Keegan and Company

In this episode of 'The Psychology of' series, Keegan sits down with registered psychologist and fellow runner Kyle Andrews to unpack the psychology behind Fear of Failure and FOPO — fear of other people's opinions — and how it shows up in everything from walking into a room where you don't know anyone, to not throwing the pass because you're scared of what people might say. 

Keegan and Kyle break down how avoidance gives us short term relief but keeps us stuck long term, why our brains build things up to be way bigger than they actually are, and why we massively overestimate how much other people are actually thinking about us. They get into what gradual exposure looks like in practice, how to reframe failure with a growth mindset, and why having someone in your corner, whether that's a psych, a physio, or a mate, can be the difference between staying in your head and actually moving forward. Keegan also shares how FOPO nearly stopped him from starting this podcast, and how Nathan Cleary's battle with fear of other people's opinions during his career became one of the most powerful examples of what it looks like to break through it.

Find Kyle at:
https://www.instagram.com/_kyleandrews/
https://www.instagram.com/living_with_meaning_therapy/
https://livingwithmeaning.com.au/

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In this episode, Keegan sits down with marathon runner and creator Jake Barraclough, who moved from the UK to Japan to immerse himself in one of the toughest distance-running cultures in the world. Training up to 280km per week, Jake shares how discipline, resilience, and relentless curiosity drive his pursuit of Olympic-level performance. From overcoming major health setbacks to documenting his journey for more than 120,000 YouTube subscribers, Jake reveals the mindset behind pushing human limits. This conversation dives into Japanese training culture, elite endurance, and why most people never discover how far they can truly go.

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In this episode of 'The Psychology of' series, Keegan sits down with registered psychologist and fellow runner Kyle Andrews to explore what actually happens to our brains and bodies when we move, and why the people we move with matter just as much.

From the science behind the runner’s high and flow states, to why outdoor activity hits different than indoor, Keegan and Kyle unpack how physical activity and social connection are two of the most powerful tools for positive mental health.

They also get into the difference between simply being around people and being around your people. Why finding a community with shared values doesn’t just feel good, it fundamentally changes how connected, comfortable, and authentically yourself you can be.

Find Kyle at:
https://www.instagram.com/_kyleandrews/

https://www.instagram.com/living_with_meaning_therapy/

https://livingwithmeaning.com.au/

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In this episode, Keegan sits down with Australian marathon record-holder Andy Buchanan for an honest conversation about purpose, discipline, and the long road to excellence. From growing up inspired by his parents’ love of marathons to representing Australia on the world stage, Andy shares how consistency became his competitive edge. He unpacks the mindset behind his relentless long runs, how he navigates injury and pressure, and why routine feels like a “cheat code to life.” Grounded by teaching and coaching, Andy reveals what truly drives him and why he believes the best is still ahead.

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This week on the podcast, Keegan sits down with registered psychologist, runner, and good mate Kyle Andrews to unpack The Psychology of Motivation.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why motivation is unreliable.
• Why action beats motivation (every time)
• Why we wait to feel “ready” before starting
• How systems and routines create consistency
• Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation

If you’ve ever struggled to stay consistent, start something meaningful, or wondered why your motivation disappears when you need it... this episode is for you.

You can check out more of Kyle’s work below

Instagram: @living_with_meaning_therapy
Website: https://livingwithmeaning.com.au

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This week on the pod we sit down with Katy Bradley; nutritionist and endurance athlete.

In this conversation we talk about why so many people under-fuel by mistake, how to cut weight (the healthy way) without destroying your performance, and what a proper carb load actually looks like ahead of a big race. Katy is a couple of weeks out from her first Ironman and breaks down her personal tips and tricks that she is going to be taking into race day.

Katy opens up about losing her dad to cancer, how watching his relentless work ethic shaped who she is today. What helped, what didn't, and why the hardest thing she's ever been through gave her even more mental strength today which she carries into everything now.
Learn more about Katy Bradley here:
https://www.instagram.com/katybradleyy
https://www.instagram.com/katy_bradley_nutrition https://katybradleynutrition.com.au/

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Ever been stuck on a thought you can't shake? This episode will help you understand why that happens and what you can actually do about it. This week on the pod we break down the psychology of rumination - what happens when we get stuck on a thought and can't move past it.

We've all been there. An injury, a breakup, someone who did wrong by you, a thought that just keeps circling. You replay it, reframe it, spiral on it - and somehow feel worse than when you started. In this solo episode we define what rumination actually is, the traits and life events that make us more prone to it, the difference between rumination and healthy emotional processing, and the science-backed strategies that help us break the cycle.

We also get into the Two Wolves analogy, Andy Buchanan's mid-marathon anchoring technique, and a simple visualisation that's been a genuine game changer.

Resources:
https://www.verywellmind.com/repetitive-thoughts-emotional-processing-or-rumination-3144936
https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/rumination-a-cycle-of-negative-thinking
https://stoptransingkids.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/nolen-hoeksma-2008.pdf

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This week on the pod we sit down with Kitalé Wilson; filmmaker, writer, polar explorer and adventurer.

Kitalé spent his early years living on a sailboat in Indonesia, travelling through Africa and Southeast Asia, and growing up on a family farm in rural Australia. Now at 25, recently nominated for Young Australian Filmmaker of the Year and screening at Banff Film Festival, he's channelling a lifetime of adventure into storytelling through film, photography, and writing.

In this conversation we talk about what it means to grow up with a polar explorer for a father and a therapist for a mother. How those two forces shaped his approach to adventure, creativity, and life. We hear about near misses - hurricane force winds on a 40-foot sailboat in the Southern Ocean, a torn tent in a -30°C snowstorm on an Icelandic glacier - and what those experiences teach you about ego, vulnerability, and mortality.

We also get into why slowing down could be considered a social rebellion these days, the balance between pushing hard and being present, vulnerable masculinity, and why the most dangerous thing you can bring on an expedition is your ego.

This episode is proudly supported by Dometic: Helping power outdoor adventures. If you’re looking to upgrade your setup, you can save 20% at Dometic.com with our exclusive community code.

Discount code: “KEEGAN20 

Learn more about Kitalé Wilson here:

https://kitale.xyz
https://www.instagram.com/kitalewilson/

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In this episode, host Keegan sits down with AFL veteran Jeremy Howe to reflect on a 16-year career shaped by resilience, leadership and values. From his journey through Melbourne and Collingwood to the evolution of club culture, Jeremy shares how prioritising family, vulnerability, and mental health has transformed both performance and perspective. He opens up about personal loss, the lessons learned through grief, and the importance of mentorship in elite sport. The conversation also explores preparing for life after football, offering honest insight into identity, longevity, and navigating pressure beyond the game.

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In this episode, Keegan sits down with elite Ironman athlete and co-founder of Dr. Hydrate, Caine Eckstein for aconversation on endurance, discipline, and building something that lasts. From his early days in surf lifesaving to dominating Ironman events and the Coolangatta Gold, Caine shares the unseen pressures of competing at the highest level and the mindset required to stay consistent over time. The conversation explores his transition from elite sport to business, including the birth of Dr. Hydrate, world-record pull-ups, and the lessons sport taught him about work ethic, resilience, and showing up daily.

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