The connection between improved mental health, wellbeing and horses isn’t an obvious one but there is growing evidence that equine psychotherapy is helping people with mental health conditions.In this episode, host Wayne Schwass chats to Dean Migehll from the ‘Path of the Horse’ who explains what equine therapy is, what horses can teach us, how these herd animals help people heal and the benefits this form therapy can provide.In this episode we discuss:? Equine therapy explained.? The connection between horses and mental health? Horses help us to calm? Benefits of equine therapyhttp://www.pathofthehorse.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pathofthehorse/ www.pukaup.comwww.pukaup.com/helpwww.facebook.com/pukaup @pukaup (Instagram)@pukaup (Twitter)See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.Support the show: http://pukaup.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is significant for many people living in our communities - especially people working in emergency services.Understanding what causes PTSD, the warning signs, the cumulative effect of trauma and why it’s so important to get the right diagnosis in order to receive the correct treatment, is paramount. In this episode, host Wayne Schwass sits down with PTSD & Stress expert Dr Peter Cotton to discuss this important topic that affects a significant number of people every day.In this episode we discuss:? PTSD explained? The impacts of PTSD? The warning signs of PTSD? Advice for family, friends and colleaguesReference Lifeline 13 11 14 – we mention suicidewww.pukaup.comwww.pukaup.com/helpwww.facebook.com/pukaup @pukaup (Instagram)@pukaup (Twitter)See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.Support the show: http://pukaup.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It seems our lives are only getting busier, things are changing faster, life is speeding up and our ability to deal with an increasing level of stress is having a detrimental impact on our health and wellbeing.In this episode, host Wayne Schwass sits down with Simon Davey Co-Founder of the Happy Melon Studios. Simon believes busy is a reality, pausing is a necessity and stress is a choice.Developing our ability to slow down, giving ourselves permission to pause from the everyday busyness of life and choosing different responses to stress can have a positive impact on our health and wellbeing. In this episode we discuss:? Stress is a choice? We’re choosing to be busy? Having people in our networks who are prepared to tell us things we aren’t prepared to tell ourselves is vital? Pausing from the busyness of life has never been more important? 3 simple things you can do today to help you pausehttps://happymelon.com.auhttps://www.facebook.com/happymelonstudios@happymelonsstudios (Instagram)@_HappyMelon (Twitter)www.pukaup.comwww.pukaup.com/helpwww.facebook.com/pukaup @pukaup (Instagram)@pukaup (Twitter)@wayneschwass (Instagram)@wayneschwass (Twitter)See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.Support the show: http://pukaup.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gratitude allows us to appreciate the things in our lives we may fail to see. It shifts our focus away from what we don’t have to what we do have.Empathy allows us to develop kindness and kindness has been proven to have a positive effect on our mental health and emotional wellbeing, and Mindfulness teaches us to be calmer and more present so we can enjoy the things we do have.In this episode, host Wayne Schwass sits down with the founding director and facilitator of the Resilience Project Hugh van Cuylenburg. The Resilience Project delivers emotionally engaging programs to schools, sports clubs and businesses, providing practical, evidenced-based, positive mental health strategies to build resilience and happiness.In this episode we discuss:? Why gratitude, empathy & mindfulness are important skills? Practising gratitude for 21 consecutive days can have a profound impact on your wellbeing? 6 weeks of practising gratitude, research suggests you are less likely to get sick ? Empathy helps develop kindness? Mindfulness teaches us to be calmer and more present? 3 simple things to help you start practising gratitudewww.facebook.com/resiliencep www.theresilienceproject.com.au @theresilienceproject (Instagram)@ResilienceP (Twitter)www.pukaup.comwww.pukaup.com/helpwww.facebook.com/pukaup @pukaup (Instagram)@pukaup (Twitter)@wayneschwass (Instagram)@wayneschwass (Twitter)See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.Support the show: http://pukaup.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The relationship we have with food can have a significant impact on our physical and mental health. Understanding the relationship between our foods and moods can be difficult but learning about our diet allows us to begin to make different, positive decisions that lead to healthier outcomes.Joel Feren, aka @the_nutritionguy is a qualified dietician and nutritionist. Joel speaks to host Wayne Schwass about his passion for food, helping people and helps businesses understand the role food plays and how to make positive changes in their lives.In this episode we discuss:• The relationship between food and our moods• Moods influence our food choices• We are eating our way to sickness• A healthy diet is a form of self-care and should be part of your toolbox• Small subtle changes can lead to significant positive changes• Weight loss should not be the focus, health and a healthy life style including diet should be the goal• Gut-brain axisContact Joelhttps://thenutritionguy.com.au/about/@the_nutritionguy (Instagram)@the_nutritiong (Twitter)https://www.facebook.com/thenutritiong/ PukaUpwww.pukaup.comwww.pukaup.com/helpwww.facebook.com/pukaup@pukaup (Instagram)@pukaup (Twitter)@wayneschwass (Instagram)@wayneschwass (Twitter)See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.Support the show: http://pukaup.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Christmas holiday period can be a wonderful time spent celebrating with family and friends. It is also a stressful and difficult time for many people within our families and communities. What do we do during these challenging times if we feel overwhelmed, stressed, emotional or living with mental health conditions? Equally, it can also be difficult to know what to do if we are concerned about a family member or friend.   In this special Christmas episode, host Wayne Schwass sits down with psychiatrist and former Australian of the Year Pat McGorry to discuss some of the early warning signs of stress and potential mental health conditions, what to do if we identify with any signs, what strategies we can use to help cope with stressful situations or emotions.  Pat also offers some important advice for anyone who might be suicidal as well as advice for family and friends who are trying to support a loved one who is suicidal.  In this episode we discuss: • Early warning signs of stress and potential mental health conditions • What to do if we identify with any warning signs or symptoms • Types of behaviours, decisions that are not helpful  • Strategies that we can use to help ourselves • Strategies that family and friends can use to help a loved one • What to do if we are feeling suicidal • What to do if we are concerned about a loved one who is suicidal Getting Help Emergency support 000Lifeline 13 11 14Beyondblue 1300 22 46 36Sane 1800 18 72 63Panda 1300 72 63 06Mind Australia 1300 28 64 63Mensline 1300 78 99 78Kids Help Line 1800 55 18 00Suicide Call Back Service 1300 65 94 67Qlife 1800 18 45 27 PukaUp www.pukaup.comwww.pukaup.com/helpwww.facebook.com/pukaup@pukaup (Instagram)@pukaup (Twitter)@wayneschwass (Instagram)@wayneschwass (Twitter)See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.Support the show: http://pukaup.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Wayne Schwass introduces season two of Puka UpSee omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.Support the show: http://pukaup.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this bonus episode, host Wayne Schwass sits down with good friend Danny Frawley. A former captain of his beloved St Kilda Football Club, former coach of the Richmond Football Club, previous CEO of the AFL Coaches Association and a fun loving wise cracking larger than life AFL media performer and identity Spud talks openly about how the Essendon Supplements saga tipped him over the edge, the day he rang his wife from the carpark of the MCG unable to remember how to get home, his nervous breakdown while juggling multiple responsibilities during a tumultuous period in his life, locking himself inside his house and being unable to answer the door when concerned friends visited and eventually his long road to recovery and how his conditions have given him a new perspective on life.See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.Support the show: http://pukaup.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this candid and raw episode, Kate McLoughlin talks to host Wayne Schwass about the impact and grief that comes with suicide. Kate lost her then 19-year-old middle son Zach to suicide twenty months ago, a day that changed her life forever. Kate's honesty and candour is both heart breaking and inspiring. A single mum to three young men, Kate talks about her pride in her middle son: his cheeky, infectious personality that meant people gravitated to him, how he had a wonderful support network of friends and family, a good job, new car and a promising future. Kate speaks about the conversations she shared with Zach when two of his friends chose suicide instead of life, how angry he was about their decisions which gave her a level of comfort that suicide wasn't something Zach would ever consider. Tragically, it was a decision Zach chose and by choosing suicide he simply passed the pain and suffering onto family and friends. Kate also explains why she chose to speak about suicide and its devastating effects in front of a large audience at Zach's funeral, how she sees it as a gift and responsibility to talk about suicide with the aim of helping prevent other people from making the same irreversible mistake her fun-loving son made. Kate McLoughlin is an inspiring, courageous and brave person who continues to work through the grief, pain and loss that accompanies suicide. Kate's refusal to remain quiet on the issue of suicide has and will continue to save lives across the world. This is a compelling, heartfelt and emotional episode.Today, the 27th November, 2017 would have been Zach's 21st birthday #RIP ZachSee omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.Support the show: http://pukaup.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brendan Fevola played 204 AFL games with the Carlton and Brisbane Lions football clubs over a twelve year period. His career included 623 goals, two Coleman Medals, being a three time All Australian and leading goal scorer with the Carlton Football Club for seven consecutive years. In this episode 'Fev' explains why he has no regrets choosing to accept that things happened for a reason and that he needed to go through difficult times to get to where he is today, and why he struggled to open up and tell people what he was going through.'Fev' talks candidly to host Wayne Schwass about how his way of dealing with boredom was to use alcohol and gambling, openly admitting he gambled away an entire year's salary. This larger than life personality still can't explain why he would spend hours reading on-line football forums every night for years looking for approval without recognising the significantly negative impact this was having on his health, wellbeing and importantly his ability to perform as an AFL athlete. A 68 day stay in a mental health facility whilst still being a contracted AFL player with the Brisbane Lions Football Club, going on to win "I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here" and his eventual move to Yarrawonga to play local football were key decisions that helped him change his life. Brendan also speaks about the influence his ex-wife now fiancee, Alex has had on his life.See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.Support the show: http://pukaup.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.