Mind Your Head

Elliott Hagen
  • 4.3 (15)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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 vulnerable conversations with love ones, to better understand each other and to improve their mental health. It’s not easy and it never will be but conversations change mindsets. This podcast is brought to you by On Track Studio.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    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 life-changing journey to faith — how it filled a void she’d carried for a long time, and what finding God has looked like in the real world… learning to slow down, find peace, and feel love within herself. This one’s raw, reflective, and real. If you’ve ever felt lost, or stuck in a version of yourself you’ve outgrown — this episode will hit. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOP NOW!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: ⁠@mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: ⁠@mindyourhead.pod

    2h 32m

  2. 09/12/2025

    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, purpose, and what it actually takes to be proud of the person you are outside of sport.This is a conversation about growing up, breaking down, rebuilding, and learning to like yourself along the way.If you’re someone who’s driven, struggling, evolving, or just trying to figure yourself out — you’ll get something out of this one.James is one of the good ones.Hope you enjoy this chat as much as I did. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOP NOW!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: ⁠@mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: ⁠@mindyourhead.pod

    1h 57m

  3. 02/12/2025

    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 young man still grieving, still trying to understand himself, and still figuring out who he was without the person he looked up to most.We spoke about finding passion and purpose, following those green lights, creativity and storytelling, overcoming fear and failure, and the importance of gratitude and perspective - especially now as he steps into the biggest challenge and reward of his life: fatherhood.This chat was special. I’m genuinely grateful for how honest and vulnerable Logan was. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOP NOW!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: ⁠@mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: ⁠@mindyourhead.pod

    1h 20m

  4. 25/11/2025

    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 unstoppable. This conversation is about owning your truth, sitting with your pain, and finding the strength to rebuild from the inside out. If you’ve ever felt lost, misunderstood, or like you had to hold it all together - this episode will mean something to you. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOP NOW!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: ⁠@mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: ⁠@mindyourhead.pod

    2h 18m

  5. 18/11/2025

    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 scrutiny and pressure that came with the ABC lawsuit, and the challenge of rebuilding purpose once the military chapter ends. We explore mental health, healing, and finding a way back to yourself when the world gets loud.This isn’t just a conversation about the military - it’s a conversation about being human. About loss, responsibility, courage, and the work it takes to truly know who you are outside of the roles you’ve lived in.It was a genuine honour to sit across from Heston. His honesty, his integrity, and his willingness to go there make this one of the most powerful episodes I’ve ever recorded. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. Use the code MINDYOURHEAD at checkout to get $25 off orders over $100 -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOP NOW!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ * Offer valid for new customers only. Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: ⁠@mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: ⁠@mindyourhead.pod

    1h 31m

  6. 13/11/2025

    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 what truly matters when the noise fades and life slows down. This episode isn’t about wealth or status - it’s about people, presence, and the different ways we all find meaning in the everyday. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. Use the code MINDYOURHEAD at checkout to get $25 off orders over $100 -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOP NOW!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ * Offer valid for new customers only. Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: ⁠@mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: ⁠@mindyourhead.pod

    37 min

  7. 04/11/2025

    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 resilience, self-discovery, and what it really means to go to the edge and come back stronger. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. Use the code MINDYOURHEAD at checkout to get $25 off orders over $100 -⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOP NOW!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ * Offer valid for new customers only. Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: ⁠@mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: ⁠@mindyourhead.pod

    1h 35m

  8. 23/09/2025

    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 into the importance of brotherhood, relationships, and vulnerability, as well as the role of practices like breathwork and embodiment in healing. Dane shares insights from the retreats he runs with his wife Nadine, where men and women alike confront their struggles, find space to heal, and reconnect with themselves and each other. This is a raw and powerful conversation about pain, responsibility, love, and legacy and what it truly means to live heartled. This episode is brought to you by True Protein. Use the code MINDYOURHEAD at checkout to get $25 off orders over $100 -⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOP NOW!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ * Offer valid for new customers only. Don’t miss out - hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to stay updated with our latest episodes! If you found value in this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and tag us on social media! Instagram: ⁠@mindyourhead.podcast YouTube: @mindyourhead.podcast Facebook: ⁠@mindyourhead.pod

    1h 43m
See All (70)

4.3
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

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 vulnerable conversations with love ones, to better understand each other and to improve their mental health. It’s not easy and it never will be but conversations change mindsets. This podcast is brought to you by On Track Studio.

Information

  • Creator
    Elliott Hagen
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Elliott Hagen
  • Show Website
    Mind Your Head

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