CONTENT WARNING- This episode discusses mental health challenges and suicidal ideations as well as discussing the tragic death of a veteran.

Adam Blum had a troubled start to life, plagued by health issues and enduring a debilitating series of surgical procedures.

His school years were a torture.

Experiencing health and weight issues and diagnosed with ADHD, Adam faced constant bullying. His self-esteem was shattered under the weight of the relentless taunts and physical abuse of his peers. The persistent bullying continued into adulthood and in the workplace. At the age of 22, while suffering from severe depression, Adam decided to take his own life. But one vision and then a phone call changed his destiny.

We discuss forging fortitude, and how, Adam’s life was saved to enable him to become Adam V2.0

Adam lives in the foothills of the Blue Mountains and is currently a firefighter with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS). He is the creator and host of a highly successful podcast called True Blue Conversations (Formerly True Blue History).

Adam is the author of ‘Easy Target’ which he hopes will help others build their own inner strength and self-worth.

04:00 Adam talks growing up, health issues and bullying- and its impact

09:10 Adam’s social networks to combat the negativity

12:30 Adams advice now to his high school self

15:05 ‘I’m not a victim’- the mindset

16:30 Adam talks about the catalytic moment that triggered his suicide attempt

26:13 The psychological angle and link to Adam’s weight and physical appearance.

30:55 Losing fingernails in trying to get through repeated obstacles… what else was Adam doing outside the medical and psychological- the positive people

35:15 Happiness and people/ social connections. Where did Adam find his tribe?

39:05 Adam enabled and facilitated his own turn around- & the secret to success

41:50 Silencing the voice in your head…. And creativity

47:25 Creativity and inspiration- and discipline!

48:55 Why write the book?

49:33 Ben and Tim are two -thirds of an author

54:00 Talking about Nick Hill who Tim and Adam both knew

External Links

www.Adamblum.com.au

https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/adam-blum/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-blum-b49249218/?originalSubdomain=au

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/true-blue-conversations-podcast/id1508857453

Contact Us

www.unforgiving60.com

Email us at debrief@unforgiving60.com

Instagram, Twitter: @Unforgiving60

Music …. With thanks to:

The Externals – available on Spotify

Mitchell Martin- song ‘Hope’

On Riana during SAS Australia: “She’s a brilliant human. No bullshit, no ego, she just knuckled down and suffered well on the show” - Dr Dan Pronk

In this episode, Ben and Tim speak to television personality, SAS Australia candidate and all round superstar Riana Crehan- footnote that she is also a fellow West Coast Eagle supporter!

Brought up on a chicken farm Riana spent most of her childhood outdoors and dancing. In 2007 Riana got a work experience role with the V8 Supercars working on their onsite broadcast. The rest is (Supercars) history. She is a journalistic icon on the screens of motor sports in Australia. Married to Will Davison (Dick Johnson Racing Supercar driver), Riana balances work and life (including motherhood)- juggling demanding travel schedules.

You will also have seen Riana when she took part as a contestant on SAS Australia, and she aced it.

And amidst it all Riana manages to also stay fit including through cycling and triathlon.

SHOW NOTES

03:00 On growing up on a chicken farm; dancing and playing sports

08:20 Riana decides to study nursing

09:45 How and where does car racing fit in?!

14:15 Riana the introvert- and talking about how many introverts occupy a ‘stage’

15:20 Leadership roles and natural talent- does it exist?

17:50 How does Riana deal with criticism- particularly social media warriors

22:20 How can one get interested in Supercars? What is it like?

24:40 Tim talks about working with a Supercars Team- athletes and high performance. Riana gives context?

28:20 The narrowing of sporting margins

31:00 Riana talks about her time on SAS Australia

36:10 Talking imposter syndrome… how to take stock of that.

38:50 Talking shared hardshop and team building

42:10 Dr Dan says that Riana knows about ‘suffering well’. Riana responds and gives context on how she suffers well and what got her through the difficult moments

50:30 On motherhood, and the juggling game of life

55:00 Riana’s power song is here

External Links

https://www.rianacrehan.com/about

https://www.instagram.com/rianacrehan/?hl=en

https://www.supercars.com

Contact Us

www.unforgiving60.com

Email us at debrief@unforgiving60.com

Instagram, Twitter: @Unforgiving60

Music …. With thanks to:

The Externals – available on Spotify

And Enjoy Band – available on Spotify

As a special Anzac Day release, please enjoy our chat with MAJGEN (ret’d) Jake Ellwood. Jake is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, a role which puts him at the forefront of reconstruction and resilience within the state, particularly in the face of relentless natural disasters. And he’s definitely the man for the job, having spent a long, distinguished and varied first career within the Army, rising to the rank of Major General. In this episode, Jake talks to the boys about his early days, the highlights of his Army career, his philosophy of leadership and character and what he thinks can make a community resilient.

05:20 Straight out of the gate – why ‘Jake’?!

07:30 Jake’s military background, from a private in the Army Reserve….to a Major General in the fulltime Army (including run-ins with both hosts at various points in his career!)

12:00 From such a long, varied and distinguished career, what are the standout moments?

15:48 Jake’s view on character as an indispensable leadership quality… and the role of ethics within this

27:30 Are ‘kids these days’ less resilient than we used to be back in the day?

32:26 Jake’s current role as the CEO of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority

36:30 What are communities doing well to ensure their resilience against – and during – natural disasters?

42:10 What does Jake do for himself? (Answer: Running!)

45:05 The mental aspects of running – and how to overcome the mental difficulties of running

48:30 Jake on running the 2018 Boston Marathon (renowned as one of the most miserable Bostons ever! Check this out!)

52:44 Jake on Run Army, its beginnings and what it means to him

1:04:20 Jake looking forward to running the 2024 Run Army in a week’s time (postscript – while Jake spoke about doing this race at a casual, enjoyable pace, it turns out his version of ‘casual’ is probably different to most of ours – he came in the top 60 in just over 40 minutes!)

1:10:41 What is Jake’s ‘power song’?

External Links

Run Army

Dr Simon Longstaff, Executive Director of The Ethics Centre

Queensland Reconstruction Authority

Contact Us

www.unforgiving60.com

Email us at debrief@unforgiving60.com

Instagram, Twitter: @Unforgiving60

Music …. With thanks to:

The Externals – available on Spotify