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Season 2, Episode 30

Finding That Fire Again

This week I’m talking about the nerves, excitement and unexpected spark that has come with preparing for my first presentation with The Change Room and what happened when I tested it out on a much smaller audience at Mum’s Bible study.

In this episode:

• Preparing for my first big speaking presentation and managing the anxiety that comes with it
• Realising I can be emotional while telling my story and still keep going
• Why making an impact doesn’t require a huge audience
• Losing my policing identity and still asking, “Who am I now?”
• Finding a new sense of purpose and something that has given me that fire again
• The unexpected comment at Bible study that stopped me in my tracks: “Maybe your new gun is your voice.”
• Why “we are still blooming in concrete” feels so relevant to recovery
• Song of the Week: “Birds Still Sing”
• Thought of the Week: from The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
• Remembering how far we’ve come instead of only looking at how far there is still to go

Finding your voice in the chaos.

Be kind to yourself.

Song of the Week:
Birds Still Sing by Taylor Acorn
https://youtu.be/AXOtAAGNajk?si=tIrSirJBR7J4iJ2N

Thought of the Week:
“We have such a long way to go…” said the boy. “Yes, but look how far we’ve come.”
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

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Season 2, Episode 29:

I mark my 21st wedding anniversary and reflect on relationships, love languages and the ordinary things that keep us connected. But this episode is also about something I've been noticing lately — small wins, hope, and slowly learning to trust the good days again.

In this episode:
• celebrating 21 years of marriage and what I've learnt about commitment
• learning the ukulele for a very personal (and slightly questionable 😂) anniversary gift
• how a Kelly Clarkson lyric perfectly describes part of living with PTSD
• why recognising and celebrating small wins matters
• an unexpected night at the theatre that showed me just how far I've come
• preparing to share my lived experience with The Change Room
• asking “who am I now?” after psychological injury — and beginning to like the answer

Recovery doesn't always arrive as one huge breakthrough. Sometimes it's noticing that something you couldn't have handled a year ago is something you can handle today.

You can find me on Facebook and Instagram — and don't forget to like and follow.

Song of the Week:
Kelly Clarkson - Because of You
https://youtu.be/Ra-Om7UMSJc?si=GVMd5kFGozy8e0K6

Thought of the Week:
"Tears fall for a reason, and they are your strength, not weakness"
— The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, Charlie Mackesy

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Season 2, Episode 28

What happens when life changes direction and the identity you once knew no longer quite fits?

This week on Mad Mel’s Mic, I sit down with Matt Elliott, founder of The Change Room — and someone who has played a part in my own journey.

After completing The Change Room myself, Matt became my mentor. Now, in a turn I didn't necessarily see coming, he's invited me to step to the other side of the room and become a presenter.

But this conversation isn't just about The Change Room.

Matt and I talk about his own journey, the transition out of professional rugby league coaching, identity after major life change, asking for help, and why human connection can be such an important part of recovery.

We also explore:

• How service can shape our identity
• What happens when a major chapter of your life ends
• The story and meaning behind The Change Room
• Focusing on what you can do after injury or adversity
• Practical tools including breathing, nutrition and habit change
• Why lived experience can connect differently than advice
• Human connection and its role in recovery
• What resilience actually means
• Asking for help and challenging old conditioning
• Why recovery doesn't always need to be complicated

And, on a personal note, I ask Matt the question I've been curious about since he asked me to present:

What made you think I could contribute to The Change Room from the other side of the room?

🎙️ The Other Side of The Change Room — with Matt Elliott

Follow Mad Mel’s Mic on Facebook and Instagram for episode updates and behind-the-scenes moments.

Matt's Thought of the Week:
“It's nice to be important, but more important to be nice.”

Finding your voice in the chaos.

Be kind to yourself. ❤️