Puka Up with Wayne Schwass

Wayne Schwass introduces season two of Puka Up

In this bonus episode, Wayne sat 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. PukaUp: https://www.pukaup.com/ Find PukaUp on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pukaup/ Follow PukaUp on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pukaup/ Find PodcastOne Australia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcastoneau Download the PodcastOne app from the Apple and Google Play app stores

In this candid and raw episode, Kate McLoughlin talks 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 Zach PukaUp: https://www.pukaup.com/ Find PukaUp on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pukaup/ Follow PukaUp on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pukaup/ Find PodcastOne Australia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcastoneau Download the PodcastOne app from the Apple and Google Play app stores

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 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. PukaUp: https://www.pukaup.com/ Find PukaUp on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pukaup/ Follow PukaUp on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pukaup/ Find PodcastOne Australia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcastoneau Download the PodcastOne app from the Apple and Google Play app stores

Osher Günsberg is one of Australia's most recognisable media personalities best known as the host of 'The Bachelor Australia' and 'The Bachelorette Australia'. He has forged a successful media career on both television and radio while living with and managing mental health conditions. In this episode, Osher speaks candidly about his journey with social anxiety, generalised anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder. He looks back on the day his brain 'broke' and his experience with psychosis while living in California. This confronting experience was a significant turning point in Osher's life which lead to his sobriety and helped him realise that ultimately his mental health was his responsibility. He accepted that he needed to take medication each day to help manage his health and that finding the right balance between the benefits of medication and the side affects took time. Osher's pragmatic approach towards his on-going management of his mental health is both refreshing and inspiring. PukaUp: https://www.pukaup.com/ Find PukaUp on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pukaup/ Follow PukaUp on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pukaup/ Find PodcastOne Australia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcastoneau Download the PodcastOne app from the Apple and Google Play app stores

Heidi Anderson is now part of the successful Perth breakfast radio show on hit92.9. Heidi has a successful radio career, was a former contestant on Big Brother in 2013, is a columnist for Perth Now and Mamamia, a blogger, podcaster and a proud ambassador for Fearless Activewear. But behind the smile and bubbly and infectious personality is a strong woman who has bravely battled anxiety for as long as she can remember, has overcome crippling body image issues, self-esteem and eating disorder challenges which contributed to her constant search for approval and acceptance from others. The turning point for Heidi was deciding to speak openly for the first time about her anxiety on air in 2016. It was a defining moment in this inspiring story of self-development, acceptance and learning to love herself as a whole person. Heidi Anderson is an energetic, enthusiastic, passionate crusader for other people living with mental health conditions. PukaUp: https://www.pukaup.com/ Find PukaUp on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pukaup/ Follow PukaUp on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pukaup/ Find PodcastOne Australia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcastoneau Download the PodcastOne app from the Apple and Google Play app stores

Kyle Vander Kuyp is Australias most successful male athlete in the 110m hurdles and still holds the record for the fastest time by an Australian for this event. An Olympic finalist, 4 time Commonwealth Games participant and holder of 12 Australian records, Kyle talks about his adopted mother, reconnecting with his biological mother and his Aboriginal heritage. Kyle also discusses the difficulties he faced in 2004 which included missing out on selection for the Athens Olympics, the breakdown of a relationship and financial loss. A training partner of Kyles encouraged him to see a doctor and about mental burnout which was eventually diagnosed as depression. Applying the same principles that made him a successful athlete, Kyle was able to make a full recovery from his mental health experience. PukaUp: https://www.pukaup.com/ Find PukaUp on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pukaup/ Follow PukaUp on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pukaup/ Find PodcastOne Australia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcastoneau Download the PodcastOne app from the Apple and Google Play app stores.

In this episode Wayne talks with Australian Diamonds Netballer, Caitlin Thwaites. In this candid interview, Caitlin talks about her long journey with depression and anxiety, how her eventual diagnosis was a huge relief that helped explain why she felt the way she was feeling, that there was a name for the feelings and emotions she was experiencing. She also explains why she refused to follow the advice she was given to have time away from her sport to allow her to deal with her conditions and how she has learnt to manage her mental health through this experience. A revealing, thoughtful and honest conversation with one of Australian Netball's most accurate goal scorers. PukaUp: https://www.pukaup.com/ Find PukaUp on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pukaup/ Follow PukaUp on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pukaup/ Find PodcastOne Australia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcastoneau Download the PodcastOne app from the Apple and Google Play app stores.

Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw are part of the successful Perth breakfast radio show on hit92.9, "Heidi, Will & Woody". Will & Woody are best mates; the strength of their relationship was captured in a raw and powerful video earlier this year which saw them sit down and talk openly about Will's struggles with mental health conditions and the challenges Woody faced trying to understand what depression was when he became aware of the seriousness of what his best friend was going through. It's a great story of friendship and how these men were able to support each other in a loving and caring way and how both have grown and developed as a result of this journey. PukaUp: https://www.pukaup.com/ Find PukaUp on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pukaup/ Follow PukaUp on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pukaup/ Find PodcastOne Australia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcastoneau Download the PodcastOne app from the Apple and Google Play app stores.

Pat McGorry has dedicated much of his professional life to the early intervention of mental health conditions for young Australians. Named as the Australian of the Year and awarded the Order of Australia in 2010, Pat continues to advocate for better services and outcomes for young people living with mental health conditions. In this episode Pat explains why he believes lives lost to suicide are not valued as much as they should be, why talking to family and friends is not enough, why hope is absolutely vital, how stigma is pure discrimination and why every person needs to fight to get the help they deserve to live a fulfilling life. PukaUp: https://www.pukaup.com/ Find PukaUp on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pukaup/ Follow PukaUp on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pukaup/ Find PodcastOne Australia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcastoneau

Three years after making his NRL debut, Preston Campbell was awarded the Dally M Player of the Year after a stunning season with the Cronulla Sharks. But twelve months after winning the game's highest individual honour his life almost ended. In this raw, candid and honest episode, Preston talks about the rage, anger and isolation he felt that led to that fateful day as well as the need to keep up appearances, how he stayed down in an NRL game and the importance of asking for help and why we need to support one another. It's a powerful story of one man's struggle and ultimate triumph. PukaUp: https://www.pukaup.com/ Find PukaUp on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pukaup/ Follow PukaUp on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pukaup/ Find PodcastOne Australia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcastoneau

Wayne talks with one of Australia's most successful female swimmers, Olympic Gold Medalist and Commonwealth Gold Medalist Libby Trickett. Libby talks about being depressed 12 months out from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, her complete loss of identity outside of the swimming pool, the situational triggers that led to her experiences with depression and post natal depression, her ability to recognise her triggers and how she has learnt to manage them. Libby also discusses the value and importance of talking, developing a checklist to remain healthy and the difference between needing support and offering support. PukaUp: https://www.pukaup.com/ Find PukaUp on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pukaup/ Follow PukaUp on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pukaup/ Find PodcastOne Australia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcastoneau

Wayne talks with former teammate, friend and now senior coach of the Sydney Swans, John Longmire. They talk about: the influence of Paul Roos, the importance of creating an environment for young men to be able to talk, finding the balance between driving high performance and supporting the player as a person, knowing when to step forward and when to step back, accepting that the coach isn't always the best person for the situation and trusting the people you have around you, how he looks after his own mental health. Wayne also asks if John knew that he lived with mental health conditions during their time as teammates and what he thought once he found it. Find PukaUp on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pukaup/ Follow PukaUp on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pukaup/ Find PodcastOne Australia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcastoneau

Wayne talks with former Prime Minister, Julia Gillard in her capacity as the recently appointed Chair of beyondblue. Julia talks about a range of topics including; former chair of beyondblue Jeff Kennett and his greatest legacy, the influence of her father's profession as a psychiatric nurse as a young girl and how that helped prepare her for her latest role, beyondblue's focus and commitment to help tackle the issue of suicide and building resilience among young people as well as a personal message to anyone living with a mental health condition. Find PukaUp on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pukaup/ Follow PukaUp on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pukaup/ Find PodcastOne Australia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcastoneau