5 With A Digger Podcast

Episode 64 and I'm joined by Matho. Matho served 13 years in the army but discharged after a mental breakdown in 1989. Following his discharge, he turned down a dark path doing some very questionable things. He changed his ways and became a minister in 1992. In 2023 he was called to Ukraine and has built the infrastructure and partnerships required to build a national rehabilitation system for veterans and their families. He intends to bring those works back to Australia to serve our veterans through an Holistic Wellbeing Vocationally based family support system. It’s called Veterans Training Resettlement Action Cooperative. (V.T.R.A.C). I was lucky enough to catch up with him for a yarn before he heads back to the Ukraine with government officials to show them his work over there.

Episode 63 and I'm joined by JD.JD is a returning guest after first appearing on the show on episode 4. We talk more about his deployments and life post military. We also chat about a new challenge we are going to launch in conjunction with the new studio opening, 'The 5 With A Challenge'. Big shoutout to M Adams Civil, Above and Beyond Home Maintenance, Gravel Empire, New Look Painting Contractors and All Fixed Diesels for all their help getting our new studio up and running.

Episode 62 and I’m joined by Dani. She has completed a Bachelor of Complementary Medicine in 2024. She is a certified Holistic Health Coach and she is also qualified in Trauma informed care, coaching & somatic breathwork facilitation. She has a special interest in supporting the health and wellbeing of individuals experiencing complex health and mental health issues, as well as those navigating or recovering from challenging life events and circumstances. We also discuss PTSD and the effects and treatment available.

Episode 61 and I’m joined by Turk! Turk joined the RAN in 2004 as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. He was posted to RAAF WAGGA,HMAS ALBATROSS, HMAS KANIMBLA and RAAF TOWNSVILLE.He transferred to army in 2011 and voluntary discharged in 2012. Following his military career he moved overseas to continue his fighting career but also ended up down the wrong path seeking the camaraderie that he missed from his service, ultimately leading him to a jail sentence. We talk about support for veterans incarcerated and his life now that he has rejoined society.

Episode 60 and I’m joined by Matty Sawyer. Matty joined the army in 2008 as a rifleman and was posted to 8/9RAR. During his time he completed courses as a combat first aider, a bushmaster driver and a bushmaster commander. He deployed to Darwin in 2010 on Op resolute to assist the navy with border patrol. In 2011 he assisted in QLD with a flood assist exercise. In 2012 he was deployed to Afghan for SOTG 17. And discharged on 2014.

Episode 59 and I’m joined by Logan Baker. Logan is based on the Sunshine Coast and is a mental health advocate and entrepreneur involved in multiple organizations driven by a singular mission: to help others with mindset shifts and gratitude. He also works to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.

Episode 58 and I’m joined by local Cooroy legend, personal trainer and boxing coach Mark Evans. Mark spent his childhood moving around Australia going down what could be only described as a troubled path. He managed to turn his life around and now spends his days running his own boxing gym Impact Boxing, one of the Australian Boxing coaches and the president of the QLD boxing academy. He is instrumental in community programs with children with disabilities, troubled youths, mental health support and veterans programs.

Episode 57 and I’m joined by Maison. He did basic training in 2019 but broke his pelvis 5 weeks in! He was pushed back for E months, finally finishing at Kapooka 6 months after he started. He posted to Bandiana for 3 months to learn logistics, before posting to Robertson barracks in Darwin. He served with 5 RAR for 4 years including plenty of field exercises for in the harsh NT weather. He then deployed to Malaysia in 2022 with delta company for jungle warfare training before being medically discharged in December 2023

Episode 56 and I’m joined by Renee! Renee joined the navy when she was 18, in 2007 after a rebellious childhood. She spent a total of 6 years in defence. She deployed to Operation resolute in 2009. Having 3 children while in the navy, moving across the country. She discharged in 2013. She now focuses her life on her real estate career and being a mum!