UNAWARE with Be Physiology

In our first season, BE-REEL, we'll be reviewing films of all different genres and overlaying our experiences as exercise physiologists to bring awareness to how disabilities are portrayed, whether that is good, bad or anything in between. We're going to say some stupid things, we're going to be honest, but we're not trying to offend anyone, we just want to bring awareness to what's happening in the world around us all. Subscribe to be the first to listen! 

In the very first episode of ‘Be Reel', season one of UNAWARE with Be Physiology, Harry and Aj break down their experiences working with spinal cord injury. The guys compare and contrast their understanding of spinal cord injury using the film ‘Penguin Bloom', released in 2021 and starring Naomi Watts. Penguin Bloom portrays the true story of Samantha Bloom, who after a freak SCI accident in Thailand, suffers a T6 spinal cord lesion.   This episode breaks down what spinal cord injury is, injury classifications, post-injury hospital rehabilitation and release, professional relationships with SCI clients, and of course, typical exercise goals and treatment!   Find out more on the podcast at www.bephysiology.com.au/podcasts or on Instagram @bephysiology.   Let us know if there's something you'd like to add or to share, or if you disagree with a comment we made - we want to learn with you and continue the conversation and bring awareness to the people around us, so reach out on the channel you prefer!   Coming up in episode two, we talk about down syndrome and the film Peanut Butter Falcon. Subscribe to be the first to listen!    Love, Harry and Aj Accredited Exercise Physiologists hello@bephysiology.com.au

Welcome to episode two of Be Reel, where Harry and Aj take you through the heartwarming story that is Peanut Butter Falcon, starring Shia Lebouf and Zack Gottsagen. Zak (played by Gottsagen) is a rare and accurate portrayal when it comes to characters living with a disability – and that's because Gottsagen has down syndrome. The guys talk about societal pressures that impede exercise participation for persons living with down syndrome, the physiological disadvantages that come with DS, our at-work experiences and plenty more! Find out more on the podcast at www.bephysiology.com.au/podcasts or on Instagram @BePhysiology.  Let us know if there's something you'd like to add or to share, or if you disagree with a comment we made - we want to learn with you and continue the conversation and bring awareness to the people around us, so reach out on the channel you prefer! Coming up in episode three, we talk about muscular dystrophy and the film The Fundamentals of Caring.  Subscribe to be the first to listen!    Love, Harry and Aj Accredited Exercise Physiologists hello@bephysiology.com.au

It's episode 3! Harry and Aj provide their insight on the extremely important carer-client relationship and they do so after watching the ever-hilarious Fundamentals of Caring. Fundamentals of Caring is the story of Trevor (Craig Roberts) who is living with muscular dystrophy, and his fresh-to-the-job caretaker Ben (Paul Rudd). The guys give this podcast the ol' two-prong attack and concurrently discuss MD as a condition, how well MD is represented in the film, and plenty more! Find out more on the podcast at www.bephysiology.com.au/podcasts or on Instagram @BePhysiology.  Let us know if there's something you'd like to add or to share, or if you disagree with a comment we made - we want to learn with you and continue the conversation and bring awareness to the people around us, so reach out on the channel you prefer! Coming up in episode four, we talk about polio and the film 'Breathe'.  Subscribe to be the first to listen!    Love, Harry and Aj Accredited Exercise Physiologists hello@bephysiology.com.au

We take a slightly different approach to episode 4 in our breakdown of 2017's Breathe. Set mainly in 1960's Britain - when polio was still rampant – Breathe follows the story of Robin Cavendish (Andrew Garfield), who after being diagnosed with the condition, dedicates his life to medical innovation. Using this as our soundboard, we go on to discuss current innovations in the medical field that may one day transform the lives of many. We want to hear from you if there's something you'd like to add or to share, or if you disagree with a comment we made - we want to learn with you and continue the conversation and bring awareness to the people around us, so reach out on the channel you prefer! Coming up in episode five, we move away from physical disability to talk about autism and the film Please Stand By.    Subscribe to be the first to listen!    Love, Harry and Aj Accredited Exercise Physiologists hello@bephysiology.com.au

Man alive, it's episode number 5! We shift away from physical disability in this episode and get deep into the world of autism. As portrayed in Please Stand By (2017), autism certainly has the potential to be a peculiar and vastly misunderstood condition. We do our best to describe autism, and just how variable an autism diagnosis is, as we unravel Dakota Fanning's character, Wendy, in this film. We also talk through what our role is when working with a client who has autism and we speak very honestly about the lessons we've learned after one or two (maybe more…) naïve errors. We want to hear from you if there's something you'd like to add or to share, or if you disagree with a comment we made - we want to learn with you and continue the conversation and bring awareness to the people around us, so reach out on the channel you prefer! Coming up in episode six, we break down our first international film, 100 meters, a (true) story of Ramón, a Spanish man who is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.  Subscribe to be the first to listen!    Love, Harry and Aj Accredited Exercise Physiologists hello@bephysiology.com.au

We're back with episode number 6 to talk about multiple sclerosis or MS.In this episode, we show off our (not so) cultural nous by breaking down our first international film for the Be Reel season: 100 Meters.100 Meters is the story of Ramón, a Spanish man who, after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, is told he is not capable of completing an Ironman, and from this film we talk about how MS affects the body, evaluate Ramón's training regime and discuss how exercise treatment may or may not differ from what is seen in the film. We want to hear from you if there's something you'd like to add or to share, or if you disagree with a comment we made - we want to learn with you and continue the conversation and bring awareness to the people around us, so reach out on the channel you prefer! Coming up in episode seven, we segue from autism to discuss how families adapt when supporting someone who is living with a disability using the film What's Eating Gilbert Grape. Subscribe to be the first to listen!    Love, Harry and Aj Accredited Exercise Physiologists hello@bephysiology.com.au

In this episode, we segue from autism to discuss how families adapt when supporting someone who is living with a disability. Using the film What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Harry and Aj discuss how this effect is portrayed on screen and how it does and doesn't match up to their experiences. What's Eating Gilbert Grape stars Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio, and is a 1993 coming-of-age film that we recommend watching (or rewatching). There are difficult scenes to watch, some scary, some frustrating, but there are also some moments of compassion and humour. We want to hear from you if there's something you'd like to add or to share, or if you disagree with a comment we made - we want to learn with you and continue the conversation and bring awareness to the people around us, so reach out on the channel you prefer! Subscribe to be the first to listen!   Love, Harry and Aj  Accredited Exercise Physiologists hello@bephysiology.com.au

Capping off the final episode of series one of UNAWARE the Podcast, we sit down to chat about a stroke.With 50,000 Australians suffering a stroke every year, it is obviously such an important condition to try and understand a little bit better.After watching the French film The Butterfly and the Diving Bell, which depicts life after a severe brain stem stroke, we relate our experiences and see if the movie weighs up in comparison.Get listening and let us know if you agree or disagree with what we discuss! Subscribe to be the first to listen!   Love, Harry and Aj  Accredited Exercise Physiologists hello@bephysiology.com.au

Ever wondered how it feels to live with a spinal cord injury? Or what it's like to use a wheelchair every day? Curious about how a brain injury can affect someone's day-to-day life? We discuss all this (and more!) in our second season of the podcast, titled ‘Be Stories'.  Gain valuable insights into the world of NDIS support work, and learn what you definitely shouldn't say to a person living with disabilities! We chat about the perks of living with disabilities (convenient parking is one of many) and discover more about the challenges our guests have faced and overcome. We feel so privileged to be given the chance to discuss life and disability with these incredible people. Get ready for a stream of honest and eye-opening conversations – with a lot of laughs along the way!  P.S. This podcast contains a number of shameless plugs for exercise physiology, the most fantastic industry in the world. And no, of course, we're not biased… Tune in to hear our amazing guests talk about their experiences of disability. Subscribe now  

And we are back with Season 2 of the UNAWARE podcast by Be Physiology! Get ready for a stream of honest and eye-opening conversations – with a lot of laughs along the way!  The first cab off the rank is Charles – a deep-thinking individual who offers us a unique perspective on disability. As far as Charles sees it, he is faced with two options every morning.  Option 1: stay in bed. Option 2: give it a go. It's not an easy decision. In this eye-opening interview, Charles explains how choosing Option 2 has made his life richer and more fulfilling than he ever could have imagined.  Once upon a time, he tells us, Charles' ego was centred around his position as a  company CEO. That's how he'd introduce himself at parties, anyway. Then, after he experienced an “unscheduled dismount” off a horse while riding with his daughter, his perspective changed. Charles describes how his body incurred a spinal cord injury that would change his way of doing life. Faced with the need to relinquish control,  Charles decided his ego should be more attached to his persona rather than his situation. He tells us how this shift in perspective allows him to discover new opportunities and explore possibilities. Oh, and it also had Charles challenging doctors when they told him he would never ride a bike. Update: he now rides a bike.  Our conversation with Charles leads to some valuable nuggets of wisdom and useful life advice. Listen in to hear Charles talk about the power of determination and the disability that hasn't been near as disabling as he expected.   Be Stories By Be Physiology | Season 2 of UNAWARE Tune in to hear our amazing guests talk about their experiences of disability. Ever wondered how it feels to live with a spinal cord injury? Or what it's like to use a wheelchair every day? Curious about how a brain injury can affect someone's day-to-day life? We discuss all this (and more!) in our second season of the podcast, titled ‘Be Stories'. Gain valuable insights into the world of NDIS support work, and learn what you definitely shouldn't say to a person living with disabilities! We chat about the perks of living with disabilities (convenient parking is one of many) and discover more about the challenges our guests have faced and overcome. We feel so privileged to be given the chance to discuss life and disability with these incredible people. Get ready for a stream of honest and eye-opening conversations – with a lot of laughs along the way!  P.S. This podcast contains a number of shameless plugs for exercise physiology, the most fantastic industry in the world. And no, of course, we're not biased… Subscribe now

Ever wondered how it feels to live with a spinal cord injury? Or what it's like to use a wheelchair every day? Curious about how a brain injury can affect someone's day-to-day life? We discuss all this (and more!) in our second season of the podcast, titled ‘Be Stories'.  Gain valuable insights into the world of NDIS support work, and learn what you definitely shouldn't say to a person living with disabilities! We chat about the perks of living with disabilities (convenient parking is one of many) and discover more about the challenges our guests have faced and overcome. We feel so privileged to be given the chance to discuss life and disability with these incredible people. Get ready for a stream of honest and eye-opening conversations – with a lot of laughs along the way!  P.S. This podcast contains a number of shameless plugs for exercise physiology, the most fantastic industry in the world. And no, of course, we're not biased… Tune in to hear our amazing guests talk about their experiences of disability. Subscribe now

Christa was given 2 months to live. Following a horse-riding injury as a child, she was unknowingly injected with a radioactive solution while undergoing surgery. Every day, the toxic effects of this disaster became more and more apparent. But Christa had an uncanny ability to adapt to these changes! In this episode of Be Stories, Christa shares her experiences with medical specialists across the globe, and how it feels to be given a few short months to live. Her palliative care doctor got more than they bargained for when, more than a year after her diagnosis, Christa still refused to believe her time had come. That's what you call a challenging client!  Whether it's down to her rigorous athletic training as a child or the blistering cold of  Switzerland winters (yes, she actually skied to school), Christa is always determined to overcome limitations and defy the odds. In this inspiring conversation, we discuss living beyond diagnoses, the benefits of exercise physiology, and using the power of our minds to create our lives. We're so thrilled to be able to talk with this incredible  woman; Christa is living proof that “you place yourself where you want to be.” What a  woman.   Be Stories By Be Physiology | Season 2 of UNAWARE Tune in to hear our amazing guests talk about their experiences of disability. Ever wondered how it feels to live with a spinal cord injury? Or what it's like to use a wheelchair every day? Curious about how a brain injury can affect someone's day-to-day life? We discuss all this (and more!) in our second season of the podcast, titled ‘Be Stories'. Gain valuable insights into the world of NDIS support work, and learn what you definitely shouldn't say to a person living with disabilities! We chat about the perks of living with disabilities (convenient parking is one of many) and discover more about the challenges our guests have faced and overcome. We feel so privileged to be given the chance to discuss life and disability with these incredible people. Get ready for a stream of honest and eye-opening conversations – with a lot of laughs along the way!  P.S. This podcast contains a number of shameless plugs for exercise physiology, the most fantastic industry in the world. And no, of course, we're not biased… Subscribe now

Ever wondered what a Support Coordinator is? What's their role, and why are they so important? In this episode, we sit down with Michelle, an NDIS Support Coordinator, to hear all about the part she plays in disability support.  Michelle has always had an affinity for helping people meet their needs. When her son, Tom, was born with multiple disabilities, she realised how overwhelming the  world of disability support can be. Sometimes it's a complex and time-consuming procedure just to access the NDIS in the first place! After facing several obstacles – including a misdiagnosis which forced them to restart the entire process – Michelle decided to help other people navigate this journey. Michelle explains how a Support Coordinator links people with services and fills gaps in their knowledge of the NDIS.  She is “the other woman” (Michelle said it, not us!) which eases the pressure off families and carers. Listen in to hear the perks and pitfalls of the NDIS and learn how to gain access to the support scheme. Find out how Michelle ended up screaming  ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie' in her wedding dress (spoiler: it was that one time Australia won the Bledisloe Cup). We loved hearing Michelle's stories, and we know that you  will too!   Be Stories By Be Physiology | Season 2 of UNAWARE Tune in to hear our amazing guests talk about their experiences of disability. Ever wondered how it feels to live with a spinal cord injury? Or what it's like to use a wheelchair every day? Curious about how a brain injury can affect someone's day-to-day life? We discuss all this (and more!) in our second season of the podcast, titled ‘Be Stories'. Gain valuable insights into the world of NDIS support work, and learn what you definitely shouldn't say to a person living with disabilities! We chat about the perks of living with disabilities (convenient parking is one of many) and discover more about the challenges our guests have faced and overcome. We feel so privileged to be given the chance to discuss life and disability with these incredible people. Get ready for a stream of honest and eye-opening conversations – with a lot of laughs along the way!  P.S. This podcast contains a number of shameless plugs for exercise physiology, the most fantastic industry in the world. And no, of course, we're not biased… Subscribe now  

In this episode, we chat with straight-shooter Mick about life with a spinal cord injury. After suffering an accident at work, Mick was left with multiple injuries, the prospect of 4 months in hospital, and the need to adapt to his new life. In this motivating story,  Mick gives us an insight into the highs and lows of his post-injury journey. He takes us through his personal struggles, then shares some of the best things about living with a disability (hello, premium footy seats!). From learning how to get out of bed, to the perks of jumping queues, we discuss the ins and outs of adapting to life with a physical disability.   Be Stories By Be Physiology | Season 2 of UNAWARE Tune in to hear our amazing guests talk about their experiences of disability. Ever wondered how it feels to live with a spinal cord injury? Or what it's like to use a wheelchair every day? Curious about how a brain injury can affect someone's day-to-day life? We discuss all this (and more!) in our second season of the podcast, titled ‘Be Stories'. Gain valuable insights into the world of NDIS support work, and learn what you definitely shouldn't say to a person living with disabilities! We chat about the perks of living with disabilities (convenient parking is one of many) and discover more about the challenges our guests have faced and overcome. We feel so privileged to be given the chance to discuss life and disability with these incredible people. Get ready for a stream of honest and eye-opening conversations – with a lot of laughs along the way!  P.S. This podcast contains a number of shameless plugs for exercise physiology, the most fantastic industry in the world. And no, of course, we're not biased… Subscribe now

While at a social event, Emma took a nasty fall off a balcony. She suffered a severe brain injury and completely lost the use of her legs (temporarily, we might add!). Emma was in the hospital for months following her back surgery, and she spent the time navigating post-traumatic amnesia and her major back injury. But Emma's determination meant that, despite such major injuries, she wasn't going to let these new challenges stop her from moving forward!  Emma, we discover, was born adventurous. Growing up in PNG meant she experienced life barefoot, out in nature, and next to a crocodile farm (yes, you read that right). She was still adventurous when she moved to Australia, and nothing changed after her accident! If you think someone who uses a wheelchair is limited in their daring pursuits, think again. Horse-riding, scuba diving, quad bikes…the list of  Emma's active hobbies goes on! Emma talks about how using a wheelchair has affected her social life, shares what it's like living with constant chronic pain, and evaluates the transition from one exercise physiologist to another. It's especially tough when the physiologist in question overuses the words ‘um' and ‘like'.  Get ready for a great conversation in today's episode of Be Stories, where we chat to  Emma and she puts up with our company for a whole hour!   Be Stories By Be Physiology | Season 2 of UNAWARE Tune in to hear our amazing guests talk about their experiences of disability. Ever wondered how it feels to live with a spinal cord injury? Or what it's like to use a wheelchair every day? Curious about how a brain injury can affect someone's day-to-day life? We discuss all this (and more!) in our second season of the podcast, titled ‘Be Stories'. Gain valuable insights into the world of NDIS support work, and learn what you definitely shouldn't say to a person living with disabilities! We chat about the perks of living with disabilities (convenient parking is one of many) and discover more about the challenges our guests have faced and overcome. We feel so privileged to be given the chance to discuss life and disability with these incredible people. Get ready for a stream of honest and eye-opening conversations – with a lot of laughs along the way!  P.S. This podcast contains a number of shameless plugs for exercise physiology, the most fantastic industry in the world. And no, of course, we're not biased… Subscribe now  

It takes a particular sort of person to be a support worker. In this episode of Be Stories, we chat with Emma and Katie about their roles as disability support workers. Katie and Emma both care for Daelle, a creative 22-year-old woman living with Pachygyria Cerebral Palsy. We find out how Daelle helps to enrich Katie and Emma's lives, and how exercise physiology has helped Daelle improve her overall health and abilities (a shameless plug for us EPs, we're not even sorry).  We also find out about what it's like in Charters Towers, a small town in rural Queensland where they are both from. The town has ghost tours, a great pub, and a fireman pole in the local bowling alley - what more could you need? In this heartwarming conversation, Katie and Emma tell us how growing up around people with disabilities inspired them to become support workers and we get their top tips for future support workers, we learn what NOT to say to someone with a disability, and the best (and worst!) parts of being a support worker – happy listening!   Be Stories By Be Physiology | Season 2 of UNAWARE Tune in to hear our amazing guests talk about their experiences of disability. Ever wondered how it feels to live with a spinal cord injury? Or what it's like to use a wheelchair every day? Curious about how a brain injury can affect someone's day-to-day life? We discuss all this (and more!) in our second season of the podcast, titled ‘Be Stories'. Gain valuable insights into the world of NDIS support work, and learn what you definitely shouldn't say to a person living with disabilities! We chat about the perks of living with disabilities (convenient parking is one of many) and discover more about the challenges our guests have faced and overcome. We feel so privileged to be given the chance to discuss life and disability with these incredible people. Get ready for a stream of honest and eye-opening conversations – with a lot of laughs along the way!  P.S. This podcast contains a number of shameless plugs for exercise physiology, the most fantastic industry in the world. And no, of course, we're not biased… Subscribe now

Dave was only 4 years old when he was in a major car accident. He suffered a spinal cord injury that meant he would live the rest of his life in a wheelchair.In this enlightening interview, Dave tells us about life before the NDIS, and how he ‘Macgyvered' his way to accessible solutions (no, before you ask, he did not break out of a locked room with a paperclip).As Dave shares his employment journey, we learn shocking truths about discrimination that persists in society today. We ask him how living with a disability shapes his perspective on life, then we get distracted and start talking about snakes in the roof. And share several other Aussie critter stories.As usual, we're all up for a laugh here, and Dave reminds us how important humor is when facing life's challenges. So, plugin and listen up for another great episode of BeStories!   Be Stories By Be Physiology | Season 2 of UNAWARE Tune in to hear our amazing guests talk about their experiences of disability. Ever wondered how it feels to live with a spinal cord injury? Or what it's like to use a wheelchair every day? Curious about how a brain injury can affect someone's day-to-day life? We discuss all this (and more!) in our second season of the podcast, titled ‘Be Stories'. Gain valuable insights into the world of NDIS support work, and learn what you definitely shouldn't say to a person living with disabilities! We chat about the perks of living with disabilities (convenient parking is one of many) and discover more about the challenges our guests have faced and overcome. We feel so privileged to be given the chance to discuss life and disability with these incredible people. Get ready for a stream of honest and eye-opening conversations – with a lot of laughs along the way!  P.S. This podcast contains a number of shameless plugs for exercise physiology, the most fantastic industry in the world. And no, of course, we're not biased… Subscribe now

In this episode, we chat with Peita, an accountant-turned-NDIS Support Coordinator. Peita takes us through her transition from accounting to working in disability support and she tells us about life with Emjay – her 10-year-old daughter who lives with disabilities.  When she was only 6 months old, Emjay began to have seizures. This began a series of tests and medication trials that, years later, led to a  diagnosis of Dravet Syndrome. We chat with Peita about her family's experiences and what it takes to support Emjay's personal journey. Having experienced first-hand the challenges of NDIS plans and procedures, Peita jumped at the opportunity to help other families navigate the process. As we always say here at Be Physiology – the goal of disability support services should be to no longer need us! Peita backs us up and shares positive stories of people she's seen make that move toward independence. She offers invaluable advice to parents of children with disabilities and stresses the importance of building a positive support team. Peita is a great example of how the right support can have a life-changing impact on families and individuals alike. So, sit back, turn up the volume, and get ready to learn!   Be Stories By Be Physiology | Season 2 of UNAWARE Tune in to hear our amazing guests talk about their experiences of disability. Ever wondered how it feels to live with a spinal cord injury? Or what it's like to use a wheelchair every day? Curious about how a brain injury can affect someone's day-to-day life? We discuss all this (and more!) in our second season of the podcast, titled ‘Be Stories'. Gain valuable insights into the world of NDIS support work, and learn what you definitely shouldn't say to a person living with disabilities! We chat about the perks of living with disabilities (convenient parking is one of many) and discover more about the challenges our guests have faced and overcome. We feel so privileged to be given the chance to discuss life and disability with these incredible people. Get ready for a stream of honest and eye-opening conversations – with a lot of laughs along the way!  P.S. This podcast contains a number of shameless plugs for exercise physiology, the most fantastic industry in the world. And no, of course, we're not biased… Subscribe now

We're all familiar with the fear of injuring ourselves overseas. What's it really like ending up in a foreign hospital? In this episode of Be Stories, we hear about the injury Callan suffered while on holiday in South America.   After spending a year travelling, watching live volcanos, and exploring the Amazon,  Callan decided to take a break and went to work with a friend in Chile. One day,  while en route to a job site, Callan was involved in a major car accident that left him unable to move. Callan recalls his 4-hour ambulance ride and painful journey to find a hospital that would give him more than just a Panadol for pain! In a story that reveals the alarming reality of overseas injuries, Callan shares how dangerously close he was to suffering a spinal cord injury. And that's before the earthquake hit…  In this revealing episode, we chat to Callan about his post-surgery challenges, the rehabilitation process, and his determination to overcome the barriers he faced. Plus,  we get a sneaky insight into travelling first-class on an international flight! In this true account of perseverance and resilience, Callan tells the story of how he came to be where he is today.   Be Stories By Be Physiology | Season 2 of UNAWARE Tune in to hear our amazing guests talk about their experiences of disability. Ever wondered how it feels to live with a spinal cord injury? Or what it's like to use a wheelchair every day? Curious about how a brain injury can affect someone's day-to-day life? We discuss all this (and more!) in our second season of the podcast, titled ‘Be Stories'. Gain valuable insights into the world of NDIS support work, and learn what you definitely shouldn't say to a person living with disabilities! We chat about the perks of living with disabilities (convenient parking is one of many) and discover more about the challenges our guests have faced and overcome. We feel so privileged to be given the chance to discuss life and disability with these incredible people. Get ready for a stream of honest and eye-opening conversations – with a lot of laughs along the way!  P.S. This podcast contains a number of shameless plugs for exercise physiology, the most fantastic industry in the world. And no, of course, we're not biased… Subscribe now