Episode Blurb: S2 E2 - What Game Are You Playing?

Life is a game with simple rules: finite capacity, infinite demands. But how you play that game? That's where things get complicated.

In this thought-provoking episode, physiotherapist Kevin Hunt challenges you to step back and ask yourself a fundamental question: What game are you playing—and is it the one you actually want to play?

Drawing on nearly 30 years of clinical experience across hospitals, private practice, professional sports, and education, Kevin reveals how we all get consumed by the "bubbles" we inhabit—whether it's academia, business, healthcare, or entertainment. These bubbles come with their own myths of what's "normal," their own illusions of success, and their own ways of filling your bucket until it overflows into pain, burnout, and exhaustion.

Through compelling stories—from people smoking on walls in the drizzle to restaurant owners sprinting toward burnout—Kevin illustrates how we often confuse conventions with rules. We convince ourselves we must work seven days a week, sacrifice our health for success, or chase an illusion that was sold to us rather than one we genuinely chose.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How to identify which bubble you're in and whether it's truly serving you
• The difference between steadfast rules and flexible conventions in your life
• Why sprinting for 7 years might not be better than pacing yourself for 15
• How managing your Health Hexagon (sleep, diet, physical load, cognitive load, emotional load, and spiritual offloading) lets you play the long game sustainably
• Practical questions to ask yourself about your game and your choices

This isn't just about managing pain or preventing burnout—it's about choosing to live the finite life you have with intention, balance, and purpose. Because at the end of the day, it's your life, it's your choice, and it's your game to play.

Are you sitting on that wall in the rain? Or are you ready to change the rules?

For deeper insights into how pain pathways, biology, and the Health Hexagon intersect, check out Kevin Hunt's book, Pain: The Ultimate Mentor, available in print, ebook, and audiobook formats.*

Keywords: Health, Wellness, Burnout, Work-Life Balance, Pain Management, Self-Care, Longevity, Purpose, Mental Health, Kevin Hunt, Chronic Pain, The Health Hexagon