podcast online

On facebook in our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/challengesthatchangeus

Or on Instagram: @challengesthatchangeus

If you want to find out more about what Ali does, check out her business via the website:

http://www.trialtitudeperformance.com.au

For her other business you can find it through the websites:

www.altitudefitnessarmidale.com.au

Or you can follow them on Instagram:

@Altitudefitnessarmidale

@trialtitudeperformance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger warning: this episode discusses mental health, depression and anxiety as well as chronic pain.

For the first time in 4 years we are pausing the podcast for a couple of weeks. I love doing it, but sometimes life has other plans. There is a lot going on behind the scenes, and while I am ok, I need to free up space for family and medical appointments.

I’m not fully disappearing and will be recording in advance. While I’m away we are releasing some of our most listened to episodes.

Jessica Macguire who has worked as a trauma informed integrated physio therapist for 14 years and is currently running programs on the vagus nerve.

She aims to help people get to the cause of the problems, rather than relying on others to treat their symptoms

She has studied neuro physiology throughout Europe, America, the UK and Australia and has learnt from pain researchers, professors in neuro plasticity, neuro scientists and psychologists on how the brain and nervous system change from stress, trauma and chronic pain.

Stress related illness such as anxiety, depression gut disorders, autoimmune issues and chronic pain can arise from dysregulation after chronic trauma and stress

In today’s episode Jessica shares:

-      How the vagus nerve and the parasympathetic nervous system can affect our health

-      How the isolating techniques of medicine can hinder rather than help diagnosis

-      Her advice for learning more about the vagus nerve and how it can help you

Key Quotes

“We may learn to cut off from sensations and live almost numb from out body. But either that that is creating an inner homelessness.”

“We really need to lean into the complexities, rather than trying to over simplify.”

“What I may find stressful may not be stressful to you, and no two people will have the same experience of pain or trauma.”

If you want to know more about Jessica

You can head to her website: https://www.jessicamaguire.com/

Or you can follow her on social media,

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/repairingthenervoussystem/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/repairing_the_nervous_system/?hl=en

If you want to find out more about what Ali does, check out her business via the website:

http://www.trialtitudeperformance.com.au/personality-performance

For her other business you can find it through the websites:

www.altitudefitnessarmidale.com.au

Or you can follow them on Instagram:

@Altitudefitnessarmidale

@trialtitudeperformance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.