5 With A Digger Podcast

Episode 48 and I sit down with Hayden Heath. With a dynamic 9 year army career including deployments to Afghanistan at the age of 23, Hayden helps to lead and inspire both men and women, awakening the buried inner warrior. Through leading high stakes missions overseas and adapting military grade leadership skills and communication. Now as the founder of Firevolt he applies peak performance princip...

Episode 47 and I'm joined by John Armfield. John joined the navy in 2003 and spent 20 years in service. He completed several phases of naval training including diving and demolitions, leadership training, clearance and specialty courses. Since leaving the navy in 2023 John has played a significant role in media, including providing testimony to the royal commission into defence and veteran suicide...

Episode 46 and im joined by Dan. Dan joined the RAAF in 2014 as a tech before changing to a clerk. He deployed to AMAB in 2019. He left full time service in 2021 but still continued to work with DVA as an advocate and fulfilling his reserves obligations. Now he works FIFO on the gas rigs and spends plenty of time keeping fit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 45 and I sit down for a quick chat with Temeeka. Temeeka is a qualified breathwork facilitator and crystal healer dedicated to helping people regulate their nervous systems and reconnect with their inner strength. Temeeka isn't a veteran however i believe some of her skills and beliefs could help my audience. Merch available at https://www.crewapparelprint.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast...

Episode 44 and we faced a few technical and timing challenges this week so we have dug through the archives to bring you another collab with our mate Bryze on the Deadass Podcast from last year. Make sure you head over and give the deadass podcast some love on the socials! Regular programming to resume next week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 43 and I'm Joined by Jono. Jono joined in July 2005 till Oct 2010. He joined as infantry and followed in his fathers footsteps who served in infantry in Vietnam. He had several deployments to the Solomon Islands, East Timor and training in Germany before being medically discharged. He now spends his days taking veterans fishing and building his youtube channel Big Reds Aussie Adventures. H...

Episode 42 and I'm joined by Greg. Greg is a local personal trainer who has worked with a variety of clients from professional athletes, veterans, people with disabilities, amputees and so many more. Greg has been integral in my health and fitness journey and he has some incredible insights and beliefs with years and years of knowledge and experience which i know will be valuable to our listeners....

Episode 41 and I'm joined by Marlon. Marlon is back for a part two to follow up on his life since discharge after 16 years in the navy. Hear about his mental health, physical health, buying a house and everything in between. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 40 and I'm joined by Tayla. another guest who grew up in country Victoria. She joined the army at age 19 in the ready reserves scheme, from recovery mechanical roles, the black Saturday bushfire operations, deployments, medic and theatre technician roles her 30 year career was cut short with medical and mental health problems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 39 and we were lucky enough to sit down with Ty from 'The Roads We've Walked' Podcast. Ty talks to me about my life, my podcast '5 With A Digger' and everything in between. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 38 and I'm joined by Matt. Growing up in country Victoria, Matt always knew he would join the army. Enlisting at 18 matt focused his career on combat fitness designing programs still used by the defence force. 11 years of service, overseas exercises, countless stories and experiences and finally a medical discharge. Matt now spends his days as a personal trainer and bootcamp style instruct...

Episode 37 and I'm joined by Dylan. Dylan joined straight after high school but injured himself in initial training at Kapooka. He continued with his IET Training but battled with his injury for the rest of his career, eventually being medically discharged just short of 4 years. We touch on how he was treated and his mental health challenges he faced since joining and injuring himself. Wishing you...

Episode 36 and I'm joined by Brett L. After enlisting under the 'Ready Reserve' Scheme as a recovery mechanic in 1996, his career took him on several postings around Australia finally deploying to East Timor in 2011. We touch on Brett almost being medically discharged and fighting to stary in service and how his career nearly cost him his family. Id also like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and...

Episode 35 and I'm joined by Jordan and Chris from Walk & Talk. Although these two gentleman aren't veterans, their organization is based around men's mental health. We recorded this episode after one of their 3 weekly men's walk and talk events, which i was invited to attend and speak at Infront of just under 100 men in Rockhampton. The Walk & Talk organization strongly aligns with the mo...

Episode 34 and I'm joined by Garth and Max. Garth joined the army in 2000 as a store man, he deployed to Timor in 2004 and Iraq in 2005. Whilst playing rugby union for the Army he broke his neck in 2015. He discharged in 2017. Fast forward to 2024 and I'm joined by Garth and his service dog Max, 40 days and 1200 odd kilometers into their mammoth walk around Australia raising money for much needed...

Episode 33 and I'm joined by Jess. Jess joined the army at age 18 as a medical technician. After posting to Brisbane after training she had a baby and got married. At age 21 she deployed to Iraq with a 1 year old son at home. 3 days after her deployment, her marriage broke down and she transitioned to a single parent within defence! Another deployment to PNG and postings to DFR Robina and various...

Episode 32 and I'm joined by Justin. Episode 4 from South Australia live from the Highlander Hotel in Adelaide. Justin joined the Army in 1983 as an Apprentice Carpenter at the age of 15, completed his trade and transferred to Engineers and was posted to 2CER in Brisbane. He deployed to Namibia and Cambodia over his career to serve with UN Peacekeeping forces. He left the regular army in 1993, ser...

Episode 31 and I'm joined by Blue. My first current serving member of the ADF. Obviously we cant reveal too much about his career here, so make sure you tune in and hear what life is like for a current serving member of the RAAF. Shoutout to the Highlander Hotel, Ashendens pest control, Elite Boxing and SA Reo for making the trip to SA so memorable! We will definitely be back again! Hosted on Acas...

Episode 30 and I'm joined by Jonny live from the Highlander Hotel in Adelaide. A pretty rough childhood left Jonny searching for something more fulfilling which lead him to a 22 year Army Career. Several deployments, Christmas in a war zone and plenty more wild experiences in country, a mental health breakdown and life after serving. We also chat about Jonnys new passion, Black Ops Veterans Garage...

Episode 29 and I'm joined by my mate Braddy live from the Highlander Hotel in Adelaide. Braddy opens up about his childhood growing up in SA followed by motocross and side car racing till his late teens. he joined the army and began his 23 year long career which was cut short by a medical discharge in 2010. Shoutout to the Highlander Hotel, Ashendens pest control, Elite Boxing and SA Reo for makin...

Episode 28 and I'm joined by Smitty! With a pretty nerdy childhood under his belt, he joined the army and found a sense of brotherhood like no other! He deployed 5 times to various conflicts over close to 20 years, only being medically discharged in 2023. He gives a very raw insight into combat in a war zone. This episode contains very confronting issues so please tale care when listening to this...

Episode 27 and I'm joined by Roger and Angie from PTSD Dogs Australia. Roger served 14 years as a photographer in the Air Force. Upon his discharge, his mental health took a tumble and he and his wife Angie set up PTSD Dogs Australia. Angie is a qualified Dog Behaviorist and and trainer and specializes in Psychiatric Assistance Dog Training! PTSD Dogs Australia is a registered NFP organization who...

Episode 26 - Join me when I chat with Garry. Garry joined the ADF in 1976. He enlisted into survey core and was a litho-photographer. He was also a recruit instructor at Kapooka. Following his discharge in 1986, he has followed his love of music, continuing to play music and teaching fellow veterans how to play guitar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 25 and I sit down with Will from the Journeymen! While Will isn't a veteran, he has started a mental health movement on the sunshine coast and is a huge advocate for community and connection. We only sat down for a brief chat, but make sure you stay tuned for future collaborations between 5WAD and The Journeymen! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 24 and I'm joined by Derko. Derko has been one of the podcasts biggest supporters since we kicked off and after featuring on episode 10, he wanted to come back on for another chat to delve a bit deeper into his mental health struggles after his service. Trigger Warning: May contain confronting issues. If you are affected please seek professional help. You're never alone. Hosted on Acast. S...