Kiwi Yarns

Today’s guest is an athlete I look up to - you know one of those people you watch when they’re racing and you’re just not quite sure how on earth they are moving so ridiculously fast. Hannah Wells is a professional Ironwoman who in 2019 - just her second season as a pro - absolutely annihilated the racing calendar - winning all nine races she started, including the Sunshine Coast, Western Sydney and Taupō Ironman 70.3 events; the national triathlon championships and the Auckland marathon which was her FIRST ever marathon race! A fascinating chat about what goes on in the life of a professional endurance athlete.

The other day, I saw Laura Douglas on the legendary Kiwi television show Country Calendar and knew straight away that I needed to yarn to her. Laura is a Southern gal, born and raised on a sheep farm in Mossburn. We discuss how she went from living in Auckland for nearly a decade in the corporate world, to packing up her life to move back to the farm. The road to where Laura is now - with her own business Real Country, and helping young women get involved in farming through the Fairlight Foundation - is inspiring and fascinating. Laura is an absolutely outstanding Kiwi woman

Esekia Perelini has been my Personal Trainer for many years and often doubles as my therapist (haha). He takes his job really seriously and has some really interesting thoughts about what it actually means to be healthy. By his own admission it has certainly evolved over the years as things have happened in his own life. A year ago, a fit and healthy Ese suffered a stroke. We talk about how he recovered from that and how it's impacted his life.

This week's guest is a very dear ex-colleague of mine, Jehan Casinader. We first worked together on Seven Sharp seven years ago, and he is one of the most hard-working journalists I know. His drive, passion and energy for the job always impressed me so much, and he’s never been afraid to tell stories - no matter how hard they are to tell. He’s a multiple award winning journalist, but also a kind, helpful and caring person. Jehan has just released a book called "This is Not How it Ends", in which he talks openly about his deep struggle with depression, despite all that “success”. So a warning, we will be discussing mental health and suicide during this episode.

This week's guest is a great woman of formidable intelligence and tenacity, who I am very fortunate enough to call my friend and mentor. I remember 7 or 8 years ago when the broadcasting legend that is Ali Mau took the time out of her day to help me learn how to do a piece to camera (when a television reporter speaks directly to the audience through the camera) at TVNZ - a place where Ali worked as a top presenter and journalist for 20 years. Now, Ali is a senior journalist at Stuff, and editor of the #metooNZ project, investigating sexual harassment in New Zealand workplaces.

This week's guest is an absolute ray of sunshine - a smart, funny and talented young woman who always seems to have her foot on the accelerator. Laura McGoldrick is a Kiwi broadcaster who lights up the airwaves on The Hits radio station, and shines on the screen when hosting international cricket, awards ceremonies, you name it, she can do it.

In the 90s I pretty much watched Angela Bloomfield play Rachel McKenna every night on Shortland Street - she has been an integral part of the show since 1993 and it was extremely interesting hearing how it all started for her, and Ange also shares some pretty big challenges she faced along the way. She's just embarked on a pretty significant career change, becoming a real estate agent. A truly delightful chat with a great woman.

Ben Seymour is a Kiwi entrepreneur based in Sydney who has set up an incredibly successful fitness business. The former professional rugby player spends his time helping others make significant lifestyle changes - making sure people look after their health and wellbeing. Oh yeah - and he does mad crazy long distance things all the time - including the Coast to Coast Longest Day, and the Atacama Crossing, a 250-kilometre running race in the desert in Chile!

This episode is brought to you by Kiwiherb, who make the highest quality natural health products for you and your family in New Zealand. It’s Naturopathic Medicine Week here - so my guest is pharmacist, herbalist and international lecturer Phil Rassmussen. He is the founder of New Zealand based company Kiwiherb, which specialises in 100% natural, premium quality herbal health products. A really interesting chat into how we can incorporate natural products into our everyday lives, in a bid to look after ourselves a bit better

Chlöe Swarbrick - the young woman who ran for Mayor of Auckland at age 22, the young woman who at 23, become the youngest MP in New Zealand for over 40 years at the 2017 election. The young woman who is often reminded about how young she is, especially when she’s surrounded by politicians who are well, old (ok ok not all, but heaps are haha). No matter where your vote is going this election, Chlöe is a breath of fresh air in the political world. The energy and drive she throws at the job is pretty epic, and she's a cool person to yarn to as well!