36 episodes

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.

Head Game Nova Podcasts

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.5 • 8 Ratings

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.

    Mahmood Fazal on Constructing a Life After Crime

    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.

    • 49 min
    Nedd Brockmann’s Toughest Moment in His Run Across Australia

    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.

    • 42 min
    Surviving a Volcano Eruption With Tour Guide, Kelsey Waghorn

    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.

    • 44 min
    Olympic Surfer Owen Wright on his Comeback from Catastrophe

    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.

    • 50 min
    Persevering After an Unthinkable Diagnosis

    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.

    • 49 min
    Inside the Thai Cave Rescue With Humble Hero, Richard Harris

    Inside the Thai Cave Rescue With Humble Hero, Richard Harris

    For South Australian anaesthetist Richard 'Harry' Harris, cave diving was just a hobby and a passion. After starting in the mid 80s, his love of exploration and adventure took him on many journeys, exploring caves and shipwrecks across the world. 

    But in 2018, the unique combination of Harry's professional and person lives led to the rescue of 12 boys and their coach from the Tham Luang cave in Northern Thailand. 

    He's reluctant to be called a hero - but that's exactly what he is. It was one of the riskiest rescue operations of all time, but he knew he had to get the boys back to their parents, one way or another. 

    LINKS


    Listen to Harry's Real Risk podcast at realriskpodcast.com
    Follow Harry on Instagram at @realriskpodcast
    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.

    • 45 min

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5
8 Ratings

8 Ratings

Pretending Princess ,

Amazingly Captivating

First two interviews have me subscribed and anticipating the next. Love the different areas of discussion! Sir, thank you for a podcast that stimulates the mind, with out leaning on true crime! Quite refreshing!

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