These Lads Are Mental

This week, Neil sits down with Jim Breen — entrepreneur, founder of PulseLearning and I Am Here, and the man behind Cycle Against Suicide — live from Australia. Jim opens up about the moment his own mental health became impossible to ignore, why labels never helped him but language did, and the simple framework (courage, confidence, clear) he now teaches organisations worldwide to help people notice, ask, and actually listen when someone isn't okay.

We get into:

Jim's journey from entrepreneur to social entrepreneur, and the moment things came to a head

Why "are you okay?" is a greeting, not a real question — and what to ask instead

The four levels of listening (and why most of us stop at "solve or advise")

How to do a self-check before you lean in to help someone else

Redefining strength: why asking for help takes more courage than coping alone

Finding purpose in a world that never switches off

It's okay not to feel okay. It's absolutely okay to ask for help. The key is to ask, "How do you feel?"

Connect with Jim Breen:
Instagram: @jim.breen
I Am Here: iamheretribe.com
PulseLearning: pulselearning.com

Follow These Lads Are Mental:
Instagram: @theseladsaremental
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thes...

Follow Neil:
Instagram: @neilosul
LinkedIn: / neilosul

If this episode resonated with you or someone you know, share it — you never know who needs to hear it today.

#MentalHealth #TheseLadsAreMental #ItsOkayNotToBeOkay #IAmHere #JimBreen #MensMentalHealth #CycleAgainstSuicide #PulseLearning #PsychologicalSafety #Podcast #MentalHealthAwareness #AskForHelp

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We're All a Bit Mental - These Lads Are Mental Live at Urban Collective, Neutral Bay.

We took These Lads Are Mental on the road.

This is our live session at Urban Collective in Neutral Bay, Sydney - a raw, honest and genuinely funny conversation about the stuff most of us are feeling but not saying out loud.

Neil and Gary sat down with a room full of real people - business owners, employees, parents, high performers - and talked about the things that actually matter. Stress, financial pressure, burnout, grief, trauma, loneliness, distraction, and why "are you okay?" rarely gets a real answer.

No keynote. No corporate polish. Just two lads having a conversation.
In this session, we cover:

- Why 50% of Australians are living with a mental health condition - and why the real number is probably higher
- The new baseline - why stress levels have quietly shifted and what to do about it
- The physiological sigh - the fastest way to bring your nervous system down, used by Navy Seals and elite athletes
- Why the most effective mental health tools are almost always free
- The BEST framework - Brain, Eat, Sleep, Train - and how to use it when life gets in the way
- Why spirituality is the forgotten pillar and what it actually means (hint: nothing woo)
- The Spanish fisherman story - and why it hits different when you're running a business
- What we learned from 40+ episodes interviewing psychologists, Olympians, comedians, CEOs and people in the trenches

We also share real stories - from a guy who couldn't leave the house without being drunk to a man with 100 live tumours training as a powerlifter. Perspective is a powerful thing.

At the end of the session, we handed out a digital framework - a practical, personalised resource built from the anonymous survey our audience filled in beforehand. That is the These Lads Are Mental difference. We do not just talk. We leave you with something you can actually use.

If you are struggling, please reach out. You do not have to do it alone.

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 | beyondblue.org.au
Lifeline: 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au
Follow us - @theseladsaremental
Find out more - theseladsaremental.com

Note: Neil and Gary are not qualified health practitioners. This content is for educational and conversational purposes only. Always consult a qualified professional if you are experiencing mental health challenges.

#MentalHealth #TheseAdsAreMental #TLAM #Podcast #Wellness #Burnout #Stress #Sydney #MensHealth #MentalHealthAustralia #LivePodcast #UltraBanCollective
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Tame Impala’s Cam Avery joins us for one of the most surprisingly raw, honest, and hilarious conversations we’ve ever had on These Lads Are Mental.

Fresh off a U.S. tour, Cam sits down with us in Los Angeles just hours before a flight home — and we dive straight into the unexpected connection between music, mental health, identity, and golf (yes, golf). And trust us… you’ve never heard a musician talk like this.

From almost becoming a pro golfer, to shooting 74 while half-cut, to accidentally missing a tee time with Bill Murray, Cam opens up about:

• Life touring with Tame Impala
• The pressure of creativity when you’re an “outcome-driven” person
• Why golf became his anchor during a chaotic period
• The power of ritual, reps, and routine for your mind
• How sport teaches presence, discipline, and emotional regulation
• Finding connection (and yourself) on and off the course
• His sports media company, The Fade — and why talking about struggle matters

This episode is deep, funny, unpredictable and packed with insight.
Cam’s reflections on mental health, accountability, and rebuilding your life are some of the most honest we’ve heard on the show.

If you’ve ever struggled with burnout, identity, or finding something stable to hold onto — you’ll feel this one.

🎙️ Listen now and join the conversation.
💬 Drop your biggest takeaway in the comments.

—
ABOUT THESE LADS ARE MENTAL
Hosted by Neil O’Sullivan & Gary Rafferty, the podcast creating open, unfiltered conversations about mental health, resilience, and what it means to be human.
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In this episode of These Lads Are Mental, Neil O’Sullivan and Gary Rafferty sit down with ADHD specialist Andy Hayes for an eye-opening conversation about ADHD and mental health. 🧠✨

We cover it all:

The real impact ADHD has on your mental health
How ADHD can unlock creativity and out-of-the-box thinking
What the diagnosis journey looks like (and how to get started)
Life after diagnosis—what changes, what challenges, and what’s next
Practical steps to manage stress, anxiety, and overwhelm
Plus: Is ADHD a case of nature vs nurture? Andy weighs in with expert insights

Whether you’re curious about ADHD, navigating your own diagnosis, or supporting someone who is, this episode is packed with real talk, helpful advice, and plenty of laughs along the way.

🔔 Subscribe for more raw and relatable chats about mental health every week!
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In this episode, we sit down with Tom Cronin – former finance executive turned global meditation teacher, wellness entrepreneur, and co-creator of The Portal.

Tom shares his powerful journey from high-stress city life to inner peace, and how he's now on a mission to inspire one billion people to meditate daily.

We dive deep into:
🔹 The Seven States of Consciousness
🔹 How stillness can radically reduce anxiety and stress
🔹 Breaking the stigma around meditation (especially for men)
🔹 The making of The Portal – a film and book experience changing lives worldwide
🔹 Simple tools to bring more peace and presence into your everyday life

Whether you're a skeptic, beginner, or seasoned meditator – this episode is packed with practical wisdom and grounded insight to help you take your mental health to the next level.

🌍 Explore Tom’s work: https://tomcronin.com
📖 The Portal: https://entertheportal.com

👇 Drop a comment and let us know your biggest takeaway – and if you’ve ever tried meditation.
Don’t forget to like, subscribe & hit the bell 🔔 for more real chats on mental health, mindset & masculinity.

#TomCronin #TheseLadsAreMental #Meditation #MentalHealth #MensMentalHealth #StillnessProject #ThePortal #Mindfulness #Wellbeing #Podcast
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