Letting Go of Control: Anxiety, Food and Resilience with Sammy Barnett

Be True to You: Navigating OCD and Business with Nick & Janaya Kennett

In this episode of I’m In Control, I’m joined by Adelaide-based powerhouse guests Nick and Janaya Kennett. We dive into how Janaya transitioned from marketing into finance to start her own brokerage, Pink Loans, built on transparency rather than being "money hungry". She also shares the mission behind The Janaya Store, which focuses on empowering women through luxury skincare and eco-friendly products. Nick opens up about his streetwear brand, This Is Your Apparel, and the "Be True to You" movement. He speaks candidly about his lived experience with OCD, specifically "thought-based" compulsions, and how he uses his platform to support mental health. Together, we discuss our shared experiences navigating the medical system - from Janaya’s Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis to my own survival story with sepsis and a brain tumour. We explore the power of choice, the importance of standing up for others, and why authenticity is the ultimate way to take back control. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome to Nick and Janaya Kennett 00:42 – Janaya’s background in finance and starting Pink Loans 02:12 – Nick’s background in PT and mental health 03:22 – The origin of This Is Your Apparel 07:32 – The Janaya Store: Glass bottles and skincare 09:08 – Empowering women through descriptive, positive choices 10:01 – Amelia on celebrating the small wins while recovering 14:53 – Creating a safe space without judgement 20:16 – Janaya’s Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis story 26:18 – Understanding OCD as a compulsion of thoughts, not just cleaning 28:42 – The pre-wedding breakup and finding the right therapist 29:34 – Amelia’s brain tumour diagnosis and medical hurdles 35:14 – Amelia’s survival story: Sepsis, cardiac arrest, and comas 54:06 – Nick takes control by winning back his fiancé

When Prison Becomes the Turning Point (Phoenix Rose’s Journey)

In this episode of I’m In Control, I sit down with writer, poet and intuitive guide Phoenix Rose for a raw and deeply honest conversation about addiction, prison, healing and reclaiming self-worth. Phoenix shares her lived experience of drug addiction, domestic violence, and being sentenced to almost three years in prison. She opens up about the moment she realised she was ready for change, how prison became a place of deep reflection rather than punishment, and why rehabilitation and lived-experience support are so powerful. We talk about smashing stigma around the prison system, forming meaningful connections behind bars, and the life-changing impact of rehabilitation programs. Phoenix also shares her journey into embodiment, ritual and self-connection, including the creation of her yoni steaming practice as a way to heal deep trauma and reconnect with herself. This episode is a powerful reminder that healing is possible, shame can be released, and control doesn’t always come from doing more - sometimes it comes from learning to let go. Episode timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Phoenix Rose 01:15 – Addiction, arrest and sentencing 03:30 – Life before prison and readiness for change 07:00 – Entering prison and early reflections 08:40 – Quiet moments, structure and education inside 11:45 – Friendships and rehabilitation programs 14:00 – The importance of rehab and self-responsibility 15:00 – Writing a book and returning to prisons to give back 18:00 – Embodiment, yoni steaming and healing trauma 22:00 – Self-love, spirituality and lived experience 29:00 – Fear, control and breaking cycles 31:20 – A defining moment of surrender and growth 35:40 – Where to find Phoenix and closing reflections

Letting Go of Control: Anxiety, Food and Resilience with Sammy Barnett

In this episode of I’m In Control, I sit down with clinical nutritionist, author and speaker Sammy Barnett to explore anxiety, panic disorder, nutrition and the pressure many of us put on ourselves to stay in control. Sammy shares her lived experience of panic attacks from childhood, agoraphobia, and how those challenges led her into nutrition and mental health education. We unpack the strong connection between the gut and the brain, why stress affects how we absorb nutrients, and how an obsession with “eating right” can sometimes create more harm than good. We also talk about orthorexia, people-pleasing, parenting children with anxiety, and why anxiety is often a message from the body rather than something to fight or eliminate. Sammy opens up about writing her book, supporting her own kids through anxiety, and learning to step out of control and into flow. This episode is an honest and grounded conversation about food, fear and resilience, and a reminder that anxiety isn’t the enemy - it’s information. Episode timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Sammy Barnett 03:00 – Living with panic disorder and agoraphobia 06:00 – The gut-brain connection and mental health 09:00 – Orthorexia and diet culture 12:00 – Stress, absorption and balance 15:00 – Parenting children with anxiety 18:30 – Writing a book and reframing anxiety 22:30 – People-pleasing and self-worth 26:00 – Movement, resilience and nervous system regulation 30:30 – Letting go of control and living in flow

Finding Joy in the Toughest Times (Laura Grams’ Journey)

In this episode of I’m in Control, I sit down with the inspiring Laura Grams - better known online as “Little Bags” – to talk about her whirlwind year battling triple‑negative breast cancer. Laura shares how a late‑night scratch led to the discovery of a lump, a flurry of scans and biopsies, and the shocking news that she had one of the more aggressive forms of breast cancer. She dives into the reality of six months of chemotherapy, losing her hair, undergoing a double mastectomy and reconstruction, and how a positive mindset and her cheeky sense of humour kept her going. We also talk about the role of pets in healing, the origin of her quirky nickname, and the importance of self‑advocacy when you feel something isn’t right. Together, we reflect on our own cancer journeys, the frustration of being dismissed by doctors, the power of a supportive network and why you should always trust your gut. Laura also touches on grief after losing her mum, dealing with seizures and a skull fracture during chemo, and why she refuses to be defined by her diagnoses. 00:00 – Introduction: finding a lump, testing and being diagnosed with triple‑negative breast cancer 05:00 – Sharing our chemo stories, staying positive and using humour and music to cope 10:00 – Advocating for your health, the role of pets and building a support network 15:00 – Handling stares, the “Little Bags” nickname and life after a double mastectomy 20:00 – Seizures, mental health, grief and using dance to keep your spirits up This episode is an honest, laughter‑filled conversation about resilience, self‑advocacy and finding joy in the toughest of times. Laura’s energy and openness remind us that even when life throws you curveballs, there’s always a way to dance through the pain and come out stronger on the other side.

Healing Through Animals and Self‑Acceptance (Mish Cogley’s Journey)

In this episode of I’m in Control, I sit down with the remarkable Mish Cogley to explore her unique path as a canine and human behaviour specialist, author and “animal soul alchemist.” Mish opens up about the profound bond she formed with her soulmate dog, Diesel, and how he inspired her to study dog behaviour, work with vets on complex cases and ultimately weave together behavioural science, energetics and somatic practices. She shares how animals became her compass back to life after a period of intense loss and upheaval - including the death of Diesel, a life‑threatening reaction to a Covid vaccine, and the passing of her father and cat all within a year. We also talk about how dogs mirror our own anxieties, why blind or anxious animals don’t need pity, and how animal wisdom can shine a light on our unconscious behaviours. She and Amelia delve into their own healing journeys, the importance of honouring every emotion, and why accepting all parts of ourselves is the ultimate act of taking control. 00:00 – Introduction: Mish’s background as a canine behaviourist and animal soul alchemist, and the series of losses that shaped her 10:00 – Diesel’s story: from reluctant dog owner to animal trainer and how Diesel’s blindness shifted her career and deepened their bond 20:00 – Animals as mirrors: how dogs reflect their owners’ anxieties, the power of animal wisdom and the beginnings of personal development 30:00 – Navigating injury and grief: Mish’s vaccine‑induced illness, losing Diesel, her father and her cat, and choosing to keep going 40:00 – Radical self‑acceptance: blending animal wisdom with soul work, living from your essence and the moment Mish truly took control This episode is a raw and uplifting conversation about love, loss and the lessons our animals teach us. Mish’s honesty and insight remind us that embracing every emotion, honouring our pain and accepting ourselves completely are key to healing.