Head Game

"The one thing you have absolutely no control over is when you're gonna get rescued. What you have 100% of control over is 'are you going to be alive when you get rescued?'".

This mindset kept Captain Brian Udell afloat for four gruelling hours in the middle of the Atlantic, after surviving one of the fastest known ejections in history. 

Injured and afraid, Brian knew he had to harness his mind to stay alive and get back home to his wife. She was at home, four months pregnant with their first child. He refused to let her get that knock at the door, and shares with Ant how he made sure to prevent that from happening. 

LINKS

• Find out more about Captain Brian Udell's public speaking at aviationspeakers.com/brian-udell 
• 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: Anna Henvest 
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

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.

In this episode, Ant looks back on three powerful conversations with three very talented surfers. Each have had their own challenges and triumphs, and reflected on these in their previous Head Game interviews. 

Today, you'll hear from Owen Wright, Layne Beachley and Blakey Johnston on the power of the waves, and how the ocean got them through. 

LINKS

• Listen to Owen Wright's interview in full here
• Listen to Layne Beachley's interview in full here
• Listen to Blakey Johnston's interview in full 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: Anna Henvest 
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

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.

ANZAC Day 2006 was a day that changed the course of Todd Russell's life forever. Working a kilometre underground in Tasmania's Beaconsfield mine, Todd and workmate Brant Webb became trapped following a seismic event.

In one of the most extraordinary survival feats of all time, Todd and Brant remained underground for 14 days - 321 hours, before finally reaching the surface on the 9th of May, 2006. 

In this powerful conversation, Todd takes us inside what went through his mind in those 321 hours, how he and Brant found the strength to fight to be reunited with their families, and the impact the disaster has had on him today.

CW: This episode contains discussions of suicide. If this episode raises any issues for you, help is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via their website lifeline.org.au.

LINKS

• Read more from Todd Russell in 'Bad Ground: Inside the Beaconsfield Mine Disaster'
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website https://www.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 Producers: Anna Henvest & Edwina Stott
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.au

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we produced this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beau Miles is a filmmaker, adventurer and serious bean-eater. In this episode, Beau takes Ant into his mindset during his epic journey across the coast of Africa.

He shares how he's intimidated by life, what success looks like to him, and how important it is to know when to call it quits. 

LINKS

• Subscribe to Beau's YouTube here
• Follow Beau on Instagram @beauisms
• 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 Producers: Anna Henvest & Edwina Stott
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

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.

Hear part one of Nigel Brennan's story here.

In this episode we hear the second half of Nigel Brennan's phenomenal story. In part one, Nigel shared the events leading up to his capture, the moment he was abducted and the call that turned his family's world upside down.

In part two, Nigel shares how he escaped, his family's response and he reflects on how he feels about the ordeal now. 

LINKS

• Find out more about Nigel's book, The Price of Life here
• Follow Nigel on Instagram @nigelbrennan
• 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 Producers: Anna Henvest & Edwina Stott
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

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.

Nigel Brennan has one phenomenal story. He was working as a Photojournalist when an opportunity came up to visit Somalia to cover the humanitarian crisis. It was supposed to be a seven day visit. But instead, he and colleague Amanda Lindhout spent 15 hellish months in captivity. 

He bravely opens up to Ant about how this nightmare unfolded, and how he survived to tell the tale today. 

CW: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault. If you think you need immediate assistance, call 000. If you would like to speak to someone about your situation, you may wish to contact one of the following services. 

• Lifeline – Call 13 11 14, or visit www.lifeline.org.au.
• 1800RESPECT – Call 1800 737 732, or visit www.1800respect.org.au.

LINKS

• Find out more about Nigel's book, The Price of Life here
• Follow Nigel on Instagram @nigelbrennan
• 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 Producers: Anna Henvest & Edwina Stott
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

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.

For Mahmood Fazal, life in 2024 is great. He feels good every morning when he wakes up - not having to look over his shoulder or feel nervous when he's in a public space.

But things haven't always been this way for Mahmood - as the Walkley Award-winning Journalist shares in this eye-opening conversation with Ant.

Mahmood discloses his raw and unfiltered perspective on his experience with crime and violence in Australia - and how he's using that lived experience to create change. 

LINKS

• Follow Mahmood Fazal on Instagram @mahmoodfazal
• 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 Producers: Anna Henvest & Edwina Stott
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

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.

If there's one thing Nedd Brockmann wants to you do today, it's keep showing up. At just 25 years old, Nedd has achieved an extroadinary amount. His most well-known feat was in 2022 when he ran across Australia - from Perth to Bondi - in just 46 days. 

He joins Ant in-studio to reflect on the lessons from those long and torturous days. He shares how he harnessed his mindset to push through pain barriers, and makes the choice to be positive every single day - even in the toughest of times. 

LINKS

• To sign up for Nedd's Uncomfortable Challenge, head to neddsuncomfortablechallenge.com
• Follow Nedd Brockmann on Instagram @neddbrockmann
• 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 Producers: Anna Henvest & Edwina Stott
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

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.

Kelsey Waghorn's life changed forever when she, along with so many others, was caught up in the horrific Whakaari White Island eruption off the east coast of New Zealand in 2019. Kelsey, just 25 at the time, was working as a tour guide. On what should have been a regular, routine day, instead she ended up in an induced coma and sustained full thickness burns to 45% of her body. 

She speaks to Ant about the toll this had on her physical and mental health, her journey with PTSD and the loss of a very close friend. 

CW: This episode contains discussions of PTSD. If this episode raises any issues for you, help is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via their website lifeline.org.au.

LINKS

• Follow Kelsey Waghorn on Instagram @kezzelsify
• 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 Producers: Anna Henvest & Edwina Stott
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

December 10th 2015 was a day that changed everything for champion surfer, Owen Wright. He fought for his life and faced extensive brain trauma, following a severe wipeout at Pipeline in Hawaii. The journey back to the ocean, was a difficult one.

In this inspiring conversation, Owen reflects on that fateful day, and shares the mindset tools that helped aid his recovery. He's one of the country's best surfers - and through resilience and determination, made one incredible comeback.  

LINKS

• Learn more about Owen's memoir Against The Water here
• Follow Owen on Instagram @owright
• 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 Producers: Anna Henvest & Edwina Stott
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.