She Mines

FIFO workers often earn good money on paper — but that doesn’t always mean it feels easy. In this episode of She Mines, I'm having an honest conversation about finances, shame, and building money confidence in a FIFO lifestyle.

I’m joined by Lacey Filipich from Money School, a former chemical engineer who worked in mining and is now a financial educator. Together, we unpack why so many FIFO workers feel overwhelmed by money, the impact of long swings and lifestyle creep, and how to create simple, practical systems that actually work in a mining context.

This isn’t about budgeting perfectly or getting rich quickly. It’s about removing shame, understanding your finances, and taking small, realistic steps toward feeling more in control.

If finances are feeling more than just stressful, please know there is free and confidential support available. You can contact the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or visit https://ndh.org.au to speak with a financial counsellor.

Or if you want Lacey's Money School risk management guide, it's on the Resources page on https://www.moneyschool.net.au/resources

On site, we’re trained to fix problems. Breakdowns. Delays. Production targets. But what happens when the problem isn’t mechanical — it’s mental?

In this episode, I talk about how to actually support a mate who might be struggling. Not as a counsellor. Not with perfect words. Just as someone who notices and cares enough to check in.

I unpack the signs someone might not be okay, what to say (and what not to say), and when to escalate beyond a toolbox chat. Because in FIFO and mining life, silence is common — and a simple conversation can make a real difference.

Looking after your mate isn’t weakness. It’s leadership.

In this episode of She Mines, I’m joined by Kendall, the founder of the Blue Tree Project — a movement that has become a powerful symbol for mental health awareness across Australia and the world.

Kendall shares her deeply personal journey with mental health, the story behind how the Blue Tree Project began, and the impact it has had on individuals and communities. What started from a place of pain has grown into something that’s helping people feel seen, start conversations, and remind others that they’re not alone.

We also talk about how these conversations translate into high-pressure industries like mining — where long hours, isolation, and a culture of resilience can often make it harder to speak up. This episode is a reminder of the importance of connection, checking in, and creating spaces where people feel safe to be honest.

If you’ve ever struggled, know someone who has, or want to better support a mate — this conversation is for you.

If this episode resonates, share it with someone who might need it.

To learn more about the Blue Tree Project, get involved, or reach out for support, you can find them on:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bluetreeproject/

Website - https://bluetreeproject.com.au/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/bluetreeproject/posts/?feedView=all

Starting your first FIFO swing can be exciting — but packing for it can feel overwhelming. What do you actually need to bring? What will site provide? And what do experienced FIFO workers wish they had packed the first time?

In this episode of She Mines, I break down everything you need to know before heading out on your first FIFO swing. From travel essentials and PPE to camp life comforts, food containers, health items and the small things that make a big difference on site, this episode is designed to help new starters feel more prepared and confident.

This episode was also built with help from the She Mines community. After putting the call out on social media, FIFO workers from across the industry shared their must-have items, lessons learned and tips for surviving that first swing. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed.

And most importantly — don’t stress if you forget something. Everyone does. Your first swing is an opportunity to learn, settle into FIFO life and figure out what works best for you.

In this episode of She Mines, I am joined by Laura, a crisis supporter and facilitator with Lifeline, to explore the human stories behind mental health support.

Laura shares her journey into working with Lifeline, what it’s really like supporting people through crisis, and the importance of breaking down stigma around mental health — especially in high-pressure industries like mining.

This conversation highlights the courage it takes to speak up, ask for help, and support others, even when it feels uncomfortable. It’s an honest and compassionate discussion about vulnerability, strength, and the power of simply starting the conversation.

If this episode brings anything up for you, Lifeline is available 24/7 on 13 11 14.

In this Q&A episode of She Mines, I explore the tension between ambition and mental health in the mining industry. Using real listener questions, this conversation looks at burnout, pressure, rest, and what it means to build a sustainable career without sacrificing your wellbeing.

I talk about staying ambitious without burning out, loving mining while struggling mentally, and feeling stuck between wanting more and needing a break.

You’re not alone — and you don’t have to navigate this quietly.

In this solo episode of She Mines, I take a deep dive into imposter syndrome: what it really is, why it shows up so strongly in high-pressure industries like mining, and how it affects anyone at any level.

Drawing on psychological research and real industry experience, this episode explores:

• What imposter syndrome actually is (and what it isn’t)

• Why it often intensifies as you move into senior and high-visibility roles

• How mining culture, safety accountability, FIFO life, and leadership expectations amplify self-doubt

• The hidden impacts on decision-making, teams, culture, and leadership pipelines

• Why a small amount of self-doubt can actually be a strength — keeping people accountable, thoughtful, and safety-focused

This isn’t about “fixing” yourself or eliminating doubt entirely. It’s about learning to recognise when imposter feelings are helping you do your job well — and when they’re starting to hold you back.

If you’ve ever felt like you needed to prove you belong, questioned your competence despite evidence, or carried the quiet pressure of responsibility in mining — this episode is for you.

As we step into 2026, this episode is a pause — not to slow mining down, but to look at it honestly.

Across 2025, one major theme kept emerging: people aren’t leaving mining because the work is too hard. They’re leaving because of culture, fatigue, and the quiet identity conflict that comes with trying to sustain a long career in a demanding industry.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why technical challenges are rarely the reason people walk away

• The unseen cost of burnout being normalised

• Identity conflict, especially for women navigating mining careers

• The mine we don’t want anymore — and the mine we’re actively building

• What leadership, safety, and strength really look like underground

• A direct conversation to women in mining, and to the men who shape site culture

This isn’t about tearing the industry down. It’s about building one people can stay in.

If you’ve ever questioned your place in mining, your longevity, or what “success” really means — this conversation is for you.

In this honest, Q&A-style episode of She Mines, Jayden and I have a real conversation about mental health in the mining industry—no scripts, no sugarcoating.

We talk about the pressure to stay strong, isolation on shift, the weight of being the provider, and how mental health impacts identity, relationships, and life off site. We also cover what real support looks like, why vulnerability matters, and how the people at home can help.

This episode is about starting the conversations we’ve avoided for too long.

If you work in mining or love someone who does, this one’s for you.

This episode explores the weight many men in mining carry — often silently.

From the pressure to provide, survive in today’s economy, and uphold a culture of strength, to the impact of FIFO life on relationships, identity, and isolation, this is an honest conversation about what isn’t always said out loud in our industry.

I talk about:

• The hidden expectations placed on men in mining

• Provider pressure and financial survival in today’s market

• Masculinity, mental health, and the cost of “just pushing through”

• How isolation shows up on site and at home

• The role partners and families play in supporting the men they love

• Celebrating the men who have shaped the mining industry — and a message to the future generation

⚠️ Content warning: This episode includes discussions around suicide and mental health. Please take care while listening and reach out for support if needed.

This episode is not about blame.

It’s about awareness, understanding, and starting conversations that matter.

If this resonates, share it with someone who might need it — and remember, you’re not alone.