46 episodes

Whether it's the clothes you wear to work, or a metaphor for putting up a front, we all wear a uniform. But often there's a lot going on behind the uniform, and many of us are reluctant to express how we are 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 feeling. Each week on Behind the Uniform, Captain Hugo Toovey and Doctor Izzy Smith will be joined by a special guest as they talk openly and honestly about their experiences with mental health. Nothing is off limits, so prepare yourself for tears, laughter and goosebumps. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘺 25 STAY ALIVE 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 Movember.

Behind The Uniform 25 STAY ALIVE

    • Health & Fitness
    • 4.9 • 79 Ratings

Whether it's the clothes you wear to work, or a metaphor for putting up a front, we all wear a uniform. But often there's a lot going on behind the uniform, and many of us are reluctant to express how we are 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 feeling. Each week on Behind the Uniform, Captain Hugo Toovey and Doctor Izzy Smith will be joined by a special guest as they talk openly and honestly about their experiences with mental health. Nothing is off limits, so prepare yourself for tears, laughter and goosebumps. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘺 25 STAY ALIVE 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 Movember.

    Christina Vithoulkas - Normalising Disability

    Christina Vithoulkas - Normalising Disability

    In September 2018, Christina's life changed in an instant after a motorbike accident resulted in her becoming a paraplegic. But despite this, she's now the most fulfilled and happiest she's ever been.

    On this week's episode of Behind the Uniform, nothing is off limits as Christina very openly talks about everything from her everyday physical challenges, to what it's like having sex and using a vibrator when you don't have pelvic sensation. Christina epitomises what it means to be an influencer and she is passionate about normalising disability and using her injury to demonstrate that happiness isn't found from money or status, but from gratitude, helping others and appreciating what you have. Christina's positivity and resilience is almost hard to fathom and this episode will leave your heart full and feeling inspired.

    • 46 min
    Hugo Toovey - Testicular Cancer Saved My Life

    Hugo Toovey - Testicular Cancer Saved My Life

    Today's guest is none other than our host, Captain Hugo Toovey! In our podcast we often speak so casually about Hugo's battles with cancer, but we've never properly dug 'behind his uniform' and explored the many lessons he's learnt at such a young age. In today's episode we discuss the impact that chronic bowel disease had on Hugo's childhood, the heartbreak of losing his best friend to suicide, and how testicular cancer saved his life.

    Despite some emotional conversations, this episode is also filled with joy, laughter and even some pranks you can play with a fake testicle! This is definitely one of our most inspiring and moving episodes yet.

    • 1 hr 10 min
    Daniel Venables - The Impact of a Traumatic Brain Injury

    Daniel Venables - The Impact of a Traumatic Brain Injury

    At the age of just 19, Dan was on top of the world after winning the 2018 Premiership for the West Coast Eagles. However the following year Dan's life changed in a matter of seconds as he suffered a brain trauma injury in a marking contest. Dan spent the next 3 years undergoing rehabilitation, and in August 2021, he was forced into early retirement.

    • 42 min
    Dr Izzy Smith - Behind the Scrubs

    Dr Izzy Smith - Behind the Scrubs

    Dr Izzy Smith is one of the hosts of this podcast, so we thought it was fitting to go 'behind the scrubs' and share Izzy's story. Izzy is an Endocrinology Doctor with a passion for sharing health advice that is easy to digest. She is also a Movember Ambassador, mental health advocate and a running enthusiast!

    In this week's episode of Behind the Uniform, Izzy opens up about what it was like losing her Dad at such a young age and the long-lasting psychological trauma grief can have on a child. Izzy also talks about the difficulties junior doctors can face when being confronted with death, and why reflecting on past experiences can help you get through some challenging times.

    We really hope you enjoy getting to know more about the wonderful Dr Izzy Smith, and you can follow Izzy on Instagram @doctorizzyksmith.

    • 48 min
    Wayne Schwass - Connecting with Your Emotions

    Wayne Schwass - Connecting with Your Emotions

    Wayne Schwass has lived an extraordinary life. During his 14-year AFL career, Wayne played 282 games, won three best & fairest awards, was an all-Australian, and a premiership player. But behind all of these accolades, Wayne lived with obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, anxiety and suicidal ideations.

    In this week's episode of Behind the Uniform, Wayne talks about how the cultures and attitudes of Australia in the 80s and 90s led him to believe that mental illness was only something that occurred in people from social disadvantage, and he refused to accept his own diagnosis, let alone share how he was feeling with others. Wayne also discusses why it's so important to have the communication skills and self-awareness to better understand and improve your own mental health & wellbeing. Through Wayne's personal journey and relationship with mental wellbeing, he created PukaUp - a social enterprise which aims to end suicide in Australia.

    This episode is full of wisdom, passion and hope. We learnt so much from Wayne and we have no doubt that you will too!

    • 1 hr 3 min
    Dr Zac Seidler - The Man Whisperer

    Dr Zac Seidler - The Man Whisperer

    Dr Zac Seidler aka "The Man Whisperer" has dedicated his career towards further understanding men's mental health and masculinity. His ultimate goal is to help reduce the staggering rate of male suicide worldwide.

    • 56 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
79 Ratings

79 Ratings

Do I put my name here? ,

Fantastic listens.

This is my go to listen for my drives. It’s insightful, uplifting and honest. Hugo and Izzy are wonderful the way they ask their questions and put the show together.

Loriparmle ,

Subscribe!

Such important conversations in such an easy to digest way! Thank you so much for bringing this to ears! Australian ears need it! You guys rock!

Prooooooooooo!!!'nmbn ,

Brilliant

Such important conversations conducted in a very sensitive way. Thank you for sharing these stories and giving the listeners a little more insight each week on how to start conversations and support ourselves and those around us. Izzy and Hugo are the perfect pair to ask the hard questions and engage with their guests in such an empathetic way. Confronting but such a good listen. Thanks.

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