We’ve all been told to toughen up, keep it in, and get on with it especially out here in the bush or on the tools. But that kind of thinking? It’s costing us. Too many good blokes are doing it tough in silence, thinking they’ve got to carry the load alone.

This blog isn’t about preaching. It’s about truth. It’s about the stuff we don’t talk about enough the battles inside, the weight we carry, and the strength it takes to speak up. If you’ve ever felt like you’re running on empty, this one’s for you.

Take five. Have a read. It might just change your story or a mate’s.

To every farmer making the hard calls right now this one's for you.

Whether you're facing dust or flood, destocking or staying put, grieving or just bloody exhausted… I see you.

Please share this with someone who needs it. You're not alone out there.

The land wears its scars in the open cracked soil, broken fences, flood-ravaged paddocks.

But what about the people who work that land?

The emotional toll of droughts, floods, and constant uncertainty is real but it's often carried in silence.

In this blog, I talk openly about emotional sustainability what it means, why it matters, and how we can start rebuilding ourselves, not just our farms.

Because beyond the fences, beyond the forecasts, there are people quietly falling apart and it’s time we started talking about it.

My latest blog offers a raw and honest reflection on the mental health crisis facing rural, regional, and remote communities across Australia.

With Victoria and South Australia gripped by drought, parts of New South Wales and Queensland battling floods, and a rising sense of burnout and disconnection, highlights the emotional toll beyond the headlines. I share in this blog what I am witnessing on the ground exhaustion, isolation, and quiet struggles of farmers, business owners, and frontline workers. The message is clear: it’s time to break the silence, prioritise connection, and normalise help seeking. Backed by a list of vital support services, this piece is both a wake up call and a call to action for Australians to come together, talk openly, and support one another before it’s too late.

I was compelled to write this blog on the back of a large number of people reaching out to me due to the impact of the climatic conditions they are facing at the moment, and the reminder of this classic quote when Travis Boak from the Port Adelaide Football Club referred to it on Unfiltered with Hamish McLachlan. But I also wrote it with a couple of blokes that I admire in mind, Justin Koschitzke and Tory Trewhitt after we caught up at Tory’s book launch in Melbourne last night.

I used to think vulnerability was weakness. That if I opened up, people would see the cracks and think less of me. But it wasn’t until I lost everything our farm, our livelihood, my identity that I realised the only way through was to speak the truth. Raw, messy, real truth. And when I did, something shifted. People didn’t turn away. They leaned in. That’s when I learnt: vulnerability doesn’t break you it connects you. It’s the foundation of healing, leadership, and real change.

We throw the word resilience around like it’s some kind of superpower. Like it’s always a good thing. But what happens when being resilient starts to hurt more than it helps? What happens when it becomes a mask instead of a strength? This is my story, the messy, uncomfortable, honest truth about my f**ked relationship with resilience.

Vulnerability is often misunderstood. It’s not about weakness or lacking resilience; it’s about having the courage to be real. Yet, the old-school idea of masculinity tells men to bottle up their struggles, to keep emotions hidden out of fear it will make them seem less "Manly." But the truth is, real strength comes from honesty from admitting when we’re struggling and being open enough to seek support.

Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to connect with people, break down stigma, and encourage open conversations. In the bush, we might not always have access to mental health services, but we’ve always had each other. And that’s why sharing our stories is so important.

As the current cyclone event continues to impact southern Queensland and northern New South Wales, many communities are once again facing the terrifying uncertainty of severe weather conditions. Having worked in communities across Australia for many years, I’ve witnessed firsthand the devastating impacts of some of the worst droughts, bushfires, and floods in the country’s history.

These extreme events leave lasting scars not just on the land but on the people who call these regions home. As this cyclone event unfolds, my thoughts are particularly with my friends and colleagues in the northern rivers of New South Wales, who are once again bracing for the potential devastation.

As someone who grew up on a farm and has lived through some of the toughest times you can imagine, I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed and isolated. The daily grind of farming, trying to keep everything afloat, and dealing with the ups and downs of life sometimes it feels like too much to handle. What many people don’t realise is that behind the hardworking, resilient faces in rural communities, there are battles being fought that often go unnoticed.

Through my work with schools, I’ve been fortunate enough to facilitate programs that focus on mental health, resilience, and leadership. One of the programs I’m particularly proud of is The TUF Schools Program, which is specifically designed to address the mental health challenges young people face today.

The TUF Schools Program isn’t just about teaching students how to cope with stress or manage their emotions—it’s about giving them a toolbox full of strategies and techniques that they can carry with them for life. It’s about building resilience, strengthening leadership skills, and creating a supportive environment where mental health is taken seriously.

I’ve seen firsthand how much of a difference programs like this can make. Students who feel like they’re struggling with the same issues I once did are given the opportunity to open up, share their experiences, and learn from others. They’re not just taught strategies for managing anxiety or stress they’re given the tools to build emotional resilience and self-confidence, which can transform their academic and personal lives.

Living in rural Australia, it’s impossible to ignore the ever-present threat of nature’s fury. From the devastating bushfires like Black Saturday and the Black Summer bushfires to the catastrophic floods that wreaked havoc on the eastern seaboard in 2022, our communities have faced nature’s unpredictability head on. But as these disasters become more frequent and severe, it’s crucial to ask: how prepared are we for the next one? What lessons have we learned from past crises, and how can we build resilience into our cities and towns as they grow?

If you’ve ever found yourself exhausted after social interactions or anxious about more, it could be a sign that your “social battery” is running low. Just like your phone, your social battery can deplete from constant emotional energy, and it's essential to recognise when it’s time to recharge.

In my latest blog, I dive into how to protect and replenish your social battery while still maintaining meaningful relationships and a healthy work-life balance. From recognising the signs of burnout to learning the power of saying no, there are practical strategies you can use to take care of your mental health.

Don’t forget – it’s okay to take a step back and prioritise your well-being. Click the link to read more on how you can recharge your social battery and return with renewed energy and focus.

In a world that often feels scripted, it can be challenging to step away from the roles we’re expected to play. Whether it’s at work, in social settings, or during family gatherings, there’s an unspoken pressure to put on a mask and conform to what others expect. We feel compelled to fit into a mould, to be “normal,” and stay within the boundaries society has drawn for us. But here’s the truth: your authenticity—your unique, unfiltered self—is your superpower.

As we step into 2025, there’s no better time to take charge of our mental health and wellbeing. One effective tool that can help guide us toward a healthier, more balanced life is the practice of writing down goals. It’s not just about jotting down what we want to achieve—it’s about clearing mental clutter, fostering positive habits, and building resilience. In this blog, we'll explore the benefits of writing down goals and share strategies to enhance your mental health as we move into the new year.

Taking a proper break from work isn’t just a luxury — it’s essential for maintaining your mental health and overall well-being. In today’s fast-paced world, many workers feel the pressure to always be "on," constantly connected to emails and meetings, even during their time off. However, disconnecting during your annual leave is a crucial step in recharging your body and mind. In this blog, we’ll explore the mental health benefits of taking a break and provide some practical strategies to help you disconnect for good.

For many men, the pressure to ‘keep it together’ during the Christmas can feel like an impossible task. Research shows that men are disproportionately affected by mental health issues, with men accounting for 75% of suicides in Australia.

The holiday season can push many to breaking point, especially for those in high-risk groups, and men facing relationship or financial difficulties.

As Australia transitions towards renewable energy sources, farmers and rural communities are facing unexpected and significant challenges. While wind farms, solar farms, and mineral sand mining projects offer financial opportunities, they also bring with them complex social and mental health issues. In regions targeted for these developments, the introduction of large-scale renewable energy infrastructure is having a profound effect on the daily lives of farmers, their families, and their communities.