This week, we're taking a look back at the people who put their lives on the line each day to keep us safe. Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hawkins is known around the world thanks to the hit TV series Bondi Rescue, but what has kept him on the beach for more than 30 years? Plus fifth generation serviceman Heston Russell opens up about the military operation that has left a permanent mental scar. And former cop Danni Brooke on what it takes to go undercover and take down dangerous criminals.

LINKS

• Listen to the full interview with Heston Russell here
• Listen to the full interview with Dannii Brooke here
• Listen to the full interview with Hoppo here
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS

Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden 
Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're taking a look back at the stars who live their life in the spotlight, but were vulnerable enough to give us a peek behind the curtain at the challenges who have made them who they are. Aussie music icon Pete Murray, NRL legend turned podcaster Matty Johns, and rapper 360 all opened up about the grit and pain behind their success, and how they dug deep to keep going.

LINKS

• Listen to the full interview with Pete Murray here
• Listen to the full interview with Matty Johns here
• Listen to the full interview with 360 here
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS

Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden 
Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The challenges in Paul Hockey's life started just weeks after he was born. His mother discovered a lump on his arm, which turned out to be cancer. The only option was to amputate little Paul's arm at the shoulder to save his life. Never one to play the victim, Paul would ditch his prosthetic arm at school, took up martial arts and even rode a motorcycle. But his biggest challenge came when he decided to climb Mount Everest. And in 2005, he became the first person with a disability to climb Mount Everest from the north side. 

In this episode, Paul opens up about growing up being different, how he challenged societal norms with one arm, and what fuelled his passion to climb one of the most notorious summits.

LINKS

• More on Paul here
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS

Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden 
Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicholas Gibbons was still a teenager when was deployed to Afghanistan as a Royal Marine. One night while on patrol, an IED blast claimed the lower half of his right leg. After enduring five operations to repair the remainder of his limb and rehabilitation, Nick was fitted with a prosthetic leg and put his uniform back on, returning to training just three months later. He was deployed as an amputee to a non-combat zone, even competing in the Warrior Games. But after he was eventually medically discharged from the military, Nick lost drive and direction, finding himself in prison.

In this conversation, Nick details the warning signs he ignored that led him to spiral after leaving the Marines, how he has now turned his life around, and the process of finding a renewed purpose in life.

LINKS

• More on the 'Once, We Were Warriors' documentary
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michelle Lee was living an ordinary 9-5 life, with a stable corporate job in the banking sector. But looking for more out of life, she took to the water. Inspired by the book 'Rowing the Atlantic‘ by Roz Savage, she started an intensive training regiment. Her determination say her eventually become the first Australian female to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean, then the first woman in the world to row the Pacific Ocean solo and unassisted.

In this episode, Michelle opens up to Ant about her mindset shift to take on her many adventures, what it takes to spend months on end alone on the open water, and what's next for her.

LINKS

• Follow Michelle on Instagram
• Visit Michelle's website
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke Richmond has lived many lives: outback kid, infantry soldier, addict, inmate, endurance adventurer, author, and world-record holder. In this episode, Luke unpacks the moments that shaped his life, from growing up in remote Australia enduing relentless bullying, to joining the army at 17, and spiralling into an addiction that left him locked up in a foreign jail. And how hitting rock bottom became his turning point.

Luke shares with Ant how the brutal discipline of Muay Thai training helped helped him rebuild his identity and fuel a passion for extreme adventure. From climbing the some of the highest peaks in violent snowstorms to record-breaking ocean crossings, Luke reveals what endurance has taught him about fear, failure, and staying alive. Luke also explains the philosophy behind his book Five Years to Live, and why adventure isn’t about ego, it's about staying human.

LINKS

• Follow Luke on Instagram
• Grab Luke's books including 'Five Years To Live' here
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I've spoken to some really inspiring people over the last year, many of which have used exercise and fitness as a means to get their head back in the game. Firstly, fellow Brit Jack Pitcher decided running across Australia was the perfect project to focus his energy on when his mind wasn't quite right. Then, congenital amputee Louise Hawkins on how CrossFit inspired her to stop hiding her disability. And finally, Australian model and influencer James Parr on returning to the gym just weeks after losing his leg.

SUPPORT

• For immediate support in a crisis, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14
• More resources are available from Beyond Blue

LINKS

• Listen to the full interview with Jack Pitcher here
• Listen to the full interview with Louise Hawkins here
• Listen to the full interview with James Parr here
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS

Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden 
Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the last year I've had conversations with some amazing survivors, who not only survived, but are thriving against all odds. First, Suzanne Heywood details how a dream sailing trip as a child turned into a nightmare at the hands of her narrowly-focussed father. Then, Matthew Lewis on how he was forced to take control when the fishing vessel he was working on sank in the Antarctic Ocean. And finally journalist and author Jamila Rizvi on the brain tumour diagnosis that forever changed her life.

LINKS

• Listen to the full interview with Suzanne Heywood here
• Listen to the full interview with Matthew Lewis here
• Listen to the full interview with Jamila Rizvi here
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS

Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden 
Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the year drawing to a close, I look back at some of the most impactful conversations I've had over the last year. This episode features some of Australia's sporting greats: former Brisbane Lions captain Jonathan Brown on getting his head right early in his AFL career; then Olympian Elle Armit on the heartbreak of being dropped from representing Australia, and how she built herself back up; and finally - how a $2 raffle ticket changed the course of Mark 'Frosty' Winterbottom's life.

LINKS

• Listen to the full interview with Jonathan Brown here
• Listen to the full interview with Elle Armit here
• Listen to the full interview with Mark Winterbottom here
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS

Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden 
Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the year drawing to a close, I look back at some of the most impactful conversations I've had over the last year. In this episode, inaugural Masterchef winner Julie Goodwin's raw and candid conversation about her mental health; plus 7NEWS journalist Mike Amor recounts being on the ground as the September 11 attacks unfolded in 2001; and journalist Cheng Lei opens up about her experience in a Chinese prison after being accused of espionage. 

SUPPORT

• For immediate support in a crisis, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14
• More resources are available from Beyond Blue

LINKS

• Listen to the full interview with Julie Goodwin here
• Listen to the full interview with Mike Amor here
• Listen to the full interview with Cheng Lei here
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS

Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden 
Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.