37 episodes
Head Game Nova Podcasts
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- Society & Culture
Join Ant Middleton as he speaks with people that have beaten the odds and achieved the unthinkable by getting their head in the game. You’ll hear extraordinary stories of survival, relive heroic moments, unpack the details of life-changing decisions, and celebrate the achievement of seemingly impossible goals. This podcast series highlights what we’re capable of when we harness the power of the mind.
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How Nigel Brennan Survived 15 Months in Captivity – Part 1
Nigel Brennan has one phenomenal story. He was working as a Photojournalist when an opportunity came up to visit Somalia to cover the humanitarian crisis. It was supposed to be a seven day visit. But instead, he and colleague Amanda Lindhout spent 15 hellish months in captivity.
He bravely opens up to Ant about how this nightmare unfolded, and how he survived to tell the tale today.
CW: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault. If you think you need immediate assistance, call 000. If you would like to speak to someone about your situation, you may wish to contact one of the following services.
Lifeline – Call 13 11 14, or visit www.lifeline.org.au.
1800RESPECT – Call 1800 737 732, or visit www.1800respect.org.au.
LINKS
Find out more about Nigel's book, The Price of Life here
Follow Nigel on Instagram @nigelbrennan
Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.
CREDITSHost: Ant MiddletonEditor: Adrian WaltonExecutive Producers: Anna Henvest & Edwina StottManaging Producer: Elle Beattie
Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. -
Mahmood Fazal on Constructing a Life After Crime
For Mahmood Fazal, life in 2024 is great. He feels good every morning when he wakes up - not having to look over his shoulder or feel nervous when he's in a public space.
But things haven't always been this way for Mahmood - as the Walkley Award-winning Journalist shares in this eye-opening conversation with Ant.
Mahmood discloses his raw and unfiltered perspective on his experience with crime and violence in Australia - and how he's using that lived experience to create change.
LINKS
Follow Mahmood Fazal on Instagram @mahmoodfazal
Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.
CREDITSHost: Ant MiddletonEditor: Adrian WaltonExecutive Producers: Anna Henvest & Edwina StottManaging Producer: Elle Beattie
Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. -
Nedd Brockmann’s Toughest Moment in His Run Across Australia
If there's one thing Nedd Brockmann wants to you do today, it's keep showing up. At just 25 years old, Nedd has achieved an extroadinary amount. His most well-known feat was in 2022 when he ran across Australia - from Perth to Bondi - in just 46 days.
He joins Ant in-studio to reflect on the lessons from those long and torturous days. He shares how he harnessed his mindset to push through pain barriers, and makes the choice to be positive every single day - even in the toughest of times.
LINKS
To sign up for Nedd's Uncomfortable Challenge, head to neddsuncomfortablechallenge.com
Follow Nedd Brockmann on Instagram @neddbrockmann
Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.
CREDITSHost: Ant MiddletonEditor: Adrian WaltonExecutive Producers: Anna Henvest & Edwina StottManaging Producer: Elle Beattie
Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. -
Surviving a Volcano Eruption With Tour Guide, Kelsey Waghorn
Kelsey Waghorn's life changed forever when she, along with so many others, was caught up in the horrific Whakaari White Island eruption off the east coast of New Zealand in 2019. Kelsey, just 25 at the time, was working as a tour guide. On what should have been a regular, routine day, instead she ended up in an induced coma and sustained full thickness burns to 45% of her body.
She speaks to Ant about the toll this had on her physical and mental health, her journey with PTSD and the loss of a very close friend.
CW: This episode contains discussions of PTSD. If this episode raises any issues for you, help is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via their website lifeline.org.au.
LINKS
Follow Kelsey Waghorn on Instagram @kezzelsify
Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.
CREDITSHost: Ant MiddletonEditor: Adrian WaltonExecutive Producers: Anna Henvest & Edwina StottManaging Producer: Elle Beattie
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. -
Olympic Surfer Owen Wright on his Comeback from Catastrophe
December 10th 2015 was a day that changed everything for champion surfer, Owen Wright. He fought for his life and faced extensive brain trauma, following a severe wipeout at Pipeline in Hawaii. The journey back to the ocean, was a difficult one.
In this inspiring conversation, Owen reflects on that fateful day, and shares the mindset tools that helped aid his recovery. He's one of the country's best surfers - and through resilience and determination, made one incredible comeback.
LINKS
Learn more about Owen's memoir Against The Water here
Follow Owen on Instagram @owright
Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.
CREDITSHost: Ant MiddletonEditor: Adrian WaltonExecutive Producers: Anna Henvest & Edwina StottManaging Producer: Elle Beattie
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. -
Persevering After an Unthinkable Diagnosis
Michael Crossland has been a fighter since birth. He defied the odds of surviving Neuroblastoma - a rare life-threatening cancer, and was the sole survivor of a cancer drug trial.
He speaks to Ant about his lifetime of challenges and lessons. When the odds are stacked against him, time after time - Michael defies those odds. And, he's on a journey to inspire others along the way.
LINKS
Learn more about Michael Crossland at michaelcrossland.com
Follow Michael on Instagram @michaelcrossland
Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.
CREDITSHost: Ant MiddletonEditor: Adrian WaltonExecutive Producers: Anna Henvest & Edwina StottManaging Producer: Elle Beattie
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.