5 With A Digger. Bradey.

5 With A Digger. Bradey.

This week, we’re joined by Bradey. His Army career wasn’t defined by medals or headlines, it was defined by service, sacrifice and resilience. After enlisting in the Australian Army in 2014, Bradey served with 6RAR as an infantry soldier before transitioning into the Intelligence Support pathway. Sadly, repeated Achilles injuries to both feet brought his military career to an early end, leading to a medical discharge in 2019. Like so many veterans, the transition out of service was one of the toughest battles he faced. The impact on his mental health became so significant that he deleted almost every photo from his time in uniform because the memories were simply too painful. But Bradey’s story doesn’t end there. Together with his wife a former Army Reserve MP they’ve created something truly special. Blank Cheque Trading Co. is more than a distillery and café. It’s become a safe place where veterans and emergency service workers can connect, support one another, and know they’re always welcome. Each month, 40–50 veterans from Vietnam veterans through to currently serving members, gather around a coffee or a whisky to share stories, check in on one another, and keep the spirit of mateship alive. Their vision is even bigger. They’re working towards transitioning the café into a not-for-profit so they can expand the support, programs and events they provide to the veteran and emergency services community. One of the most meaningful parts of the café is its military wall, where veterans leave a patch, coin, photo or personal item as a reminder that they’ll always belong—no matter where life takes them. It’s an incredible conversation about finding purpose after service, rebuilding identity, and creating a community where no one has to walk alone. Blank Cheque Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/blankchequetradingco/] Blank Cheque Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/blankchequetradingco] Blank Cheque Trading Co. [https://blankcheque.com.au/] Food Hub OPEN!  (7) it'll take a tribe - search results | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=it%27ll%20take%20a%20tribe] Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast This podcast proudly sponsored by @Gravelempireholdings @Cuzkell_pty_ltd @Eliteboxingclubadl Merch available CREW Apparel & Print | Shop Custom Apparel Now [https://www.crewapparelprint.com.au/] Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates. YOU'RE NEVER ALONE! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

5 With A Digger. Ryan Mayne.

WE WISH TO DEDICATE THIS EPISODE TO JIM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. LEST WE FORGET. Episode 121 and I’m joined by Ryan Mayne. Ryan’s career has taken him from military service and elite sport to frontline emergency services, surf safety, and high-performance coaching. Ryan is a former Australian Army aircraft technician, professional triathlete, Senior Firefighter and Rescue Technician with the Queensland Fire Department, and now the founder and head coach of Surfskate Noosa. He is also the inventor of the Surfskate training system, a unique coaching tool designed to help surfers improve their technique, balance, confidence and understanding of wave riding away from the water. Over nearly three decades, Ryan has worked in high-pressure environments requiring leadership, resilience, quick decision-making and a commitment to helping others. Along the way he’s built a wealth of experience in emergency response, rescue operations, peer support, athlete development and surf education. In this episode we dive into Ryan’s journey through the Army, professional sport, firefighting, mental health, surf safety, entrepreneurship and the lessons he’s learned from a lifetime spent performing under pressure. www.militaryresilience.com.au [https://l.instagram.com/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.militaryresilience.com.au%2F%3Futm_source%3Dig%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_content%3Dlink_in_bio%26fbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGn7KwkwlzScAOwHt8fzekkDoIBCgrkl0J6U9nhV1ouHgPDUx3lx6YCo4pLD_g_aem_SF33Pn0wwpU8f37KN4uG7A&e=AUBcwUdVzRTEPFCHwR6yb0zC7QCRs45aATrQU2yLMcaZhSJ-WcQ84lu8ubUD1YWqcbUE3VLCnZJg0uRvbenhiAHSUqRvJOh-S63fPDRS2BZgVq3ntLzA6ajnbWA4-VZAwVWdfrc] (2) Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557477212375] www.surfskatenoosa.com [http://www.surfskatenoosa.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/surfskatenoosa/] Food Hub OPEN!  (7) it'll take a tribe - search results | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=it%27ll%20take%20a%20tribe] Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast This podcast proudly sponsored by @Gravelempireholdings @Cuzkell_pty_ltd @Eliteboxingclubadl Merch available CREW Apparel & Print | Shop Custom Apparel Now [https://www.crewapparelprint.com.au/] Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates. YOU'RE NEVER ALONE! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

5 With A Digger. Chris Endres. The Culture Standard Podcast Collab.

Episode 120 and I’m joined by Chris Endres. This episode is a little bit different as we welcome a fellow podcaster for a special cross-podcast collaboration between 5 With A Digger and one half of The Culture Standard. Originally from Victoria, Chris built a strong reputation through country football before making the move north to Queensland, where he now serves his community on the frontline as a firefighter. Through sport, emergency services, and podcasting, Chris has developed a passion for leadership, culture, resilience, and helping people become the best version of themselves. In this conversation we dive into Chris’s football journey, life in the fire service, the importance of culture and leadership, lessons learned through adversity, the world of podcasting, and what it takes to build high-performing teams both on and off the field. A great chat packed with practical insights, powerful stories, and plenty of value for anyone interested in leadership, personal growth, and creating positive culture. https://www.instagram.com/military_resilience_co?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577471317027] https://www.instagram.com/theculture.standard?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== [https://www.instagram.com/theculture.standard?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] https://open.spotify.com/user/31ka5vkbznwzwn7y5r5xoylzkpna?si=1fc0a903c2264197 [https://open.spotify.com/user/31ka5vkbznwzwn7y5r5xoylzkpna?si=1fc0a903c2264197] https://support.fightmnd.org.au/fundraisers/GympieCats/gympie-cats-afl-club [https://support.fightmnd.org.au/fundraisers/GympieCats/gympie-cats-afl-club] Food Hub OPEN!  (7) it'll take a tribe - search results | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=it%27ll%20take%20a%20tribe] Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast This podcast proudly sponsored by @Gravelempireholdings @Cuzkell_pty_ltd @Eliteboxingclubadl Merch available CREW Apparel & Print | Shop Custom Apparel Now [https://www.crewapparelprint.com.au/] Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates. YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

5 With A Digger. Zachary Trav.

Episode 119 and I’m joined by Zac. At 19 years old, Zac joined the Australian Army and went on to serve in Afghanistan as a Cavalry Reconnaissance soldier. But this episode isn’t just about military service. It’s about what happened after. Zac opens up about life after Defence, a Veterans Motorcycle Club, addiction, debt, poor decisions, losing everything, and the long road back. His story is raw. Honest. Controversial. Some people will love him. Some won’t. But one thing is certain — Zac doesn’t hide from his past. This is a powerful conversation about service, resilience, redemption, and living life with no regrets. Food Hub OPEN!  (7) it'll take a tribe - search results | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=it%27ll%20take%20a%20tribe] Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast This podcast proudly sponsored by @Gravelempireholdings @Cuzkell_pty_ltd @Eliteboxingclubadl Merch available CREW Apparel & Print | Shop Custom Apparel Now [https://www.crewapparelprint.com.au/] Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates. YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

5 With A Digger. Simon Jones Part 2.

Episode 118 and I’m joined again by Simon from episode 51. Joining the Army at just 17 years old, Simon would go on to serve in the Solomon Islands, East Timor, and complete two deployments to Afghanistan with the Special Operations Task Group before discharging in 2014. In this episode, we talk about military service, the challenges of transition, mental health, rebuilding identity after Defence, and his journey into launching his own consultancy business. We also discuss some of the more controversial topics making headlines today, including the Ben Roberts-Smith saga, the Afghanistan years, and the ongoing debate surrounding ISIS brides returning to Australia. A raw, honest conversation from someone who lived it. Home | 343 Consultants [https://www.343consultants.com.au/] MARCH OUT | VETERAN SERVICES [https://marchout.com.au/] Food Hub OPEN!  (7) it'll take a tribe - search results | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=it%27ll%20take%20a%20tribe] Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast This podcast proudly sponsored by @Gravelempireholdings @Cuzkell_pty_ltd @Eliteboxingclubadl Merch available CREW Apparel & Print | Shop Custom Apparel Now [https://www.crewapparelprint.com.au/] Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates. YOU'RE NEVER ALONE! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.