back to LearnEpisode 2: Matty Mills - Presenter and Actor on Grief, Culture and Everyday Mental Fitness
From red carpets to podcast studios, Matty Mills has carved a bold path in Australian media. In this episode of Mental Fitness Conversations, he sits down with Mundanara Bayles to share the moments that shaped his life, career and identity.
This inaugural series, hosted by award-winning Indigenous businesswoman and Gotcha4Life Board Member Mundanara Bayles, is produced in partnership with Black Magic Woman and centres First Nations voices. Through ten raw and powerful episodes we explore what truly shapes and sustains mental fitness – in culture, in community and within ourselves.
To continue the series, Mundanara sits down with TV and radio presenter and actor Matty Mills – a proud Indigenous Australian known for his hosting roles, advocacy work, fitness-based lifestyle and unforgettable sparkly persona. Matty has built a dynamic career across television and radio, from entertainment reporting on NITV to Getaway and the TODAY Show, with recent wins including Best New Talent at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards and the Champion Award at the Australian Podcast Awards. He made his main stage acting debut with Sydney Theatre Company in 2022, starred in Blaque Showgirls at Griffin Theatre Company in 2023, and now co-hosts the First Things First podcast with Brooke Blurton, spotlighting queer and Indigenous voices.
Matty’s story begins with a moment that reshaped his life, opening the door to connection, identity and the exploration of his culture through his family. This shift allowed him to embrace family, culture and community in new and powerful ways.
His career reflects that same boldness. Rather than waiting to be asked, Matty has consistently stepped forward to create his own opportunities, ensuring he is never seen as a token but as a leader and a voice in his own right.
Behind the glamour lies the reality of navigating life’s ups and downs. Matty shares openly about the struggles that blindsided him and the years of therapy and hard work it has taken to rebuild. His journey is a reminder that mental fitness is not a quick fix – it is persistence, patience and practice.
At the heart of Matty’s work is a belief that everyone has a story, and that beneath the surface lies and iceberg of experience that deserves to be honoured. His approach to storytelling is an act of connection, a way of recognising the humanity in others and holding space for truth.
This conversation is an invitation to look beyond the sparkle and meet the person. It’s about identity, opportunities created and a career shaped by authenticity. It’s also about love, acceptance and the deep connections that sustain us.
Why this episode matters
Mental Fitness Conversations is part of Gotcha4Life’s commitment to a suicide-free world, 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 2 with Matty Mills
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or inside the Mental Fitness Gym app. Subscribe 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.
