Changing Lives Podcast

Who wants an IV injection of inspiration from a 3x olympian and an extra dose of insight into what it's like working as a state paramedic while juggling a professional athletic training schedule?

As you could imagine Jo is a very busy individual, and we were lucky to get her seated and still for long enough to share about chasing her childhood dream to be a paramedic, competing in kayaking at the olympics, and the heartbreak of qualifying for a third olympics, only to be taken from you after the cancellation of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Jo also reflects on what it was like working on frontline during the tumultuous onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

Enjoy this fantastic episode. We trust it educates and motivates you to chase your dream too!

This is a special episode of the Changing Lives Podcast as we catch up with the "boss man", CEO of Australian Paramedical College — Peter Evans.  

Our conversation captures covers Pete's personal career story from working hot food stands, lifeguarding, becoming a world champion kayaker and how a chance opportunity to work FIFO in the mines and his innate desire to help others who wanted to do the same, led to him developing career information websites and eventually founding the largest private paramedical college in Australia. 

A large part of the college's success is Pete's innovative approach to both career guidance and online education. We discussion how he built a team of course advisors, support staff and trainers with a single-minded focus on student success, and being adaptable to changes in student needs, the industry and society, like the COVID-19 pandemic.  

We also touch on the future of learning from his perspective, and some of the things the college is currently testing and researching to level up the training experience and career outcomes for students.  If you are interested in getting an insight into the Australian Paramedical College and the man at the wheel, then don't miss this one!

In this sixth episode of Changing Lives, we catch up with Sean Golding, who was recently interviewed on Channel 7's morning show, Sunrise, for his transition from Airline Captain to Paramedic, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.  

Sean studied the Diploma of Paramedical Science with Australian Paramedical College, and gained registration as a paramedic, all while working as a Qantas Airline Captain and commercial pilot. The decision to study paramedicine was simply part of his appetite for new challenges and an "always learning" attitude to life. Little did he know, a short time later when a worldwide pandemic struck and planes were grounded, that a chance to work on the front lines as a paramedic would open up. 

While still "in the air", Sean's paramedical diploma also opened an opportunity for him to be part of research into pilot fatigue, which in turn led to him piloting the longest non-stop flight in recorded history.  We also discuss balancing family and career, and Sean's enthusiasm for diving and why he and his daughter recently joined the rural fire brigade.

In this episode, we catch up with Erin Eames, a State Emergency Services Deputy Rescue Officer and student of paramedical science.

We discuss the many varied aspects of her role as a Deputy Rescue Officer, and hear first hand, her frontline experience battling the notorious bushfires that ravaged across Australia last summer.

Erin explains what the SES is and what is like being on team, including the weekly training and comradery that builds from being engaged in the rescue effort.

Erin also discusses her experiences at clinical workshops as part of her Diploma of Paramedical Science at the Australian Paramedical College, and how her volunteer work has given her a passion and preparation for a career in emergency health.

Part two with Luke and Sybilla gets real and personal with this emergency services duo. We talk home life and the dynamics of a couple working in this field. Both also tell the story of some significant moments in their career that have stuck in their memory as both challenging and rewarding.

This episode of the Changing Lives podcast is Part one of our two part interview with married couple and emergency services power duo, Luke & Sybilla Ingwersen.

For 24 years now, Luke has served as a professional lifeguard for the city of Gold Coast, and Sybilla a Fire Fighter of 6 years. Luke found his home on the sunny beaches of Gold Coast after lifeguarding in the USA, UK & Japan. The satisfaction he gained from doing a job he loved inspired Sybilla to pursue a career as a Firey with the Queensland Fire Emergency Service. 

"She was working in the bank, and she saw, every day, how I loved getting out and going to work and doing my job. And she loved aspects of the bank, but then dealing with money and customers, sometimes, would be a strain and, What can you do that you're going to love as much as I do?" Luke says.

They both share a love for their respective jobs, as well as a self-confessed obsession with all things fitness, swimming, the ocean and water sports in general. In fact, they are both record breakers in the pool, and Sybilla was part of the 2000 Australian Olympic swim team. Being at their physical and mental peak is not just about winning records, but more importantly about being their best to fulfil their role when lives are on the line. 

"You just don't want to let anyone down. It's really important to us to not let anyone down. We've signed up for this role to serve the community, and we want to make sure that we're in our best way to be able to do our job. So it's sleeping, it's exercising, it's good health," says Sybilla.

In this really fun and inspiring interview we go into the physical, mental and the often-underrated soft skills required to serve as a professional emergency responder. Their journey as individuals and their experience as a couple provides a unique perspective on the passion and dedication it takes to work in emergency care.

In episode two of the Changing Lives Podcast we talk with Nathan Seidel, a Diploma graduate currently working as a Mining ESO in a remote Western Australian mine site.

Our discussion covers what the ESO role is, the rewards and challenges of the role including working FIFO and some of the key distinctions compared with other pre-hospital emergency careers. Nathan also shares his personal journey into the role and why he studied the Diploma of Paramedical Science to upskill and broaden his knowledge.

Finally, we also discuss the unique student placement program available to Australian Paramedical College students which Nathan personally oversees at Billabong Gold Mine.

In our first episode, we outline our plans and purpose for the Changing Lives Podcast and why we're very excited to tell the stories of passionate people making a difference in the field emergency health care. We also go into the backstories of our hosts, Tim Buxton and Ben Cleaver and their experience in emergency health and humanitarian work, from New York to Iraq, from the front lines of war to the pursuit of making the teaching of lifesaving skills relevant and fun.

In this episode of the Changing Lives Podcast we talk to Ken Cosgrove, a former accountant and current urban search and rescue volunteer. Now in his 60’s, Ken recently completed a Diploma of Paramedical Science to extend his years of service with the international rescue team “Gift of the Givers” who respond to some of the world’s most horrific disasters in significantly under-resourced areas.