Holly Parkes and Greg Johnson are two of the most purpose-driven people you’ll ever hear from.

Holly Parkes first came on the podcast during one of the toughest times of her life, sharing what it was really like trying to support someone battling a serious brain injury and searching for answers that never seemed to come. Greg is a former NZ SAS operator who spent years exposed to explosive blasts, before discovering his own brain injury had been misdiagnosed for years.

Together, they are now doing incredible work helping players, veterans, and everyday people who have struggled with brain injuries

From believing there was no hope to discovering a clinic that is actually helping people recover, this conversation is full of knowledge, and deeply important.

In this episode we dive into:

- Greg’s SAS career and how repeated blast exposure damaged his brain

- Being misdiagnosed with mental health issues instead of brain injury

- What brain injury actually does to your body, energy, personality and relationships

- Why so many athletes and veterans are slipping through broken pathways

- How Holly desperately searched for help and finally found a clinic doing things differently

- The Brain Health & Biofeedback Clinic in Dunedin and how it works

- Real people they are helping right now and the changes they’re already seeing

- Why brain injuries are not a death sentence

- What needs to change in sport, medicine, and support systems

And heaps more.

As you'll hear these two are super passionate about this topic which I know is a topic of relevance for many. The best thing about this episode is that if you are concerned or worried about your head there is hope!

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Reuben O’Neill has one of the most interesting stories in New Zealand rugby! A proud Taranaki lad, a cult hero in every team he’s played in, and a man who battled more adversity than most ever knew. From crippling cramps, constant injuries, and being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes — to somehow rising all the way into an All Blacks camp before he’d even played Super Rugby.

In this episode some of the things we talk about were..

- How he's always embraced being himself

- Being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and having no idea how to manage it

- The shock All Blacks call-up having played just a few NPC games

- The setbacks of a Neck fusion surgery, Achilles issues, stress fractures and how he kept coming back

- How injuries turned him into a DJ, a truck driver, a nutritionist and more

- The story behind “DJ Mince on Toast”

- Why he believes the Crusaders have had more success than the Chiefs

And he answers all your questions!

Rueben is a unique human, always happy to be himself, enjoys taking the piss and is not afraid of awkwardness. He's genuine lad and someone who makes every environment better in his own unique way. I'm sure you will enjoy this inspiring story from this great man!

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The Welsh Rugby superstar Hadleigh Parkes is one of the great stories in rugby! A self described battler who played for Manawatu, Auckland, the Blues and the Hurricanes and at one point nearly walked away from the game altogether! It wasn't until a life changing call, a change of mindset and a move to Wales where he quickly turned himself into one of the best midfielders in the World!

In this episode here are some of the things we talk about:

- The glory days of ripping it up for Palmy boys with a stacked 1st XV side.

- Crazy stories from playing in South Africa

- The mindset shift that changed his entire career

- Why he felt it was so important to learn the Welsh national anthem

- Two tries on debut for Wales

- How he played in a Rugby World Cup with a broken hand!

- He answers all your questions!

- And so many more great yarns

Anyone who has played with Hadleigh will know he is one of the all time champion lads. The teammate you just you to be around. Such a humble man who has always enjoyed a good time! I'm sure you'll enjoy this one with the great man.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.