In this episode of I’m In Control, I’m joined by Adelaide-based powerhouse guests Nick and Janaya Kennett. We dive into how Janaya transitioned from marketing into finance to start her own brokerage, Pink Loans, built on transparency rather than being "money hungry". She also shares the mission behind The Janaya Store, which focuses on empowering women through luxury skincare and eco-friendly products.

Nick opens up about his streetwear brand, This Is Your Apparel, and the "Be True to You" movement. He speaks candidly about his lived experience with OCD, specifically "thought-based" compulsions, and how he uses his platform to support mental health.

Together, we discuss our shared experiences navigating the medical system - from Janaya’s Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis to my own survival story with sepsis and a brain tumour. We explore the power of choice, the importance of standing up for others, and why authenticity is the ultimate way to take back control.

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to Nick and Janaya Kennett

00:42 – Janaya’s background in finance and starting Pink Loans

02:12 – Nick’s background in PT and mental health

03:22 – The origin of This Is Your Apparel

07:32 – The Janaya Store: Glass bottles and skincare

09:08 – Empowering women through descriptive, positive choices

10:01 – Amelia on celebrating the small wins while recovering

14:53 – Creating a safe space without judgement

20:16 – Janaya’s Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis story

26:18 – Understanding OCD as a compulsion of thoughts, not just cleaning

28:42 – The pre-wedding breakup and finding the right therapist

29:34 – Amelia’s brain tumour diagnosis and medical hurdles

35:14 – Amelia’s survival story: Sepsis, cardiac arrest, and comas

54:06 – Nick takes control by winning back his fiancé

In this episode of I’m In Control, I sit down with writer, poet and intuitive guide Phoenix Rose for a raw and deeply honest conversation about addiction, prison, healing and reclaiming self-worth.

Phoenix shares her lived experience of drug addiction, domestic violence, and being sentenced to almost three years in prison. She opens up about the moment she realised she was ready for change, how prison became a place of deep reflection rather than punishment, and why rehabilitation and lived-experience support are so powerful.

We talk about smashing stigma around the prison system, forming meaningful connections behind bars, and the life-changing impact of rehabilitation programs. Phoenix also shares her journey into embodiment, ritual and self-connection, including the creation of her yoni steaming practice as a way to heal deep trauma and reconnect with herself.

This episode is a powerful reminder that healing is possible, shame can be released, and control doesn’t always come from doing more - sometimes it comes from learning to let go.

Episode timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Phoenix Rose

01:15 – Addiction, arrest and sentencing

03:30 – Life before prison and readiness for change

07:00 – Entering prison and early reflections

08:40 – Quiet moments, structure and education inside

11:45 – Friendships and rehabilitation programs

14:00 – The importance of rehab and self-responsibility

15:00 – Writing a book and returning to prisons to give back

18:00 – Embodiment, yoni steaming and healing trauma

22:00 – Self-love, spirituality and lived experience

29:00 – Fear, control and breaking cycles

31:20 – A defining moment of surrender and growth

35:40 – Where to find Phoenix and closing reflections

In this episode of I’m In Control, I sit down with clinical nutritionist, author and speaker Sammy Barnett to explore anxiety, panic disorder, nutrition and the pressure many of us put on ourselves to stay in control.

Sammy shares her lived experience of panic attacks from childhood, agoraphobia, and how those challenges led her into nutrition and mental health education. We unpack the strong connection between the gut and the brain, why stress affects how we absorb nutrients, and how an obsession with “eating right” can sometimes create more harm than good.

We also talk about orthorexia, people-pleasing, parenting children with anxiety, and why anxiety is often a message from the body rather than something to fight or eliminate. Sammy opens up about writing her book, supporting her own kids through anxiety, and learning to step out of control and into flow.

This episode is an honest and grounded conversation about food, fear and resilience, and a reminder that anxiety isn’t the enemy - it’s information.

Episode timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Sammy Barnett

03:00 – Living with panic disorder and agoraphobia

06:00 – The gut-brain connection and mental health

09:00 – Orthorexia and diet culture

12:00 – Stress, absorption and balance

15:00 – Parenting children with anxiety

18:30 – Writing a book and reframing anxiety

22:30 – People-pleasing and self-worth

26:00 – Movement, resilience and nervous system regulation

30:30 – Letting go of control and living in flow

In this episode of I’m in Control, I sit down with the inspiring Laura Grams - better known online as “Little Bags” – to talk about her whirlwind year battling triple‑negative breast cancer. Laura shares how a late‑night scratch led to the discovery of a lump, a flurry of scans and biopsies, and the shocking news that she had one of the more aggressive forms of breast cancer. She dives into the reality of six months of chemotherapy, losing her hair, undergoing a double mastectomy and reconstruction, and how a positive mindset and her cheeky sense of humour kept her going. We also talk about the role of pets in healing, the origin of her quirky nickname, and the importance of self‑advocacy when you feel something isn’t right.

Together, we reflect on our own cancer journeys, the frustration of being dismissed by doctors, the power of a supportive network and why you should always trust your gut. Laura also touches on grief after losing her mum, dealing with seizures and a skull fracture during chemo, and why she refuses to be defined by her diagnoses.

00:00 – Introduction: finding a lump, testing and being diagnosed with triple‑negative breast cancer

05:00 – Sharing our chemo stories, staying positive and using humour and music to cope

10:00 – Advocating for your health, the role of pets and building a support network

15:00 – Handling stares, the “Little Bags” nickname and life after a double mastectomy

20:00 – Seizures, mental health, grief and using dance to keep your spirits up

This episode is an honest, laughter‑filled conversation about resilience, self‑advocacy and finding joy in the toughest of times. Laura’s energy and openness remind us that even when life throws you curveballs, there’s always a way to dance through the pain and come out stronger on the other side.

In this episode of I’m in Control, I sit down with the remarkable Mish Cogley to explore her unique path as a canine and human behaviour specialist, author and “animal soul alchemist.” Mish opens up about the profound bond she formed with her soulmate dog, Diesel, and how he inspired her to study dog behaviour, work with vets on complex cases and ultimately weave together behavioural science, energetics and somatic practices. She shares how animals became her compass back to life after a period of intense loss and upheaval - including the death of Diesel, a life‑threatening reaction to a Covid vaccine, and the passing of her father and cat all within a year.

We also talk about how dogs mirror our own anxieties, why blind or anxious animals don’t need pity, and how animal wisdom can shine a light on our unconscious behaviours. She and Amelia delve into their own healing journeys, the importance of honouring every emotion, and why accepting all parts of ourselves is the ultimate act of taking control.

00:00 – Introduction: Mish’s background as a canine behaviourist and animal soul alchemist, and the series of losses that shaped her

10:00 – Diesel’s story: from reluctant dog owner to animal trainer and how Diesel’s blindness shifted her career and deepened their bond

20:00 – Animals as mirrors: how dogs reflect their owners’ anxieties, the power of animal wisdom and the beginnings of personal development

30:00 – Navigating injury and grief: Mish’s vaccine‑induced illness, losing Diesel, her father and her cat, and choosing to keep going

40:00 – Radical self‑acceptance: blending animal wisdom with soul work, living from your essence and the moment Mish truly took control

This episode is a raw and uplifting conversation about love, loss and the lessons our animals teach us. Mish’s honesty and insight remind us that embracing every emotion, honouring our pain and accepting ourselves completely are key to healing.

In this episode of I’m in Control, I chat with Luke Bramich, founder and CEO of Kneadasoothe Allied Health, about building a truly holistic allied-health clinic and backing yourself when it counts. Luke walks us through his path from remedial massage into sports science, the services his team offers (from osteo using counter-strain techniques to one-on-one reformer Pilates, nutrition and rehab), and why treating the person - not just the textbook - gets better results. We talk about mindset, the “pie-chart of thoughts”, and how community, kindness and straight talk can keep recovery on track. Luke also shares how cricket has kept him grounded, the ripple effect of my talk at his club (premiership vibes!), and the moment he took control, stepping up to run the business solo while expecting his first bub. It’s a very Aussie conversation about care, courage and doing the hard things with heart.

00:00 – Intro: Meet Luke and Kneadasoothe Allied Health; evidence-based care with heart

05:00 – From remedial massage to sport science: choosing one-on-one impact over team sport settings

10:00 – Services rundown: remedial, PT, injury rehab, nutrition (incl. online), reformer Pilates, and osteo with counter-strain

15:00 – Mind-body-spirit: aiming for a “360” model (and why a psychologist would round it out)

20:00 – Person over textbook: honest plans, root-cause thinking, and care plans via your GP

25:00 – Word of mouth > main road: building trust, reputation and reviews

30:00 – Cricket & community: leadership behind the scenes and a club-room talk that stuck (plus a long-awaited flag)

35:00 – Mindset chat: managing fear, the positivity pie-chart, and choosing action

40:00 – Taking control: business transition, backing yourself, and the power of support at home

45:00 – Wrap-up: you’re in control—pivot, learn, and keep moving forward

In this episode of I'm in Control, I sit down with the incredible Ann Toscano - an award-winning mental health advocate, community worker, writer, and musician. Ann shares her powerful journey of transforming lived experiences of trauma and chronic illness into advocacy, creativity, and connection.

We talk about how writing and music became her outlets for healing, leading to the release of raw, emotional songs that have reached international audiences. Ann also opens up about founding Bent But Not Breaking, a grassroots initiative that supported families through the challenges of COVID lockdowns, and how her motto - “we can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone” - continues to shape her work.

Together, we explore the realities of navigating Australia’s healthcare system with chronic illness, the importance of self-advocacy, and why showing vulnerability is a form of strength.

00:00 - Introduction: Ann’s creative advocacy and lived experience

05:00 - Using writing and music as therapy

10:00 - Mental health challenges and turning struggle into strength

15:00 - Navigating chronic illness and medical systems

20:00 - Founding Bent But Not Breaking and helping others during COVID

30:00 - Finding empathy, purpose, and self-accountability

40:00 - Taking control: redefining healing and mental health

This episode is a raw, honest, and empowering conversation about resilience, recovery, and the courage to speak up. Ann’s authenticity and compassion remind us that even in our darkest moments, connection and creativity can light the way forward.

In this episode of I'm in Control, I sit down with the inspiring Preetah Bolaky — a global speaker, self-leadership coach, and founder of the Kickass Buddy Movement. Preetah shares her remarkable story of leaving a successful corporate banking career to follow her intuition and create a movement built on connection, empowerment, and purpose.

She opens up about what it truly means to lead yourself first, the power of having someone in your corner, and why fulfilment can’t be found in job titles or financial security alone. Preetah also talks about growing up in Mauritius, the lessons of resilience and joy she learned from her parents, and how those values now guide her mission to help others rediscover their “real you.”

00:00 - Introduction: From banking to leadership transformation

05:00 - Creating the Kickass Buddy Movement and tackling loneliness

10:00 - Following intuition and redefining success

15:00 - The five steps to transformation and finding purpose

20:00 - Lessons from Mauritius: happiness, resilience, and gratitude

25:00 - The twelve lessons of personal growth and self-leadership

35:00 - Taking control: choosing courage over comfort

This episode is an empowering conversation about courage, self-discovery, and the beauty of human connection. Preetah’s warmth, authenticity, and wisdom remind us that we can all build lives of purpose — when we lead ourselves first and surround ourselves with the right people.

In this episode of I'm in Control, I sit down with the inspiring Laura Lucca — a resilient advocate whose journey with epilepsy began at just twelve years old. Laura opens up about her first seizure, navigating years of medication, and the emotional toll of losing her independence.

She shares her powerful decision to undergo brain surgery after years of trialling treatments, and how that moment of courage became the turning point in her life. Laura also talks about the isolation of chronic illness, the importance of connection, and how she’s now giving back through advocacy and peer support for others living with epilepsy.

00:00 - Introduction: Laura’s story and living with epilepsy

05:00 - Early diagnosis and navigating treatment challenges

10:00 - Facing isolation, loss of independence, and resilience as a mother

15:00 - Choosing brain surgery and rebuilding life after recovery

20:00 - Finding purpose through advocacy, study, and peer support

25:00 - Redefining identity and thriving beyond diagnosis

This heartfelt episode is about courage, recovery, and the strength it takes to reclaim your life after a major diagnosis. Laura’s honesty and determination shine through as she reminds us that our conditions don’t define us — our choices and resilience do.

In this episode of I'm in Control, I sit down with powerhouse business coach and entrepreneur Billie Sharp to uncover her remarkable journey of resilience, reinvention, and impact. Raised by a single mum, surviving childhood abuse, and living on her own from the age of 16, Billie transformed adversity into strength—working multiple jobs as a teenager before rising into upper management and eventually building five thriving businesses.

Billie shares how hitting financial rock bottom after the birth of her daughter forced her to rethink everything, leading her to embrace entrepreneurship with courage and vision. We dive into her philosophy on delegation, leadership, and the real meaning of wealth—choosing freedom, family, and fulfilment over burnout.

She also opens up about her trauma recovery journey, giving up drinking, and how healing herself has amplified her impact in business and in life. With a passion for helping others, Billie proves that generosity, strategy, and hard work can change lives far beyond your own.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Billie’s story of resilience and adaptability

05:00 – Growing up fast: working three jobs at 16 and moving out on her own

12:00 – From corporate success to financial struggle and rebuilding

18:00 – Starting her first business and scaling to five companies

25:00 – Delegation, leadership, and redefining freedom in business

35:00 – Rejecting victim mentality and embracing accountability

45:00 – Trauma recovery, giving up drinking, and taking control of healing

This episode is a powerful conversation about grit, growth, and giving back. Billie’s honesty and boldness will inspire you to back yourself, break through limitations, and create the life and business you truly want.