Couching The Mind

In this episode of CTM, I covered the main topic of 'Key Pointers'.

Other topics that I went over, throughout this episode:

- Setting small goals, to eventually reach that bigger goal 🗒💹

- Self-independence 🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️

- Learn to be happy being by yourself 👉🧒

- Accepting change 💡

- Life really isn't that bad 🌅

- Perspective 🧐

- Asking for help 🗣👥

- You can't pre-plan your 'life journey' 👣

 📜 Overall message of the episode 🎬 --> Take one day at a time. Don't look too far ahead into the future. If life presents us with two doors, and we decide to go through the left. In two years time, we may decide to venture through right door, to see what other opportunities may arise. It's all about trail and error.

In this episode of CTM, former Australian winter olympics ski aerialist, Brittany George, joins me in conversation, revolving around the topic of 'All Or Nothing'. 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙

WARNING - THIS EPISODE DOES DIRECTLY REFERENCE SUICIDE.... IF YOU, OR SOMEONE YOU MAY KNOW MIGHT BE STRUGGLING, DON'T BE AFRAID IN GIVING 'LIFELINE' A CALL... 

 Lifeline phone number - 13-11-14

Topics that Brittany and I went over, throughout the interview:

- Finding your 'identity' 😶👈

- Acknowledging your 'struggle' 🗣👥

- Seeking help ⚠🙋‍♀️🙋 

- Commonality of women holding car keys when walking somewhere alone  😓🚫

- Learning how to respect a man / women 👩🏽👨🏻‍🦰

- Suicide... What brings you to that place 🧠👀

- Following societal trends 💹⏱

- Finding your true friends (that'll be there for you when the going gets 'tough') 🙏🏼😇

📜 Overall message of the episode 🎬 --> Learn to be patient with yourself. Life's all about trying things out, catering for mistakes, and being the best version of yourself. If you can manage to follow this process, you will, at some stage, get to know yourself, in understanding your true 'identity'.

📱How to get into contact with Brittany💻:

Instagram - be_you_tiful_meditations 

Facebook - be_you_tiful_meditations

🎙🗣In this episode of CTM, 26 year old personal trainer, business enthusiast and host of the 'I Am Me Podcast', joins me in conversation over the topic of 'External and Internal Strength'. Jaxton talks about his interest in fitness, and how it was always apart if his life at a very young age, due to his family upbringing. He also mentions what got him into taking steroids in the past, and the negative side effects that this enhancing drug can create.🧠💊

🌏Jaxton has been on his own life journey of self-growth and self-discovery, which has ultimately changed his perspective on himself and what he values to be important. A massive factor for Jaxton is that you only need a small group of mates, versus being social friends with 'thousands of people'. Your true mates, from this small tight nit group, are the sort of people that will he there for you when the going gets tough. When you need a shoulder to lean on. 👥🗣

Jaxton also talks about supplements, and how he believes that 99.9% are bullshit. You could well and truly have more of the nutritious meals, to gain a better, if not much healthier effect. Rather then indulging in the supplements themselves. The overall message of this interview is to learn to value yourself highly, and to love the person that you've become. Rather then trying to be someone that your not.🙆‍♂️👈

In this episode of CTM, former police officer, and creator of the 'Beenham Valley Road' podcast + 'Tear it Down' mental health series, joins me in conversation around the topic of 'Removing The Badge'. Jamie talks about his past life as a police officer. And how it took him an extension period of time to speak up and talk about his inner struggles. One specific situation was mentioned by Jamie, when he was in the police force. He was called out on a domestic violence job, to check up on a women called Kirra Mcloughlin. Unfortunately, months after the 'check up', things didn't end so well. Listen in to find out more..... He then talks about when he decided to remove the badge, and start a new chapter in his life. To which he then started up his crime podcast series 'Beenham Valley Road, which was about the kirra Mcloughlin scenario, and Jamie's push to find further evidence upon the case. Furthermore, a mental health podcast series, 'Tear It Down' was also developed, not long after. With Jamie's aim being, to 'tear' down the stigma of mental health. To speak up and express your struggles if your needing to. The overall message of this episode is that if your needing to see a health professional, or you just need to speak to a loved one or a close friend about your personal struggles. There is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong in doing that.

In this episode of CTM, Scott Martin joins me in conversation, via Zoom Chat, as we delve into the topic of 'Role With The Punches'. Scott talks about what it was like when the news first broke to him that he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Whilst explaining the aftermath of the negative emotions and feelings that came with the news. Scott also talks about certain mechanisms that had helped to elevaiate his exacerbated depression and anxiety. This was only a minisucal roadblock for Scotty. He also pays mentions to when he was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. And how again, his depression and anxiety was brought to the forefront. Scott used to also work in the airline industry. He talks about the impact that covid had had on the industry, and his reasoning as to why he personally thinks that international travel will never be the same again. The overall message of this episode is to learn to role with the punches. Acknowledge the hardship, vent about it. But at some stage you've got to put it behind you, and you have to learn to move on with life.

In this episode of CTM, former Australian long distance swimmer, Tammy Van Wisse, joins me in conversation via Zoom Chat. Tammy talks about how her interest in long distance swimming came about. And what it was like to work with someone like (swimming legend) Dawn Fraser, and Tammys' big night on the whisky with Dawn in Scotland. Plus how Tammy had managed to stay 'in the zone', when swimming long distances, and her incredible understanding of how to cope with hyperthermia, was also mentioned. She infact knew when she was about to go into that 'hyperthermic state', and how to control it. Tammy also discusses how she would break down a long distance swim into small bite size goals. So that way she wouldn't become overwhelmed of the situation, and would then allow herself time to rest when achieving these certain goals along the way. It also gave Tammy a sense of 'mini accomplishment' by achieving these bite sized goals. Over the course of Tammy's career, she's made 6 world records of her own, one of which I personally find to be the standout. Swimming across the English Channel, a distance of 2,500kms, with her brother successfully. To be the first siblings ever to have made it to the 'finish' line, so-to-speak, of the English Channel Swim. Tammy is such a humbling, and infectiously inspiring individual, for what's she's been able to achieve thus far. There is honestly so much to learn from such an amazing person, in Tammy. The overall message of this episode, is that if you put 100% effort into the small incremental steps. That end goal of what your trying to ultimately achieve, will be within arms reach.

In this episode of CTM, Aussie DJ / founder of BAO Collective clothing, Bowdy, joins me in conversation covering the topic of 'When The Music Stops'. Bowdy talks about his upbringing. Living in a very poor and dangerously gang induced area of New Zealand. It was so bad at times, that at aged eight, Bowdy would walk around the neighbourhood with a knife in his pocket (for protection). He then delves into his father's unhealthy addiction for alcohol, violence, and his closed of nature to not wanna he there for his family. Bowdy hit a breaking point within the interview, when he mentions about the fact that as a young boy, he felt like he never fitted in with his family. He broke down in tears. I'm so proud of the man. Very difficult, and a very touchy topic to talk about. How Bowdy got into the DJ scene , upon stumbling across an ad, was also spoken about. He also talks about the 'after party' effect, when the DJ set is done, and all is quiet (again), and your suddenly swimming in your own thoughts. Supposedly this instance has alot of DJ'S struggling. Using music , and the live-light as a band-aid to cover the internal 'mental wounds'. Mr inspirational, as I like to call him, is also trying to change the way that his culture, Samoan's, choose to react in certain situations. More offen then not, physicality and verbility is the chosen reaction by his background. He wants to change this stigma, and help teach his friends, family, and younger peers, how to respond calmfully, and non-pasively. The overall message of this episode is to speak up if your struggling. We've all been through some tough times. But it's about acknowledging the tough times, and or anything else that may be weighing us down.

In this episode of CTM, Sam Miliano, a good mate of mine, joins me in conversation, discussing the topic 'Be Happy In Your Own Skin'. Sam talks about his own body weight issues. Whilst also defining what he deems 'fat skinny' to be. Sam (overtime) has inherited the idea of not giving a crap of what others may think of him. The idea of allowing yourself to showcase your inner vulnerability. Sam also talks about how he came to the decision of moving from Country Victoria to Brisbane. As he describes it as a journey of 'seeking discomfort'. Setting attainable short-term goals is also discussed, whilst reaching that point of self acceptance when achieving a certain 'goal'. Sam's next big 'goal' is to be able to go for a long distance run with his shirt off. Not for an ego boost, but as a confidence builder. The main message that is to come out of this episode, is to not be afraid to be you.

What a way to start season three of Couching The Mind. With a convincingly big 'bang'. In this episode, Lachie Stuart, founder of 'The Man That Can Project', joins me in conversation via Zoom Chat. Lachie details the purpose of the project, with the mission being to 'to empower men to take ownership of their lives, without the bulls**t'. Whilst highlighting the importance of finding relatability with other guys, with regards to something that you may be struggling with personally. The more relatability there is, the more of a chance that the introverted type guys, will openly speak about there own struggles. Because as men, we love, absolutely love to make excuses, and to shrug away from onus. Another key pointer that Lachie Stuart made, is to be able to identifity when your having a 'bad' day. An example of this instance that was used, was when in the current Tokyo Olympics, Australian cyclist Richie Porte burnt out in the latter stages of the 44km ride. He was asked after his race what caused him to burn out. And to his response he just said that he didn't turn up on the day. And it can be as easy at that. The positives from goal setting, financial self-setting, are also mentioned. If your wanting to attain further self-growth, have a look at the people that you surround yourself around, states Lachie. More offen then not, you tend to mirror-image the actions of your closest mates. The overall message of this episode is to self redefine the once stereotypical depiction of what a man is defined to be. Be the best 'male' version of yourself. Bringing out all the right values that you deem to be of importance. Removing that tough and emotionless stereotype of the 'modern man'.