Balance isn’t a math problem, it’s a flow.

In this Strong by Nature episode, I break down why “work-life balance” isn’t 50/50 and never has been. And Why Perfect Balance In Life Doesn’t Exist. I share the messy seasons (multiple jobs, bands, rugby, breaking my neck, the café grind, becoming a dad) and what actually shifted: choosing what matters, building simple routines, and letting balance change with the season you’re in.

We cover:

Why chasing “perfect balance” burns you out

How to spot early warning signs (stress tells) and course-correct

Micro-workouts, slow mornings, and designing days around family and movement

Practical takeaways: a 1-week balance audit + one small shift to try now

Balance isn’t perfect. It’s knowing when to push, when to pull back, and what to let go.

Stay strong, stay balanced, stay connected, that’s the Grizzly way.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a mate, and drop a quick rating.

Chapters

0:00 Balance isn’t 50/50 — it’s flow

0:38 Chaos of my 20s (bipolar, chasing everything)

3:04 Cafe grind years (workload vs headspace)

4:03 Becoming a dad: what balance means now

5:48 The 5am routine that sets the day

8:23 Seasons of focus & the danger of obsession

11:29 Train for the life you live (not aesthetics)

14:06 Progress over perfect: publish the reps

16:53 Listen to your body → stress signals, journaling, one small shift (wrap)

Season one of Strong by Nature has been a journey, from strength, breath, and mindfulness, to food, craft, parenting, mental health, and finding roots wherever you are.

In this campfire session, I’m looking back on the first nine episodes, pulling out the key lessons, and sharing how they all tie into living the Grizzly way: strong, balanced, and connected.

If you’re new here, this is the perfect place to catch the heartbeat of season one before diving into each episode. And if you’ve been here from the start, thank you for listening, sharing, and being part of this campfire.

Let’s keep it rolling, season two is on the horizon.

👉 Connect with me on Instagram: @grizzly.movement

Life on the move with kids isn’t always easy, but it’s been our reality for years. From New Zealand to Ecuador, Australia to back again, selling our coffee shop, becoming parents, and now living in Ecuador, we’ve had to learn how to feel rooted even when life feels untethered.In this episode of Strong by Nature, I share our family’s story of moving countries, building businesses, starting over, and trying to balance freedom with stability as our daughter grows up.👉 If you’ve ever wondered how to raise a family while moving around the world, or how to stay grounded when nothing feels permanent, this episode is for you.What you’ll hear in this episodeHow we started our life together in New ZealandMoving across countries (Ecuador, Australia, New Zealand, back to Ecuador)Building businesses on the go (from hats to coffee shops)What COVID taught us about resilience and creativityWhy we sold our cafe and chose family over stabilityThe challenges of education + parenting while movingDreams for the future: homeschooling, Europe, slow livingThis isn’t just about travel, it’s about building home wherever you are, staying grounded as a family, and finding balance while raising kids on the move.💬 Have you ever lived abroad or moved countries with your family? Share your experience in the comments — I’d love to hear how you made it work.

Slow living with toddlers isn’t about being perfect, it’s about balance, intention, and keeping it real.In this episode of Strong by Nature, I share how our family has shaped parenting around simple living, natural remedies, and letting our daughter explore at her own pace. From cloth nappies to natural foods, from managing screen time to climbing trees, this is how slow living flows into raising a child with curiosity, balance, and respect for nature.What you’ll hear in this episodeHow living simply shaped the way we parentCloth nappies, minimal waste & natural remedies for kidsFood values: whole foods, balance, and teaching her choicesHow we handle screen time without over-stimulationThe role of energy, calm parenting & environmentLetting toddlers explore — climbing, falling, learning confidenceBalancing family influence with our own valuesRaising a bilingual, multicultural child in EcuadorThis isn’t a rulebook. It’s the honest story of how slow living helps us raise a strong, curious little human, without the overwhelm.Here's the app that Sol loveshttps://learn.khanacademy.org/khan-academy-kidsHow do you practice slow living with your kids? share your story in the comments.

This one’s personal. I’m sharing my mental health journey, how I've been living long term with mental illness. From high-school mood swings and early psychosis, to a cyclothymia (mild bipolar) diagnosis, plus what actually helps me stay steady today: simple routines, movement without obsession, breath as a reset, seasonal awareness, and being upfront with the people I love.What’s insideEarly signs, psychosis, and finally getting a name for it (cyclothymia)Meds, journaling, and learning my triggers (sleep, routine, money, overtraining)Why I moved away from all-or-nothing fitness and into movement & micro-habitsHow support, honesty, and boundaries help me avoid burnoutThe simple system I use now to stay more balancedI’m sharing my personal experience, not medical advice. If you’re struggling, please speak to a professional or reach out to someone you trust. You’re not alone.Connect with meInstagram - @grizzly.movement

Working with your hands isn’t just a hobby, it’s heritage, therapy, and a way to slow a frantic world. In this campfire session I talk about growing up around sawdust and hand-me-down tools, why I love rough carpentry and upcycling, how our little Ecuador garden is shaping Sol’s early education, and how cooking from scratch teaches presence the same way woodworking does. This is about making over consuming, building a table, planting basil, simmering a sauce, and letting craft reconnect you to family, nature, and your own creativity.

👉 Try this week:

• Build/Fix: upcycle one thing at home (sand, repaint, repair).

• Garden: plant a herb or repot something you’ve got.

• Cook: make one meal from scratch and taste as you go.

Food isn’t just fuel, and it was never meant to be about control, calories, or macros. It’s about connection: to our bodies, our culture, and the people we share it with. Let's talk more about food as a connection.

In this episode, I share my journey from obsessive food tracking and protein powders to discovering the joy of whole foods, family meals, and even growing our own food here in Ecuador. From childhood dinners in New Zealand to carb-heavy Ironman training, to finding balance through CrossFit, I’ve learned (the hard way) that chasing numbers can rob you of the moments food is meant to create.

👉 Practical takeaways:

• Cook one meal from scratch this week and actually notice the smells, textures, and flavors.

• Eat a meal with no screens, just presence.

• Share a homemade meal with someone you love.

Food isn’t just about survival, it’s how we slow down, connect, and live strong by nature.

When most people hear “mindfulness,” they picture sitting cross-legged in silence. But mindfulness doesn’t have to be stillness, it can be a run without music, rolling on the mats in jiu-jitsu, chopping onions, or even cutting a straight line in a piece of wood.

In this episode, I share how I stumbled into mindfulness long before I knew what it was, how breathwork and movement became my meditation, and why cooking, gardening, and woodworking are some of the best mindfulness teachers I’ve ever had. We’ll also talk about parenting, being truly present with your kids, and how small mindful practices can shift your whole perspective.

👉 Practical takeaways:

• Cook and eat one meal with zero distractions.

• Slow down and notice your breath and muscles during a workout.

• Spend 5 minutes fully present with someone — no multitasking.

Mindfulness isn’t about looking “zen” it’s about being awake to the life you’re already living.