"When the pain of not changing outweighs the pain of change - there's really no choice”.Mark tried to play-down his problems, hiding the truth from those who were closest to him, because time and culture had taught him that vulnerability was a sign of weakness.Through his depression Mark rediscovered running, like a daily meditation to get his mind and body right.Day-by-day his life slowly started to mend. How far he could go? What sort of legacy would he leave behind?I caught-up with Mark soon after he’d finished running 21 Half-marathons in 21 days to help raise awareness for Mental Health (a ‘warm-up’ to running 22 Marathons in 22 days ?).Marks is a story about the death of a close friend, his own mortality and working through depression. It’s about the choices we make and the actions we take in the face of crisis. It’s about having a daily practice of patience and self awareness. It’s about speaking-up when you need help, and discovering purpose in the darkest of places.I hope you enjoy this episodeAz xPS. If you've got a story to tell or know someone who does -> drop us a line. ?How can I support this podcast? Subscribe, Rate and share with your friends! Thanks heaps :)

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Run Through Darkness: Mark Avery

Ian loves working with a beautiful piece of timber in his shed. Good tunes on the radio. Dog by his side. He's salt of the earth kind of guy. His face and hands are weathered from a life spent outdoors and working on the slipway. A shipwright by trade, his passion is restoring old wooden boats; He’s worked on everything from century old yachts to old fishing boats. Old boats are like time capsules. When opened and paid attention will share their many lives and stories with you. In a time of lightweight, space-age, almost disposable materials. Short attention spans and constant pressure for things to be done faster and cheaper. It’s Shipwrights like Ian who ensure these boats live on and continue to tell their story. I hope you enjoy this episode,Az ⛵️ PS. If you've got a story to tell or know someone who does -> drop us a line. ?How Can I support this podcast? Subscribe, Rate and share with your friends! Thanks heaps :)

Craft of the Shipwright: Ian Begg

"I'll never meet the angel on the other end of that phone call... I'll never know who they are. They saved my life…”Something was wrong with Jack. It wasn’t just burn out. This had a frightening quality to it, that he'd never experienced before.It started when Jack wasn’t finding joy in the things he loved. A string of injuries kept him from his passion of sport.In his life outside of sport, no matter how hard he worked, how high he climbed, no amount of praise or accolades were enough.He felt empty, uncared for and alone.But on paper, Jack was ‘kicking goals’. He was a young, white, straight Aussie bloke. He had a great education, played high level sport, was hard worker and he had plenty of friends. His family loved him.However, the wheels still fell off.This wasn’t one of those problem he could solve with more hours at work, more reps in the gym or just ‘man up’ and muscle through it.Those things that had bought him success, were now his enemies.`Jack found himself headed into a severe state of depression, about to take his own life.The moment he picked up the phone and called Lifeline, Jack's recovery began.Today, Jack's journey has led him to The Banksia Project where he is now the program lead. Jack has devoted himself to serving and supporting others, caring during tough times and empowering them with preventative skills to better manage their mental health, before reaching crisis point.He has been there, he doesn’t want to watch others go through it.—My conversation with Jack follows his journey from crisis to recovery. How mental health is one part of the personal health picture. And what we can each do to look after ourselves and the people we care about.Mental health still carries a lot of stigma and it’s important that we give people the tools, space and support to have these conversations.A conversation that could change your life.I hope you enjoy this episode, it would mean a lot if you shared it with your friends, family and community.Az xPS. If you've got a story to tell or know someone who does -> drop us a line. ?How Can I support this podcast? Subscribe, Rate and share with your friends! Thanks heaps :)

Gym for the Mind: Jack Jones

"When you go to an Onsen, you’re able to see that you’re not different. Everyone is different. There’s no 'perfect body'. There’s no way you ‘should’ be."You can see how 'ok' they are with their bodies, because they can see their friends bodies.“Oh - my friend has these imperfections! Or these great parts!... I have imperfections - I have great parts too!"But I think having a really healthy idea of what bodies should look like, is not something we get a great exposure to in our society.”Steph knew there was more to life than the prescribed path she was on.The big-ticket items of our society that are supposed to make us happy; A secure, well-paid job. Climbing the ladder and checking-off life’s milestones... The people around her were all happy and content.But why wasn’t she?There wasn’t a choice.Steph changed direction (hard), and embarked on a new voyage of personal and professional growth.Stepping out of the shadows of others and the ideals that weren’t her own. Away from the things that were holding her back and towards a clearer expression of her true self.Navigating her own limitations and anxieties took immense courage and self-belief.It’s fair to say that Steph is a role-model, lighting the way for others in a world that needs to know that we’re enough just the way we are .Life is a process of gradual uncovering. Expressing who we are - not who the world tells us to be.Az

Uncovering Steph: Steph

“I’m good in situations that others fall apart in” ~ Seb Langton. Seb was born into sailing and has been a professional yachtsman and entrepreneur for close to 20 years.He is a highly unique character with a skill-set to match, having sailed many times around the world alongside starting a number of companies along the way.Where the vast majority of us keep our feet dry, work secure regular jobs and might travel once or twice a year, Seb's world is the exact opposite of that! His story is one of adventure, the entrepreneurial spirit, heart and pure resilience in the face of life’s heaviest of storms.Enjoy the pod,Az :)

Weathering the Storm: Seb Langton

A sports obsessed, natural athlete with a unique set of people skills, Gary followed his instincts, turning his passion and abilities into his life’s work.Today he is one of the most respected and successful running coaches in Australia.

Running Coach: Gary Mullins

Samantha's story is about chasing her childhood dream to become the first female Australian Astronaut and the path that unfolds. 

Spaceship Earth: Samantha Coras

A collection of stories from people who are listening to the thing that's calling them. For the curious, the intentional and those who are moving people forward.

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