Couching The Mind

In this episode, I return to the mic and open up about restarting Couching the Mind and receiving a recent ADHD diagnosis.

I reflect on what it’s been like to finally make sense of years of racing thoughts, overwhelm, anxiety, and self-doubt — and how gaining clarity around how my mind works has changed the way I approach my mental health and creativity.

I also talk honestly about recognising why I previously struggled to push the podcast further, and how understanding my ADHD has helped me make sense of those challenges — not as failures, but as signals that something needed to be done differently.

Alongside this, I share my intentions for the podcast moving forward — the direction I want it to take, the conversations I want to create, and how I plan to show up more consistently and with greater clarity.

This is a grounded, real conversation about ADHD, burnout, and learning to work with your mind instead of constantly fighting it. No fluff. No pretending to have it all together. Just real talk.

🔗 Connect with Couching the Mind

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/couching.the.mind

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@couchingthemind9543

🛠️ All social media accounts are currently being revamped, and the website is also in the process of being rebuilt.

📩 Want to get involved?

If you have ideas for the podcast, know someone (or an organisation) who would be a great fit, or you’re interested in being part of an episode yourself, feel free to reach out:

📧 [email protected]

Speaking up isn’t a weakness — it’s where real strength begins 💬

2026 is the year of consistency for Couching the Mind. Big things are coming 🚀

It's been a while.... But finally i'm back... My absence will be explained....

Do you ever sit down and ask yourself these questions:

- Why do I have anxiety?

- Why do I choose to hide my anxiety?

- Why don't I want too talk about my anxiety?

- Why can't I put my mind at rest?

- Why do I find it difficult too drift off too sleep?

These are all common questions, that at some point of our lives 99.9% of people will encounter. All these questions + more, is what makes up this episode.

One of the big reasons as too why I stopped podcasting for such a long period, was due too my own personal struggle with anxiety. Throughout this episode, I will unravel my own most recent journey with anxiety. Because if there's one thing i've learnt, normalising struggle, and extracting the negative and toxic thoughts from the mind, is the most powerful tool in better not only yourself, but also helping those around you, that may be struggling as well...

How to get into contact with Couching The Mind (me):

Email - [email protected] Instagram

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/couching.the.mind/?hl=en

Website - https://www.couchingthemind.com/

It's been a while since I last uploaded a podcast episode. Life got busy. My mental health wasn't in the greatest of places... But i'm back!! And i'm bringing with me some consistently. There's plenty too look forward do, I can assure you;).

- Have you ever created a 'happy space' for yourself?

- Do you lack in confidence with it comes too flirting / meeting new people for the first time?

- How do you overcome an anxiety attack?

- Finding your perfect person? Where do you start?

- Do you stop doing something due too addictive nature?

- Finding comfort within, when hurdles are 'thrown' at us...

These questions... and MORE, were discussed in detail, in this episode of 'Couching The Mind'...

Moto of the Podcast (if your a new listener) = —> Clearing the mind one couch talk at a time <— PODCAST UPDATE: This is the new and improved ‘Couching The Mind’. Where majority of episodes going forward, will be conducted in a group like environment. I personally find that by interviewing 2-3 people at once, it creates a certain level of comfortability for interviewees to be able to say exactly how they feel upon certain topics. Plus interviewees can argue back and forward on certain things, which I feel as if it’s a really important perk to have. And one other thing, laughter, laughter, laughter! They’ll be plenty of this as well!

Main message from the episode: As important as it is too look out for your mates, family, your partner. Don't forget self-care. Putting love back into 'you'. Because without this, you'll only get burnt out, and things may noticeably start to bog you down. We don't need that !:)

How to get into contact with Couching The Mind (me):

Email - [email protected] Instagram

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/couching.the.mind/?hl=en

Website - https://www.couchingthemind.com/

Sit back, relax, maybe even jump on a couch… and enjoy this weeks episode!

- Would you believe me if i told you that back in 2019, a banana ducted tape to a wall (what they call a 'piece of art') had been sold for $120,000 at Art Basel (Miami Beach)?

- Does the explicit language in RNB and Rap music, have a negative effect on people / does it ultimately shape people?

- Is the Magic Mike movie franchise, a toxic representation of how a 'true man' should look physically?

- Does the 2023 world, bring forth a sense of repression?

- Are we doing enough for 'mental health', in 2023. Is there an apparent positive progressional change?

These questions... and MORE, were discussed in detail, in this episode of 'Couching The Mind'...

A quick ‘Get to know me’:

Who is Jeff?

> Jeff is my father

> He trains people to operate on the phones, through specific needed services

> Loves to Kayak

> Isn't afraid to speak about his own mental health / mental health as a whole

> Loves his heavy metal music... i.e. Iron Maiden, Metallic, Amon Amarth

> Big family man

> Massive fan of a working life balance

> A very passionate Port Adelaide (AFL) supporter

> Isn't afraid to speak his mind, when needed

In this episode of CTM, a close friend of mine, Jignesh Tanwar, joins me in conversation revolving around the topic of 'What's your opinion?. 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙 

----> THIS IS PART 1 OF THE PODCAST EPISODE <----

Topics / Questions that Jigs and I went over throughout the interview 🎧🎤: 

- Has social media ruined modern day dating?

- The art of respecting other people's opinions

- Does money create happiness?

- Do you wish you could change the past / make amends? 

- We're all continually growing, and continually learning 

- Does attraction (to another person) change as you get older?

- Are concerts / festivals a waste of money? Why not just listen to spotify?

- You become a mirror image of your surrounding environment --> You have the power to create change...

- Overcoming a mentally difficult hurdle --> Having presumptions of doubt...

- Creating your own form of 'stress'. It's unnecessary!

- Playing the 'mental health card'... Versus those that desperately need a helping hand 

- Should schools be doing more in reference with mental health?

In this episode of CTM, Former member of the NSW police force / and also well known in the Australian bodybuilding / powerlifting scene, Sonia Williams, joins me in conversation revolving around the topic of  ‘I Refuse To Stop’. 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙

WARNING -> VIEWER DISCRETION… EXPLICIT LANGUAGE IS USED THROUGHOUT THE EPISODE...

Topics that Sonia and I went over throughout the interview 🎧🎤:

- Working in the NSW police force

Overall message of the episode --> Enjoy every day / moment like it’s your last. As we have no control over what the future may hold for us. And learn to be happy and content with the person that you are. You are unique (positively), and that simply cannot be replicated.

How to get into contact with Jesse:

Instagram:

> https://www.instagram.com/sonia_williams_2022/?hl=en

Facebook:

> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100038206472457

Topics that I went over throughout the episode 🎧🎤:

- Are we entitled to have an opinion? 🗣

- Think for yourself 🤔

- The smallest of things, can positively alter your mindset (i.e. making your bed) 🛏 💡

- Waking up with a smile on your face 😃

- Don't become reliant on your partner / pushing family and friends away 👥

Overall message of the episode --> Sometimes, as much as we want to voice our opinions, it can do more harm than good. Having the ability to 'bite the lip', and hold back from expressing (at times), is an incredibly powerful tool.  

How to get into contact with 'Couching The Mind':

Instagram:

- https://www.instagram.com/couching.the.mind/?hl=en

Facebook:

- https://www.facebook.com/CouchingTheMind/

Youtube:

- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGCQSxKLYtK0q04G0J2fj9A/videos

Email:

- [email protected]

Website:

- https://www.couchingthemind.com/

In this episode of CTM, moto Journalist / volunteer speaker for Black Dog Institute, Zak Adkins, joins me in conversation revolving around the topic of  ‘Foot On The Breaks’. 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙

Topics that Zak and I went over throughout the interview 🎧🎤:

- Being diagnosed with Bipolar

- Moving away from family + friends 

- Being put in a Psychiatric Ward

- Taking 6 months off work for mental health purposes

- It ain't weak to speak

- Writing a memoir - 'A Ballad for a Bruised Brain'

- Becoming a moto journalists --> inspirations etc...

- Zak's car - 'The Orange Machine' ---> Rhonda.... How his car aided with his mental health

- Having 'me time'

- Volunteering as a speaker for the 'Black Dog Institute'

- Bringing mental health talks into the school system

Overall message of the episode --> Talking about your own moments of struggle, isn't a sign of 'weakness'. It takes a huge amount of courage and bravery to be self-accepting of your own personal hurdles. And overall, it helps with your own personal healing process....

How to get into contact with Jesse:

Instagram:

> https://instagram.com/zadkins1?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Facebook:

How to get into contact with the Black Dog Institute:

Website:

> Black Dog Institute | Science. Compassion. Action.

Instagram:

> https://instagram.com/blackdoginst?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Twitter:

> (1) Black Dog Institute (@blackdoginst) / Twitter

Facebook:

> Black Dog Institute - Home | Facebook

What is the Black Dog Institute???

"As the only medical research institute in Australia to investigate mental health across the lifespan, our aim is to create a mentally healthier world for everyone.

We do this through ‘translational’ research. Integrating our research studies, education programs, digital tools and apps, clinical services, and public resources to discover new solutions, foster connections and create real-world change.

Our partnerships with people with lived experience, federal, state and local governments, communities, schools, corporate Australia and others in the mental health sector enables us to drive evidence-informed change in mental health where it’s needed most." - Black Dog Institute Website