Heroin - the hard habit to break

Nick Midgley is at a critical point in his life. Married with two kids, he runs a boxing gym, and helps people overcome their fear of combat sports by training them in a 10 week fight camp which culminates in an actual fight inside a professional boxing ring, in front of about 1000 people.

He himself is a professional boxer, having had 8 fights for 6 wins, with 4 wins by way of knockout. But he is the one who has been beaten this time; beaten by a drug that he has battled for over 22 years.

His foray into heroin began at just 13 years of age, thats right....13. He has overdosed 6 times, and is now back in an addiction rehabilitation centre. 

He decided to go very public with his relapse by posting a heartfelt confession on social media, thinking that most people knew about it already. The thing is....they didn't. But he understands that part of making his rehab different this time is to fully admit where he is at, own it, and talk about it openly.

So that is why I went to visit him in rehab; to help him share his story, and bring awareness to the reality of the heroin culture.

The Bald and The Beautiful Podcast is available where ever you listen to podcasts.

Brasil - the not so beautiful side

Imagine, if you can, waking up every day and living your life with the very real possibility of being raped, shot, mugged or even abducted. Where, every time you stepped outside of your home, you had to be on your guard, looking over your shoulder.

My guest for this episode, Dia Wanderley Vale, is from the North East of Brasil; a beautiful country with beautiful people. She grew up in an upper middle class family, but the city she called home was plagued with such violence. She has seen broken bottles and knives held to her mothers' throat several times, been carjacked at gunpoint, and lived with the constant threat of being raped.

She moved to Australia 3 years ago. Her partner Sasha is one of my Jiu Jitsu training buddies, and we all share a house together. She is definitely a loud and vibrant Latina! i often hassle her for having no volume control on her voice, especially when I am standing right next to her. I love dishing out a bit of sarcastic Aussie humour at her expense, but rest assured, she gives it back - just more loudly. She loves cooking and dishing out the vegan food and telling me how amazing it is -  I think her and Sasha are secretly trying to convert me.

Yoga is also a big part of her life. She believes that her practice, along with her spiritual faith, is what has gotten her through the challenging memories of her past trauma, and keeps her in the present moment to enjoy her life and appreciate every day.

Listen in to the conversation on ITunes and Spotify

or at www.daveeller.com/podcast

Mat Rogers - Australian Football Legend

Mat Rogers is a dual code International Representative - having worn the green and gold for Australia in both rugby league and rugby union. He decided to follow in his father's footsteps as a professional football player and relished in the pressure that went along with it.

Although football has been a big part of his life, its not who he is.

As a man who has battled his own depression, he has also had more than one family member commit suicide. And as a dad to four kids, every day he deals with the challenges of raising his son Max who has been diagnosed with autism.

Mat and his wife Chloe feel very lucky that they were able to afford the therapy needed for their child. But many families cannot. So they started the 4ASDkids charity to assist those families to get the much needed support. This is now the driving factor behind what he does.

A tough bloke on the outside. A beautiful man on the inside. I sat down with Mat and had a very raw and revealing chat about depression, suicide and autism.

The full conversation is on The Bald and The Beautiful podcast via Spotify and ITunes.

Pete Murray - Australian Singer / Songwriter

Great to catch up with Pete Murray for a chat on the podcast. Just a down to earth bloke who loves being dad, playing his music and having a surf. He shares his fears around the recording of his first signed album and some insights into the workings of the music industry.

He has new music out in the now, and you can drop in on the conversation at The Bald and The Beautiful via Spotify or ITunes... or at www.daveeller.com/podcast. Thanks for listening.

Sex, Drugs and Rock'n Roll - from the diary of a Penthouse Pet Centrefold

This conversation for The Bald & The Beautiful podcast is with a lady who has seen a lot, done a lot, and had a lot happen to her. I've known her for nearly 30 years, and she has definitely lived a wild rollercoaster of a life; a life of sex, drugs and rock'n'roll.

She chats to me about her sexual abuse at the hands of her older brother, her days as a Penthouse Magazine centrefold and the rockstars she dated as a result, as well as the time she spent two weeks inside of a crowded Greek jail.

She acknowledges that her life has been a series of one in a million type of events, both good and bad - and we chat about some of them, but these will only give you a glimpse into the extraordinary situations she has found herself in.

A loving mum to a 21 year old son she raised by herself, she is a spiritual lady who has spent a lot of time delving into self awareness. She now lives a life somewhat quieter than that of her youth. However, the sex, drugs and rock'n'roll theme continues as she deals with her staff and clients as madam of a brothel.

Tune in where ever you listen to podcasts or you can get there via the link below..

www.daveeller.com/podcast

Jacob 'The Flamingo' Ng - International Boxing Champion

In this episode of The Bald & The Beautiful, I sit down with a young man who is at the top of his game. A professional boxer undefeated in 13 fights, with 10 of those victories coming by way of knockout.

He is a walking canvas, with tattoos covering a good percentage of his body, including his head. He is flamboyant, choosing to enter the ring dancing through the crowd wearing a large pink feather boa, long pink socks, pink gloves, pink on his shorts......and sometimes a pink mullet!

This kid has a big smile, and a great energy about him. He loves what he does, and it has its rewards - the Queensland State Title, Australian National Title and 3 International Titles to his name, and there is more to come no doubt.

I've had the privilege of sitting ringside and watching this guy do his magic. It's beautiful to see. But what is even more beautiful to me is the strong relationship between him and his coach, who happens to be his dad. He tells me his dad is his inspiration and friend, and how at one stage his dad banished him to Thailand to train in order to shake him from some of the bad choices he was making while living on the Gold Coast.

My guest is Jacob ‘The Flamingo’ Ng

www daveeller.com/podcast

Nick Morley - Medicinal Cannabis Crusader

Medicinal Cannabis and its active ingredients of THC and CBD are now widely being recognised as a way to treat a variety of illnesses. But there is still much resistance to the miracle plant that has been shown to bring so much relief to so many people.

Nick Morley is at the forefront of providing quality organic cannabis oil to those in need. He has helped the elderly, young children and even animals gain a better quality of life through the use of medicinal cannabis.

He is a former celebrity hairdresser and fashion designer behind the popular Buddhist Punk label that was worn by everyone from Supermodels to Rock Stars. He was also once a heroin addict who clinically died....twice. But he gets his highs these days from having a good surf, and assisting those requiring a product that is not readily available through conventional channels.

He released a documentary last year called Greenlight, which will give you some more insight into the amazing work that he and his partner have been doing with people struggling to get a better result for their sick loved ones.

I chatted to Nick at his home about his latest crusade.

Listen to The Bald & The Beautiful Podcast on I Tunes and Spotify at…

www.daveeller.com/podcast

or on Podbean

Rhys Dowden - Commando Tough

We’ve all seen the movies where elite soldiers are in training and being pushed to their limits to be prepared……for anything. They are tough. But former Australian Special Forces Commando, Rhys Dowden, says its not just about being physically tough.

After tours of Iraq and Afghanistan, this Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt has taken what he has learned and is now helping others improve their physical, mental and emotional toughness.

The last time I saw this guy we were wrestling in the gym, and I can tell you he was 98kg of toughness. He graciously massaged my ribs with his knee whilst trying to choke me into submission. Since then he has leaned down about 15 kg to take up marathon running and is soon to tackle his first Ultra Marathon (its just like a marathon only a hell of a lot longer).

I chatted with Rhys at his Northern Rivers home about mindset, stress, PTSD, resilience and emotional intelligence.

You can tune into the conversation here….

www.daveeller.com/podcast

Rhys Dowden