The NXT LVL Podcast

EP 42 - From Pain to Power with Koorosh Rassekh

Your host // Tim Bishop

Our guest // Koorosh Rassekh, MMFT

Having confronted addiction in his own life, Koorosh takes us on his personal journey through his challenging childhood, to how and why he founded Evo Health and Wellness.

Koorosh was beaten & bullied daily as a child because of his name, ethnicity and look, but much like the pounding of a rock produces a diamond, Koorosh has alchemised his pain into his greatest power. His unwavering passion to serve those in need is breathtaking and inspiring, and his personal experience in those darker places of depression and addiction gives him an understanding and authentic compassion no University could teach or Degree could define. His vision is powerful and clear; to break the stigma around mental health and create a world of healthier people, families, and communities.

Koorosh has undergone extensive training in multiple therapeutic approaches, including: Assertive Community Reinforcement Approach (ACRA), Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA), Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP), Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Motivational Interviewing, and numerous meditation and mindfulness techniques.

Learn more and connect with Koorosh here.

Your host // Tim Bishop

Our guest // Dr. Beau Lotto

"People aren't aware of the context they create for themselves in the future they then have to response to"

This gripping podcast takes you onto the edge of your seat and into the fascinating and complex world of perception. Traversing trust, courage, multivariable problems, consciousnesses, parenting & even skate boarding, this podcast is like an unquenchable thirst, leaving you wanting so much more, you won't want it to end!

Dr. Beau Lotto is a neuroscientist and world-renowned expert in perception. His research explores the ways in which we experience the world through our own versions of reality. As Beau puts it, "the brain never sees the world as it actually is, only the world that is useful to see." By illuminating these principles of perception he has helped individuals and companies transform their approach to creativity and innovation.

Click here to learn more from Beau.

Your host // Tim Bishop

Our guest // Heston Russell

Heston is a highly decorated ex-serving special forces major. He served within the 2nd Commando Regiment and led some of the most highly skilled (and most dangerous) men on multiple deployments. He is also a very dear friend and army buddy of Tims.

Heston takes us on his journey from childhood through to his double life in the military into the challenge and liberation of coming out; in more way than one.

His experience and wisdom blends together to create a tapestry of knowledge and learning that most adults don't experience in a lifetime.

Topics traverse tackling and controlling the inner critic, learning authentic confidence, how to have difficult conversations, the power of visualisation and the underestimated power of breath.

Connect with Heston here or here.

Your host // Tim Bishop & Nat Hodges

Our guest // Dr Cam McDonald

Not all bodies are created equally, so why is there such a blanketed approach to health, nutrition & fitness? There is no one approach to life; what works for one may not work for the other. We are all created differently, and once you understand your specific somatotype you can learn to THRIVE, not just survive.

This is a deep dive conversation into the world of personalised health; traversing epigenetics, body types, personalities and even how your body shape effects your brain processes!

Dr Cam McDonald is a Dietitian, Exercise Physiologist, PhD Scholar and a Leader in Personalised Health. He has a specific focus on creating a culture where the health choice is easy and obvious and has a working knowledge of how individuals can move to a state of optimal health, and a keen interest in maximising human performance throughout the community. Combining the world's sciences throughout time, he is driven to help you find what makes you thrive.

Connect with Dr Cam here

Your host // Nat Hodges

Our guest // Michael Lauria

Our modern Toxic "Success" Driven society is placing enormous pressure on Men to acquire material wealth and social acceptance, resulting in Men feeling even more inadequate and uncertain, creating deeper levels of disconnection with themselves. There is nothing wrong with money, nor achievement, but to make "success" the driving force is damaging Men, as they do not know how to strive for goals and achievement whilst still remaining healthy, well balanced Men; able to integrate their masculinity in a healthy way.

What do men actually value? Are the men of today honestly fulfilled? How can men be resourcefully masculine in today's society? How can they gain higher levels of awareness and be the best versions of themselves?

In this podcast Michael takes you on his journey of self discovery, from the depths of suicidal moments, to the heights of his permanent transformations, how he did it, and more importantly why.

Connect with Michael here

Michaels Book: Forging Excalibur: Rediscover Your Masculinity

EP 37 - Like Stories of Old with Tom van der Linden

Your host // Tim Bishop & Sarah Hickey

Our guest // Tom van der Linden

If you haven't yet discovered the video essays of Tom van der Linden, called 'Like Stories of Old' - then please, do yourself the greatest service and take a look.

Tom [who is based in the Netherlands] creates films that explore the boundary between film analysis and life lessons, because he believes that movies, just like the stories of old, contain valuable ideas and insights, and to better understand them is to better understand life.

With an environmental sociology degree, minoring in philosophy - Tom took his academic skills for writing essays & now uses these skills to create content with rich, emotional premises.

In this episode we deep dive on:

• where his affinity with film began
• Takes us inside his creative process which can often involve months of research, development and writing
• How he is finding the timeless within the contemporary

Creatives will empathise that putting their work out into the world can be an experience faced with obstacles... the inner critic, fear and doubt. Tom gives us insight into what this was like for him in the beginning & how he confronts it.

This incredible creative is going places.

Connect with Tom here:

Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7nPQIEba0T3tGOWWsZpJQ

Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/LikeStoriesofOld

EP 36 - The Power Of Music with Jono Kirkham

Your host // Nat Hodges

Our guest // Jono Kirkham

Jono is one half of production duo 'YesYou'.

YesYou have been writing and producing music together since the release of their debut single 'Half Of It' which ended the year as the 11th most played song in 2011 on Triple J. The guys followed up with another impressive track 'Frivolous Life' that peaked at #5 on Hype Machine, received high praise from the likes of Neon Gold, Earmilk, Indie Shuffle. Jono is also now the National Manager of Creative Collaborations for the Starlight Children's Foundation Australia.

In this conversation, Jono goes back to the beginning where he moved schools several times as a child, and as a result developed a skill to connect quickly and mix with people from all walks of life.

Jono and Nat discuss and explore the power of music and how it shapes us. The process of having a craft, removing expectation and going all in.

If you're a creative, lover of music or love hearing inspirational stories of people who go after their calling - we can't wait for you to listen to this one.

Connect with Jono here;

YesYou on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/22qas00XuS5sVfW0YaR5Wd

Starlight Children's Foundation: https://starlight.org.au//

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-kirkham-66383367/

EP 35 - Excellence Over Everything with Paul Cale

Your host // Tim Bishop

Our guest // Paul Cale

"Failure just means the path you chose isn't passable.

Find another way to what you want."Paul Cale is a man who truly understands combat.

Quite literally, he rewrote the book on close-quarter fighting (CQF) for the Australian Special Forces.

A former Commando Sergeant, Paul gained more than 25 years of experience in the Australian armed forces. For 20 of those he was a Special Forces operator and team leader, and served on five combat tours in the Middle East.

Upon retirement, Paul was immediately recruited by the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, where he worked alongside top sports psychologists and physiologists at the AIS Combat Centre.

Today, as the CEO of KEF Group, Paul leads a business that specialises in advanced skill-enhancement training for defence, police and security organisations. Applying his own method of CQF, Kinetic Fighting, Paul has also created the Army Combatives Program, which is now mandatory for Australian soldiers.

In this episode, Paul shares inspiration and insight on life, work and education. Featuring a mixture of deep reflection, raw honesty and dry Aussie humour, this conversation will go down as a favourite with our listeners.

His mantra, Excellence Over Everything, embodies the belief that by developing mental toughness and physical mastery through discipline and commitment, you can take control of your life and succeed in your personal mission.

We can't wait for you to dive in.

Connect with Paul here;

Website: https://kineticfighting.com.au/about/paul-cale/

Instagram: instagram.com/paulcaleofficial

EP 34 - Designing A Better World with Nik Ingersoll

Your host // Tim Bishop

Our guest // Nik Ingersoll

"When the worst thing you could imagine happens...

Anything else that comes after that is pretty easy to deal with"

Today's episode features the legendary Nik Ingersoll - recently named Forbes 30 Under 30, and current CMO and Co-Founder of Barnana - armed with the mission of ending food waste at banana farms

From humble beginnings as a local boy from Western Nebraska to an internationally acclaimed creative, Nik personally designs everything for the brand and its packaging.

While young, Nik is far from an overnight success - we dive deep on how he navigates his world - from side projects to building motorbikes to combat sports, there is so much excitement and adventure in his story - enjoy this HUGE pot of gold from an industry leader, and a phenomenal man.

Connect with Nik here;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ingersollnikWebsite: www.barnana.com / https://ingersollnik.com/

EP 33 -Transforming Pain Into Purpose with Dave Nixon

Your host // Nat Hodges

Our guest // Dave Nixon

Today, we have an amazing discussion with an extremely purpose driven man - Dave Nixon.

On this episode, we dive into his early days of entering the fitness industry and how it led to his road trip across 42 different gyms in 16 weeks in the US, along with having over 5000+ clients.

Aside from his professional success, Dave is hell-bent on changing an industry that is designed to facilitate personal growth, and through improving ourselves, we improve the world around us.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Dave's inspiration that got him into the fitness industry at the age of 15
• Managing his first gym at 18, and three locations by 21
• Establishing Functional Fitness Australia at the age of 22
• Insecurities and identifying depression and anxiety
• Sliding from 6 clients, no website and 5 figures of debt.
• The Human Movement
• Changing an industry and educating through the "Mood Prep" podcast

QUOTES

"In life only two things matter: The memories they make and how they contribute"

"Pain as a young kid turned into a purpose"

"I shook hands with the devil one day, and decided to change my life around"

"If no one downloaded my podcast, I would still upload it. That way I still learn how to bake my own cake, and everyone listening are just the sprinkles."

Connect with Dave here;

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

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

Podcast: https://davenixon.com.au/mood-prep-podcast/

Website: https://davenixon.com.au/