“Then I just burst into tears for the first time since losing my eyesight. I recognised from that day the power of speaking up & how important it is to let other people in.”

In this episode of Talkin Tough Ben is in the firing line as Mike asks the tough questions and together they relive his experience of losing his eyesight overnight at age 16 due to a rare genetic disorder, Lebers Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. Ben has now lived his life as a blind bloke for 12 years but the challenges don’t go away. They just change as life changes along the way.Ben shares some of the things he has learned about tackling the cards life deals us alland how he keeps on top of his mental health in the face of struggle.

Talkin Tough is proudly brought to you by Ski For Life, an Australian charity dedicated to promoting mental health, wellbeing & suicide prevention.

You can find out more at https://www.skiforlife.com.au/

If this Talkin Tough episode has struck a chord with you and you could do with some extra support, please reach out to a trusted mate or professional or call Lifeline on 13 11 14

Watch this episode on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqa2MLkeN9k

Read this episode transcript on the Talkin Tough website https://www.talkintough.com/episodes/ben-pettingill

Follow the Talkin Tough Instagram https://www.instagram.com/talkintoughpodcast/

Follow Legless & Blind on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/legless_and_blind/

Follow Ski For Life Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/skiforlife.aus/

Check out the Ski For Life website-https://www.skiforlife.com.au/

The Talkin Tough team wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands in which this podcast is developed, recorded & listened to. They recognise & honour the rich cultural heritage, deep connection to Country and that First Nations Peoples were first in language, first in story telling & first in sharing knowledge.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“There were times I wanted to go back to the way things were. But eventually, there was a focus on self and reclaiming some sort of identity”

This week on Talkin Tough, Ben is in charge of the hard hitting questions and interviews his co host, Mike “Legless” Rolls. This chat unpacks Mikes experience of navigating life before, during and after surviving meningococcal septicemia at 18 years old. Over a decade on from this life changing experience, Mike is able to reflect on the highs and lows of living everyday as a double amputee and how he has been able to stay on top of his mental health by talking it out with friends and professionals alike.

Talkin Tough is proudly brought to you by Ski For Life, an Australian charity dedicated to promoting mental health, wellbeing & suicide prevention.

You can find out more at https://www.skiforlife.com.au/

If this Talkin Tough episode has struck a chord with you and you could do with some extra support, please reach out to a trusted mate or professional or call Lifeline on 13 11 14

Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/PfWAWxGQu4w

Read this episode transcript on the Talkin Tough website https://www.talkintough.com/episodes/mike-rolls

Follow the Talkin Tough Instagram https://www.instagram.com/talkintoughpodcast/

Follow Legless & Blind on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/legless_and_blind/

Follow Ski For Life Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/skiforlife.aus/

Check out the Ski For Life website-https://www.skiforlife.com.au/

The Talkin Tough team wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands in which this podcast is developed, recorded & listened to. They recognise & honour the rich cultural heritage, deep connection to Country and that First Nations Peoples were first in language, first in story telling & first in sharing knowledge.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you get when a legless lad & a blind bloke walk in to a bar? A couple of mates on a mission to challenge what it means to be "tough".

Join in on the very first of many conversations Mike & Ben share as they redefine what it means to be tough and let’s change the narrative when it comes to mental health & wellbeing.

If this Talkin Tough episode has struck a chord with you and you could do with some extra support, please reach out to a trusted mate or professional or call Lifeline on 13 11 14. 

Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/D1sOevOqeeU

Read this episode transcript on the Talkin Tough website - https://www.talkintough.com/episodes/defining-tough

Follow the Talkin Tough Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/talkintoughpodcast/

Follow Legless & Blind on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/legless_and_blind/

Follow Ski For Life Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/skiforlife.aus/

Check out the Ski For Life website - https://www.skiforlife.com.au/

The Talkin Tough team wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands in which this podcast is developed, recorded & listened to. They recognise & honour the rich cultural heritage, deep connection to Country and that First Nations Peoples were first in language, first in story telling & first in sharing knowledge.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.