Back To The Present

Jacob Hodson is the owner of New Strengths in Newcastle, but this conversation goes far beyond fitness. We explore the journey from a quiet kid searching for confidence to building a thriving business, raising a family, and learning that success isn’t just about pushing harder. Jacob shares his experience competing in Strongman, chasing ambitious goals, and eventually facing a difficult question:...

Life has a funny way of reminding us that no matter how much we plan, uncertainty is always lurking around the corner. The question isn't whether it'll show up, it's whether we're ready when it does. Rich Diviney spent 21 years as a Navy SEAL officer, commanding teams in combat, running assessment and selection, and learning firsthand what separates people who fall apart under pres...

Most people are chasing confidence. But that might be the wrong target. In this episode, Simon Williams joins the team to get into what's actually underneath it all — self-worth. Not the kind that spikes after a win and disappears after a loss, but the quieter, more durable thing that shapes how you experience your life regardless of outcomes. They talk about shadow work (and why you genuinely...

Why do our brains cling to some emotions more than others? How do our neurons wire together, shaping our habits, choices, and emotional responses? In this episode, we dive into the science of positive and proactive psychology, exploring how our emotions serve as data, why anger arises when we feel blocked, and how stronger emotions enhance memories—for better or worse. We’ll discuss the power of e...

Welcome to a thought-provoking journey where confidence meets uncertainty. This podcast explores the art of showing up, embracing the moment, and releasing negativity. Through the lens of science and mindfulness, we challenge absolute truths taught by schools and parents, recognising that everything begins with a decision. Dive into the polarity of values, the beauty of imperfection, and the power...

Our thinking mind is one hell of a ride. As human beings who have an ever evolving consciousness, the human mind can either be our greatest alley or our own worst enemy. We all pretty much know this to be true and yet we still find ourselves falling down the trap door from time to time. How we think literally dictates our emotions & actions, and what we think predominately manifests from what...

Wholistic Health is an ongoing, ever evolving learning and practice of all things both physically and energetically. It’s about thriving, not just surviving. It requires effort in the form of time & energy, and I believe to truly thrive we must take all aspects of life into consideration. In a time like never before, where there are endless opportunities to live unhealthily, there is also an a...

Seeds are buried in the dark, then they require water, sunlight and nature to grow into the beautiful being they were meant to be. Sometimes our own human experience follows a similar process. The strong winds, droughts and flooding are all apart of the process, none of which can be anything other than what they are for the growth to naturally happen.  Our lives seem to be naturally effected by wh...

Sometimes it’s a feather, sometimes it’s a brick and sometimes it’s a truck. Once way or another this analogy plays out in different shapes throughout the years.  A lot of life is about limiting the trucks, dodging the bricks and getting used to the touch of a feature. It’s harder to hear a truck on a busy motorway and it’s not easy dodging a brick if you can’t see it coming, though the gentle tou...

Mindfulness. Possibly the most meaningful and perhaps misunderstood word on the market. To me it’s a matter of being aware in each moment of the thing that we’re doing and/or thinking. Not wanting “it” to be any different to what it already is, just allowing it to be. For the longest time I wrongly assumed mindfulness was only available in meditation or alike, and that was cool too, though my life...

What if you could remember everything? Would you really want to? I think there's a reason why we can't (excluding those with photographic memories).  Who’s to argue with the evolution of the human species and pretend they could've done better. Cognitive function is almost something we take for granted. You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.  Our mind is our greatest ally. Speak...

Why are humans innately afraid of the unknown? Sure, there’s some biological reasons that kept us alive thousands of years ago, and maybe the same biology just hasn’t caught up with our current environment.  But, what if there was a little more to it than that? What if “the cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek” (Joseph Campbell).  What if our imagination was our only limitation and a...

Life is short. Not many other combinations of words hold as much depth, wisdom and inspiration. We get 1 shot at this opportunity in this body we luckily inhabit. A huge part of that life is about our character and how we treat others. As social beings once closely surrounded by our friends and family in a tribal environment, so much of that commune has been lost and it now takes an active effort...

Philosophy is a way of life. I also believe that even those who don’t see themselves as philosopher’s are still living a philosophical life.  We all seem to be figuring it out as we go. Some in a little more formal manner than others, though it feels like we all have that part of ourselves somewhere inside. Matt is a philosopher in the true sense of the word, as teacher & student and an avid p...

Science and spirit are both such beautiful things. Unfortunately it often feels like there’s a gap between the two, though I truly believe when real science and a better understanding of spirit are thread together, us humans create the best internal and external environments for prosperous and harmonious living.  We live among a time where there is sooo much information, and that can mean a lot of...

The biggest battle we have going on is within ourselves. I’m confident most of us have heard this before, though I wonder how many of us have begun to take small daily steps toward a more peaceful way of being.  I believe we’re often hearing a part of ourselves that knows what we should/want to be doing and yet we can limit ourselves with inaction. Jane reminded me that “action opens doors”. We ca...

How many of us are really listening to the subtle messages we receive from our internal or external world? I sure know I’m guilty of ignorance & avoidance.  The thing is that what we resist, persists (Carl Jung), and this persistence often returns in different shapes and sizes throughout life until we’re ready to embrace it and do something.  Anja is someone who has developed a deep level of e...

Understanding why we do the things we do ultimately starts with understanding who we are. Both tasks can take a lifetime (or more) and it’s not always an easy endeavour as an adult or child, though it’s vital to live a joyful and fulfilling life.  Lyn Jenkins is a clinical child psychologist and children’s author who is all too familiar with these questions and through her work she guides our litt...

The process of self discovery and improvement is a long one. It never really ends. It’s also not a path for everyone. It’s my opinion that those of us courageous enough to step into the unknown and retain a beginners mindset, are those worth listening to. Andrew certainly has both of these characteristics and much more. His knowledge and passion in psychotherapy, plant medicine, reiki, counselling...

I don’t know about you, but being a human is pretty cool. All of us almost always take it for granted. It’s so easy getting caught in what’s going on in our our lives that we forget about the bigger picture. Marc paints this picture. We are at a bit of a crossroad it seems on this planet right now. I don’t believe anyone really knows which way things will go, though I’m 101% confident us humans ne...

We all have a North Star. A guiding light. For some of us it is a little clearer than others and for some it’s harder to see. Regardless, I believe it helps shine us in the right direction in times of forgetfulness.  Kindness is that North Star for Susie Cameron. It is infectious & inspirational to myself and many others. In a world where all possibilities are endless, there can never be too m...

Anyone lucky enough to be a parent knows damn well it’s the hardest and most rewarding thing on the planet. And if you’re a mother the ride is multiplied in many different directions.  We weren’t taught how to do parenting at school, we mimic what we can from our own parents and make up the rest. Fortunately these days, we all have access to the wide world web and so people like Chelsea are able t...

We all seem to have a natural tendency for the path of least resistance, and at the same time most of us realise resistance is required for growth, both physically and mentally. It is our relationship to this resistance that I find beyond interesting and a huge difference between those doing what they love to do and those who are not. Lachy is apart of the former. His experience in the health, fit...

We’ve all got stuff. Stuff is apart of life. I think we often find ourselves in a trap thinking we are the only ones going through tough times, but that simply is just not true. If we can practice this awareness we can realise just how much we’re all in this together.  How we face and overcome our stuff is like a staircase, each step is different, some feel harder than others but each an opportuni...

For most of my life I’ve tried to control everything with my mind. Those of you who know me, know it is very strong and I am forever grateful for that. However, trying to control our reality with our mind is like trying to control the waves of an ocean. Pointless, futile and destine for trouble.  Enter Jo several years back, who has taught me soooooo much about life that these jumbled up letters i...