Tumble Upward

What happens when everything you thought you knew about leadership is challenged? After decades in the military, Simon believed leadership was a skill he had mastered. But while completing a Master's degree in leadership, he discovered a different reality—one that forced him to question long-held beliefs about authority, success, and what it truly means to lead. In this episode of Tumble Upwar...

In this episode of Tumble Upward, Mark Light shares an extraordinary story of resilience, perspective, and purpose. From cycling across America to raise money for a young girl battling the same life-threatening illness he had once faced himself, to later being diagnosed with stage IV cancer, Mark opens up about what it truly means to keep moving forward when life keeps knocking you down. We unpack...

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Tisha Vinatieri, aclinical psychologist and former Chief Well-Being Officer with over 15 years of experience working in high-pressure healthcare environments. Dr Tisha brings a powerful perspective onburnout—challenging the idea that it’s simply an individual problem, and instead unpacking the systemic issues that often go unaddressed. We explore what burnout re...

In this episode of Tumble Upward , we step inside the legal concept of self-defence—and what happens when the law fails to recognise survival. Joined by a law professor and criminal lawyer, we examine two powerful Australian cases involving women who killed abusive partners—yet received completely different outcomes. One was acquitted. The other was sentenced to life imprisonment. Through these ca...

In this raw and deeply moving episode, we hear a story of survival, resilience, and what it truly means to break the cycle. From being adopted as a baby and growing up in an environment shaped by generational trauma, to surviving abuse, addiction, and homelessness — this journey is one of the darkest lows and the strongest comebacks. But this isn’t just a story about what happened. It’s about what...

Season One of Tumble Upward was meant to be about resilience. But after nine conversations, I realised something — none of the growth happened in the strong moments. It happened in the breaking. In this solo season finale, I reflect on the patterns I noticed across our guests’ stories, the identity shifts that quietly shape us, and what hosting this podcast has taught me — not just about adversity...

In this episode, I’m joined by Natasha , who shares her powerful story of burnout, binge eating disorder recovery, bodybuilding, and redefining health beyond aesthetics . After ten years working as a teacher, Natasha experienced severe burnout, declining mental health, and the return of binge eating disorder. What started as a way to regain control led her into weight training and competitive body...

Two weeks before her wedding, Celeste had a conversation that changed everything. She realised she didn’t feel seen — and didn’t truly know herself. What followed was a brave decision to walk away and start over. In this episode, Celeste shares her journey of identity loss, self-discovery, and reinvention. From moving states alone and buying a home on her own, to completing multiple Ironman races...

What happens when life ends in fire — but somehow begins again? In this powerful episode, Glen shares his extraordinary story of survival after a devastating truck accident on the Bruce Highway. Trapped in a burning vehicle, Glen escaped the flames only to spend the next 24 days in a coma with burns to70% of his body, countless broken bones, and a recovery journey that would test every part of him...

Crissy’s story is one of survival, identity, and finding purpose on the other side of trauma. Growing up in a trailer park, navigating depression, and surviving a 13,000-volt electrocution at 16, she rebuilt her life step by step — including a 500-mile walk across the Camino de Santiago that reshaped her sense of self. Motherhood brought new challenges, leading her to leave teaching and create the...

What happens when everything you’ve built your identityaround suddenly disappears? In this episode of Tumble Upward , we sit down with Luke, who spent nearly two decades chasing his football dream —only to lose it all after being deceived by a fake agent. Luke shares the emotional reality of losing identity, facingbullying and self-doubt, and how his mental health was tested at every turn. But ins...

This week on Tumble Upward, I’m joined by Helen — a bright, thoughtful, and brilliantly self-aware writer and project manager who grew up believing that love was earned through achievement. Raised in China under high cultural and parental expectations, Helen spent most of her life chasing perfection — academically, creatively, professionally. Her identity was built on “never enough” , even when sh...

In this episode of Tumble Upward , John shares the life-altering moment that changed everything—a fall from a rock climbing wall that shattered his hip and led to emergency surgery, months in a wheelchair, and the daunting challenge of learning to walk again. John opens up about both the physical and emotional hurdles of his recovery, including: The accident and hip surgery Navigating life in a wh...

In this episode of Tumble Upward , I sit down with Jesse, whose life took a dramatic turn while serving in the Royal Australian Air Force. A training accident left him with multiple injuries, including an acquired brain injury, and his heart stopped seven times during the ordeal. Against the odds, he fought his way through rehab to graduate, only to be medically retired from service soon after. Th...

In this deeply moving first episode of Tumble Upward , Pera shares her story of unimaginable heartbreak and resilience. After losing her baby at 32 weeks and nearly losing her own life from a severe haemorrhage during childbirth, she faced grief and trauma that no parent should have to endure. Through her journey of healing and with the arrival of her rainbow baby, she discovered strength, hope, a...