The Mindful Men Podcast

Welcome to Episode 29 - Sitting With Anxiety through the Anxiety Arc

In this week's solo episode, I am talking you through a new tool that my psychologist introduced me to - the Anxiety Arc. 

This tool has been useful for me to stop avoiding tasks I need to do in order to get my business up and running. For example, finishing my website.

The Anxiety Arc helps us to visualise when we're avoiding things that cause us anxiety, and learn to sit with anxiety. This is useful, because when we learn to sit with anxiety, we learn to live with it. Then over time, anxiety has less control over us and our lives!

If you love what you hear, please like the show. Share it with your mates, and click subscribe. Leave a review and rating to help spread the Mindful Men word!

You can also check us out at:

Website: www.mindful-men.com.au

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful.men.aus/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus/

***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***

Cheers, Simon

Welcome to Episode 28 - Big Empathy Energy with Elyce Mandich

If you've been watching the news lately, you'll notice there's big social issues coming out of the US at the moment. 

Gun control after yet another school shooting is one that continually comes up. And on the 24th June 2022, the US Supreme Court decided to overturn Roe v. Wade - the landmark 1973 decision that gave American women the right to abortion.

So when you get two social workers together to chat mental health, these big social issues get some airtime! 

This week I chat with Elyce Mandich, a wife, mother and relatable social worker with Big Empathy Energy! Elyce is a licensed clinical social worker in Southern California, a school social worker, and now the owner of a new private practice - Big Empathy Therapy.

In addition to the big social issues of gun control and abortion, Elyse opens up about losing her mom to suicide; and talks about life as a school social worker. It's a great all round chat that you're bound to enjoy!

If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatrelatablesocialworker/

Website: https://www.bigempathytherapy.org

Website: https://thatrelatablesocialworker.com

You by Louyah: https://youtu.be/CWyneG1r9OY

You can also check us out at:

Website: www.mindful-men.com.au

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful.men.aus/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus/

***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***

Cheers, Simon

Welcome to Episode 27 - The Fit Dad Lifestyle with Leroy Faure

For those following my journey, you would know I experienced burnout pretty hard in 2020. I ended up taking 3-4 months off of work to recover, and in that time I discovered the Fit Dad Lifestyle.

Leroy Faure has created a global community for dads all striving to be 1% better than yesterday. From workouts with the family, to supplements, and simple tips with managing fatherhood, the Fit Dad Lifestyle community is a great place for dads to connect, engage and support each other.

Tune in to hear Leroy's story of playing footy growing up, being in the armed forces, and then business and family life. It's a great episode for any dad looking for inspiration to be the best versions of themselves. 

If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefitdadlifestyle/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFitDadLifestyle

Website: https://www.thefitdadlifestyle.com

You can also check us out at:

Website: www.mindful-men.com.au

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful.men.aus/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus/

***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***

Cheers, Simon

Welcome to Episode 26 - Psychosocial Recovery Coaching with Jake O’Halloran

When we think of professional support for our mental health, we think GP, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Counsellor and even Mental Health Social Worker. 

But over the last few years, a new type of support that has appeared for people experiencing mental health challenges, the Psychosocial Recovery Coach. 

In this week's episode, I chat with Jake O'Halloran from One Good Day, a company specialising in Psychosocial Recovery Coaching. 

Jake provides a great account for what Recovery Coaching is, and how people can access one through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). He also shares some of his own personal challenges with mental illness, and the supports he had in place to recover from it. 

If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/one.good.day_au/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OneGoodDayRecoveryCoaches

Website: https://onegoodday.com.au

Tyson Fury: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2839648-tyson-fury-talks-mental-health-struggles-reveals-he-was-on-the-verge-of-suicide

The Man in the Arena: https://youtu.be/A311CnTjfos 

You can also check us out at:

Website: www.mindful-men.com.au

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful.men.aus/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus/

***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***

Cheers, Simon

Welcome to Episode 25 - Overcoming Adversity In and Out of the Gym with Bart Walsh

Adversity is something we all come across in our lives. 

Some of us can overcome it easily, whilst others need a bit of help (and thats ok!).

This week I chat with Bart Walsh, the Head Coach of Jetts Fitness Australia. Jetts is an international fitness brand helping people to improve their health and wellbeing. 

Not only does Bart help thousands of Jetts members overcome adversity to improve their health and wellbeing, but he has had to overcome his own to be where he is today.

When he was 23 years old, Bart overcame a rare and aggressive cancer under the right side of his jaw. In 2020, Bart's son passed away shortly after he was born. And in 2022, Bart is heading to the Crossfit Games despite being diagnosed with Hereditary Sensorimotor Peripheral Neuropathy (also known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) Disease), a condition that is impacting his peripheral nervous system. 

But Bart doesn't let adversity stop him, and he is driven to overcome adversity through his mantra to "make the love greater than the loss". 

This is a raw and vulnerable chat, full of inspiration and strength despite the pain that Bart has gone through.

If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are:

Website: https://www.jetts.com.au

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jettsaustralia/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walsh.fit/

Personal Best Podcast: https://jettslife.jetts.com.au/podcast

Hummingbird House: https://hummingbirdhouse.org.au

Go Fund Me Page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/bart-at-the-2022-crossfit-games

Dispatches From Elsewhere: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8965666/

You can also check us out at:

Website: www.mindful-men.com.au

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful.men.aus/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus/

***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***

Cheers, Simon

Welcome to Episode 24 - Coaching, Values and Community with Lachie Stuart

For many men, day to day life can often feel like its being lived on auto-pilot. 

We just go through the motions, and don't feel like we're really living. 

We can feel lost and lonely, and our relationships with ourselves and others can suffer. 

Enter Lachie Stuart from the Man That Can Project. Lachie helps men to reconnect with themselves and their community through high performance coaching. 

He brings to life values-based living, and connects blokes from all walks of life in a community that aims to build strong minds and bodies for its members. 

If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themanthatcanproject/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lachlanstuart/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lachiestuart/

Website: https://themanthatcanproject.com

The Four Agreements: https://amzn.to/3OD8pcK

Atomic Habits: https://amzn.to/3N1jFhW

Ryan Holiday Books: https://ryanholiday.net

You can also check us out at:

Website: www.mindful-men.com.au

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful.men.aus/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus/

***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***

Cheers, Simon

Welcome to Episode 23 - Doulas, Parenting and Social Work with Sarah White

Navigating pregnancy, child birth and then parenting can be a scary and overwhelming thing. 

One minute, you're free as a bird, living the child-free life. The next minute, you've got a bundle of joy that you need to care for 24/7.

For some, childbirth and parenting comes easy. But for others, it flips life upside down.

When I became a dad, my idea of support was the hospital staff, the GP, mum's groups and family. I had no idea that you could get additional support from a Doula. 

So in this episode, I chat with Sarah White who is a mum, social worker and postpartum Doula. 

Sarah talks me through what she does as a Doula, but also how her work is shaped by her own experiences of motherhood and her social work experience.

This is a great episode for any soon to be parents looking for a bit of extra support. 

If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahwhiteppdoula 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_white_pp_doula/

Birthing Dads: https://www.birthingdads.com.au

The Fathering Project: https://thefatheringproject.org

Panda: https://panda.org.au

SMS 4 Dads: https://www.sms4dads.com.au

You can also check us out at:

Website: www.mindful-men.com.au

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful.men.aus/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus/

***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***

Cheers, Simon

Welcome to Episode 22 - Surviving Child Abuse with Jimmy Vaughan

Childhood is a time where our focus should be on exploring the world and ourselves within it.

It's a period of growth, learning, loving, happiness, curiosity and wonder. 

Yet for some, childhood can turn from this wondrous joyful period, to one of significant trauma and pain. 

In this week's episode, I chat with Jimmy Vaughan from Jims Stop the Stigma. 

Jimmy is a TedX speaker, mental health peer mentor, mental health advocate and father to a future rugby star.

He's also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. He's lived through years of pain, but has found strength in sharing his story in the hope that it helps others share theirs. 

Tune in to hear his story. 

If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jimsstopthestigma 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissingPeaceWellbeingSupport/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jims_stop_the_stigma/

TedX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nORxtDhU6lQ

You can also check us out at:

Website: www.mindful-men.com.au

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful.men.aus/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus/

***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***

Cheers, Simon

Welcome to Episode 21 - Life as a 5 Year Old with Gus

This week I'm joined by my 5 year old son Gus. He's been super keen to come on the podcast, and share some of his favourite things.

I loved the fact he wanted to take part in the show, and it reminded me of my episode with Anthony Simons where we were talking about seeing the world through our kids eyes. 

In this episode, we talk about Gus' love for animals, and also his thoughts on things like being happy and sad, and what love is. 

Its an easy listen, and I recommend you also watch the episode on YouTube as Gus loved making funny faces on the camera!

If you love what you hear, please like the show. Share it with your mates, and click subscribe. Leave a review and rating to help spread the Mindful Men word!

You can also check us out at:

Website: www.mindful-men.com.au

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful.men.aus/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus/

***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***

Cheers, Simon

Welcome to Episode 20 - Footy, Masculinity and Mental Health

This week I reflect on the David Noble spray to his North Melbourne players after their loss to the Brisbane Lions in Round 3.

Players got emotional, and former coaches of the Australian Football League (AFL) questioned whether sprays were necessary in 2022. 

The media commentary around the incident had me reflecting on my footy days, and how footy clubs contribute to the perception that masculinity is about boys and men not showing emotions.

I also reflect on current and former players who have experienced mental health issues, and my hope that AFL players speaking up about mental health can encourage other boys and men to speak up too. 

If you love what you hear, please like the show. Share it with your mates, and click subscribe. Leave a review and rating to help spread the Mindful Men word!

You can also check us out at:

Website: www.mindful-men.com.au

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful.men.aus/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus/

***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***

Cheers, Simon

References for today's show:

https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/causes-death/causes-death-australia/latest-release?msclkid=dab46db0c6b011ec9726f06a4b3d13c3#intentional-self-harm-deaths-suicide-in-australia

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/ive-got-to-be-better-north-melbourne-coach-david-noble-opens-up-on-postgame-spray-that-left-players-a-bit-emotional/news-story/62875423c80c9c6ad1e1263e5ce253d1

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/north-melbourne-kangaroos/afl-news-2022-david-noble-spray-to-north-melbourne-players-after-brisbane-loss-apologises-to-play-group/news-story/bfd477f5823bf8a4ec967e3ba55974d3

https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2020/12/16/49fbf87a-7290-4a88-a0a3-5c98c79e6e4a/AFL-Mental-Health-Wellbeing-Strategy_2020_2022.pdf

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/massive-rise-as-382-players-seek-help-for-mental-wellbeing-20200422-p54mcd.html

https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-ace-smith-details-mental-health-battle-c-4226525

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/mental-health