The Mindful Men Podcast

Trigger warning: Spinal Cord Injury   Welcome to Episode 109 – Adapting to disability with Nathan Stapleton   Nathan Stapleton grew up playing the game he loved, rugby league. He went on to play National Rugby League (NRL) for the Cronulla Sharks, before heading over to the UK to play for the London Broncos. Rugby opened up the world to Nathan and his family, but it also took everything away from him. In 2022 he sustained a spinal cord injury playing country footy, acquiring quadriplegia. He was pronounced dead for 16 minutes, and was lucky there was a registered nurse at the game who saved his life.    Nathan shares his story of adapting to life with disability. From being a footy star, to needing 24/7 disability support to survive, he bravely shares how disability has taken almost everything away from him. Nathan draws strength from being a loving father or two, and highlights the importance of getting back to work; but also the support of his family, friends and footy community.    Key points   In this episode Nathan shares:  His career in Rugby League How a spinal cord injury playing country footy changed his life  Life after footy, including his wife giving birth shortly after his injury How his children reacted to his injury What he used as his motivation to get better The steps he took to recovery post injury  The impact his injury and recovery had on his family His experience with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) The importance of mateship for his recovery His advice for those going through something similar    Quotes   "It was grim mate. Not gonna lie, it was the worst day of my life.”   "You don't ever want your kid to look at you like "what's wrong?”   Connect with Nathan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathan_stapleton_/   Connect with Mindful Men Website at www.mindful-men.com.au Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2050441875316594 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful.men.aus/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-rinne-246207247/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindful.men.aus Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA   ***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***   Stay Mindful, Simon

Trigger warning: Mental Health, Suicide   Welcome to Episode 108 – Mentoring Men with Simon Jarvis   Australia is in a mental health and crisis, and men are struggling big time. But unlike women and children, men have limited options available to them; The health system is female-orientated, and wait lists for mental health support are extending to 6-9 months in some cases. Unfortuantely this pushes many men over the edge, with high rates of reported family and domestic violence and suicide.   If we’re to change the stats, we need to change our approach. And this is what Mentoring Men is doing – providing a free mentoring service for men Australia wide. It’s not about replacing therapists, but about complementing them with boots on the ground support to overcome life’s challenges.    And joining me to share the Mentoring Men story is CEO Simon Jarvis. Simon shares his journey into Mentoring Men, and the valuable work their mentors do for men in need. He also leaves us with some wonderful insights into his own fatherhood journey, including his love for everyone’s favourite TV show, Bluey.    In this episode, Simon shares: His journey into the mental health field His realisation that men need more support The services Mentoring Men provide How we need to evolve support provided to men A Mentoring Men success story The mentor/mentoree process Key Quotes:   "It is hard to open up. And it is hard to even just go to a GP or go to a doctor and ask.”   "Providing that opportunity to use language men resonate with really gives us a better insight into what’s going on.”   "Our mentors get out of it as much as our mentees."   Connect with Simon: Website: www.mentoringmen.org.au   Connect with Mindful Men Website at www.mindful-men.com.au Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2050441875316594 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful.men.aus/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-rinne-246207247/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindful.men.aus Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA   ***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***   Stay Mindful, Simon

Trigger warning: Addiction, Childhood Abuse, Trauma, Suicide   Welcome to Episode 107 – Stories of Hope with Kerrie Atherton   Losing hope can have us feeling like we’ve got nothing left to give the world. We can feel as though we’re broken, unwanted, unlovable and unworthy of being alive. Our lives can spiral out of control; impacting our mental health, relationships, careers and more.    But amidst the chaos, it’s important to know that we can regain our hope. Life has a way of presenting lightbulb moments that can guide is in new directions. And this week’s episode offers that through Stories of Hope.    Kerrie Atherton is the Founder of Stories of Hope Australia/Worldwide, and Empower Life Solutions. She is also an author and Trauma and Addictions Recovery Counsellor – providing much needed support for those struggling and without hope. Kerrie bravely shares her story of childhood trauma, mental health, suicide and addiction with the hope that it inspires you to face your fears and reach out for support if you need it.     In this episode, Kerrie shares: Her experiences of childhood trauma The emotional, spiritual and physical impacts of trauma Her relationship with alcohol Attending Alcoholics Anonymous at 16 years of age Her experience of suicide at 18 years of age How Alcoholics Anonymous saved her The impact of trauma on her relationships  How she broke the pattern of abuse and started healing How 'Stories of Hope' came about Why she started her clinic and the therapy she now does Key Quotes:  "For a recovering alcoholic or addict life is like an unsolved jigsaw puzzle. One that you cannot put the pieces back together again. But you can make a new puzzle.”   "For many people that feel like they're so hopeless that they want to end their life, they don't actually want to die, they just don't know how to live anymore.”   “My dad taught me to fear everything, so I was born into fear."   Connect with Kerrie: Website: www.storiesofhope.com.auWebsite: www.empowerlifesolutions.com.au   Connect with Mindful Men Website at www.mindful-men.com.au Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2050441875316594 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful.men.aus/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-rinne-246207247/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindful.men.aus Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA   ***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***   Stay Mindful, Simon

Welcome to Episode 106 – Starting the new year with clearer focus    So you’ve woken up after new years and you’ve had a lightbulb moment. You want to get sober, or lose weight, or kick big goals in 2024. You start a list of new year’s resolutions… but deep down inside you know that you’ll probably give up by the end of January.   But what if I told you that you could make that resolution actually stick?    Join me this week as I talk you through how to start your year with clearer focus. We’ll combine your end of year reflections with your core values and SMART goals to kickstart 2024 and achieve great things.   But before you hit play – make sure you listen to 104 and 105 because they give you some background to this episode.    In this episode, I share: How setting new years resolutions can have a negative effect on us Why smart goals are a good mindfulness tool for the new year What SMART goals are Examples of what SMART goals can be for you  How linking SMART goals with your values can make it stick  Other steps to use to help you achieve SMART goals   Key Quotes:   “We’ve all been there and gone I want to lose 10 kilos in the first month and losing 10 kg of weight is really hard.”   “SMART goals are specific, they're measurable, they're achievable, they're relevant, and they're time based”   “The reason we set goals is because we want to move forward. We want to achieve something”    Connect with Mindful Men Website at www.mindful-men.com.au Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2050441875316594 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful.men.aus/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-rinne-246207247/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindful.men.aus Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA   ***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***   Stay Mindful, Simon

Welcome to Episode 105 – Using values as a life compass   The Christmas and New Years period often brings up a bunch of “what am I doing with my life?” style questions. You’ve been through a year of hell, or a year of the same old, same old… and you’re yearning for change. But where do you start?    This week I give you an insight into a powerful mindfulness tool called – values. Values serve to connect us with our true and authentic selves. They can also be used to make difficult decisions, such as changing career, entering into a new relationship or even tackling your finances once and for all.    This week I’ll go through some core values and how they can be applied to your daily life. I’ll also guide you through how you can discover your own core values, and leave you inspired to turn off the auto-pilot, and switch on conscious living!    In this episode, I share: Why values are important – particularly during the holiday season The benefits of values-based work How I used values to stop drinking alcohol 3 big values – trust, honesty and respect Some values you probably haven’t thought about before How to discover your core values 3 things to remember about values How to use your values as a life compass   Key Quotes:   “It's about using our values to guide and direct us to make better decisions, to do the things that we want, to be that authentic self and to essentially reach for the stars”   “And if you want to be free, you kind of need to take responsibility. And so values based work helps us do this”   “do something small every day. That's how you use them as your life compass”   Buy the values cards here: https://www.actmindfully.com.au/product-category/values-cards/ Connect with Mindful Men Website at www.mindful-men.com.au Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2050441875316594 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful.men.aus/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-rinne-246207247/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindful.men.aus Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA   ***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***   Stay Mindful, Simon

Welcome to Episode 104 – Mindful about Christmas and New Years   It’s the holiday season and a time of reflection. Whether it’s about how we’re going right now, or how we’ve gone over the past year, we can experience good, bad and ugly emotions during the Christmas and New Years period.   This week I sit down to give you some tips on navigating Christmas and New Years. From reflecting on the year, and recognising our growth – to identifying and connecting in with the supports we need to be well this holiday season.    I’m also inviting you to join the Mindful Men Community group on Facebook. It’s free and can help you to connect with mindful men from all over the world.     In this episode, I share: How to identify and acknowledge the emotions that arise during the holiday period. How to more effectively reflect on the entire year.  How to recognize personal growth and resilience. The importance of connecting with others. Why rest and self-care is important. One thing to try if you can’t navigate Christmas and New Years alone. Join the Mindful Men Facebook Community (link below)   Key Quotes:   "If nothing positive has happened but you're still here, you're still trying... that’s called resilience”   “this year I'm being very mindful and I'm not going to be drinking because previous years I would overdo it”    Connect with Mindful Men Website at www.mindful-men.com.au Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2050441875316594 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful.men.aus/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-rinne-246207247/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindful.men.aus Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA   ***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***   Stay Mindful, Simon

Trigger warning: Divorce, religious cult or sect   Welcome to Episode 103 – Freedom from life in a cult/sect/family with Rosie Rasmussen   For millions around the world, religion provides a connection with the spiritual self. It brings communities together, and teaches ways to navigate life through shared principles and values.    And whilst millions find freedom through religion, others have that freedom taken away.    This week I sit down Rosie Rasmussen, a Mindfulness Mentor who in 2010 turned her back on the church with no name. As an outsider now, she sees it as a cult or sect, whilst acknowledging that those still within the church see it more as a family. And this is where we focus our discussion – the family – and how patriarchy showed within the church and took away her freedom.     In this episode, Rosie shares: Her life in a cult/sect/family Some of the main differences between mainstream religions and her cult/sect/family The expectations and beliefs that were put on her The moment she realised there was a life outside the church  How she navigated family and relationships after leaving the church The impacts of patriarchy on her life Her process of healing and growing Her mentoring through Awake Aware Mindful Key Quotes:   "We weren't encouraged to be part of the world”   “Doing all these things to be the good woman but there is resentment underneath it, that just discounts all of it."   “Where am I? Here. What am I doing? This. What time is it? Now.”   Connect with Rosie: Website: www.awakeawaremindful.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awakeawaremindful Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awakeawaremindful/   Connect with Mindful Men Website at www.mindful-men.com.au Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2050441875316594 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful.men.aus/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-rinne-246207247/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindful.men.aus Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA   ***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***   Stay Mindful, Simon

Trigger warning: alcoholism, addiction   Welcome to Episode 102 – Grey Area Drinking with Sarah Rusbatch    So many of us struggle with alcohol, but we refrain from admitting it through fear of being labelled an alcoholic. We don’t fit the image of a stereotypical “alcoholic” – the guy who has lost everything to his drinking, needs to drink to function, and is sitting on a park bench taking a swig from a bottle in a brown paper bag.    This was the case for me; I didn’t fit the stereotype. But when I did drink, I didn’t have a STOP button. And drinking went from fun to self-medication.   But throughout 2023, I’ve found courage in hearing more and more people embrace a sober life. And then I heard of Grey Area Drinking: the grey area between being able to have the occasional drink and full blown alcoholism. It’s the spectrum between being ok with a couple of drinks, to creating rules to justify our drinking, to getting drunk way too often.    Helping us unpack this topic is Grey Area Drinking coach Sarah Rusbatch. Sarah is an ex-Grey Area Drinker, and shares her story to inspire others out there to quit the booze and live their best life.   In this episode, Sarah shares: What grey area drinking is Social pressures to drink and how this impacts getting sober Why a lot of people resist the term alcoholic and how that influences their drinking decisions Her story of grey area drinking and how it became a problem for her The rules she put in place to justify her drinking The process she went through to redesign her social circles What her husband did when she stopped drinking Her opinion on replacing alcohol with other options The difference between grey area drinking coaching and alcoholics anonymous The strategies and tools she offers her clients Key Quotes:   "Did I think I had a problem with alcohol? No I had a problem and alcohol was my solution.”   "Alcohol is the only drug we have to justify not taking.”   "It's so hard in an alcohol centric society to take a break from alcohol”   "If we are taking alcohol out, what are we putting in?"   Connect with Sarah:   Website: www.sarahrusbatch.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahrusbatch/   Gray Area Drinking – Jolene Park Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/jolene_park_gray_area_drinking   Connect with Mindful Men Website at www.mindful-men.com.au Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2050441875316594 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful.men.aus/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-rinne-246207247/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindful.men.aus Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA   ***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***   Stay Mindful, Simon

Trigger warning: Infant death, Bereaved parents   Welcome to Episode 101 – Red Nose Dads with Chris Wood   As a family man, my wife and kids are my everything. I simply can’t imagine a world without them.   And this is why my chat with Chris Wood was particularly eye-opening. Chris is a loving husband and bereaved father to Liam who passed away a 1 day old due to complications in utero. Chris bravely shares his story of losing Liam, to help encourage more fathers to access support through agencies like Red Nose Australia.   Red Nose’s aim is to break the stigma around bereavement and loss, and provide support to those in grief through their free 24/7 Grief and Loss Support Line. Sadly, 3,000 little lives are lost suddenly and unexpectedly each year; and it is believed 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage.    But according to Red Nose, only 1 in 4 who access their Grief and Loss Support line are male. Our hope at Mindful Men is that Chris’ story inspires more men to reach out for support after hearing his family’s story.    The Red Nose Grief and Loss Support Line is available 24/7 for anyone affected by miscarriage, stillbirth, baby or child death on 1300 308 307.   In this episode, Chris shares: The devastating story of his and his wife's fertility and miscarriage journey How he nearly lost his son and wife during childbirth. His memories of Liam’s first day What happened immediately after his Liam’s death The gap between support for mums and dads How he started the touch footy team and how it's helped him cope His petition to increase the government’s payments to bereaved parents Key Quotes:   "Pregnancy is fucking hard for a lot of people”   “Probably one of the equal hardest  things we ever done was had to leave him there after he died.”   "For me I was back at work doing 6 days a week after 3 weeks and I fucking hated it."   Connect with Chris: Liam's Legacy: https://www.instagram.com/liams_legacy11/ Red Nose Dads: https://www.instagram.com/red_nose_dads/ Petition: https://www.change.org/p/increase-in-government-payment-s-to-bereaved-parents-employed-self-employed   Connect with Red Nose Australia: Red Nose: https://rednose.org.au/ Fathers of Loss: https://rednosegriefandloss.org.au/fathers-of-loss   Connect with Mindful Men Website at www.mindful-men.com.au Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2050441875316594 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful.men.aus/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-rinne-246207247/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindful.men.aus Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA   ***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***   Stay Mindful, Simon

Welcome to Episode 100 – What it means to be a mindful man   I first discovered mindfulness in my recovery from burnout in 2020. At first I thought it was a bit woo woo… a bit hippy… and certainly not manly!   But the more I dived into mindfulness, the more I discovered that it goes beyond meditation, gratitude and journaling.    In this special 100th episode, I reflect on the various definitions of what it means to be a mindful man. This episode is inspired by the men who are part of the Mindful Men Community on Facebook. If you’re interested in joining this growing community, you can find the link below.    Key Quotes:   “[mindfulness is] paying attention with openness, curiosity, flexibility and kindness” (Dr Russ Harris)   “[mindfulness is] The art of conscious living” (Jon Kabat-Zinn)   "Values can direct us when we’re lost, but they can also keep us on track when we’re good.”   “Recognise that our way of being and feeling isn’t the only way of being and feeling in the world."   Connect with Mindful Men Website at www.mindful-men.com.au Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2050441875316594 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindful.men.aus/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-rinne-246207247/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindful.men.aus Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA   ***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***   Stay Mindful, Simon