In this heartfelt conversation, Katrina Umback shares her profound journey following the sudden loss of her husband, Scott, to a heart attack. She reflects on how this life-altering moment reshaped her identity and purpose, leading her to advocate for heart health awareness in rural communities by sharing her story of love, loss, grief and leadership.

Today, through her tireless advocacy, Sober in the Country has grown from an online blog into a nationally respected charity, shifting the entire conversation around booze in the bush and saving and changing lives.

She lives in rural northwest New South Wales with her husband, 'Timbo' and her beloved dogs.

Sober in the Country is a national grassroots charity changing an ancient narrative across rural Australia by ensuring our mates know it's always #OK2SAYNO (to booze) in the bush.

They're creating social impact and change by encouraging social inclusion, connecting peers to each other and to further support, and through their trademark story-telling and lived-experience advocacy.

Far from being anti-alcohol or prohibitionist in their approach, Sober in the Country openly discusses the link between rural mental health and alcohol harm using straight talk, humour, and the simple truth.

#OK2SAYNO

https://www.soberinthecountry.org/

In this episode of Beyond the Back Paddock, Kevin Sullivan shares his remarkable journey from a nearly 30-year career in the police force to becoming a full-time musician. He discusses life-changing moments, including a serious injury that altered his path, his experiences in crime scene investigation, and the impact of trauma and PTSD on his life. Kevin also reflects on his transition to music, the importance of family, and the lessons learned along the way, emphasizing that it's never too late to pursue one's dreams.

Sally is the co-founder of Gippsland Jersey and she joins me today and shares a lot of her story and the inspiration for her to start her own milk brand and to be a mental health advocate and community leader that she is today. 

In this conversation, Sallie Jones shares a poignant story about a life-changing moment that led to reflections on loss and grief. The discussion delves into the emotional impact of such experiences and the importance of understanding and processing grief.

This episode is dedicated to my cousin Wayne Thomas, who always listened, and gave me encouragement to pursuit the creation of The Beyond The Back Paddock Podcast. 

After a few weeks off the Beyond The Back Paddock Podcast is back with an amazing guest. Paul Taylor.

Paul and I have bumped into each other on a number of occasions at Cottage by the Sea Queenscliff events where he has been presenting. Every time I have heard Paul's presentation it has challenged my thinking.

A former British Royal Navy Aircrew Officer and former Research Professor at the University of San Francisco,Paul is an Exercise Physiologist, Nutritionist and Neuroscientist who is currently completing a PhD in Applied Psychology, where he is developing and testing resilience strategies with the Australian Defence Science Technology Group.

A Podcast host, published Author and TV presenter through his program Body and Brain Overhaul, he was twice voted Australian Fitness Industry presenter of the year.

Paul has a proven track record in leadership, management and dealing in high-pressure situations, through his former roles as an Airborne Anti-submarine Warfare Officer and a Helicopter Search-And-Rescue Crew Member with the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and has undergone rigorous Combat Survival and Resistance-to-Interrogation Training.

Paul doesn’t just talk about resilience - he lives it.

Todays' guest on the podcast is Sam Fryer, a podcast host and regional area manager for QRIDA.

Sam's personal journey, including the impact of having a sibling with a disability, his career in agriculture, and his podcast 'A Place to Call Home' which focuses on the next generation in agriculture and succession planning.

Sam also opens up about his struggles with mental health and the importance of seeking support.

In this conversation, Sam and Warren discuss the importance of talking about mental health and the tools they use to maintain their own mental well-being.

They emphasise the power of sharing personal stories and experiences to inspire others to do the same.

Sam shares his routine of exercise, healthy eating, and reading before bed as strategies to support his mental health. They also discuss the benefits of getting involved in community activities and finding hobbies outside of work. Sam reveals his hidden talent for singing and his dream of flying. The conversation concludes with advice to back oneself and not worry about the opinions of others.

 A Place to Call Home Podcast: https://www.aplacetocallhome.com.au/

Aiden Clarke is the general manager of We Are Posi.

Posi Socks was a business founded by Trent and Brooke Cotchin back in 2020. And has now been rebranded as We Are Posi. And is a business that lives, breeds and promotes, shares positivity throughout the community.

We Are Posi exists to make the world a better place, more positive place. And through their content messaging and how they show up, they wanna be the best part of someone's day. 

Aiden's journey from leading as the general manager at We Are Posi to previous roles as head of operations at AFL Publications and his earlier years as the head strength and conditioning coach at the old Caulfield Grammarians football club, he has learnt the art of blending strategic vision with hands -on leadership, whether it's optimising the team's performance on the field or spreading positivity into the community via posi socks or we are posi.

He's all in.

Beyond business, Aiden is passionate about mental health and wellbeing and championing positivity in the community. He has his own story and life's challenges are real. But Aidan believes that mindset can change how you feel. 

Leila mcDougall is a magnetic entrepreneur and influential advocate for Women in Agriculture, is on a mission to promote, support, and celebrate farming life. Her diverse career, spanning from fashion designer to rural teacher, now sees her donning the hat of filmmaker, spearheading her latest venture – the feature film

“Just a Farmer”. 

Official Trailer to Just A Farmer

Leila shares her journey from growing up on a farm to becoming an advocate for mental health in rural communities.
She discusses her experience with dyslexia and how it shaped her as an educator. Leila also talks about her involvement in various initiatives, such as starting a non-profit organization and participating in pageants, to raise awareness about mental health and promote agriculture.
She explains her motivation behind releasing a movie that highlights the challenges faced by farmers and encourages conversations about mental health and the undervalued role of farmers in society.
The conversation explores the key themes of mental health, generational mental health, the impact of suicide on families, the silence surrounding suicide, and the importance of open communication. Leila shares her personal experiences and research on these topics, highlighting the stigma and blame associated with suicide.
The movie 'The Farmer' addresses these themes and aims to start conversations and raise awareness. Leila also discusses her goals and dreams, including winning an Academy Award and continuing to tell Australian stories.

Cynthia Mahoney is a facilitator, coach, mentor, speaker and author with a passion for personal disruption, neuroscience, positive psychology, courageous conversations, human performance and well-being. Her mantra (taken from the latest neuroscience research) is that “Happier people are higher performing,” and she strives to help leaders and teams achieve this in the workplace.
Her first book, Cultivate: How Neuroscience and Well-Being support Rural Leaders to Thrive, helps leaders understand how to use the latest brain science and positive psychology and add to their toolkits with practical ways to thrive in our modern world that is full of disruption and change.

Cynthia is passionate about working with people to develop their life and leadership skills and to increase diversity and participation in decision-making in industry, government and the community. She’s a strong believer in bringing people together to identify issues, exchange ideas and develop solutions that work for them, their business or organisation, their family and community.

In this chat Cynthia shares her personal story and the moment that changed her perspective on life.
She discusses the challenges of identity and ego, particularly in the context of farming.
Cynthia also talks about her background and career in agriculture, including her transition to facilitation and coaching. She highlights the importance of authentic leadership and cultivating a positive work environment.
Cynthia provides insights on how individuals can cultivate their own leadership skills. In this conversation, the importance of self-care and wellbeing as a leadership skill. She emphasizes the need for leaders to prioritize their own wellbeing in order to set an example for others.
Cynthia also highlights the significance of personal accountability and self-awareness in leadership, explores the negative impact of treating leadership as a tick-box exercise and emphasizes the importance of cultivating a positive organisational culture.
Cynthia discusses the role of reducing stress and making better decisions in effective leadership. She also emphasizes the need for creating a psychological safe environment and shifting from transactional to relational workplaces. Cynthia shares the wisdom of Taylor Swift and the importance of being authentic and true to oneself. Lastly, she reveals the story behind her dog Alfie's name and invites listeners to connect with her and her work.

Narelle Fraser was a member of Victoria Police for 27 years, 15 of those as a Detective with squads including Homicide, Rape, Sex Crimes, Missing Persons & Child Exploitation, specialising in sex offences & child abuse.   She was involved in many high-profile criminal investigations.

In 2012 Narelle was diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) & was never able to return to Policing, however she overcame many adversities to become a mental health advocate, keynote speaker & true-crime podcaster where she openly discusses stress in the workplace & the challenges of first responders facing trauma & grief on a daily basis.

She discusses a life-changing moment during a counseling course with Lifeline that led her to become a policewoman. Narelle highlights the importance of empathy and understanding in policing, particularly in cases involving child abuse and sex offenders. She also shares her transition into keynote speaking and the impact of her work in the police force.
In this conversation, Narelle shares her experiences in solving high-profile cases and the impact it had on her mental health. She recounts the discovery of Maria James' body in the boot of a car and the emotional toll it took on her. Narelle also discusses the Anna and Gracie Sharp case, where she found the bodies of a murdered mother and her 17-month-old daughter.
She opens up about her diagnosis of PTSD and the challenges she faced in accepting her mental illness.
Narelle concludes by reflecting on the impact of the floods on her mental health and sharing her hidden talent for making roast potatoes.

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.

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

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 emphasises 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.

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 which is something I am very interested in. There are many pressures navigating the teenage years, for both children 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!

This guest, 17-year-old regional NSW student, Rory Phillips. He 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 hand 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. This 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, Tess decided to put her experience into practice. She is now a Doula, focusing 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 Tessa’s podcast.

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.

This episode was broadcast on 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

After spending most of his working career in the banking industry developing teams and people Nathan Carkeek took a leap of faith! He left the banking industry to follow his purpose and co founded Minds on Purpose, a business that's passionate about helping people live with purpose clarity and choice.

There is massive value to all aspects of your life particularly your mental health and wellbeing, when you discover a more balanced and in tune self.

Enjoy this podcast with a curious and open mind and I am sure you will come away with some tools to become the best version of you.

Alex is the founder of #PlantASeedForSafety

If you've checked out Alex's socials, the first thing you'll notice is her bubbly personality and her infectious delivery.

Alex is full of energy!

Inspired by her journey as a carer for her disabled Dad as a result of his life’s work in agriculture, Alex is a speaker, facilitator and consultant. She is the Chief Planter of Seeds for #PlantASeedForSafety – a rural social change initiative that spins yarns that save lives, and ultimately, brings people home to their loved ones at the end of each day.

With 17+ years’ experience in work health and safety, Alex was a national winner in the 2020 Syngenta Growth Awards, the 2018 AgriFutures Rural Woman of the Year (South Australia) and the winner of the 2018 SafeWork SA Augusta Zadow Award, amongst others.

For Alex, her work is all about challenging the status quo. About synthesising real life experience with evidence-based solutions, and about cutting to the core of what it means to be ‘compliant’ with work health and safety legislation: which put simply, is just. don’t. kill someone.

As a consultant, Alex empowers organisations to rethink policies, procedures and box-ticking, and to consider a different approach. A people-based approach.

A Fellow of the Governor’s Leadership Program and a graduate of the National Farmers Federation Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program and the Safety Futures Advanced Safety Professional Practice Program, Alex’s work has been formally endorsed by the Executive Director of Safe Work SA.

Passion, professional rigor and an infectious energy for change are at the heart of everything she does.

Please enjoy my chat with Alex…