Paramedic Mindset

David Georgiou is a former professional Rugby League player who had stints with Penrith Panthers and Brisbane Broncos in the NRL, as well as representing Greece between 2005 and 2012. He is now a successful business owner and entrepreneur, having owned and operated Precision Fitness 24/7 since 2014. Through his business, David has helped hundreds of people transform their mindsets and physiques, and is passionate about developing young athletes and educating them to achieve healthier, stronger versions of themselves. With his background in sports, David understands the importance of discipline, hard work, and perseverance in achieving success both on and off the field. He brings this same level of dedication and commitment to his work as a business owner, and is constantly striving to improve himself and his business. Link to his gym website:  www.precisionfitness.com.au

Brigid is a Critical Care Paramedic based in Brisbane. Over the past twenty years she has gained extensive EMS experience in both Australia and Ireland. She is interested in educating and developing paramedics to empower them to perform at their best. Her superpower is in cultivating professional relationships to achieve the best patient outcomes. Follow me on Instagram and  YouTube. For more, go to  https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/   Music by Ehrling Music.

Brad Miers is a Senior Operations Supervisor and Critical Care Paramedic for the Queensland Ambulance Service. He has over 32 years' of experience in both rural and urban response. Of these, 25 years were spent working in fixed and rotary-winged aircraft. He was born in a small shearing town in Western Queensland and he grew up being raised by the stoic and resilient men and women of the bush. This provided him with the necessary adaptive attributes to provide the highest pre-hospital clinical care in an unpredictable environment.  Follow me on Instagram and  YouTube. For more, go to  https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/ Music by Ehrling Music.

James is a medical doctor with an interest in the extremes of human performance and physiology. With a background in critical care medicine he has been fortunate to combine this professional experience with first hand involvement in a range of challenging environmental extremes. Through the completion of ultramarathons and high-altitude climbing expeditions, including a successful ascent of Mt Everest, he is passionate about translating this understanding to how our bodies and minds function when under extreme pressure. Follow me on Instagram and  YouTube. For more, go to  https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/   Music by Ehrling Music.

For Russell Manser, robbing a bank felt like parachuting out of a plane. The adrenaline, the rush, the risk. Crashing through the doors, sizing up the room, hoping the security guard in the corner didn't decide to be a hero. Leaping over the teller counters to empty the drawers where the big bank notes were kept. And yet, in spite of the balaclava and the weapon, he was regarded by his peers as "a gentleman" bank robber. Polite. Professional. The guns were rarely loaded. "You don't want people panicking because that will cause you problems." Sometimes he would even apologise and tell them to "have a good day" on the way out. The real thrill was getting out the door without being blasted in the head, holding a big bag of cash. But there is no such thing as a gentleman bank robber. There is just a criminal. He knows that now. He knows he traumatised and damaged people, terrified them. Manser, about to turn 17, was sentenced to 12 months in an adult prison to deter "kids from Mount Druitt stealing Porsches from affluent areas". At Long Bay he was put into One Wing — a protection wing — which often housed sex offenders who would otherwise be killed in the main prison. He was skinny, young, blonde and blue-eyed. A "pretty boy". Manser says as he was put into a cell with two paedophiles, the prison officer said, "have fun, boys". "I was just a kid," Manser recalls.   Follow me on Instagram and  YouTube. For more, go to  https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/   Music by Ehrling Music.  

His career in Ambulance Victoria has been rich with opportunities. Only a few years had passed after qualifying as a paramedic he was offered the opportunity to undertake intensive care training, known as MICA. He found the role at times challenging, but highly rewarding.  Tenures at the different ambulance colleges unearthed a love of teaching that continues today and has spanned more than 25 years. Assisting paramedics to master their craft has been one of his most satisfying achievements. After 15 years as a paramedic, he achieved his ultimate career goal after joining Air Ambulance, working on fixed and rotary wing aircraft. He describes the role as extreme, attending to the sickest and most seriously injured patients. A role that has seen him in the waters of Bass Straight, the deep Victorian bush and on top of the highest snow-covered mountains, all to help a person in need.  He regards his experiences working with highly talented paramedics, pilots and crewmen at Air Ambulance as a career highlight, “To work in a team of people committed to helping a patient in crisis is a privilege. To know that your team has played a small part in saving a life, there can be no greater reward”. For more go to, https://www.darrenhodge.com/  Follow me on Instagram and  YouTube. For more, go to  https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/   Music by Ehrling Music

For as long as I can remember, I've been chasing “success” and running from “failure”. I've had super high highs and incredibly low lows. Mine is an interesting story – and for a long time it was a story I didn't want to tell because I felt like I'd failed.  As a kid dreaming of performing on stage, I had the life I'd always wanted by the age of 21. I was touring internationally with Savage Garden, later securing my own record deal, releasing a hit single, which became the most played Australian song on commercial radio in 2001. Success came early, but was short lived. By 27 I was dropped from my label, broke with no job or prospects. And then on top of it all, I lost my mum unexpectedly, and my life fell to pieces. I was lost in grief, scared shitless, and left to start again.  This moment wasn't fearless. It was messy and full of fear – but I made myself take just one tiny step. I went back to study and found a new outlet for my creativity.  And I began to untell the stories I had told to myself about who I was and what I was capable of.  I redefined my fucked up definition of success and started on the journey of becoming the kind of person who could make it happen. For more on Jen Jeavons visit her website - https://jenjeavons.com/    Follow me on Instagram and  YouTube. For more, go to  https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/   Music by Ehrling Music.

Andrew began his training in the UK and after a brief sojourn to sail around the world he settled in Melbourne to complete his training at Western Health, where he now works.   He is passionate about the well-being of healthcare workers and has worked with AHPRA and Safer Care Victoria to make things a little bit better. He continues to promote this through his role as a regional well-being champion.   His other passion is knowledge translation. His work, via Don't Forget the Bubbles, has been referenced by everyone from the WHO to Jimmy Fallon. Follow me on Instagram and  YouTube. For more, go to  https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/   Music by Ehrling Music.

The Story Shared: Brad opened up about a time when a friend and fellow paramedic tragically died in a helicopter crash. The experience of dealing with another paramedic's death on the job struck a nerve in Brad as he had to deal with his own mortality. Later on in his career, he would come to work and operate out of the same helicopter service for over 14 years. He shares how he was able to overcome the grief of his friend dying and do the same thing that killed him.   About Brad Norris: Brad “Nobby” Norris started working for the ambulance in 1988 at the tender age of 18. He has worked as a paramedic for the past 34 years and continues to this day. Working as a critical care paramedic for 17 years, Brad has vast knowledge and experience in the profession demonstrated by having worked as an Urban Search and Rescue Officer, special response team leader, rescue helicopter paramedic, officer in charge, educator, and operation supervisor.  He describes having a fantastic career with lifelong friends, and brotherhood and loved helping people. He has gone from a shy boy at school to a confident man who takes charge of challenging scenes. After all these years still going strong mentally, physically, enthusiastic and focused as a clinician is a testament to his nature. He is now looking forward to the next few years mentoring the younger generation and guiding them through their initial challenging years.  Career Highlights: → Responding to Earthquake in New Zealand. → Operating in fires, floods and cyclones as a special response team leader.   Expertise: → Real-world application of paramedic skills. → Leadership under pressure.      Follow me on Instagram and  YouTube. For more, go to  https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/   Music by Ehrling Music.

The Story Shared: Sam Bloom spoke about a time when her best friend was killed by a grenade in Africa and how she should have been with him at the time of the accident. Sam suffered from survivor's guilt, wishing that it was her instead of her friend. She also goes on to describe the effects of the tragic accident that led to her being paralysed and in a wheelchair. About Sam Bloom: The blink of an eye, a heartbeat, a split second in time. That's all it took for Sam Bloom's life to change forever. Sam had everything she had always dreamed of. She'd travelled extensively, fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a nurse and was a happily married mother of three young boys. Without warning, the dream turned into a nightmare when on a 2013 family holiday in Thailand, Sam fell through a rotten balcony railing and crashed six metres onto the concrete below. Lucky to be alive, she'd suffered devastating injuries, including severe damage to her spinal cord that left her paralysed from the chest down. Broken and hopeless, Sam reached her outer limits of physical and mental suffering. But with courage, determination and a little help from an unlikely feathered friend, she made her way back from the edge, scarred but undefeated. Career Highlights: → World Para Surfing Champion. → Paralympian representing Australia.  → Her story has now been transformed into a major film produced by Naomi Watts. Expertise: → Inspirational speaker. → Ambassador to multiple not-for-profit organisations.  → Sam Bloom: Heartache & Birdsong shares Sam's personal perspective on facing and overcoming adversity.   For more on Sam Bloom visit her website - https://sambloom.com.au   Follow me on Instagram and  YouTube. For more, go to  https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/   Music by Ehrling Music.

The Story Shared: Mandy Hickson's fascinating story of being shot at by a missile over Iraq is truly remarkable. This story is so captivating that it could be written as its own book. Mandy details how the mission was the first she completed as the lead commander, flying her Top Gun fighter jet, the Torpedo, during the Iraq war and the critical decisions she needed to make under immense pressure. About Mandy Hickson:  Finding a love of flying early in life, Mandy fought hard to achieve her ambition to be a Royal Air Force pilot. She was only the second woman to fly the Tornado GR4 on the front line, amassing over thirty years of experience within aviation, completing three tours of duty and 45 missions over Iraq during that time. Mandy is a highly demanded keynote speaker across a range of business sectors, where she talks with humour and great passion to inspire those around her. She has been invited to share her insights with some of the most successful organisations across the world where she describes the strategies & behaviours that can be adopted when the stakes are at their highest.  Career Highlights: → Second woman to ever fly a Tornado GR4 in combat. → Author - An Officer, Not a Gentleman. → 30 Years' experience in Aviation. Expertise: → Human performance factors; decision-making, communication, leadership, and behaviour. → Keynote speaker. → Flight instructor.   For more on Mandy Hickson visit her website - https://www.mandyhickson.com/   Follow me on Instagram and  YouTube. For more, go to  https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/   Music by Ehrling Music.

The Story Shared: Cameron Hardiman detailed a story of a time when a rescue attempt nearly killed him. Whilst hanging from a helicopter in 40+ knots of wind and 50-foot high waves, Cameron was taken under by the giant wave. He was trying to save a sailor whose vessel was stricken by the severe weather, but he almost lost his life. This experience may not have killed him, but it changed his life forever. About Cameron Hardiman:  As a member of Victoria Police's Air Wing, Cameron Hardiman felt like he was ten feet tall and bulletproof. The air wing brought him plenty of excitement and drama - from searching for missing aircraft to accidentally discovering marijuana crops to working with paramedics. But it also brought him plenty of trauma ... He saw his fair share of trauma and dealt with it like most coppers would: he quickly put each dangerous job out of his mind as soon as it was over. But one particular rescue in Bass Strait brought about a reckoning - and Cameron was never the same again. Career Highlights: → Victorian Rescue Helicopter as a Policeman. → Australian Federal Police. → A distinguished police officer. Expertise: → Dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. → Inspirational speaker and presenter. → Active promotor for improved mental health for all emergency service workers.   For more read Cameron's book - 10 feet tall and not quite bulletproof.     Follow me on Instagram and  YouTube. For more, go to  https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/   Music by Ehrling Music.

The Story Shared: Darius Boyd shared his journey from being one of the best Rugby League players in the world to being admitted into a mental health facility. Darius opens up about his mental struggle during a time when seemingly on the surface everything looked perfect. He spoke about the courage it took to put his hand up and admit that he needed help in an environment that stigmatised mental well-being. About Darius Boyd: Broncos, Dragons, Knights, Maroons, Australia ... Darius Boyd is an NRL champion. This raw, honest and inspiring episode takes us into the heart of his footy and private life and reveals his fight to conquer his demons and live a better life. Listing statistics, awards and premierships doesn't reveal the battles that Darius Boyd has faced off the field. A teenager with a troubled background, he started his career with innate footy talent but also the emotional baggage of an unknown father, the devastating loss of loved ones, and a mother who was walking a mental health tightrope herself, which as a kid he didn't understand. As his talent shone on the field and his profile increased, Darius struggled. Hiding years of depression and unhappiness, playing footy was his escape. But no one can run from themselves forever. The horrific spinal injury to good mate and Newcastle Knights teammate Alex McKinnon was the catalyst that finally broke Darius. Realising he needed help for his anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts, he turned his back on football, checked into a mental health facility and began to mend his life and himself.  Career Highlights: → 28 State of Origin games for Queensland. → 23 games for Australia. → Clive Churchill winner in the 2010 NRL Premiership. Expertise: → Improving mental health in Athletes.   → Professional Rugby League Coach. → Resilience training for youth.     For more on Darius Boyd read his book – Battling the Blues.   Follow me on Instagram and  YouTube. For more, go to  https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/   Music by Ehrling Music.  

The Story Shared: Tash Adams shared an intimate story about a case that she attended as a newly qualified critical care paramedic. A multi-casualty incident with two severely traumatic patients on scene. Tash shared how this high-stress case created tunnel vision, leading to her missing the needs of one of the patients and becoming fixated. About Tash Adams: Natasha Adams is a Senior Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) with the Queensland Ambulance Service, working on the Woodridge CCP POD and with the High Acuity Response Unit.  Her clinical interests include progressive out-of-hospital care, clinical education and leadership development.   Follow me on Instagram and  YouTube. For more, go to  https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/   Music by Ehrling Music

The Story Shared: Dr. Dan Pronk shared his story of developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and how transitioning from the military to civilian life broke down his resilience. A powerful account of a seemingly strong alpha male who operated in the Special Forces broke down upon discharge.  About Dr. Dan Pronk: Dr. Dan Pronk studied medicine on an Australian Army scholarship. After passing the gruelling SAS selection course, he served on over 100 combat missions in Afghanistan as a frontline special forces combat doctor. His casualties were fellow SAS soldiers, commandos, local civilians, and even the enemy. The thrill of adventure and the challenges of battlefield medicine gave me a sense of purpose in testing his skills to the limits. But the despair of being helpless to save his friends in their final moments haunted him.  Career Highlights: → Commendation for Distinguished Service (for combat actions) → NATO Special Operations Forces Medical Expert Panel Member  → Successfully completed SASR selection and supported multiple courses. Expertise: → Building and maintaining robust resilience.  → Medical response in high-threat environments. → Transition from the military, law enforcement, and first responder roles.    For more on Dr. Dan Pronk, go to  https://danpronk.com/   Follow me on Instagram and  YouTube. For more, go to  https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/   Music by Ehrling Music.

He has been a registered psychologist for over 20 years and has experience working in both clinical and organisational psychology contexts. His primary areas of expertise lie in clinical psychology, executive coaching, and the provision of professional supervision. Wade is a Master of Clinical Psychology and a Doctor of Psychology. Follow me on Instagram and YouTube. For more, go to https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/

Dr. Tom Evens is a Staff Specialist in Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine, New South Wales Ambulance. Recently a consultant for London Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), Tom was previously a coach for the British Rowing Team. He has worked with coaches from England Football, Rugby, British Sailing, and many others. Dr. Evens has a vast knowledge of key concepts and techniques from the discipline of performance psychology, which will be helpful to clinicians practicing in high-consequence, high-load situations. Drawing from experience working with athletes and coaches across a range of elite sport and business organisations, he has identified performance and mindset skills relevant to the ambulance profession. Follow me on Instagram and YouTube. For more, go to https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/

Dr. Stephen Rashford is a specialist emergency physician and medical director of the Queensland Ambulance Service. He has been the medical director since 2005 and has overseen a significant expansion in practice, including several novel treatment strategies. He is committed to ensuring quality evidence-based care. Dr. Rashford regularly attends cases in the field with paramedics. His research interests focus on innovative trauma care interventions, including airway management, point-of-care ultrasound, aggressive blood product administration and high-performance quality assurance activities. Follow me on Instagram and YouTube. For more, go to https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/

Ron Iddles is a former Australian police detective. His early police career was in the uniform branch working in Melbourne, and he was later transferred to Fitzroy Criminal Investigation Branch. He became a homicide detective in 1980, and his first case was the murder of 38-year old Maria James. In 2012, he headed up the Cold Case Homicide Division. He later became the Secretary of the Police Union, where he was instrumental in raising awareness of mental health issues for serving police officers. In 2015, Ron was made a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the community. He is widely known as "Australia's greatest detective." During his career, which spanned 37 years, 25 of which were spent in homicide; he investigated more than 300 murder cases and hundreds of suspicious deaths. His homicide conviction rate was 99%. Follow me on Instagram and YouTube. For more, go to https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/

Colonel Mike Mullane was a child of the space race and, in the late 1950s, embarked on his own rocket experiments in the deserts near his home. Upon his graduation from West Point in 1967, he was commissioned into the United States Air Force. As a Weapon Systems Operator aboard RF-4C Phantom aircraft, he completed 134 combat missions in Vietnam. He holds a Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering and is also a graduate of the Air Force Flight Test Engineer School at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Mullane was selected as a Mission Specialist in 1978 in the first group of NASA's Space Shuttle Astronauts. He completed three space missions aboard the space shuttles Discovery and Atlantis before retiring from NASA and the Air Force in 1990. Mullane has been inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame and is the recipient of many awards. Follow me on Instagram and YouTube. For more, go to https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/ Mike Mullane's book - Riding Rockets: The Outrageous Tales of a Space Shuttle Astronaut.

Michael Lauria was a Pararescueman or PJ in the US Air Force and Critical Care/Flight Paramedic for the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Advanced Response Team. Now, he is an Emergency Medicine Physician at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Centre, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Fellow and Flight Physician for Lifeguard Air Emergency Services. Michael has published a number of research papers on human factors that affect clinical performance. His mission is to draw from the fields of psychology, cognitive science, organisational behaviour, performance science, and Human Factors to improve the way that we provide emergency medical care. Follow me on Instagram and YouTube. For more, go to https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/

Matt served seven years in various combat roles as a soldier and officer in the Australian Army before becoming a paramedic. With over 15 years as a paramedic across multiple ambulance services, Matt is currently a Special Operations/Intensive Care (ICU) Paramedic. Matt was part of the team that established the first full-time Tactical Paramedic Team in Australia and was the first-ever dedicated Tactical Medicine Clinical Training Officer in the country. Follow me on Instagram and YouTube. For more, go to https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/ 

Gavin Cousens is a paramedical science lecturer at Central Queensland University with over 25 years of pre-hospital experience. Gavin's career began as a medic with the Royal Australian Army Corps, where he participated in multiple overseas deployments. Now, into his seventeenth year of employment within the ambulance service, Gavin has worked as a critical care paramedic and flight paramedic. Over the course of his career, Gavin has been involved in multiple natural disasters, including flood and cyclone response and mass casualty incidents. He was awarded the Australian Bravery Medal for his response to a significant bushfire disaster. Follow me on Instagram and YouTube. For more, go to https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/

Lieutenant Colonel David Grossman is a US Army Ranger, a paratrooper, and a former West Point Psychology Professor. He has a Black Belt in Hojutsu, the martial art of the firearm, and has been inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Lt. Col. Grossman has testified before the U.S. Congress and numerous state legislatures. His research was cited by the President of the United States in a national address. He has five patents to his name, and has published four novels, two children's books, and six non-fiction books. His "perennial bestseller" On Killing sold over half a million copies sold, and he has co-authored a New York Times best-selling book with Glenn Beck. Follow me on Instagram and YouTube. For more, go to https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/

Daniel has been a full-time firefighter and paramedic since 2003. He has a real passion for raising mental health and PTSD awareness for the paramedic profession and believes that you can't do this job and not get a little crazy. Daniel was born and raised in Canada and is the creator of vibrant and authentic artistic works that are a result of his paramedic experiences. Follow me on Instagram and YouTube. For more, go to https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/ DanSun Photos https://www.dansunphotos.com/

Daniel Cooper is an 18-year veteran of SASR, Australia's tier-one Special Forces Unit. He is also former Strength & Power Coach for the Queensland Reds rugby team, holds a Master's in Sports Science, and is currently completing a PhD. Daniel specialises in human performance and is the performance director at the Komanchi Group, which is advancing critical decision-making in high-consequence environments. Follow me on Instagram and YouTube. For more, go to https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/

Carol Fox is known as the Confident Communication Expert. She has worked with entire generations of leaders – influencing, guiding and inspiring them into practical, powerful, community-shaping action. Acknowledged by the Australian Financial Review as a 100 "Women of Influence," she specialises in helping leaders leverage their talents to influence people around them in a positive way and get the respect they deserve. Carol is the co-author of Confident Communication for Leaders and is the creator and founder of the program this book inspired. Follow The Paramedic Mindset on Instagram and YouTube For more, go to https://paramedicmindset.com.au/  

Andy has 14 years of experience as a paramedic working in New Zealand with search and rescue before moving to Australia. He has been a university lecturer for over seven years, teaching the next generation of paramedics. Andy currently works at Griffith University as a senior lecturer, where he has a particular interest in operational cognitive readiness, developing clinical pedagogy for the prehospital environment and improving student learning outcomes through the use of variations in teaching delivery. Andy is currently enrolled as a PhD candidate. Follow me on Instagram and YouTube. For more, go to https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/

Professor Andrew MacLeod has a diverse portfolio career covering for-profit, not-for-profit and academia; he chairs Griffin Law (UK), is a visiting Professor at Kings College London, is a Non-Executive Director of multiple companies, and is co-founder of anti-child-abuse charity Hear Their Cries. He has built massive humanitarian response operations for the United Nations and Red Cross. His previous humanitarian work included deployments to Rwanda and former Yugoslavia for the International Committee of the Red Cross and multiple deployments for the United Nations (UN), including Chief of Operations of the UN's Emergency Coordination Centre in Pakistan. Follow me on Instagram and YouTube. For more, go to https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/ 

Aldon is a critical care and technical rescue paramedic by training. He has worked in eight different countries, including remote environments, jungles, deserts, cities and war zones, providing intensive care-level medical support in high-risk, high-consequence situations. He taught paramedicine at a university in South Africa for a number of years before starting to teach tactical medicine in Australia to various organisations. Follow me on Instagram and YouTube.  For more, go to https://www.paramedicmindset.com.au/