Rae Bonney - Men's Health

I’m was so jazzed to be back at the 94.1FM 3WBC studios in November, with a personality who I've crowned “The Pandemic Princess of Podcasts”. Tiffanee Cook. Her Roll With The Punches 🎧🎙️ production has not only entertained thousands, bought stories untold, songs unsung and tears unshed, but is now being aired on the telly at Channel 31. Tiff told it as it is, in a voice like no other, a style that challenges and language that is … well .. I’ll just say “True Tiff”. Tiff's awesome Dad, "Old E" - Ian Cook even made a guest appearance and almost stole the show, giving a reflection on the recent International Men's Day 2021. A cracker of a show and not to be missed. Remember, it really is OK to not be OK!! #rollwiththepunches #mentalhealth #podcasting #storytelling #whatdoesitfeellikebeingyoutoday

I had a quick chat with Craig Turton - co-founder of 100 WORDS Mate to Mate on the last day of Men's Health Week 2021.

He told a show stopping story about a roomful of blokes at a charity night raising money and awareness for men’s mental health.

About how one brave man stood up in front of this roomful of strangers and told them that he had tried to take his own life.

And about his mates, who were stunned into silence as they all sat next to him, listening to his story for the very first time.

Hear Craig talk about the vision for 100 WORDS mate to mate and purpose for blokes to start really talking to each other, in an effort to stop losing so many men in our communities to suicide.

In the lead up to Men’s Health Week, 2021, we’ll hear a lot of statistics, outcomes, intentions and ideas around things men should be doing to improve their health and wellbeing. I decided to kick off with something a little more up close and personal – actually spending a day in the life of a man - truckie, @Chris Smith of Redpath Carriers. He generously invited me to jockey and chat whilst hauling 24,960 kg's of hard Australian wheat, up Victoria’s picturesque @Western Highway in his 1999 Kenworth104 Areodyne, to the historic, gold mining town of Ballarat. Starting at the @Port of Melbourne we yacked about how happiness, far outweighs money, physical exercise and diet on the road are important – plus and including 17 minutes of waffle that contains some beautiful gems. Hopefully this little piece will inspire people to wonder about what’s on a truck, where it’s going, who it’s serving and why … not to mention the person behind the wheel. Unscripted and rough as guts, please share this simple, but ever so special adventure with Chris and I. #trucking #truckinglife #truckingindustry #lovewhatwedo #happinessmatters #ballarat #australiangrown #menshealth #mensmentalhealth #menshealthweek #nutritionmatters #ontheroad #kenworthtrucks Kenworth Truck Co. Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds Australian Trucking Association

Sam Canning is one of Australia’s leading ethical butchers and has spread this word from his start up store in Hawthorn, Melbourne, Australia to 8 more community supporting initiatives, since 2010. With kindness and care at the heart of everything Sam and his team represent, it’s no surprise that human beings and animals benefit from his approach. Inspired by ‘paddock-to-plate’ butcher shops in the UK, Sam has managed to build a space that supports the greater good of all beings. #mensmentalhealth #menshealth #malesuicide #Connecting #ActofRandomKindness #recovery #mentalhealth #butchers #ethics #animals @3WBC Presenters

Much loved and acclaimed actor, Steve Bastoni is well known as a leading man on Aussie telly productions such as Police Rescue and Neighbours – not to mention a string of impressive movie credits including Emmy award winner, On the Beach, Matrix Reloaded and The Water Diviner. Since then, Steve has played one of his most important roles as an outspoken advocate in the mental health space - contributing largely through his personal experiences, to inspire a much needed call to action. Steve also continues to bring joy and connection through his creative artistry - juggling three film festivals and the Peninsula Film Office that produced the massively award-winning short film "The Gift" - spotlighting an unexpected act of kindness which changed a man’s trajectory. https://vimeo.com/channels/1073282/158266545. Steve is joined me, live at the 94.1FM 3WBC studios, in April, when we compared notes about mental health and men’s health - spinning some yarns about his own experiences, insights and road to recovery. Not surprisingly, he’s quite the storyteller.

Many people around the world love nothing more than fanatically spectating professional sport - on and off the field - where players are idolised and honoured. Ever read a fan page that celebrates umpires? Well, this cohort is ridiculously overlooked, in relation to their occupational stressors and vulnerability like, negative stereotyping, lack of respect, abuse from innumerable participants, criticism from the media - all of which can contribute to poor mental health and a compromise of their decision-making abilities. Entering his 18th season, legend VFL/AFL umpire, Ray “Razor” Chamberlain has a lot to say about his career trajectory and how the game has impacted his wellbeing - positively and otherwise. Razor Ray joined my live to talk about what it feels like, being the “other Ray” on the panel and also share reasons behind his mental health charity, the CHAMBERLAIN FOUNDATION.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia and its incidence is increasing – with 1 in 7 Australian women and 1 in 716 Australian men expected to be diagnosed in their lifetime. Every day, at least 55 Australians will be told they have breast cancer and Kathryn Elliott was added to this list when she received a diagnosis of locally advanced triple positive breast cancer on the 23 August 2019, aged 46. Kath so generously share her gnarly experience with breast cancer and talk about how the men in her life, husband, Paulos and sons, Oscar (15), Tom (14) and Hugo (12) responded to her diagnosis, treatment and recovery. It’s quite a story and definitely one not to miss. Remember, it really is OK to not be OK!! @healingbreastcancer #breastcancersurvivor #breastcancerawareness #malebreastcancer

Way back, on 24 July 24 2015, I was pretty jazzed to share a stage with David Burroughs, world-renowned psychologist and strategist at the Sydney Safety Symposium, talking about creating environments that support good mental health. Mind blown by his presentation – as he was with mine :-), we’ve come a long way in our friendship and collaboration. To this day, Dave continues to hold his own, making massive waves in workplace mental health and, like me, embraces the extension of men’s health. Most recently, Dave co-founded Mantle, a men’s health service that provides specialist, confidential, virtual mental health support, addressing the stigma surrounding barriers men experience in seeking and engaging with support. This ties into what International best practice tells us, that one of the key ways to improve men's access to healthcare is by developing male-friendly services, which was acknowledged in Australia’s first National Male Health Strategy https://lnkd.in/dq5gzNi

Back in the studios at 94.1FM 3WBC in November I prepared a “cook up” of great minds and mentors, for a flavour packed panel, who delivered a rich and nourishing radio recipe. First on the pass, was none other than chef, founder and writer, Matt Wilkinson, who has recently taken up residency at the Mornington Peninsula winery restaurant Montalto. In his spare time, Matt is the creative director at Four Pillars Gin. He was followed closely by writer, eater, traveler and cook, Dani Valent who is also well known for spectacular journalism at The Age Epicure, Good Food. We topped the show off with Robbie Bell, founder of City Larder Charcuterie. He also runs his own podcast called 'Cooking the Books' where he interviews prominent chefs and food industry professionals. I asked my trademark question “what does it feel like, being you, today?” not to mention, drew upon their ideas, insights and contribution to good mental health in the hospitality industry.

Remember, it really is OK to not be OK!! #hospitalityindustry #workplacementalhealth #chef #cooking #suicideprevention #menshealthawareness

Sometime in the 1980’s, Darren Wagner began his love of theatre in San Jose California, which led to a short-lived career treading the boards. As it happened, Darren was not destined to be a Broadway actor and re-imagined his life to become a deputy sheriff at Clark County, Ohio during the 1990’s. The next time Darren stepped onto the world stage was in 2012, when the community of his new home town of Sandy Hook, Connecticut, experienced a school shooting that became one of Americas deadliest massacres. Hear what it felt like being Darren back then and what it feels like today, including his involvement with 26 Pebbles - a verbatim play about the members in the Sandy Hook community and how they experienced the tragedy - building endless strength of community, courage and compassion. Tune in tomorrow, Sunday 12 July, 10.30am-12 noon at 94.1FM 3WBC - You can also stream live from anywhere around the world https://lnkd.in/gz7qgNT. Remember, it really is OK to not be OK!! #ohio #SandyHook #26pebbles #Thehumanracetheatrecompany #entertainmentassist #SanJoseCity #clarkcounty #connecticut #posttraumagrowth #compassion #community