Phil Dixon is the latest guest on the Passion and Perspective Podcast.
Phil shares his honest reflections from his life, describing the power of connection and relationships in helping him navigate adversity.
Phil co-founded Walk it Off in 2022 and in this episode we hear how this local initiative has promoted the importance of connection in the local community.
Please note that this episode discusses mental health and suicide. If this is at all triggering for you, please seek help from LifeLine on 13 11 14 and connect with your support network.
Music: 'Friendship' by Annie Burbank
Courtney Nelson is today’s guest on the Passion and Perspective Podcast. In this conversation, Courtney reflects on the challenging periods of her life and how a positive mindset has helped her navigate these times. With a focus on a life of fulfillment, Courtney has used music as a way to channel life’s experiences into beautiful songs.
Performing under the name, Fade Meadow, Courtney has recently released her debut single, Shifting Focus - a raw and emotive piece that captures Courtney’s passion for music.
Music: "Friendship" - Annie Burbank
Noah Tracey joins the latest episode of the Passion and Perspective Podcast. Noah is a Punter for the Norfolk State University Football team. In a meteoric rise, Noah shares his inspiring journey that has taken him from the Blue Mountains to Melbourne and onto Virginia, USA in pursuit of his newfound passion.
With a deep determination coupled with a balanced perspective, Noah has embraced every opportunity that has come his way and continues to seek personal growth at every moment.
Through his experiences, Noah has come to recognise and appreciate that the path is rarely scripted and that we have the ability to create the way forward.
In this episode of the Passion and Perspective Podcast, we hear from local artist and conservationist Zorana McDavitt.
Raised in Penrith and now living in the Blue Mountains, Zorana has a lifelong love for art and creativity. With a deep curiosity and desire to learn Zorana is now channelling her passion to educate the community about conservation of our local environment, with a specific focus on birdlife.Zorana shares her honest reflections from life, juggling parenthood, career aspirations and passion projects.
Music: "Friendship" - Annie Burbank
Today we hear from local musician Gavin Bowles. Raised in the lower Blue Mountains and now living in the Penrith area, music has been a lifelong passion for Gavin.
Throughout this conversation, Gavin shares his perspective as a full time musician - providing an honest reflection of his pursuit. Speaking with Gavin, it reinforced to me that for any creative the path is not linear, nor is it easy.
Through the release of his latest album, with his band Gavin Bowles and the Distractions, the music Gavin shares features powerful messages, delivered through upbeat and catchy tunes.
Belle Butler is today's guest on the Passion and Perspective Podcast.
Belle shares her honest reflections from the world of creative arts in our conversation. Balancing her time between music, photography, writing and even stop motion art, Belle's journey is one of persistence. Across her life, Belle has navigated self doubt yet she has continued to pursue and refine her craft. It really resonated with me that Belle's determination and hard work has inspired her work and it shines through in her creative pieces.
Music: "Friendship" - Annie Burbank
Zoe Cox is the latest guest on the Passion and Perspective Podcast.
Zoe is an adventurer at her core and what resonated with me during our conversation was the deep curiosity that Zoe possesses. Intrigued by people, cultures, travel and the natural world, Zoe sees possibility in everything and it is that refreshing perspective that she shares through her counselling practice.
Music: 'Friendship' - Annie Burbank
Thank you for tuning in to today’s episode of the Passion and Perspective Podcast where we chat with Peter Earl.
Peter has long held a love for music, stemming back to his childhood where he had a passion for performance, playing piano and listening to the complexity of classical music.
Peter shares his inspiring story, with honest reflections about personal growth, navigating grief and fatherhood.
Music: ‘Friendship’ - Annie Burbank
Amanda Spratt will be part of history when the first Le Tour de France Femmes commences on July 24, departing from the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris. All eyes will be on the peloton as they embark on a gruelling 8-stage race, covering over 1000 kilometres.
The Springwood resident will call upon her experience from three Olympic Games and multiple World Championships as she competes in arguably the most significant race of her career. A leader for her team, Team BikeExchange-Jayco, Spratt recognises the importance of the moment both personally and for future generations.
Music: "Friendship" by Annie Burbank
In the two years since immersing himself into the world of marathon running, Ethan Mulholland has discovered the power of running in driving community cohesion. It is this community focus that motivates Ethan each time he runs.
Music: "Friendship" by Annie Burbank
Many musicians will have a particular genre, an era or a style that they are drawn to. Traditionally, classical music and 70’s inspired pop tracks should not co-exist. However, local musician and composer Wesley Stormer bucks this trend and has forged his path pursuing the two unique art forms.
Raised within a musical household, Wesley was exposed to a myriad of musicians, bands and performers that had significant influence on his composition work today. Without knowing it at the time, the early introduction to an eclectic mix of music sparked a passion for Wesley that has seen him showcase his craft locally and abroad.
Instagram: @passionperspectivepodcast
Music: “Friendship” by Annie Burbank
Competing in the iconic “Your Shot” DJ contest had long been an ambition for local musician Kristie Lees. Having plied her craft at the Australian Institute of Music – graduating with a Bachelor of Music – Kristie was familiar with the art of performance. Moving into the world of DJ-ing, however, was a step into the unknown but filled with an undercurrent of excitement. Home Nightclub hosted the “Your Shot” competition in 2019 and it was there that Kristie had the opportunity to make her debut set as a DJ.
Instagram: @passionperspectivepodcast
Music: “Friendship” by Annie Burbank
It has been over a decade since Kati Manning first set foot at Penrith Stadium as a professional dancer. Performing for the Pantherettes in her debut year – 2010 – was a moment that Kati describes as “such a different feeling.”
“I was really determined, and I was just stoked to be there”, Kati said.
“I had been to so many games in the grandstand before (as a fan), but sitting on the field…it’s so different.”
Now in her role as lead choreographer and coach for the Panthers’ cheerleaders, Kati has come full circle and is able to share her knowledge with the next generation of dancers, passing on her insights and experiences from years in the industry.
Instagram: @passionperspectivepodcast
Music: “Friendship” by Annie Burbank
Nicole Law is a Blue Mountains local and an artist, with a passion for continual growth.
Commencing life as an artist in her late 30’s, Nicole took the leap of faith and forged a new path in life. Challenging the conventional measures of success, Nicole no longer focuses solely on the output of her work but embraces the journey and the fact that she keeps on going. The sense of agency that art provides, as she describes, has been liberating for her creative process, uncovering a greater love for the experience and her craft.
“For a long time I had a different view of success and I always beat myself up that I wasn’t “successful”’, Nicole said.
“I have really come to redefine what success is for me. I realised that it is a path…success is not the destination, but success if figuring out who I am and keeping going on that journey.”
Producing quality work in an efficient manner is a very real challenge faced by all creatives. The pursuit of perfection can inspire, but also impede on the creative process. For Nicole, recognising that the process and the purpose are the most important elements was a key to overcoming roadblocks.
“Perfectionism is the enemy of art and the enemy of creativity”, Nicole said.
“Being a perfectionist is focusing on the output and not the process. If you remember why you are doing something…that’s the interesting part”.
The power of art has transformed Nicole. Being able to share this transformation and inspire others is what resonates most strongly for her.
“What I am proud of…I am proud that I have shared my process. That is where I think I have inspired the most people. I am proud that I have inspired people through my actions”.
Instagram: @passionperspectivepodcast
Music: “Friendship” by Annie Burbank
Pushing the limits of physical fitness has been a part of Matt Hamilton’s life since his youth. Matt has a deep passion for fitness and is a student of his craft. Beyond just the physical benefits, he believes exercise is critical to positive mental health. The Kurrajong local runs local gym Last Round and is committed to using this platform to help people grow holistically.
“It builds you up…to keep on top of a balanced mental attitude and maintain focus, fitness plays a pretty important role in that. It certainly has for me”, Matt said.
“That sense of ongoing achievement…you set that goal, you do the hard work, you get the reward. When you start to add those things up…you start to get a pretty decent reserve of resilience both physically and mentally”.
Matt knows the power of physical exercise better than most. After nearly two decades in the NSW Police Force, Matt hit rock bottom in 2010. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was the result of years of traumatic moments. Whilst managing the day-to-day challenges, it was the identity crisis that proved just as difficult to overcome.
““The thing that was equally as debilitating as the actual PTSD was the loss of identity…you go through this rollercoaster ride”, Matt said.
“It’s not until you come through the other side of that and lucidly and go back identify these points along your career path that led to recognising that it was something that impacted me.”
Being in a position to help others through fitness underpins Matt’s purpose. In a world of instant gratification and quick wins, Matt has maintained a focus on the horizon, ensuring that the long-term goals are the true measure of achievement. He views his role as a guide – pursuing the infinite game – for his clients at Last Round, that each person can untap that potential inside.
“What drives me to get better at this is that I don’t have all the answers. As a coach, I am big on the education side of it…telling people what they’re doing and why they’re doing it”, Matt said.
“Training is not about the session, it’s not about what you get done this week…the goal of coming to Last Round…it’s a long term prospect. For me, it’s about finding the best path (for the client)…I’m helping them along the way, steering them.”
Instagram: @passionperspectivepodcast
Music: “Friendship” by Annie Burbank
This episode contains references to mental health issues.. If this is at all triggering for you, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 and reach out to your network of family and friends.
Angus Brandt has built an impressive resumé as a professional basketballer. Commonwealth Games gold medallist, 2-time National Basketball League (NBL) champion and being named to Pac-12 All-Academic at Oregon State University headline an impressive career to-date for the 32-year-old. Yet, the journey to this point has not been conventional. From the moment he first started playing basketball alongside school mates in Wagga Wagga, Angus has been driven purely by his passion for the game, a mindset that has seen him overcome many hurdles over the years.
“As a kid growing up playing basketball, I was just oblivious to the world of what you could achieve by being a basketball player. I played basketball because I loved it,” Angus said.
“There was no thought to doing it (basketball) as a career. I didn’t grow up expecting to be a professional basketball player.”
Playing locally in his youth for the Springwood Scorchers and Penrith Panthers, Angus made a name for himself with his athletic play and imposing figure on the court. Missing selection to state representative teams as an 18-year-old was not a deterrent for Angus. With a mature and open mind to life, Angus maintained a grounded perspective about basketball.
As fate would have it, the right people were watching at the right time. The aforementioned selection trials did not yield a place in the team, but Damian Cotter – then NSW Institute of Sport basketball coach, now Assistant Coach with the Chicago Bulls – was looking on with intrigue and interest. Cotter was impressed with the work ethic and raw skill set displayed by the young Brandt.
“For me, that was the first opportunity I had really been given to train with a high-level program. I jumped right in and took full advantage of it (scholarship with NSWIS)”, Angus said.
“He said he saw a raw talent in me…he saw the physical attributes I had and I guess he thought he would be able to sharpen those skills and that’s what he did. He helped me push past what I thought my physical barriers were.”
The persistence to his craft and desire to train started to reap reward for Angus. Fine tuning his on-court game to complement a sharper mental and physical approach, saw significant improvements. With prompting and counsel from Cotter, Angus took a leap of faith in pursuing a place within the USA college system – the leading amateur sport competition in the world.
“We trained all the time…we would go wherever Damian wanted us to go and we trained multiple days a week. From that, Damian basically said ‘You’ve got a shot at going to college in America’”, Angus said.
“Up to that point, I didn’t think I could do that…the whole world of college basketball was so foreign to me…so foreign that I didn’t even consider it as an option.”
Instagram: @passionperspectivepodcast
Music: “Friendship” by Annie Burbank
Marnie Ponton is an elite athlete, mother of two and an emergency nurse practitioner. As a cross disciplined runner balancing her time between her passion, career and family, Marnie has built a lifestyle centered on consistency. With a strong belief that discipline leads to freedom, Marnie not only manages her time effectively, but thrives in each area of her life.
“Everything is very planned in building for whatever race that I am preparing for…everything now is very prescriptive…I know exactly what I am doing, and it is all for a purpose,” Marnie said.
“Consistent wake ups (are the key). I wake up at 5.00am every morning and then do my first session.”
Having pursued running since her youth, Marnie took a break from running to start a family and forge a path working in health. The time away was beneficial for many reasons. For Marnie, it helped ignite that spark – the love for running that she once knew. Immersing herself back into the sport, Marnie credits the inspiring and supportive community, plus the environment itself, across the Blue Mountains, which helped her reacquaint her love with running.
“The Blue Mountains community is packed with runners…I started jogging with them and they were talking about all the local races, like the Six Foot Track (Marathon)…that got me excited,” Marnie said.
“I love feeling part of the community…the community we have is super special and it has made me really love the area. Whenever I need to recharge, I go straight into the National Park (for a run). It is beautiful. I love it.”
Throughout her career, Marnie has been the beneficiary of influential coaches who have taken her running to the next level around the world. When asked what advice she would pass onto the next generation, Marnie referenced the need for introspection and internal drive to truly unlock your potential.
“I think it is really important for young athletes to have that self-belief. I would tell them to enjoy their running and to be consistent,” Marnie said.
“The most important thing is to recognise why you are running and to enjoy it.”
Instagram: @passionperspectivepodcast
Music: “Friendship” by Annie Burbank
Rock climbing is an artform, a moving meditation and a dance on the rock. For Paul Thomson, it is also humbling every time he tackles a climb. “Frothy” – as he is affectionately known in climbing circles – is a well renowned rock climber and new route setter in the Blue Mountains. Immersing himself into the sport, rock climbing has also been an escape for Paul. It has provided solace during times of adversity in his life. A longstanding neurological eye condition – which deteriorated last year - reduced Paul’s eyesight and his ability to focus.
“My eyes don’t focus properly anymore…over the years it has got worse. It’s only now it’s got so much worse that it impairs aspects of my day-to-day life”, Paul said.
“Despite knowing this is permanent – it’s amazing how much I forget about it. That it’s not this dark cloud hanging over my head…because I’m out there climbing with my mates in these amazing locations.”
The commitment to the sport runs deep for Paul and his connections are far and wide. Having given so much time and passion to the local rock-climbing community, it was no surprise that in a time of need Paul was met with an outpouring of support. He credits his shift in perspective and resilience to those within the climbing fraternity.
“Before I developed my current eye condition, I would have said that I could not live without climbing”, Paul said.
“But now I realise that it wasn’t the climbing itself that was integral to my life, but the climbing community. With the right prompting from all the people around me I was able to get climbing again.”
Responsible for developing new routes around the Blue Mountains, Paul has a reputation for the iconic and infamous climbs. The rock face is a blank canvas for Paul, which he describes as “art meets engineering”. The routes are unique to Paul and a reflection of his personality. He wants to challenge climbers and to elicit strong emotions from those who choose to tackle his work.
“My philosophy is, when I finish with a route – equipping it, climbing it, tidying up the climbing area – it should be the best that I can possibly make it. I want to walk away knowing that the art is properly complete”, Paul said.
“It is a stunning feeling to have people repeat your climbs, especially the harder ones or the less visited ones. Maybe they’ve had a great experience, maybe they don’t. Either way they have had an experience.”
Instagram: @passionperspectivepodcast
Music: “Friendship” by Annie Burbank
Not many could have predicted that Tyran Liddiard would be the recipient of the Benaud Medal in his maiden year of first grade cricket. The coveted medal – awarded for Player of the Match in the NSW Premier Cricket grand final – was awarded to 20-year-old Liddiard in the 2018/19 season finale. Many had doubted that he would hold a permanent place in the team, let alone thrive at the premier level. Being an integral part of the premiership winning team is something that surprised Tyran himself.
“I wasn’t expected to play first grade cricket…but to actually get there, prove people wrong and do well for my area…it was amazing,” Tyran said.
“No one thought I could have done that…not even myself to be honest…it’s something you dream of.”
The premiership win – Penrith’s first at that level in 36 years – is now part of local sport folklore. With a close-knit squad of homegrown talent, Penrith’s success was a direct result of the hard work and commitment of the playing group, according to Tyran.
“I haven’t actually thought about it (the premiership) for a while…it gives me goosebumps talking about it. It’s an experience I will never forget,” Tyran said.
“We played some really good teams that year. For us, everything just clicked. We played as a team…we were not an All-Star team, just eleven local players. We toiled and worked hard all year just to get to that point (grand final)…during that season everyone stood up.”
It is the memorable moments and unique experiences forged through cricket that are most important to Tyran. Whilst the cricket resumé and stat book are filling fast – including selection to the NSW Second XI this week – it is not the accolades or personal milestones he is seeking.
Whilst his on field performances continue to turn heads, it is his work off the field that he feels can make the biggest difference to the community. As a qualified primary school teacher, Tyran understands the unique opportunity he has, to make a positive difference to the next generation. A large focus of his teaching is educating students on Aboriginal culture. A proud Biripi man, Tyran has grown up with his culture at the core of his life.
“I have always known I am Aboriginal, so I have always been very big on culture…all of that has helped me grow as a person. I am so proud of who I am and what I am. Every Aboriginal person should be proud of who they are,” Tyran said.
“My favourite time of year is when the whole family gets together (on country)…honestly, it’s the most fun I’ve ever had and I am learning about my culture.”
Instagram: @passionperspectivepodcast
Music: “Friendship” by Annie Burbank
Set halfway up a sheer cliff face, measuring up her next move, it would be understandable for Angie Scarth-Johnson to be nervous. Yet it is a feeling of calmness and enjoyment that grips the 17-year-old. Honing her craft for over a decade all around the world, you could also expect the monotony of repetition to set in, however for Angie, the spark remains the same as she experienced her first time at a climbing gym as a 7-year-old.
“The first time I ever went to a gym and climbed on the easy climbs…that feeling of getting to the top is the same feeling I get now when I get to the top of a climb outside”, Angie said.
“The moment I found it (climbing), I knew it was what I wanted to do. I always liked that challenge of getting to the top as a young kid. I love that it is a battle against yourself. I’ve never really been into team sports…I love rock climbing because you are not against anyone else except yourself and the rock.”
The persistence shown by rock climbers is unfathomable whilst also envious. Angie’s determination for personal improvement reaped reward, as late last year she became the first Australian woman to complete a Grade 35 (9a) climb, conquering the Vicitmas Del Futur in Spain. Having attempted the climb the previous season – committing countless hours to the pursuit of success – it was an outpouring of relief once she reached the pinnacle.
“Coming over the top of that cliff and clipping the last chain, felt like I had released all this pressure that I had placed on myself to send this climb. It felt unreal”, Angie said.
“You can be there for hours every day and you don’t know if there’s actually a way through it…when you achieve it and find that missing link…I find that really interesting and fun”.
The ground-breaking moment is reflective of Angie’s role as a trail blazer, both in her sport and for aspiring athletes around the world. The ascent also carried extra meaning for her, having missed qualification for the newly included Sport Climbing at the Tokyo Olympics earlier in the year. Whilst many would resort to resentment, Angie is excited about the rise of her sport and the growth of rock-climbing in Australia.
“To see these people pushing it for Australia…it is really great. Australia has come really far with climbing”, Angie said.
“I see a lot of strong women (climbers) coming out of Australia and I think that is amazing, because that is what helps us push forward”.
Not keen to rest on her laurels, the strive for success continues for Angie, as she sets her eyes on conquering more record breaking climbs.
“I hope to achieve another 9a (Grade 35)…I feel like I have to do two of them before I move onto a 9a+.”
Instagram: @passionperspectivepodcast
Music: “Friendship” by Annie Burbank