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The Victorian SES Health & Wellbeing Team are proud to introduce the ‘MindFit’ Podcast, where we mic up and chat with those who truly know how to keep their ‘Mind Fit’. We talk health, nutrition, science, psychology, wellbeing, performance, resilience and post-traumatic growth, with those who through their own lived experience, have become experts and industry leaders. Our aim is to spread the word of good health and wellbeing to our members, and families & friends of those on the front line serving our community.
Episodes
Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
In this episode we talk with Rob Atkins, Ex- Victoria Police member and co-founder of the first responder support group, Code 9 Foundation.
As a result of years of confronting callouts, Rob found himself retired prematurely due to ill health and unable to undertake his substantiative role 'on the beat'
Rob’s daily life was filled with nightmares, flashbacks, distress, and crippling anxiety. Talk therapy and medication had varying effects to empty Rob's cumulative trauma bucket and he eventually found himself broken and void of all hope. That is until, man’s best friend, a therapy dog by the name of Jimmy, came in to help restore Rob’s quality of life and give some light at the end of the tunnel.
Listen in to hear how Rob’s life has changed since meeting his furry best mate, Jimmy.
Content warning: contains subjects that may trigger some listeners.
For more info about Code 9 Foundation head to: https://www.code9ptsd.org.au/
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
Paul & Alison talk to addiction specialist Professor Dan Lubman, Psychiatrist, Monash University Professor, director of leading addiction research and education centre Turning Point, and mainstay on SBS series 'Addicted Australia'.
We explore the challenges of overcoming addiction, discuss the outdated stigma it's often associated with and provide some insight into how to support others that may be experiencing addiction.
For more info about addiction head to https://www.rethinkaddiction.org.au/
Wednesday Nov 17, 2021
Wednesday Nov 17, 2021
Our Movember special podcast features Osher Gunsberg, host and presenter of many prime time TV programs including The Masked Singer, The Bachelor series, Australian Idol, and Channel [V]. Off camera he is a SANE ambassador, best selling author & podcaster.
Paul & Alison talk to Osher about his mental health journey and battles with addiction, and help challenge stigma surrounding recovery.
For more info about men’s health and Movember head to movember.com.au
Tuesday Sep 21, 2021
Tuesday Sep 21, 2021
In this 'Step it Up' Campaign special, Steve 'Commando' Willis drops into MindFit HQ to talk health and wellbeing, as well as his recent experience with Buddhist practises.
Miles away from the tough talking, ‘no excuses’ military man from Channel 10's The Biggest Loser, and more recently in Australian survivor: Champions Vs Contenders, Steve shows us his compassionate side and shares with us his tips in finding an exercise regime that is right for you.
Wednesday Sep 08, 2021
Wednesday Sep 08, 2021
In this RUOK Day Special Podcast, Paul & Alison invite Mark Thomas to share his story experiencing and recovering from the often debilitating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Over the course of his career with the Victorian Police Force, Mark had attended many distressing scenes and usually recovered well, that is until he was called out to a suicide that would change his life forever.
Tune in to hear Mark’s story and lived experience with PTSD, which highlights the importance of checking in on others (and yourself), and also recognize the light at the end of the tunnel, ‘post traumatic growth’.
Content warning: contains subjects that may trigger some listeners.
Monday Aug 16, 2021
Monday Aug 16, 2021
With decades of experience in trauma psychology, Dr Rob Gordon has supported communities in the aftermath of disasters such as Ash Wednesday, Hoddle St & Port Arthur shootings, Christchurch Earthquakes, COVID-19 Pandemic, Black Saturday & Black Summer, to recent flooding events. Rob is a consultant to the Victorian Department of Health & Human Services and Australian Red Cross.
Tune in to hear Alison & Paul chat with Rob about ways the community recovers from disaster, and how people can process the trauma and loss that often accompanies it.
Friday Jul 02, 2021
Friday Jul 02, 2021
Hugh van Cuylenburg, founder of The Resilience Project , talks to Paul Fitzgerald and Alison Wright in episode 8 of VICSES MindFit podcast.
The Resilience Project is based on three principles: Gratitude, Empathy & Mindfulness (GEM). Independent research proves that practicing these 3 simple principles has a positive impact on our mental health and wellbeing.
Listen to the podcast to hear Hugh tell his story about learning these principles whilst volunteering in India, to the impact The Resilience Project has had to its audience of over 1,000,000 people in schools, workplaces and high performance sport.
Friday Jun 11, 2021
Friday Jun 11, 2021
In this podcast Paul & Ali welcome Dr Grant Blashki, Lead Clinical Advisor for Beyond Blue, practising GP, Associate Professor, writer, award winner & health ambassador, amongst many other accolades.
Grant also has expertise in workplace mental health, pandemic mental health care, genetics in primary care, artificial intelligence, and primary health care in China. He has trained over 150 doctors and has published over 125 scientific journals & 8 books. And, in his free time, makes regular appearances on TV, radio and other media outlets.
We talk to Grant about the importance of self-care, ways to stay mentally fit during the pandemic, as well as the great work he does at Beyond Blue.
Monday May 10, 2021
Monday May 10, 2021
Hear Paul & Alison riff with Rachel Berger, renowned comic, broadcaster, author, actress & TV personality.
Rachel's prolific career has spanned over 30 years, delivering her unique brand of humour to audiences in Australia and abroad, becoming a regular at the Edinburgh Festival.
Most recently, she is focusing on facilitating therapeutic comedy workshops with those who have experienced trauma, with the aim of processing their own narratives in a more helpful way.
Wednesday Mar 10, 2021
Wednesday Mar 10, 2021
In this episode, Paul & Alison chat with Dr David Cunnington, a specialist sleep physician & director of Melbourne Sleep Disorders Centre. He is a leading published researcher and Harvard Medical School graduate, and is also a Diplomate in Behavioral Sleep Medicine.
David's clinical practice covers all areas of sleep medicine, including snoring and sleep apnea, disorders of sleepiness such as narcolepsy and hypersomnia and problems of getting to sleep and staying asleep such as insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders.
Tune in to hear us talk about all things sleep and learn the skills to get a better night's rest!