Share
Better Than Yesterday: Osher Günsberg
257: Matthew Mitcham
Matthew Mitcham is a retired Olympic Diver who has a life full of firsts. He’s the first openly gay athlete to ever win an Olympic gold medal, winning that gold medal with the highest-ever single dive score in Olympic History.
While his career was incredibly high profile, and he indeed achieved dominance in his sport - it was what happened out of the pool that has in my opinion shaped the wonderful man who came over to our apartment this week.
Matthew wrote a memoir in 2012 called “Twists and Turns”, and is currently topping off a linguistics degree as he grows into a superb cabaret performer.
He’s got a show coming up this week in Sydney -
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
with Matthew Mitcham
Saturday 27 October, 7pm
Bondi Pavilion Theatre
http://www.bonditheatrecompany.com.au/shows/up-close-and-personal
This conversation talks a bit about diving.
A bit about sexuality, and a LOT about addiction and recovery.
There’s quite a bit of stuff in here that might trigger you if you or someone you know has a history of crystal meth use - and if you need someone to talk to in Australia please call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or reach out to the crisis counselling service in your area.
Speaking of reaching out.
In this conversation Matthew and I speak a lot about meetings. The meetings are everywhere, they’re not hard to find, and if you need help, and you’re willing to do whatever it takes to not need to drink or use again, you’ll find what you need in those meetings. I can’t recommend them enough.
If you’ve never had a problem with drinking or using - I hope this conversation gives you a window into what life can be like in recovery, and the daily work that can happen so that life doesn’t need to be a repetitive downward spiral heading to the foregone conclusion of institution, hospitalisation or incarceration, or worse.
That’s not the chirpiest intro I’ve done - but this is a solid chat with a guy that’s got some solid time, it was good to talk about recovery this way.
You can find Matthew on twitter he’s @matthew_mitcham and instagram @MatthewMitcham88- let him know you heard him here, and enjoy this conversation with Matthew Mitcham.
That was he’s on Twitter @matthew_mitcham and instagram @MatthewMitcham88- let him know you heard him here
More episodes
View all episodes
Relinquishing Control (aka a mental health plan to deal with the last half of 2024)
19:52If you’re already at saturation with how tumultuous it’s been since the assasination attempt on Donald Trump, and you’re already overwhelmed even though we’re still 4 months away from a US election, and then there’s our own election right around the corner - you’re not alone. In the interests of being able to cope for the next while, on this episode Osher has a bit of a mental health plan for keeping our heads level. And it’s got to do with control. During this conversation Osher mentions Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl. To get on the newsletter, find the link at oshergunsberg.com
Raising boys into respectful men (w/ Abby Coleman)
59:22Abby is the Abby in Stav, Matt and Abby on B105 in Brisbane. She’s a brilliant radio announcer, mum of three boys and the woman who married Osher and Audrey. This conversation is one Osher has been wanting to have for a long time, mostly because it debriefs a few things about that radio job in a way that hasn't been spoken about before. Osher and Abby also cover the importance of sleep and mindset about sleep, the impact of framing situations and how eliminating one word from your vocabulary can change everything, and then we get really deep. Abby talks very openly about her experiences with eating disorders, how she navigates gender dynamics in the radio workplace, and her work with Small Steps for Hannah, which is a foundation set up to prevent domestic violence. Eating Disorder Support: Butterfly Foundation: 1800 33 4673 Sexual assault support services: 1800 Respect national helpline: 1800 737 732 Sexual Assault Counselling Australia: 1800 385 578 Bravehearts (support for child sexual abuse survivors): 1800 272 831 Lifeline (24-hour Crisis Line): 131 114 Victims of Crime Helpline: 1800 819 817When being on time makes you 20 minutes late (and four more bits of wisdom from the 101 Rules of Show Business)
16:32In this episode Osher explores rules 14-19 of his 101 RULES OF SHOW BUSINESS, including this cracker he learned from Dan Machpherson: Rule Number 16: If you arrive at your call time, you’re 20min late. The time on your call sheet isn’t the time you’re pulling into the carpark. It’s not the time you’re making a cuppa in the kitchen. It’s the time you’re ready to go. Get there 20 mins early to do all that other stuff, because working in entertainment is a dance between hundreds of people trying to coordinate perfectly - and you need to be where you’re told to be exactly when you’re told to be there so that everyone else can do their job too. For more (and every episode ever) head to https://oshergunsberg.com/
The true meaning of courage and facing the brutal cost of war, plus some solid SurvivorAU stories (w/ Mark Wales)
01:01:36When it comes to foreign policy, sometimes a credible military consequence is required to ensure that diplomacy can work. Keeping peace between nations is vital, however sometimes the decision to move to violence is made by someone else - and then a government has few options on the table. But what happens when our government’s decision to send our military into a war zone under the auspices of protecting our country no longer serves us? Today Osher speaks with Mark Wales, a former SAS commander who’s probably going to surprise you with his views on national security. Mark joined the army at 17 and eventually made ten deployments, including Timor-Leste, Solomon Islands, Iraq, Afghanistan, Fiji and Lebanon. This conversation dives deep on sleep, mental health, gun violence, trauma, parenting, and life in the military. And don’t worry. Osher absolutely asked him about winning Survivor. Mark is not only a fascinating man whose geopolitical knowledge is super-sharp, he’s a fabulous author. He’s penned a best-selling autobiography “Survivor”, and his latest book “Outrider” is a dystopian sci-fi novel set in the woody forests of Victoria. If you like this episode be sure to check out Osher’s chat with former SEAL team sniper Brandon Tyler Webb, a cracking conversation with fellow Brisbanian Paul De Gelder and for the other side of things, legendary war correspondent Michael Ware. Every episode ever is available at oshergunsberg.com, where you can also leave Osher a message (even a voice mail)Nothing works unless everything works (and four other gems from the 101 rules of show business)
13:05In this episode Osher explores rules 10-13 of his 101 RULES OF SHOWBUSINESS, including this beaut: Rule Number 13: Nothing works unless everything works. Every moment you’re at work is a moment you’re not with your family or doing something you love. Time is money and you only get so many hours alive, so don’t waste either. To avoid days slowing down, budgets getting blown or work grinding to a halt - be helpful. For more (and every episode ever) head to oshergunsberg.comThe difference between a dream and a goal is..
15:28Following Snezana Wood’s (link her episode here) episode this week, Osher explores what it means to challenge yourself with something you don’t think you can do, and opens up about one of his long-term goals. If there are things you’ve always wanted to do, perhaps this may be of use to you in starting the journey towards those things real. Because there’s a big difference between a dream and a goal. If you feel like you want to share yours, there’s a contact form at oshergunsberg.com
Transforming your life by trying things you don’t think you can do (w/Snezana Wood)
01:03:23Snezana Wood’s story might be one that you think you know - however there’s a lot more to her than you could possibly imagine. Today Osher speaks to this powerful mother of four who has a heck of a story to tell - it’s so good that there’s a whole book about it, which is incredible considering how busy a busy mum of four kids with a a degree in Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology must be. Her new book Untold: A story of love, motherhood, heartbreak and change is out now. For every episode ever and to get in touch head to oshergunsberg.comRule Number 7: The moment your heart doesn’t race when you turn on the microphone, get out of the chair and give someone else a go.
18:17Osher is slowly working his way through the 101 Rules of Show Business and today's rules a doozy. Even if you never work in entertainment, it’s a rule that can remind you when it’s time to step aside from something (even a relationship!).Also Rule 9 will blow your mind.You’ll never think about getting fired the same way.