Talk Hard

For our last ever chat, no more fitting way to end it than to check in with the man I say many times really set the tone for this pod with his open ness, courage and attitude. The one and only Clint ‘Dinga’ Viney. Dinga has recently achieved a massive goal of being 1000 days sober, we reflect on this and how life is today but the main aim of this final chat was to put some questions to him about mental health, his battles and strategies he uses in order to try to put together a kind of mental health toolbox for any others out there struggling so they can hopefully use in their own lives. Anyone who knows Dinga knows he is an open book on this stuff and admits he still has days where he is ‘beaten’ and talks us through how this feels, how he gets through it and how to support someone else living this struggle. We touch on how he maintains good mental health in his daily routines and steps he takes to make sure he has more good days than bad. This chat touches on some subjects which may be triggering so please be mindful if, when and where to listen.

Dumpy takes us through his footy journey including time in the original Mariners program through to his time with the Devonport and Latrobe footy clubs. He speaks about the highs and lows from these times, wining and losing grand finals, balancing farming and playing, coaching  during tough family times and what he’s learnt along the journey. A fascinating part of our chat is where he speaks about the pressures he put on himself as a player and how at times it affected his enjoyment of the game and he also speaks about his take on athletes being defined by their feats in the sporting arena rather than them as people. He also gives us some highly entertaining stories from his time at clubland including some great insights into some well known coaches he’s had over the journey.

This week I had the pleasure of sitting down with the lovely Tiff Porter to speak about her journey and how her mental toughness helped her overcome some massive challenges. This includes a recent horse riding accident resulting in her breaking 3 vertebrae and her leg and her recovery from this including physical and mental challenges will inspire and highlight the power of the mind. Tiff speaks openly about her journey into motherhood and the challenges she, her husband and many families endure while going down the IVF path and she gives great advice to others going down the same path and those supporting them. She speaks about her early days bouncing around a few home situations, struggles at school and in the workplace including bullying and confidence and the importance of having close friends and good people around you in life.

This week on the show Nathan Hepburn aka the Baron for anyone who follows him on social media For those who do follow the Baron on social media they will know that he is a larger than life character with a unique and highly entertaining take on the world and English language but as always what we love is we also get to know plenty about Nathan as his journey has not been without it’s own unique struggles. Nathan chats about his work life as a fly in fly out miner and the challenges this presents to workers and their families. He speaks about parenting and the challenges he’s had with both his beautiful children in particular his daughter Evie who was diagnosed with Cerebral palsy very early in life. He speaks about how his family supported Evie and what his children have taught him in life. We speak about the varying businesses Nathan has had along the journey and what he has learnt and we couldn’t keep the Baron in the box for too long, naturally he makes an appearance and we speak about how he came about, how he has changes Nathan’s life and plans for the future.

*Language warning

Lots will know Ayrton from his journalistic work with Channel 9 and now as co host of the hugely popular ‘The Truth Hurts’ podcast with none other than the king himself Wayne Carey. Ayrton takes us through his journey into journalism including how a chance meeting with Tony Jones set him on a path into fulfilling his goals. He talks about the unbelievable work ethic you have to have in news to make the cut, the pressures and struggles journos have particularly in the modern 24/7 world of social media news, he gives a great insight into managing different personalities, egos and how relationship building is so important in his game. Lastly we talk about how his relationship with the man known to many as the greatest AFL player ever came about and how a country kid from NW Tassie has managed to find himself not only working on their highly rating podcast but also being a trusted ally who’s not afraid to give a bit back to the King.

On this weeks show local up and coming sprintcar racing superstar Ethan Wyllie. Those familiar with the local motor sport circuit will know Ethan from his rise from dominating go karts to now being behind the wheel of these 900 horse power beasts. But some may not know some of the physical challenges Ethan has had along the way to get to where he is today. Ethan was born with a club foot which required numerous surgeries as a young fella and time missing out on many things that kids of his age get to do. We talk about this and the effect it had including a couple of botched procedures which set him back, how he got through it and his journey into motorsport driving. I was lucky enough to be able to speak to Ethan from the USA where he is now learning more about his craft. He speaks about how this came about, the things he is learning, what he loves about racing, what scares him and his plans for the future

This week teacher, surfer, lover of the ocean and a self proclaimed mermaid during her childhood, Nat Potter. Anyone who knows Nat knows that she draws people to her through being a genuine, authentic individual who cares for others and loves paying it forward. We speak about her early days and how she developed a deep love for the ocean, challenges she’s had along the way including losing loved ones and fulfilling her dream of becoming a mother. A really educational part of our chat is her journey into teaching and strategies she uses to engage with children and others. Our chat about her well being program she uses in her school is worth you taking the time to listen to this pod. Last but not least we speak about the Albert street gang which sees a bunch of ocean lovers surfing and swimming year round. She tells us about the origins of this group, the benefits to organisers and participants, the importance of having your own tribe and community and what it means to be ‘stoked’ and to ‘share the stoke’.

This week, Latrobe Footy Club senior coach, teacher and mad sports lover Nik Hizartzidis called in for a chat. He takes us through his successes and challenges, what he’s learnt along the way and what he now puts into place in his own teaching and coaching. We speak about getting into sport early, lessons learnt from being on his own and having to fend for himself at times in the early days, how sports clubs became his family and his successes as a sports person. Nik speaks about his path into coaching and teaching, what he loves about it and what challenges him and gives some great insights into relationship building and helping people get the best from themselves.

This week former guest, fellow podcaster and mental health advocate Nathan Hunt. Those who follow Nathan’s Podcast, Better Off Dad would have noticed that the boys have been quiet over the airwaves, the reason was that Nathan had been hard at work implementing a mental health framework in his workplace so I was keen to get him in for a chat to unpack how it all came about with mental health playing a huge role in all workplaces. Nathan talks about what he saw in his own workplace which made him take action to become a mental health first aid trainer himself, his own personal experiences with mental health affecting people around him and the steps he took to bring awareness of it into his workplace and also the work forces reaction to it. We also have a good general chat about mental health from an everyday persons point of view and Nathan gives some great tips on the signs to look for of mental health and how anyone can help someone they can see is struggling.

This week on the pod, teacher, coach, athlete, fitness fanatic and new business owner of Shearwater Health and Fitness, Alex Baldock.Plenty of learnings to take from Alex’s journey including dealing with tragedy, building rapport and helping shape the lives of our young people, overcoming self doubt to establish a new business and challenges in establishing a new school at Port Sorell. Alex also gives some great relationship advice for busy families and we go into a bit of sports stuff including controversy, how to be a great team mate and what he’s learnt from a couple of super coaches on the NW Coast. Last of all we go into why red wine and Tina Turner can be a dangerous combination.