Weekend Warriors Rock

WWR Episode 7 Antje Niven - Penguin in the desert

The guest of the seventh Weekend Warriors Rock podcast series is my long-time friend Antje. Antje, a professional in people and culture with a background in neuroscience, shares her life and personal philosophies and practical strategies for balancing a demanding career with raising three children. She talks about the "penguin in the desert" metaphor to encourage everyone to find environments where they can truly excel rather than struggle in environments less suitable to them. We talk about the importance of self-care, specifically the "piece of cake" method of prioritising personal time before attending to the needs of others. Antje also speaks to the value of resilience, particularly with regard to parenting allowing children the freedom to fail and learn from their own experiences. We hope that our conversation will be an insightful guide on maintaining mental well-being and authenticity through movement, humour, and honest communication. Access the full show notes for this episode at ⁠: https://powerx2.co.nz/weekend-warriors-rock-episode-7/

WWR Episode 6 Amanda Gray - Routine & resilience

The guest of the sixth Weekend Warriors Rock podcast series is the wonderful Amanda. Amanda is a multidisciplinary artist with a background in visual arts, music, and landscape design illustration. Amanda shares her strategies for managing her complex health journey, including chronic fatigue and mental health challenges, with emphasis on the importance of maintaining routines. Amanda also explains how her dogs help enforce her routine, and she discusses the significance of positive mindset, hydration, nutrition, and listening to her body to avoid burnout, even if it means cancelling commitments. Our conversation also touches on Amanda’s career achievements, the importance of celebrating small victories and cultivating a supportive social environment both offline and through online allies who share similar struggles.Access the full show notes for this episode at ⁠: https://powerx2.co.nz/weekend-warriors-rock-episode-6/

WWR Episode 5 - Liz Auina-Jones - Fight with your brain

The guest of the fifth Weekend Warriors Rock podcast series is the inspiring Liz. Liz shares her personal background and family history, including her parents' migration to New Zealand and the challenges she faced, which led her to pursue studies in politics and sociology. Our conversation explores Liz’s approach to life and personal development, focusing on her commitment to mastery, spiritual practice, physical health (walking and grounding), and the importance of connection with her family, friends, and ancestors. Liz also shares her journey to turn "trauma into triumph" and how her own experience has inspired her to pursue research into rheumatic fever health literacy for Māori and Pasifika communities. Finally, Liz also reflects on the benefit of mentors and daily journaling for accountability and mental clarity.Access the full show notes for this episode at ⁠: https://powerx2.co.nz/weekend-warriors-rock-episode-5/

WWR Episode 4 - Lynne Miller - Never waste a good crisis

The guest of the fourth Weekend Warriors Rock podcast series is the inspiring Lynne. Lynne shares her personal journey, from being a PE teacher in the UK to moving to New Zealand and working as a business transformation expert in various ‘people and culture’ roles. She emphasises the importance of exercise and nutrition for maintaining well-being, especially during difficult times. Lynne shares her strategies for staying resilient, including the "80% rule" for diet and exercise and the philosophy of "this too shall pass" during adversity. Lynne also reflects on her biggest achievement being her children and successfully navigating significant personal and professional challenges over the past 18 months.Access the full show notes for this episode at ⁠: https://powerx2.co.nz/weekend-warriors-rock-episode-4/

WWR Episode 3 - Kristi Palmer - A journey of curiosity and resilience

The guest of the third Weekend Warriors Rock podcast series is the fabulous Kristi. Kristi shares her personal and professional journey, talks about her childhood in various locations and her path to higher education. She shares her passion for creative arts like photography and ceramics, and her commitment to physical fitness, outlining her past as a competitive swimmer, then runner and now Hyrox training. Kristi also shares her insights into maintaining well-being, highlighting the importance of continuous learning, curiosity, and allowing the brain time to rest and process. Our discussion also touches on her Master's degree which she pursued to set a positive example for her daughter, and her strategies for navigating both difficult and successful periods in life, emphasising reflection and maintaining routines. Access the full show notes for this episode at ⁠: https://powerx2.co.nz/weekend-warriors-rock-episode-3/