To Be Human

Hello beautiful people

On today’s podcast we have the incredible Ray Zahab. Ray is a modern day explorer having been recognised by Canadian Geographic as one of Canada’s top explorers. Having experienced over 30 expeditions in extreme environments from some of the coldest places on earth such as the South Pole and Siberia, to some of the hottest such as Death Valley and the Atacama Desert. Ray is well known for becoming one of the first humans to run coast to coast across the Sahara Desert, running 7500km over 111 days, averaging 70km per day. Ray is a co-founder of KapiK1, an expedition business, whose mission is to create unique, once in a lifetime expeditions to the most jaw dropping locations on Earth, and is the Founder of the non-profit Impossible 2 Possible which encourages youth to reach beyond their perceived limits by using adventure as a medium to educate, inspire and empower.

What I personally love about this conversation is Ray’s absolute zest for life! In the space of Ray you cannot help but be deeply infused by his energy and influenced to reflect on how you can bring more extraordinary into your own life! Ray is extremely authentic, and he shares how he hasn’t always been this passionate explorer and lover of life. He is a former 1-2 pack a day smoker, drinker and hadn’t travelled much at all up until his 30s; now having travelled to 75 countries. And it is in his story of transformation and the trajectory he has led himself on, that is truly powerful, because, there was a moment in time for Ray that seeing others with such drive and purpose came to change his life, and now he has become that form of inspiration for others. Showing us all that you can too, in Ray’s words, with enough ‘patience, tenacity and willingness’, become and achieve like those you at present look up to.

I would love to shout out Chris leaving an Apple Podcast Review sharing that he ‘finds this podcast fantastic to listen to, lots of conversations and a fantastic interviewer; really recommend this one’. So thank you Chris! This story is actually a funny one as I met Chris in  a hotel lift. He asked what I was doing, I said I was about to record a podcast, and he asked which one, and now has become an avid listener. I think that is pretty cool and has certainly made me think, hanging out in the hotel lift more often may be the right idea. Anyway, I digress, if you are enjoying this podcast, please rate, review, subscribe, share with friends and family, become part of the To Be Human Collective, and enjoy this insightful conversation with the infectious Ray Zahab.

Connect with Me
Mindset Coaching | https://www.jennahlouise.com.au
Instagram Personal | https://www.instagram.com/jennah_louise

Connect with Ray
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/RayZahab
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/ray.zahab
Website | https://www.rayzahab.com

Hello beautiful people

On today’s podcast we have the wonderful Joe Bonington. Joe is the founder of Joe’s Basecamp and Australia’s leading Strength and Conditioning specialist in outdoor wilderness and adventure sports and activities. Joe helps adventurers, extreme athletes and ordinary people achieve their goals and dreams such as skiing to the North Pole, running the Sahara, Gobi and Atacama deserts, swimming the English channel, kayaking rivers hundreds of kilometres from source to sea, and competing in ultramarathon events. Significantly, Joe has trained more Everest Summiteers than any other Australian. 

Joe writes for magazines such as Australian Geographic Adventure, has featured on several TV programs, runs corporate programs and is an experienced speaker and storyteller. Joe is also an ambassador for the Australian Himalayan Foundation and passionate about helping the mountain people of the Himalayas with initiatives around education, health, conservation and climate change.

What I personally love about this conversation is Joe’s vulnerability in sharing his story. Joe is the son of a famous mountaineer, Sir Chris Bonington, and though Joe deeply respected his father and his achievements, Joe came to lose his way in his younger years through the effects of having a famous father on him and his family; finding relief through drugs, alcohol and petty crime. Joe’s story is certainly one from breakdown to breakthrough, and I think such an important real world example of the possibility of choosing a new path in every moment of your life. At any point you have led yourself and/or others down the ‘wrong’ path, there is always the opportunity to lead yourself and others down the ‘right’ one. 

I read recently that the Ego fears you ever experiencing a crisis, because a crisis propels you further than the limitations of safety and comfort that the Ego creates for you, and it is in these moments of crisis that we come to face who we truly are, outside of the cages, we recognise that the Ego is simply a form of constraint, it is an illusion, and it is not you.

I would love to shout out 'redwinesuccess' leaving an Apple Podcast Review sharing that they ‘loved listening to the guests share their raw, relatable and inspiring thoughts and stories.’ In a similar way, if you are enjoying this podcast, please rate, review, subscribe, share with friends and family, become part of the To Be Human Collective, and enjoy this conversation with the lovely Joe Bonington.

Connect with Me
Mindset Coaching | https://www.jennahlouise.com.au
Instagram Personal | https://www.instagram.com/jennah_louise

Connect with Joe
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/joethebucketlistcoach
Facebook | ​​https://www.facebook.com/JoesBasecamp
Website | https://joesbasecamp.com.au

Hello beautiful people

On today’s podcast we have the phenomenal Lisa Blair. At the age of 25, Lisa discovered sailing. Impressively, a mere 7 years later Lisa made history by becoming the first woman to sail around Antarctica with one stop. Lisa then went on to lead the first all-female team to compete in the 2017 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in 16 years, before setting two more world records in December 2018 when she sailed solo non-stop and unassisted around Australia; spending 58 days at sea. Lisa is a keynote speaker, an advocate for awareness of climate change through her project ‘Climate Action Now’  and an author of the book, ‘Facing Fear’.

What I personally love about this conversation is Lisa’s strength and determination. She is a proud Australian adventurer, and it's genuinely awe-inspiring to hear of her story from being a girl from the outback to becoming a woman of the ocean. When Lisa made history by becoming the first woman to sail around Antarctica with one stop, this one stop was due to her boat dismasting. In this conversation she shares the truly terrifying and dramatic experience of what this means and after not seeing another human being for 72 days, the trauma that is heightened when you are in complete isolation now facing a very real life and death situation. It’s certainly one of those stories that gets your heart racing. And now, coming into the final end of 2021, Lisa is heading out to attempt Antarctica 2.0, now attempting to not only achieve this incredible feat non-stop and unassisted, but become the fastest person to do so.

If you are enjoying this podcast, please rate, review, subscribe, share with friends and family, become part of the To Be Human Collective, and enjoy this conversation with the beautiful Lisa Blair.

Connect with Me
Mindset Coaching | https://www.jennahlouise.com.au
Instagram Personal | https://www.instagram.com/jennah_louise

Connect with Lisa
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/lisablairsailstheworld
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/LisaBlairSailstheWorld
Website | https://lisablairsailstheworld.com

Hello beautiful people

On today’s podcast we have the lovely Scott Bidmead. Scott is the Co-founder and CEO of Euda which is a wellbeing app used by coaches and practitioners to support their clients and grow their business, and Creative Director of Mead Media working with China Tourism, The Commonwealth Games and Success Resources. He has both presented and produced shows on Network Ten, Foxtel and Channel Nine. He is a passionate filmmaker, a Positive Psychology graduate and is currently writing a thesis on Eudamonics, the type of happiness that comes from meaningful purpose in one’s life, from a neuroscience perspective. He is also a former Ambassador for Headspace. 

What I personally love about this podcast is Scott’s openness about his experiences in both media and entrepreneurship. These are very challenging yet rewarding playing fields, and Scott shares his mindset and practices of what he has learnt over the years in relation to both business and personal life; essentially of how to best live your life on your terms. 

If you enjoy this podcast, please rate, review, subscribe, share with friends and family, become part of the To Be Human Collective, and I have no doubt you will reflect on what is good for you in your own life in this insightful conversation with the lovely Scott Bidmead.

Connect with Me
Mindset Coaching | https://www.jennahlouise.com.au
Instagram Personal | https://www.instagram.com/jennah_louise

Connect with Scott
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/scottbidmead 
Website | https://www.scottbidmead.com

Hello beautiful people

On today’s podcast we have the lovely Sue Clarke. Sue has such a deep and vast experience of life. She worked in Customs for 28 years and was involved in task forces such as Counter Terrorism, Air Border Security, People Smuggling and Joint Target Ops. She was in the reserve army for 10 years and a Presiding Justice of Peace in the Magistrate Court for Violence Restraining Orders. She is a Personal Trainer and a Marriage Celebrant. She was a participant on Season 1 of Australian Survivor where we first met and a former Ambassador for the Australian Charity Act for Kids where she collaboratively fundraised over $300,000 through her adventures trekking the Kokoda Track and walking the Great Wall of China. 

What I personally loved about this conversation is to come to better understand Sue’s incredible life experience and how this has resulted in what she is so passionate about. From people smuggling to refugees to domestic violence, Sue has worked first hand in these areas and it is insightful to hear the stories that are not always available through mainstream media. As this is a long conversation, I will let you know, this is the focus on the first half, and then we move into the space of talking intimately about our experience on Australian Survivor together, what it is like to come in and out of the spotlight, and the importance of moving on and growing from such experiences.

If you are loving this podcast, please rate, review, subscribe, share with friends and family, I actually received a message from a good friend of mine showing me someone recommending the podcast to her, which was really exciting as I do genuinely believe and know these conversations have a positive impact on people’s lives, become part of the To Be Human Collective, and just like Sue has previously described this podcast to me, as it feels like just the three of us having a chat, I hope you enjoy this intimate and insightful conversation with the beautiful Sue Clarke.

Connect with Me
Mindset Coaching | https://www.jennahlouise.com.au
Instagram Personal | https://www.instagram.com/jennah_louise

Connect with Sue
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/sueclarke_thatsme
Website | https://www.sueclarkecelebrant.com.au

Hello beautiful people

 On today’s podcast we have the passionate Sergeant Mark Thomas. Mark has been a police officer with Victoria Police for 25 years. Mark is a trained peer support officer and has presented his mental health journey with internal units and the media. In 2003, Mark attended a triggering accident; and due to what he terms ‘a progressive failure to recognise the signs and symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety, he experienced what he terms ‘a downfall’ 10 years later when he was admitted into a Psychiatric Clinic. In present time, Mark describes himself as a ‘functioning person who strives to inspire, persuade and lead others that are living their own mental health journey’. He founded ‘The Code 9 Foundation’; a foundation that sponsors assistance dogs, and supports current and veteran first responders, their partners, children and their carers. He has been a speaker for Beyond Blue for 6 years and has his own inspirational speaking business.

What I personally love about this conversation is Mark’s vulnerability and honesty. He really leans into the conversation of the symptoms of PTSD, and shares very openly the raw and real experience, of experiencing these symptoms but not truly realising the effects they were having on his life, until what he quotes, ‘a downfall in a very dark world’. He shares his journey focused on his trips to the Annapurna Circuit, Nepal, pre and post diagnosis. I even share personally my own experience with PTSD, and we certainly found similarity in the fascinating space of mentally normalising symptoms of PTSD after our triggering events. If you are experiencing symptoms of PTSD, I highly recommend you seek professional help. 

If you are listening on Apple Podcasts, please share the love and leave a review; as I gain momentum in releasing these conversations it helps in more people being able to find important conversations such as this one. Subscribe, share with friends and family, become part of the To Be Human Collective, and enjoy this conversation with the lovely Mark Thomas.

Connect with Me
Mindset Coaching | https://www.jennahlouise.com.au
Instagram Personal | https://www.instagram.com/jennah_louise

Connect with Mark
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/aftericemelts
Website | https://www.markthomas.com.au

Hello beautiful people 

On today’s podcast we have the wonderful Gus Worland. Gus is a radio and television personality, having hosted a three-part documentary series Man Up, which was focused on lifting the lid on the relationship between masculinity, social isolation, mental health and suicide. Due to this receiving great attention and creating awareness, and knowing Gus knew more was needed, being action, education and connection, he left his breakfast radio gig and founded the not-for-profit foundation, Gotcha4Life which is an Australian mental fitness charity that works to end suicide through delivering programs that create meaningful mateship, build emotional muscle and strengthen social connection in local communities.

What I personally love about this podcast is Gus’ deep enthusiasm and passion for mental fitness. Suicide is the leading cause of death in Australians aged 15-49, with over 65,000 attempts in Australia each year. I feel in this day and age, statistics can really dehumanise the people behind these numbers, so it really impressed me when Gus shared that the vision of Gotcha4Life is zero suicides; because no one life is worth losing. 

If you enjoy this podcast, please rate, leave a review, share with friends and family, become part of the To Be Human Collective, and enjoy this fun and important conversation with Gus Worland.

Connect with Me
Mindset Coaching | https://www.jennahlouise.com.au
Instagram Personal | https://www.instagram.com/jennah_louise

Connect with Gus
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/gusworland
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/Gotcha4Life
Website | https://www.gotcha4life.org

Hello beautiful people  

On today’s podcast we have the absolutely phenomenal Robert Hamilton Owens. Robert is a radio and television personality, keynote speaker, adventurer, 12 x Ironman triathlete, philanthropist, former Pararescueman, father of 5 and author of the book, ‘Beyond Average: Developing Yourself Through The 20X Principle’. He was referred to as the fittest and mentally toughest 66-year-old in the world. This was labeled after Robert decided at the age of 65 to complete 5 endurance challenges in one year. \

What I personally love about this podcast is the way in which Robert really inspired me to reflect on the idea that it is never too late to start the life you truly want to live. After looking after his elderly father for 10 years, Robert had to re-create himself, and the way in which he did at an age that most people begin to wind down, is awe-inspiring. His goal is to be the ‘longest active Ironman in the world’, and it really gets you thinking. What do I want to be doing in my 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, even my 100s? Robert was the oldest man to complete the Sealfit Kokoro; a 50-hour event modelled after the US Navy Seal Hell Week; one I have personally been keeping my eye on for quite some years now. I asked him what was his why to get through such a brutal experience and he said; it was to prove them wrong, when most told him he could not, and it was his decision to die before he quit. Now this may seem extreme to some, but it really inspires the question, whatever it is that you want for you and your life, how bad do you really want it? 

Robert made a special request in this episode, that if you enjoyed this podcast, leave a review, particularly if you listen on Apple that would be wonderful, and reach out to me, let me know your feedback. I think Robert will definitely be a multiple times guest on this podcast, so if you have any further questions on him and his life, certainly share them. And as per usual, share this with friends and family, this one is a great one for all ages, become part of the To Be Human Collective, and I’m excited for what you will learn from the lovely Robert Hamilton Owens.

Connect with Me
Mindset Coaching | https://www.jennahlouise.com.au
Instagram Personal | https://www.instagram.com/jennah_louise

Connect with Robert
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/roberthamiltonowens
Website | https://www.roberthamiltonowens.com

Hello beautiful people

On today’s podcast we have the beautiful soul, Mike Hamill. Mike is the director and lead guide of Climbing the Seven Summits. Mike is a 6-times Everest Summiteer, world-class mountain guide having guided over 120 major international high altitude climbing expeditions, has climbed all of the Seven Summits, the tallest mountains on each continent at least 6 times, some as many as 25 times, and so much more. He is the Founder and President of the Tiger of the Snows Fund, which is a not-for-profit that provides grants to further education of mountain tourism workers and their families.  He is also an active marathoner, ultramarathoner, ironman, skier, cyclist, climber, traveler and fly fisherman. W

What I personally love about this conversation is Mike’s clear passion for the self-exploratory journey not only in the mountains, but in life, this drive for living life out of the comfort zone, to get out there and truly experience the majestic offerings; to live and to learn. He genuinely cares about the clients journey to success, has a strong sense of contribution and places deep value on the importance of cultural relationships.

As a side note here, myself and a few other ladies are booked to trek Everest Base Camp with Mike’s Climbing Seven Summits in April 2022. Now, the world is full of surprises and uncertainty, and I’m not sure, pending pandemic, whether this will be possible, it may be rescheduled for April 2023, we shall see. But I did want to share that I am Mindset Coaching these lovely ladies in preparation and during the trek, and if any one of you is interested in trekking Everest Base Camp and Mindset Coaching, or either or, certainly reach out and connect. I am in full reverence for the many adventures I have had over my life, having travelled to almost 50 countries and been quite the self-exploratory enthusiast, I have found myself on the top of mountains, and in the depth of canyons, and can share with certainty, these sorts of adventures are life changing; they are transformational, and it would be an honour, through these experiences, to guide you back to your true self, to live a life of presence, free of concern, worry and stress, and to be with you as you explore what you will create in this lifetime, the legacy you will leave; that you will contribute.

If you are enjoying this podcast, please rate, review, I love your reviews, subscribe, become part of the To Be Human Collective, and settle in for this conversation with a true explorer, Mike Hamill.

Connect with Me
Mindset Coaching | https://www.jennahlouise.com.au
Instagram Personal | https://www.instagram.com/jennah_louise

Connect with Mike
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/climbingthesevensummits
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/ClimbingTheSevenSummits
Website | http://climbingthesevensummits.com

Hello beautiful people  

On today’s podcast we have the curious Jeffrey Madoff. Jeffrey began his earlier years as a fashion designer, then turning to film and video production directing award winning commercials, documentaries and web content around the world for client’s such as Ralph Lauren, Victoria’s Secret and Tiffany. He is the author of the book, ‘Creative Careers: Making a Living With Your Ideas’, which is based on the class he teaches at the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York. He is also a playwright and theatre producer. 

What I personally love about this conversation is Jeffrey’s passion of placing attention on the false dichotomy between creativity and business. For me personally, and friends in my circle, some of us have found it difficult navigating the path between identifying as an artist, a creative, and that of an entrepreneur or establishing a career through your creative pursuit in some form. I find the topic very interesting between the practice of authenticity and marketing, and I pose these reflections to Jeffrey. He shares with us the importance of understanding what success personally means to you and how building a brand is a story well told. He shares a personal story of working in partnership with his dear friend Ralph Lauren and how showing your humanity is important both in business and life.

As always, if you are enjoying this podcast, please rate, leave a review, I love reading your beautiful reviews, share with friends and family, particularly if you have creatives in your own life exploring the path of business, become part of the To Be Human Collective, and bring your creative heart and business mind into this conversation with the lovely Jeffrey Madoff.

Connect with Me
Mindset Coaching | https://www.jennahlouise.com.au
Instagram Personal | https://www.instagram.com/jennah_louise

Connect with Jeffrey
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/acreativecareer
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/madoffproductions
Website | https://www.acreativecareer.com