Podcast · Health

Mind Your Head

by Elliott Hagen · English · Health

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 vu

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 38 min
Latest: 5 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 33 min

Ryan “R-Willy” Williams: The Mind Behind the Impossible.

Ryan “R-Willy” Williams is one of the most influential action-sports athletes of his generation. From being mocked for riding a scooter to winning X Games gold, creating world-first tricks and completely changing what people believed was possible on both a scooter and BMX, Ryan has taken his sport to another level. But behind the tricks, records and fearless image is someone who has spent his life learning how to understand fear without allowing it to take control. In this episode, Ryan opens up about where his relentless drive comes from, the mindset required to attempt the impossible,…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

27 Jul 2026 · 2 hr 31 min
Healing Old Wounds & Finding Yourself | Georgie Giovannoni
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…
7 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 24 min
Tom Boyd: Why I Walked Away From the AFL
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…
24 May 2026 · 1 hr 22 min
Corrective Culture: Healing the Body, Facing the Pain with Jake Stone
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…
11 May 2026 · 1 hr 51 min
Prime Train - Thomas Baulch Opens Up Like Never Before
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…
27 Apr 2026 · 2 hr 1 min
How To Be A Better Man with Zach Hansen
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…
13 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 42 min
Living Life to the Fullest: What Cancer Taught Tainui Kaihau
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…
29 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 30 min
Saavanah Bourke: The Battle No One Sees
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…
25 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 24 min
Learning to Understand Your Emotions with Matt Runnalls
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…
18 Mar 2026 · 2 hr 2 min
The Signs You’re Not Okay & When to Speak Up with Jack Davis
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…
6 Mar 2026 · 34 min
9 Holes, 9 Questions | Golf, Mental Health & Life Lessons
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…
25 Feb 2026 · 28 min
Mind Your Seat: What can't you live without?
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,…
11 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 44 min
Stephanie Keenan: The Story People Don’t See Online
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…
5 Feb 2026 · 2 hr 32 min
Hayley Vernon: Finding Peace After Chaos
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…
9 Dec 2025 · 1 hr 57 min
James Newbury: Beyond the Athlete
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,…
2 Dec 2025 · 1 hr 20 min
The Story Behind the Viral Video: Logan Dodds on Loss, Purpose & Fatherhood
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…
25 Nov 2025 · 2 hr 18 min
More Than Rugby: Gayle Broughton’s Story
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…
18 Nov 2025 · 1 hr 31 min
Heston Russell: Former Special Forces Commando on Leadership, Identity & Finding Purpose Again
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…
13 Nov 2025 · 37 min
How Have You Defined Success In Your Life? Mind Your Seat
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…
4 Nov 2025 · 1 hr 35 min
Aaron Crook: Inside the Mind of the 6633 Arctic Ultra Winner
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…
23 Sep 2025 · 1 hr 43 min
From Darkness to Heartled Living with Dane Muller
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…
16 Sep 2025 · 1 hr 28 min
Why Connection to Self, Others & Nature Changes Everything with Tim Jack Adams
What if energy - not time - was your most valuable resource? This week on Mind Your Head, I’m joined by Tim Jack Adams, founder of GreenX7 and author of Energised: The Daily Practice of Connected Leadership and Sustainable Wellbeing. Tim’s work is built on one powerful idea: our ability to lead, connect, and thrive comes down to how we manage and renew our energy. We dive into the science of energy, the role of nature as a healer, and why Australians desperately need to rediscover the importance of play and fun. Tim unpacks his eight pillars of sustainable wellbeing, shares what “connected…
9 Sep 2025 · 37 min
What Makes You Happy? Mind Your Seat
Sometimes the simplest question opens the deepest doors. This week, I took a sign into the world that simply asked: What makes you happy? What followed was something truly special—conversations with complete strangers who shared pieces of their heart, their stories and their joy. From small everyday moments to big life reflections, these answers reminded me how much we all have in common when it comes to searching for meaning, connection and happiness. This episode is real and beautifully human. I hope it makes you pause, reflect and maybe even ask yourself the same question: What makes you…
2 Sep 2025 · 1 hr 59 min
The Medicine Within: Healing & Transformation with Lino Hola
This week on Mind Your Head, I sit down with Lino Hola - transformation coach, workshop facilitator, and founder of Mens Medicine. Lino’s mission is to help men reconnect with themselves, heal from within, and break free from cycles that no longer serve them. In this episode, we go deep into his upbringing and cultural roots, the adversities and rock-bottom moments that shaped his path, and how breathwork became a powerful tool for transformation. We talk about family, identity, love, masculinity, spirituality, and the daily practices that keep him grounded. Lino shares raw truths about…
26 Aug 2025 · 1 hr 38 min
Alli Simpson: Finding Herself Outside the Spotlight
Alli Simpson has lived much of her life in the spotlight. From moving overseas as a teenager to pursue music and acting, to becoming the youngest nationally syndicated radio host in the US, to building a huge following online, her story has always been visible to the world. But behind the fame, Alli’s journey has been marked by challenges most people never saw - struggles with identity, the pressure of social media, heartbreak, a devastating spinal injury, and most recently, her battle with depression.In this episode, Alli opens up with raw honesty about what it was really like growing up in…
20 Aug 2025 · 1 hr 57 min
The Book That Changed Everything with Luke Bateman
This week on Mind Your Head, I’m joined by Luke Bateman.He grew up in a small town where rugby league was religion. Everyone played it, and to make it to the NRL was the dream. Luke did just that—playing 70 games for the Raiders—but he reached a point where he realised footy wasn’t all of him. It was fulfilling a part of him, but not the whole. Behind the scenes, he was hiding who he really was. He’d tuck fantasy novels into his footy bag and read in secret, too embarrassed to tell anyone. Years of suppressing that side of himself eventually led to severe depression and addiction. So he made…
12 Aug 2025 · 1 hr 33 min
Healing the Man Within - with Watene Waenga
Watene Waenga is the founder of Amend Movement—a powerful community helping men heal, reconnect, and redefine what it means to be a man today. In this conversation, we go deep into his personal journey through pain, identity, and healing, the importance of breaking generational cycles, and the work it takes to truly show up for yourself and those around you.We talk about the power of brotherhood and vulnerability, what healthy masculinity really looks like, and how men can become better partners, fathers, and leaders. Watene’s energy is grounded, intentional, and real—and this is a…
5 Aug 2025 · 2 hr 17 min
Why He Ran 58 Marathons in 58 Days - Lachlan Stuart
There was a time in Lachlan Stuart’s life where he felt completely lost — disconnected from himself, his identity, and his purpose. Years later, he’d go on to run 58 marathons in 58 days, build a platform helping men grow, and completely transform the way he showed up in the world. In this episode, Lachlan opens up about that journey. From the early wounds of childhood to the moment everything fell apart — and the slow, honest process of piecing himself back together. We talk about mental health, masculinity, emotional fitness, relationships, resilience, and why rock bottom was never the end…
22 Jul 2025 · 1 hr 17 min
Gus Worland: The Strength in Saying You’re Not Okay
In this powerful episode of Mind Your Head, I sit down with Gus Worland - founder of Gotcha4Life and one of the most authentic, big-hearted voices in the mental health space.We speak about the loss of his best mate to suicide, the moment he broke down live on radio, and how that raw vulnerability became the spark for a national movement around connection, mental fitness, and emotional honesty.We dive into masculinity, vulnerability, fatherhood, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind not just through Gotcha4Life, but through the lives he’s helped change.This is a conversation about pain,…
15 Jul 2025 · 2 hr 16 min
More Than a Jersey: Samu Kerevi on Identity, Faith & Life After Rugby
In this heartfelt episode, Samu Kerevi opens up about the journey behind the jersey - from his childhood in Fiji to becoming a Wallaby and Reds captain. We dive into the mindset shifts that came with injuries, selection setbacks, and stepping into leadership, plus how he's preparing for life after rugby through business, faith, and family. Samu shares powerful insights on staying grounded, finding your worth beyond sport, and the deeper purpose that drives him both on and off the field. If you’re into personal growth, culture, sport, or legacy - this episode hits home. This episode is…

About Mind Your Head

Mind Your Head is a English health podcast from Elliott Hagen. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Elliott Hagen
Language: English
Category: Health
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 38 min
Latest episode: 5 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1681005643
Rights: Elliott Hagen

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