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5 With A Digger Podcast
5 With A Digger. Darren Hurford.
Season 1, Ep. 49
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Episode 49 and I'm joined by Darren Hurford. Darren enlisted in the Army in 2013 at 27 years old under the DRS program. After completing basic training and Infantry IET’s he went to the AIT program at Holdsworthy, then on to Commando selection in 2014. After being medically withdrawn from the course he was posted to 6 RAR later that year and struggled with the day to day soldier life in the battalion. In 2015 he attempted the Basic Reconnaissance Course but was unsuccessful in passing. The following year Darren went for Commando selection again but was removed via BOS (Board Of Studies) 3 days before the end. Needing to regroup and refocus, Darren set his sights on SASR min mill selection. Through 2017 he was chosen for the Duke Of Gloucester Cup team representing 6 RAR, with the team being successful in obtaining the Royal Ulster's Trophy (run and shoot portion of the competition). In April of 2018 Darren attended SASR selection but withdrew after day 3. Following his return to the battalion he underwent the process of medical discharge from the Army, ultimately leaving in May 2019. Since then he has started a bootcamp style program working with people who want to change their lives!
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66. 5 With A Digger. Paul 'Pops' Malone
41:35||Season 1, Ep. 66Episode 66 and I'm joined by Paul Malone. Paul started his career in the Army Apprentice School at Balcombe in 1979. Throughout his 20 year career he moved all across Australia, finally discharging and finishing his career after a posting in Townsville. Following his discharge, he opened an outboard shop in Maroochydore but to no avail. He now contracts for defence repairing marine equipment and is the QLD representative for an amazing veterans charity “Guitars for Veterans Australia".65. 5 With A Digger. Suzie B Fit & 5 With A Challenge!
37:34||Season 1, Ep. 65Episode 65 and I'm joined by Suzie B Fit! Suzie returns to the show after appearing on episode 20 to catch up, and help me launch our new challenge "The 5 With A Challenge". Its very simple, pick 5 things you want to achieve over 5 days over the week! They don't have to be fitness based and can incorporate any aspect of your life. After regular progress each week, you will see what consistency can do! Looking forward to having as many of you as possible join us for this challenge starting on Monday 30th June!64. 5 With A Digger. Matho.
58:45||Season 1, Ep. 64Episode 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.63. 5 With A Digger. JD 2.0
01:01:01||Season 1, Ep. 63Episode 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.62. 5 With A Digger. Dani.
39:53||Season 1, Ep. 62Episode 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.61. 5 With A Digger. Turk.
41:00||Season 1, Ep. 61Episode 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.60. 5 With A Digger. Matty Sawyer.
55:41||Season 1, Ep. 60Episode 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 2014.59. 5 With A Digger. Logan Baker.
59:04||Season 1, Ep. 59Episode 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.58. 5 With A Digger. Mark Evans.
38:14||Season 1, Ep. 58Episode 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.