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PODCAST

Head Game

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.

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All Episodes

58:31

Matty Johns: Developing The Discipline To Not Fear...

Head Game ·

2025/09/23

Matty Johns is one of Australia’s best known and most beloved sportsmen. Growing up in a small town with a passion for rugby league, his decade-long NRL career opened the door to a successful media career following appearances on Channel 9's The Footy Show. But as Matty admits to Ant in this episode, success didn’t come easily. Growing up in a small rural town, he almost followed his father down the coal mine. But after setting his sights on a footy career, a sibling rivalry with brother

en-US

52:27

Des Powell: Lessons From Taking On SAS Selection Twice

Head Game ·

2025/09/16

During Operation Desert Storm, part of the Gulf War in 1991,Des Powell was part of the Bravo Three Zero patrol that successfully infiltrated enemy lines to take out scud missiles. It was a story that was overshadowed by the tragedy of Zero Two Bravo, which saw three soldiers killed and another four captured. In this episode, Des recounts his reluctant entry into the military, influenced by his family's military background, to joining the Parachute Regiment, facing SAS selection twice, and the

en-US

49:14

Mark Winterbottom: The Path To Motorsport Glory

Head Game ·

2025/09/09

Mark Winterbottom is one of Australia's most successful Supercars drivers, but his success didn't come easy. Growing up with a mother battling cancer and struggling to make ends meet, a raffle ticket changed the course of his career. Winning a mini-bike as a kid fuelled his passion for motorsport, which saw him move into a successful karting career and formula racing. His path to glory at Mount Panorama wasn't quick or easy, but for the man affectionately known as 'Frosty', his grit and

en-US

51:41

Mike Amor: What It Takes To Be A Foreign Correspondent

Head Game ·

2025/09/02

Mike Amor was just 13 months into his role U.S. Bureau Chief for 7NEWS when the World Trade Centre came down on September 11. As the only Australian journalist on the ground in New York that day, it fell on his shoulders to keep Australians updated on the tragedy unfolding in the aftermath of that horrific attack. A seasoned broadcast journalist, Mike has been a fixture of our TV screens for more than two decades. In this episode, he reveals his humble beginnings at a regional newspaper, takes us

en-US

58:32

Curtis McGrath: From Warzone Injury to Paralympic...

Head Game ·

2025/08/26

In this special 100th episode of Head Game, Ant speaks with Australian Army veteran Curtis McGrath. Curtis lost both his legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan, and being his teams medic, directed his own lifesaving care as he lay bleeding in the desert. As he was airlifted out for treatment, he joked with his unit that he'd soon be at the Paralympics. Within months Curtis was trialling sports to get into, eventually settling on Para-canoe. Within four years, he was an international champion,

en-US

49:58

Jake Bailey: Bouncing Back After Being Given Two...

Head Game ·

2025/08/19

In his final year of high school, Jake Bailey thought a persistent toothache was caused by his wisdom teeth. But as his condition deteriorated, further tests revealed the horrific truth. An aggressive form of cancer was infiltrating his body, and doctors told Jake that without treatment, he'd have as little as two weeks left to live. His courageous end-of-school-year speech went viral and his story captivated his home nation of New Zealand. After going into remission, Jake studied psychology and

en-US

48:47

The Life Lessons Pete Murray Learned From His...

Head Game ·

2025/08/12

Pete Murray has been a fixture of the Australian music scene for two decades. With three #1 albums and multiple hit singles under his belt, Pete this year launched his biggest tour to date - with nearly 60 shows across Australia and New Zealand.Initially planning a career in rugby union, a missed call and a string of injuries ended his sporting dreams. Pete didn't pick up a guitar until he was 23, but it sparked a passion for music that saw him propelled to the top of the charts. In this episode,

en-US

49:09

How Jack Pitcher Ran 95 Marathons In Just 61 Days

Head Game ·

2025/08/05

In this episode, meet the British roofer who ran the equivalent of 95 marathons across Australia in just 61 days. Jack Pitcher braved the harsh Australian outback, including the infamous Nullarbor, to set a new British record for running 4,320km from Perth to Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Jack reveals to Ant how he did it with almost no money and few resources, the many setbacks he suffered along the way, the mindset that helped him reach his goal, and how a packet of Tim Tams saved his life. LINKS

en-US

49:21

The Brutal Reality Of Life In A Chinese Prison

Head Game ·

2025/07/29

From a young age, Cheng Lei had dreamed of becoming a journalist. After ditching a career in finance, her dreams came true when she was hired as a business journalist in China. But that dream turned into a nightmare in 2020 when Lei was arrested by Chinese authorities and accused of sharing state secrets. Hidden away in isolation and denied due process, it would be more than 1,000 days before she would see her kids or family again. In this episode of Head Game, journalist and author Cheng Lei

en-US

50:28

Inside The High Performance Mindset of AFL Legend...

Head Game ·

2025/07/22

Growing up as the son of a Victorian footy legend, it seemed inevitable Jonathan Brown would follow in his father's footsteps and play AFL. But Browny's rise from country league player to one of the best players of all time wasn't smooth sailing, and success was never guaranteed. In this episode, the former Brisbane Lions captain shares the advice and training that helped him become an elite athlete, kicking an astonishing 594 goals over 256 matches, and later pivot to a successful media career

en-US

53:09

How Fitness & Faith Saved Aussie Hip-Hop Star 360

Head Game ·

2025/07/15

In 2017 Matt Caldwell, better known to music fans as 360, was riding high on the success of his third top five Australian album. On the outside, he had the fame, the money and the success he'd always wanted. But deep inside, the people pleaser in him was deeply insecure. Chasing that euphoria of success, he'd turned to drugs. Just two years later, Matt's addiction would result in him collapsing from an overdose during his biggest tour to date, forcing its cancellation. In this episode of Head Game,

en-US

52:31

Adaptive Athlete Louise Hawkins and The Fear Bubble

Head Game ·

2025/07/08

Louise Hawkins was born with one arm and was immediately rejected by her father. It spawned a shame that drove her to great lengths to try to hide her disability. At her lowest, Louise wanted to end it all. But with the help of Ant’s book ‘The Fear Bubble’ and a supportive fitness community, she finally found her way to self-confidence and is now thriving as an adaptive athlete and motivational speaker. This episode contains discussions of suicide and mental ill-health.If this

en-US

46:25

Danni Brooke On What It Takes To Be An Undercover Cop

Head Game ·

2025/07/01

Danni Brooke joined Britain's Metropolitan Police at 18, but was quickly recruited to join the undercover unit. Her youthful appearance and no-nonsense attitude was perfect for taking down predators and infiltrating organised crime gangs. But 10 years of living a double life eventually took its toll. In this episode Danni reveals what it took to become the UK's most effective female undercover cop, the delicate balance of working a dangerous job as a mother and why she's happy a serial predator

en-US

46:36

Former Soldier Heston Russell's Private Battles On...

Head Game ·

2025/06/24

Former special forces commando Heston Russell has an impressive resume from his time in the Australian Defence Force. The fifth-generation soldier has service in his blood, with more than 100 combat missions under his belt. His drive and passion helped him work his way quickly through the ranks. But behind the success, self-doubt, the loss of a soldier under his command and hiding his sexuality play on Heston's mind. LINKS Heston's book 'Forging The Will To Fight' is available now Listen the

en-US

46:25

The Dream Family Sailing Trip That Turned Into A...

Head Game ·

2025/06/17

Suzanne Heywood was just 6-years-old when her father decided the family would embark on an around-the-world sailing expedition. What seemed like a dream trip sailing the world's blue waters and sandy beaches soon became a nightmare, with powerful storms damaging the boat and supplies running low. After years with little schooling or friends, her parents abandoned Suzanne and her brother in New Zealand and continued their adventure. Hoping for more out of life, Suzanne took a chance by writing

en-US

43:52

Jamila Rizvi on the diagnosis that turned her world...

Head Game ·

2025/06/10

Jamila Rizvi was just 31 years old and a rising star in Australia's media landscape when she went to her doctor thinking she was pregnant for a second time. The diagnosis was far more dire than she could have anticipated, and it left her body with permanent, life-changing damage. In this candid interview, Jamila details the extraordinary methods doctors used to save her life, how her family rallied around her in her darkest hours, the toll the tumour has taken on her body, and how the experience has

en-US

49:00

The Lifechanging Moment That Helped James Parr Find...

Head Game ·

2025/06/03

James Parr has taken the fashion world by storm, proudly displaying his prosthetic leg and representing the disability community on runways and in photoshoots for the likes of Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and lululemon. In this episode, James discusses how the resilience he built up during his unconventional childhood helped him navigate the cancer diagnosis that led to the amputation of his leg, and how having a disability has helped him find his purpose. LINKS Follow James Parr on Instagram and

en-US

30:12

Best of Head Game: Working on the Front Line

Head Game ·

2025/05/27

Our frontline workers are often unsung heroes, saving lives and keeping us safe with little to no recognition for their bravery or the toll it takes. In this special episode, Ant looks back on interview with some inspirational emergency services workers who have seen and experienced things many of us could only imagine: former police officer Allan Sparkes, former Commissioner of Fire and Rescue New South Wales Greg Mullins and paramedic Sally Gould. LINKS Listen to Ant's full episode with ex-cop

en-US

31:59

Best of Head Game: Reaching New Heights

Head Game ·

2025/05/20

Climbing the world's highest peaks takes courage, strength and endurance. In this episode, Ant looks back on his interviews with three people who embody those characteristics and so much more: Kenton Cool, Jim Davidson and Nimsdai Purja. LINKS Hear Ant's full chat with Kenton Cool See more from Kenton Cool atkentoncool.com Check out Ant's episode on Kenton's podcast,Cool Conversations,here Listen to Ant's full interview with Jim Davidson Find our more about Jim Davidson and his books,The Ledge and

en-US

43:21

Brutal reality of Thai jail helps Aussie beat drug...

Head Game ·

2025/05/13

At 29 years of age, Australian Holly Deane-Johns' life was hanging in the balance. Arrested by Thai police while trying to post illicit drugs back to Australia, she faces the death penalty in a foreign country. Her life is spared, but a harrowing jail experience prompted Holly to turn her life around and finally kick her drug addiction. LINKS Holly's book Holly’s Hell: Seven Years in a Thai Prison is available now You can also follow Holly on Instagram Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook

en-US

105 results

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