Mental Fitness Conversations
Podcast series
In partnership with
Introducing Mental Fitness Conversations, a new podcast series from Gotcha4Life.
Hear more about how people in our village build their mental fitness through connection, community and simple everyday actions.
In this first season, created in partnership with Black Magic Woman and produced by BlakCast, we hear from First Nations people across the country as they share their experiences of taking action to build mental fitness. This series explores identity, connection and culture alongside personal approaches to strengthening mental fitness.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or inside the Mental Fitness Gym app. Subscribe and be the first to know when new episodes drop.
Our host: Mundanara Bayles
Mundanara Bayles is an award-winning Indigenous businesswoman, educator, changemaker and Gotcha4Life board member. Through this series, Mundanara helps us explore identity, connection and culture alongside personal approaches to strengthening mental fitness.
Episode 9: Brian Dowd - Creating safe spaces for men to speak up
In this powerful episode of Mental Fitness Conversations, proud Gamilaraay man and founder of Walkabout Barber, Brian Dowd, shares how lived experience shaped his mission to create safe spaces for connection, healing and mental fitness. Brian opens up about vulnerability, culture, community and why some of the most important conversations can happen in a barber’s chair. A raw and deeply human yarn about purpose, wearing your skin and looking after your village.
About Brian Dowd
Brian Dowd, known as “The Walkabout Barber,” is a proud Gamilaraay man, entrepreneur and leader in community wellbeing and suicide prevention. Through Walkabout Barber and Walkabout Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation, Brian creates culturally safe spaces for connection, mental health support and healing, using barbering to spark real conversations and strengthen communities.
Previous episodes
New episodes every fortnight
Our Mental Fitness Conversations podcast releases fresh episodes every two weeks. Check back here to listen, explore show notes, and discover powerful stories as they drop.
Aaliyah Bula | NRLW, self-belief & leaning on your village
Aaliyah Bula shares a powerful reminder that mental fitness starts with connection, self-belief and showing up for your community.
Wendell French | Culture, pride and safe spaces for queer mob
Drag artist Wendell French (Felicia Foxx) shares how culture, creativity and community shape their mental fitness and celebrate queer Aboriginal pride.
Uncle Dave Bell | Aboriginal activist on culture & mentoring
Wiradjuri Elder Uncle Dave Bell shares how culture, mentoring and connection strengthen youth mental fitness and build stronger communities.
Dr Clinton Schultz | Culture, lore and redefining psychology
Dr Clinton Schultz shares his story and insights on healing, culture and redefining psychology through a First Nations lens.
Quaden Bayles | Bullying, belonging and community
Young actor and advocate Quaden Bayles shares his journey from bullying to belonging, and how culture, community and connection shaped his mental fitness.
Steph Tisdell | Comedian and actor on identity, connection and mental fitness
An open, funny yarn with Steph Tisdell on identity, culture and mental fitness – from returning to Country to opening doors for others.
Matty Mills | Presenter and actor on culture, grief and everyday mental fitness
A raw and uplifting conversation with Matty Mills, as he shares the moments that shaped his identity, career and mental fitness, and reflects on what it takes to stand proudly in culture and authenticity.
Mental Fitness Conversations with Shantelle Thompson
For Shantelle Thompson OAM, mental fitness is reclamation. It’s breathing through silence, remembering your name, and risng with your Ancestors at your back.
Continue the conversation
There are many ways to build our mental fitness through small steps, everyday actions and moments shared with others. That might mean connecting with people you love and adore in your community, joining community activities, spending time on things that make you feel grounded, or seeking extra support when you need it.
If you’d like to keep the mental fitness conversation going, learn new strategies for looking after your wellbeing or find support, these services are a great place to start. Created by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, these resources are grounded in culture, community and connection, and offer ways to connect with others and strengthen your emotional muscles. They’re also valuable for anyone who wants to learn, share and help build mental fitness in the people around them.
13YARN provide free and confidential 24/7 support from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team members. Call 13 92 76 or visit 13yarn.org.au
WellMob provide social, emotional and cultural wellbeing resources. Visit wellmob.org.au
Brother to Brother is a 24-hour support line for Aboriginal men. Call 1800 435 799 or visit dardimunwurro.com.au
Yarn Safe (via headspace) provide mental health resources for young people. Visit headspace.org.au/yarn-safe
Listen to the podcast in the Mental Fitness Gym app
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