Chew The Fat

On this weeks episode I sit down with Josh Barressi ; a 24 year old who has seen and done it all. After being picked up by the AIS at a young age, Josh rose through the ranks as a talented junior soccer player before finding his way onto an A-League list at just 18 years old. We talk about the highs of his career and cleared up a little rumour about his obsession with scoring goals as himself on FIFA.

The chat focusses on Josh's mental health journey which started creeping its way into his life from a young age and seemed to mirror his career as a horror run of injures began to take its toll. Josh bravely talks about the pressure of being in the game at such a young age and how severely the weight of those pressures can impact ones mental wellbeing. A huge thank you for Josh for coming on the show and I hope you get as much out of this as I did.

On this week episode I sit down and chat with Luke Robertson, a man who loves drinking beer so much he turned it into a career. Luke has done everything in the beer industry, from winning the Australian International Beer Awards Media Trophy in 2015, to publishing his book 'Keg Bottle Can - Best Beers for Every Occasion' and everything in-between. We chat about where the love for beer came from, the industry in general and of course his his favourite brews.

Luke's unique mental health journey is of course the focus of the episode this week. From the 28 minute mark and onwards, we explore Luke's ongoing battles with anxiety & depression including his triggers and subsequent coping mechanisms. Luke is also brave enough to document his feelings of rockbottom which have seem him battle some very dark days.

The chat also links back to his love for beer as Luke is now involved heavily with the planning and promotion of events within the industry itself that aims to change the culture surrounding beer-lovers across the country.

I hope you get something out of this chat and encourage everyone to go chew the fat with a family member or friend, you never know, it could save a life.

Music by BenSound

On this week episode I sit down and chat with Luke Robertson, a man who loves drinking beer so much he turned it into a career. Luke has done everything in the beer industry, from winning the Australian International Beer Awards Media Trophy in 2015, to publishing his book 'Keg Bottle Can - Best Beers for Every Occasion' and everything in-between. We chat about where the love for beer came from, the industry in general and of course his his favourite brews.

Luke's unique mental health journey is of course the focus of the episode this week. From the 28 minute mark and onwards, we explore Luke's ongoing battles with anxiety & depression including his triggers and subsequent coping mechanisms. Luke is also brave enough to document his feelings of rockbottom which have seem him battle some very dark days.

The chat also links back to his love for beer as Luke is now involved heavily with the planning and promotion of events within the industry itself that aims to change the culture surrounding beer-lovers across the country.

I hope you get something out of this chat and encourage everyone to go chew the fat with a family member or friend, you never know, it could save a life.

Music by BenSound

On this episode, I sit down with Jeff Riseley, a 3 time Olympian and National Record Holder for Australia.

Jeff and I chat about his upbringing and early development in the sport which led to multiple national championships and international representation. We discuss a little bit of his training and which races / personal bests he reflects on most fondly.

The focus of the chat however kicks off at the 30:00 minute point. From here, Jeff and I discuss at length his struggles with mental health which resulted in severe anxiety and depression, a reliance on sleeping medication and a major spiral in quality of life. Jeff discusses the coping mechanisms and strategies he has developed and the trip to Africa which he credits to changing his life. A massive thank you once again to Jeff for being so open and vulnerable in this chat.

Please remember as always to have a conversation with a mate, family friend or colleague. You never know who you can help just by having a simple chat!

Music supplied by Ben Sound @ www.bensound.com

A quick bonus episode this week to celebrate the launch of Movember!

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to sit down and Chew The Fat with Brendan Maher, The Global Director of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention at Movember Foundation. This episode focusses on the work that the Movember foundation does in furthering not only the awareness of mental health among men but also in creating an enviroment where men are able to speak freely about their struggles & emotions.

To learn more about the Movember foundation or to get involved with a donation, please follow the link below!

https://au.movember.com/

Thanks for listening!

Music supplied by Ben Sound @ www.bensound.com

A quick bonus episode this week to celebrate the launch of Movember!

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to sit down and Chew The Fat with Brendan Maher, The Global Director of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention at Movember Foundation. This episode focusses on the work that the Movember foundation does in furthering not only the awareness of mental health among men but also in creating an enviroment where men are able to speak freely about their struggles & emotions.

To learn more about the Movember foundation or to get involved with a donation, please follow the link below!

https://au.movember.com/

Thanks for listening!

Music supplied by Ben Sound @ www.bensound.com

On this episode of Chew The Fat, I sit down with Joe Pignataro; a media guru, local footy legend and all round good guy. We chat about a range of topics, Joe's dreams of an AFL career, his pride and passion for his old College stomping ground as well as his profession in sports media which has created an incredible bond between himself and AFL legend Kevin Bartlett.

The focus of the chat however is on Joe's ongoing mental health journey that came about after the fatal drive-by shooting of his best mate Chris Lane in 2013. Joe talks opens up about his feelings, emotions and vulnerabilities in what I consider to be an incredible display of bravery.

Like all guests that come on this show, i'm incredibly thankful that Joe was willing to share his story and I hope that his openness about his battles with Depression & Anxiety allow someone listening at home to find the courage to speak up about their own issues

Music supplied by Ben Sound @ www.bensound.com

This weeks episode features one of my oldest friends Olivia Tyler. We chat through a range of topics including her controversial decision to change her AFL allegiance at the age of 15, her weekend antics and career goals.

The focus of the episode however is on Olivia's very unique perspective on mental health - in particular suicide & suicide prevention. Olivia talks in depth about her late brother Blair & the impact that his death had on not just her but her family & friends. I was extremely honoured to have had Olivia on the show and hope that as listeners you take something away from todays episode.

I encourage everyone listening to this episode to reach out and start a conversation with a mate they haven't heard from in a while. If you do need help and feel like you can't talk to your friends or family, please contact lifeline at 13 11 14.

Music supplied by Ben Sound @ www.bensound.com

On this episode I sit down with Lin Jong from the Western Bulldogs. Throughout this episode we discuss Lin's unique introduction to AFL footy, his adjustment from regular school-kid to professional footballer and most notably the 2016 premiership year. Lin also touches on his work with both the AFL multi-cultural program & the East Timor Hearts Fund & how listeners at home can help contribute to the efforts of both campaigns.

From there we focus on Lin's mental health journey. Covering topics from his decision to take time away from the game earlier this year, his diagnosis and his road to recovery. Lin is extremely brave and upfront about his struggles and I hope the listeners gain as much out of this episode as I did