A Wake Up Call

Layne Beachley AO & Tess Brouwer
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You can change your life and A Wake Up Call will show you how. Hosted by Layne Beachley AO and Tess Brouwer, founders of Awake Academy, this is the podcast that gets real about what it takes to live awake - no filters, no fluff, just truth, science, and stories that will shake you out of autopilot and into action. Each episode is packed with practical tools, honest conversations, and powerful wake-up calls to help you stress less, feel more, and reconnect with who you really are. If you’re ready to stop drifting and start living with purpose, you’re in the right place. Follow @awake_academy for more tools, truth, and transformation and tune in weekly to A Wake Up Call. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 28 Jun

    The Worthiness Episode: Why You're Always Worthy of the Ask (with Kemi Nekvapil)

    Episode Description: If you have ever wondered: "Why am I so exhausted by my own competence?" "How do I redefine success on my own terms instead of someone else's?" "Who am I actually waiting for permission from?" - this episode is for you. In this warm, honest and quietly powerful conversation, Tess and Layne welcome Kemi Nekvapil - one of Australia's most respected executive coaches, Penguin author of The Gift of Asking, Power and Grounded Success, a Certified Dare to Lead facilitator trained by Brené Brown, host of the globally ranked podcast The Shift Series, flower farmer, and the woman who has personally coached Layne herself. Kemi has built her life's work on one radical idea: that you are always worthy of the ask. In this episode she unpacks what that really means for the woman who is endlessly capable, the one everyone relies on, who cannot remember the last time she asked for something just for herself. She shares the wake-up call that has threaded through her whole life - learning to ask how does it feel to be here - and the day she walked off stage to a standing ovation and thought, I am so bored. That boredom, she realised, was a full-body yes to change. Along the way she and the hosts explore why risk has seasons, how we get seduced into stepping over our own boundaries, and a live coaching moment where Layne works through her own surfing retirement in real time. This is a conversation about redefining success by how it feels, not how it looks, and remembering that the only person you have ever been waiting on for permission is you. You will hear about: Why being endlessly needed quietly keeps capable women from ever asking for what they want The difference between a full-body yes, a full-body no, and a performance yes Why risk has seasons, and how to find the version of a leap your nervous system can actually take How to redefine success by how it feels, and why 70% peace beats chasing more The one question that ends years of waiting: who am I actually waiting for permission from? Links textJoin the Awake Collective Community for monthly masterclasses https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/awake-collective-sales Get Awake's transformative book: Know Yourself Grow Yourself to live a happier more purposeful life. https://www.penguin.com.au/books/awake-academy-9781761345869 Follow Layne on Instagram @Laynebeachley Follow Tess on Instagram @tesscbrouwer Follow Awake Academy on Instagram @awake_academy Awakes TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@awakeacademy_ Sponsor our podcast https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contact Book us for a workshop https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contact Connect with Kemi Nekvapil https://www.keminekvapil.com Disclaimer The A Wake Up Call podcast is created for general informational, educational, and inspirational purposes only. The stories, tools, and insights shared are designed to support your wellbeing journey - not to replace professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. In fact, we believe therapy is non-negotiable in life. If you're experiencing a medical or mental health condition, please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Never ignore or delay seeking professional advice because of something you've heard on this podcast. Your wellbeing matters. Take care of yourself, stay curious, and remember the real wake-up call is listening to what your body and mind are trying to tell you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min

  2. 14 Jun

    From Lane 8 to Life - Kieran Perkins on Performing Under Pressure

    If you have ever wondered:   “Why do I give my best under pressure sometimes, and completely fall apart others?” “How do I stay calm when everything is riding on this moment?” “Is it possible to rediscover my fire after I have walked away from the thing I worked hardest at?”   - this episode is for you.   In this episode, Tess and Layne sit down with Kieran Perkins - Olympic gold medallist, CEO of the Australian Sports Commission, and the man who won gold from lane 8 at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics in one of the most iconic moments in Australian sporting history.   Kieran takes us inside the hours before that race: the panic, the adrenaline hijack, the dark spiral of consequences, and the single question that flipped the switch - “How did I used to do this?” He unpacks the physiology of pressure, the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic drive, and why the only job in any high-stakes moment is to get out of your own way and let your preparation speak.   Together they explore the gap between chasing excellence and defending it, the surprising differences between elite sport and corporate performance, and the honest story of Kieran’s own health journey - losing over 30 kilos by first stopping exercise entirely.   You will hear about:   How Kieran interrupted a full amygdala hijack in the hours before an Olympic final Why defending a title is psychologically harder than chasing one The difference between an athlete’s finish line and a corporate one - and how to close the gap Why Kieran believes you cannot force elite performance on someone who does not truly want to be there How stopping exercise was the first step in Kieran’s 30-kilo transformation The one walk through Melbourne that reminded him what presence actually feels like Links text    Join the Awake Collective Community for monthly masterclasses https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/awake-collective-sales   Get Awake’s transformative book: Know Yourself Grow Yourself to live a happier more purposeful life. https://www.penguin.com.au/books/awake-academy-9781761345869 Follow Layne on Instagram @Laynebeachley Follow Tess on Instagram @tesscbrouwer Follow Awake Academy on Instagram @awake_academy Awakes TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@awakeacademy_ Sponsor our podcast https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contact Book us for a workshop https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contact   Disclaimer The A Wake Up Call podcast is created for general informational, educational, and inspirational purposes only. The stories, tools, and insights shared are designed to support your wellbeing journey - not to replace professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. In fact, we believe therapy is non-negotiable in life. If you’re experiencing a medical or mental health condition, please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Never ignore or delay seeking professional advice because of something you’ve heard on this podcast. Your wellbeing matters. Take care of yourself, stay curious, and remember the real wake-up call is listening to what your body and mind are trying to tell you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    59 min

  3. 10 May

    Do It For Life - Damien Mu on Data, Burnout and Leading with a Healthier Heart

    If you have ever wondered:   💭 “What if everything I thought I knew about my health was wrong?” 💭 “Why do I keep pushing even when I know I’m running on empty?” 💭 “How do I slow down without feeling like I’m falling behind?”   – this episode is for you.   In this candid and courageous conversation, Tess and Layne sit down with Damien Mu, CEO and Managing Director of AIA Australia, for a conversation that is anything but corporate. Damien opens up about wearing a biometric device for 48 hours and discovering his stress recovery sat at 23 out of 100 and his restorative sleep at 6 out of 100 – despite feeling like he had everything under control. Damien takes us behind the role and into the reality: 152 flights a year, four hours of sleep, a first-generation migrant family’s work ethic running quietly in the background, and a deep-seated belief that slowing down was a sign of weakness. He shares what it took to face the data, find his why, and begin the slow, meaningful process of reprogramming a mindset that had served his ambition but was quietly costing him everything. Together they unpack the difference between health span and lifespan, explore AIA’s 5590 model of modifiable lifestyle behaviours, and make sense of what Australia’s growing mental health claims really mean for all of us. But more than the data, this conversation is about presence, parenting, and what it feels like when your son finally leaves the card game first because his cup is full.   You will learn:   The truth about “healthy” when the data tells a very different storyWhy the carry-on culture hides the true cost of high performanceHow a first-generation work ethic can become both a superpower and a quiet trapWhat 36 percent of AIA’s disability claims being mental health related really means for AustraliaWhy genuine leadership begins with taking care of the leader first  Season 3 is brought to you by AIA, a leading life, health and wellbeing insurer supporting healthier, longer, better lives. Protect what matters most, and AIA will help you do it for life.  Complete your age calculator here https://www.aia.com.au/en/health-and-wellbeing/aia-vitality/age-calculator Join the Awake Collective Community for monthly masterclasses https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/awake-collective-sales   Get Awake’s transformative book: Know Yourself Grow Yourself to live a happier more purposeful life. https://www.penguin.com.au/books/awake-academy-9781761345869   Follow Layne on Instagram @Laynebeachley   Follow Tess on Instagram @tesscbrouwer   Follow Awake Academy on Instagram @awake_academy   Awake’s TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@awakeacademy_   Sponsor our podcast https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contact   Book us for a workshop https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contact   Disclaimer   The A Wake Up Call podcast is created for general informational, educational, and inspirational purposes only. The stories, tools, and insights shared are designed to support your wellbeing journey - not to replace professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. In fact, we believe therapy is non-negotiable in life.   If you’re experiencing a medical or mental health condition, please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Never ignore or delay seeking professional advice because of something you’ve heard on this podcast.   Your wellbeing matters. Take care of yourself, stay curious, and remember the real wake-up call is listening to what your body and mind are trying to tell you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min

  4. 12 Apr

    The Performance Brain - Psychological Flexibility, Trust and the Neuroscience of Peak Performance

    If you have ever wondered: 💭 “Why do I keep getting in my own way right when things are going well?” 💭 “Is it really possible to train my brain to perform under pressure?” 💭 “How do I stop overthinking and just trust myself when it counts most?” — this episode is for you. In this science-packed and surprisingly fun conversation, Tess and Layne sit down with Dr Roy Sugarman — applied neuroscientist, former Director of Neuroscience and Performance Innovation at Team Exos, and the man who has built peak performance models used by the U.S. Congress, California Health Services and elite sporting organisations around the world. Roy unpacks the neuroscience of why you sabotage yourself, why your emotional brain is faster than your logic, and how the six pillars of psychological flexibility — the hexaflex — can train anyone, athlete or everyday human, to thrive under pressure. Layne shares the Fat Bastard recitation that won her a prize purse, Roy explains why “believe in yourself” is actually a vulnerable strategy, and Tess discovers that the yeah buts in her head are a neuroscience phenomenon. You will learn: The two ancient brain systems running your every decision and why knowing the difference changes everythingWhy trust is more powerful than belief in competition — and in lifeHow radical acceptance turns setbacks into stepping stonesThe science of thought diffusion and why humour might be the most underrated performance tool you have Join the Awake Collective Community for monthly masterclasses https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/awake-collective-sales Get Awake’s transformative book: Know Yourself Grow Yourself to live a happier more purposeful life. https://www.penguin.com.au/books/awake-academy-9781761345869 Follow Layne on Instagram @Laynebeachley Follow Tess on Instagram @tesscbrouwer Follow Awake Academy on Instagram @awake_academy Awake’s TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@awakeacademy_ Sponsor our podcast https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contact Book us for a workshop https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contact Disclaimer The A Wake Up Call podcast is created for general informational, educational, and inspirational purposes only. The stories, tools, and insights shared are designed to support your wellbeing journey — not to replace professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. In fact, we believe therapy is non-negotiable in life. If you’re experiencing a medical or mental health condition, please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Never ignore or delay seeking professional advice because of something you’ve heard on this podcast. Your wellbeing matters. Take care of yourself, stay curious, and remember the real wake-up call is listening to what your body and mind are trying to tell you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min

  5. 5 Apr

    The Therapy Session - Self-Care, Separation, and Healing Your Inner Child

    If you have ever wondered:   💭 “Why do I feel so guilty every time I do something for myself?” 💭 “Why does leaving my child feel like leaving a part of me behind?” 💭 “How do I stop my childhood pain from running my parenting?”   – this episode is for you.   In this brave and deeply personal episode, Tess and Layne sit in the hot seat with therapist Lael Stone for a live mini therapy session that unpacks the childhood stories shaping their relationship to self-care, separation, and motherhood.   Tess reveals her fear of missing out on moments with Benji and traces it back to being three years old, shuttled between homes after her parents’ divorce. She realises the separation anxiety she feels at daycare drop-off is not the adult leaving. It is her inner child reliving the pain of being left behind. Layne shares the story of losing her adoptive mother at seven, being adopted at birth after conception through date rape, and how the ocean became the mother love she never had.   Lael guides them through the imprints they received around self-care, boundaries, and rest, showing how the martyr story and the “you’re lazy if you stop” narrative are passed down through generations. She offers a powerful reframe: you do not have to choose between being a present mother and meeting your own needs. Healing the younger parts of yourself is what allows the integrated adult to show up. And when you complete your story, your children do not have to carry it.   You will learn:   How childhood imprints around self-care create hidden blocks to rest and boundaries in adulthood Why separation anxiety in parenting often has roots in your own childhood experiences The three-step process for healing: identify the story, feel it, and offer compassion to your younger self Why completing your own healing story frees your children from carrying wounds that were never theirs   Join the Awake Collective Community for monthly masterclasses https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/awake-collective-sales   Get Awake’s transformative book: Know Yourself Grow Yourself to live a happier more purposeful life. https://www.penguin.com.au/books/awake-academy-9781761345869 Follow Layne on Instagram @Laynebeachley Follow Tess on Instagram @tesscbrouwer Follow Awake Academy on Instagram @awake_academy Awakes TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@awakeacademy_ Sponsor our podcast https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contact Book us for a workshop https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contact   Disclaimer The A Wake Up Call podcast is created for general informational, educational, and inspirational purposes only. The stories, tools, and insights shared are designed to support your wellbeing journey - not to replace professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. In fact, we believe therapy is non-negotiable in life. If you’re experiencing a medical or mental health condition, please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Never ignore or delay seeking professional advice because of something you’ve heard on this podcast. Your wellbeing matters. Take care of yourself, stay curious, and remember the real wake-up call is listening to what your body and mind are trying to tell you.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min

  6. 29 Mar

    Trust, Surrender and the Power of Owning Your Story – with Lael Stone

    If you have ever wondered: 💭 “What happens when I finally stop running from my pain?” 💭 “How can I trust my life when I have been hurt so deeply?” 💭 “What does it mean to truly own my story?” – this episode is for you. In this vulnerable and transformative conversation, Lael Stone joins Tess and Layne to unpack the moment that changed everything: the traumatic birth of her third child, Tali, and how she chose surrender over fear by whispering “I trust you” to her newborn when no one was certain she would survive. Together they explore the language of the nervous system: fear hits in the gut, causes dissociation and shutdown. Trust feels like stillness, expansion, knowing. Lael teaches inner child work – that critical moment when you pause and ask “How old am I right now?” and realise your triggered nervous system is actually protecting a younger, wounded version of you. Tess shares a real-time example with her husband over tadpoles, discovering she was responding as an 8-10 year old girl being told she was weird. They discuss imprints – the belief systems and stories we absorb as children to belong in our families. We stay shockingly loyal to these imprints even as adults because they feel like love: “You’re too emotional.” “You don’t deserve that.” “You’re not enough.” Lael shares how recognising these patterns is the first step to changing them. And then she names the transformative truth that hit Tess: if everyone owned their story instead of running from it, we would have less projection, less blame, and infinitely more peace and accountability. You will hear about: The somatic difference between fear and trust in your body and nervous system Inner child work and how to identify which younger part of you is driving your triggers What imprints are and how family loyalty keeps us locked into unhealthy patterns Why owning your story instead of running from it is the path to freedom and peace Join the Awake Collective Community for monthly masterclasses https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/awake-collective-sales Get Awake’s transformative book: Know Yourself Grow Yourself to live a happier more purposeful life. https://www.penguin.com.au/books/awake-academy-9781761345869 Follow Layne on Instagram @Laynebeachley Follow Tess on Instagram @tesscbrouwer Learn more about Lael Stone: layelstone.com.au Get Lael’s book “Own Your Story” Listen to Lael’s podcast “Humans Being” Follow Awake Academy on Instagram @awake_academy Awakes TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@awakeacademy_ Sponsor our podcast https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contact Book us for a workshop https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contact Disclaimer The A Wake Up Call podcast is created for general informational, educational, and inspirational purposes only. The stories, tools, and insights shared are designed to support your wellbeing journey - not to replace professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. In fact, we believe therapy is non-negotiable in life. If you’re experiencing a medical or mental health condition, please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Never ignore or delay seeking professional advice because of something you’ve heard on this podcast. Your wellbeing matters. Take care of yourself, stay curious, and remember the real wake-up call is listening to what your body and mind are trying to tell you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 4min

  7. 22 Mar

    Olympics Episode - Pressure, Perspective and a (Surprise) Letting Go

    If you have ever wondered: 💭 “Why do I feel so crushed by pressure, even when I am doing well?” 💭 “How do I find perspective when I feel like I have let myself or others down?” 💭 “How do I know when to keep pushing and when it is time to let go?” this episode is for you. In this honest and moving conversation, Tess and Layne explore what the Olympics can teach us about greatness, pressure, emotional regulation and identity. Through the stories of athletes like Scotty James, Alana Meyers Taylor and Alysa Liu, they unpack what happens when performance collides with expectation, and how perspective, support and joy can help you find your way back to yourself. Layne reflects on the emotional weight athletes carry when their goals are public, why having a life outside the arena matters, and how dream teams help people hold steady when the pressure is at its peak. Tess draws out the deeper life lessons in each story, showing how the same patterns appear in work, parenting, leadership and everyday life whenever we tie our worth to one outcome. The episode then turns deeply personal as Tess invites Layne to reflect on her own recent experience competing for her boardriders club. What follows is a vulnerable and powerful conversation about ageing, identity, acceptance and the courage to stop proving. Together they offer a toolkit for anyone carrying too much pressure or avoiding a truth they already know: ask what basic emotion you are resisting, bring it back to yourself, and choose the version of greatness that lets you breathe. You will hear about: How perspective shifts help regulate disappointment and emotional overwhelm Why support systems matter when you are standing at the edge of growth or burnout The difference between pressure driven performance and joy fuelled performance How acceptance can free you from identities you no longer need to carry. Join the Awake Collective Community for monthly masterclasses https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/awake-collective-sales Get Awake’s transformative book: Know yourself, grow yourself to live a happier more purposeful life. https://www.penguin.com.au/books/awake-academy-9781761345869 Follow Layne on Instagram @laynebeachley Follow Tess on Instagram @tesscbrouwer Follow Awake Academy on Instagram @awake_academy Awake’s TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@awakeacademy_ Sponsor our podcast https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contact Book us for a workshop https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contact Disclaimer The A Wake Up Call podcast is created for general informational, educational, and inspirational purposes only. The stories, tools, and insights shared are designed to support your wellbeing journey - not to replace professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. In fact, we believe therapy is non-negotiable in life. If you are experiencing a medical or mental health condition, please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Never ignore or delay seeking professional advice because of something you have heard on this podcast. Your wellbeing matters. Take care of yourself, stay curious, and remember the real wake-up call is listening to what your body and mind are trying to tell you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min

  8. 15 Mar

    Human Connection Saved My Life with Barry Du Bois

    When life forces you to slow down, it can feel like everything is falling apart. But sometimes the hardest seasons become the very moments that reconnect you to what matters most. In this episode, Tess and Layne sit down with Barry for a deeply moving conversation about the wake-up calls that changed the course of his life. From infertility, miscarriage and depression, to two life-threatening cancer diagnoses, Barry shares the moments that cracked him open, the pain that disconnected him from himself, and the human connection that ultimately helped bring him back. What unfolds is an honest conversation about identity, grief, masculinity, mental health, courage and what it really means to live well. Barry reflects on the pressure of trying to be “strong,” the danger of losing touch with your emotions, and the quiet way despair can build over time. He also shares the turning points that helped him heal: a friend who showed up, the power of being seen without being “fixed,” and the curiosity that slowly helped him rebuild his life. The trio explore the difference between confidence and true self-belief, why resilience is more about adaptation than toughness, and how children, community and purpose can completely reshape your relationship with life. They also touch on boundaries, bravery, self-worth, emotional eating, and the importance of asking people how they need to be supported instead of telling them what to do. They finish with a powerful reminder that healing rarely happens in one dramatic moment. More often, it begins with a tiny crack of light, a safe connection, or one small choice that helps you come home to yourself again. In this episode, you will learn: • Why wake-up calls often arrive long before the biggest crisis • How depression can create deep disconnection from yourself and others • Why human connection can be the first step back from darkness • The difference between bravado, confidence and true self-belief • How curiosity can become a practical tool for healing and growth • Why resilience is about adapting, not just “being tough” • The role of boundaries in protecting your energy and wellbeing • Why asking “how can I help?” matters more than giving advice • How children, community and purpose can reshape your life • What it means to live bravely, honestly and with more intention Connect with Awake • Join the Awake Collective Community for monthly masterclasses https://awake-academy.mykajabi.com/awake-collective-sales • Get Awake’s transformative book: Know Yourself, Grow Yourself • Watch the episodes on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@Awake_Academy • Follow Layne on Instagram @laynebeachley • Follow Tess on Instagram @tesscbrouwer • Follow Awake Academy on Instagram @awake_academy • Book us for a workshop: wakeup@awakeacademy.com.au • Awake’s TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@awakeacademy Connect with Barry • Learn more about Barry’s work at Barry’s website • Follow Barry’s journey and speaking work online Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 min
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About

You can change your life and A Wake Up Call will show you how. Hosted by Layne Beachley AO and Tess Brouwer, founders of Awake Academy, this is the podcast that gets real about what it takes to live awake - no filters, no fluff, just truth, science, and stories that will shake you out of autopilot and into action. Each episode is packed with practical tools, honest conversations, and powerful wake-up calls to help you stress less, feel more, and reconnect with who you really are. If you’re ready to stop drifting and start living with purpose, you’re in the right place. Follow @awake_academy for more tools, truth, and transformation and tune in weekly to A Wake Up Call. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Layne Beachley AO & Tess Brouwer
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Awake Academy PTY LTD
  • Show Website
    A Wake Up Call

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