The You Project

The good Doc is back and this time we discuss the way that our mind (thoughts, self-talk, beliefs, faith, stories) interacts with our body and impacts our physical health. Put simply, what are the physiological consequences (good or bad) of our psychology. If negative thoughts can put a body into a negative state (stress hormones, immune suppression, elevated heart rate, BP, sympathetic nervous system), does that same mind have the potential to put the same body into a state of recovery, repair and healing? Enjoy.  drdenisefurness.com.auFacebook Group: Your Genes and Nutrition CommunitySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Easkey Britton, Ph.D. is a five-time national surfing champion from County Donegal in Ireland with a Doctorate in Environment and Society. She is the first Irish woman to be nominated for the Billabong XXL big wave awards, she is also a researcher, author, artist and social activist, who has an amazing (and difficult to explain here) relationship with the ocean. Easkey began surfing at four, has missed very few days since and describes the ocean as her sanity, her therapy and her home. I always say this but yet again, I loved this chat, especially when Easkey answered one of my questions in Gaelic. Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steven Eskaf and Nicoletta Ceppellini are Fitness Educators, Trainers and Coaches (Steven is also an Osteopath) who are the head Coaches for one of Australia’s oldest and longest-running body transformation programs; the Max’s and Maxine’s Challenge. And before you panic, this is not a thinly disguised promo for Max’s and Maxine’s but rather, a broad and general conversation exploring the pros and cons, do’s and don’ts and the myriad of variables that impact and influence the outcomes of these types of programs. As with any other resource, transformation programs are certainly no magic pill but for some people, they can prove to be a valuable addition to their health and fitness journey. My personal opinion is that they can be a positive when they are (1) a catalyst for long-term positive behavioural change and/or (2) when they integrated periodically into an overall (big picture) health protocol. Used the wrong way (as quick-fix or rapid weight-loss plan), I’m not a fan. Enjoy.  maxchallenge.com.aumaxineschallenge.com.auCode: YOUPROJECT40See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Beretta OAM is an Australian journalist, best known as a sports reporter on Seven Network program Sunrise. This was a fun episode with one of the most easy-going, authentic and likeable blokes on the telly. Among other things, we spoke about his upcoming gig at the winter Olympics (his 13th Olympics), his ten Australian water-skiing championships, his parenting challenges, embracing the hurt, tearing his quad off the bone while showing off (ouch), the toughest athletes (mentally), his inner bogan (V8 Supercars), being the hardest worker in the room and lots more. Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After almost 700 episodes, this conversation goes straight to my top 10 and Kurt Fearnley is instantly one of my all-time favourite guests. Real, compassionate, inspirational, funny and mind-blowingly determined. Kurt is a three time Paralympic gold medalist and two time Commonwealth Games gold medalist. He has won over 40 marathons, including New York, Chicago and London in a career spanning more than 20 years. In 2009 Kurt crawled the Kokoda track (96kms) to raise awareness for men’s health, he was a member of the winning Sydney to Hobart yacht crew in 2012. He is New South Wales Australian of the Year for 2019, an accomplished corporate speaker, published Author (Pushing the Limits: Life, Marathons and Kokoda), host of Tiny Island podcast and host of 2020 ABCTV’s One Plus One. You will love him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erynn Christensen is a researcher, psychology graduate and fellow PhD. student at BrainPark, where I’m based (Monash University). Her current research is focussed on exploring whether or not our decision-making style (are we impulsive, risk-taking, tolerant of uncertainty, do our emotions drive our behaviour and are we are reward driven?) can predict our overall behaviour. Also, can our decision-making style predict how likely we are to develop habits and how good we might be at kicking those habits. This was Erynn’s first ever podcast and quite possibly, the best debutant we’ve ever had on TYP. Enjoy.  febfast.org.aubrainpark.com/projects/the-decision-making-study-in-association-with-febfastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Louka Parry is an award-winning Educator, Speaker, Facilitator and Adventurer with a powerful ability to communicate ideas with clarity. He works across the globe with changemakers, teams, schools and organisations speaking on leadership, wellbeing, innovation and the future of learning and work and we had a great chat. Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Debbie Millman is a delight; super smart, awesome energy, engaging, creatively brilliant and despite her enormous success, totally grounded and authentic. I loved this chat. Graphic Design USA named her one of the most influential designers of our times. She is the president emeritus of AIGA, the professional association of designers in the US, and one of the five women to hold this position in the organisation’s 100-year history. Debbie co-founded the world’s first graduate program in branding at the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 2010, she is the editorial and creative director of Print Magazine, the oldest magazine on design in the States, she has written seven books, is a world-renowned educator and hosts one of the longest-running podcasts on the planet; the super successful ‘Design Matters’. Growing up, Debbie’s family life was difficult and traumatising, with frequent episodes of violence and sexual abuse. “I had a lot of brutality in my life, for the first 18 years I lived in a state of constant terror and compensated with art”, she says. This lady is an inspiration who has succeeded, despite her circumstances and experiences. I loved her and you might too. Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniel Ellenberg (Ph.D.) is a psychotherapist, marriage and relationship therapist, author, corporate speaker and educator but more importantly (for TYP), he’s a down-to-earth, humble and brilliant communicator with a gift for breaking down (what can be) complicated and complex issues, into an insightful, helpful and fun conversation. In this episode, we speak about vulnerability, identity, self-awareness vs. self-loathing, dealing with feedback (who should we listen to?), being a ‘passenger’ in our own life, finding purpose and lots more. Enjoy.  daniel@rewireleadership.com daniel@relationshipsthatwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Theresa Mitchell is the founder of Agape Outreach, a not-for-profit organisation which works tirelessly serving the homeless. It literally started with Theresa walking past people living on the street (daily), seeing a massive need and choosing to do something about it. She decided to cook meals in her home and put herself in front of the people who most needed that kind of love and support. Thirteen years down the track she hasn’t stopped and now this amazing woman is the head of an organisation with more than two hundred volunteers, supporting thousands of people living around the NSW-QLD border. Oh and I almost forgot, along the way Theresa has also fostered thirty-seven children in her own home (caring for up to five at time). I love what she’s doing so much that, half way through our chat, I committed to running an online fundraiser workshop, with all the proceeds going to the outreach program. Details up soon. Some people make me want to be a better person. Theresa is one of them. Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.