back to LearnEpisode 9: Brian Dowd | The Walkabout Barber on Mental Fitness, listening and helping others feel seen
For Brian Dowd, some of the most important conversations in life can happen in a barber’s chair.
In the latest episode of Mental Fitness Conversations, host Mundanara Bayles sits down with proud Gamilaraay man, founder of Walkabout Barber and community wellbeing advocate, Brian Dowd, for a deeply honest yarn about vulnerability, identity, healing and the importance of making people feel seen.
What started as a desire to support his autistic son through something as simple as getting a haircut has grown into a nationally recognised wellbeing movement, creating culturally safe spaces where people feel comfortable opening up, sharing their stories and asking for help.
“We want to make sure this space creates not just conversation, but helps others to help themselves,” says Brian.
Through Walkabout Barber and the Walkabout Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation, Brian and his team travel into communities across Australia, creating opportunities for connection through everyday interactions. Haircuts become conversations. Conversations become trust. And trust creates space for people to speak honestly about what they’re carrying.
Throughout the episode, Brian reflects on the quiet struggles many people face, particularly men who were raised believing vulnerability should be hidden.
“A lot of us just haven’t got the tools in the toolbox to express how we feel and we’ve got to help create that.”
For Brian, mental fitness starts with helping people feel safe enough to speak and helping others learn how to truly listen.
He speaks powerfully about young people and the importance of helping them feel proud of who they are, encouraging educators, parents and communities to create environments where children feel heard rather than dismissed.
“Successful little people can grow into successful big people. They just need the right opportunities.”
One of the most powerful moments in the episode comes when Brian shares his belief that people spend too much time focused on the “uniform” they wear to work, instead of the skin they live in every day.
“You’ll wear two uniforms in life… but the one you wake up in is your most important one.”
It’s a reminder that real wellbeing starts with self worth, identity and feeling comfortable in your own skin.
Brian also opens up about his own lived experience as well as the emotional realities of fatherhood, supporting his autistic son and caring for his mother after her stroke. His reflections are compassionate and grounded in a deep and unwavering care for others.
At the centre of the conversation is a simple message: everyone matters.
“Everyone’s journey is worthwhile. Everyone’s story is worthwhile. And you matter.”
Why this episode matters
Mental Fitness Conversations is part of Gotcha4Life’s commitment to helping more people build mental fitness skills for life, starting with stronger connections, inclusive conversations and culturally grounded truth telling.
In partnership with Black Magic Woman, this series reflects the depth, strength and diversity of what it means to stay mentally fit, especially for First Nations peoples.
Listen to Episode 9 with Brian Dowd
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or inside the Mental Fitness Gym app. Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcast and be the first to know when new episodes drop.
Content in this podcast covers topics related to mental health, including suicide which can be confronting and distressing. Please consider your needs when listening. Click here for support services you can contact 24/7.
