Welcome to Mind Your Head, a space for people to share their stories, talk openly and honestly about their own mental health challenges and to give listeners some comfort in knowing you’re not alone. Im Elliott Hagen and my aim is to give people the courage and confidence to have difficult and vulnerable conversations with love ones, to better understand each other and to improve their mental health. It’s not easy and it never will be but conversations change mindsets. This podcast is brought to you by On Track Studio.
In this episode, I sit down with Georgie Giovannoni for a raw conversation about the experiences that shape who we become. We explore the lasting impact of family trauma and childhood experiences, and how the stories, wounds, and patterns we carry can quietly follow us into adulthood. Georgie opens up about her own mental health journey, navigating misdiagnoses, relationships, self-discovery, and the ongoing process of understanding herself on a deeper level. We also dive into connection — our relationship with ourselves, with others, and what it means to feel truly seen and understood. This is a conversation about healing, identity, growth, and finding your way back to yourself when life pulls you in different directions. A thoughtful and vulnerable conversation that I know will resonate with so many people. If this episode helps you in any way, please share it with someone who might need to hear it and follow the podcast wherever you listen. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. SHOP NOW! Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: @mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: @mindyourhead.pod
Tom Boyd had everything many young athletes dream of.The No.1 draft pick. A premiership. A multi-million dollar contract. The kind of success most people spend their lives chasing.But behind the headlines, Tom was fighting a battle nobody could see.In this episode, Tom opens up about the immense pressure of elite sport, the mental health struggles that nearly broke him, and the difficult decision to walk away from the AFL at just 23 years old.We explore his darkest moments, the toll that anxiety, depression and insomnia took on his life, and the steps he took to rebuild himself when everything felt like it was falling apart.We also dive into the culture of elite sport, whether enough is being done to support young athletes, the hidden cost of ambition, identity beyond football, and the lessons he's learned through his recovery.This is a raw, honest and deeply human conversation about pressure, purpose, resilience and what it truly means to look after your mental health.If you've ever felt overwhelmed, lost your sense of self, or questioned the path you're on, this episode is for you. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. SHOP NOW! Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: @mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: @mindyourhead.pod
In this episode of Mind Your Head, I sit down with Jake Stone — co-founder of Corrective Culture, former professional bodyboarder, and CHEK Practitioner.We unpack what it’s like carrying loss quietly, the anger and fear that can come with it, and how those moments can either harden you or wake you up. Jake opens up about the self-doubt that followed, the inner work he had to do to keep moving forward, and the mindset shifts that helped him rebuild from the inside out.We also get into the deeper “why” behind Corrective Culture — not just fixing bodies, but helping people feel safe in themselves again — plus practical tools around stress, routine, recovery, and creating a life that feels aligned, not just successful.If you’ve ever felt stuck in grief, scared to back yourself, or like you’re trying to hold it all together… this one will hit. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. SHOP NOW! Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: @mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: @mindyourhead.pod
This week on Mind Your Head, I sit down with Thomas Baulch, better known as Prime Train.A lot of people see the discipline, the physique, the confidence and the life he’s built online — but this conversation goes way deeper than that.We spoke about the pressure of always feeling like you need to keep pushing, the mental side of discipline, burnout, identity, rock bottom moments and the parts of life people don’t always see behind social media. Thomas opened up about the turning points that shaped him, the internal battles he’s faced, and the ongoing work it takes to stay grounded while building something big.This wasn’t just a chat about fitness or success. It became a really honest conversation about being a man, mental health, self-awareness, relationships, purpose and learning how to face yourself instead of running from things. An honest, real and important chat that I think a lot of people will connect with. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. SHOP NOW! Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: @mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: @mindyourhead.pod
This week on Mind Your Head , I sit down with Zach Hansen for a honest conversation about what it actually looks like to grow as a man.We start with his upbringing and the moments that shaped him early, how he handles pressure, what triggers him, the patterns he’s had to unlearn and what he’s learned about love, friendships and showing up for the people around him.We also talk mental health in a way most men actually relate to — the quiet stress, the “I’m fine” mask, how to know when you’re running low, and the small habits that genuinely help you get back to yourself.If you’ve been trying to level up your life, get your head right or just feel more like yourself again — you’ll get something out of this one This episode is brought to you by True Protein. SHOP NOW! Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: @mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: @mindyourhead.pod
In this episode of Mind Your Head, I sit down with Tainui Kaihau for a real conversation about what it takes to keep going when life gets heavy — and how you rebuild yourself on the other side. Tainui opens up about the darkest parts of his cancer journey: the fear, the mental battle, and the moments that tested him most. We talk about how he stayed mentally strong through it all, and how it shaped the mindset he lives by now — determination, perspective, and a drive to live life to the fullest and inspire others along the way. We also get into sobriety and what changed when he stopped numbing things, the simple habits that keep him steady, and what it’s like learning to love and be loved while you’re still healing. Tainui shares how he stays authentic with an online presence, deals with negative comments, protects his peace, and keeps grounded when the internet gets loud. With his fiancé now pregnant, we talk fatherhood — the kind of dad he wants to be, the home he wants to create, and the values he wants to live by going forward. And we dive into his 100km charity run for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a cause close to his heart that supported him and his family during cancer — proof of what’s possible when purpose is bigger than pain. Tainui is one of the most positive, uplifting humans I’ve had the pleasure of talking to, and that energy is infectious. If you need perspective, motivation, or a reason to keep showing up, this one will land. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. SHOP NOW! Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: @mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: @mindyourhead.pod
Saavanah is someone who’s always been driven — the kind of person who shows up, keeps moving, and gets on with it. But behind that strength has been a real internal battle that a lot of people would never pick. In this episode of Mind Your Head, Saavanah takes us through her upbringing, the moments that shaped her sense of self and the ways food and exercise became wrapped up in perfectionism, anxiety and the need to feel in control — even when everything looked fine from the outside. We talk about the reality of looking “high-functioning” while silently struggling, what self-doubt sounds like when it follows you everywhere and the turning points that forced her to start choosing herself. We also touch on what it’s like to live in a world where you’re constantly perceived and how that can feed the need for approval, perfection and pressure. This is a honest conversation about identity, self-worth, recovery and learning to be kinder to yourself. If you’ve ever felt like you’re fighting battles quietly, this one will land. If this episode brings anything up for you, support is available. In Australia, you can reach out to the Butterfly Foundation (eating disorders support) and Lifeline on 13 11 14. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. SHOP NOW! Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: @mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: @mindyourhead.pod
This week on Mind Your Head, I sit down with Matt Runnalls - mental health advocate, speaker and founder of Mindfull Aus. At a young age, Matt lost multiple close friends to suicide. Experiences like that don’t just pass - they shape you. They change the way you see the world, the way you see yourself and the way you carry pain. We talk about what that actually felt like. The grief, the confusion, the weight of it all and the pressure to keep going when everything inside you feels heavy. Matt opens up about his own struggles with mental health, the moments where things felt dark and the turning points that helped him start to see things differently. We get into the idea of being “the strong one,” what that really costs and why so many people are quietly carrying more than they let on. We also speak about masculinity, vulnerability, and the importance of learning how to sit with your emotions instead of pushing them away. This isn’t a conversation with all the answers. It’s an honest one about pain, healing and what it looks like to slowly rebuild a relationship with yourself. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, disconnected or like you’re carrying something you don’t fully understand - this one will resonate. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. SHOP NOW! Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: @mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: @mindyourhead.pod
This week on Mind Your Head, I sit down with Jack Davis — founder of It’s Cool To Cry and someone I genuinely have a lot of respect for. In his twenties, Jack lost his girlfriend Elle to suicide. A moment that completely changed the course of his life. What followed was a period of deep grief, numbness, anger, and trying to make sense of emotions he never really learned how to process. In this conversation, Jack opens up about that experience — the love he had for Elle, the aftermath of losing her, and what it looked like trying to navigate life while carrying that kind of pain. We speak about mental health, masculinity, identity, and the pressure a lot of men feel to hold everything in. Jack shares how he went from shutting down emotionally to doing the work on himself, and how that journey led to creating It’s Cool To Cry — a movement helping people feel more comfortable opening up about what’s really going on in their heads. We also dive into practical conversations around mental health — the signs to look out for when you’re not okay, when it might be time to speak up, and why you don’t have to wait until things get really bad to ask for help. This is an honest, grounded conversation about grief, healing, and turning pain into purpose.If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who might need it. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. SHOP NOW! Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: @mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: @mindyourhead.pod
A new segment: 9 holes, 9 questions. gggnmggnmnnngnWhile playing a round of golf at Headland Park Golf Club on the Sunshine Coast, we answer questions sent in by listeners about life, mental health, friendships and the podcast. Topics include:• What happiness actually means• Why men struggle with mental health• Emotional regulation• Dream podcast guests• The future of the podcastSend in your questions for the next 9 Holes 9 Questions. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. SHOP NOW! Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: @mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: @mindyourhead.pod
What can’t you live without when you strip away status, noise and distraction?In this episode, we head to the beach to ask strangers one simple question: “What can’t you live without?” Through honest, unscripted conversations, people of all ages share their answers. A teenager speaks about her mum. Parents reflect on health and family. A lifelong reader talks about finding identity in books. Fathers open up about raising strong, present children. What unfolds is a mix of growth, resilience, responsibility and gratitude. Some speak about exercise as therapy. Others about relationships, purpose and being present with the people they love. This episode is not about material things. It is about connection, health and the foundations that hold us steady when life feels heavy. Sometimes the simplest question reveals what truly matters. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. SHOP NOW! Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: @mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: @mindyourhead.pod
This week on Mind Your Head, I’m joined by Stephanie Keenan for a conversation that goes deeper than what people see on the surface. Steph opens up about her life beyond social media and OnlyFans — her childhood, identity, mental health, body image, relationships, and the parts of her story that rarely get space to be understood. We talk honestly about sex-positive careers, the stigma and assumptions that come with them, and the damaging narratives society often places on women — including the idea of “daddy issues” and why it’s far more complex than people make it out to be. This one’s just a real chat about the person behind the content — owning your story, dealing with judgment, and finding your footing in who you are. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. SHOP NOW! Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: @mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: @mindyourhead.pod
In this episode of Mind Your Head, I sit down with Hayley Vernon for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had on the show. We go right back to the beginning — Hayley opens up about a rough, traumatic childhood, never feeling safe, and how those early years shaped the way she’s moved through life as an adult. From there we unpack the big themes that have followed her journey: reinvention, shame, validation, identity, boundaries, self-worth, and what it actually takes to forgive yourself for past choices and old versions of you that no longer align. We also talk about Hayley’s life-changing journey to faith — how it filled a void she’d carried for a long time, and what finding God has looked like in the real world… learning to slow down, find peace, and feel love within herself. This one’s raw, reflective, and real. If you’ve ever felt lost, or stuck in a version of yourself you’ve outgrown — this episode will hit. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. SHOP NOW! Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: @mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: @mindyourhead.pod
James Newbury is one of the most disciplined and genuinely grounded humans you’ll ever meet. Four-time Fittest Man in Australia, fifth in the world at the CrossFit Games, an Ironman finisher only five weeks after breaking his back but none of that is why this conversation hits so hard.In this episode, we strip it right back.We talk about the kid he used to be, the pressure of chasing greatness, the crash that nearly changed everything, and the mindset he had to build to come back from it. We dive into the loneliness behind high performance, the fears he still carries, love, identity, purpose, and what it actually takes to be proud of the person you are outside of sport.This is a conversation about growing up, breaking down, rebuilding, and learning to like yourself along the way.If you’re someone who’s driven, struggling, evolving, or just trying to figure yourself out — you’ll get something out of this one.James is one of the good ones.Hope you enjoy this chat as much as I did. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. SHOP NOW! Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: @mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: @mindyourhead.pod
This week on Mind Your Head, I sat down with Logan Dodds - a bloke who’s lived more lives in a few years than most of us do in a lifetime.Logan was a plumber in Auckland, just doing life, until everything changed the day he suddenly lost his dad. That loss pushed him to leave New Zealand and chase something bigger. He travelled through Europe with no real plan, filmed the whole thing, and posted a video to Facebook… and overnight, it went viral. From there, his life flipped. He saw the world, met people, and experienced things he’d only ever dreamed of.But behind all of that adventure was a young man still grieving, still trying to understand himself, and still figuring out who he was without the person he looked up to most.We spoke about finding passion and purpose, following those green lights, creativity and storytelling, overcoming fear and failure, and the importance of gratitude and perspective - especially now as he steps into the biggest challenge and reward of his life: fatherhood.This chat was special. I’m genuinely grateful for how honest and vulnerable Logan was. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. SHOP NOW! Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: @mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: @mindyourhead.pod
Olympic gold medallist. Trailblazer. Proud Māori woman. And a human being who has walked through both incredible highs and some of life’s toughest moments. In this episode, Gayle Broughton opens up in a way she rarely has before - sharing the private battles behind the public success. We talk about her rise to the top of world rugby, the pressure and expectation that came with it, her transition into rugby league, and the moment she hit rock bottom. Gayle speaks honestly about identity, mental health, and the courage it takes to admit you’re struggling, even when the world thinks you’re unstoppable. This conversation is about owning your truth, sitting with your pain, and finding the strength to rebuild from the inside out. If you’ve ever felt lost, misunderstood, or like you had to hold it all together - this episode will mean something to you. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. SHOP NOW! Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: @mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: @mindyourhead.pod
This week I sit down with someone whose life has been defined by service, sacrifice, and an unshakeable sense of responsibility - former Special Forces Major, Heston Russell.In this conversation, we go far beyond the uniform.We talk about the realities of war, the loss and trauma that stays with you long after you return home, and the moment overseas that changed Heston forever. We dive into leadership and character, what it really means to carry the weight of other people’s lives, and how identity can be built - and broken - through service.Heston opens up about the battles no one sees, the scrutiny and pressure that came with the ABC lawsuit, and the challenge of rebuilding purpose once the military chapter ends. We explore mental health, healing, and finding a way back to yourself when the world gets loud.This isn’t just a conversation about the military - it’s a conversation about being human. About loss, responsibility, courage, and the work it takes to truly know who you are outside of the roles you’ve lived in.It was a genuine honour to sit across from Heston. His honesty, his integrity, and his willingness to go there make this one of the most powerful episodes I’ve ever recorded. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. Use the code MINDYOURHEAD at checkout to get $25 off orders over $100 - SHOP NOW! * Offer valid for new customers only. Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: @mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: @mindyourhead.pod
What does success look like - when you strip away money, fame, and expectations? In this episode, we hit the beach to ask strangers one question: “How do you define success in your life?” Across a series of honest, unscripted conversations, people of all ages share their answers - from teenagers dreaming of travel and sport, to parents navigating change, to teachers and thinkers reflecting on happiness, gratitude, and self-responsibility. What unfolds is a raw mix of perspectives: stories of loss and resilience, laughter and faith, self-discovery and growth. Each voice offers a window into what truly matters when the noise fades and life slows down. This episode isn’t about wealth or status - it’s about people, presence, and the different ways we all find meaning in the everyday. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. Use the code MINDYOURHEAD at checkout to get $25 off orders over $100 - SHOP NOW! * Offer valid for new customers only. Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: @mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: @mindyourhead.pod
What drives someone to run 620 kilometres through the Arctic — where the air burns your lungs, sleep is a luxury and the silence forces you to meet yourself? Aaron Crook is the winner of the 6633 Arctic Ultra, one of the toughest endurance races on Earth. But this conversation isn’t about medals or records - it’s about the mindset, pain and purpose behind it all. We spoke about what the Arctic stripped away, how he learned to master his mind when his body wanted to quit and the deeper reasons why he runs - beyond competition, beyond ego, beyond the finish line. This is a story about resilience, self-discovery, and what it really means to go to the edge and come back stronger. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. Use the code MINDYOURHEAD at checkout to get $25 off orders over $100 - SHOP NOW! * Offer valid for new customers only. Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: @mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: @mindyourhead.pod
In this episode of Mind Your Head, I sit down with Dane Muller — founder of Heartled Warriors, coach, mentor, and facilitator who is helping men and women reconnect with their true selves through vulnerability, healing, and love-led living. Dane opens up about his backstory and upbringing, the dark moments that nearly broke him, and the powerful turning point that changed the course of his life. We explore his journey into coaching and the creation of Heartled Warriors, fatherhood and the lessons it continues to teach him, and what it means to embody healthy masculinity today. We also dive into the importance of brotherhood, relationships, and vulnerability, as well as the role of practices like breathwork and embodiment in healing. Dane shares insights from the retreats he runs with his wife Nadine, where men and women alike confront their struggles, find space to heal, and reconnect with themselves and each other. This is a raw and powerful conversation about pain, responsibility, love, and legacy and what it truly means to live heartled. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. Use the code MINDYOURHEAD at checkout to get $25 off orders over $100 - SHOP NOW! * Offer valid for new customers only. Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: @mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: @mindyourhead.pod
