In The Head Of A Country Bloke Mandy Curnow

Welcome back to In the Head of a Country Bloke.

This time, I chat with Jack Lawrence, a bloke with a big love for action sports who definitely doesn’t mind living life on the edge.

Jack's passion for skydiving is clear, as he shares what it really means to him, and why he loves it. But his love for the extreme doesn't stop there. 

He's also into motorbike racing, and even as a kid, he played every sport imaginable.

As a self-employed builder, Jack isn't afraid of hard work. He admits his work-life balance is a bit off, but his job not only supports his adventurous lifestyle but also reflects the same energy and dedication he brings to everything he does.

His story doesn't end with action sports- we also go into his overseas travel experiences and his adventures in Finke Desert Race - which Alice Springs happens to be gearing up for at the time of this episode. 


**The views and opinions expressed by the Podcast interviewees are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the interviewer or podcast support bodies. Nor do they intend to replace medical or other expert advice.

Welcome to another episode of 'In The Head Of A Country Bloke.'
Today, I chat with Stewart McCully.Stew's story starts with his love for footy at Kybybolite.
He didn't stop there - he took his skills to SANFL, playing around 125 games with Glenelg Football Club.
But Stew's journey is more than just about sports.
After moving to Adelaide, he earned a teaching degree and built a successful career in education. His passion for helping others didn’t end in the classroom.
In 2014, Stew founded Next Level Elite, a mentoring service aimed at developing athletes and professionals alike.
Whether you're an up-and-coming star or a seasoned pro, Stew's programs have made a real difference for people all over, from local communities to international stages.
Stew didn’t stop learning either.
He’s got a Graduate Certificate in Elite Athlete Mentoring and is a certified World Triathlon mentor.
His work covers a wide range of clients, including teenagers, shearers, business professionals, and elite athletes - showing just how versatile and dedicated he is to personal growth and leadership.
So sit back and enjoy listening to Stew McCully’s journey, from the footy fields of Kyby to mentoring the next generation of leaders. This is one episode you won’t want to miss.

**The views and opinions expressed by the Podcast interviewees are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the interviewer or podcast support bodies. Nor do they intend to replace medical or other expert advice.

In this episode I was honoured to chat with Jack Burns, whose story is of the heartbreaking loss of his brother Jy to Suicide in 2019.
It’s a story of resilience, and sheer determination as well as the importance of the love of family, community and contribution.
Struggling with guilt and feeling like he let his family down, Jack found solace in the gym, where he often broke down.
Although Jack knew he needed help, it took him a long time to ask, until one day he realised it just had to be done.
The first anniversary of Jy's passing in July 2020 brought some closure, but Jack still felt lost. He began running in October 2020 to heal and decided to raise money for charity in his brother’s honor.
By November 2020, Jack committed to running 330km from Adelaide to Frances, raising $24,000 for charity.
Jack’s journey, marked by immense courage and community support, is an absolute testament to turning pain into purpose.
Join us as we explore his heartfelt, and inspiring story.

**The views and opinions expressed by the Podcast interviewees are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the interviewer or podcast support bodies. Nor do they intend to replace medical or other expert advice.

Welcome back to ‘In The Head Of A Country Bloke’. In this episode I chat with long-time local Ben Hood. Now living in Mount Gambier with his wife Elle and their three children, Ben has worn many hats. He’s the Liberal Shadow Minister for Regional SA and a member of the Legislative Council. He’s also served as Deputy Mayor of Mount Gambier and innovated and co-owned successful businesses like Hello Friday and George The Farmer.
Ben is passionate about his family and their history, his friends, faith, learning, good music, and so much more.
He has strong core values rooted in community and is committed to ensuring its growth and development. I hope you enjoy this very inspiring episode.



**The views and opinions expressed by the Podcast interviewees are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the interviewer or podcastsupport bodies. Nor do they intend to replace medical or other expert advice.

In this episode I chat with Glenn Haynes, aka Haynesy.

Glenn's not only a seasoned shearer, with stories from the sheds that span decades - but a loving family man, and good mate to many.

From his start as a curious young bloke, venturing into the tough world of shearing to representing at state level, and eventually mentoring and training the next generation. 

Glenn shares what it was like to shear out in the bush, the evolution of the habits of shearers, and the mentors who guided him.

Not to mention how it feels to be 'surrounded by greatness' within the industry.

Discover how fear of failure, making hard decisions, and setting ambitious goals shaped his career and led him to one of the most satisfying jobs imaginable. 

Tune in to hear a country bloke's journey through challenges, changes, and an unwavering passion for shearing.



**The views and opinions expressed by the Podcast interviewees are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the interviewer or podcast support bodies. Nor do they intend to replace medical or other expert advice.

In this episode I chat to Bill Gill, a genuine 'what you see is what you get', down to earth bloke.

A loving Husband, father of three beautiful girls, and now Grandfather - Bill has strong family values, loves his mates and is known for his passion for sport.

He's a mix of humble and 'self confessed' opinionated in the things that matter to him.

He knows what it's like to experience heartbreaking loss, as well as the contrast of the highs of various successes life has to offer...when you take a risk and have a go.

'Life is short so live it. Love is rare so grab it. Fear controls you so face it. Memories are precious so cherish them.

'We only get one life so live it'.




**The views and opinions expressed by the Podcast interviewees are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the interviewer or podcast support bodies. Nor do they intend to replace medical or other expert advice.