'Nobody Listened': They Missed the Tumour That Took My Sight
At 17, Mitch Wilson thought he was just an exhausted teenager. But dizziness, daily vomiting, and excruciating headaches escalated into something far more sinister: a brain tumour that went undiagnosed for over a year due to medical neglect. The delay cost him most of his eyesight… but not his spirit.In this conversation, Mitch opens up about:The terror of going to sleep wondering if he’d wake up completely in the darkThe angry, self-destructive years that followedHow a German shepherd called Blaze and para-cycling helped pull him backGrief, therapy, purpose, and trying to figure out what life looks like now.Now a world-class para-cyclist and newly married, Mitch is still figuring out what life looks like in the long term. This is a story of survival, identity, sport, grief, love, and the stubborn refusal to give up. And it is one of those episodes that will stay with you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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How Hamish Kerr Became the Best High Jumper in the World
Hamish Kerr was a guest on the podcast three years ago. Back then he had just won a commonwealth games gold medal and the podcast was still called “Runners Only.”A lot has happened since then. Hamish Kerr is now the undisputed best high jumper on the planet- you name it, he has won it. Olympic Gold, Commonwealth Gold, World champion, Diamond league champion, Halberg sportsman of the year...In this episode, Hamish opens up about the Paris Olympics- why he was in tears on the track in the packed stadium before going on to win gold.How life has changed since becoming the best in the world.How he overcame self-doubt and pressure.And why he thinks he can still be better.This episode goes beyond sport. It’s a deeply human look at the mindset of one of New Zealand’s most successful athletes.Strap yourself in. This episode is one hell of a ride!***Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.If I could ask you to do one big favour — for me and for yourself — it would be to consider getting KiwiSaver advice from Generate, like I did.The decisions you make with your KiwiSaver now could have a big impact on how much you have to live on in retirement. And if you’ve never had KiwiSaver advice before, you could be missing out.Generate has a strong track record of long-term performance — You can check out their latest returns on their website.They also have advisers who can come to you and help you figure out the right KiwiSaver setup for your goals — no pressure, just good advice.I met with one when Generate came on board as a sponsor back in 2023 — and honestly, I wish I’d done it sooner.Head to generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom to book a chatThe issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds Past performance does not guarantee future returns.And just a reminder — everyone’s situation is different, so I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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'They Came To Kill Me’: Tāme Iti on Forgiveness, Activism & Finding Peace
They called him a radical, a rebel, even a terrorist.But today, Tāme Iti calls himself a healer, an artist, and a teacher.Tāme opens up about the moments that defined his extraordinary life - from his early days in Tūhoe country and the Māori protest movement of the 1970s, to the 2007 Urewera raids, his time in prison, and the deep process of forgiveness and creativity that followed.We talk about the protests, the art, the controversy, and the humanity behind one of Aotearoa’s most iconic and misunderstood figures. Tāme shares stories about meeting Nelson Mandela, the moment police surrounded his home at dawn, why he shot the flag at Waitangi, and how he found peace after decades of resistance.This episode is about mana, identity, and the power of transformation. It’s about what it means to forgive, to heal, and to truly know who you are. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Surviving 30 Concussions: The Steve Devine Story
In this deeply emotional episode, former All Black halfback Steve Devine opens like never before about the physical and mental toll of his rugby career.After enduring around 40 concussions in his career with Auckland and the All Blacks, Steve ended up in some disturbingly low places: bedridden, depressed, and contemplating the unthinkable.These days Steve channels his experience into helping others, both as a firefighter and as an advocate for better brain injury management in sport.Some of the stuff we cover here includes:The brutal injury list from his professional rugby career, from 12 ankle surgeries to broken bones and relentless concussions. The devastating impact his health had on his marriage and family life.His transition into the New Zealand Fire Service, the trauma that comes with the job, and his advocacy for better mental health support for first responders.His reflections on mental resilience, vulnerability, and why men need to get better at asking for help.Then there are some cool old rugby yarns, including the bollocking he got from Eddie Jones as a young player and memories of playing with legends like Sir Michael Jones, Jonah Lomu, Andrew Mehrtens, and Richie McCaw, and what he learned from each.This is an incredibly emotional episode from one of the real good guys. *****Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.Generate is an award-winning KiwiSaver provider with a track record of delivering strong long-term returns for their clients- you can see their latest returns for yourself on their website.I became a client when they came on board as the show sponsor and it’s been a gamechanger for me personally- I’m kicking myself for not doing it years earlier.You can book a no obligation chat with one of their awesome KiwiSaver advisers at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/domThe issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pdsPast performance does not guarantee future returns.And just a reminder — I’m a podcast host, not a financial adviser, so this is just general advice. I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jake Bailey on Facing Death at 17, And The Viral Speech That Changed Everything
Ten years ago Jake Bailey’s life changed overnight.The Christchurch school head boy was diagnosed with stage-four Burkitt’s lymphoma, one of the fastest-growing cancers there is.Just a week later, while undergoing chemotherapy, he delivered a now-iconic end-of-year speech that went viral around the world: viewed more than 50 million times and called one of the most inspirational moments of the decade.Ten years on, Jake joins me on the podcast for an honest, funny, and moving conversation about survival, purpose, and what he’s learned about life on the other side of cancer.In this wide-open conversation Jake shares:What really happened the week of that 2015 speech and hakaThe “nothingness” he felt at diagnosis and remissionHow to practice realistic optimism without “toxic positivity”Why community and asking for help are non-negotiableUsing endurance sport to manufacture growth and gritPractical tools anyone can use to bounce backThis episode is a masterclass in resilience, packed with humour, humility, and practical lessons for anyone navigating tough times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It started off as a podcast about people who run. Now it is just a podcast about people.Hosted by New Zealand broadcaster, author and marathon runner, Dom Harvey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.