Lee Cheesman shares a story of how a near death experience to be something that saved her life, literally. Getting hit by a car while crossing the road. It was because of this event that doctors found a lime-sized tumour in her head while she was in hospital. The tumour was affecting an optic nerve which meant her sight wasn’t clear. As a result she was hit by a car she ‘didn’t see’. After nine months of chemo and two operations she has been clear since 2013. She shares what helped her through that period.

Lee works for Pacific Labour Facility - a program which helps people from the Pacific Islands to get work into a currently in-demand industry. Many people (mainly from PNG) have messaged me on social media channels asking to help them to get jobs in this space. Please go to the Labour Mobility Units within the country. That is the only way to connect with the employers in Australia.

Go to www.palm.gov.au

This conversation covers many interesting and different fields:

Ayahuasca - uncovering memories as a child; the meaning behind them. This is something that I personally want to experience. Of course in a safe and guided environment.

How the brain responds to certain events

Using breathwork as a tool to become resilient

Working in sport

Growing up in a cult; brainwashing and trying to escape

Connect with and follow Lee on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-cheesman-05b4595/

About David Mead:

David Mead played professional rugby league for 14 years. Spending time with other athletes, coaches and football staff has given him great insight into how the sport is played at a high level. He wants to use insights and stories from these people as well as from his experience to inspire and empower the youth. 

Connect with David and follow him on: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/

Producer: Jason Strozkiy - www.strozkiymedia.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Representing her dad's country PNG in mother's home country England, was a great and unique experience. Seeing the change and impact of The PNG Orchid's, Papua New Guinea's national women's rugby league team, in the community inspires her to continue to want to play for the country. Seeing the videos sent to the team from PNG saying "thank you for inspiring my daughter" has motivated her and the team to want to do better.

Connect and follow Shae on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shae_delacruz/

About David Mead:

David Mead played professional rugby league for 14 years. Spending time with other athletes, coaches and football staff has given him great insight into how the sport is played at a high level. He wants to use insights and stories from these people as well as from his experience to inspire and empower the youth. 

Connect with David and follow him on: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/

Producer: Jason Strozkiy (@strozkiymedia)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lesley grew up in a settlement area in Port Moresby; Morata. Discovered his passion for art at a very young age. Sold his artwork to become independent and this was his way of providing for him and his family. He got a scholarship to Australia to further his education. He has his sights set on winning the Archibald prize; the most prestigious portrait prize in Australia. I'm backing him to receive this one day. Check out Lesley's outstanding artwork

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lwengemboart/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lesley.wengembo

About David Mead:

David Mead played professional rugby league for 14 years. Spending time with other athletes, coaches and football staff has given him great insight into how the sport is played at a high level. He wants to use insights and stories from these people as well as from his experience to inspire and empower the youth. 

Connect with David and follow him on: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/

Producer: Jason Strozkiy (@strozkiymedia)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Growing up in PNG then moving in his teens to Australia - boarding school & loved it. Rugby union on the radar at 16 years of age. The importance of enjoying what you do. Plenty of Potential in PNG Rugby. More real pathways are needed. The challenges of moving to France and Japan. Embracing the new cultures and importance of diving in rather than dipping the toes. Ease up on the red wines, croissants and baguettes :) Not making all the sacrifices necessary to play at the top. Injuries playing a part in a sporting career and learning from them early is key. Importance of having the support network around you.

Connect with Aidan and follow him on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aidoss/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidan-toua-8910b21a6/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/aidan.toua

About David Mead:

David Mead played professional rugby league for 14 years. Spending time with other athletes, coaches and football staff has given him great insight into how the sport is played at a high level. He wants to use insights and stories from these people as well as from his experience to inspire and empower the youth. 

Connect with David and follow him on: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/

Producer: Jason Strozkiy (@strozkiymedia)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Delouise has had a different path to NRL than most. Seven years between first grade games and plenty of speed bumps along the way. We speak about what is was like to move countries from Tonga to New Zealand and then from New Zealand to Australia, and what the best tips are for handling that transition. Being held accountable at a young age by his older brother helped him to stay on the right path. Fear of letting others down was one way of staying on track. Young guys in rugby league should make the most out of the education grants that the game provides. How external pressures can be better managed by athletes. Chatting for 5-10 minutes and showing some vulnerability to teammates can take huge weight off your shoulders. The importance of having a good family and being respectful. Sauna chats and much more.

Connect with Delouise and follow him on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delouisehoeter/

About David Mead:

David Mead played professional rugby league for 14 years. Spending time with other athletes, coaches and football staff has given him great insight into how the sport is played at a high level. He wants to use insights and stories from these people as well as from his experience to inspire and empower the youth. 

Connect with David and follow him on: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/

Producer: Jason Strozkiy (@strozkiymedia)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anna-Liza Mopio-Jane:

• Moved to Australia at four years old

• From Port Moresby to Central Coast, NSW

• Visiting PNG is always a great time. Seeing family and friends.

• Learn to Swim program in Australia helped her to pursue a swimming career.

• Representing PNG at the Olympics; what that was like.

• Good training habits vs bad training habits.

• How to overcome disappointment in sport and in life.

• Celebrating good times

• Manifesting

• Anna-Liza will be opening her own private practice to focus on helping athletes. 

Instagram: @a.mopiojane 

About David Mead:

David Mead has played professional rugby league for 13 years. Spending time with other athletes, coaches and football staff has given him great insight into how the sport is played at a high level. He wants to use insights and stories from these people as well as from his experience to inspire and to empower the youth. He believes in "leaving the place better than you found it." This podcast will help him and others do just that. 

Connect with David and follow him on: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/

Producer: Jason Strozkiy (@strozkiymedia)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kurt Capewell on:

• Being born and raised in the country town of Charleville, Qld.

• Challenges of moving from country town to a big city and the best way to approach settling in a new place.

• How to maximise your 3% chance of making NRL from under 20’s.

• The influence of the Walker brothers on his career.

•  Overcoming emotional and mental battles 

Instagram: @kurt_capes

About David Mead:

David Mead has played professional rugby league for 13 years. Spending time with other athletes, coaches and football staff has given him great insight into how the sport is played at a high level. He wants to use insights and stories from these people as well as from his experience to inspire and to empower the youth. He believes in "leaving the place better than you found it." This podcast will help him and others do just that. 

Connect with David and follow him on: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/

Producer: Jason Strozkiy (@strozkiymedia)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mel was born and raised in Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea. Moved to Australia for educational opportunities at 14. She started her rugby journey with University of Queensland when a friend dragged her along to sign up. After three seasons of playing rugby union, a coach told her that she had the potential to play for Queensland. Two years in a row of knee injuries wasn’t going to stop her playing the sport she loved. She currently plays for the Melbourne Rebels Womens team. She is also a diehard NSW Origin fan. We chat plenty more on never giving up, having resilience especially in tough times and what living in France was like. 

Follow Mel on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniekawa/ 

About David Mead:

David Mead has played professional rugby league for 13 years. Spending time with other athletes, coaches and football staff has given him great insight into how the sport is played at a high level. He wants to use insights and stories from these people as well as from his experience to inspire and to empower the youth. He believes in "leaving the place better than you found it." This podcast will help him and others do just that. 

Connect with David and follow him on: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/

Producer: Jason Strozkiy (@strozkiymedia)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter is the Directing Manager of Ecoflo Wastewater Management. He spent the early years of his upbringing in Lae, Papua New Guinea before moving to a boarding school in Australia during his teens. There are a lot of great tips and advice given by Peter to help young people aspire to be better versions of themselves at home and it the workplace. We talk about his daily routines and how that helps to manage himself and his work. We compare the lifestyle changes that have happened in PNG over the course of a few decades, the young talent there that needs help, how composting can greatly benefit the environment and much more.

Connect with Peter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-vollert-6866032a

EcoFlo WasteWater Management is a manufacturer and retailer of domestic and commercial waterless composting toilets that are environmentally smart and cost-effective. https://www.ecoflo.com.au/about-us 

About David Mead:

David Mead has played professional rugby league for over 13 years. Spending time with other athletes, coaches and football staff has given him insight into how the sport is played at a high level. He wants to use the insights and stories from these people as well as from his experience to inspire and to empower the youth. He believes in "leaving the place better than you found it." This podcast will help him and others do just that. 

Connect with David and follow him on: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/

Producer: Jason Strozkiy (@strozkiymedia) www.strozkiymedia.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Unfortunately over the years birth has become so medicalised. Birth is not a medical event. It can become a medical event. When it does, we have all the help in the world.” 

Seeing crap or misinformation around birthing was a huge motivation for Melissa to take on the role as a clinical hypnotherapist. This gave her the ability to help people feel empowered throughout the birthing process. We had four sessions with Melissa in the lead up to our firstborn and the process was incredible. I felt calm from the moment my wife started to feel the “surges” (contractions) to the moment our son was born. My wife Taneal couldn’t speak highly enough of the classes we had with Melissa. The tools we were given have helped us in different areas of our life.

A lot of the mental applications that Melissa talks about are relatable to me because it applies in the sporting world - how to deal with pain, visualization, meditation, belief, trusting yourself. All are key in helping you perform at your best.

We chat: 

Clinical hypnotherapy - focused attention and mindfulness has a great ability to help the birthing process. 

How she used visualization to help her get appearances with major media outlets throughout Australia - Sunrise, Today Show and many others.

Hypnosis for dealing with pain - especially while birthing.

Your subconscious beliefs control your behaviour, which controls your motivation which becomes your reality. 

Using self-hypnosis leading up to major events. 

Vision boards to help you get what you want.

Ways to improve your study time and how to retain more information.

Getting a hold of your flight or fight response.

You have to see it, hear it, say it and feel it consistently over a long period of time for it to come true - whatever that dream may be. 

Your mind is like a computer. You need to shut it down every night completely so it can have a full rest. Watching negativity, the news etc, before sleep will keep the computer on all night which results in overheating and stress.

To get in touch with Melissa visit:

https://www.facebook.com/hypnobirthingaustralia

https://hypnobirthingaustralia.com.au

 “The Hypnobirthing Australia program is uniquely designed for Australian mothers and their birthing partners. Hypnobirthing Australia classes prepare you with the knowledge, confidence and tools you need to birth calmly. Birth can, and should be a positive experience - one that you will always want to remember.”

About David Mead

David Mead has played professional rugby league for 13 years. Spending time with other athletes, coaches and football staff has given him great insight into how the sport is played at a high level. He wants to use insights and stories from these people as well as from his experience to inspire and to empower the youth. He believes in "leaving the place better than you found it." This podcast will help him and others do just that. 

Connect with David and follow him on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/

Website: www.davidmead.com.au 

Producer: Jason Strozkiy (@strozkiymedia) www.strozkiymedia.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.