#24 The Power of the Mind

#24 The Power of the Mind

Cameron Oates is a Neuroscientist and former tradesman dedicated to helping people overcome addiction and mental barriers through the intersection of science and spirituality. In this powerful episode of One to the Power 3, Dean welcomes Cameron Oates. Cameron’s journey is one of extreme contrasts: from a traditional Aussie upbringing and a career as a "tradie" to the depths of a bedridden depression and the tragic loss of his brother, Troy. Cameron shares how he used the very trials that nearly broke him to fuel a deep dive into the human brain. We discuss the "95% rule" of the subconscious mind, the physical impact of grief, and how he eventually found the ultimate "truth" not just in a lab, but in his faith. In this episode, we cover: How a ruptured disc and 12 months off work became the catalyst for a new career. Cameron’s raw account of losing his brother. Why 95% of your day is automated by your past—and how to reclaim that space. The Four to Restore: A practical, data-backed protocol to regulate your nervous system in under two minutes. The "Four to Restore" Protocol Cameron’s daily practice for autonomic nervous system coherence: Breathing: Inhale for 5 seconds, Exhale for 5 seconds. Gratitude: Focus on a specific person or moment you are thankful for while breathing. Identity: Recite "I Am" statements to reprogram the subconscious. Regulation: Notice the shift in your physical and emotional state. If you need support, you’re not alone. Help is available: Lifeline (Australia): 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention — 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/ Beyond Blue (Australia): Support for anxiety, depression & mental health — 1300 22 4636 https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ If you are outside Australia, please reach out to your local helpline support is available wherever you are. Resources: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091302223000316#s0095 Available now on all Spotify, Apple Music & YouTube. Make sure to follow us on socials: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584414022776]  Instagram [instagram.com/onetothepower3⁠] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@onetothepower3⁠ ] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6Rm8dp7bBr7bIE4ofY69tp?si=74c4826b6ab0447e⁠ ] #Neuroscience #MentalHealth #BrainTraining #Faith #Resilience #OnetothePower3 #RecoveryJourney #SubconsciousMind #Breathwork

#23 Don't Be Scared to Open the Door of Opportunity

Dean welcomes Mick Connell to the table, Mick is an RAAF veteran, a world-ranked athlete, and a devoted family man. After overcoming a 1982 spinal cord injury, he became a pioneer in wheelchair sports in Australia and continues to compete at a high level in Pickleball. He is a passionate advocate for resilience and the power of family support. From the "Cocoon" to the World Stage The conversation starts with the sudden loss of Mick’s world in 1982. He describes the transition from being a fit RAAF member to waking up in a cemetery, struggling to breathe. The most poignant part of this phase is the "cocoon"—the period of being homebound and dependent on parents. The "hero" of this act is the modified car, which acted as the key to the door of opportunity, allowing him to travel the world and reach a global ranking of World No. 2 in tennis. The Mirror of Adversity The heart of the story shifts to 2003, when Mick’s son faced a life-threatening spinal procedure. This is the "full circle" moment where Mick’s perspective changed forever. For the first time, Mick understood the emotional agony his own parents felt during his accident. Seeing his son’s grit and determination to recover didn't just make Mick proud; it made his son his hero. It proved that resilience is a family trait. The Power of the "Family Team" The final takeaway is about how a family re-organises itself when crisis hits. Mick and his wife didn’t crumble; they balanced the load. While his wife focused on their son's primary care, Mick ensured their daughter had the presence she needed. Never underestimate children. With love and care, they have an innate drive to achieve great things, regardless of the hurdles. Lessons Learnt: 1. Don’t Give Up: Even when you feel isolated in a "cocoon," there is a way forward. 2. Life is Unexpected: Adversity can strike twice, but your previous experiences build the strength to handle it. 3. Parenting requires Balance: Success as a family comes from teamwork and recognizing the drive within your children. Today, you’ll find Mick on the Pickleball court, laughing and competing as an Australian Champion, dreaming of retirement tours and dog shows with his wife. His message to you is simple: Life is unexpected, and parenting is a mountain to climb, but don’t you dare give up. Because even when one door slams shut, there is always another waiting to be opened. You just have to be brave enough to step through. Make sure to follow us on socials: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584414022776⁠ ] Instagram [instagram.com/onetothepower3⁠] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@onetothepower3⁠]

#22 Till Death Do Us Part

"Til Death Do Us Part." Four words that carry the weight of a lifetime. But what happens when those words come at the cost of your soul, your safety, and your sanity? In this deeply moving episode of One to the Power 3, Dean welcomes Pam Chetty, a highly credentialed Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist. Pam opens up about her 37-year journey through the shadows of domestic violence—spanning verbal, physical, psychological, and financial abuse. The Anchor in the Storm: Most importantly, Pam shares how her relationship with the Lord Jesus kept her grounded when the world felt like it was shifting beneath her. We discuss how she moved beyond the legalism of a vow to find spiritual vision and guidance. It was through this divine empowerment that she gained the clarity to make the most difficult decisions of her life, proving that we do not grieve or walk through fire without hope. In this episode, we discuss: The "invisible" chains of psychological and financial abuse. Upholding the sanctity of marriage while honoring the life God gave you. Using spiritual vision to find a path out of "arduous" life circumstances. How Pam transformed decades of struggle into a clinical practice dedicated to empowering others. Connect with Pam Chetty: 📍 Empower Couples and Sex Therapy Services 🔗 https://empowerccs.com.au/ #FaithAndResilience #OneToThePower3 #DomesticViolenceSurvivor #ChristianCounseling #HopeAnchorsTheSoul #PamChetty If this conversation has raised difficult feelings for you, or if you are currently in a situation where you need support, please reach out to these professional services. You do not have to walk this path alone.1800RESPECT (1800 737 732): National 24/7 domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling. You can also text 0458 737 732. DVConnect Womensline (1800 811 811): Queensland-based 24/7 support for women experiencing domestic or family violence. DVConnect Mensline (1800 600 636): Support for men experiencing violence or looking to change their behavior. Lifeline (13 11 14): 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention. Griefline (1300 845 745): Dedicated support for those experiencing loss and grief (6 am – midnight). 13YARN (13 92 76): 24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. MensLine Australia (1300 789 978): Professional support for men with family and relationship concerns. In an immediate emergency, please always call 000. Available now on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Music. Make sure to follow us on socials: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584414022776⁠ ] Instagram [instagram.com/onetothepower3⁠] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@onetothepower3⁠]

#21 Fathers Hold a Space for your Sons

What happens when the dream you’ve built your entire identity around vanishes in a single moment? This week, Dean sits down with Steven Kaps from Primal Elite Coaching. Steven was a rising AFL star until a freak injury at age 19 sent him into a tailspin of avoidance, partying, and isolation. Steven shares his raw journey from seeking external validation on the field to finding internal peace through faith, family, and the power of a "brotherhood." Key Discussion Points: The Injury & The Identity Crisis: Moving from the "elite athlete" pedestal to feeling the weight of shame and disappointment. The Silent Father: Navigating the loneliness of a father who was a great supporter of the player but lacked the emotional tools to support the man during a crisis. The Turning Point: How a "new lease on life" in the UK and the accountability of his wife, Adele, helped him stop running and start healing. Softening the Armour: Steven discusses the transition from wearing a mask of strength to embracing vulnerability and the presence of God. Primal Elite Coaching: Steven’s mission to mentor the next generation of boys (ages 9–11) through nature, fitness, and life skills. Steven’s 3 Pillars for the Journey: The Power of Brotherhood: Surround yourself with men who hold you accountable in fitness, family, and faith. Value vs. Performance: You are worth more than your external achievements. Get off the "validation treadmill." Stop Running: Healing only begins when the running stops and the honest conversations start. Find Steve: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stevekaps_coach/⁠ ] Available now on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Music. Make sure to follow us on socials: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584414022776⁠ ] Instagram [instagram.com/onetothepower3⁠] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@onetothepower3⁠]

#20 The Fragility and Beauty of Life

Join Dean Durman for a profound conversation with Perry Cross in an episode titled 'The Fragility and Beauty of Life.' Introduction In this milestone episode, Dean Durman has an insightful conversation with Perry Cross, a man defined by his mental fortitude, humility, and an unrelenting passion for positive change. Dean welcomes Perry as a fighter—someone who refuses to settle for "no" and continues to probe the boundaries of what is possible. From his teenage years as a rugby-loving "Biloxy Blues" actor to his current role as a global advocate, Perry’s journey is a masterclass in resilience. On November 17, 1994, Perry’s world changed in a heartbeat. Laying motionless on a Brisbane rugby field, staring into the sun, he felt the immediate fragility of life. What followed was a traumatic "medical silence" and the eventual, crushing reality of a lifelong paralysis diagnosis. The turning point wasn't a medical miracle, but a mental one. His mother’s challenge—to decide right then if he would be a burden or find the strength to push on—ignited his "curiosity muscle." Perry moved from a hospital system built for survival to a home built for living, discovering that while he couldn't move his limbs, he could move the world with his mind. The Highlights The Contrast of November 17, 1994: Moving from the excitement of a rugby tournament to the stillness of staring into the sun, waiting for an ambulance. The Turning Point: The raw moment Perry’s mother challenged him to decide his own destiny—to choose between being a burden or finding the strength to push on. The "Maccas" Moment: A humorous and human look at Perry’s early recovery, where friends snuck him tastes of McDonald's and Coke just to feel the sensation of flavour again. The Power of Focus: How Perry used university and communication studies to shift his focus away from his physical limitations, using his mind like a magnifying glass to create a new life. The 3 Core Lessons from Perry 1. Health is a State of Mind: We are only as ill as we think we are. Use your mind better, be persistent in small wins, and learn to love yourself first—gratitude is the fuel for that love. 2. "Shit Happens": You can wallow in it or use it as fertiliser to grow. That is the duality of life’s fragility and its beauty. 3. The Magnifying Glass: Focus your mind like a lens. When you stop staring at your problems and focus on a bigger goal—like university, community, or advocacy—you can set the world alight. The 3 Takeaways for our Friends 1. Stay Open-Minded: Lean into the discomfort. Ask "What can I learn here?" instead of "Why is this happening?" 2. Apply Courage & Fortitude: Self-belief is what gets you out the front door. It is the ultimate antidote to anxiety. 3. Believe in Something Bigger: Happiness is a choice. Recognise that while your situation is tough, others are fighting harder battles. Choose joy. The Closing Challenge Perry is currently leading The Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation, aiming to build a "nerve bridge" for spinal cord repair and developing accessible housing via the NDIS. To end the episode, Perry asks the audience to stand up. In those 10 seconds, you accomplished his lifelong goal. The question remains: What will you do with yours? Find Perry: Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation - https://www.pcsrf.org.au/ [https://www.pcsrf.org.au/] Accessible Homes Australia - https://www.accessiblehomes.au/ [https://www.accessiblehomes.au/] Available now on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Music. Make sure to follow us on socials: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584414022776 ] Instagram [instagram.com/onetothepower3] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@onetothepower3]