“Before hitting rock bottom, I hit the top of the mountain.”

This week, I can’t fully fathom the episode I get to share with the watchers and listeners of the Rock Your Bottom Podcast.

Paul Whatuira played his first game for the Warriors at just 17 years old, and the journey he has been on since has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. In this episode, Paul joins me on the couch to talk about his rise through the NRL, the pressures that came with it, and the battles he faced with his mental health, medication, and drinking. We dive into how his career in the NRL came to an end while he was overseas in England, simply because he was no longer functioning under the weight of the medication he was prescribed.

And now? Paul is running his own business, He Mana a Roto - Internal Strength. WOW.

Paul has walked through some of life’s greatest challenges. From the pressure and expectations of being a young star on the field to the isolation and loneliness he lived with for years, his journey has taken him somewhere he never imagined he could go.

Today, Paul runs He Mana a Roto (Internal Strength), a 12-step programme to wellness built from everything he has learned along his healing journey. He works with rangatahi, parents, and individuals facing their own battles, offering tools, strategies and education to support mental health and well-being. His programme is for anyone, rooted in lived experience, insight and of course, internal strength. It is grounded in helping people become the best version of themselves.

This episode holds so much growth. It offers a real insight into what happens behind the scenes and off the field, the struggles people don’t see, the support that is needed, and the truth that no one is immune to hardship. Paul speaks openly about what has helped him maintain his mental health and overall well-being, and the practices that continue to keep him grounded.

Paul, thank you for your willingness, openness and vulnerability in this episode. Your story is a powerful reminder that wellness has no limits and that anyone can rewrite the ending to their story.

This episode brings Season One of the Rock Your Bottom Podcast to a close. Thank you to every single person who has watched, listened and supported the mahi behind the scenes. This has been a year of learning, growing, listening and sharing, and I truly cannot thank you all enough. I couldn’t think of a more meaningful episode to close the season with.

Season 2 will be coming soon… keep a close eye out in 2026! See you guys then.

Paul's website

https://www.internalstrength.nz/

Paul's documentary i talk about in the episode
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4mFk29HP_U&t=1052s

Support the Rock Your Bottom podcast by subscribing, liking, and sharing it far and wide. You never know who might need to hear one of these conversations.❤️ - Leave me a comment on what you enjoyed most about the episode!

You can listen to this episode on all platforms, wherever you get your podcasts.📲Follow us on socials to stay updated with what’s happening and who’s coming on next!

TikTok: rockyourbottomofficial

Instagram: rockyourbottom

Facebook: Rock Your Bottom

If you’re struggling, please know: YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

📞 Alcohol and Other Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797

📞Need to talk?: 1737

Want to get in touch?

Email: [email protected]

This week’s episode is an incredible one. I’m joined by Lachie Samuel Mariu, all the way from Perth, who opens up and shares his raw and honest journey through life. From being sexually abused as a child, to running away from South Auckland in his late teens, landing a FIFO job, and navigating the heavy culture that came with it. Lachie’s story is filled with powerful twists and turns. He also shares the moment he discovered that the daughter he had raised for 10 years wasn’t biologically his, his battles with mental health, substance use, and weight gain, and, more recently, the serious health challenges he’s faced, including heart problems, a stroke, memory loss, and nearly losing his life.

Lachie opens up about the impact his journey has had on his relationships, the toll that FIFO life took on his mental health, and what day-to-day reality in that environment was really like. He speaks honestly about the process of finding his way out, without skipping past the mental, physical, and emotional battles he faced along the way. His story is a raw reminder of the strength it takes to rebuild, and the power of choosing healing even when life has stripped you bare.

After spending over a decade within the FIFO world, Lachie has now turned his pain into purpose. He speaks at conferences, runs FIFO mental health groups, and works one-on-one with individuals, helping them navigate the same challenges he once faced. His journey into this work began after leaving FIFO, when he started his own podcast, creating a space for honest conversations with people who’ve been through tough life experiences and showing others that healing is possible.

The conversation Lachie and I shared was packed with so much insight, but what stood out to me most was the way he brings awareness to the bigger picture, that mental health matters for everyone. His openness is a reminder that you never truly know what someone might be going through, and just how important it is to keep these conversations alive.

A massive thank you to Lachie for sharing his journey in the hope that it reaches the next person who needs to hear it. You can find Lachie on Instagram @lachiesamuel, where he regularly shares updates, and through his website at www.lachiesamuel.com.

Support the Rock Your Bottom podcast by subscribing, liking, and sharing it far and wide. You never know who might need to hear one of these conversations.❤️ - Leave me a comment on what you enjoyed most about the episode!

You can listen to this episode on all platforms, wherever you get your podcasts.📲

Follow us on socials to stay updated with what’s happening and who’s coming on next!

TikTok: rockyourbottomofficial

Instagram: rockyourbottom

Facebook: Rock Your Bottom

If you’re struggling, please know: YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

📞 Alcohol and Other Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797

📞Safe to talk - Sexual harm helpline: 0800 044 334

Want to get in touch?

Email: [email protected]

This week, Paige Swaney joins me on the couch to share her powerful journey from addiction to recovery/sobriety and the impact mental health challenges have had along the way. At just 25 years old, Paige has over two years of recovery under her belt and a story that’s as raw as it is inspiring.

Residing here in Tāmaki Makaurau, Paige is young, full of love and light, and truly one of a kind. She opens up about getting sober at 23, navigating early recovery, and the intense challenges she’s faced with her mental health, including chronic nausea, anxiety, depression, and suicide attempts. Paige’s honesty and strength shine through as she shares the moment she realised substances were no longer serving her and how she began rebuilding her life from the inside out.

My favourite part of this conversation is the courage Paige brings to the table. She reminds us that you don’t have to meet any “criteria” or age to decide you have a problem with substances. Addiction does not discriminate, and her story is a powerful reminder of how something as common and accepted as alcohol can quickly take a real turn for the worse.

A massive thank you to Paige for her time, for sharing her journey, and for being a true role model for the up-and-coming youth walking in similar shoes. It’s people like Paige, those willing to share their stories in the hope of helping others realise that anything is possible and that no one has to face their challenges alone, who make conversations like this so meaningful.

Today, Paige is a lived experience Peer Support Worker, walking alongside others who are facing similar struggles to those she has overcome herself, a true inspiration to many.

This was an amazing kōrero, and I hope you enjoy listening to or watching it as much as we enjoyed having it.

Support the Rock Your Bottom podcast by subscribing, liking, and sharing it far and wide. You never know who might need to hear one of these conversations.❤️ - Leave me a comment on what you enjoyed most about the episode!

You can listen to this episode on all platforms, wherever you get your podcasts.📲

Follow us on socials to stay updated with what’s happening and who’s coming on next!

TikTok: rockyourbottomofficial

Instagram: rockyourbottom

Facebook: Rock Your Bottom

If you’re struggling, please know: YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

📞 Alcohol and Other Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797

Want to get in touch?

Email: [email protected]

I have a real treat for you all today!

On the couch with me this week is Janey Morris. It was one of those chats where I walked away KNOWING it’s going to resonate with many people. It’s so real, and she brought some fascinating topics to the table that we haven’t touched on yet here on the podcast.

In this episode, we dive into Janey’s incredible journey. She opens up about her experiences with health trauma both here in Aotearoa and overseas, including three invasive surgeries that left her questioning what her future would hold. We explore how her addiction evolved, the impact of entering treatment in her early 30s, and what life has looked like since. Janey has an inspiring 28 years of continuous sobriety and recovery.

Janey also sheds light on the often-overlooked reality of psychiatric drug withdrawal, sharing the challenges of going “cold turkey” and the urgent need for greater awareness and understanding in this space. In the interview, Janey referred to the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines by Dr. Mark Horowitz and Prof. David Taylor, a leading resource on safely reducing psychiatric medication.

Today, Janey is an alcohol and drug counsellor who has worn many hats throughout her career. She now runs her own private practice, which can be accessed through her website. There, you’ll also find guided meditations she has personally created to support individuals navigating psychiatric withdrawal.

You’ll find Janey’s website linked below, along with her YouTube channel, where you can access those same meditations. Please note: if you experience ads on YouTube, we recommend listening through her website instead. 

Support Janey by subscribing to her channel and sharing her work far and wide. She is incredible and continues to do remarkable mahi with individuals navigating their own struggles.

A massive thank you to Janey for her time, her kindness, and for sharing her story. It’s through keeping these stories alive that others can see they’re not alone in their struggles. There is hope, and there are people out there willing to walk alongside you.

This was a powerful kōrero, and I hope you enjoy listening/ watching as much as we enjoyed having it.

https://www.janeymorriscounselling.nz/

https://youtube.com/@janeymorris?si=pld7vF1viQSk4yI6

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Support the Rock Your Bottom podcast by subscribing, liking, and sharing it far and wide. You never know who might need to hear one of these conversations.❤️ - Leave me a comment on what you enjoyed most about the episode!

You can listen to this episode on all platforms, wherever you get your podcasts.📲

Follow us on socials to stay updated with what’s happening and who’s coming on next!

TikTok: rockyourbottomofficial

Instagram: rockyourbottom

Facebook: Rock Your Bottom

If you’re struggling, please know: YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

📞 Alcohol and Other Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797

Want to get in touch?

Email: [email protected]

This week’s episode features the wonderful Lotta Dann, commonly known as Mrs D, who joins me from afar to share her powerful journey of sobriety.

Fourteen years ago, after giving up the booze, Lotta started an anonymous blog called Mrs D is Going Without. What began as a personal tool to help her stay sober transformed into a powerful message that resonated with many: you are not alone in your struggles.

Since then, Lotta’s influence has continued to grow. She became the community manager and public face of Living Sober, a free online support network run with the NZ Drug Foundation and Te Whatu Ora. This incredible community offers practical tools, peer support, and a judgment-free space where people can explore their relationship with alcohol. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend checking it out.

www.livingsober.org.nz

In 2023, Lotta was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her advocacy in addiction recovery.

In this kōrero, we talk about her memoir Mrs D Is Going Without and also touch on her other books, Mrs D Is Going Within, The Wine O’Clock Myth, and her latest release, Mrs D Is Not on a Diet. We also explore what life has looked like for Lotta since giving up alcohol, along with a few reflections in between.

A massive thank you to Lotta for her time, her commitment to supporting others, and for being so open and honest in sharing her story.

Support the Rock Your Bottom podcast by subscribing, liking, and sharing it far and wide. You never know who might need to hear one of these conversations.❤️ - Leave me a comment on what you enjoyed most about the episode!

You can listen to this episode on all platforms, wherever you get your podcasts.📲Follow us on socials to stay updated with what’s happening and who’s coming on next!

TikTok: rockyourbottomofficial

Instagram: rockyourbottom

Facebook: Rock Your Bottom

If you’re struggling, please know: YOU ARE NOT ALONE.📞 Alcohol and Other Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797

Want to get in touch?

Email: [email protected]

This week, I have the most beautiful wahine, Holly Beckham, join me on the couch to share her incredible journey. Holly spent 19 years in the grip of addiction, facing the loss of her father at a young age, sexual abuse, depression, borderline personality disorder, and multiple suicide attempts. Through her journey, Holly has faced major mental health challenges that we discuss during this episode.

Holly turned her life around through a spiritual calling and now uses film to give others a voice. Her documentaries, He Ara Anō, Mana Over Meth, and Te Ara, have made a huge impact in Aotearoa and internationally, reaching as far as Hollywood and earning recognition and awards. Through her work, she brings honest, compassionate dialogue about addiction. As well as bringing the conversation around addiction into schools and communities, inspiring understanding and hope.

In Te Ara, Holly embarks on her journey to become the first Māori wahine to climb Everest. She begins this mission with a climb of Tititea / Mount Aspiring, guided by mountaineering legend Lydia Bradey, each step symbolising her path from trauma and addiction toward healing and purpose. It’s a powerful story of resilience, balancing external achievement with internal growth. If you haven't, make sure you go and watch Holly's work, it is out the gate good, and I don't say that lightly.

Holly is currently preparing for her Everest expedition, and you can support her journey over on her website. https://www.hollybeckham.com/

A massive thank you to Holly. The impact of your story and your work will continue to help and guide others for years to come.

Support the Rock Your Bottom podcast by subscribing, liking, and sharing it far and wide. You never know who might need to hear one of these conversations.❤️ - Leave me a comment on what you enjoyed most about the episode!

You can listen to this episode on all platforms, wherever you get your podcasts.📲Follow us on socials to stay updated with what’s happening and who’s coming on next!
 

TikTok: rockyourbottomofficial
 

Instagram: rockyourbottom
 

Facebook: Rock Your Bottom
 

If you’re struggling, please know: YOU ARE NOT ALONE.📞
 

Alcohol and Other Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797
 

Want to get in touch?
 

Email: [email protected]

A face you may well and truly know. This week, I’m joined on the couch by Guyon Espiner. We speak on topics such as his experience with alcohol, the journey he has had to sobriety, and the challenges he’s faced and overcome along the way. We also touch on the New Zealand Drinking culture and the problems we face as a society.

Guyon Espiner is one of New Zealand’s most recognised journalists, with over 30 years of experience in the industry. He currently works as an investigative journalist at RNZ, where he also hosts the show 30 Minutes with Guyon. Guyon is the author of The Drinking Game, a compelling mix of memoir and an insightful exploration of New Zealand’s drinking culture and history.

For the past six years, Guyon has lived completely alcohol-free in a country where drinking is embedded into almost every occasion. In our conversation, he opens up about what led him here, what he’s learned, and how life has unfolded since.

During this 6 years of sobriety, not only has Guyon written a book which was mentioned before, but he has produced two documentaries: "PROOF", which delves more into his journey while exploring New Zealand’s drinking culture, and "WASTED", which examines the country’s approach to drug policy and the social, financial, and personal costs of criminalising low-level drug use. If you haven’t seen them, I highly recommend them. Both documentaries provide a confronting look at aspects of our society we often choose to ignore, highlighting issues important for public awareness and discussion.

A huge thank you to Guyon for joining me on the couch. We hope this story reaches the ones who need to hear it most.
Support the Rock Your Bottom podcast by subscribing, liking, and sharing it far and wide. You never know who might need to hear one of these conversations.❤️

Let me know in the comments what you enjoyed most about this episode! Thank you for tuning in and being a part of this kaupapa.

You can listen to this episode on all platforms, wherever you get your podcasts.📲

Follow us on socials to stay updated with what’s happening and who’s coming on next!


TikTok: rockyourbottomofficial
Instagram: rockyourbottom
Facebook: Rock Your Bottom

If you’re struggling, please know: YOU ARE NOT ALONE.📞 Alcohol and Other Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797

Want to get in touch?
Email: [email protected]

Guyon's documentary links below

PROOF: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2mCb2_NPsw
WASTED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_-qtGInnqE

1989 was the year Tipene Pickett first entered treatment here in Aotearoa. His recovery journey has been one incredible ride, and I’m so grateful he sat down with me to share his story with the Rock Your Bottom community. I have no doubt you’ll enjoy this episode. T was asked to leave home after his mum could no longer handle living under the same roof with him. This became the turning point that pushed him into treatment and helped him truly discover who he was as an individual. In this episode, we explore how he navigated that journey and where life has taken him since. Tipene travelled, relapsed, became a counsellor with his own lived experience and now sits here as a Motivational Interviewer eager to continue on the MI legacy. He eventually found what he loved and was truly passionate about. We touched on topics like the law of attraction, his personal perspective on addiction, and where he believes it stems from. There’s so much more we covered, but I’ll leave the rest for you to discover in the episode. If you’re curious about Motivational Interviewing, you can easily find Tipene on Google by searching “Tipene Pickett”. A massive THANK YOU to T for his time, openness and kindness with this episode. --Support the Rock Your Bottom podcast by subscribing, liking, and sharing it far and wide. You never know who might need to hear one of these conversations. Let me know in the comments what you enjoyed most about this episode! You can listen to this episode on all platforms, wherever you get your podcasts.📲 Follow us on socials to stay updated with what’s happening and who’s coming next! TikTok: rockyourbottomofficial, Instagram: rockyourbottomFacebook: Rock Your Bottom. If you’re struggling, please know: YOU ARE NOT ALONE. 📞 Alcohol and Other Drug Helpline in NZ: 0800 787 797. Want to get in touch? Email: [email protected]

This week on the Rock Your Bottom podcast, Mitch joins me on the couch to share his journey through addiction and into recovery. This story holds so much within it, and it's truly worth a listen. Mitch opens up about his upbringing, including mental health challenges in his family and the impact of growing up in a time when mental health wasn’t talked about, especially for men. He shares how trying to “be a man” and keep it all in was one of the worst things he could have done. Not being able to express emotion after experiencing traumatic loss took its toll. Like many, Mitch turned to what worked in the moment... starting with cannabis and alcohol, and later getting caught up in an undercover operation involving methamphetamine, which ultimately led him to serve time. Mitch shares all of this within the episode. Mitch has overcome huge challenges. Most importantly, he’s found that life without substances is where it’s at for him. Recovery has given him a new way of living, one where he can finally breathe, feel, and live freely. He shares it all: the highs, the lows, and how he continues to show up in his own recovery today. A massive thank you to Mitch for sitting down with me, speaking his truth, and helping bring light to conversations that can be hard to have, in hopes that it reaches someone who needs to hear it most. Support the Rock Your Bottom podcast by subscribing, liking, and sharing it far and wide. You never know who might need to hear one of these conversations. Let me know in the comments what you enjoyed most about this episode! You can listen to this episode on all platforms, wherever you get your podcasts.📲 Follow us on socials to stay updated with what’s happening and who’s coming on next! If you’re struggling, please know: YOU ARE NOT ALONE. 📞 Alcohol and Other Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797 TikTok: rockyourbottomofficial, Instagram: rockyourbottom, Facebook: Rock Your Bottom #addiction #recovery #sobriety #nz #podcast #rockbottom #onedayatatime #youarenotalone #addictionawareness #soberjourney #recoveryjourney #rockyourbottom #addict #addictionhelp #prison #free #nzpodcast

HAPPY TUESDAY! 💛 This week I’m joined by a dear friend, James. James opens up about his childhood and how it led him down a dangerous path, one that gave him an understanding of the methamphetamine world here in Aotearoa. As time went on, his crimes escalated, eventually resulting in James spending over 10 years behind bars. In this episode, we unpack the hows and whys and explore the turning point that led James into recovery. After being given the opportunity to take part in the Drug Court programme here in Auckland, James turned his life around. He now works within that very system, helping others break free from the same cycle he once knew all too well. A massive shoutout to James for coming on and sharing his story so openly, hoping it reaches someone out there who needs it most. Support the Rock Your Bottom podcast by subscribing, liking, and sharing it far and wide; you never know who might need to hear one of these kōreros. You can listen to this episode on all platforms, wherever you get your podcasts.📲 Follow us on socials to stay updated with what’s happening and who’s coming on next! TikTok: rockyourbottomofficial, Instagram: rockyourbottom, Facebook: Rock Your Bottom #addiction #recovery #sobriety #nz #podcast #rockbottom #onedayatatime #youarenotalone #addictionawareness #soberjourney #recoveryjourney #rockyourbottom #addict #addictionhelp #prison #free #nzpodcast