Noise of Life Podcast

The Price of Fame, the Power of Failure and the Path to Peace! | Nick Bracks

Nick Bracks on Identity, Recovery & Taking Responsibility for Your Life Episode Introduction What do you do when you’ve spent your life living in someone else’s shadow — and finally realise it’s time to step into your own? In this raw and powerful episode, Steve sits down with Nick Bracks, mental health advocate, speaker, and founder of Move Your Mind, to explore identity, addiction, and the lifelong process of rebuilding from rock bottom. From being known as the son of a Premier to becoming one of Australia’s most recognised voices in mental health, Nick shares the painful truths behind his public fall — the car crash that changed everything — and the long climb back to self-worth, purpose, and personal accountability. Through brutal honesty and hard-won wisdom, Nick reveals how true change starts with one small step, radical ownership, and the courage to forgive yourself and begin again. About Our Guest Nick Bracks is an Australian mental health advocate, speaker, and entrepreneur dedicated to helping people implement practical change through Move Your Mind — a global mental health and wellbeing platform. After overcoming addiction and depression, Nick has shared his story with thousands across schools, companies and media platforms worldwide. A former actor and model, he now uses his experiences to promote proactive wellbeing, behavioural change, and self-leadership. He is also the host of the Move Your Mind podcast and author of Move Your Mind: How to Build a Healthy Mindset for Life. Follow Our Guest Website: https://www.nickbracks.com [https://www.nickbracks.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickbracks [https://www.instagram.com/nickbracks] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickbracks [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickbracks] Follow Us On Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson [https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson] Show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve [https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve] Episode Highlights 00:00 – “The Noise of Life” — acceptance, self-awareness, and learning to live with the chaos. 02:10 – Why we waste so much energy on what we can’t control. 03:30 – The danger of division and cancel culture: rediscovering empathy and dialogue. 08:10 – Growing up as the son of a Premier and the battle to find his own identity. 09:30 – The pressure to prove himself: obsession, insecurity, and burnout. 11:20 – Depression, addiction, and the double life of validation and self-hate. 12:30 – Dancing with the Stars, fame, and the illusion of confidence. 13:50 – The moment he hit rock bottom — and the car crash that changed his life. 19:00 – Surviving the media storm and facing himself for the first time. 22:10 – The turning point: asking for help, starting therapy, and rebuilding step by step. 23:30 – The power of small wins and the courage to fail forward. 25:40 – How behaviour change really happens — and why simplicity wins. 28:00 – Forgiveness as a form of discipline and growth. 29:40 – Building sustainable change with Move Your Mind: accountability, awareness, and consistency. 33:40 – The environments and habits that shaped his recovery: exercise, meditation, and relationships. 37:20 – Redefining your relationship with alcohol — and why discipline is freedom. 40:20 – For anyone at rock bottom: start with one small step. 43:00 – What his mental health journey has taught him most: you are enough. 44:00 – The next decade of Move Your Mind: advocacy, prevention, and systemic change.

How Changing Your Childhood Narrative Transforms Your Future! - Sheila Vijeyarasa

Join us for a deeply empowering conversation with Sheila Vijeyarasa, spiritual teacher, intuitive coach, and author of Brave: Courageously Live Your Truth. Sheila shares how she broke through self-doubt, emotional trauma, and societal expectations to create a life led by purpose, inner power, and spiritual alignment. In this episode, Sheila opens up about healing the wounds of the past, building unshakable self-worth, and how visioning and self-responsibility became her path to transformation. Her message is clear: you can reclaim your truth, but it starts with one brave step today. Watch the full episode to discover how healing your story, trusting your intuition, and choosing growth over fear can radically change your life. About our guest: Sheila Vijeyarasa is a spiritual teacher, author, and transformational mentor known for blending intuitive wisdom with grounded leadership. After building a high-powered corporate career in finance, Sheila experienced a profound awakening that led her to study mediumship, shadow work, and trauma-informed coaching. Through her book Brave and her deeply healing programs, she guides women to awaken their spiritual gifts, own their worth, and step into their highest calling. Her work has been featured on SBS, The Australian, and Body+Soul, and she is a leading voice in spiritual empowerment and conscious living. Follow Our Guest: Website – https://www.sheilav.co/ [https://www.sheilav.co/] Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sheila_v__/ [https://www.instagram.com/sheila_v__/] Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/sheila.vijeyarasa/ [https://www.facebook.com/sheila.vijeyarasa/] Follow Us On: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson/ [https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson/] https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve/ [https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve/] Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Episode Trailer 00:45 - Why Sheila resets her life vision every month 01:24 - Vision boards, clarity, and calling in your future 02:14 - Creating from healing: short-term visions for growth 03:00 - Deserving your dreams and overcoming self-hate 03:49 - Childhood wounds and the origin of self-worth beliefs 04:30 - The power of journaling and emotional reflection 05:08 - Intergenerational trauma and inner child healing 05:58 - Psychedelics, shamans, and a deeper healing path 06:30 - Self-responsibility as the root of all healing 06:48 - Releasing the victim mindset and owning your future 07:03 - What brave action can you take today? 07:44 - Small steps that shift your life’s direction 08:19 - You don’t need a shaman — find what works for you 08:48 - The myth of “I can’t meditate” and what’s really blocking you 09:05 - When life hits the wall: pain or empowerment as your fuel

From Rock Bottom To Impact: How To Build Resilience When You Lose Everything! | Esther Zeledon

Esther Zeledon on Purpose, Power & Redefining the American Dream Episode Introduction What happens when you realise the American Dream isn’t your dream? In this deeply inspiring episode, Steve sits down with Dr Esther Zeledon - scientist, diplomat, coach, author, and founder of Be at Change - to unpack her remarkable journey from chasing external success to creating a life of true alignment, service, and purpose. Born into an immigrant family, Esther carried generations of sacrifice and expectation — only to discover that fulfilment doesn’t come from titles, homes, or accolades, but from courageously choosing your own definition of success. From losing $400,000 in contracts overnight to rebuilding her mission-driven enterprise from the ground up, Esther shares raw lessons on resilience, identity, and the quiet power of listening to your inner voice amidst the noise of the world. This episode is a masterclass in reclaiming purpose, building community, and learning that every detour, no matter how painful, can lead to deeper impact. About Our Guest Dr Esther Zeledon is the founder of Be at Change, a social enterprise empowering individuals and organisations to lead with purpose and authenticity. A former US diplomat and humanitarian leader, Esther holds a PhD in Environmental Science and Policy and has spent her career designing programmes across Latin America, Africa and the United States to drive inclusion, sustainability and human potential. She is also the author of Creating a Limitless Life: How to Discover Your Purpose, Redefine Success, and Build a Life You Love, blending science, personal transformation and global insight to help people step into their power. Follow Our Guest Website: https://www.beatchange.com [https://www.beatchange.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beatchange [https://www.instagram.com/beatchange] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estherzeledon [https://www.linkedin.com/in/estherzeledon] Follow Us On Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson [https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson] Show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve [https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve] Episode Highlights 00:00 – From losing $400,000 in contracts to hitting rock bottom — and rebuilding from service. 00:44 – Meet Esther Zeledon: scientist, diplomat, coach and founder of Be at Change. 02:00 – What “the noise of life” means: choosing which inner frequency to turn up. 03:00 – Growing up in an immigrant family and inheriting generational sacrifice. 05:00 – Gratitude and release: how Esther reframed the “noise” that shaped her. 08:00 – The moment she realised the American Dream wasn’t her dream. 10:00 – Carrying the double burden of being an immigrant and a survivor. 12:00 – Climbing every ladder of success — and still feeling empty. 13:30 – The breaking point: “This is not my legacy.” 15:00 – Blowing up her life: leaving the six-bedroom house, the staff and the safety net. 17:00 – Redefining freedom: minimalism, simplicity and conscious design. 19:00 – Building a positive-only community and rejecting comparison culture. 22:00 – Isolation, identity loss and the courage to start over. 25:00 – Finding a global sisterhood and rediscovering purpose through service. 29:00 – The 2024 collapse: losing all her contracts and being told to “get a job.” 32:00 – Reconnecting to her mission: “I am of service.” 34:00 – Turning loss into light: rebuilding through workshops and coaching around the world. 36:00 – Ambition vs purpose: choosing alignment over metrics and ego. 40:00 – Legacy through impact: stories of transformation and ripple effects. 43:00 – Why every detour leads you closer to your truth. 46:00 – Esther’s POWER framework for rediscovering purpose. 48:00 – Writing your living obituary: what story are people telling about you? 50:00 – The “$40 billion question”: how to reveal your unique way of solving problems. 55:00 – The real measure of success: love, service and alignment.

What It REALLY Takes to Build a Sustainable Wellness Center | Damian Chaparro

Join us for a soul-stirring conversation with Damian Chaparro, co-founder of Aro Hā Wellness Retreats, as he shares the story of building one of the world’s most transformative wellness sanctuaries. From the fast-paced world of tech to the stillness of meditation and sustainable retreat design, Damian’s journey is a testament to the power of inner clarity, conscious risk, and deep listening. In this episode, Damian opens up about the highs and lows of creating a retreat space from scratch in a foreign country, the true meaning behind Aro Hā, and how discomfort and uncertainty shaped his most meaningful growth. His insights are both grounding and expansive perfect for anyone seeking deeper purpose, inner alignment, and holistic success. Watch the full episode to hear Damian’s inspiring lessons on wellbeing, entrepreneurship, and the art of building something that truly matters. About our guest: Damian Chaparro is the visionary co-founder of Aro Hā Wellness Retreats, a globally acclaimed retreat center nestled in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. With a background in business and early tech, Damian made a radical shift into wellness after experiencing his own personal awakening. Today, Aro Hā integrates regenerative design, sustainability, mindfulness, and peak wellbeing practices and has become one of the world’s most respected destinations for personal transformation. Damian’s mission is to help people reconnect to themselves, the planet, and the deeper rhythms of life. Follow Our Guest: Website – https://www.aro-ha.com/ Retreat Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/aroharetreats/?hl=en Personal Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/damianchaparro/?hl=en Podcast – https://www.aro-ha.com/ Follow Us On: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson/ https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve/ Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Episode Trailer 00:30 - Discovering true wellness for the first time 01:20 - Why real transformation begins on the inside 02:14 - Letting go of expectations and learning to flow 03:32 - From tech to yoga: Damian’s radical life pivot 04:20 - A retreat experience that changed everything 05:02 - Selling everything to build Aro Hā from scratch 06:07 - Living in discomfort to pursue a higher vision 06:51 - Why your first retreat might not be the right one 08:00 - Building a retreat experience that resonates globally 09:17 - How Aro Hā blends personal health with planetary health 10:22 - Permaculture, sustainability, and regenerative design 11:01 - Building something that had never been done before 12:14 - Guests feel the difference even if they can’t explain it 12:42 - Challenges of starting a business in a foreign land 13:51 - Grief, family, and maintaining presence through pain 15:23 - Making decisions from stress vs. trust 16:10 - Facing doubt and inexperience in the early years 17:13 - The mindset shift that helped Damian move forward 17:42 - Entrepreneurship as the ultimate growth journey 18:05 - Navigating cultural learning with respect in New Zealand 19:06 - The deeper meaning behind the name Aro Hā 20:36 - Gratitude for the land, people, and cultural legacy

Blind Since Five, but Fearless for Life: My Journey as a Blind World Champion Surfer | Matt Formston

Matt Formston on Resilience, Trust, & Surfing Life’s Biggest Waves Episode Introduction What does it take to ride a four-story wave you can't see? How do you turn a diagnosis of blindness into a world championship mindset? In this profoundly powerful episode, Steve sits down with Matt Formston, a world champion adaptive surfer, Paralympian cyclist, and Guinness World Record holder. Blind since the age of five, Matt shares his journey from facing extreme bullying and violence in his youth to finding his strength in adversity. He opens up about the pivotal role his parents played in shielding him from limiting beliefs, his struggle to prove he "wasn't disabled," and his ultimate breakthrough to accepting and maximizing his true self. This is a raw conversation about the power of family, the non-negotiable nature of trust, and the relentless pursuit of becoming the best version of yourself. -- About Our Guest Matt Formston is an Order of Australia member, multiple-time world champion in both surfing and cycling, and the Guinness World Record holder for surfing the largest wave ever ridden by a vision-impaired athlete at Nazaré, Portugal. Beyond his athletic accolades, Matt is a businessman, a passionate advocate for disability inclusion, and a father dedicated to instilling core values in his children. His story is captured in the acclaimed documentary, The Blind Side. -- Follow Our Guest Website: https://www.mattformston.com/ [https://www.mattformston.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattformston/ [https://www.instagram.com/mattformston/] Follow Us On Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson/ [https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson/] Show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve/ [https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve/] -- Episode Highlights 00:00 - The "Blind Surfer" is introduced: "They're going to kill the blind guy." 01:44 - Steve welcomes world champion and Paralympian, Matt Formston. 02:43 - How Matt defines the "noise" of life. 03:40 - Matt's story: From blindness and bullying to world titles. 07:12 - The extreme bullying that led to a cycle of violence. 09:25 - The pivotal moment his parents hid a grim diagnosis from him. 13:59 - The shift from fighting to prove himself to fighting for his best self. 17:45 - The household rule: The word "can't" was banned. 21:13 - Preparing to surf a 51ft wave at Nazaré you can't see. 25:27 - Matt's 3-step framework for attempting anything you're scared of. 26:30 - Facing fear and self-doubt as a father. 30:46 - The powerful values mantra Matt teaches his kids every night. 32:47 - The unexpected advantage of blindness: Radical presence. 35:39 - Why his disability is not a "superpower." 39:24 - Simple fixes for inclusion that make people feel seen. 46:05 - Matt's #1 non-negotiable in life and business: Trust. 51:23 - The one piece of advice for anyone feeling limited. 55:07 - What's next: Boards, a book, a new film, and freediving. 57:50 - How to connect with Matt.