The Reality Check Podcast

The only way to truly heal is to embrace your past. To acknowledge it, work through it, and accept to it. Ignoring it won’t help, and hoping it will go away is just wishful thinking. This is a hard process, and one that must be repeated often. But the result are worth it. In this episode I share how writing therapy has helped me to relieve some of the inner pressure. I cover some of the problems a...

We are a product of our environment. Our values, beliefs and societal norms are just a construct of the time and place we are born. Historical events cause societal shifts. War, revolution, natural disasters and disease change the people experiencing them. When those people reintegrate with society, the entire society is transformed. We are in the middle of an unprecedented global event. In this e...

Clutter is depressing and anxiety inducing. Unfortunately anxiety and depression often leads to disorganisation and indecision, which causes the accumulation of more clutter. This is cyclic. In this episode I discuss the connection between mental health and our environments, as well as ways that we can take positive action in the face of mental illness and mess. Links Mentioned: Changing Habits 10...

There is a certain romanticism to revolution: overthrowing tyranny, destruction of the systems of corruption, bringing fairness and equality to the oppressed masses. Unfortunately the reality is violent, chaotic and unpredictable; often with completely undesirable outcomes for most people involved in the revolt. I am concerned for society. There is so much hate and distrust, perpetuated by communi...

Looking at Coronavirus through the lens of collective trauma will help us to manage the crisis - both internally and communally. We are all going through something new, unique and scary. We don’t have complete information, and we are seeing people lose their freedoms, livelihoods and lives. This is traumatic, and is causing us to act and respond in a compromised way. In this episode I discuss the...

When you are triggered, you feel like the trauma is happening again. This is never an easy situation to manage. Whilst triggered, you will experience intense emotions combined with a diminished ability to cope. This can lead to catastrophe. In this episode I discuss how I manage my triggers, both internally, as well as how I explain it to those close to me. _ Your Support Makes This Podcast Possib...

People will profit from Covid-19. They will use this situation to their advantage. This is what people have always done. It doesn’t mean they created the virus, and it doesn’t mean there is a conspiracy. All it means is that people are opportunistic. Governments included. We will see an expansion of powers, and thus a contraction of freedoms. In this episode I deconstruct the conspiracy theories a...

It is all to easy to look at the end result of someones life and believe that they had it easy, and that they knew where they were going. We are blessed with hindsight and detachment. Every successful person has their cross to bear. Most had no idea that they would make it to the heights that they did. What does it take to keep going? How do you know that you are on the ‘right path’? - Your Suppor...

There is a new normal coming, one of restrictions & social isolation - this is an unavoidable reality. But what can we do to stay mentally healthy? In this episode I discuss the importance of accepting reality, establishing a morning routine and planning your day. I also highlight the increased need for effective self care and a shift towards focusing only on your circle of influence. Get A Fr...

State wide lock-downs are in place, effectively shutting down normal life as we know it. This presents obvious challenges, both financial, social and mental. Adapting to these changes will take time, but it is possible. In this episode I discuss my reaction to the Corona-virus situation, the need for continuing self care, as well as the potential state of the world moving forward. I also touch on...

There is always something to be afraid of. This is by design. The media outlets, social media platforms and people in the public domain all have a vested interest in promoting this fear: it keeps you coming back for more information. This leads to advertisement revenue. The real world risk for most of us from the Coronavirus is minimal. There is little that you can do to prevent it. I prefer to st...

The Coronavirus is causing a disruption to normal life. For me this has meant stopping social gatherings, reducing my training, delaying profession development, and most significantly, the postponement of my therapy sessions. Maintaining mental health is vital at all times, but particularly now. In this episode, I discuss the impact of the Coronvirus, and what I am doing about it. - Links Mentione...

Worried about the Coronavirus? Meditation will help. Unchecked fear can make us irrational, take away our functionality and impair our judgement. This impact is compounded when those around us are just as afraid as we are. Fear has a way of spreading. The panic buying of toilet paper, preserved goods and medications, as well as the absolute desolation of global share markets in response to the Cor...

Historically speaking, we live in the most peaceful time in existence; yet there is still a prevalence of crime and violence - instance of which many of you will know first hand. Keeping myself safe and developing competency in this area has led me on a life long quest to develop my skills as a martial artist, to think tactically as well as to share this knowledge. I hope to answer the following q...

Self care is not simply ‘feeling good in the moment’ - It is about real and long term growth. It is about establishing discipline, getting therapy, reaching out for help, diet, exercise and meditation. Ask yourself ‘will this action help me in both the short and long term?’ - Chapter: (00:11:02) - ‘ Blackness ’ from Under The Influence: Reclaiming My Childhood Review : (00:24:24) - Mindfulness In...

I always felt out of place growing up, both socially as well as internally - I would feel the need to ‘act to fit in’. The problem was that this act wasn’t me, and it wasn’t sustainable. Clearly I did not have a secure attachment. The fear and neglect I faced growing up has ramifications to this day. In this episode I explore these impacts - both on myself as well as on how I parent. Book Chapter:...

My father was an addict and a drug dealer. He never harmed me directly, but the clientele he let into his house were a different story. In his house, exposed to that world, I learnt a lot. Book Chapter : ‘ Lessons Learnt ’ (00:03:19) from Under The Influence: Reclaiming My Childhood Links Mentioned: The Share Your Story Project — If this episode has resonated with you, I would love your support ....

For as long as I knew him, my dad dealt. Every day, a procession of desperate, malnourished and volatile addicts would visit our house looking to score. From a child’s perspective, they seemed to have only one goal - acquiring their next high. Growing up in this environment had a profound impact on my life and world view. I never felt safe. In this podcast, I answer the question that I am asked th...

Every time someone donates hundreds of thousands (if not millions) towards the bush fires, they are criticised. Every past flaw or issue is highlighted. 'Remember what they did, they are a terrible person because of...' Perhaps they are. But it is important to note, that everyone is human, and someone will despise every public figure. Thus they will all receive this treatment. Perhaps we should in...

Big dramatic changes are almost impossible to maintain. Eventually your motivation will fall and life problems will surface, leaving you to fall back on prior habits. If you are going to commit to something in 2020, make sure it is something that you value. Do it slowly, and don’t wait. Start right now. Book Chapter : ‘ It Is Never The Right Time ’ (00:12:41) from How To Get Your Sh!t Together Lin...

Christmas presents quite a challenge to those of us with mental illnesses, past trauma or family/relationship issues. There is a plethora of social, financial, and personal pressures that are simply forced upon us. In this episode I deconstruct these issues as well as outline my approach to staying sane over the Christmas season. I also answer a collection of questions from you. Links Mentioned: M...

A crisis plan outlines what you would like to occur when you are going through a mental health emergency. It acts as a trigger for action that when implemented, takes you through the steps necessary to get the help that you may need. I strongly suggest that you make a crisis plan up now - while you are in a good place - so that it is there for you when you are not. Book Chapter : ‘ Create A Crisis...

The worst of my fears are guaranteed to happen. At some stage, all of my friends and family will die, and so will I. Nothing else is certain. Yet when I review my topics of rumination, I spend comparatively little time here. This revelation was exceptionally freeing, I now know that I am free to follow my dreams - why? Because the worst will happen anyway. In this episode I explore this concept in...

Never before have humans had the ability to completely kill boredom. At the click of a button we can communicate, watch, read, listen and play. Sounds great, but what is that lack of silence, that lack of ‘sitting with yourself’ doing to our mental states? In this episode I dissect the overabundance of information that modern society presents to us. Book Chapter: ‘ Find Your Ideal Diet ’ (00:22:51...

Topic : I have been going through a rough time recently. This podcast breaks down my journey through struggle town as well as how I plan to get myself out. Thank you to everyone who has been messaging me on social/commenting on my videos with their support. It means a lot. I apologise for the lack of content, I will get back to it as soon as I am well. If this episode has resonated with you, I wou...