Episodit

  • In this episode, Ben and Tim speak to Rachel Vickery. Rachel spent her formative years as a national level gymnast and Commonwealth Games representative for her native New Zealand before training as a respiratory physiotherapist. Drawing from this unique background, Rachel now works to help people increase their performance in domains ranging from NBA basketball to the boardroom. Rachel shares her thoughts on how to deal with stress, both in your daily life and at ‘go time’ and provides a unique insight into some of the pressures faced by athletes and coaches at the elite levels of sport. And to wrap it up, she gives us not just one, but four power songs!

    05:11 As customary in season five, the boys bang on about how hot their podcast studio is – and ask Rachel is “Bikram Podcasting” is good for recovery?!

    06:30 Rachel’s background – personal, sporting and professional, including her exploits as a national level gymnast

    10:40 Good for a Girl – excellent book by US middle distance runner Lauren Fleshman

    11:15 The pressure of ‘Growing Up In Lycra’ – training and competing in aesthetic sports, particularly as a female and particularly during puberty

    16:00 The devastating impacts of RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport)

    24:24 A discussion of the importance and impacts of menstruation on female athletic development

    28:30 Rachel’s work on a report into the cultural problems inside NZ gymnastics

    33:30 We’ve heard of athletes being bullied, but coaches are not immune from bullying either

    39:50 The importance of maximising the buffer between steady state and ‘go time’ by lowering your steady state stress – and the potential for ‘fear of success’

    44:00 How do we lower both steady state pressure and ‘go time’ arousal state?

    48:30 Rachel talks to the negative impacts of alcohol on athletic performance – and Tim offers a powerful counter-factual!

    49:30 Shifting the narrative from fear to gratitude – and the importance of doing the common uncommonly well

    51:40 Getting rid of toxins – dietary and otherwise – from your life

    54:00 Rachel’s three point ‘get out of jail card’

    56:20 The ‘three dickhead rule’ (…or how to check if you’re the dickhead!)

    57:30 Rachel on the shortfalls on the current ‘breathwork’ fad

    1:12:30 What does Rachel do for herself? Including long-distance travel thoughts

    1:18:00 The importance of conducting experiments on yourself to work out what is going to help your recovery

    1:20:30 Rachel’s power song(s)!!

    External Links

    Rachel’s website – https://rachelvickery.com/

    Gymnastics New Zealand Independent Report – co-authored by Rachel

    Rachel’s LinkedIn

    Rachel’s Breathing Baseline Reset & Habit Breaker

    Contact Us

    www.unforgiving60.com

    Email us at [email protected]

    Instagram, Twitter: @Unforgiving60

    Music …. With thanks to:

    The Externals – available on Spotify

  • Do you believe that being creativity builds resilience?

    Well this week we aim to convince you so get ready. In support of the the upcoming www.fova.org.au we outline how:

    when you engage in creative activities, you increase your brain’s capacity for creative thinking, pattern recognition, and developing visual-spatial skills.These skills enhance your problem-solving abilities in real-life situations

    From Ruth Richards (Harvard), “Engaging in creative behaviours, makes us more dynamic, conscious, non-defensive, observant, collaborative, and brave.”

    “Everyday creative activity is a path to flourishing”- Conner, DeYoung and Silvia in the Journal of Positive Psychology. Recent experience sampling and diary studies have shown that spending time on creative goals during a day is associated with higher activated positive affect (PA) (flourishing) on that day.

    The real question isn't "How creative are you?" but rather "How are you creative?" says educational psychologist Donald Treffinger.

    Intelligence Summary (INTSUM)

    03:30 Announcement from Mark Johnson from anvam.org.au

    04:20 What’s the problem that means we need creativity?

    05:50 What is flow state?

    09:40 What does the research and literature say?

    10:30 “Brave, non-defensive and collaborative”

    14:50 Laminate your neural pathways!

    18:00 From Tara Swart at MiT…. Expose your brain to novelty

    20:20 What is creativity for Tim and Ben?

    32:15 Why did Ben have a guitar in his backpack in the SAS (artists in foxholes)

    35:00 SAS Band Tongue Charge play a cover of ‘Getting Away with It in Afghanistan’… and we talk why?!

    44:30 Art and identity

    47:00 How do we get going? Go join a pub choir!

    52:00 Ben and Tim do galleries and museums

    55:00 Tongue Charge play another song: “One Crowded Hour”

    References:

    www.fova.org.au

    https://www.anvam.org.au

    Contact Us

    www.unforgiving60.com

    Email us at [email protected]

    Instagram, Twitter: @Unforgiving60

    Music …. With thanks to:

    Tongue Charge

    The Externals – available on Spotify

    Ben Frichot

  • Puuttuva jakso?

    Paina tästä ja päivitä feedi.

  • Ian Prior is MORE than just a professional rugby player with over a decade of ‘high speed collisions in confined spaces’. He’s incredibly well read and researched. He meditates and practices journaling. He uses ice baths and loves the beach. He’s about performance and optimisation, but uses that to improve his being a dedicated father and husband.

    This is also a story about tenacity. In the early stages of his career Ian was on the fringes of representative and first class rugby. But his determination and commitment to self improvement got him playing across three Super Rugby Franchises for over a decade. He talks about ‘how’ and ‘what’ he does.

    We also talk wicked problems and how they apply to Australian Rugby.

    Intelligence Summary (INTSUM)

    04:00 Start the Bikram Podcast

    05:10 Growing Up including in Africa

    06:00 Media hasn’t been kind to Zimbabwe- what’s it really like?

    08:10 Ian describes his physical stature- and how that fits into rugby

    08:50 Superbowl/ NFL v rugby comparison

    11:50 Back to Australia after Zimbabwe- school and sport (more of the latter than the former!)

    15:05 Are the best sports people generalists or specialists?

    16:59 Ian Prior’s three posters on his wall as a kid- Ricky Ponting, Matt Burke and Ben Pronk!?

    20:32 Ian gets an opportunity in the Australian U20 rugby side

    22:00 Ian Prior hangs up repeatedly on Queensland Red’s coach Ewan McKenzie… and interviewing for the Reds. What three questions did Ewan ask Ian?

    25:00 What makes the best players?

    28:00 Ian joins the Reds and wins a series

    30:00 Does playing a lot of footy together (or anything together) really matter in success?

    32:00 Ian moves franchises to the Brumbies…. Why? Life in Canberra.

    37:15 How does leadership work in a rugby club?

    41:10 Resilience Shepherds in rugby- some good examples

    44:20 Ian moves to the Western Force

    50:10 Ian’s journaling, meditation and grounding and its importance to performance

    57:00 Ice baths? Stretching…. How to wind down

    58:20 Talking strength and conditioning, loads and training blocks

    1:06:00 Ian’s leadership- how did he Captain the Western Force?

    1:16:20 Talking Australian Rugby and wicked problems.

    References:

    About Ian Prior

    Sydney Morning Herald Article on Australian Rugby

    ‘Wicked Problems’ article Rittel and Webber

    ‘Positive Visualization and Its Effects on Strength Training’- Watkins and Turner

    https://westernforce.rugby

    Contact Us

    www.unforgiving60.com

    Email us at [email protected]

    Instagram, Twitter: @Unforgiving60

    Music …. With thanks to:

    The Externals – available on Spotify

  • Get a medical degree and then do SAS selection – as a Doctor!? Sounds mad. Well listen in.

    Born in Kenya, Dr Rob Barbour spent his formative years in Australia gaining a medical degree and serving in the Australian special forces including on peacekeeping missions.Having never lost his love for his birthplace, Rob migrated to Tanzania to start a socially responsible and community conservation orientated safari operation and a private community conservation area.Rob subsequently joined Epic Private Journeys as a partner and private guide in Eastern and Southern Africa where he was able to share with Epic's guests his experience and passion for the natural world and local cultures, as well as his belief in poverty alleviation through conservation.

    Intelligence Summary (INTSUM)

    03:05 Dr Rob Barbour tells the story of growing up in Kenya… and how his family got there! School, farming and childhood adventures.

    09:25 Ben has to ask about running…. in Kenya…. And he asks a rugby player!

    10:20 The Barbour family considers a move to Australia

    11:50 What was eating the livestock!?

    12:50 Culture shock- from Kenya to Perth

    18:00 Rob is trying to work out what to do after school. Study medicine!

    21:20 After medicine Rob thinks about joining the Army- and does!

    23:40 Rob is a little lax on entry to the Army

    26:20 Rob decides to undertake SAS selection… as a Doctor!

    31:00 SAS selection in Rob’s experience

    33:33 Tim meets Rob on SAS Selection- Ben reckons it was in the Sick Bay

    36:20 What tools does Rob use to keep focussed

    29:30 Tools can be simple

    41:30 Rob finishes his time in the SAS and moves back to Africa (via PNG)

    54:20 Discussing poaching in Africa

    58:20 How can you control the incentives against poaching

    1:01:10 Similarities between PNG and Africa

    1:04:20 Rob explains the migration and safaris

    1:11:30 Any good movies on the silver screen that show Africa as it truly is?

    1:18:10 Rob’s power song…. Or not?!

    More on Rob’s Adventures Here:

    https://epicprivatejourneys.com

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/epic-private-journeys/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-barbour-6b696027/

    Contact Us

    www.unforgiving60.com

    Email us at [email protected]

    Instagram, Twitter: @Unforgiving60

    Music …. With thanks to:

    The Externals – available on Spotify

    Mitchell Martin- – available on Spotify

  • In this episode, we continue our chat with Jaz Diab, the multi-talented former Commanding Officer of the Australian Special Operations Engineer Regiment. Jaz reflects on her experiences as one of the first females in combat roles within Special Operations, before looking at her transition out of the military and subsequent focus on nuclear science. Jaz then talks us through some of the difficulties in progressing the conversation related to nuclear energy in Australia, as well as her role as the President of Women in Nuclear – Australia.

    01:30 Was Jaz forging a new path for women through her example in the Army? (Spoiler alert: she absolutely was. We just wanted to see if she thought she was at the time!)

    03:50 Reflections on the parallels with Monika Georgieva’s trailblazing role as a female within the infantry corps (check out our episode with Monika back in Season 2 Episode 3)

    06:45 Jaz’s role as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician – bomb disposal! The pressure of the role – physical and psychological. And just how accurate is the movie The Hurt Locker?!

    13:30 Ben goes off on a tangential rant about restocking the fridge when you take a cold beverage….

    14:00 Tim brings the conversation back on track by asking about Jaz’s experience as an aide to the Chief of Army

    15:00 Reflections from the top – the pressures on leaders of big organisations

    21:45 Tim remembers trying to beat the Chief of Army in a run

    22:40 Jaz leaves the Army – and gets even more interested in nukes! Plus her reflections on why Australia has such difficulties considering nuclear power as a potential alternative to fossil fuels

    26:30 The risks of nuclear power – are they overblown given modern technology? And how can we safely dispose of nuclear waste?

    31:30 The difference between fission and fusion – and how feasible is cold fusion?

    32:30 Jaz’s role as President of Women in Nuclear – Australia

    37:00 Being a mum – harder than defusing bombs! Jaz talks to her experience as the mother of a gorgeous little girl with achondroplasia – a form of dwarfism.

    41:20 On finding out about her daughter’s condition – and dealing with this news and what it meant for her child

    46:00 How has Jaz and her partner worked through these challenges

    External Links

    ANVAM – Australian National Veterans Arts Museum – www.anvam.org.au

    Contact Us

    www.unforgiving60.com

    Email us at [email protected]

    Instagram, Twitter: @Unforgiving60

    Music …. With thanks to:

    The Externals – available on Spotify

  • In this special double episode, we talk with Jaz Diab – a mum, a self-described ‘nerd’ and crochet aficionado, who also happens to be a nuclear scientist and the former Commanding Officer of the Australian Special Operations Engineer Regiment. Jaz talks us through her childhood, getting bitten by the science bug and her eventual entry into the military, as well as her experiences as a (very humble) trailblazer for females in combat roles. And along the way, reflects on some of the key decisions she’s made throughout her life and the potential crossover between Broadway actors and Army officers!

    05:40 Ben inadvertently realises that the podcast’s highest rating show was the one where he spoke the least!

    07:40 About Jaz – early childhood, tragedy within the family and how close she is with her siblings

    13:00 Jaz’s parents.. or when an Egyptian guy meets a Finnish girl in Australia….

    15:00 On being a nerd

    15:50 Career choices – Army or Broadway?!

    17:45 As a leader – be authentic or ‘fake it ‘til you make it’? Plus public speaking as a leadership skill

    26:00 When did Jaz get interested in science?

    28:00 Jaz’s entry into the Army – and her family background in the military

    29:10 A quick exploration of the Finnish concept of sisu – courtesy of Jaz’s grandfather

    32:10 Jaz’s experience at the Australian Defence Force Academy

    34:00 The highlights of Jaz’s military career

    35:30 Jaz as a pioneering female in a combat corps – and how she found the environment there. Plus her work within the Incident Response Regiment (IRR)

    37:30 IRR’s transition into the Special Operations Engineering Regiment – and its role in Afghanistan. And Jaz’s experience as the Commanding Officer of the unit.

    External Links

    ANVAM – Australian National Veterans Arts Museum – www.anvam.org.au

    Contact Us

    www.unforgiving60.com

    Email us at [email protected]

    Instagram, Twitter: @Unforgiving60

    Music …. With thanks to:

    The Externals – available on Spotify

  • In this RV Ben and Tim discuss last year’s events, why they didn’t podcast last year, and where and what they have been up to.

    01:00 Where have we been and why have we been off air?

    01:50 Thanks to you and Vale Tim ‘Robbo’ Robertson- an inspiration to us

    06:30 Tim runs The Wine Marathon

    09:30 Ben talks running

    14:00 Talking about 2023 travel destinations

    15:00 Languages…. And Emily drops in to give an opinion

    26:30 Tim talks about losing his Dad in October 2023

    30:00 Resilience Mentor courses

    32:55 Case Study- Leadership- Imposter Syndrome

    37:00 Case Study- Police Tactical Group- embracing new and novel solutions (change your prism/ change your game)

    42:30 What are our plans for 2024?

    44:30 Riding 1100km cross country- the Munda Biddi Trail

    52:20 Ben’s stencil art in the office. Ben explains.

    Contact Us

    www.unforgiving60.com

    Email us at [email protected]

    Instagram, Twitter: @Unforgiving60

    Music …. With thanks to:

    The Externals – available on Spotify

  • This episode is a rerelease of our interview with Tim 'Robbo' Robertson. 'Robbo' was tragically killed in an aircraft accident in Queensland. Forever the professional. Forever the character. Forever the Chronic Overachiever.

    Forever in our memories.

    Vale Robbo. To where the Wandering Warriors roam.

    *****

    Tim Robertson is an ex F18 fighter pilot who got bored of that and then successfully completed the Australian Special Air Service (SAS) Selection course! Robbo then saw operational service in Afghanistan and the Western Desert of Iraq, before leaving the military to: Consult to the United Nations || Advise an oil company in Geneva || Raise a nationally sensitive aviation capability || Start his own aviation company || And return to flying fast jets. He is current on around 40 different fixed and rotary winged aircraft and a highly talented musician. But Robbo talks about defining your happiness, the importance of hard work and overcoming adversity....

  • In this RV Ben and Tim discuss the years events, trends and ‘best ofs’ now that the world has opened back up and life has returned to having velocity.

    From books, global change, travel, music ….. and what challenges have the boys set themselves for 2023.

    01:30 What is an RV?

    03:15 Let’s start with some stats

    05:30 What is the 5th rated country by download? You’ll be surprised!

    07:00 Some of the guest episodes…. Reflecting

    14:15 How guests fight back…. Maccas Christmas Card to the boys.

    18:00 Musical interlude…. I on U by The Externals

    18:45 What was the biggest world development in 2022?

    25:45 Tim will be easy meat when AI take over the world

    27:15 Best book read this year?

    Mastery by Robert Greene

    About Cicero

    Farnam Street Blog

    37:45 Talking best travel in 2022

    39:40 Project NEOM and the giga projects in Saudi Arabia

    43:30 Music discoveries in 2023?

    And Enjoy Band play Mojos Bar in Perth on 28 January 2023 opening to Humble Armada

    47:00 Ben’s listens outside of Kpop….. back to the future- rediscovering albums

    52:10 Coolest discovery in 2022?

    53:00 About Gravel Bikepacking

    56:30 About Snake Island

    57:30 The privilege of Walking Country with the Nyamal Rangers

    58:30 What about quitting? When is it right to quit?

    1:07:15 Goals for 2023

    Bikepacking Mawson Trail and Munda Biddi Trail

    1:09:00 Info on Tim’s ‘Longest Marathon’ is here

    1:15:15 Sam Bloom dominating …. Her episode on the U60 is here.

    1:17:00 Talking about the 2022 Resilience Retreat…..

    Have a great holiday period…… don’t forget to fill that unforgiving minute with 60 second worth of distance run!

    Contact Us

    www.unforgiving60.com

    Email us at [email protected]

    Instagram, Twitter: @Unforgiving60

    Music …. With thanks to:

    The Externals – available on Spotify

    And Enjoy – available on Spotify ….and playing Mojos Bar on 28th January 2023

  • Ben and Tim are interviewed by Emily and Callum from Golds Gym.

    ***********

    The SAS guys with MBA's and Authors of the best-selling book 'The Resilience Shield' join us on the Gold's Gym podcast! Tim Curtis and Ben Pronk are leaders in their field and chat to us about all things resilience. You can also take their test to find out how resilient you are.

    Assess, understand and improve your resilience here:

    https://resilienceshield.com/assess-your-resilience/

    Resilience is a lifelong individual endeavour and you can get active in your own rescue. Here's a brief overview of what you can expect to learn in this episode:

    What is resilience and why is it important?What is the Resilience Shield and what are the layers?How does stress affect your resilience?How do you foster an environment to develop resilient kids?Fitness vs ToughnessShow me your friends, show me your future: Why this statement determines whether or not you are flourishingCan you train mindset?Gut microbiomeWim Hof breathingTranscendental meditationBeing curious about who you are and surfing your thoughtsHow self-compassion and self-forgiveness is linked to meditationWhat is the secret to being successful?Transferability of techniques

    This is an episode you're going to want to listen to multiple times over to absorb all of the information. Download today!

    Find the guys on social media: @resilienceshield

    Music by The Externals

  • Senator David Van is a Liberal Senator for Victoria, who was elected to the Senate in 2019. As part of this, and arguably as the main reason many Australians might recognise him, David has recently been very prominent in his support for the people of Ukraine. In this discussion, we speak with David about what this cause means to him and what the situation there might mean for all of us in Australia.

    We also explore David’s fascinating background, which includes time as a horticulturalist, in public relations and as a ski instructor, as well as his extensive interest in, and study into the current geo-political environment – David holds a Master of International Relations degree from Monash University and is undertaking a Master of Strategy and Security degree at UNSW at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA).

    With all of this going on, we also ask David what he does for himself – exactly how does he stay healthy, happy and sane in the course of his busy and diverse life?

    1:20 David’s upbringing – and experience in horticulture, public relations and ski instructing (all, as it turns out, very useful preparatory skills for a career in politics!)

    7:22 Why the career change into politics? (and how do you get into politics?)

    10:00 David’s support for Ukraine – and his frontline experience there

    15:30 Is the conflict winnable (or loseable?)

    18:30 What more should the West – including Australia – be doing?

    22:30 What does the Ukraine situation mean for our region – and in particular, Chinese attitudes towards Taiwan? And what should Australia be doing about this?

    29:10 David’s views on the current state of democracy – and its ability to stand up against emerging totalitarian regimes

    32:00 David’s reflections on the current state of the Liberal party

    35:00 How does David stay sane, fit and healthy?

    36:50 On Josh Frydenberg

    39:40 David’s reading recommendations…

    41:40 …and his power song!

    44:40 What’s next for David?

    www.unforgiving60.com

    Email us at [email protected]

    Instagram, Twitter: @Unforgiving60

    External Links

    David’s website

    Music

    The Externals – available on Spotify

    Ben Frichot - available on Spotify

  • TRIGGER WARNING. This episode discusses the 2002 Bali Bombing and involves content that some might find disturbing.

    ‘Macca’ is a knock about Aussie guy who 20 years ago at 19 years old played some pretty sub amateur footy at Kingsley Football Club in Perth. In October 2002, they won the team's first premiership and 20 people flew to Bali for an end-of-season trip to celebrate their victory. But only 13 of the teammates made it home. The remaining seven were killed in the Bali bombings, a terrorist attack which claimed the lives of 202 people, including 88 Australians.

    Macca remembers seeing and hearing the blast. He was sitting around a table in the Sari Club with some mates and some girls they had befriended that night. What happened in the aftermath, including his response, and the selfless response of his teammates is quite remarkable.

    This episode is powerful, but it also shows the caring side of Macca who has been profoundly affected by the incident. But it also shows his commitment to his own post traumatic growth.

    07:30 Elite research on our guest

    08:00 About Kingsley Football Club

    08:30 Kingsley Football Club really sucked in 2001!

    11:00 The win the Grand Final… and off to Bali they go!

    14:00 Into the Sari Club…. Macca recounts the situation

    19:00 Recall…. How our brains trick us…. Macca’s brains response

    22:00 The startling result at Macca’s table. 8 metres from the bomb. Why/ How did Macca survive?

    24:45 The Football Club refuse to leave…. Counting the cost. Trying to find their teammates.

    26:30 How is Macca’s emotional state?

    28:20 How long before the realisation that mates had been killed?

    33:25 Coming home

    45:00 After year one… revenge or forgiveness?

    51:00 Maccas advice to those going through trauma

    Contact Us

    www.unforgiving60.com

    Email us at [email protected]

    Instagram, Twitter: @Unforgiving60

    Music

    The Externals – available on Spotify

    Tongue Charge- not good enough to be available anywhere!!

    Mitchell Martin

    Nik Kali

    Helplines.

    For those who might be troubled here are some health support lines

    Lifeline on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    Beyond Blue aims to increase awareness of depression and anxiety and reduce stigma. Call 1300 22 4636, 24 hours/7 days a week, chat online or email.

    Blue Knot Foundation Helpline is the National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma. It provides support, education and resources for the families and communities of adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse. Call 1300 657 380, Monday – Sunday between 9am – 5pm AEST or via email [email protected].

    eheadspace provides free online and telephone support and counselling to young people 12 – 25 and their families and friends. Call 1800 650 890, 9am – 1am AEST / 7 days a week, chat online or email.

    FriendLine supports anyone who's feeling lonely, needs to reconnect or just wants a chat. You can call them 7 days a week on 1800 424 287, or chat online with one of their trained volunteers. All conversations with FriendLine are anonymous.

    Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free 24/7 confidential and private counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 – 25. Call 1800 55 1800.

    Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis counselling, support groups and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14, text on 0477 13 11 14 (12pm to midnight AEST) or chat online.

    MensLine Australia is a professional telephone and online counselling service offering support to Australian men. Call 1300 78 99 78, 24 hours/7 days a week, chat online or organise a video chat.

    MindSpot is a free telephone and online service for people with anxiety, stress, low mood or depression. It provides online assessment and treatment for anxiety and depression. MindSpot is not an emergency or instant response service. Call 1800 61 44 34.

    SANE Australia provides support to anyone in Australia affected by complex mental health issues, as well as their friends, family members and health professionals. Call 1800 18 7263, 10am – 10pm AEST (Mon – Fri), or chat online.

    Suicide Call Back Service provides 24/7 support if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal. Call 1300 659 467.

    Open Arms — Veterans and Families Counselling provides 24/7 free and confidential counselling to anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF, their partners and families. Call 1800 011 046.

    Head to Health provides free advice, assessment and referral into local mental health services. Call 1800 595 212 between 8:30am to 5pm on weekdays (public holidays excluded).

  • Through their work with The Resilience Shield, Ben and Tim have become fascinated with the topic – and in particular, with evidence-based research related to it. A few months back, they saw an article talking about an Australian academic conducting a range of ground-breaking research into this exact topic and reached out to see if she would be interested in sharing her perspectives with the Unforgiving60. Associate Professor Justine Gatt is Lead Scientist of the Gatt Wellbeing & Resilience Group at Neuroscience Research Australia and the School of Psychology, UNSW. In this capacity, she leads a research program looking at the neuroscience of wellbeing and resilience to stress and trauma, and the ways that wellbeing and resilience can be promoted via various intervention platforms. In this episode, she shares some of these findings with Ben and Tim, including a range of practical methods of building resilience that anyone can adopt.

    0:25 A very special introduction – some original poetry from Jackson, a participant in Rick Pedley-Smith’s Rite of Passage program. For more on Rick and the work he is doing to re-engage and support boys who are considered ‘at risk’, see our discussion with him exactly two seasons ago, way back in Season 2, Episode 18.

    7:05 Justine’s background – and how she got to her current role as lead scientist of the Gatt Wellbeing and Resilience Group

    10:10 Justine’s definition of wellbeing and resilience

    12:00 How much – and what parts – of our resilience is hereditary? Plus an explanation of Justine’s COMPAS-W scale

    17:24 The impacts of early life stress on our resilience (and the physical structure of our brains!)

    23:00 What can we do in our own lives to increase our wellbeing and resilience?

    30:30 Social media and resilience – how are our screens impacting our wellbeing (particularly amongst teens)?

    34:45 The ‘goldilocks’ effect at play in terms of screen time

    38:30 Where to next for Justine? (And, importantly, can twins actually read each others’ minds?!)

    43:15 What does Justine do for her own resilience?

    45:45 ….and how does she try to build resilience in her daughter?

    www.unforgiving60.com

    Email us at [email protected]

    Instagram, Twitter: @Unforgiving60

    External Links

    NeuRA (Neuroscience Research Australia), where you can find more about Justine’s work, and register your interest for their soon-to-be-released app

    Justine’s publications

    Music

    The Externals – available on Spotify

    Ben Frichot - available on Spotify

  • Our chat today is with world champion para-surfer Sam Bloom, and her husband Cam. Born on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Sam had everything she had always dreamed of. She’d travelled extensively, fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a nurse and was a happily married mother of three young boys.

    But without warning, the dream turned into a nightmare when on a 2013 family holiday in Thailand, Sam fell through a rotten balcony railing and crashed six metres onto the concrete below.

    Lucky to be alive, she’d suffered devastating injuries, including severe damage to her spinal cord that left her paralysed from the chest down. Broken and hopeless, Sam reached her outer limits of physical and mental suffering. But with courage, determination and a little help from an unlikely feathered friend, she made her way back from the edge, scarred but undefeated. 'How' is the subject of this podcast episode.

    6:00 Sam and Cam’s background, and how they met…

    11:30 Talking the importance of travel in the like of the Blooms

    16:00 That fateful trip to Thailand

    18:30 Moving hospital to hospital… to hospital

    19:40 Sam’s recollection of the incident

    21:20 ‘Memories are so subjective’

    25:00 When Sam realises the severity of the incident…

    26:20 Cam is mopping up and trying to hold it together while Sam spends months in hospital

    30:00 Sam arrives home… and its not how you think she would be

    32:00 Enter penguin .. a fluffy magpie chick. Life changes

    36:00 Cam and his accompanying photography. What he couldn’t photograph

    38:20 How about the impact on the boys?

    43:00 How the book started

    52:00 Recruiting the actors for the movie version of the book

    54:10 Doing time with their Hollywood counterparts… and shooting in their own home

    59:15 Sam reconnects with her passion of surfing

    1:02:00 SurfLakes Yeppoon … artificial surf facility in Queensland

    1:05:00 Australian Championships- Surfing …and what’s next

    External Links

    https://sambloom.com.au

    https://www.facebook.com/sambloomaustralia

    https://www.instagram.com/samjbloom/

    Contact Us

    www.unforgiving60.com

    Email us at [email protected]

    Instagram, Twitter: @Unforgiving60

    THE RESILIENCE RETREAT INFORMATION

    Be guests of the authors of The Resilience Shield between 27-30 October 2022 on Fitzroy Island off Cairns, North Queensland, Australia

    Info and bookings here: https://resilienceshield.com/retreat/

    Music

    The Externals – available on Spotify

    Mitchell Martin- – available on Spotify

  • We first spoke to David way back in Season 3, when he was kind enough to dial in from Antarctica and talk about his experiences as an Australian Antarctic Division Station Leader. At the time of that episode, David’s team’s trip had already been extended due to COVID, however at that point, he didn’t realise just how long he would be on the ice for, nor what sorts of challenges his trip would present him with. Turns out, the total deployment time was 537 Days, which ended up being the name of his outstanding new book.

    In this episode, we catch up with David to talk about how the remainder of his time on the ice panned out and what leadership challenges he faced while deployed – including right up until the very last minute! In the process, we’ll ask him about the specific leadership challenges he faced, how to deal with an extreme medical emergency in such austere conditions and the significance of the midwinter celebration for expeditioners. Along the way, we'll also explore how he found the writing process and find out what was the first thing he did when he got back to Australia.

    5:00 Picking up where we left off (from our last chat with David, Season 3 Episode 3)

    6:02 On the writing process – what was it like collating his experiences into his book

    10:10 How did David break the news to his team that they wouldn’t be going home when they expected to?

    17:50 How do you galvanise the team after such disappointing news?

    24:00 The importance of affiliative leadership in the AAD environment – plus the other leadership styles David found himself using

    26:30 How can you achieve work-life boundaries when you are living at work?

    28:30 The medical capability that David’s team had – and how they used this during an emergency

    31:00 The very real threat of a COVID outbreak on station

    34:06 After 537 days on the ice, surely nothing else could go wrong?! Incorrect – Dave talks about the fire on the vessel during his return journey

    43:05 The significance of midwinter for expeditioners

    46:30 What makes a good Antarctic expeditioner?

    48:00 What are David’s most memorable ‘#Antarctica’ moments?

    50:40 What was the first thing David did when he got back to Australia?

    56:50 What’s next for David?

    www.unforgiving60.com

    Email us at [email protected]

    Instagram, Twitter: @Unforgiving60

    External Links

    David’s website

    Signed copies of David’s book

    Media and reviews on David’s book at these links: here, here and here.

    Hear David’s story at your next corporate function – click here for speaking engagements

    Music

    The Externals – available on Spotify

    Ben Frichot - available on Spotify

  • Beau Miles is an award winning filmmaker, PhD, a poly-jobist, speaker, writer and oddball. His YouTube Channel houses his movies which have been watched millions of times. One short film, ‘Running a marathon a mile at a time’ has been viewed over 4 millions times.

    It’s a bit better that our YouTube channel!

    We talk life and living. The importance of art and where Beau gets his mad ideas!

    Tune in. Beau is certainly filling his unforgiving minutes with 60 seconds worth of distance run.

    6:00 Who is Beau Miles…. And introduction

    8:40 Giving kids space to find themselves

    14:10 What is a poly-jobist?

    16:30 Has Beau found his Ikigai?

    18:30 Talking YouTube…. Crazy tasks and whacky ideas. What was the most punishing?

    24:00 Do we have free will? Where are we relative to computers and AI?

    28:15 Where do the ideas come from?

    38:00 Talking art and pop.

    40:40 Can you make it on YouTube? What’s the recipe?

    46:00 Talking about the book- ‘The Backyard Adventurer’

    50:00 How does the family keep up?

    54:00 Talking music with Beau…..

    External Links

    https://beaumiles.com/books/

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm325cMiw9B15xl22_gr6Dw

    Contact Us

    www.unforgiving60.com

    Email us at [email protected]

    Instagram, Twitter: @Unforgiving60

    THE RESILIENCE RETREAT INFORMATION

    Be guests of the authors of The Resilience Shield between 27-30 October 2022 on Fitzroy Island off Cairns, North Queensland, Australia

    Info and bookings here: https://resilienceshield.com/retreat/

    Music

    The Externals – available on Spotify

  • When many of us think about marijuana, our immediate thoughts are of illicit use. But across the world, this attitude is changing as researchers uncover the benefits of medicinal marijuana across a range of conditions. Progression within Australia has been relatively slow, however our guest this week aims to speed things up in this groundbreaking area.

    Dr Michael Mumford started his career as an Australian Army engineer and saw operational service in Afghanistan with the Special Operations Engineer Regiment. He then studied postgraduate medicine through the army and is now working to increase awareness of the medicinal benefits of cannabinoids, including for the treatment of PTSD in the veteran community.

    5:05 About Michael – early years…

    5:20 ..and into the Army as an engineer within the Special Operations Engineer Regiment, and then into postgraduate study as a doctor with the Army

    14:50 How Michael got interested in the potential of cannabinoids as a treatment protocol (including perspectives from Michael’s German Shorthaired Pointer!)

    17:35 Given the amount of research supporting its use, why has it taken so long for medicinal marijuana to be accepted within medical applications?

    19:05 How does medicinal marijuana differ from what you might buy on the street?

    25:55 Current resistance within the medical community

    30:30 Michael’s research project with the University of Wollongong

    35:30 What is the Veteran Access Scheme – and how can people can access it through the Provocatus website

    39:50 What’s next for Michael – and what he hopes to see in the medicinal marijuana space

    www.unforgiving60.com

    Email us at [email protected]

    Instagram, Twitter: @Unforgiving60

    External Links

    Provocatus

    Music

    The Externals – available on Spotify

    Ben Frichot - available on Spotify

  • Let’s talk how to focus! Nir Eyal’s is an incredible thinker- describing himself as a ‘behavioural design expert’- which is the point of intersection between psychology, technology, and business. Then add some behavioural economics, and a twist of neuroscience.

    Our conversation in this episode ranges from how to be ‘indistractable’- the title of Nir’s book (and a word he invented), but also what tools and techniques can bring us to a pont of focus. And what about neurochemistry- is it real, or do we use it as an excuse? How can we correctly allocate time to things ….. and can we be bored!?

    Nir has a Stanford MBA and is a best-selling author, who later went back to teach a course on product design at the Stanford University School of Engineering.

    Nir’s books are Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products and Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life.

    Your toolkit to being Indistractable is after the timeline….

    5:00 Nir’s background and explanation of his expertise.

    8:40 Old philosophy on distractions- everything old is new again!

    10:00 The four pillars of becoming indistractable

    17:25 Does neurochemistry and the reward pathway drive our distract-ability?

    19:50 The place of Locus of Control when considering distraction. Ben talks self awareness…. Curiosity instead of contempt

    22:50 How do we get motivated?

    29:50 Work, you and relationships- how they nest.

    35:50 Psychological transitions and deliberate breaks.

    39:45 How do we surf the urge?

    48:10 How do customers get hooked on products?

    51:20 What is Nir’s power song!?

    External Links

    https://www.nirandfar.com/about-nir-eyal/

    -Link to the book:: http://geni.us/Indistractable-Indistractable bonus content is here: http://nirandfar.com/indistractable-Indistractable summary article: https://www.nirandfar.com/skill-of-the-future/-Distraction guide here: https://www.nirandfar.com/distractions/-Habits vs routines article here: https://www.nirandfar.com/habits/-Why schedules are better than to-do lists: https://www.nirandfar.com/todo-vs-schedule-builder/-Time boxing article: https://www.nirandfar.com/timeboxing-Values article: https://www.nirandfar.com/common-values/-Habit tracker - https://www.nirandfar.com/habit-tracker/-Also, the schedule maker tool Nir mentioned is here: https://nirandfar.com/schedule-maker/

    Contact Us

    www.unforgiving60.com

    Email us at [email protected]

    Instagram, Twitter: @Unforgiving60

    THE RESILIENCE RETREAT INFORMATION

    Be guests of the authors of The Resilience Shield between 27-30 October 2022 on Fitzroy Island off Cairns, North Queensland, Australia

    Info and bookings here: https://resilienceshield.com/retreat/

    Music

    The Externals – available on Spotify

    Ben Frichot - available on Spotify