Beyond The Back Paddock

Wally Lewis, a rugby league legend, discusses his love for sport, early influences, and memorable moments in his career. He reflects on the support of his family and the emotional experiences of playing for Queensland and Australia.
Wally also shares the story behind his nickname 'King' and compares the NRL and AFL.
He opens up about his battle with epilepsy and the successful surgery that changed his life.
Wally then reveals his diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and the impact it had on his memory and career.
Wally discusses the impact of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) on his memory and daily life. He shares his experience transitioning from being a news presenter to retirement and the challenges he faced. Lewis talks about dealing with questions about his forgetfulness and the importance of relying on his diary and support from his partner. He emphasizes the need to seek help and support and shares his journey in managing sleep patterns and sleep apnea.
Wally encourages others to speak up and ask for help, and highlights the importance of consistency, routine, and proper training in contact sports. He concludes by advocating for a safer game and the need for more research and care.
 
Takeaways:
Sport is a privilege and a significant part of life that should be cherished.
Family support and teamwork are crucial for success in sports.
Memorable moments and achievements in a sporting career bring immense joy and pride.
Health challenges, such as epilepsy and CTE, can have a profound impact on an athlete's life. CTE can have a significant impact on memory and daily life.
Relying on a diary and support from loved ones can help manage forgetfulness.
Seeking help and support is crucial in dealing with CTE and related symptoms.
Proper sleep patterns and treatment for sleep apnea can improve overall wellbeing.
Promoting safety, proper technique, and head positioning in contact sports is essential to reduce the risk of CTE.
More research and care are needed to better understand and address CTE.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Appreciation of Sport
01:34 Early Sporting Influences
03:23 Thrilling Moments in Wally's Career
06:13 First-Grade Debut and Family Support
07:37 Playing for Queensland and Australia
09:17 Emotional Moments with Parents
10:02 Becoming the 'King'
14:02 Comparison of NRL and AFL
16:28 Challenges in Expanding Rugby League
16:32 Dealing with Epilepsy
24:01 Memory Issues and Career Impact
30:27 Unfamiliarity with CTE and Fear of the Future
32:49 Impact of CTE on Memory
33:49 Transition from News Presenter to Retirement
34:16 Dealing with Questions about Forgetfulness
35:38 Relying on Diary and Support from Others
36:55 Importance of Seeking Help and Support
39:00 Managing Sleep Patterns and Sleep Apnea
40:49 Speaking Up and Asking for Help
42:01 Importance of Consistency and Routine
43:25 Addressing Sleep Issues and Sleep Apnea Treatment
44:21 Taking Control of Health and Wellbeing
46:49 Understanding the Causes of CTE
50:19 Promoting Safety and Proper Training in Contact Sports
52:43 Importance of Correct Technique and Head Positioning
54:47 Accepting the Need for Recovery and Rest
57:43 Influence of Father in Developing Rugby League Skills
01:00:06 Learning from Past Mistakes
01:02:42 Encouraging Proper Training and Safety Measures
01:05:45 The Need for More Research and Care
01:06:37 Reflecting on Personal Experience and Changes
01:08:49 Desire for a Safer Game
01:08:57 Closing Remarks

Welcome to beyond the back paddock podcast. I hope you enjoyed the last episode with exercise physiologist Tory Trewhitt.
Continuing on the theme of adding tools to you mental health and well being toolbox todays guest is Dr Marny Lishman.
 
Marny is a Health & Community Psychologist, Author, Wellbeing & Mindset Coach, Keynote Speaker, Media Commentator and Channel 9 Perth’s Resident Psychologist.
 
Marny delivers inspirational and influential presentations to audiences to arm them with the psychological tools to increase their own psychological capability and flexibility to fit with todays fast-moving and uncertain world.
 
She holds a Bachelor Degree in Psychology as well as a Doctor of Psychology degree, with Health & Community Psychology speciality titles.
 
Marny is a sought after national mental health & wellbeing expert that provides commentary on a variety of mental health topics on TV, radio and in print. She is the Resident Psychologist on Channel Nine’s '9 News at 5' in Perth and has been a columnist for Australia’s Body + Soul, & The Sunday Times.
We discusses the impact of grief and loss, the importance of breaking down stigma and barriers to mental health, and strategies for managing stress and preventing burnout. She emphasizes the need for authenticity and shared wisdom in conversations about mental health and highlights the power of recognizing and addressing stress in our lives.
Marny also shares her personal journey and the motivation behind writing her book on Burnout To Brilliant.
The conversation covers the themes of trust, slowing down, burnout, and contacting Marny Lishman.
Marny emphasizes the importance of trusting the process and slowing down instead of constantly pushing and hustling.
 
This is a great chat full of useful tools to implement into you daily lives. Please enjoy
Webisite:
https://www.marnylishman.com.au/
Burnout To Brilliant:
https://www.booktopia.com.au/burnout-to-brilliant-marny-lishman/book/9781922848505.html
 
 
Takeaways:
Grief and loss can deeply impact and change us, and it is important to reflect on these experiences and their cumulative effects on our outlook on life.
Psychologists and mental health professionals are also human and experience their own ups and downs, and it is important to practice self-care and use the tools and techniques we recommend to our clients.
Breaking down stigma and normalizing conversations about mental health is crucial in order to reach and help more people who may not seek professional help.
Burnout is a combination of mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual exhaustion, and recognizing the symptoms is the first step in managing and preventing it.
Setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care are essential for maintaining mental health and preventing burnout.
Designing a healthy life after burnout involves reflecting on what is truly important to us and incorporating healthy rituals and practices into our daily lives.
Authenticity and shared wisdom are powerful tools in the mental health space, as they create connections and provide valuable insights and support.
Chapters:
 
00:00Introduction and Background
04:01 The Impact of Grief and Loss
08:29 Breaking Down Stigma and Barriers to Mental Health
10:56 The Importance of Normalizing Mental Health
11:48 Writing a Book on Burnout
14:26 Understanding Burnout and Its Symptoms
17:54 Setting Boundaries for Self-Care
21:02 Strategies for Managing Stress
23:35 Recognizing and Addressing Stress
26:21 Designing a Healthy Life After Burnout
36:12 The Power of Authenticity and Shared Wisdom
39:07 Random Questions and Insights
43:19 Trust and Slowing Down
44:04 Salad and Squirrels
44:44 Burnout and Insight
45:13 Contacting Marny Lishman

Graduating from one of Australia’s Elite sporting universities, Tory Trewhitt is one of Melbourne’s most respected Exercise Physiologists – having worked as a senior physiologist for BUPA in the UK. Having played football as a semi professional, Tory was naturally drawn to athletes and the science behind improving athletic ability. This pursuit of athletic excellence led Tory to undertake a sports science scholarship at the prestigious Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) in 1998. Following Tory’s time at the VIS, he became heavily involved in competitive running, having completed an incredible 14 half marathons between 1999-2007. Tory’s passion for competing led him to run the Comrades Ultra Marathon in South Africa in both 2007 & 2008 as well as; • The Mark Webber Challenge – 500km in 5 days in 2007• The 100km Tan Ultra Marathon in 2008 It wasn’t long before Tory became one of Melbourne’s most sought after Athletic conditioning coaches & developed a reputation for challenging clients to push through their mental barriers.
In this conversation, Tory shares his journey from the health and fitness industry to hospitality and back again.
He discusses the importance of practicing what you preach and staying in your lane.
Tory emphasizes the need for personal health accountability and setting boundaries to avoid burnout. He highlights the link between physical and mental health and the benefits of exercise. Tory also provides simple tips and strategies for incorporating exercise and nutrition into daily life.
He also shares his goal of making an impact on men's health and the importance of finding a mentor.
The conversation explores the importance of supportive networks, building a well-rounded team, filtering advice, and keeping things simple.
The main takeaways include the need for a diverse support system, the importance of seeking expertise in different areas, and the value of simplicity in decision-making and problem-solving.
 
Takeaways
Practice what you preach and stay in your lane.
Set boundaries and prioritize your personal health.
Consistency and variety are key in exercise and nutrition.
Find a mentor and learn from their success.
Chapters
00:00Introduction
00:56Moment that Changed Perspective
05:12Background in Physical Fitness
09:09Key Themes in Health and Fitness
16:31Burnout and Overwhelm
19:26Link Between Physical and Mental Health
25:12Importance of Consistency and Variety
29:06Simple Tips and Strategies
36:02Goal to Impact Men's Health
43:41Advice to Younger Self
45:42The Importance of Supportive Networks
46:27Building a Well-Rounded Team
47:06Filtering Advice and Keeping it Simple
47:56Key Takeaways
 
 

The moment that you meet Adam Wake you are captivated by his energy, enthusiasm and passion.
His passion has and continues to be working to provide better life opportunities for children.
Adam joined Cottage by the Sea in Queenscliff as CEO in 2019, and that is where our paths crossed. I have been privileged to be an Ambassador at Cottage for many years.
The Cottage was founded in 1890 in Queenscliff, Victoria as the Ministering Children’s League by Annie Hitchcock and Elizabeth Calder, the vision has always been that every child deserves a happy and healthy childhood. Our rich history continues to this day.
Located only a stone’s throw from the beach, Cottage by the Sea aim to empower young people by providing them with inspiration, fun and opportunity through our four tailored programs – Take A Break, REEF, Mentor and National.
The young people who attend are chosen with the help of schools and welfare agencies from all around Australia.
Prior to taking on the role at Cottage by the Sea, Adam had spent 11years managing the Lions Village Licola Inc (LVL). A not-for-profit, 270-bed outdoor education camp in remote Victoria.  Many of the children welcomed to LVL are either disadvantaged, disabled or disengaged and have enjoyed rewarding, if not life changing, experiences.
Adam's resume is quite impressive. He has held management roles in outdoor education around the world including Australia, England, Scotland, Ireland and Venezuela. He holds a law degree and also worked as an Investment Banker in London.
In addition to a valuable career experience, Adam has training in mental health first aid, childhood trauma, child protection and a range of professional studies that support his role as CEO of Cottage by the Sea.
Adam also pushes his own personal boundaries undertaking and competing in some extreme ultra marathon events across the world.
Adam has great values, where his family are at the core.
This is a great chat. Please enjoy.
To find out more information or to support the ongoing programs at Cottage By The Sea. Go to www.cottagebythesea.com.au

When I asked Bonnie Pappas to come onto the Beyond The Back Paddock Podcast I knew that the conversation would be fantastic. The conversation is full of gold. But also Bonnie's personality shines through in the conversation, and that is what makes Her good at what she does, She, above all is a caring person first.
Bonnie is a social worker who's worked across the mental health field in many situations. I met Bonnie in Rochester as part of the work that she was doing in flood recovery, particularly with small business support in Rochester, a small town in Northern Victoria, devastated by the October 2022 floods.
When Bonnie's contract expired in that role she's moved on to another field, working with kids in secondary school. This is a topic and field is something I am very interested in. There are many pressures navigating the teenage years, for both child and families.
Bonnie shares some great insights into her experience in flood recovery and also from her role now working in the education sector.
This is a great conversation. Bonnie has a tremendous amount of value to share. If you are from a community recovering from disaster, a parent of a teenager or a teenager yourself, please take the time to listen. Also if you know someone who might benefit from listening please share this conversation with them.
Please Enjoy. 

G'day and welcome back to the podcast.
My guest today on the Beyond The Back Paddock Podcast is 17-year-old regional NSW student, Rory Phillips, is an aspiring (and inspiring) young guitarist/singer/songwriter with a passion for positive change.  I recently had the privilege to witness his talent when he toured to Nathalia with The Bushwackers.
In 2020 he was named the Snowy Valleys Young Citizen of the Year, and more recently, the 2023 Folk Federation of NSW Young Artist of the Year (under 25 category).  A two-time graduate and now staff member of the CMAA Academy of Country Music, an officially endorsed artist of Cole Clark Guitars, Buzz Box Guitars and Achilles Amps, and this year selected as a Featured Artist in the NSW Schools Spectacular, Rory continues to achieve great things with his music.
In 2022 Rory’s single ‘The Truth’ was named a finalist in the inaugural Environmental Music Prize alongside industry heavyweights such as Paul Kelly, Briggs + Tim Minchin, Lime Cordiale and Eskimo Joe to name a few. 
His follow-up single, ‘Because Boys’, has really intrigued me as a mental health advocate, as it takes an insightful look into the mental health struggles of young men and tries to break down the stigma associated with asking for help.  Rory also did a short video for Headspace where he sits down with a group of young men and discuss the challenges and tips to reaching out.
‘Because Boys’ was chosen by the NSW Department of Education's The Arts Unit as the repertoire piece for their 2023 Boys' Vocal Program, was a semi-finalist in the 2023 ‘Listen Up Music’ Song writing Prize (which advocates for mental health), and is being featured in the 2023 Schools Spectacular which will be broadcast on Channel 7.  2022 Toyota Star Maker Winner, Max Jackson, says “Young men will hear this song from Rory and take it like a high five from a mate, rather than a lesson from a teacher”.  
This young man has a bright future in anything he will put his had to.
Please Enjoy

Starting this podcast, it was all about bringing you stories of interesting people that I made along the way and bringing them to the audience. Today's guest is no exception.
Tess Marnane hails from Cork in Ireland, found her soulmate in Shepparton after a short stint of traveling.
For 18 years of her working life has been spent in leadership roles with vulnerable groups in the care industry.
After a less than smooth 12 months with her first child and the home birth of her second child, decided to put her experience into practice and is now a Doula, focused on providing families with support needed in childbirth and parenting, particularly with young families.
You can find out more about Tess at Nature Doula Tribe on Facebook or her podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/doula-tribe/id1649075800
Please enjoy

This episode of the podcast is a replay of a short conversation I had with Justin Smith for a mental health awareness campaign Tough Times from the Heart.
 
Today is World Mental Health Day.
'Mental health is a universal human right', is this year's theme.
World Mental Health Day is about raising awareness of mental health and driving positive change for everyone's mental health.
 
In rural and agricultural areas mental health is a major concern due to uncontrollable factors like the isolating nature of the work, natural disasters, weather, industry downturns and financial pressures.
Stigma and lack of access to resources also play a massive role in the mental health of rural communities.
 
In Australia rural people are 2X more likely to die as a result of suicide than the rest of the population.
 
Seeking help is not a sign of weakness.
 
In times of crisis and or uncertainty, when you feel like a conversation is too big for family or friends alone, connect with a trusted health professional like your GP, and or services like Lifeline 13 11 14 or TIACS by calling or texting
0488 846 988 Mon-Fri 8am-10pm AEST or the many other local and government support services.
Beyond Blue
1300 022 946
Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467
 
#not2TUF2speakup