Head Game

This week, Ant is joined by star goalkeeper, Lydia Williams. From her upbringing in desert Kalgoorlie to playing in the EPL, Lydia shares her path to success despite heartache and injuries. She shares what it takes to be a Matilda, and takes us inside their meteoric rise in the 2023 World Cup.  Lydia's kids book  'Saved!!!' can be purchased  here 'Goal!!!' can be purchased here Follow Lydia Willia...

Gina Chick joins Ant to share her extraordinary life story. From a wild childhood filled with adventures to the devastating loss of her young daughter, Gina's approach to life and grief is truly unique. Gina shares how she's gotten through her lowest moments, and the tools she's learned along the way that will help others.  LINKS Gina's memoir,  We Are the Stars,  is out now. Find out more and pur...

Kellie Finlayson shares her inspiring story with Ant in this episode. The young Mum and wife of AFL star, Jeremy Finlayson, was just 25 when she was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in 2021. Having just given birth to Sophia, she put some unusual symptoms down to being postpartum, but the results of a delayed colonoscopy revealed the life-changing news.  She opens up about how this robbed her...

With a career spanning over 20 years as an operational police officer, Allan Sparkes was no stranger to high-pressure situations. From murders to robberies to rescues,  Allan had to confront intense and difficult cases on a daily basis. But this took a harsh toll, and he found himself battling post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.  Now, Allan is passionate about preventing sever...

In the blink of an eye, Sam Bloom's life changed forever. The active Mum-of-three was on a family holiday in Thailand when a tragic fall left her paralysed from the chest down. What followed were months of rehab and heartbreak, as Sam battled with severe injuries and her declining mental health.  In this episode, she speaks about how the love of her family and a little bird got her through, in a s...

If there's anyone who understands the importance of resilience and forgiveness, it's Simon Kennedy. Simon's mother Yvonne was one of 10 Australians to be tragically killed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  In this moving and emotional conversation, Simon reflects on the unforgettable trip to Guantanamo Bay where he came face-to-face with those responsible, and shares how he thinks his mother's f...

Damien Thomlinson has one phenomenal comeback story. The former soldier was on night patrol with the Australian Defence Force when an IED attack completely changed everything. He lost both legs in the accident, and took charge of his recovery and new life. He shares his strength, wisdom and ambition with Ant today.  In this episode, there is a mention of suicide. If this topic is triggering for yo...

Ant is joined by beloved TV host, podcaster and mental health advocate, Osher Günsberg this week. Osher opens up about his journey from addiction to sobriety, coping with 'inescapable' anxiety, and the decision he made that altered the course of his life.  CW: This episode contains discussions of mental ill-health and substance abuse. If this episode raises any issues for you, help is available fr...

This week, Ant is joined by the phenomenal Lisa Blair. Lisa is the fastest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around Antarctica on her yacht Climate Action Now. She holds 5 world records, and has shared her adventures in her book, Facing Fear. In this conversation, she opens up about the treacherous voyage in 2017 in which she was left stranded in the middle of the ocean, alone. She had...

This week, Ant is joined by the extraordinary Johann Hari. As an award-winning Journalist, Johann's mission to answer life's core mysteries. The inspiration for these investigations have stemmed from his own life experiences. In this powerful conversation, Ant and Johann dive into Johann's experience with addiction, and how his compassion has led to a life helping others.  If this episode raises a...

In this episode, Ant sits down with Ellie Cole to hear about her elite mindset. After losing her right leg to cancer at age 3, in 2021 she became Australia’s most decorated female Paralympic athlete, with a record-breaking 17 Paralympic medals and OAM to her name. In January 2024 she was also awarded an AM for her "significant service to sport as an advocate for diversity and inclusion”.  LINKS Fo...

Whilst lockdown was a challenge for most - David Knoff was tested in extraordinary circumstances.  As station leader at the Davis Research Station in Antarctica, David was leading a team of 24 when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Their ride home was cancelled - indefinitely. It was supposed to be a routine mission and instead, became a tense test of uncertainty and anxiety among his team. David was tas...

Dr Lucy Hone's career path as a Resilience Expert became incredibly useful in the aftermath of the earthquake which devastated her city of Christchurch, New Zealand in 2011. She was able to support her community and help them rebuild their mental health and wellbeing - putting her research and studies into action. She believed this was her true test.  But Lucy was forced again to call on her knowl...

This week, Ant's joined by TikTok star Jimmy Jan. When Covid lockdowns hit, the then-21 year old medical student headed from Newcastle to the Snowy Mountains to split his days between studying online and the slopes. But whilst skiing, one wrong landing changed everything for Jimmy, and he was left paralysed from the waist down. He speaks to Ant about how he's changed his mindset to embrace his dis...

In the climbing world, Alain Robert is a total rockstar. You may have seen coverage of him scaling buildings such as the Eiffel Tower, Burj Khalifa and the Empire State Building. In this episode, he speaks to Ant about the laser focus required to do these feats, and how fame has changed him.  LINKS Follow Alain Robert on Instagram @alainrobertofficial Follow Ant on Instagram , X , and Facebook Lea...

"The one thing you have absolutely no control over is when you're gonna get rescued. What you have 100% of control over is 'are you going to be alive when you get rescued?'". This mindset kept Captain Brian Udell afloat for four gruelling hours in the middle of the Atlantic, after surviving one of the fastest known ejections in history.  Injured and afraid, Brian knew he had to harness his mind to...

In this episode, Ant looks back on three powerful conversations with three very talented surfers. Each have had their own challenges and triumphs, and reflected on these in their previous Head Game interviews.  Today, you'll hear from Owen Wright, Layne Beachley and Blakey Johnston on the power of the waves, and how the ocean got them through.  LINKS Listen to Owen Wright's interview in full here...

ANZAC Day 2006 was a day that changed the course of Todd Russell's life forever. Working a kilometre underground in Tasmania's Beaconsfield mine, Todd and workmate Brant Webb became trapped following a seismic event. In one of the most extraordinary survival feats of all time, Todd and Brant remained underground for 14 days - 321 hours, before finally reaching the surface on the 9th of May, 2006. ...

Beau Miles is a filmmaker, adventurer and serious bean-eater. In this episode, Beau takes Ant into his mindset during his epic journey across the coast of Africa. He shares how he's intimidated by life, what success looks like to him, and how important it is to know when to call it quits.  LINKS Subscribe to Beau's YouTube here Follow Beau on Instagram @beauisms Follow Ant on Instagram , X , and F...

Hear part one of Nigel Brennan's story here . In this episode we hear the second half of Nigel Brennan's phenomenal story. In part one, Nigel shared the events leading up to his capture, the moment he was abducted and the call that turned his family's world upside down. In part two, Nigel shares how he escaped, his family's response and he reflects on how he feels about the ordeal now.  LINKS Find...

Nigel Brennan has one phenomenal story. He was working as a Photojournalist when an opportunity came up to visit Somalia to cover the humanitarian crisis. It was supposed to be a seven day visit. But instead, he and colleague Amanda Lindhout spent 15 hellish months in captivity.  He bravely opens up to Ant about how this nightmare unfolded, and how he survived to tell the tale today.  CW: This epi...

For Mahmood Fazal, life in 2024 is great. He feels good every morning when he wakes up - not having to look over his shoulder or feel nervous when he's in a public space. But things haven't always been this way for Mahmood - as the Walkley Award-winning Journalist shares in this eye-opening conversation with Ant. Mahmood discloses his raw and unfiltered perspective on his experience with crime and...

If there's one thing Nedd Brockmann wants to you do today, it's keep showing up. At just 25 years old, Nedd has achieved an extroadinary amount. His most well-known feat was in 2022 when he ran across Australia - from Perth to Bondi - in just 46 days.  He joins Ant in-studio to reflect on the lessons from those long and torturous days. He shares how he harnessed his mindset to push through pain ba...

Kelsey Waghorn's life changed forever when she, along with so many others, was caught up in the horrific Whakaari White Island eruption off the east coast of New Zealand in 2019. Kelsey, just 25 at the time, was working as a tour guide. On what should have been a regular, routine day, instead she ended up in an induced coma and sustained full thickness burns to 45% of her body.  She speaks to Ant...

December 10th 2015 was a day that changed everything for champion surfer, Owen Wright. He fought for his life and faced extensive brain trauma, following a severe wipeout at Pipeline in Hawaii. The journey back to the ocean, was a difficult one. In this inspiring conversation, Owen reflects on that fateful day, and shares the mindset tools that helped aid his recovery. He's one of the country's be...