Head Game

On this episode of Head Game, we’re taking a look back at some of the incredible survivals we’ve heard on the podcast so far.   We start with former soldier-turned-Paralympian Curtis McGrath, who’s mindset shifted as he was being airlifted off the battlefield after losing his legs in an IED blast. You’ll also hear from former fighter pilot turned spy Jack Beaumont about the accident that changed the course of his life. And finally, Kelsey Waghorn recalls how she survived a disastrous volcanic eruption in New Zealand. LINKS  Listen to the full interview with Curtis McGrath here  Listen to the full interview with Jack Beaumont here  Listen to the full interview with Kelsey Waghorn here  Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook  Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com  Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.  CREDITS  Host: Ant Middleton Editor: Adrian Walton Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden  Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon  Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide and mental health issues. On this episode of Head Game, a look back at some of Ant's conversations with people with a passion for going the distance - literally. All of these guests have pounded the pavement, the beaches, the bush and everything in between. We start with Pat Farmer, who ran from the North Pole to the South Pole in 2011. The Nedd Brockman who went viral with his run across Australia while raising millions for Australia's homeless. And finally, Brit runner Jack Pitcher, who had planned to run the the circumference of Australia until a car crash derailed his plans, and he took on the Australian outback in a coast-to-coast trek. The mental determination of all three men helped them achieve what many might have thought impossible. Their insights are invaluable. SUPPORT For immediate support in a crisis, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 More resources are available from Beyond Blue LINKS Listen to the full interview with Pat Farmer here Listen to the full interview with Nedd Brockman here Listen to the full interview with Jack Pitcher here Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITS Host: Ant MiddletonEditor: Adrian WaltonExecutive Producer: Damien Haffenden Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're taking a look back at Ant's conversations with former soldiers, who have faced enormous challenges while working as part of the military. First up, Ant's chat with fellow SAS alum and good friend, Ollie Ollerton on his time with the Royal Marine Commandos. Then, elite Navy clearance diver Paul de Gelder on the day a shark attack claimed his hand and leg while working in Sydney Harbour. And finally, Australian soldier Damien Tomlinson on the day an IED caused the amputation of both his legs. These men are the epitome of the military mindset. LINKS Listen to the full interview with Ollie Ollerton here Listen to the full interview with Paul de Gelder here Listen to the full interview with Damien Tomlinson here Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITS Host: Ant MiddletonEditor: Adrian WaltonExecutive Producer: Damien Haffenden Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're taking a look back at the people who have lived through the unthinkable. First up, a look back at Ant's very first Head Game guest, Beaconsfield mine disaster survivor Todd Russell. Then Jackson Warne on the day he received the call that his father Shane had passed away, and how he pulled himself through the heartbreak. And finally, Jason McCartney on the horror he endured during the 2002 Bali bombings. LINKS Listen to the full interview with Todd Russell here Listen to the full interview with Jackson Warne here Listen to the full interview with Jason McCartney here Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITS Host: Ant MiddletonEditor: Adrian WaltonExecutive Producer: Damien Haffenden Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're taking a look back at the people who put their lives on the line each day to keep us safe. Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hawkins is known around the world thanks to the hit TV series Bondi Rescue, but what has kept him on the beach for more than 30 years? Plus fifth generation serviceman Heston Russell opens up about the military operation that has left a permanent mental scar. And former cop Danni Brooke on what it takes to go undercover and take down dangerous criminals. LINKS Listen to the full interview with Heston Russell here Listen to the full interview with Dannii Brooke here Listen to the full interview with Hoppo here Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITS Host: Ant MiddletonEditor: Adrian WaltonExecutive Producer: Damien Haffenden Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're taking a look back at the stars who live their life in the spotlight, but were vulnerable enough to give us a peek behind the curtain at the challenges who have made them who they are. Aussie music icon Pete Murray, NRL legend turned podcaster Matty Johns, and rapper 360 all opened up about the grit and pain behind their success, and how they dug deep to keep going. LINKS Listen to the full interview with Pete Murray here Listen to the full interview with Matty Johns here Listen to the full interview with 360 here Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITS Host: Ant MiddletonEditor: Adrian WaltonExecutive Producer: Damien Haffenden Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The challenges in Paul Hockey's life started just weeks after he was born. His mother discovered a lump on his arm, which turned out to be cancer. The only option was to amputate little Paul's arm at the shoulder to save his life. Never one to play the victim, Paul would ditch his prosthetic arm at school, took up martial arts and even rode a motorcycle. But his biggest challenge came when he decided to climb Mount Everest. And in 2005, he became the first person with a disability to climb Mount Everest from the north side.  In this episode, Paul opens up about growing up being different, how he challenged societal norms with one arm, and what fuelled his passion to climb one of the most notorious summits. LINKS More on Paul here Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITS Host: Ant MiddletonEditor: Adrian WaltonExecutive Producer: Damien Haffenden Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicholas Gibbons was still a teenager when was deployed to Afghanistan as a Royal Marine. One night while on patrol, an IED blast claimed the lower half of his right leg. After enduring five operations to repair the remainder of his limb and rehabilitation, Nick was fitted with a prosthetic leg and put his uniform back on, returning to training just three months later. He was deployed as an amputee to a non-combat zone, even competing in the Warrior Games. But after he was eventually medically discharged from the military, Nick lost drive and direction, finding himself in prison. In this conversation, Nick details the warning signs he ignored that led him to spiral after leaving the Marines, how he has now turned his life around, and the process of finding a renewed purpose in life. LINKS More on the 'Once, We Were Warriors' documentary Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michelle Lee was living an ordinary 9-5 life, with a stable corporate job in the banking sector. But looking for more out of life, she took to the water. Inspired by the book 'Rowing the Atlantic‘ by Roz Savage, she started an intensive training regiment. Her determination say her eventually become the first Australian female to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean, then the first woman in the world to row the Pacific Ocean solo and unassisted. In this episode, Michelle opens up to Ant about her mindset shift to take on her many adventures, what it takes to spend months on end alone on the open water, and what's next for her. LINKS Follow Michelle on Instagram Visit Michelle's website Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke Richmond has lived many lives: outback kid, infantry soldier, addict, inmate, endurance adventurer, author, and world-record holder. In this episode, Luke unpacks the moments that shaped his life, from growing up in remote Australia enduing relentless bullying, to joining the army at 17, and spiralling into an addiction that left him locked up in a foreign jail. And how hitting rock bottom became his turning point. Luke shares with Ant how the brutal discipline of Muay Thai training helped helped him rebuild his identity and fuel a passion for extreme adventure. From climbing the some of the highest peaks in violent snowstorms to record-breaking ocean crossings, Luke reveals what endurance has taught him about fear, failure, and staying alive. Luke also explains the philosophy behind his book Five Years to Live, and why adventure isn’t about ego, it's about staying human. LINKS Follow Luke on Instagram Grab Luke's books including 'Five Years To Live' here Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.