16 year-old Stephen Bird thought that school was getting in the way of his sport, so he left. Thirteen years later, he started his academic journey and now Professor Stephen Bird has spent decades working with all kinds of athletes, teams and organisations exploring what makes them work and more importantly, what will make them work better. This was a fun chat but to be honest, I kind of felt like I was talking to me (lol).

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The hijacking of our minds is a silent epidemic. In the digital age, the concept of mind hijacking has transcended the boundaries of science fiction, becoming a palpable reality that affects billions of individuals around the globe. This phenomenon isn't always orchestrated by malevolent forces in a dark room but it is a consequence of the intricate interplay between technology, psychology, and the insatiable appetite of the modern economy for our attention, our data and of course, our money. Someone or something is always trying to 'sell you'; it could be a product, a program, a philosophy, a religion, a story or an image, but they can't sell you anything if you're not paying attention, so their priority is to get your attention at all costs. Their mission is to make you look. And keep looking. Or listening. To make you stay. To get you engaged. No matter what. To make you believe you need whatever it is they're selling. To hijack your mind.

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Well, this could be my last show. To say that this chat with Patrick got a little loose, is an understatement. If NOVA (our podcast partner) call first thing Monday morning, I definitely won't be answering that. I personally found it funny but then I have issues, so listener discretion is advised. If you're easily offended, see you next time. Apart from handjobs and Patrick’s rough hands (you were warned), we spoke about tech illiteracy (me), sending dead you (well, your ashes) to the moon, why sharing a bed with your pooch can increase your lifespan, the USB stick that self-destructs when you need it to (actual spy stuff), the impact of short videos on kids, having your brain hijacked and whether working from home is good or bad for your health. Enjoy. Or avoid.

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For forty-two years live been riding motorbikes on the road. And for forty-two years, my mum has pretended that I don't. We don't talk about it. Ever. I think she's still hoping it's a phase. Bless her maternal little socks. Motorbikes give her anxiety and me, joy. Stimulus, response. Mary, Craig. Other than the potential psychological consequences of motorbikes, in this episode of TYP, Dr. Jodi and I talk about the healing power of medical professionals who make us feel safe, calm and optimistic, why kids these days are avoiding public displays of affection, the pressure of professional athletes to be role models (when all they actually want to be is athletes), anxiety in the workplace and lots more.

P.S. Don't tell Mary. Shh.

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Jacqui Louder and I have been friends for twenty years, did radio together for ten of those and have both been working in similar spaces (sport, high-performance, psychology, health) for all of our adult lives. It was great to catch up and talk about life after a successful outcome (she’s the Psychologist for Collingwood FC and Melbourne Storm), hitting the reset button, competence vs. confidence, cognitive entrenchment (it’s a thing), things they don’t teach you at Uni, positional power and personal power and lots more. Enjoy.

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Over the years, there have been so many things that I thought I needed, but actually didn't. Things I thought I needed to do, or be, or have. And not only did I not need them but some of the things I believed I needed, were actually anchors and barriers to my growth, resilience, development and ultimately, my success. In many cases, my beliefs about what I needed (to survive and thrive) were objectively wrong. I started out this solo episode thinking I'd talk for thirty (or so) minutes and ended up chatting for more than double that (only child, chatty AF). Enjoy. 

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Over the years, there have been so many things that I thought I needed, but actually didn't. Things I thought I needed to do, or be, or have. And not only did I not need them but some of the things I believed I needed, were actually anchors and barriers to my growth, resilience, development and ultimately, my success. In many cases, my beliefs about what I needed (to survive and thrive) were objectively wrong. I started out this solo episode thinking I'd talk for thirty (or so) minutes and ended up chatting for more than double that (only child, chatty AF). Enjoy. 

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In this episode, High-Performance Coach, Trainer, Author, owner of ‘The Fit Shop’ and all-round good bloke Brad Cunningham and I discuss building a business when you don’t really know what you’re doing, understanding customers and clients and meeting their needs, the pros and cons of fitness trackers, creating lasting physical change, who makes the best Trainers and why, the proliferation of fitness businesses (are there too many?), creating a culture that people want to be in, shiny ball syndrome (“oh look… a $25,000 treadmill”), the psychology behind the physiology (of getting in shape) and lots more. Enjoy.

@brad.cunningham_

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Nikki Morrison and I are peas in a pod. Kind of. Okay, I'm a much bigger pea than her but peas, nonetheless. We have both spent much of our lives dealing with body dysmorphia, exercise obsession, disordered eating (me), an eating disorder (her), secret behaviours, control issues (around food and exercise), seeking approval and validation through our appearance, self-esteem issues and self-induced exhaustion from pretending to the world that we (both exercise Scientists, btw) had our sh*t together, when we totally didn't. Anyway, this episode is a chat about all that and lots more.

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What's 'the best'... diet, lifestyle, exercise program, type of meditation, anxiety treatment, sleep protocol, career, communication style, leadership style, learning style (and so on)? You and I both know that my best job could be your worst job (mostly likely would be). Your optimal diet could make me sick. Your best workout might injure me. The movie that makes you laugh, might make me bored. The drug that alleviates your nerve pain, might make me hallucinate (actually happened to me). The ideology that makes you feel valued and connected might make feel suspicious. The motorbike ride that gives me joy, might give you terror. In life, your challenge is not to find 'the' best anything but rather, your best everything.

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